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Power8

Free plan Windows

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What Power8 is

Power8 is a free, open-source replacement start menu for Windows that integrates with the taskbar. Its expanding All Programs menu shows application icons and descriptions and lets you launch items. Search can cover All Programs and frequently used applications, display Windows Search results, and support internet searches. For frequently used items, Power8 displays Jump Lists, using system lists on Windows 7 and 8 when available and an internal engine on supported systems. The menu opens with Alt+Z. Power8 also provides controls for shutdown, sleep, hibernate, restart, log off, screen saver, and locking Windows. The maker says it was designed for Windows 8 and also works on Windows 10, Windows 7 SP1, and Windows XP SP3. It can be unpacked and launched without installation, or installed if preferred. The project says it does not patch system files, hook system objects, use app-init DLLs, or add services or drivers. Versions through 1.6.2 require .NET Framework 4; version 1.6.3 and later require .NET 4.8. The wiki lists version 1.6.4 Patch v.1.6.4.1640 as current.

Who it suits

Power8 suits Windows users who want an alternate taskbar start menu with program search, Jump Lists, and system power controls. It can also fit users who prefer portable launching without a required installation.

What it does well

  • Open-source replacement start menu
  • Searches programs, frequent apps, Windows Search, and the internet
  • Provides shutdown, sleep, restart, lock, and related controls
  • Can run unpacked without installation
  • Supports Windows 8, 10, 7 SP1, and XP SP3

What to know first

  • .NET Framework requirements vary by version
  • Designed around older Windows versions
  • Current wiki release is version 1.6.4 Patch v.1.6.4.1640
  • Repository notes a manual update workaround for one warning

Verdict

Power8 adds a taskbar-oriented menu, broad search, Jump Lists, and power actions without changing system files. Check the Windows and .NET requirements before choosing a version.

Facts from Power8's own pages

Current version
The wiki lists version 1.6.4 Patch v.1.6.4.1640 as the current version. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
Framework requirement
The wiki says versions through 1.6.2 require .NET Framework 4 and versions 1.6.3 and above require .NET 4.8. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
Headquarters
Ukraine · code.google.com, 28 Sept 2026
Hotkey
The project says Power8 can be activated with Alt+Z. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
Installation
The maker says Power8 can be unpacked and launched without installation, or installed if desired. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
Jump Lists
It shows Jump Lists for frequently used items, using system lists on Windows 7 and 8 when available and an internal engine on supported systems. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
Keyboard shortcut
The menu can be activated with Alt+Z. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
Known maintenance issue
The repository README advises users who see an “Unable to check for updates” warning to manually update to release 1.6.1.1619. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
Maker
The project says it was developed by developers from Ukraine and names Mike Makarov and Andrey Khabalevskyi. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
Open source
The project describes Power8 as open source. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
Power and session controls
It offers shutdown, sleep, hibernate, restart, log off, screen saver, and Windows lock actions. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
Power options
Power8 provides shutdown, sleep, hibernate, restart, log off, screen saver, and lock Windows actions. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
Programs menu
Its expanding All Programs menu displays icons and descriptions and lets users launch items. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
Purpose
Power8 is a start menu replacement for Windows, styled to integrate into the taskbar. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
Runtime requirement
The maker specifies .NET Framework 4 through version 1.6.2 and recommends and requires .NET 4.8 for version 1.6.3 and later. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
Search
It can search All Programs and frequently used applications, show Windows Search results, and support internet searches. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
Source code
The maker describes Power8 as open source and provides source code through its repository. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
Start menu
Its expanding All Programs menu shows icons and descriptions and lets users launch items. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
Supported versions
The project says it is designed for Windows 8 and also works under Windows 10, Windows 7 SP1, and Windows XP SP3. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
Supported Windows versions
The maker says it was designed for Windows 8 and also works on Windows 10, Windows 7 SP1, and Windows XP SP3. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
System changes
The maker says Power8 does not patch system files, hook system objects, use app-init DLLs, or add services or drivers. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026

Where Power8 stands on Freedom251

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