Windows 8

[nterror]

I used to just navigate from my file explorer when I was using 7, so it was easy for me to just pin that to my desktop's task bar. Also, I can always hit the Windows key and start typing to search for a file or program or whatever. I actually strongly prefer it.

 

[XCVG]

I do a lot of search and run as well, but I still prefer the start menu by far. Maybe I'm just OCD or something, but I find bringing up the full-screen Start Screen breaks context for me.

 

[Mario]

I always set up keyboard shortcuts for programs I use constantly. Windows has natively supported this since at least XP; you just have to go into the shortcut properties and set a Ctrl+Alt+x shortcut.

I have Firefox, my documents folder, Photoshop, Illustrator, Steam, Skype, Minecraft, my 3D printer's control program, the recycle bin, and probably a couple others all on shortcuts. Super fast and easy to open.