Windows 8 introduced the Start screen as the main app launcher. It replaced the traditional Start menu with a full-screen grid of tiles, including live tiles that could display changing information such as headlines, weather, or notifications.
The redesign was part of Microsoft's Metro-style interface, influenced by Windows Phone and designed for touchscreens as well as keyboards and mice. Users could group, resize, and rearrange tiles, while an All Apps view listed installed programs.
A common mix-up is Windows 10: it brought back the Start menu, but combined it with a smaller, tile-based area. Windows 7 and Vista retained the conventional Start menu. Windows 8.1 later added a more prominent Start button, but it still opened the Start screen rather than restoring the old menu design.