Ever since I updated to Windows 8 on launch day, I've only been on the "Start Screen" once. I never used the start button in the first place and I don't really miss it in Win 8. The performance seems a bit better, boot times are much better and no more of the Aero gloss.

If you use Visual Studio that frequently, why not pin it to your taskbar?

Why not use something like Launchy if you terribly miss the start button?