The first thing that Windows users will miss after installing Windows 8 is the classic Start menu which Windows users were always used to. We’ve previously seen Start8, an app from Stardock that brings back the Start Menu in Windows 8 but Pokki is yet another Windows 8 Start Menu utility that’s worth taking a look at.
SweetLabs’ Pokki app can make your Windows 8 PC much better as it restores the Start Menu that many users are missing. Many Windows users are accustomed to using the Start menu and it is a quicker way to launch applications and get things done fast.
Install Pokki for Windows 8 and then this application starts working like a Start menu replacement.
Once installed, you can see the Pokki’s Start orb in the lower left side of the Windows desktop. Click on it and it brings a menu that can be used to search for Windows 8 apps, programs, control panels, and files. The Shut Down menu offers options to shut down, restart, hibernate, sleep, log off, switch users, or lock Windows.
You can add new apps and folders to this Start menu so that they can be accessed quickly. For now, you cannot add Metro apps to this Start menu. There is also an option to boot directly to the desktop and skip the Windows 8 Start Screen.
Pokki even suggests certain apps that you might want to install, for example: YouTube. It offers a direct link to the Windows 8 store from where you can install the app. A notification pane displays messages and emails, which is an alternative way to check certain Windows 8 features without bringing out the Start Screen.
You can right click on the Start orb to bring the settings options where you can customize this Start menu as per your needs.
Pokki for Windows 8 is free and is a nice way to get back the traditional Start menu.
