I am one of the many users that really likes how Windows 8 is coming along: the new Metro style design and the chromeless apps, the Ribbon Office style menu, the new Storage Spaces, the Reset and Fresh your PC and all the other features that are built in the upcoming version of Microsoft’ OS. All the good features aside, there are a lot of users that dislike the new Start Screen, or how most people know it for the “Start Menu”. In a previous article I showed you how to disable the Start Screen and bring back the old Start Menu with a simple tweak in Windows’ regedit and with just one click with a gadget called StartMenu. These are great solutions, but what about having an old style like Start Menu that can list all your programs without having to leave the Windows desktop and keeping the Metro style Start Screen at the same time? I think that this can be compelling to many users. Essentially the way that you do this is by just adding a simple toolbar on the right side of the Taskbar that can list all the applications in Windows 8 and it updates automatically when a new application is installed. Keep reading to learn more.

How to create a toolbar in the Taskbar to list all your programs

  1. Right-click on the Taskbar, select Toolbars and choose New toolbar. 

  2. In the New Toolbar window type the following and press Enter:

  3. Then just click Select Folder to finish. That simple! This not only is going to make quicker to launch a desktop application, like opening Microsoft Word or accessing the advanced options in Control Panel — you won’t have to go to the Start Screen, type Control Panel, then scroll down and click More Settings; too many clicks–, but also you don’t have to change between different environments just to open a desktop app. And this can also be helpful for those users that are not so thrilled about the new Start Screen in Windows 8. Remember to be the first to leave us a comment on this topic and to share other tricks for Windows 8 if you’d like. All content on this site is provided with no warranties, express or implied. Use any information at your own risk. Always backup of your device and files before making any changes. Privacy policy info.