Restore Start menu but limit it to Pro edition

By Yuhong Bao
in Microsoft (Windows)

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Order_66

Posted
Posted

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

Yes because comparing windows 3.11 and 95 to windows 8 is exactly the same thing!

/s

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...

And the amount of crying by the zealots who side with a company, one that is deliberately trying to FORCE a user-hostile interface onto their long-time and new customers, can be comparable to a 2 year old crying because his friends have left him to play by himself with his new toys that nobody likes or wants anything to do with.

Grand Master

PGHammer

Posted
Posted

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

And that is a problem *how*?

The majority of critics of Windows 8 seem to have NOT realized that Windows 7 isn't going anywhere until 202x - in other words, it's not going away for quite a stretch.

Basically, Windows 8 and Windows 7 are meant to co-exist - side by side.

Other than the Start menu, Windows 8 is a SUPERset of Windows 7 - just as XP MCE was a superset of XP Professional. (What was missing by design in MCE was domain support - just as Windows 8 is missing the Start menu.)

Geeze.

Yes because comparing windows 3.11 and 95 to windows 8 is exactly the same thing!

/s

And the amount of crying by the zealots who side with a company, one that is deliberately trying to FORCE a user-hostile interface onto their long-time and new customers, can be comparable to a 2 year old crying because his friends have left him to play by himself with his new toys that nobody likes or wants anything to do with.

Windows 8 isn't trying to force anything on anyone - where, exactly, has Windows 7 gone?

Windows 7 will be supported until, at minimum, 2020 - that tells me that it's not going anywhere.

Nobody is *insisting* that you MUST use Windows 8 - and Microsoft definitely isn't.

Veteran

Order_66

Posted
Posted

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.

The start menu is FAR from being an old and depreciated feature and is not even close to reaching its max potential and works just as well today as it did yesterday.

The so-called "statistics" that microsoft/Ballmer have claimed to have done to try and show that people are not using the start menu are extremely laughable and reek of dishonesty.

You can buy into the lies and crystal ball mythical predictions based purely on arrogance and money by those at microsoft regarding what the future holds for computing all you want, meanwhile people on windows 7 and previous versions who have work that needs to be done will merrily continue to get it done on an os that just plain works like windows 7 for example, an os that just works and is user friendly, unlike 8.

Grand Master

PGHammer

Posted
Posted

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

And replacements for it abounded - including a clone of the WorkPlaceShell for OS/2 2.x.

Proficient

paulheu

Posted
Posted

The Start menu is gone, dead, buried and left behind. The handful of fanatics who cling to it like it was the second coming will have to deal. MSFT removed the hooks which are used by the gazillion hacks so they won't work in Blue any more Good riddance,,

Few years back everyone used UUencode on Usenet, then some guy came up with a little thing called yEnc and a handful of fanatics went nuts over it and how no one would use it and it would be dead in a year and it was horrible. Now UUencode is in the history books and yEnc is what everyone uses and accepts. Not that many of you will have a clue what I am on about here as you are probably too young to know and many may not even know what Usenet is as most will have grown up looking at pictures on your screen.

Point in case, move on... The Start menu will not be back... ever..

  • Dot Matrix, Crimson Rain and Stoffel
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SharpGreen

Posted
Posted

The start menu is FAR from being an old and depreciated feature and is not even close to reaching its max potential and works just as well today as it did yesterday.

The so-called "statistics" that microsoft/Ballmer have claimed to have done to try and show that people are not using the start menu are extremely laughable and reek of dishonesty.

You can buy into the lies and crystal ball mythical predictions based purely on arrogance and money by those at microsoft regarding what the future holds for computing all you want, meanwhile people on windows 7 and previous versions who have work that needs to be done will merrily continue to get it done on an os that just plain works like windows 7 for example, an os that just works and is user friendly, unlike 8.

How exactly does a full screen start menu prevent you from getting work done? I've seen this BS excuse a lot lately and am wondering how it came about. Also I think that as screens have gotten bigger and resolutions gotten higher the tiny little window in the corner of the screen that is the start menu has gotten harder to use.

As far as I'm concerned I don't get why people are begging for feature that's been in Win8 since the beginning.

  • Stoffel and Dot Matrix
  • Like 2
Grand Master

Stoffel

Posted
Posted

The start menu is FAR from being an old and depreciated feature and is not even close to reaching its max potential and works just as well today as it did yesterday.

The so-called "statistics" that microsoft/Ballmer have claimed to have done to try and show that people are not using the start menu are extremely laughable and reek of dishonesty.

You can buy into the lies and crystal ball mythical predictions based purely on arrogance and money by those at microsoft regarding what the future holds for computing all you want, meanwhile people on windows 7 and previous versions who have work that needs to be done will merrily continue to get it done on an os that just plain works like windows 7 for example, an os that just works and is user friendly, unlike 8.

Are you not bored of writing the same thing over and over again every time there is a news item or new thread about Win8?

  • SharpGreen, Dot Matrix and BajiRav
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Grand Master

Dashel

Posted
Posted

The start menu is ...not even close to reaching its max potential and works just as well today as it did yesterday.

That is one point of optimism, its omission has generated innovation in its own right. Something the following poster is only too happy to trade away. Sad really.

The Start menu is gone, dead, buried and left behind. The handful of fanatics who cling to it like it was the second coming will have to deal. MSFT removed the hooks which are used by the gazillion hacks so they won't work in Blue any more Good riddance,

Why do you need to celebrate it so when trading away the preference of another? Or worse, create a system where such tweaks were no longer possible. An OS should be broader than 'formats'.

How exactly does a full screen start menu prevent you from getting work done? I've seen this BS excuse a lot lately and am wondering how it came about. Also I think that as screens have gotten bigger and resolutions gotten higher the tiny little window in the corner of the screen that is the start menu has gotten harder to use.

Its not a BS excuse. If you can't put yourself in a place to figure that question out, the discussion isn't worth having. Most reviewers I think have done an adequate job explaining why. It isn't about 'preventing' or any other such silly absolute.

What resolution do you run at? Win7 start isn't 'tiny' or hard to mouse (or even touch by and large) at 22"@1080 so I just don't understand that complaint. It has also been resized a since classic Start to compensate. Or are you just chasing Retina?

Experienced

Kelxin

Posted
Posted

Even NeoWin's poll's have proven that almost 50% of the people that have tried Windows 8 don't like the interface / start button.

https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1081755-do-you-like-or-hate-windows-8/page__hl__windows

Microsoft needs to offer a choice. I'm going over all my reasons for hating it again, anyways, its not like the fanboi's even read my responses in the first place.

  • RangerLG and +Warwagon
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SharpGreen

Posted
Posted

That is one point of optimism, its omission has generated innovation in its own right. Something the following poster is only too happy to trade away. Sad really.

Why do you need to celebrate it so when trading away the preference of another? Or worse, create a system where such tweaks were no longer possible. An OS should be broader than 'formats'.

Its not a BS excuse. If you can't put yourself in a place to figure that question out, the discussion isn't worth having. Most reviewers I think have done an adequate job explaining why. It isn't about 'preventing' or any other such silly absolute.

What resolution do you run at? Win7 start isn't 'tiny' or hard to mouse (or even touch by and large) at 22"@1080 so I just don't understand that complaint. It has also been resized a since classic Start to compensate. Or are you just chasing Retina?

It is BS because, as someone who's actually used the OS daily since the Developer Preview (ie. more than a large portion of the whiners in the majority of "win8 sux" threads), I've found that I didn't have to change the way I used my desktop or laptop at all. I mean sure things that were moved, like for instance the shutdown button, that I had to get used to, and for my laptop I don't even bother with it, because I've set it to hibernate/turn off when I close it.

Also there's no way you'll ever convince me the smallish window that was old start menu that after WinXP couldn't expand to make viewing nested folders easier, is better than one that fully uses the available screen space. At 1080p (which my main monitor runs at) a full screen start menu IMO is makes it a lot easier to find things in the list, on the off chance I don't have it pinned somewhere or don't use the search function.

Also the post I was quoting actually did use the word "prevent" which is why I used it.

Even NeoWin's poll's have proven that almost 50% of the people that have tried Windows 8 don't like the interface / start button.

http://www.neowin.ne...ge__hl__windows

Microsoft needs to offer a choice. I'm going over all my reasons for hating it again, anyways, its not like the fanboi's even read my responses in the first place.

Why does one have to be a "fanboi" for not wanting to bring back the old start menu?

Grand Master

Dot Matrix

Posted
Posted

Even NeoWin's poll's have proven that almost 50% of the people that have tried Windows 8 don't like the interface / start button.

http://www.neowin.ne...ge__hl__windows

Microsoft needs to offer a choice. I'm going over all my reasons for hating it again, anyways, its not like the fanboi's even read my responses in the first place.

NeoWin != 100% of the Windows user base.

Microsoft doesn't need to do anything. The Start Menu isn't part of what they want to do, and a few people crying over it isn't going to change a thing.

Grand Master

Stoffel

Posted
Posted

Do you want the start menu back in windows 8?

Yes 55.02% (318)

No 44.98% (260)

http://www.neowin.ne...u-in-windows-8/

That's techy people, people here on Neowin don't represent the whole population, only a small fraction

Grand Master

NEVER85

Posted
Posted

Restoring something that works in favor of something that clearly doesn't work is not the same as "living in the past", far from it actually.

Clearly doesn't work for who? You?

Works just fine for me, but then again, I can actually adapt to change.

Grand Master

COKid

Posted
Posted

Works just fine for me, but then again, I can actually adapt to change.

This is a common refrain, but why is it the case? I mean, some people simply prefer having the start menu. Have a preference is different than not adapting to change. We all have own our tastes, don't we?

On the other hand, I really don't see what all the fuss is about from those who rail against Windows 8 in terms of the Start Menu issue. There are start menu replacements for Windows 8 for those who want them, or people can simply choose to use another OS.

Oh well, I'm sure the debate will rage on. And on. And on...

Collaborator

Manarift

Posted
Posted

The intent of the start screen is to phase out older devices that still rely on screen resolutions of less then 1024*768. Most users now use a screen size of 1366*768. on most systems the small menu wasn't using the space of a full screen so it was in fact leaving a dead space. Lets use windows 95 as an example it was the first computer system to use the start menu as time went on it improved and changed to adapt with what was currently needed over time it improved and changed at the same-time that very code was being left unchanged and used for exploits and virus's. Microsoft design choice was to change to it from the ground up rather then keeping it the old code. Instead choose to Clean up older code by removing it which is key to improving any product and closing any bugs or holes that could be used as zero day exploits or for virus's

Grand Master

Nick H. Supervisor

Posted
  • Supervisor
Posted
This is a common refrain, but why is it the case? I mean, some people simply prefer having the start menu. Have a preference is different than not adapting to change. We all have own our tastes, don't we?

Thank you! I'm tired of hearing this idea. I prefer the start menu and apparently that makes me a dinosaur, but you don't see me calling people pre-schoolers for preferring the start screen. It's just a preference.

  • Raa and Order_66
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xWhiplash

Posted
Posted

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.

Businesses that do not want to retrain people and use third party OS tweaks.

Why didn't they at least include such options in the enterprise edition?

Grand Master

Dot Matrix

Posted
Posted

Businesses that do not want to retrain people and use third party OS tweaks.

Why didn't they at least include such options in the enterprise edition?

Because sooner or later businesses *have* to pay training costs. It's unavoidable. Windows 8 (even Windows 9) will be on the market for quite some time before the majority of businesses upgrade, many people will learn on their own how to use the OS, mitigating some of the costs.

Grand Master

Dashel

Posted
Posted

It is BS because, as someone who's actually used the OS...blah blah blah

Also there's no way you'll ever convince me the smallish window that was old start menu that after WinXP couldn't expand to make viewing nested folders easier, is better than one that fully uses the available screen space. At 1080p (which my main monitor runs at) a full screen start menu IMO is makes it a lot easier to find things in the list, on the off chance I don't have it pinned somewhere or don't use the search function.

If you still don't get its not about you or even, again, why they find it jarring, you are just being obtuse. Its not about I can hit button A to do action B, its much more subtle than that. Take off your gloves and find some empathy. How is it virtually every reviewer has noticed it but you have not? Maybe that is the BS you should focus on.

We get it, you won't be convinced people prefer different things and their choice doesn't impede your progress. Please, explain how SS makes finding listed items (ie All Programs) easier, because that does dumbfound me. Annihilating nested folders isn't expanding to make their view and nav easier.

The intent of the start screen is to phase out older devices that still rely on screen resolutions of less then 1024*768. Most users now use a screen size of 1366*768. on most systems the small menu wasn't using the space of a full screen so it was in fact leaving a dead space. Lets use windows 95 as an example it was the first computer system to use the start menu as time went on it improved and changed to adapt with what was currently needed over time it improved and changed at the same-time that very code was being left unchanged and used for exploits and virus's. Microsoft design choice was to change to it from the ground up rather then keeping it the old code. Instead choose to Clean up older code by removing it which is key to improving any product and closing any bugs or holes that could be used as zero day exploits or for virus's

WTFGibberishBSIsThis?!? Are we back to just throwing anything we want at the page to see what sticks? Dead space? Start Menu viruses? I'm praying to Jesus English isn't your first language.

Grand Master

PGHammer

Posted
Posted

Because sooner or later businesses *have* to pay training costs. It's unavoidable. Windows 8 (even Windows 9) will be on the market for quite some time before the majority of businesses upgrade, many people will learn on their own how to use the OS, mitigating some of the costs.

What strikes me as laughable (though the point for once is valid) is that training costs in businesses and enterprises are a BIG reason not to change out an operating system - the reason why it strikes me as laughable NOW is that originally heard it coming from businesses running NT4WS that didn't want to upgrade to Windows 2000 Professional.

Fellow Neowinians, I was in an enterprise (specifically, a broadband-support call center for Big Cable Company) that DID such a changeover; the changeover was the entirety of the eastern US' operations. Every single desktop. (The servers were involved as well - they would upgrade to Windows 2000 Server once all the desktops got upgraded.) Despite the alarums from the IT types, the biggest issues were, in fact, applications - not training. Why? We, as users, pretty much helped each other through the rough patches (the biggest *rough patch* for users was printing - however, once users figured out how to use print-queue browsing to select un-backlogged network printers, it actually got EASIER than NT4WS did). Why would users not help each other through a 7->8 upgrade? Are you implying that users are, in fact, MORE selfish today?

For the average user, the difference is that the Start menu is missing - period. In terms of how to maneuver around the OS, there is NO other difference. How many users - even those still using Windows 7 - center all their operations around the Start menu? Now, if you are a user that does, in fact, center most of how you get to things around the Start menu, its excision is going to be massive. (That is something that I have pointed out going back to the Developer Preview.)

However, other than that, nothing really changed from a user-operations POV between 7 and 8. The Superbar is still there. Taskbar pinning is still there. (In fact, both have gained additional teeth due to applications that launch on startup now appearing on the Taskbar, in addition to the TaskTray - this was not in Windows 7.)

What I am seeing is those that miss the Start menu deliberately calling attention to it - in hopes of staving off a final demise when support for Windows 7 goes away in 202x.

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      Hands-on with BOOX Tappy: cute little reading accessory by Taras Buria Page turners are quite popular accessories for e-readers, as they enable a hands-free reading experience, which is particularly useful with large readers featuring 10-inch or larger displays. The BOOX Tappy is a new accessory that was introduced earlier this year, and we took this cute-looking thingy for a spin. The Tappy comes in a small box, with two additional buttons and a user manual. The device is made of glossy green plastic and resembles old appliances from the nuclear age. Material quality is great, and each part feels quite premium. Plastic is high-quality, the switch is nice to flick, and the buttons are not rattly. At the bottom, four rubberized feet prevent slipping when used on a desk. Unfortunately, there are no color options, and the Tappy is only available in green. It looks good, but I wish there were other options as well. There are two removable buttons, an on/off switch, and an LED indicator that displays connection mode, charging status, and more. The buttons resemble those of an old typewriter, with quite a long travel distance and a pleasant clack. In the box, you have four buttons with different icons: heart, coffee, O, and X. You can easily swap buttons by simply pulling them upwards. Tip: buttons come with plastic covers, but they are quite tricky to remove. It is hard to call the Tappy the most ergonomic remote control, but after fiddling with it for a few hours, I managed to find a comfortable hand position. Attaching a lanyard to it can make it more comfortable in use without the fear of dropping it, but unfortunately, the Tappy does not come with one. The Tappy connects via Bluetooth 5.2, and it works in three modes, which you can toggle by pressing and holding both buttons for about five seconds: Reading Mode Multimedia Mode Browsing Mode Next / Previous page Next / Previous Track Up / Down scroll If you pair the Tappy with a BOOX device (I tested it with the BOOX Go 10.5 Gen 2 Lumi), you will get small pop-ups indicating the current mode. Plus, you can customize what each button does when pressed one time, two times, or held for a few seconds. The list of available actions and features you can use is massive, and I like that BOOX lets you map stuff like brightness adjustment, app launching, screenshot-taking, screen rotating, navigation, and more. Note, however, that while you can use the Tappy with other readers, its customization is only available on BOOX devices running firmware version 4.2 and newer. I could not connect the Tappy to my computer (Windows 11 claims a driver error when I try), but it worked with the DuRoBo Krono that I recently reviewed. My Kindle Paperwhite refused to work with the Tappy, though, just like my iPhone. The Tappy uses a non-removable Li-Ion battery, which can be recharged with a Type-C cable. BOOX rates the remote for "weeks of use," and I can say that it indeed has very good battery life. While there are no battery indicators on the remote, you can see the current level in the status bar or in Input settings in the BOOX firmware. After a few days of active use, mine still shows about 95%. Overall, the Tappy left a nice impression. It is well-made, and the integration with BOOX devices is great. I also like that BOOX decided to have some fun with its design and swappable buttons. I cannot say I am a fan of its odd shape, though. Still, I managed to find a way to use it comfortably. And when not in use, it just looks neat sitting on the table doing nothing or serving you as a small clacky fidget. Buy BOOX Tappy - $29.99 on Amazon US As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
    • AdGuard Family lifetime deal now only $14.97

      By News Staff · Posted

      AdGuard Family lifetime deal now only $14.97 by Steven Parker Today's highlighted Neowin Deal comes via our Apps + Software section, where you can get a lifetime subscription and save 91% on a lifetime AdGuard Family Plan. AdGuard is a unique program that has all the necessary features for what they claim to be "the best web experience." The software combines the an advanced ad blocker, a privacy protection module, and a parental control tool—all working in one app. This software deals with annoying ads, hides your data from a multitude of trackers, protects you from malware attacks, and even lets you restrict your kids from accessing inappropriate content. Install AdGuard and see the internet as it was supposed to be: clean and safe. Get rid of annoying banners, pop-ups & video ads once and for all Hide your data from the multitude of trackers & activity analyzers that swarm the web Avoid fraudulent and phishing website and malware attacks Protect your kids online by restricting them from accessing inappropriate & adult content Good to know Family Plan Length of access: lifetime This plan is only available to new users Redemption deadline: redeem your code within 30 days of purchase Max number of devices: 9 Access options: desktop & mobile Software version: AdGuard Family Updates included A lifetime subscription of AdGuard Family Plan normally costs $169.99, but this deal can be yours for just $14.97, that's a saving of $157.02. For full terms, specifications, and license info please click the link below. Get this AdGuard Family lifetime deal for just $14.97 (was $169.99) Although priced in U.S. dollars, this deal is available for digital purchase worldwide. As an online publication, Neowin too relies on ads for operating costs and, if you use an ad blocker, we'd appreciate being whitelisted. In addition, we have an ad-free subscription for $28 a year, which is another way to show support! Support queries If you have queries or need support for any of the Neowin Deals, please use the contact form here. Neowin Deals are managed and sold by StackCommerce who represent Neowin on an affiliate basis. Why we post these deals We post these because we earn commission on each sale so as not to rely solely on advertising, which many of our readers block. It all helps toward paying staff reporters, servers and hosting costs. So for those that keep moaning and complaining, be thankful we're still online for you to even do that. Other ways to support Neowin Whitelist Neowin by not blocking our ads Create a free member account to see fewer ads Make a donation to support our day to day running costs Subscribe to Neowin - for $14 a year, or $28 a year for an ad-free experience Disclosure: Neowin benefits from revenue of each sale made through our branded deals site powered by StackCommerce.
    • Newegg offers insane combo deal on Amazon Prime Day 2026 that beats Steam Machine

      By sphbecker · Posted

      Sadly "beats Steam Machine" isn't much of a brag.

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