WinAero StartIsGone: for those who don't need no stinkin' Start button in Windows 8.1
 

Does the lack of options in that resurrected Start button have you all worked up? You're not alone. In fact, WinAero has developed a solution that gets rid of the lackluster feature in Windows 8.1 with its StartIsGone add-on. The software frees up space along the task bar since the button doesn't carry the same Start menu functionality that it used to. Free downloads are available for both 32- and 64-bit versions of the OS via the source link that follows should you be looking to keep one less item off of your desktop.

http://www.engadget.com/2013/09/12/w...&ncid=rss_semi