I’m pretty sure the first thing when you opened the new Desktop of Windows 8 Consumer Preview you noticed that there is no Start Menu button, well… if Microsoft doesn’t plan to bring it back (there is still plenty of time until the RTM), then the Startdock will do it. In my opinion, this is the first thing that Stardock does useful. I’ve never been a fan of those “bliz bliz” windows and icons modifications, but this is a must.
Some of us (I bet over 80% of Windows users) use the Start Menu to quick launch applications, and other stuff, and don’t want to switch to the Metro Start Menu each time we want a new application, so this is about to change if Microsoft won’t do it until the final release.
Here is a screenshot:
It’s not sure yet if we are going to need an aditional software just to have the trivial Start menu back, but it’s good that we have a guaranty, just in case Microsoft won’t bring it back.