2nd Start Menu

Since the Windows 2000 / Windows XP era Microsoft have been including a dual column start menu, providing simplified access to resources such as the control panel, administrative tools, search and run. At first glance with the new start screen, it may appear the days of the 2nd column are now a distant memory.

This is not the case. To gain access to only the core useful administrative features of windows, hover over the bottom left corner to present the start menu preview (formally the start button). Right click on this preview to present a popup menu with the following options:

 - Programs and Features
 - Power Options
 - Event Viewer
 - System
 - Device Manager
 - Disk Management
 - Computer Management
 - Command Prompt
 - Command Prompt (Admin)
 - Task Manager
 - Control Panel
 - File Explorer
 - Search
 - Run
 - Desktop

Admin Tools

A handy feature in Windows 8 allows you to instantly place all administrative tools on the start menu. To do so, open the start menu and then hover over the top or bottom right corner to present the 'charms' interface. First go to Settings, then click Tiles. There will be one option here to 'Show Administrative Tools'. Set this to 'Yes'. That's all there is to it!