Restore Start menu but limit it to Pro edition


Recommended Posts

By a room full of an infinite number of monkeys, perhaps.

LOL that's funny. Why not allow the user to select during the installation process or have the installation make the determination if a PC through an internal search is a touchscreen. then split the installation at that point and install a Windows 7 style with a start menu.

I think if MS would have done that, It would probably wipe out any and all bad views of MS.

LOL that's funny. Why not allow the user to select during the installation process or have the installation make the determination if a PC through an internal search is a touchscreen. then split the installation at that point and install a Windows 7 style with a start menu.

I think if MS would have done that, It would probably wipe out any and all bad views of MS.

Not my point though. My point is about limiting this Win7 start menu option to Pro edition.

Nobody HAS to get used to the user-hostile ui of windows 8, just stick with windows 7 like most people are doing, obviously.

Are you secretly the alter ego of Chris Pirillo (that annoying little guy making videos about Win8) on Neowin.

He likes to refer to the Win 8 UI as user hostile.

  • Like 3

I like the humor in here. But those who want Start Menu are free to use hundreds of alternatives which bring it back.

Or get used to any sh** Microsoft pushes down our throats by buying their software.

Or buy a Mac and strictly use OSX.

Kind of indicative when we who like the start menu are told to "deal with it."

what a damn hostile approach to innovation if that is what it is.

they did ti with win 3.11 to 95, u didnt have a start menu back then and then wulla u have it, people were furious about it and didnt like it

But those who want Start Menu are free to...

...buy a Mac and strictly use OSX.

Please explain to me how you get the Start Menu on a Mac, where this feature is in OSX. And no add-ons, as you say "strictly" use OSX.

Or are you just trolling?

I wonder if restoring Start menu as an option but limit it to Pro edition has been considered.

It wouldn't work. First and foremost because there are free start menu replacements out there that work on all versions of Windows 8, so Microsoft including a start menu only in the Pro version wouldn't be an incentive for people to pay.

Kind of indicative when we who like the start menu are told to "deal with it."

what a damn hostile approach to innovation if that is what it is.

So how would you approach it? To me, innovation means change so keeping the start menu because people aren't ready to part with it goes against the whole idea of innovation.

FFS... The amount of crying over the Start Menu is rather hilarious. You guys act like you're 2 years old after mommy says no to getting a toy...

Why must developers undermine their mission just to make a few luddites happy? Microsoft isn't going to bring that back. There is no reason to bring back old, deprecated features. The Start Menu reached it's max potential, and now it's time to move on or die out. Simple as that.

  • Like 4
Why must developers undermine their mission just to make a few luddites happy? Microsoft isn't going to bring that back.

I agree with this. Microsoft have their plans and it doesn't look like they're going to change, leave them to it. It can be the mission of other developers to offer a start menu for those that want it.

?Please explain to me how you get the Start Menu on a Mac, where this feature is in OSX. ?

I can only speak for myself but, honestly, I couldn't care less about the Start Menu. I'm not resistant to change especially when it comes in the form of progress. What I care about, and the reason I chose to install Start8 on my Windows 8 installation is the functionality that the Start Menu provides. What functionality specifically? Well:

1 a clearly visible UI element for accessing:

2 an unobtrusive popup menu that doesn't take over the whole screen for:

2a a unified desktop search (ideally with drag and drop support)

2b a complete listing of your apps

2c a link to the control panel

2d power options

2e recent items

Clearly Windows 7 delivers all of that (and more) in the form of the Start button/menu.

post-5569-0-57034300-1364228886.png

Well, Windows 8 completely fails in the first respect. There's no visible UI element at all to access any of the mentioned items. So what about the second item?There's no popup menu anymore. Windows 8 forces you to go fullscreen for 2a and 2b. A fullscreen Desktop search option exists, but without providing drag and drop support or being unified - it forces you to select whether you're specifically interested in looking for apps, settings or files. Both a link to the control panel as well as power options still exist as part of the Settings Charm which is slightly more cumbersome to get to than before and is far less discoverable. Recent items are gone.

So what about OS X? It actually separates out the functionality into 3 UI items: The Applications Stack, the Spotlight menu and the Apple menu:

post-5569-0-46053100-1364228995.pngpost-5569-0-57701100-1364228980.pngpost-5569-0-19013800-1364229014.png

All three accessible by clicking on clearly visible UI elements. All three providing an unobtrusive popup menu. 2a is provided by the Spotlight menu, 2b by the applications stack, 2c/d/e by the Apple menu. In fact, if Windows 8 instead of the Start Menu would provide nothing more than the Spotlight icon and menu, I would already be ecstatic. Let it show all apps when no text is entered. Put a button for the Settings Charm on the task bar (as I suggested before) and you're golden.

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

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Posts

    • Endless Wars  Endless Shrimp!!! 🦐    
    • How can it beat a Steam machine without a serious GPU? The two CU iGPU only provides about 5fps in gaming. That's not going to make any gamer happy.
    • Anthropic introduces Claude Tag, a new AI teammate for Slack by Fiza Ali Anthropic has announced Claude Tag, a new feature that lets teams work with Claude directly inside Slack. The idea is simple: once Claude is added to a Slack workspace and given access to selected channels, users can tag @Claude in conversations and assign tasks. Claude can then work through those requests using connected tools and data sources before posting its results back into a Slack thread. What makes Claude Tag different from a typical chatbot is that it's designed to operate as a shared assistant for an entire team rather than a single user. Everyone in a channel interacts with the same Claude instance. This allows the team members to see ongoing work and continue tasks started by others. Furthermore, Anthropic says the AI can build context over time by following conversations in channels where it has permission to operate. This means users don't have to repeatedly provide the same background information for every request. The system is also designed for asynchronous work. Instead of waiting for responses in a chat window, users can assign a task to Claude and return later once the work is complete. Anthropic says Claude can break larger requests into multiple steps and use connected tools to complete them. Moreover, the system can also schedule follow-up tasks and continue working on projects over extended periods. Another feature allows Claude to keep the users updated and follow up on unresolved tasks when its optional "ambient" mode is enabled. The company says the tool is already being used internally for software development, data analysis, support workflows, and debugging. According to Anthropic, around 65% of its product team's code is now generated through its internal version of Claude Tag. For organisations concerned about security, administrators can control which channels, tools, and data sources Claude can access. Separate Claude instances can also be configured for different departments, helping keep information isolated between teams. Administrators can also monitor activity logs, review completed tasks, and set spending limits at both the organisation and channel level. Claude Tag is now available in beta for Claude Enterprise and Claude Team customers and runs on Claude Opus 4.8 that was announced this May. The feature will also replace Anthropic's existing Claude in Slack application, with current users able to migrate within a 30-day migration window. Lastly, eligible customers will receive introductory credits to help teams evaluate the new experience.
    • Beats Studio Pro wireless over-ear ANC headphones drop to their lowest price yet by Fiza Ali Amazon is currently offering the Beats Studio Pro headphones at their all-time low price. The Studio Pro use 40mm active drivers which are designed to improve clarity and reduce distortion compared to previous models, with up to an 80% improvement over the Beats Studio3 Wireless. A built-in digital processor adjusts frequency response to keep the sound balanced rather than overly boosted in any one area. They also include Active Noise Cancelling that adapts to your surroundings to reduce background noise along with a Transparency mode that lets outside sound in when you need awareness of what’s going on around you. Furthermore, the headphones support personalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking as well as Dolby Atmos playback on supported content. Moreover, built-in voice-targeting microphones improve call quality. You can also switch between three sound profiles including Beats Signature for balanced music playback, Entertainment for films and gaming, and Conversation for clearer voice in calls and podcasts. Physically, they are designed to be worn for long periods without feeling heavy or awkward. The ear cushions use UltraPlush engineered leather while metal sliders allow you to adjust the fit. On the connectivity side, the Studio Pro use Class 1 Bluetooth for a stable, long-range wireless connection. There is also a 3.5mm input if you want to plug in directly, including use with in-flight entertainment systems. Controls are located on the headphones and include a "b" button for music and call control, a volume rocker, and a multifunction button used for switching listening modes, EQ settings, power, and pairing. In addition, the headphones offer integration with both Apple and Android devices. On Apple devices, they support one-touch pairing with iCloud-linked devices, hands-free Siri access, Find My tracking based on last connected location, and automatic software updates. On Android devices, they support Google Fast Pair, Audio Switch between compatible devices, and Google Find My Device tracking, with additional features available through the Beats app. When it comes to the battery performance, it is rated at up to 40 hours of listening time with ANC turned off, and up to 24 hours with ANC or Transparency mode enabled. A 10-minute Fast Fuel charge should provide up to 4 hours of playback. Finally, the headphones use a rechargeable lithium-ion battery and charge via USB-C. Beats Studio Pro Wireless Over-Ear ANC Headphones: $149.95 (Amazon US) Good to know This Amazon deal is U.S. specific, and not available in other regions unless specified. We only use first-party seller links (at the time of article publishing); ensure that you purchase from a first-party seller link only. Check out Today's Deals on Amazon | or our recent tech deals. Become a Prime member (for Students or SNAP) via Neowin Get Prime Access - Prime for half price (for qualifying Medicaid, EBT, SNAP) Subscribe to Prime Video, Audible Plus, Music Unlimited or Kindle Unlimited via Neowin As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
  • Recent Achievements

    • Rookie
      DaviKar went up a rank
      Rookie
    • Dedicated
      HidekoYamamoto94 earned a badge
      Dedicated
    • One Month Later
      timbobit earned a badge
      One Month Later
    • One Month Later
      nates earned a badge
      One Month Later
    • Week One Done
      Almohandis earned a badge
      Week One Done
  • Popular Contributors

    1. 1
      +primortal
      462
    2. 2
      +Edouard
      161
    3. 3
      PsYcHoKiLLa
      110
    4. 4
      Michael Scrip
      82
    5. 5
      Steven P.
      69
  • Tell a friend

    Love Neowin? Tell a friend!