Start8 Alternatives

Start8 is described as 'Return the Start Button to Windows 8 With these features:' and is an app in the os & utilities category. There are more than 25 alternatives to Start8 for Windows, Android, Android Tablet and F-Droid. The best Start8 alternative is Open Shell, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Start8 are Classic Shell, StartAllBack, Start11 and RetroBar.

Start8 iconStart8
  30
  • ...

Return the Start Button to Windows 8 With these features:

  • Search for Windows 8-style (Modern UI) apps
  • Pin desktop and...
More about Start8
More about Start8
Start8 alternatives page was last updated Jun 29, 2024
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  1. Open Shell icon

    Open Shell

     101 likes
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    Open Shell is a fork of the Classic Shell project for Windows that getting back the classic start menu to modern versions of Microsoft Windows.

    39 Open Shell alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Open Shell screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Support for Themes
    2.  Lightweight
    3.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Customize Windows
    2.  Change Start Button
    3.  System Tweaker
    4. File Explorer icon  Windows Explorer Extension
    5.  Make Taskbar Transparent
    6.  Ad-free

    Open Shell VS Start8

     

    • Open Shell is the most popular Windows alternative to Start8.

    • Open Shell is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Start8.

    • Open Shell is Free and Open SourceStart8 is Paid and Proprietary
    • Open Shell is Lightweight and Privacy focusedStart8 is not according to our users
  2. Classic Shell icon

    Classic Shell

     209 likes
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    Classic Shell is free software that improves your productivity, enhances the usability of Windows, and empowers you to use the computer the way you like it.

    29 Classic Shell alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • BG flagBulgaria
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Explorer Settings
    Discontinued

    The developer announced that Classic Shell will be no longer developed because Windows 10 is updated too frequently and because Microsoft is making more difficult to customize Windows: http://www.classicshell.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=8147 Last version, 4.3.1, released in August 2017, can be still downloaded from the official website, together with the source code.

    Properties

    1.  Customizable

    Features

    1. File Explorer icon  Windows Explorer Extension
    2.  Change Start Button
    3.  Customize Windows
    4.  Multiple languages

    Classic Shell VS Start8

     
  4. StartAllBack icon

    StartAllBack

     26 likes
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    The Windows 11 version of the Startisback replacement shell. This software allows you to make Windows 11 look like previous versions of Windows or a modified version of itself.

    26 StartAllBack alternatives

    License model

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Desktop showcase

    StartAllBack Features

    1.  Customize Windows
    2.  Context Menu extension

    StartAllBack VS Start8

     

    • StartAllBack is the most popular commercial alternative to Start8.

    • StartAllBack is Paid and ProprietaryStart8 is also Paid and Proprietary
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    Start11 icon
    Start11

    Enhance Windows 10/11 personalizing Start Menu and Taskbar with style changes, icon and section adjustments, taskbar improvements, quick access menus, and advanced search features for improved productivity.

    https://www.stardock.com
    Learn More
  6. Start11 icon

    Start11

     26 likes
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    Enhance Windows 10/11 personalizing Start Menu and Taskbar with style changes, icon and section adjustments, taskbar improvements, quick access menus, and advanced search features for improved productivity.

    27 Start11 alternatives

    License model

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Start11 screenshot 1

    Start11 VS Start8

     
  7. RetroBar icon

    RetroBar

     12 likes
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    Pining for simpler times? RetroBar teleports you back in time by replacing your modern Windows taskbar with the classic Windows 95, 98, Me, 2000, XP, Longhorn, or Vista style.

    17 RetroBar alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Country of Origin

    • CA flagCanada

    Platforms

    • Windows
    RetroBar screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Customizable

    Features

    1.  Customize Windows
    2.  Themes

    RetroBar VS Start8

     
  8. StartIsBack icon

    StartIsBack

     32 likes
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    StartIsBack returns Windows 8 a real fully featured start menu and start button, behaving exactly like the ones in Windows 7. StartIsBack radically improves desktop usability and makes new Start screen clutter-free.

    27 StartIsBack alternatives

    License model

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Boot to Desktop

    Properties

    1.  Customizable

    Features

    1.  Works Offline
    2.  Dark Mode
    3.  Portable
    4.  Ad-free

    StartIsBack VS Start8

     
  10. WindowBlinds icon

    WindowBlinds

     18 likes
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    Customize Windows 10 and 11 with skins for Start menu and taskbar. Includes SkinStudio for designing skins, offering personalized fonts, and color and transparency adjustments.

    39 WindowBlinds alternatives

    License model

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Windows
    WindowBlinds screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Support for Themes

    Features

    1.  Customize Windows
    2.  Skins
    3.  Themes

    WindowBlinds VS Start8

     
  11. Pokki icon

    Pokki

     41 likes
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    Pokki puts web-connected apps in your taskbar, so they're always only one click away. Welcome to the modern desktop.

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Pokki screenshot 1
    Discontinued

    The program seems to be no longer updated. Social pages are not updated since 2014. Last version can be still downloaded from the official website.

    Pokki Features

    1.  Launcher

    Pokki VS Start8

     
  12. Start Menu X icon

    Start Menu X

     26 likes
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    Start Menu X is a replacement of the system menu for professionals.

    Virtual Groups Group programs by purpose (office applications, graphics, etc) without changing their location on the hard drive.

    One-click start

    The PRO version allows you to assign a primary program to any f.

    25 Start Menu X alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Country of Origin

    • UA flagUkraine

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Start Menu X screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Customizable

    Features

    1.  Tabbed interface

    Start Menu X VS Start8

     
  13. Taskbar icon

    Taskbar

     3 likes
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    Puts a start menu and recent apps tray on top of your screen accessible at any time, increasing your productivity and turning your Android tablet or phone into a real multitasking machine.

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • F-Droid

    Taskbar VS Start8

     

    • Taskbar is the most popular Android & Android Tablet alternative to Start8.

    • Taskbar is Free and Open SourceStart8 is Paid and Proprietary
  14. Power8 icon

    Power8

     14 likes
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    Start menu replacement for Windows.

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Power8 screenshot 1
    Discontinued

    The latest version (1.6.4) was released in August 2022.

    Power8 Features

    1.  Multiple languages
    2.  Launcher

    Power8 VS Start8

     
  15. Handy Start Menu icon

    Handy Start Menu

     12 likes
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    Do you often find yourself looking for a program in the long list of the Start menu?

    46 Handy Start Menu alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Country of Origin

    • RU flagRussia

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Handy Start Menu screenshot 1
    Discontinued

    The program seems to be no longer updated. Last version, 1.98, released in June 2015, can be still downloaded from the official website.

    Handy Start Menu VS Start8

     
12 of 26 Start8 alternatives