Start Killer logo

Start Killer

By Tordex Free Editors' Rating

Editors' Review

Download.com Staff Sep 6, 2011

Sometimes the smallest desktop modifications can make a huge difference. That's certainly the case with Start Killer. Hiding the Windows Start menu doesn't seem like such a big deal, but getting rid of this not-particularly-necessary button can actually free up a lot of space on your Taskbar. Start Killer can hide and unhide your Start menu easily, ensuring that it's there when you need it and gone when you don't.

Start Killer is based on the premise that most people don't actually need the Start button on their desktop, since the Start menu can also be easily accessed using the Windows key on the keyboard or Ctrl-Esc. When Start Killer is first launched it places an icon in the system tray; right-clicking on it reveals options to load the program on startup, hide the system tray icon, and disable the Start menu entirely. When the program is running the Start button is hidden, helping to reduce clutter in your Taskbar and make room for windows you're actually using. If you need to access the Start button again, simply right-click the icon and exit. That's really all there is to Start Killer--there's no Help file and there are other features--but we like it for its simplicity. We think it's a great desktop modification if you frequently have a lot of windows open and could use some extra space in your task tray.

Full Specifications

What's new in version 5.0

  • Added Windows 8.1 support
  • Can used as portable
  • Added command line parameters to manage Start Killer

General

Release December 26, 2013
Date Added December 26, 2013
Version 5.0

Operating Systems

Operating Systems Windows 2003, Windows 8, Windows Vista, Windows, Windows Server 2008, Windows 7, Windows XP
Additional Requirements None

Popularity

Total Downloads 20,675
Downloads Last Week 0
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User Reviews

4.6/5
8 User Votes
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Developer's Description

Start Killer is utility that removes the Start button from your taskbar. When you run Start Killer it remove the Start button from taskbar and give you additional space on taskbar, when you close Start Killer the Start button is again shows. Though the Start Button is removed, you can still open Start Menu using CTRL+ESC or WIN key. StartKiller place icon into system tray. Right-click on icon to close StartKiller or to open Settings dialog. You can remove icon from system tray. In this case use CTRL+ALT+SHIFT+F12 to open settings dialog box.

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