Window 8 & 8.1 are launched without start menu, it is smiler with window 7 but desktop overview is changed, like window 7 you can put start menu feature in window 8 or 8.1 and use start menu in window 8 or 8.1. You don't need to use any tool edit in registry for start menu in window 8. You just need to install a little tool in window 8 or window 8.1. After install this software you will see a start menu in window 8, or window 8.1. All programes will be loaded on this start menu, your softwares applications games and much more like start menu in window 7. Click link below to find out how to install start menu in window 8.
How to install start menu in window 8 or 8.1

After installing this feature you will use start menu in window 8, this feature is valid for window 8 32bit or window 8 64bit operating system.

Start Menu in Window 8 or 8.1

Now after installing start menu software you can customize start menu windows 8, like style, color, start menu button and much more. In this feature you can customize start menu button. There are many start menu button you can use. After insalling windows 8 start menu right click on start and click on setting then click on start button, and choose any display button to set on window 8 start menu, and click apply and then click on ok.

Start Menu Button in Windows 8

You will see  windows 8 start menu button is changed. And now you can access your installed programs and applications menus in windows 8 start menu. Another feature in window 8 start menu, you can also change style of window 8 style menu, there is two option of start menu, windows 8 default theme or classic windows 7 theme.

Windows 8 Start menu style

In general setting or in menu you can customize programs and features for window 8 start menu.