The return of the Start menu in future Windows 8.1 update: Thoughts?

[+Anarkii Subscriber²]

An excellent addition, along with windowed Metro apps. 
Still not 100% sold on the live tiles thou, long as there is an option to turn that off, or cutomise it in such a way it doesnt take up so much real estate on my screen then im sold :)

With these features coming to 8.2 (i still refuse to call windows 8.1 update 1 that because it sounds stupid) it would be interesting to see how Windows 9 turns out.

[Nashy]

An excellent addition, along with windowed Metro apps. 

Still not 100% sold on the live tiles thou, long as there is an option to turn that off, or cutomise it in such a way it doesnt take up so much real estate on my screen then im sold :)

With these features coming to 8.2 (i still refuse to call windows 8.1 update 1 that because it sounds stupid) it would be interesting to see how Windows 9 turns out.

 

While I'm not a massive fan of the tiles there, the options to customize their size, while not taking up the entire screen I think is a very good compromise.  Especially for people who hate the start screen on mobile devices.

[+Heartripper Subscriber¹]

It is for sure a welcomed addition as long as the user can easily choose which one to use.

[Yogurth]

It is a good move, but unfortunately for Microsoft it is too late for WIndows 8. Windows 8 and forced tile+fullscreen interface will remain as one of the biggest tech failures ever, not only for Microsoft. Ignoring the extended Windows 8 beta tests feedback proved fatal. 

[Nashy]

It is a good move, but unfortunately for Microsoft it is too late for WIndows 8. Windows 8 and forced tile+fullscreen interface will remain as one of the biggest tech failures ever, not only for Microsoft. Ignoring the extended Windows 8 beta tests feedback proved fatal. 

 

This.  It's going to be a hard sell now without a name change.

[George P Global Moderator]

I'll have to see more of it and how it'll work with tiles before I can say for sure but I expected this mix of an old list and tiles together in some fashion.

 

I now expect Windows 9 to take things even farther, deeper integration of tiles into the taskbar for desktop while the start screen for mobile/tablets gets it's own updates etc.  

[duddit2]

Its a good move based on the feedback that its got, right or wrong its still feedback.

 

I personally haven't got a problem at all with the start screen, but choice can only be a good thing and the new start menu is new code and integrates live tiles.

 

I think it was needed to push a large number of people into upgrading, no matter how you look at it for some the lack of a start menu was holding people back to some degree. The more users using windows 8 and seeing the new design styles, along with having access to the store will only increase developer interest, add to that the cross platform apps now it means more users = more apps = more apps for both pc/tablet/phone.

[trek]

Finally they got rid of the idiots forcing full screen metro. That start menu is a significant improvement especially with the return of the MFU lists expanding from each frequently used program. I'm liking the windowed metro too; now they need to fix the black text on black window chrome and allow left-justify window titles and I will be very pleased.

[DConnell Member]

As long as I can disable and don't have to deal with the Menu, I'm okay with it. If it's forced on us, I'm sticking with 8.1.

 

I don't ever want to see a Start Menu on my computers again! That design element should have died with the Y2K scare.

 

I'm not thrilled with Boot to Desktop being on by default, either.

[yowanvista]

Now bring back Aero Glass  :)

[ThisSiteHasLostItsCharm]

the start menu is not an ancient feature, and should not be cast out, it would still look fine in windows 8/8.1.

 

 

to those wanting it to go away and hating the desktop are obviously not using their computer to do much stuff.

[DConnell Member]

the start menu is not an ancient feature, and should not be cast out, it would still look fine in windows 8/8.1.

 

 

to those wanting it to go away and hating the desktop are obviously not using their computer to do much stuff.

 

I have no problem with the desktop, I just don't want the time wasting textmaze Start Menu back. It's 20 years old - that is ancient in computing terms.

 

I'd rather stick to an easy-to-organize, easy-to-scan full screen presentation over a tiny one that requires drilling down through multiple menu layers to find stuff.

 

And Boot to desktop is another waste of time for me. I start my computer to run programs, not stare at a desktop. So I then have manually invoke the Screen which should have been the starting point in the first place.

[Manarift]

Its nice to have options but if it was removed cause it wasn't going to work with touch or multi screen situations then I felt removing it was the best choice for further QA testing or for a code rewrite.

 

I have no problem with the desktop, I just don't want the time wasting textmaze Start Menu back. It's 20 years old - that is ancient in computing terms.

 

I'd rather stick to an easy-to-organize, easy-to-scan full screen presentation over a tiny one that requires drilling down through multiple menu layers to find stuff.

 

And Boot to desktop is another waste of time for me. I start my computer to run programs, not stare at a desktop. So I then have manually invoke the Screen which should have been the starting point in the first place.

I totally agree but a lot have the bad habit of not letting go for change

[firey]

Yay! That's awesome.   Been using 8.1 at work due to our partner licensing requirements.   I don't know how many times I've accidentally hit the windows key and been thrown to the tiles.. completely taking me away from what I was doing.  It's about time they add it back in.. since 8 came out.. the most used app are start menu replacements.  

Once they bring back full Aero (transparent window borders) I will be set. Good move MS good move.

I have no problem with the desktop, I just don't want the time wasting textmaze Start Menu back. It's 20 years old - that is ancient in computing terms.

 

I'd rather stick to an easy-to-organize, easy-to-scan full screen presentation over a tiny one that requires drilling down through multiple menu layers to find stuff.

 

And Boot to desktop is another waste of time for me. I start my computer to run programs, not stare at a desktop. So I then have manually invoke the Screen which should have been the starting point in the first place.

 

Uhm... boot to desktop = awesome.  At work I have MSN, Outlook, Visual Studio, and Chrome pinned to the task bar.  Boot to desktop, click through each of those.. and no need for the ridiculous full screen start.  Hell I even made a my computer and control panel icon on the desktop.   I right click the start button all the time to bring up the menu.. a simple left click would be way better.

[theyarecomingforyou]

The Start Menu, as introduced in Vista, wasn't fit for modern computing. It was confined to a small area of the screen, had limited customisation and was awkward to use, especially when trying to browse applications. The Start Screen improved upon it in many ways, notably in customisation and the ability to display large numbers of apps, but is a little cumbersome on the desktop.

 

If the new Start Menu is size limited then I fear that will hurt usability but if it scales for larger displays then I'm all for it. One of the major disadvantages of the Start Screen is the amount of wasted space if you only want to display a handful of apps - the new Start Menu will eliminate that. Basically, I want to see how it works in practice before passing judgement on it. It could be an improvement, it could be yet another compromise.

 

At least it shows that Microsoft is responding to user criticism. The backlash towards Vista resulted in a new direction for Windows 7 and hopefully we'll see the same thing here. I want to see the Metro design elements removed from the desktop - I despise the Charm Bar, I hate the Metro Switcher, I detest the Metro tab that appears when you click the network icon and I hate that some computing options are only available through PC Settings. Those elements are great for tablets but they are a nuisance on the desktop. Unfortunately we'll probably have to wait until Windows 9 for that.

[Max Norris]

Glad to see this.  Not that I dislike the start screen, but some useful functionality was lost, especially when dealing with standard desktop applications.  Can't easily re-arrange the start menu (serious backwards step there, I expect it from Gnome, not Windows), not everybody cares for a wall of icons especially when you have hundreds of shortcuts.  Jumplists were a total no-show on the start screen, I personally use that feature a lot with the pinned programs, never mind a few custom jump lists to manage servers and whatnot quicker.  Bitching about this new version is just silly, this isn't XP's start menu (which was pretty weak) and you get a lot more functionality than you previously had, and it appears to be flexible as well.  This is the perfect blend of both worlds, and it looks like you get the option of how you want it to work regardless if you prefer the drill downs versus a full screen.  Win/win.

[Co-ords]

I cant wait for this to be introduced. I will only then consider upgrading Win7!

[xWhiplash]

Now bring back Aero Glass  :)

 

Aero is absolutely horrible.  I got a new SSD and I figured I would go back to Windows 7.  I have a GTX 680 and a 27" monitor (2560x1440).  When i played games I got warnings that my computer is running slow and to consider turning off aero.  I upgraded to Windows 8 and don't have any issues.

 

I am glad they are bringing this back.  I can finally get rid of Start8 on every one of my Windows 8 installs. 

[Dadwen]

Good, I run Windows because I want to run Windows not tiles, and I hate having to leave my current screen if I want to run something else, also I'm not going to Win-s it and type the name (I gave up typing the name of programs I wanted to run with DOS, dear god typing programs names out, is this the dark ages still.....). Also I've really have found no use for the live tiles either, a little popup or micro icon of a envelope in the system tray is fine to tell me I have mail, I don't need to waste screen space with it. (the notification bar at the top of my android does it perfectly for me)

**Win 8 was the first time MS blocked you from giving you the option of making the GUI look like a older version of windows, I still know to this day people who put folders on the Windows 7 desktops and put short cuts to their programs in it to make it work like the old Progman, seems they went out of their way to not let people make windows 8 have a start menu option without a 3rd party program.

[DConnell Member]

Uhm... boot to desktop = awesome.  At work I have MSN, Outlook, Visual Studio, and Chrome pinned to the task bar.  Boot to desktop, click through each of those.. and no need for the ridiculous full screen start.  Hell I even made a my computer and control panel icon on the desktop.   I right click the start button all the time to bring up the menu.. a simple left click would be way better.

 

And if what you want to run isn't a desktop program? I prefer the Modern Teamviewer app to the desktop program for remoting into a client, for example. Like I said, for me booting directly to the desktop is a waste of time. I have no objection to the option, but I don't like it as the default.

[Dot Matrix]

Good, I run Windows because I want to run Windows not tiles, and I hate having to leave my current screen if I want to run something else, also I'm not going to Win-s it and type the name (I gave up typing the name of programs I wanted to run with DOS, dear god typing programs names out, is this the dark ages still.....). Also I've really have found no use for the live tiles either, a little popup or micro icon of a envelope in the system tray is fine to tell me I have mail, I don't need to waste screen space with it. (the notification bar at the top of my android does it perfectly for me)

**Win 8 was the first time MS blocked you from giving you the option of making the GUI look like a older version of windows, I still know to this day people who put folders on the Windows 7 desktops and put short cuts to their programs in it to make it work like the old Progman, seems they went out of their way to not let people make windows 8 have a start menu option without a 3rd party program.

What's wrong with searching? It's not like you have to sit there and type the EXACT application executable name anymore. Type in a few characters, click the icon that appears, and be on your way.

[jasondefaoite]

Looking good

 

[Dadwen]

 

What's wrong with searching? It's not like you have to sit there and type the EXACT application executable name anymore. Type in a few characters, click the icon that appears, and be on your way.

 

I type E-mails, I type chats, Forums etc, I click programs and have since I started using windows 3.0 some small mouse moves and a click are a hell of a lot easier than typing and then clicking (hell unless I'm typing for a required reason like now I don't even bother having my hands on the keyboard) .

[DConnell Member]

**Win 8 was the first time MS blocked you from giving you the option of making the GUI look like a older version of windows, I still know to this day people who put folders on the Windows 7 desktops and put short cuts to their programs in it to make it work like the old Progman, seems they went out of their way to not let people make windows 8 have a start menu option without a 3rd party program.

 

Microsoft didn't block the option to make 8 look like an older version; they just didn't provide the tools themselves. And IMO they shouldn't be expected to, They shouldn't have to maintain multiple UIs, not when there are plenty of third parties to provide alternate looks.

 

It's not like they advertised the option to use Progman in Win95 (I only learned about it last year!), or provided it at all in XP and 7. You were basically stuck with the Menu, unless you used third party tools.

 

To me "blocking" implies that tools to add a menu wouldn't have worked well without a lot of effort. That isn't the case - they're easier to use than any of the earlier shell programs. (I tried them all in an effort to avoid using the Menu, and never found one to my liking.)

 

If MS were blocking such tools, then why does 8.1 remove its Start button to make room for the one the Menu tools place on the taskbar?

Looking good

 

 

Wonderful . . . a list :rolleyes:

 

What's the next innovation, command line as the default launcher? If we have to get an old design back, why not Program Manager? :angry: Now that was a good design!

[Skiver Veteran]

Personally I like it as it is in 8.1, I'm sure I'll learn to get used to it just as I did when I went to 8 but I like having a big list of applications I frequently use on one screen and in a predictable place. If this goes back to Win 7 style of unless I pin an app, the menu makes up its own mind on what I use a lot it will be a little bit of a down grade to me.

 

I think MS's biggest mistake is trying to pick one over the other, why not do something like Start 8 and give you an option? when I hit windows key open start menu OR start screen etc.