Classic Shell: Forum

Hello. Crazy man is back.

I'm not sure sure if it's because I'm under the influence of alcohol or stupidity, but something is weird with Windows 8.1, and
the Classic start Menu, (CSM), or me. Settings that I used earlier, do not work anymore,
when I upgraded to 4.0 and then 4.02, my computer, or my brain are having problems on focusing of the program task at hand.
It gets worse when Microsoft Magnifier engaged.

I like to switch between Win 8.1 Start Screen, as well as CSM, and Win+X, but computer is doing it, and deciding and forcing what I want.
It used to be, that if I left click on middle of start button, I would get CSM, and if I left click on the bottom corner, I would get Start Screen.
If I right click on bottom corner, I would get Win+X menu. If I right click on middle of start button, I would get CSM settings menu.
I did not change any settings as far as I know, recently.
But now with Windows 8.1, computer can't seem to make up it's mind. Sometimes it will start in CSM, other times, it starts in Start Screen.
If I click on empty space on desktop first, then click on middle of start button icon, (right at middle of window panes of button), then it 90% of the time, starts on CSM.
The other 10 % it's like universe is controlling menu destination. It alternates. Something wrong with focus. And when I use Magnifier program, it gets worse.
Is it CSM or Win 8.1, or me?
I can force menus to behave somewhat correctly, but still haven't found the perfect combination to have all four options available.
Please help. What am I doing wrong, apart from not being sober?

Footnote.
Oh by the way, Im not using any other menu altering software to conflict with CSM or Win8.1

You need to describe your problem more clearly. Is it:
A) a problem with the default environment after you log in (desktop vs start screen)
B) a problem with what happens if you click on the start button (sometimes it opens one thing, other times it opens another)
C) a problem with the right-click
D) none of the above

A) Not sure.
B) A problem with what happens when I left click the start button,
(sometimes it opens Classic start menu, other times it opens start screen).

Clicking exactly in the middle of start button, should start CSM, but is inconsistant.
When the Windows magnifier program is used, and I click default Win 8.1 start button, when on desktop,
it tends to open the start screen even more.
Clicking on desktop, then start button, will open CSM more times than not.
It is really messing with my mind.

I use the start button for all four types of menus:

Win+X -Right click bottom corner of button.
Start Screen -Left click bottom corner of button.
CSM -Left click middle of button.
CSM settings -Right click middle of button.


The only thing I can think of is, it's a similar behavior, but not the same, as clicking the button repeatedly, as it alternates between desktop and start screen. But if I'm using desktop already, it should stay on desktop and show CSM.
Everything was working perfectly before upgrading to Win8.1 and CSM 4 and above.
Just in case upgrades went wrong, tommorow after work,
I am going to try CSM 4.02 on a different hard drive with fresh install of Win8.1
I will get back to you.

Thanks.

Is it possible you have set the Hover option? If so, then it will matter if you click faster than the hover delay or slower.

juniper7, does your custom Start button involve a lot of transparency? (because that affects right click). Try changing the button or toggling the "Replace Start button" option.

Also, check on the "Windows 8.1 Settings" tab to see which hot corners you have disabled. If you set it to None, then clicking the bottom hot corner will open the Start screen. Also, there is a setting on the Controls tab to change what right click opens.

_________________
Links to some general topics:

● Compare Start Menus

● Read the Search box usage guide.

I am a Windows enthusiast and did Classic Shell's testing and usability/UX feedback.

Hover set to nothing. Will play with it in future.

Default Win8.1 button.

Well, I put a fresh image of Win8.1 pro, and tried Media Center edition as well,
on a different hard drive as a test.
I can not duplicate the strange menu selection error,
where I have to click on desktop, to reset.

I tried CSM 3.6.8 as well as 4.0.2
I did find something in 4.0.2 version with default windows start button, that can trip me up.
I found out I'm sloppy with the mouse pointer!
With Windows magnifier on full screen view,
one naturally moves the pointer towards the edges of screen to move the
zoomed in desktop, around.
The only problem with that, is the Windows start button seems to latch on,
and won't release if pointer is moved close to bottom corner.
So even if pointer is moved away from corner edge to center of button,
it's stuck on that corner mode, waiting to be clicked,
and will always go to start screen, not CSM.
It has to be reset by moving off the button.
The whole start button visibly moves a few pixels to the right, as it gets triggered for start screen.
If pointer is moved to middle of start button first,
the button is stationary, and then clicking will always go to CSM.
So that explains why operation is worse when magnifier is used.
The best solution for me, on the clean drive is to replace CSM start button,
with something visibly different to see, if moved past the threshold. Just like in 3.6.8

As for my upgraded regular drive, with all my programs and files installed.
Don't want to start all over, will live with it, unless others get same issue, and a fix is worth while.

I have forced CSM settings to work correctly by:
Classic Menu-Left click - "Disabled active corner for start screen"
Start Screen - "Middle click"
Win-X Right click - "Right click opens Win+X menu"
CSM settings menu-no setting. Won't be able to access CSM settings menu anymore. Not a big problem.
Can always make a quick shortcut, and put on taskbar.
Works fine.

Thanks for bearing with me.