Bottom line: Whatever Microsoft does or doesn't do later this year, you can get back your Start Menu and desktop supremacy in Windows 8, right now, with these utilities.

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Making the Windows Key work like Windows 7, taking the user to the classic desktop and raising the Start Menu.

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Things are, by default, a bit more finger-friendly than your average Windows desktop, with bigger buttons and menu options.

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For instance, S-Launcher is a desktop widget that replicates the now-extinct Start Menu, live search and all. eSettings, meanwhile, is a centralized options menu for folks who might not know where to find power management or display settings in Win 8.

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In addition to bringing up the Start Menu, you can use it return to the desktop, all without having to hit the keyboard.

ENGADGET

Makes the new Start screen and Windows 8 Apps run over the desktop, which gives you access to the taskbar and start menu like in Windows 7 and XP.

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Users can still switch to a more traditional desktop mode by clicking on an icon, but the environment lacks the start menu button offered since Windows 95.

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