win8 Microsoft Could Launch a Start Menu Option in Windows 8

[Detection]

Microsoft Could Launch a Start Menu Option in Windows 8

Windows 8 dumps the traditional Start Menu and instead adopts a ?confusing? Start Screen that relies on live tiles to let users launch apps from a single screen.

Steven Sinofsky, the former Windows boss, is one of the main Microsoft executives who wanted to replace the Start Menu with a Start Screen, claiming that adopting a feature that would better mix the desktop industry with the touch-optimized market would support the company?s long-term plans.

CIO Today writes that Sinofsky even convinced CEO Steve Ballmer to adopt his idea, so all Windows 8 workstations now come with a Start Screen.

Steven Sinofsky is no longer head of the Windows division and more and more voices familiar with matter are hinting that a Start Menu option could, after all, land on Windows 8 platforms.

There are already several third-party apps that could restore the Start Menu on Windows 8 and Stardoc?s Start8 is one of the most popular.

Kris Kwilas, Stardock's technology vice president, says that his software has already sold tens of thousands of copies, while even more consumers take the trial version for a spin.

?Early adopters of Windows 8 feel there's something missing -- a comfort factor for how they want to use their PCs," Kwilas says, hinting that Microsoft may actually develop a Start Menu for Windows 8, just to make sure its new operating system isn?t considered a confusing solution anymore.

But Steve Ballmer said in an interview with the Associated Press in October that Microsoft has absolutely no intention to bring back the Start Menu. You already have ?a whole screen as a Start button,? Ballmer said.

Steven Sinofsky, on the other hand, explained during the Windows 8 launch conference that it?s just a matter of time until people get used to the new Start Screen. The same happened with the Start button too, he explained.

?You know, as familiar and productive as Windows 7 is for customers today, the world that led to Windows 7 began back in the early 1990s when familiar concepts like the Start menu were first conceived. Familiar today, but completely new when it was first released. That technology world was so very different than the world we experience each and every day.?

http://news.softpedi...-8-307447.shtml

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I doubt it, sounds like weak rumours to me

EDIT - Apologies, maybe this should be in the news section, mods feel free to move

[jakem1]

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.

[Nick H. Supervisor]

As much as I would be infinitely happier if they did bring the start menu back, it's not going to happen. Aside from anything else, the third party options do a good enough job, so why should Microsoft bother?

[Calum Veteran]

It sounds to me as if that writer, and the writer of the report it's based off, have no idea what they're talking about. But I could be wrong :)

[Asrokhel]

Detection,

You should've really posted this in BPN.

[Dot Matrix]

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?

[TheLegendOfMart]

It sounds to me as if that writer, and the writer of the report it's based off, have no idea what they're talking about. But I could be wrong :)

Why, because their opinion is opposite of yours?

Guys. **** the damn menu. It doesn't need to be around anymore. The Start screen is more attractive and functional.

Just stop, it's getting embarrassing now, we get it you think the start screen is the best thing ever, tens of thousands of people don't, stop telling them how you think they should use their computer and let them have their start menu.

[Detection]

Detection,

You should've really posted this in BPN.

You didn't read my EDIT in the OP that I posted a few seconds after making the thread then ?

[benthebear]

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?

Why are you so against giving people what they want, bro?

[Detection]

Why are you so against giving people what they want, bro?

He works for MS, didn't you know ?

[-T- Member]

I really hope they don't bring back the start menu, the start screen is fine, and using metro apps with a start menu would be an even bigger clusterfeck

[myxomatosis]

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?

Personal tastes and preferences aren't something you're comfortable with when they differ from yours, am I right?

I really hope they don't bring back the start menu, the start screen is fine, and using metro apps with a start menu would be an even bigger clusterfeck

Nope, you want to know why? I'm using Start8, and the last time I saw the Start Screen is when I installed Windows for the first time, 3 weeks ago. People must have the choice to use their computer how they want to. If they want to use Metro apps, good for them. If they don't want to use the Start Screen, they should be allowed to.

[UseLess]

The only thing the start menu has over the start screen is the built-in search box (i know there is the search off to the side). Other than that I think the start screen is ok - great for a tablet, ok for a mouse.

Edit: @myx - I agree people should have the choice of how to use their computers (hence Start8) however Microsoft doesn't have to provide all those ways, moving 'forward' with the start screen is good I think. With that said I also agree with -T-, for me the start screen is a good way to use apps in a metro/touch environment, the start menu was too small.

[rkenshin]

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?

+1 :D

Nobody likes to change. However, without change, the world would be much more dull and we wouldn't have the variety of technology that we have today.

However, this is a simple choice. If you want to have "what you want", as somebody said in this thread, go Linux, where you have your choice among 100's of distro's.

For all others, if you are tied into the Microsoft or Apple ecosystem, however, you will never get "what you want", without having to hack it on your own.

[Tyler Woodward]

I don't know. I am using Start8 the last time I switched over to the start screen was pretty much when I first installed Windows 8 because I wanted to play with everything but after having it for a week or so I have spent 90% of my time on the desktop.

[Dot Matrix]

Haters gonna hate. But this article wasn't at all researched or well thought out.

StevenSi's leave isn't going to change anything. Microsoft has a course set, and they're sticking to it. The evidence is there to support it.

- JL-G is heading the division.

- StevenSi's departure had NOTHING to do with Surface or Windows 8.

- Destroys the purpose of Windows 8, and the "re-imagining" of WIndows.

- Destroys the uniformity of platforms.

- Creates a ****ty UX to support.

- Destroys forward platform viability.

- At no point do you see Microsoft demonstrating or even hinting at replacing the Start Screen. Ballmer was all over Windows 8 Start just last month at BUILD.

This article is nothing more than BS.

[+Majesticmerc MVC]

Unlikely to happen, it'd basically be Microsoft admitting they got it wrong, and that won't happen. There may be a case to be made however for better visual guidance to the start menu for those having trouble adjusting to "hot spots". This may result in a return of the start button in some shape, but not the menu itself. For those that want the menu itself back, there are third party tools that work just fine.

[UseLess]

Having a start menu, you're obviously going to stick with what you know how to use. Its the event that you HAVE to use the start screen that you'll use it, perhaps get used to it, and see if its more productive or not.

I remember when people didn't like the 'new' XP start menu, and reverted back to the WinME one. They stuck with that and took awhile to eventually move to the new one.

[duddit2]

Its funny, the people that want the menu back believe that they are in some sort of majority, the people that are happy with the start screen (me included) believe they are in some kind of majority, while back in the real world the actual majority don't voice an opinion on forums for tech topics so these opinions are tarnished by our own bias towards what we see others saying (but we see other saying stuff on the same posts that interest us, so the bias grows).

The thing is, its a big change yes, but so was XP and the hatred was as strong in some circles. It was blasted in the press and many people called it a fisher price OS - look at it now and what it became. People do get used to new systems and in my opinion the start screen isn't as massive of a change as some are making out - I mean we're talking mainly a visual change over function, yes I'm aware certain things aren't possible and some take an extra click, but I'm also aware of the benefits the start screen brings with it and the reason why its a default.

I love the live tiles and will do more so when more apps are released in the store, there is already a pretty good sage app and the new Dynamics app (not released yet but there is plenty of info about it) looks very nice, along with a SAP application and more to come, there will soon be plenty of business related apps available to give you live info.

But that's not the main point, its about unifying things, what I love is being able to buy a cheap app on my laptop and its then available on my other windows 8 devices - if the start menu existed I might not have given the new UI and apps a decent chance, as it is Ive come to love it.

If the start menu existed then the modern UI could be completely bypassed and the modern UI (along with its store count) would take longer to gain mass adoption.

[LUTZIFER]

I know I'm not downgrading to Windows 8 till that start screen and the whole full screen crAPP features can be completely removed.

[Lee G. Veteran]

Bringing back the start menu is unnecessary. The start screen fulfils the role of the start menu and has much more functionality.

[Stup0t]

How is the start screen confusing... its the most simplistic way of getting on in windows.

[duddit2]

Having a start menu, you're obviously going to stick with what you know how to use. Its the event that you HAVE to use the start screen that you'll use it, perhaps get used to it, and see if its more productive or not.

I remember when people didn't like the 'new' XP start menu, and reverted back to the WinME one. They stuck with that and took awhile to eventually move to the new one.

THIS!!!!

I got so sick of helping XP users out and finding the 'classic' start menu, which was only in use because some idiot techy friend had told them that the new UI made the computer slower and the old one was better (read as I'm comfortable with the old one and dam MS for changing it).

These users never gave it a chance, and stayed with the horrible classic menu until an upgrade or new computer.

MS need to get the new UI upto mass adoption levels to boost the the ecosystem, like it or not but the new ecosystem is life or death for them when you look at the numbers moving to ipads and android tablets - they have to make this work and keeping the start menu would simply be a negative in getting the new UI into the minds of the masses and getting people used to it.

I know I'm not downgrading to Windows 8 till that start screen and the whole full screen crAPP features can be completely removed.

I do understand people wanting the start menu back, but you want the whole modern UI layer gone along with store - something that you can completely ignore other than using as a launcher (for apps you don't have pinned to taskbar)? wow!

[(Account no longer active)]

I presume Microsoft are getting thousands of complaints/support requests about the missing desktop Start menu daily ("where has it gone?" "how do you re-enable it?"), and people are not adjusting as well as Microsoft (or Sinofsky) hoped to it's removal (it was there since Windows 95). It's a staple feature in Windows - I certainly found it's disappearance awkward and annoying (I am a desktop-only user).

I am more than happy to support Stardock for their efforts, and it's great to hear that tens of thousands of people are buying Start8. Even if the report above is false, I still think think the number would be that high, at least.

[Calum Veteran]

Unlikely to happen, it'd basically be Microsoft admitting they got it wrong, and that won't happen. There may be a case to be made however for better visual guidance to the start menu for those having trouble adjusting to "hot spots". This may result in a return of the start button in some shape, but not the menu itself. For those that want the menu itself back, there are third party tools that work just fine.

Hm, but the button is still there in the same place, on hover :/ I do hope they don't place it back everpresent on the Taskbar.