Start8 1.17 Beta Available for Download

from WinCustomize Forums

We have a new beta for Start8 (v1.17) which includes various updates including fixes for some issues with the Windows 8.1 Preview.

Changelog

  • -Updated for Windows 8.1 Preview build compatibility
  • -Start8 allows customizing the Start button image AND provides a desktop Start menu
  • -Added new prompt on first run to select a default button image. Upgrade installs will not see this prompt.
  • -When running on Windows 8.1 Preview, respect the OS configuration for "boot to desktop"
  • -When used with Stardock WindowBlinds, you can also override the Start button in use with the WB setting for "always use the OS" button
  • -Options for showing the Windows 8.1 Start screen in other than full-screen mode are disabled in this version of Start8

 You can download here, and registered users can download from their account page at download.stardock.com.

 

36,525 views 15 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top

So, is it still good with the Windows 8 release we have now?

Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting RedneckDude, reply 1

So, is it still good with the Windows 8 release we have now?
End of RedneckDude's quote

Yes.  1.17 works on Windows 8 and 8.1

Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Thanks for the super quick response, Neil!   5*

Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting RedneckDude, reply 3
Thanks for the super quick response, Neil!
End of RedneckDude's quote

And for all your fine work on WB 8. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Great stuff Neil ! :sun:

 

-Is the Shutdown button text on start menue issue resolved ?

Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Yeah! It works now. 5* :thumbsup:

Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Nope Text still there :\

Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I'm happy to see such a quick solution appear that allows Start8 to work with Windows 8.1, but I'm astounded to see that some of the choices for the theme of the start menu itself appear to have been removed (especially the "rounded edges" theme). I don't like square edges, & I don't want to be forced, by ANYONE, to have to have them.

Start8 was the only reason I was able to use Windows 8 in the first place. With it & Decor8 I got back the ability to choose how my machine worked.

PLEASE do not go down the same route that Microsoft have chosen, by limiting our choices to what you THINK we want, or worse what has been decided regardless of what we might want.

This seems in direct contrast to the original concept of returning choices to users that Start8 provides. I hope it's only a temporary thing. Yes?

Reply #9 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting yannduran, reply 8

I'm happy to see such a quick solution appear that allows Start8 to work with Windows 8.1, but I'm astounded to see that some of the choices for the theme of the start menu itself appear to have been removed (especially the "rounded edges" theme). I don't like square edges, & I don't want to be forced, by ANYONE, to have to have them.

Start8 was the only reason I was able to use Windows 8 in the first place. With it & Decor8 I got back the ability to choose how my machine worked.

PLEASE do not go down the same route that Microsoft have chosen, by limiting our choices to what you THINK we want, or worse what has been decided regardless of what we might want.

This seems in direct contrast to the original concept of returning choices to users that Start8 provides. I hope it's only a temporary thing. Yes?
End of yannduran's quote

 

Can you post a screenshot of what you see?

Thanks.

Reply #10 from Stardock Forums Top

The rounded themes were based on the Windows 7 theme which the OS still exposed.  Windows 8.1 removed this which is why Start8 is no longer showing them on Windows 8.1.

Going forward we are considering adding in similar themes.

Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Okay so maybe I should ask again :grin:

Neil, What´s the latest take on the Shutdown button text showing issue ?

-Is it a start 8 or a Sks thing & Will you fix it ?

Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting neone6, reply 11
-Is it a start 8 or a Sks thing & Will you fix it ?
End of neone6's quote

 

I would also like to know if it's going to be possible to be able to remove the shutdown text. Maybe it isn't possible but for everything else it works perfect at least for me. Very happy and great work up to this point. 

Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top

@Neil - Thanks for the reply. I hope you do end up adding a rounded theme back into Start8, & thanks for the info regarding why it disappeared. It seems that Windows 8.1 has removed a LOT of things, which again I hope is temporary as well.

@Zubaz - do you still need a screen shot? Or does Neil's reply clear things up?

Reply #14 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting yannduran, reply 13
@Zubaz - do you still need a screen shot? Or does Neil's reply clear things up?
End of yannduran's quote

I don't need it any longer.  Thanks.

Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top

First Beta that doesn't work for me. Had to go back to 1.16. Sometimes after Login Start 8 1.17 beta simply isn't running.