-1 for inaccuracy. There is no start menu in Windows 8.1. There is however a start button.

Press "Windows" key. Get full screen start menu with improved search function.

Actually, as a user of Windows 8 in Parallels I find activating the start screen to be difficult because the Apple+C keyboard combo maps to Copy rather than to Win+C. And activating the corner of the screen is difficult because the mouse leaves the virtual machine window to go to the host OS. So having a Start button will improve usability for virtual machine users.

And it will help the usability for my parents too on their Windows computers. My mother has become confused with her Windows 8 laptop (that has a touch screen) about how to switch between modes.

Is it a tablet? If yes, show her the "swipe with the right thumb from right to left" to open the charms bar. It is pretty natural, because both thumbs should also be in the correct position if she holds the tablet in landscape mode.

With Parallels, I agree. Sorry, it was a reflex for the usual "Win 8 has no start menu" trolling.

Because yes, the start menu necessarily has to occupy my entire screen and push out whatever it was I was doing.