Start Is Back v.1.1

Your session would start with the desktop. Always. Unlike other solutions, StartIsBack goes directly to desktop every time without flashing Start Screen even for a millisecond.

Original fully-featured Windows 7 start menu
StartIsBack restores original Windows 7 start menu with all its features: search, drag&drop, pinned and recently used apps, fully customizable settings. Start button and Start menu look and behave exactly as they used to in Windows 7.

Desktop and Modern interfaces are clearly separated
StartIsBack is the only tool which is able to provide consistency in Windows 8 by separating desktop and modern programs. Real work is done on desktop while new Start screen turns into launcher for modern apps only.

Make Start screen clutter-free
Windows 8 forces you to organize new Start screen which can quickly become a long list of mess with automatically pinned programs. This is no longer the case with StartIsBack. If you turn Start screen into Apps screen, you won't have the pain to manage two Start places.

Totally native
StartIsBack does not run any additional services or programs. It integrates into your computer smoothly. It does not require any other tools or frameworks to install and can be installed without administrative privileges. Start menu is fully localized into your language with same metrics and names Windows 7 had.

Rich customization and configuration
StartIsBack allows you to configure many aspects of appearance and behavior of Start menu and Modern UI elements. This is done in most reliable way, within attractive and easy configuration UI.

Version 1.1?(20 Nov 2012):
Fix: opening start button context menu did not prevent autohide
Fix: uninstall could fail to remove settings / license
Fix: taskbar unhide didn't work in start button area
New: silent install (/silent for user install; /elevated /silent for machine install; if machine must be run with admin rights; does not start explorer back)
New: option to start with start screen
New: option to call start screen with Win key
New alternate orb (by PainteR)
New translations
Less restrictions (same as in Windows 7) on items which can be pinned to start menu
Start button context menu shows same items as in Windows 7