If you recently bought a new PC, chances are you are struggling with the Windows 8 user interface.  The majority of the people that I have talked to in that category absolutely hate it.  I have only met one person that loves and they shared with me that they bought a touch screen computer with Windows 8.  The rest are using standard laptops or desktops with a keyboard and a mouse.

Here is the problem. The interface of Windows 8/8.1 uses tiles instead of the familiar icons that we got used to seeing with Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7.  Although you can locate the desktop tile and click (or tap with a touch screen) you still don’t have a “Start Menu” like you do with XP, Vista or 7.  The Start menu appears when you click on the “Start” button or the Round icon located in the lower left corner of your screen.

In case you were wondering why not having a Start menu is a big deal, it’s the place where you went to find a program that you wanted to run, where you went to install a printer or even where you went to search for something on your computer.  Although you can still do those things on Windows 8/8.1, the process for doing so is arcane.  Having a Start menu is a big deal if you want to be able to use your new computer without having to learn a new interface.

Many people I have spoken with tell me that several well known, big box retail electronics stores have been charging them $50.00 to “install Windows 7” on their newly purchased machines.  When I examine these machines I can find no evidence that this has happened.  Hmmm, wonder what they did do for $50.00 besides rip off those poor souls…

So, I found a solution that will only cost you $4.99.  If that’s too much of an investment for you (Really?) the solution does offer a 30 day, full featured, trial.

Here’s what you do:  Point your browser to http://www.stardock.com/products/start8/ and download Start8.  Once you install it, and reboot, your computer will startup with the familiar WinXP/Win7 desktop and you will have a start menu just like in the good old days.  And you won’t have to pay that big box retail ripoff store $50.00 to do absolutely nothing except take your money!

Give it a try and let me know what you think.  Oh, and next time you need a computer will you at least consider a Mac?  Please?