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Microsoft Could Launch a Start Menu Option in Windows 8


212 replies to this topic * * * - - 5 votes

#46 threetonesun

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Posted 16 November 2012 - 14:08

View PostDetection, on 16 November 2012 - 14:03, said:

I thought I could train my brain to see the new start screen as a big start menu, but it didn't work out like that, it is a separate OS to me, I see it and treat it as its own life-form and have had to learn it as something other than Windows

Interesting. I mostly use OSX, and once full-screen apps were implemented, I left a lot of apps in full screen mode on separate desktops, so to me, the start screen is just launchpad + full screen apps + live tiles that give me a bit more information than what I get in OSX.

There is some annoying crossover, but I decided all my metro apps would just be my full screen apps, and I've been enjoying using it so far.


#47 duddit2

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Posted 16 November 2012 - 14:08

For those saying none techy people will want/need start menu, iPad sales disagree with you

#48 TheLegendOfMart

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Posted 16 November 2012 - 14:11

View PostDot Matrix, on 16 November 2012 - 13:49, said:

It's more than eye candy. At the press of a button, I'm taken to a page where I can see my calendar, news updates, weather updates, social updates, etc. I love leaving the Start Screen open while I walk away, it has certainly got the attention of my room mates who are always asking about it.
Cringe alert, do you even sit back and read what comes out of your mind?

You are like a walking advert for Microsoft.

#49 threetonesun

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Posted 16 November 2012 - 14:11

View Post68k, on 16 November 2012 - 14:07, said:

Did you pin Control Panel, My Network Places and Printers and Faxes to the Start menu too? I wouldn't, however, it's handy having them (close by) in the Start menu - they're easy to get to.

I have always appreciated the organization of the Windows Start menu (applications and their folders can be arranged alphabetically).

No. I rarely need the Control Panel, I pin network folders that I use, and I set my printer once and never go back. FWIW, it's pretty easy to get to the Control Panel in 8, you just right click where the start menu used to be. It's also easier to open the Command Prompt from there.

Also, the alphabetical / textual organization always annoyed me. I much prefer the visual organization of OSX or the start screen.

#50 TheLegendOfMart

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Posted 16 November 2012 - 14:13

View Postduddit2, on 16 November 2012 - 14:08, said:

For those saying none techy people will want/need start menu, iPad sales disagree with you
iPad isn't a desktop computer, and the IOS UI hasn't changed since its inception. Sure it might have been refined along the way but if you gave someone who had only ever used an original 2G iPhone an iPad 4 they would instantly know how to use it.

#51 Colin McGregor

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Posted 16 November 2012 - 14:15

Stopped reading at “confusing” Start Screen. Anyone that can't use the new start screen needs to pack up the computer and move on to something less difficult like watching paint dry. The fact this is from a supposed tech site makes me even more worried.

#52 OP Detection

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Posted 16 November 2012 - 14:17

View Postduddit2, on 16 November 2012 - 14:08, said:

For those saying none techy people will want/need start menu, iPad sales disagree with you

Most desktop PCs don't have a touch-screen, and iPad ? ? ? Are we talking about Macs or PCs here ?

#53 threetonesun

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Posted 16 November 2012 - 14:20

View PostColin McGregor, on 16 November 2012 - 14:15, said:

Stopped reading at “confusing” Start Screen. Anyone that can't use the new start screen needs to pack up the computer and move on to something less difficult like watching paint dry. The fact this is from a supposed tech site makes me even more worried.

But how will they know when it's dry?!?

#54 Xilo

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Posted 16 November 2012 - 14:22

View PostDot Matrix, on 16 November 2012 - 13:02, said:

Guys. **** the damn menu. It doesn't need to be around anymore. The Start screen is more attractive and functional, and it totally destroys the entire purpose of re-imagining Windows. Does nobody think before they write, anymore?
No it's not.

#55 DKAngel

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Posted 16 November 2012 - 14:26

View PostDetection, on 16 November 2012 - 14:03, said:

I think if you got 2 average joes, one who had never used a PC before and one who was used to using Windows 7

I think person who had never used a PC before would feel much more comfortable with 8 once they found the invisible start button vs trying to learn how to navigate Windows 7's start menu

Whereas the person who was used to using 7 would find it much more difficult to adjust to not having the start menu and having to learn the new start screen


I thought I could train my brain to see the new start screen as a big start menu, but it didn't work out like that, it is a separate OS to me, I see it and treat it as its own life-form and have had to learn it as something other than Windows

my wife has pretty much only used windows 7 and my machine runs windows 8, and she navigates around my machine just fine and she reconds the start screen is more productive as she also doesnt use the start menu at all, its not much to learn, she figured out how to print and do all kinds of things and she is an absolute n00b, i also have used windows since win 3.1 all the way thru to now, cant say i miss the start menu much, used to be a pain in windows 95

#56 vetneufuse

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Posted 16 November 2012 - 14:26

View Postjakem1, on 16 November 2012 - 12:39, said:

I don't think there's any chance of this happening and I can't see a single reason why it should. If people want a Start menu then there are plenty of 3rd-party solutions.

single reason, it takes up the whole screen and you start windows at the start screen.. I'd rather start at the desktop on a desktop system then go into the start screen if I wanted to... I have program links on the taskbar and desktop, so why even go to the start screen first if you want to just use desktop mode only

also I know people scream about saying this but some of us don't want to have to go to a full screen start screen to load a program! make a start screen charm bar or something that can be easily accessed from inside the desktop that loads on the side or something and the option to go full screen if you want to in desktop mode

#57 CSharp.

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Posted 16 November 2012 - 14:26

View PostDot Matrix, on 16 November 2012 - 13:49, said:

I love leaving the Start Screen open while I walk away, it has certainly got the attention of my room mates who are always asking about it.
That's nothing. I had a girl over, the other night, and the minute she saw my Start screen she fell deeply in love with me – true story. Thanks Microsoft!

#58 HawkMan

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Posted 16 November 2012 - 14:28

View Postscaramonga, on 16 November 2012 - 13:57, said:

Yes, because most young kids just love their 'Fisher Price' toys, and the start screen makes them feel right at home.
hmm I guesing you've never seen as much as a screenshot of the start screen if you think it looks like fisher price. oh well.

#59 vetneufuse

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Posted 16 November 2012 - 14:28

View PostCSharp., on 16 November 2012 - 14:26, said:

That's nothing. I had a girl over, the other night, and the minute she saw my Start screen she fell deeply in love with me – true story. Thanks Microsoft!

that's nothing either, had a group of girls look at the start screen then rip their clothes off

#60 (Spork)

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Posted 16 November 2012 - 14:29

lol@ the people still crying over the startbutton ...