You use things that are native to the OS:
1. The 'Power Users' menu - Rt Clk Bottom-Left Corner
2. Use the Desktop Toolbar - Rt Clk on Taskbar > Toolbars > Desktop
3. Rt Clk on your desktop > New > Shortcut.
Put this in the 'box' %windir%\explorer.exe shell:::{4234d49b-0245-4df3-b780-3893943456e1}
Name it, Applications
(Now) Open the desktop icon, probably you'll want to remove the nav tree, really no need for it in this case, slect the View & Sort desired and Minimize it to the Taskbar... never close it or will have to be reconfigured from the desktop icon.... it has to be reset from that icon following a reboot.
W/ this you have everything in a familiar window & never have to leave desktop (switch screens, like to WinQ or Start) to access anything
The above is all it takes. Also, use Charms. Open, live, active APPs can be controlled via the APP Bar (Switcher Bar) @ the Top-Left Corner.
Cheers,
Drew 