Install Classic Start Menu.
I’ve hated the Windows 7 menu. I got back the classic Windows 95/98/XP Start Menu by installing Classic Start Menu.
Its available on Sourceforge and its free.
Writing this from Windows 10, Windows Technical Preview, Evaluation Copy, Build 9879.
I kind of like it. Real snappy on this old Dell Dimension 4700C slim desktop.
I think 8.1 can upgrade to this. XP needed a full install, but permits saving old files