I've just started begun to use Start8 (and plan on buying it).

I have one issue: it's not compatible with (I think) most lightweight multi-desktop app there is: Desktops v2.0 by Sysinternals. The start button doesn't work on desktops from 2 to 4, only on the first one. Could you fix this guys?

I'm not sure what Desktops v2.0 does, but maybe try Fences by Stardock instead? That works well with Start8 on Win8.1. As well as making the fenced in areas, it allows dragging desktops sideways to setup multiple desktop views. If that is what the other program does, maybe that'll work for you?

It's the most simple multidesktop app. No dragging stuff between desktops, etc. just changing desktops (ie. sets of open windows).

Thanks for recommendation. I'll take a look at Fences, but I'd prefer free software with as small footprint as possible.

On my 4 monitor system, with DisplayFusion, Start 8 start buttons on all monitors work fine.....so it must be a Desktops by sysinternals problem. Maybe they should fix it.

My mistake.  Should read what op said in full.    I love's my classic shell, it does everything I want and it's freeeeeeee.

Start 8 is way better than Classic Shell.

That will be a Sysinternals problem, not Stardock's ...

If you say so...

I never really understood how software ends up being free. What does the maker gain? How do they spend time and effort on a software, and give updates, support, etc. for free?

Unless the have the addons and ads that sometimes come with free stuff.

Desktops v2.0 is free because Microsoft wants it free (Sysinternals is their division). (Just like Firefox is free exists because Google wants it to.)

Other software is free because programmer receives donations from happy customers.

Yet another software is free because programmer gets revenue from ads on his/her site or in the program (adware) (as you said).

etc.

Google has nothing to do with Firefox. Separate companies.

The Mozilla Foundation is funded by donations and "search royalties". Since 2005, the vast majority of funds have come from Google Inc. (source)

I'm very sorry if I killed your idea of "free software" 

I doubt the majority of donations for Firefox come from Google since Google has a competing browser.

Look, it's a fact.

Why do they do this? With this money they are buying the most simple thing: Google being default browser search engine in Firefox. That's it.

Firefox is a browser, not an operating system.