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[kitz]

A "feature" of Windows 8 is the lack of a start menu. 

After discussion in this thread I feel the following program found by HPSauce is well worthy of a sticky.

Classic Shell

Classic Shell is a collection of features that were available in older versions of Windows but were later removed. It has a customizable Start menu and Start button for Windows 7 and Windows 8, it adds a toolbar for Windows Explorer and supports a variety of smaller features.

[HPsauce]

I also liked the way that the latest version is "inclusive" (unlike Windows 8  ) and gives access to both traditional and new-style Apps from an integrated desktop menu.

One thing I have noticed is that in some situations (haven't quite worked out the logic of when, but I think it's related to Windows Update among others) you end up on the W8 tiled interface even if you've asked to go straight to the old-style desktop. So don't be too surprised if you see that sometimes at startup.

I also wish it had a one-click W7 power-off as an alternative to the more XP style, but hey it's better than the W8 alternative and who knows what future improvements there will be?

[kitz]

I also liked the way that the latest version is "inclusive" (unlike Windows 8  ) and gives access to both traditional and new-style Apps from an integrated desktop menu.

One thing I have noticed is that in some situations (haven't quite worked out the logic of when, but I think it's related to Windows Update among others) you end up on the W8 tiled interface even if you've asked to go straight to the old-style desktop. So don't be too surprised if you see that sometimes at startup.

I also wish it had a one-click W7 power-off as an alternative to the more XP style, but hey it's better than the W8 alternative and who knows what future improvements there will be?

Thanks for the warning about tiles - haven't seen it yet, but I'd already done all the windows updates before installing classic shell.

As regards to the power-off I had already noticed that, but like you say its no biggy, many people probably wont even notice especially if they've never used Win7.

As regards to the straight power off on Win7, its caught me out a few times, especially when you have a cat that jumps on top of the PC hitting the power button, or the one that's on the keyboard.   
TBH so far I really like it and even before you mentioned the power-off, it had already run through my mind to install it on my Win7 PC for that feature alone.

[HPsauce]

Well it's still 2 clicks on W7 of course unless you use a physical button. 
I created a single-click shortcut power-off for use on W8 (before finding Classic Shell) and now use that on W7 too.

[NewtronStar]

Using Windows 8.1 it has the start button back but it's still not a fully functional Start Button we are used to in XP Vista & 7, what I use is a free program called Start Menu 8 it's just like the old Start Menu's just install it and see what you think http://www.iobit.com/iobitstartmenu8.php

and there is something about IE11 it seems way faster than IE10 and IE9 feels very slow these days

[Ronski]

I use start8 it's not free, but at only $5 it's well worth it.