http://www.theverge.com/2014/1/20/5326844/hp-brings-back-windows-7-by-popular-demand
You can hit the Windows key on Windows 7 and do the same thing,
why would you need the start menu? anything you need to get to in Windows 8 or above you hit the Windows key and start typing and within less than 3 keystrokes its usually on your screen. if i need to get to the control panel i hit windows key then type "co" and its brought up for me to click on.
people are irrationally attached to the start menu / button. its inefficient in the first place just a rats nest of file trees. on windows 8.1 i boot straight to the desktop and the only metro app i use is the email one. i seldom ever see the start screen.
You can hit the Windows key on Windows 7 and do the same thing,