Do you want the start menu in Windows 8?


Do you want the start menu in Windows 8  

631 members have voted

  1. 1. Do you want the start menu in Windows 8?

    • Yes
      351
    • No
      280


Recommended Posts

Funny, thats more akin to what the removal did that the opposite. Bad metaphor.

If all we 'needed' was search and an app launch we'd have chosen a Mac FFS. That Windows went beyond such simplistic hooey is why its the dominant Desktop platform.

It's hard, from the grammar and/or misspellings and lack of articulation, to divine exactly what your point is... If you're saying that the Start screen is like a large dial and that the menu was like digital buttons in the limited terms of an app launcher, I'd disagree. The Start screen is more like a full screen menu.

:blink:

Have you ever used a rotary phone before? I would love to hear about these "special cases" that are quicker with a rotary phone than a dialpad.

Have you ever used a rotary phone before?!?!? (spittle flying) :D I grew up in the '80s. So, of course I've used a rotary phone.

Here is a special case, it's cold and you've got gloves on. It's much easier and faster to dial a rotary with thick gloves on than to dial on a digital pad.

There are several more special cases that I could make, and each of them is as silly and specialized as the arguments that the Start menu is faster than the Start screen.

If you believe that the menu is quicker, that's your opinion, but my opinion is that that is ridiculous, unless it's cold out and you've got gloves on...

I used version 2.1.39.0 but the failure seemed to occur using the stock Windows driver as well. My particular controller is the uPD7200200A, latest firmware. I'm not sure what the USB3 issue is, all I know is that it makes Windows 8 unusable for me. I even disabled the USB3 chipset and used the board's USB 2.0 controller and the same problems even happened there.

There's no choice because Microsoft felt ready for a new step in pace. They're ready for something new. Whether you want to follow that or not is up to you, but there's dozens of new technologies out there, that can't play nice with the desktop UI. Point and click was great in the 90's but today, there's more than that, and it where people want to go. You have touch, motion, augmented reality, etc, while other technologies have yet to be invented.

You say you don't see an advantage, but I do. Metro and Windows RT have opened up more doors for Microsoft than continuing with the dull desktop GUI (Just look at Surface). If you want to hide behind windows full of code, that's great, but the vast majority of users don't want that. They want something quick and easy to use, so they can be on with their day. Again, My keyboard works great with Windows 8. It's not going away at all, but this notion that we have to spend our days pointing and clicking away at 10px x 10px UI elements is old and tired.

Where is Windows update on this list? With the Start Menu, it would show up, but not on here. Thus proving the fact that the Start Screen is not faster than the start menu.

Requiring somebody to click Settings means it is slower.

post-249286-0-27821000-1360968812.jpg

How is this "great"? Look at all my wasted space here that is just a solid color. How is that better than a little start menu that shows search results?

How do I get to the desktop Windows Update without going to control panel first? The only way I can tell is selecting the option "Install Optional Updates" AFTER you click Settings.

Metro and Windows RT have opened up more doors for Microsoft than continuing with the dull desktop GUI

What is so boring about the desktop UI? You can have (if you have the screen estate) dozens of windows open and VISIBLE at the SAME DAMN TIME. Do not want boring? You can watch dozens (again if you have the screen resolution) videos at the same time. Want to be notified about emails? Outlook has had that for years.

How is the desktop so dull? The Start Screen is what is dull. These flat colors are what is dull.

but this notion that we have to spend our days pointing and clicking away at 10px x 10px UI elements is old and tired

Right invisible hot corners are a MUCH MUCH better solution than providing a visual cue.

  • Like 2
I'm not sure what the USB3 issue is, all I know is that it makes Windows 8 unusable for me. I even disabled the USB3 chipset and used the board's USB 2.0 controller and the same problems even happened there.

Maybe it is something to do with the BIOS then since people have said updating that fixes the issue. Who knows why...

Where is Windows update on this list? With the Start Menu, it would show up, but not on here. Thus proving the fact that the Start Screen is not faster than the start menu.

Except with the start screen things are organized logically. With Windows 7 you'd just get a giant list of applications, files, and settings.

If you're searching for something uncommon like Windows Update (chances of you having files and programs calle d that are 0) then yes you'll just get one option. But say I was looking for explorer, on my computer I have:

2 apps called explorer

5 settings that include explorer

18 files that have explorer

Right invisible hot corners are a MUCH MUCH better solution than providing a visual cue.

They are. Just requires Microsoft to explain them a bit more when the user first boots into Windows 8.

What is so boring about the desktop UI? You can have (if you have the screen estate) dozens of windows open and VISIBLE at the SAME DAMN TIME. Do not want boring? You can watch dozens (again if you have the screen resolution) videos at the same time. Want to be notified about emails? Outlook has had that for years.

And you can still do that in Windows 8...

I might have been one of the proponents to bringing back the start menu, but first, it's obvious that Microsoft has no intention to do so, and second, I find Start8 to be even better than the native start menu because it's even more customizable and otherwise works the same. The only negative to Start8 is that sometimes the menu items will appear with the .lnk extension, but that is an extremely minor glitch and hardly worth mentioning. So, no, Microsoft is done with it, it's time to let other developers do it better. Or just move on to the new Start Screen (personally I prefer to use the Start8 menu on the desktop and fill my Start Screen with only metro apps).

Sheesh. I wonder how many of you all complained when Microsoft moved the log off/shutdown options from a single click in XP and Vista to multiple clicks in Windows 7.

That's still the same amount of clicks :

XP : I click Start button, click log off or shutdown.

Win7: I click Start button, click shutdown or point to > and click log off.

That's still the same amount of clicks :

XP : I click Start button, click log off or shutdown.

Win7: I click Start button, click shutdown or point to > and click log off.

It added a click:

XP: Start > Shutdown/Log Off

7: Start > (depending on your button settings) Shutdown/ Log Off (OR) > (Arrow) > Shutdown/Log Off

Sheesh. I wonder how many of you all complained when Microsoft moved the log off/shutdown options from a single click in XP and Vista to multiple clicks in Windows 7.

It looks like you may be getting low. Let me help replace some of them. Here ya go!

straws.jpg

CLOSE this THREAD already. Beaten to death is an understatement. User should SEARCH the forums to get peoples opinion on the Start Menu. Also, if you want the Start Menu back, go get START8

Close please

I've loaded this garbage OS three or four times in a virtual environment to give it a chance and try to change my perspective/opinion. Same result each time. Sorry *** attempt by MS to merge into the Android, iPhone OS market. Maybe if they can put out a marketable phone first and then follow up with W8 OS might make more logical sense.

images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTI-gk2-8y7A9FMhQkPsij67CJBCUmcddBsBGjx3x17Pq5c3cnnQw

Maybe it is something to do with the BIOS then since people have said updating that fixes the issue. Who knows why...

Already running the newest bios for my machine

What I don't understand is they already had a Tablet OS it's called "The Windows Phone Operating system". Why couldn't they have put that on a tablet? Apple put their phone OS on their tablet and it looks like they are doing pretty good.

What I don't understand is they already had a Tablet OS it's called "The Windows Phone Operating system". Why couldn't they have put that on a tablet? Apple put their phone OS on their tablet and it looks like they are doing pretty good.

Ok I can get the ad-nauseum start screen bashing... but I'd really like to hear what's wrong with running not only the lightweight tablet oriented apps but also the exact same OS and software as the desktops? Personally they can keep the RT devices, if I wanted a "yet another lightweight consumption device" I'd just pick an Android off the pile (or iPad if you're into the Apple thing).. but whats your problem with the Pro and other devices in that class? Personally I've been using Windows based tablets since XP Tablet Edition and later 7, there's just no comparison. Why screw around hoping some random app can sync with this program, dealing with missing/crippled features, weak web-apps, etc etc versus just installing the exact same software and have productivity skyrocket? Linux your thing? Fine, install it. Just 1000% more flexible. A no brainer.

What I don't understand is they already had a Tablet OS it's called "The Windows Phone Operating system". Why couldn't they have put that on a tablet? Apple put their phone OS on their tablet and it looks like they are doing pretty good.

Maybe because Windows RT/8 is more powerful than Windows Phone?

For me. I don't mind that I will have windows 8, because I can understand them very well since Windows 95. it is easy to use in Windows 8. I went to Bestbuy in Jan 2013 to test Windows 8, and I liked it. I will buy windows 7 for heavier gaming like SWTOR. I will use windows 8 for light game like age of empries online or others.

if you don't like it go back to windows 7 for goodness sake you knew when upgrading the start button had gone

So nobody has the right to express their opinions anymore? Why do we have ANY product reviews of ANYTHING then? Do no like a movie? Fine, just do not write a review about it.

If we do not fight something, it will not change anything. If enough people want the start menu back, it will come back.

  • Like 2

If you're saying that the Start screen is like a large dial and that the menu was like digital buttons in the limited terms of an app launcher, I'd disagree. The Start screen is more like a full screen menu.

Here is a special case, it's cold and you've got gloves on. It's much easier and faster to dial a rotary with thick gloves on than to dial on a digital pad. If you believe that the menu is quicker, that's your opinion, but my opinion is that that is ridiculous, unless it's cold out and you've got gloves on...

Hmm, lets see, which is the more precise control mechanism again? Which one requires a larger hit target? Is calling the SS a full screen menu (NSS) anything but painfully obvious? Funny, seems pretty clear that RT is the glove that makes Desktop users feel analog.

More powerful, lol. Name one app that fits the bill since that was an epic fail on claiming full Office support. OneNote is easily one of the best RT apps yet still pales to its Desktop sibling. I've yet to see a single app (nor do I expect any in the relavent future) buck this trend. Hence support for one of the few things I'll give credit to Apple for, scaling up its mobile, and not squishing down the Desktop which is the tree MS has been barking up (wrongly) for a decade.

Its really the same argument the console/appliance types have always used against the Desktop, they are more than happy to dilute our experience since it doesn't effect their own low expectations.

in which case, "Sadly" Windows 8 will never become a mainstream O/S as the majority of desktop/laptop uses boycott it

+1 - I am usually an early adopter of technology, but when I tried the WIn8 previews and the "desktop" was hidden under the crappy metro interface, and the "start button" was missing, I lost interest in using it.

When the retail version was released, and it was the same, it became the first version of Windows I have never upgraded to (and never will).

in which case, "Sadly" Windows 8 will never become a mainstream O/S as the majority of desktop/laptop uses boycott it

+1 - I am usually an early adopter of technology, but when I tried the WIn8 previews and the "desktop" was hidden under the crappy metro interface, and the "start button" was missing, I lost interest in using it.

When the retail version was released, and it was the same, it became the first version of Windows I have never upgraded to (and never will).

Exactly the same reason. If only it looked better and was made with a PC in mind and not a tablet or phone.

This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Posts

    • DVD only? What kind of self-respecting optical disk backup/ripping tool doesn't support Blu-ray these days? I burned all my DVDs like 15+ years ago...
    • ...but you're Johnny, from Australia?    
    • Glow 26.9 by Razvan Serea Glow provides detailed reporting on every hardware component in your computer, saving you valuable time typically spent searching for CPU, motherboard, RAM, graphics card, and other stats. With Glow, all the information is conveniently presented in one clean interface, allowing you to easily access and review the comprehensive hardware details of your system. Glow provides detailed information on various system aspects, including OS, motherboard, processor, memory, graphics card, storage, network, battery, drivers, and services. The well-organized format ensures easy access to the required information. You can export all the gathered data to a plain text file, facilitating sharing with others for troubleshooting purposes. No installation needed. Just decompress the archive, launch the executable, and access computer-related information. Glow runs on Windows 11 and Windows 10 64-bit versions. Glow 26.9 changelog: New Features The processor hardware detection engine has been significantly enhanced beyond traditional Intel and AMD architectures. Native support is now available for modern platforms such as Apple Silicon (M-Series) and the newly introduced NVIDIA Spark. In addition, all ARM-based processors can now be accurately distinguished between ARM32 and ARM64 architectures, providing precise hardware reporting. This marks a major milestone for Glow's hardware detection capabilities. The RAM manufacturer identification algorithm has been expanded. JEDEC vendor codes for popular brands such as Patriot, PNY, Team Group, GeIL, Lexar (Longsys), and Asgard/Gloway have been integrated into the database. This significantly reduces the likelihood of incorrect or "Unknown Manufacturer" results and improves overall hardware detection accuracy. New Public IP Address and Internet Service Provider (ISP) features have been added to the Network section. To ensure reliability, this information is retrieved from the trusted service ipwho.is. When Hiding Mode is enabled, no requests are sent and these features remain hidden, as they may expose sensitive information. The search engine used in the Installed Drivers, Installed Services, and Installed Applications sections has been enhanced. You can now perform more flexible and accurate searches using initials, partial matches, and loosely arranged character sequences. The TS Preloader loading bar has been rebuilt using our modern TS Custom Controls graphics library, developed entirely in-house. As a result of this infrastructure upgrade, the loading bar now features smooth rendering and rounded corners that align with the visual style of Windows 11. [TS Updater] A new validation algorithm has been added to check whether the target application is currently running before the update process begins. Bug Fixes Resolved a condition that could prevent TS Preloader from shutting down safely during rare application crash scenarios. Fixed a text alignment issue in the Network section affecting the display of DNS addresses. Alignment is now rendered correctly. [TS Updater] Fixed an issue that could prevent the updated application's executable "*.exe" file from being located after the update process. [TS Updater] Fixed a bug that could leave outdated "*.sha256" files in the application directory after an update. [TS Updater] Fixed a rare issue that could cause subfolders to be moved into the root directory after an update. [TS Updater] Fixed an issue during the first launch that could cause flickering and a temporary white window appearance due to Windows Defender interactions. Changes A small improvement has been made to the internet connectivity detection algorithm. Connectivity checks are now performed in the background with minimal impact on the user interface thread. The keyboard shortcuts in the top menu have been reorganized and simplified to provide a consistent experience across all Türkaysoft applications and to avoid potential conflicts with standard Windows shortcuts. The TS Preloader splash image has been updated with a Türkiye-themed stadium design to celebrate Türkiye's qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup—its first appearance in 24 years. Congratulations, Türkiye! The TS Custom Controls module has been updated to version 26.6, delivering improved stability and a more polished visual appearance. [TS Updater] The application icon has been redesigned to provide a more modern and refined look. Note: Always unzip the program before using it. Otherwise you may get an error. Download: Glow 26.9 | 1.8 MB (Open Source) Links: Glow Homepage | Screenshot | Github Get alerted to all of our Software updates on Twitter at @NeowinSoftware
    • DWARF mini review: the world's smallest smart telescope for night and day sky captures by Steven Parker DWARFLAB reached out to me asking if I was interested in checking out the DWARF mini, which is a portable astronomy telescope designed for amateur astronomers. Why do I say it's for amateurs? Well, for starters, it's not what you'd call "high end"; it's more of a professional-grade starting point for amateurs serious about capturing what's up there in our night and day skies. A typical amateur astronomer is most likely thousands of dollars deep into the hobby, and I will make no claims that this DWARF mini (at a fraction of the cost) could replace it all, okay? Well, if you read on, it will be clearer what I am trying to convey. Disclosure: DWARFLAB provided a free sample without any editorial input or review pre-approval. I have always been interested in looking up and observing the night sky. I see satellites crossing the sky above my garden most nights, and I am always looking at the moon. Yeah, I have a 200MP camera on my phone, but at 200X zoom, AI takes over and makes the pretty moon pictures that I snap, the DWARF mini does not, you get an actual true picture of what you can barely see with the naked eye. Before we start, let's share the highlights of the DWARF mini in bite-sized format: Pocket-Sized & Ultra-Lightweight Weighing just 1.85 lbs (840g), the DWARF mini easily fits into a backpack or large pocket. Its all-in-one, compact design makes it the ultimate grab-and-go digital telescope for hiking, camping, or traveling to dark-sky locations. Intuitive App Control & Built-in Sky Atlas Go from unboxing to your first shot in just 3 minutes! The DWARFLAB App provides a seamless experience with an interactive star map. Simply select your target and start exploring without the steep learning curve of traditional setups. Auto GOTO & 360° Pivot Freedom Enjoy pinpoint automated tracking with full 360° rotation. Powered by a high-sensitivity Sony IMX662 sensor (1/2.8-inch, 2.9μm pixels), it captures amazing, low-noise astro details, bringing faint nebulas and star clusters to life with stunning clarity. Pro-Level EQ Mode & Long Exposure Unlock advanced deep-space imaging with Equatorial (EQ) Mode. Supporting impressive single-frame exposures up to 90 seconds and featuring built-in light pollution filters, it easily cuts through city glow to reveal intricate celestial structures. Smart Cloud Processing & All-Ages Fun Effortlessly enhance your raw data with integrated cloud processing for professional-grade results. Perfect for beginners, kids, and adults, this telescope makes exploring and sharing the wonders of the universe an exciting, family-friendly adventure. The packaging is a pretty minimal affair with the outer box opening like a flap to reveal the plastic mould of the DWARF mini sitting in it. Below, the Sun filter, charging cable, cleaning cloth, and documentation can be found. DWARFLAB also provided a Mini Hydraulic Tripod ($89.99), and I highly recommend getting it if you plan on purchasing the DWARF mini, as it fully supports the motorized tracking feature of the telescope; plus, at 840g, the weight of the telescope, you will need a tripod that supports more than the weight of a smartphone anyway. What's in the box DWARF Mini Smart Telescope × 1 Sun Filter x 1 Type-C to Type-C Cord x 1 Cleaning Cloth x 1 User Guide With that out of the way, here are the full specs: DWARF mini Dimensions (DWH): 60.70 mm x 100.38 × 183.61 (2.39" x 3.95" x 7.23") Weight: 840g (1.85lbs) Aperture diameter: 30 mm (telephoto), 3.4 mm (wide angle) Image Sensor: SONY IMX662 1/2.8" (Telephoto) OmniVision OS02K10 1/2.8" (Wide-angle) Focal length: 150 mm (telephoto), 6.7 mm (wide-angle) Equivalent focal length: 1016 mm (telephoto), 45 mm (wide-angle) Shutter Speed: Tele - 1/10000-90s, Wide - 1/10000-30s Maximum exposure time: 90s (telephoto & wide-angle), Both in EQ mode Rotation range: Lens: 225°, Base: 360° Effective Pixels: 2.07M Maximum Resolution: 1920 × 1080 (Telephoto & Wide-angle) Built-in filters: Astro, Dark, Duo-Band (Telephoto), Astro (Wide-angle) Output: JPG, FITS, TIFF, MP4 Shooting Mode: Photos, Videos, Astronomy, Burst Shooting, Time-lapse Photography Storage: 64 GB Battery: Built-in 7000 mAh, supports external USB charging Charging Port: Type-C NPU: 1 TOPS Features: WiFi, NFC NFC One-Touch Connection Astronomy Post-Processing/Appointment Shooting/Astronomy Mosaic Wi-Fi Transmission Range: 15m (open environment) Color: Black Compatibility: iOS & Android smartphones/tablets Warranty: 2-years (24-months) MSRP: $399 Design Charge port On/off button Lens On the DWARF mini itself, it is a pretty minimal affair. On one side, there is a Type-C USB port to charge the non-removable 7000 mAh battery, and on the other side, a large button to power on or off the telescope. The button is flanked by an LED that is green when connected via the DWARFLAB app, or lights up red when being powered off. Below the button, there are four LEDs that indicate battery power. The DWARF mini does not have any sharp edges as all sides are rounded off; it has a good heft to it, but the weight of it feels quite balanced in the hand, so it isn't top or bottom-heavy. On the front there is the DWARFLAB logo which is quite small and there are no other markings on it. The tripod offers full 360° rotation of the motorized base, which allows for tracking for the time-lapse mode, but also for the 90-second captures of nearer objects in the sky, such as the Sun or the moon. Usage To get started, simply power on the DWARF mini and open the DWARFLAB app, tap on Connect, and it will scan for the DWARF mini over the Wi-Fi network. The device supports both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi, as well as Bluetooth for discovery, so connection issues were minimal in my experience with it. As previously noted in the specs, the DWARF mini will stay connected with a phone or tablet up to 15 meters in an open environment, such as a backyard. Lighting status Powering on: The green circular light will rotate and breathe in turn Powering off: The red circular light is gradually extinguished Connecting: Green light strip rotating Connected: Green light strip solid/always on 4 lights 1= 0-25%, 2= 25-50%, 3= 50-75%, 4= 75-100% battery power To view the full lighting status, such as tracking mode and connection failure, you can check the user guide on the official DWARFLAB page. DWARFLAB app Above, you can see the steps undertaken to connect the DWARFLAB app to my Galaxy S26 Ultra. Weirdly, I got an alert that a firmware update failed to get uploaded to the DWARF mini the first time, but upon retrying, it worked. Then place the DWARF mini outside, make sure your smartphone or tablet is connected to it, and then head back inside, because you can manage it from the comfort of your home. Simply enter the Atlas tab in the app and search for what you want to capture, and then tap on the camera icon; the DWARF mini will then attempt to track the object and give you a live view right on your connected device. Results I've had the DWARF mini since April, but even though my garden is south-facing, I had a lot of trouble trying to capture a good image of the moon. In the end, it was possible after I took it with me on a trip to my parents in Southend, UK, at the end of May. Here is a capture of the moon, resulting from 20 stacked images over a 90-second exposure. What you are seeing here is not AI-assisted. A good example of what I mean is the latest flagships with their 200MP cameras claiming to capture things like closeups of the moon, and while they are not as good as the above example on the DWARF mini, the resulting image on smartphones is actually AI-assisted above 30X zoom. Here is an example of a similar shot at the moon at 200X zoom using an HONOR Magic8 Pro. The difference is clear. Next, here we have a shot of the daytime moon. Here is a shot of Arcturus, the red giant star, which is the fourth brightest in the night sky. As previously mentioned, it could be a bit clearer, but clouds passing in front of it muddied the shot a bit. The Sun The DWARF mini also ships with a sun filter, meaning you can take great shots of the sun as well. Tracking Sun Resulting (stacked) shot Live zoom The pictures themselves are limited to Full HD, and some of the examples actually came out in HD (1280x720), but this is because the standard telescopic result is in 720p while "Wide" is in 1080p. Above you can see how in the app the Sun is tracked, the resulting capture, and Live zoom. I have only scratched the surface of what is possible with this telescope; I found several examples online of shots of the Milky Way, among others, such as nebulae and galaxies. All of this requires patience and knowledge, although if you know what you are looking for, simply enter it in the Atlas tab in the DWARFLAB app, tap the camera icon, and the telescope will attempt to track it. Conclusion The good The DWARF mini definitely places itself in a price point that makes astrology accessible to anyone looking to get started in the hobby. Say you want to have a closer look at the moon, simply enter it in the Atlas, and the Live view also lets you zoom in and snap pictures. The bad Some issues I came across while operating the DWARF mini were that it sometimes failed to connect unless I held my smartphone right next to it, and finding and tracking sometimes took several attempts to get it calibrated. I discovered that it helped if I sort of positioned and pointed the telescope in the general area it was supposed to detect, but this obviously wouldn't work with objects you can't see with the naked eye; more testing is required for that. Another bit of advice is to ensure that the lens is clean. While making the examples of live zooming on the sun, I discovered that the telescope lens and sun filter were not completely clean, and only after cleaning with a microfiber cloth was I able to get a decent shot of the sun. Where to buy and a coupon Okay, $399 is not cheap for a side hobby, but nor is a $1,500 smartphone flagship that you'll most likely have for a couple of years. This is a one-time entrance into astrology, and it won't become obsolete in one year like a smartphone. It's a thumbs up from me. The DWARF mini is available to buy right now in the U.S. and U.K. at the links below. DWARF mini for $399 on the official site DWARF mini for $399 on Amazon U.S. Use the NEOWIN5OFF coupon code for an additional 5% off at checkout (expires June 21) As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
  • Recent Achievements

    • One Month Later
      lamborghiniv10 earned a badge
      One Month Later
    • Week One Done
      lamborghiniv10 earned a badge
      Week One Done
    • Reacting Well
      X-No-file earned a badge
      Reacting Well
    • One Month Later
      pestcontrol46 earned a badge
      One Month Later
    • Week One Done
      pestcontrol46 earned a badge
      Week One Done
  • Popular Contributors

    1. 1
      +primortal
      504
    2. 2
      PsYcHoKiLLa
      270
    3. 3
      +Edouard
      75
    4. 4
      Skyfrog
      74
    5. 5
      Steven P.
      71
  • Tell a friend

    Love Neowin? Tell a friend!