If you really like Windows 8, you will soon realize that you actually don't need to "bring the start-menu back".....that's why the Charms Bar is there.
But, you can also pin 2 folders to your taskbar or startscreen...or in your Rocket Dock....that has all your installed proggies.

Here are the paths to those folders:

"C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu"

"C:\Users\(your name)\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs"

Attachment 60403

I personally do not miss the start-button or menu....Once I figured out the layout of Windows 8, I could see why MS removed them.