Windows 8.1 to get a start menu again

[SteveG1988]

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2138443/rejoice-the-start-menu-is-coming-back-to-windows.html

It will not be 100% like windows 7 has it, but it will be returning in the near future.

[JREwing78]

It only took two years of consumer complaints and indifference for Microsoft to get the message - stop treating the traditional desktop interface as a second-class citizen.

Windows needed a presence on touch devices like tablets, and there were a lot of good ideas baked into the Modern interface. But it made using the classic Windows interface so infuriating to use that people stayed away from Windows 8 in droves.

The obscene amount of success Start8, Classic Start, and similar projects (Start menu replacement apps) have had only underscore this point.

[SteveG1988]

It only took two years of consumer complaints and indifference for Microsoft to get the message - stop treating the traditional desktop interface as a second-class citizen.

Windows needed a presence on touch devices like tablets, and there were a lot of good ideas baked into the Modern interface. But it made using the classic Windows interface so infuriating to use that people stayed away from Windows 8 in droves.

The obscene amount of success Start8, Classic Start, and similar projects (Start menu replacement apps) have had only underscore this point.

It is like new coke then?

[vdeane]

They wanted to make the desktop nothing more than an app.  Then they realized that only a few tablet fanboys wanted that.

[myosh_tino]

Anyone find it odd that this and other changes like Office for iOS are taking place after the change in CEOs?  While I understand that Office for iOS has probably been in development for quite some time, it wasn't released under Ballmer's watch.

[getemngo]

Microsoft has more or less admitted about Windows 8, as with the Ribbon in Office 2007, that the new interface is meant to help the most casual users, while power users will be able to adapt because power users are willing to go the extra mile and learn. Doesn't explain why Windows Server 2012 has the Metro Modern interface, since no casual users will be buying it...

In the last few years, Microsoft and Apple have tried to be all things to all people, blending their desktop, tablet, and mobile OSes into one ugly mess. Apple doesn't really need to do this when they're not making touchscreen PCs or laptops, and Microsoft doesn't really need to do this when Windows, Windows Mobile, and (for some bizarre reason) Windows RT are still separate.

[vdeane]

The ribbon was made because the top new feature requests for Office were for features already in the product.

[SSOWorld]

Still not as good as Windows 7's start menu

[Roadsguy]

Even though it's a start (no pun intended), I hope programs like Classic Shell stick around to make it more like Windows 7's menu, along with programs like UxStyle to allow custom themes. (e.g. Aero in 8.1; Desktop Metro is awful...)

[Android]

I don't think Classic Shell is going anywhere.  I tried Windows 8 when it was in pre-release and free... and didn't like it much but thanks to Classic Shell and some other add-ons got it to work the way I wanted it to.   I dual-booted with W7, but basically stopped using the W7 partition - and I bought the upgrade to W8 Pro after the launch when it was still dirt cheap.   I get occasional popups telling me to upgrade to 8.1 but I really don't see any need to as my computer works fine as I have it set up.  I wonder how many popups I'll get for 8.1.1 now...

[SSOWorld]

I don't think Classic Shell is going anywhere.  I tried Windows 8 when it was in pre-release and free... and didn't like it much but thanks to Classic Shell and some other add-ons got it to work the way I wanted it to.   I dual-booted with W7, but basically stopped using the W7 partition - and I bought the upgrade to W8 Pro after the launch when it was still dirt cheap.   I get occasional popups telling me to upgrade to 8.1 but I really don't see any need to as my computer works fine as I have it set up.  I wonder how many popups I'll get for 8.1.1 now...

You won't. They are pushing it out silently via Windows Update - pretty much like they do with Internet Exploder.

[Dr Frankenstein]

The ribbon was made because the top new feature requests for Office were for features already in the product.

And unlike the Metro interface, the Ribbon is actually well-organized and helpful, AND doesn't hide the stuff power-users use.