I don't think it's acceptable that I have to use third-party software (and most of it, last time I looked, was either additional cost or sketchy not-sure-if-free-or-spyware variety) just to make the thing usable.
The one I use is Classic Shell [1]. The current version is free (gratis) but not Free/Open Source. There is an earlier Open Source version.
> I don't think it's acceptable that I have to use third-party software (and most of it, last time I looked, was either additional cost or sketchy not-sure-if-free-or-spyware variety) just to make the thing usable.
IMO, its quite usable as-is, though I like the UI less for desktop/laptop use than the Win 7 UI because of the lack of the Start Menu, so I prefer to use the available third-party software to fix that; with that third-party software, I find it better than Win 7 entirely.
I meant trivial for me. I agree that its not trivial in the market.
Its not different from Win 7 for people who never take their hands off the keyboard.
Its different for people who use pointing devices, though, since the Start Menu (not the "Start Button", which Win 8.1 restored and Win 8 had a close equivalent) is replaced with the touch optimized Start Screen which takes a lot more pointing device movement to get to options than the old Start Menu.
IMO it's an almost absurdly trivial issue contrasted against holistic moderate improvements across the rest of the OS. Maybe a learning case-study on how narrow, particular elements of user experience & perception can turn against you...
(I'm pretty sure the link you provide has been updated for Win8.1)
Requiring a non-supported hack to get around a central design decision doesn't work for the vast majority of users who expect it to just work. This highly visible UI decision is the whole point behind windows 8 and is central to the way Microsoft wants you to interact with the OS. If you aren't using the metro/modern apps there is no point in windows 8.
The 'improvements' are very modest over windows 8 and none of them have anything to do with the way the vast majority of users expect to be able to use the desktop. You still need to get into windows 8 stuff to perform basic tasks like changing settings or shutting down the computer(! yes, i am aware of other ways to do it but the average user is stuck). I still find the magic corner stuff like the charms bar in windows 8 to be totally jarring and strange and I am very technically proficient.
We have couple of XP machines that would run perfectly well for another 5 years if we upgrade them to SSDs. The thing is, Windows 7 costs twice as much as 8. Odd strategy MS.
On the other hand, corporate is often keen on throwing more money at Microsoft when better, less-expensive options -- whether OS, application, or anything else -- are available, so insofar as the UI issue is an issue for corporate users, it could probably be fixed by Microsoft releasing an $50/seat, centrally-deployable Windows 8 Corporate Interface Pack that restored the Start Menu on Windows 8 machines.
Even on non-touch devices, the big problems I have with Win 8/8.1 are solved by readily available third party software that gives you back a Win 7 style task bar / Start Menu (and, actually, I prefer and use this on my touchscreen laptop, as well.) AFAICT, Win 8 is an all-around improvement except for basically one highly-visible but trivially correctable UI decision for keyboard-centric devices.