Windows 8 has a perfectly fine fully capable (actually more capable) Start Menu, it’s a real Start Menu. It’s just a little different to get to it, but once you’re there you can do everything you ever could with any other version of the Start Menu plus other stuff.
If Windows 8 didn’t remove the Start menu, then why does MS say it did? Are you calling MS liars?:
“Where is the Start menu?
Applies to Windows 8.1, Windows RT 8.1
The Start screen replaces the Start menu in Windows 8.1 and Windows RT 8.1”
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/where-is-start-menu
MS doesn’t even call it a “Start menu”, so I think it is okay for you to admit that it is not a “Start menu”.