Don't known if anyone has seen this before but

http://www.pokki.com/windows-8-start-menu

Basically it is a little program which gives you an old style start menu on windows 8. I have just bought a acer laptop with it installed, basically makes windows 8 useable again! There is nothing that can't be fixed with a hammer😜😜
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KIA E-Niro 4+
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On my inlaw's laptop, pressing CTRL-ESC brings up the old style desktop and start menu.

I have something similar on mine, called Classic Shell. It's free, and it's great.
I think there are a number of such programs. It's "bébéchoon", ackcherly, with accents. 'Steve' to my chums.
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Previous:
TD6 HSE L322 Auto FF
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And my 1st Rangie: in 1995, a 2-door VM 2.5 diesel Classic
Not to mention the Lada Niva before those. (I said not to mention it!)

I have seen some comment recently that the Pokki one is an adware enabler:

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2015/02/25/lenovo_pokki/

+1 for Classic Shell

Although an upgrade to 8.1 gives you a button (good right click context menu) and judicious use of "pin to taskbar" should sort things - you really only need a browser launcher as we do everything in the cloud these days  .
Experience is the only genuine knowledge, but as time passes, I have forgotten more than I can remember
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Classic Shell
+2.