How do I get the offset button back in Windows 8?

Updated: 12/31/2020 by Estimator Hope

Windows 8.1 Start Button

With the release of Windows 8, Microsoft wanted anybody to use the Starting time screen instead of the Get-go button and the Start menu found in previous versions of Windows. However, there are a few ways to mimic the Windows Start push button and Start menu combination. Read through the following to find the best choice to accommodate your needs.

Tip

If you want to access the command prompt, Event Viewer, or Windows Explorer, try using the shortcut Windows key+Ten before trying the suggestions below. This shortcut key combination opens a carte du jour containing these options and more than.

The First button

With the Windows viii.1 update, Microsoft has added a Start button that takes y'all to the Beginning Screen. This update does not, however, return the Start menu found in previous versions of Windows. If yous're ok with the Showtime Screen and only desire the Offset button, we recommend updating to Windows 8.ane, as it is the fastest solution and updates are important. If you however want the Start menu (not the same as Start screen), keep to the post-obit sections of this page.

Create a Windows Start menu toolbar

The Start menu can be made into a toolbar, which allows you lot access to all the programs you would normally see in All Programs. To practise this, follow the steps below.

Note

Adding this toolbar will not look similar the normal Windows Start menu. It will be on the right side of the Windows Taskbar as a little arrow that shows a list of programs.

  1. Make sure show hidden files is enabled.
  • How do I view hidden files and folders in Windows?
  1. Right-click the Taskbar and click Toolbars and then New toolbar.
  2. Browse to C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows and select Kickoff carte and choose Select Binder

Once these steps are completed, a new Start menu section on the Taskbar appears. This new section contains all the programs located in the Programs folder in the standard Windows Start menu.

Install a third-party add-on

There are multiple tertiary-political party tools that tin can be installed in Windows viii that can mimic the Start push button and Outset carte du jour found in previous versions of Windows. Beneath are our suggestions on which third-party tools to endeavor.

  • ViStart 8 - A great, free utility to add a Outset menu nigh identical to what was in Windows vii. Information technology includes the ability to pare and lots of other features.
  • Archetype Shell - Another free, open source, software tool to add together the Outset menu and other previous Windows features to Windows 8.
  • Commencement 8 - Another neat tool for adding the start push button to the Taskbar.