How to add the Start Menu back in Windows 8

People have asked for a while, how to put the Start Menu from Windows 7 back in to Windows 8. Now, if all you’re looking for is a “button” – you’re in luck. There are quite a few rumors that Microsoft’s Windows Blue will bring back the Start Button. But that button simply brings up the Start Screen, not the Start Menu. At least, that’s the going theory right now.

The idea seems to be that people can’t figure out how to get back to the tiles once they’re in the desktop, and finding the desktop in the first place can be kind of difficult. I can attest to that based on the number of searches and reads I get on articles on my website. Even simple things like Shutting Down Windows 8 actually get more than a few reads!

So, what if you want something like the Windows 7 Start Menu? I’ve avoided writing this article for a long time, because I like to force myself to get used to things I don’t like. In the early days of Windows XP, when I still preferred Windows 2000, I famously called the colorful Start Button Windows Crayola Edition. But eventually I get used to each interface. But for those of you who just won’t adjust to Windows 8, there are options. Start 8 from Stardock is an inexpensive ($5.00) program which gives you a full blown Start Menu and the ability to use apps in Windows, etc… Classic Shell by Ivo Beltchev is free, and offers the return of the classic Start Menu, the Windows XP Start Menu, or the Windows 7 Start Menu, as well as other “explorer” features, like showing the full folder path in the Windows Explorer address bar, etc…

I encourage you to check both out and see if something works for you. But me? I’ll be here… using the Start Screen, and waiting to see what Microsoft does with Windows 8.1.

2013 – The Grammar Club – Bioavailable

I’ve mentioned The Grammar Club before. I talked about their 2008 album, Bremelanotide. It’s a pop album featuring rap, chiptune, and blending genres into something simply head-bobbingly enjoyable.

One of the rappers on the album, Beefy, said that the group may never make another track like “Balloon Fight” or “Alternate Ending” – but he was quite happy with how these tracks came out on their newest album, Bioavailable. I’ve only had a chance to listen through it once, and I was admittedly a little distracted, but I had to let people know about it, because I really keep finding this super-group of nerdcore songwriters the kind of music I keep going back to.

And if you’re the kind of person who likes remixing music or making mashups, you can pick up the Accapellas or Instrumentals. Even if you just want to listen to the regular Bioavailable album, it’s all available on BandCamp at a Pay-What-You-Want rate. You can get it for free. Or, you can pay ten bucks like I did and just do a little something nice for these guys!

#XboxReveal is May 21st, 2013

I didn’t have an Xbox Tip of the Week for you this morning. But I did remember that there was some Xbox related news I wanted to share with you!

The unveiling of what I still call the Xbox 365 will take place on May 21st, 2013. Microsoft is calling the event the #XboxReveal – and some of the pictures floating around include a simple flat “X” with a circle around it (highly similar to a vintage X-Men logo!. The circle around the X just makes me think my Xbox 365 name is even more accurate. We’ll see. You can bet I’ll be tuning in!

5 Guys? Oh my Dayum!

Once upon a time, some dude reviewed 5 Guys Burgers and Fries on YouTube… and he was super funny.

A little while later, another YouTuber took his review, and remixed it in to a song.

And then the first dude got super famous, and recently announced that he’ll be getting his own TV Series on the Travel Channel. It’s easy to see from his first review. The first video should be enough proof that he has a likeable personality!

I seriously can’t stop watching this stuff on repeat. How did I miss this for the last 8 months!?