Windows 8.1 start icon as well as Start8 icon

from Stardock Forums

How can I have both the Start8 icon (which opens the classic Start menu) as well as the new Windows 8.1 start icon (which opens the Metro start) to show up in the Desktop taskbar?

I would like to have both icons, and not one or the other. Currently, if I want the Windows 8.1 icon, then I have uninstall the Start8. If I want Start8 icon then I can not have the Windows 8.1 icon. Why not allow both icons to live side by side. In the far left the Windows 8.1 start icon, and next to it, the Start8 icon.

Start8 should have this feature added, if it there is not a work around. Is there a workaround?

Thanks

start8
7,002 views 7 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top

Correction: I meant far right, not far left.

Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

Another correction: far left is correct.

ObjectDock - Access shortcuts and frequently used applications from an animated dock.
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top

Why do you feel the need to have two start buttons?

Start8 can be configured so the one button does two different things, for example a middle click on the start button will open the Win 8 menu and a left click will open the Start8 menu.  Or you could configure it so the Windows key on the keyboard opens the Win8 menu but the start button opens the Start8 one.

Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top

I prefer (and maybe many others) that the two buttons are separate from each other.

I use the Start8 button only for Start8 menu and nothing else. And I think that's how it should be.

Anything that the new Windows8.1 button does, should be left to the Windows8.1 button.

That's why I believe the two buttons should be separate from each other.

At least, Start8 should provide option to have two buttons, so everyone will be happy. Some will configure with one button (per your comment) and some will configure with two buttons.

Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting orman6211, reply 4

Start8 should provide option to have two buttons, so everyone will be happy.
End of orman6211's quote

I have simply disabled the "Disable bottom left hot corner when the taskbar overlaps it" Start8 setting and im happy with both buttons.

Move my mouse pointer completely into the corner to use the Win8.1 button and NOT COMPLETELY INTO the corner (or Win key) to use Start8 menu. Okay you may need some practise and/or a precisely working mouse/input device to stop it short before the corner but it works.

Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top

The best solution is for the an upcoming update to Start8 to include a feature where the user can decide whether to have one button in the taskbar (like today) or have two buttons, one for Windows8.1 Start and one for Start8 Start. Basically the Start8 button should become a pinable button like any other pinable icon/button.

The current design of Start8 was logical and good for Windows 8, but Windows 8.1 changed things. So a change is due in the Start8.

Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top

Well, there's an easy way to do it using the built-in Start8.1-functionality of Start8:

1. create a shortcut to ""C:\Program Files (x86)\Stardock\Start8\Start8.exe" Metro"

2. pin it to the taskbar next to the Start8 startbutton.

3. I give it the icon found in %ProgramFiles% (x86)\Stardock\Start8\Start8.exe, it's very nice and

Go and have fun :-)

Andy