I use Windows 8.1. I skipped 7. So my experience is with Vista.
So ...
I don’t get this issue with the old start menu. I like the tile based start menu. I really like it. Can somebody explain to me why we want to go back to the old start menu. I just don’t get it.
If you like your Windows 8.1, you can keep your Windows 8.1...
For me, I prefer the menu for its compactness, and not cluttering the desktop. I hate “busy”.