# Can't get classic start menu to appear in Windows 8.1

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cant-get-classic-start-menu-to-appear-in-windows-8-1/698520>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [September 15, 2014, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cant-get-classic-start-menu-to-appear-in-windows-8-1/698520 "2014-09-15T01:31:38Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![JohnClay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c37758/32.png) [@JohnClay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnClay)\
**Post date:** [September 15, 2014, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cant-get-classic-start-menu-to-appear-in-windows-8-1/698520/1 "2014-09-15T01:31:38Z")

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Hi I can see a Windows icon in the button left and if I click on it it toggles between the desktop and the Windows 8.1 tiles. If I right-click on it it shows mainly control panel type items as well as shut down and sign out and “desktop”.  
I’ve done some internet searches and I can’t find the settings they refer to. I see there are also downloads that are supposed to bring back the classic menu but I’d preferably do it without having to install a third-party program. BTW my computer just downloaded 9 new updates and I’ve restarted the computer.

> **[Windows help and learning](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows)**
>
> Find help and how-to articles for Windows operating systems. Get support for Windows and learn about installation, updates, privacy, security and more.

> [@](#):
>
> ```
> Open Taskbar and Start Menu Properties by clicking the Start button Picture of the Start button, clicking Control Panel, clicking Appearance and Personalization, and then clicking Taskbar and Start Menu.
> 
> Click the Start Menu tab, click Classic Start menu, and then click OK.
> 
> ```

There is no start menu tab…

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**Author:** ![yoyodyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a9a28c/32.png) [@yoyodyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yoyodyne)\
**Post date:** [September 15, 2014, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cant-get-classic-start-menu-to-appear-in-windows-8-1/698520/2 "2014-09-15T02:14:05Z")

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There isn’t a classic start menu built into Windows 8.1. Your instructions only apply to Vista.

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**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\
**Post date:** [September 15, 2014, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cant-get-classic-start-menu-to-appear-in-windows-8-1/698520/3 "2014-09-15T02:41:16Z")

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You can add software which will do this: one popular one is Classic Shell:  
[http://www.classicshell.net/](http://www.classicshell.net/)