StartW8 Alternatives

StartW8 is described as 'FREE but powerful tool for Windows 8 users. Do you prefer desktop to modernUI? Would you like to logon directly to desktop? And than use "Start" menu for runnig your apps? Then it's right for you' and is an app in the os & utilities category. There are more than 25 alternatives to StartW8 for Windows, Android, Android Tablet and F-Droid. The best StartW8 alternative is Open Shell, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like StartW8 are Classic Shell, 7+ Taskbar Tweaker, StartAllBack and FastKeys.

filter to find the best alternatives

StartW8 alternatives are mainly System Tweakers but may also be Text Expanders or Clipboard Managers. Filter by these or use the filter bar below if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of StartW8.

StartW8

Free • Proprietary

StartW8 is a FREE but powerful tool for Windows 8 users. Do you prefer desktop to modernUI? Would you like to logon directly to desktop? And than use "Start" menu for runnig your apps? Then it's right for you.

More about StartW8

StartW8 alternatives page was last updated Jun 29, 2024

Open Shell
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
- System Tweaker
Platforms
- Windows
+2
Open Shell Features
1. Customize Windows
2. Change Start Button
3. System Tweaker
4. Support for Themes
5. Windows Explorer Extension
6. Lightweight
7. Privacy focused
8. Make Taskbar Transparent
Show all NaN Open Shell features ▾
Open Shell VS StartW8
Is Open Shell a good alternative to StartW8?
- Open Shell is the most popular Windows alternative to StartW8.
- Open Shell is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to StartW8.
- Open Shell is Free and Open SourceStartW8 is Free and Proprietary
- Open Shell is Lightweight and Privacy focusedStartW8 is not according to our users

Classic Shell
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
- System Tweaker
Platforms
- Windows
+3
Classic Shell Features
1. Windows Explorer Extension
2. Customizable
3. Change Start Button
4. Customize Windows
5. Multiple languages
Show all NaN Classic Shell features ▾
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.
Classic Shell VS StartW8
Is Classic Shell a good alternative to StartW8?

7+ Taskbar Tweaker
Customize the Windows taskbar with dozens of exclusive options.
28 7+ Taskbar Tweaker alternatives
License model
- Free • Proprietary
Application type
- System Tweaker
Platforms
- Windows
7+ Taskbar Tweaker Features
Lightweight
Portable
Customize Windows
Multiple languages
Show all NaN 7+ Taskbar Tweaker features ▾
+2
7+ Taskbar Tweaker VS StartW8
Is 7+ Taskbar Tweaker a good alternative to StartW8?

StartAllBack
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.
27 StartAllBack alternatives
License model
- Paid • Proprietary
Platforms
- Windows
StartAllBack Features
Customize Windows
Context Menu extension
Show all NaN StartAllBack features ▾
StartAllBack VS StartW8
Is StartAllBack a good alternative to StartW8?
- StartAllBack is the most popular commercial alternative to StartW8.
- StartAllBack is Paid and ProprietaryStartW8 is Free and Proprietary

FastKeys
All in one Windows automation software. Fully configurable text expander, start menu, shortcuts, auto complete and mouse gestures. User-defined commands to run files, open webpages, send macros or automate anything. Inc...
126 FastKeys alternatives
License model
- Freemium • Proprietary
Application types
- Text Expander
- Clipboard Manager
Platforms
- Windows
+9
FastKeys Features
1. Text Expansion
2. Autocompletion
3. Autohotkey
4. Run Windows software
5. Lightweight
6. Cloud Sync
7. Portable
8. Exe Compiler
9. Launcher
10. Macro Recording
Show all NaN FastKeys features ▾
FastKeys VS StartW8
Is FastKeys a good alternative to StartW8?

StartIsBack
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
- Paid • Proprietary
Application type
- Shell Extension
Platforms
- Windows
+1
StartIsBack Features
1. Works Offline
2. Dark Mode
3. Portable
4. Ad-free
5. Customizable
Show all NaN StartIsBack features ▾
StartIsBack VS StartW8
Is StartIsBack a good alternative to StartW8?

Start11
Customize the Start Menu and Taskbar in Windows 10 / Windows 11 . Quickly access your most used items, search your PC more effectively and personalize the look and feel ...
28 Start11 alternatives
License model
- Paid • Proprietary
Application type
- System Tweaker
Platforms
- Windows
Start11 Features
Customizable
Show all NaN Start11 features ▾
+9
Start11 VS StartW8
Is Start11 a good alternative to StartW8?

Start8
Return the Start Button to Windows 8 With these features:

Search for Windows 8-style (Modern UI) apps

Pin desktop and Metro apps to the start menu

Jump List support

Unified Search for apps, settings and files -...
27 Start8 alternatives
License model
- Paid • Proprietary
Application type
- System Tweaker
Platforms
- Windows
+2
Discontinued
The program is only for Windows 8 and no longer updated. For Windows 10 or 11, Stardock offers Start11
Start8 VS StartW8
Is Start8 a good alternative to StartW8?

WindowBlinds
WindowBlinds is a software application that allows users to customize the appearance of their Windows interface, including the Start menu, taskbar, window frames, control buttons, and more for Windows 10 and 11.
39 WindowBlinds alternatives
License model
- Paid • Proprietary
Application type
- System Tweaker
Platforms
- Windows
WindowBlinds Features
Support for Themes
Customize Windows
Skins
Themes
Show all NaN WindowBlinds features ▾
WindowBlinds VS StartW8
Is WindowBlinds a good alternative to StartW8?

Pokki
Pokki puts web-connected apps in your taskbar, so they're always only one click away. Welcome to the modern desktop.
16 Pokki alternatives
License model
- Free • Proprietary
Platforms
- Windows
Pokki Features
Launcher
Show all NaN Pokki features ▾
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 VS StartW8
Is Pokki a good alternative to StartW8?

Start Menu X
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

Th...
25 Start Menu X alternatives
License model
- Freemium • Proprietary
Platforms
- Windows
Start Menu X Features
Customizable
Tabbed interface
Show all NaN Start Menu X features ▾
Start Menu X VS StartW8
Is Start Menu X a good alternative to StartW8?

Taskbar
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.
25 Taskbar alternatives
License model
- Free • Open Source
Platforms
- Android
- Android Tablet
- F-Droid
Taskbar VS StartW8
Is Taskbar a good alternative to StartW8?
- Taskbar is the most popular Android & Android Tablet alternative to StartW8.
- Taskbar is Free and Open SourceStartW8 is Free and Proprietary