Windows 10: Windows 8.1 Start Screen vs. Windows 10 Start Menu

How to switch your desktop to the 'Continuum' Menu:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ImmersiveShell\Launcher (you may have to create the 'Launcher' key),

In right-side pane of Launcher create a new DWORD UseExperience and set its value to 1

log off or restart Explorer

To remove this feature, either delete the DWORD or set its value to 0

 

Thank you, Edwin. *Smile

It's basically the enlargement of the Start Menu sitting on the desktop. Another step backwards so far as I'm concerned. *Sad

 

I think it's going to be geared towards tablets and the like.

 

Yes, for larger tablets and convertibles that the ancient-tech desktop will proportionally sit on a larger screen so touch is at least bearable. Now I'm wondering what it's going to be for smaller tablets and the Windows phone. Suppose it'll be just like 8 with more features.

 

Hi there

For desktops where you have quite a lot of applications - here's a good example of why a Cascading Menu (classic menu type) works better than those endless scrolling tiles. I'd hate to scroll endlessly through tiles for this lot. !!!! On a large monitor it's fine too.

Using W8.1 here as an example -- I've only a few applications on my W10 test machines. Using a Linux Host in UNITY mode so you can see a classic menu even for Windows 8.1 !!!







Cheers
jimbo

 

Jimbo45,
You can also use the start menu toolbar and have both Cascading Menu and scrolling. However, the scrolling on the start menu toolbar is not endless

 

If you have a lot of items on the Start Screen then why not put items into sections and use the zoom out option so you see many many more items on the screen, then just click on the group you want

just as easy as using a cascaded menu

 

Microsoft should of made the start menu stuff on Windows 7 & and up easier to access. To use the C:\ProgramData\Start Menu\Programs you have to take ownership of c:\programData for each user and possibly c:\users as well at least the take ownership reg file makes it a lot easier to do. Whatever you do don't take ownership of c:\windows it will mess it up. There are a couple of folder you can take ownership in c:\windows like where the log in screen pictures is stored without an issue but I would be careful with other folders & files.

 

Stating this once again > The Start Screen is the replacement for the right hand side of the Start menu.
The Apps view is the replacement of the left hand side of the Start menu.

An alternative if not liking to scroll, (just as with the Windows Phone) push any letter to obtain the alphabet tile screen.







Same with full-blown Windows 8.x. Push/click any letter on the (All) Apps Screen to obtain the alphabet tile screen. This is in "By name" mode. This is demonstrated in 8.1 as well. (I’m assuming this works as well with 10TP Start Screen, but I’m using the Start Menu there for now).







Any program installed should have its own rectangular tile in the list. Office is used as an example here. Tap/click the tile and it will move and open to that program’s list.







There’s also categories in the (All) Apps Screen’s menu that can be used. One great feature is that it keeps track of “Most used”. The (All) Apps Screen will remain in any mode indefinitely until changed, even upon shutdown/startup or reboot.












MS tried to compensate or fix the blunder of 8 that had no option to boot to desktop with 8.1 update that has the option and along with using the (All) Apps Screen to substitute for the Start Menu, but by that time it was all too late. Hardly any tried it. The rest is history.

 

What is really not good that the alphabetical order does not include all the programs on the system. There are still a lot that are in their own categories and require a real hunt for them.

 

Only way around that is tell each installer NOT to create a Start folder, and move the System entries manually.

 

I think they are all pretty much in the same order as they are on the Windows 7 start menu. They were also categorised into folders.
Without prior knowledge, you still had to hunt a little.

 

That does not sound like "Ease of use". I would have to do that for very many programs. I think it is a mess and takes away a lot of the advantages of the Apps screen. Never mind what the problems with the old start were. Where is the progress.

 

I think you're correct except the folders are open on the right side of the Apps Screen. That's what is different. The left side also includes IE Favorite site tiles, folder tiles, individual file tiles, etc., just like shortcuts.

There's also these options to cut down on Apps Screen population. Start Screen > Charms Bar > Settings > Tiles.