Solved Classic Start Menu -- Microsoft is so out of touch

cytherian

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An elderly relative of mine recently got a new laptop with Windows 8. I had suggested she get one with Windows 7 as she has been using XP for about 8 years. But with various hardware requirements she ended up getting a laptop with Windows 8.

Well, getting her accustomed to Windows 8 was a real struggle. The interface changes confused the hell out of her. The only saving grace was to install the "Classic Start Menu". After this, she has been mostly "back to normal". Her opinion? If I hadn't installed that start menu, she would've had me get Windows 7 and install that instead.

I agree. With the Classic Start Menu in place, Windows 8 becomes usable. I tell you, there's no good excuse for Microsoft removing the Start menu from the lower left corner. It really feels like Microsoft is so out of touch. I understand the need to make a core operating system suitable across a number of different devices (phones, tablets, laptops/workstations), but being insensitive to laptops where the Start menu is so frequently accessed? Fine, if you want to create the option to do things differently as with the tiles page, don't take away something considered sacred to so many users.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP
    CPU
    AMD
    Motherboard
    AMD
    Memory
    8Gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    RADEON
I agree with you that they shouldn't take away features from Windows. But I don't know why people used the Start Menu so much anyway. I never did. It was such a maze of menus within menus within menus! There's plenty of room on the Desktop to put icons for everything that you regularly use. If you do that, you rarely need the Start Menu.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 8
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP 23-D030
I agree with you that they shouldn't take away features from Windows. But I don't know why people used the Start Menu so much anyway. I never did. It was such a maze of menus within menus within menus! There's plenty of room on the Desktop to put icons for everything that you regularly use. If you do that, you rarely need the Start Menu.

I agree with you 110% Dragon Drop. It's so easy just:
1-press the windows key
2-press first letter of program, file or setting you want to open.

Widows 8 has well spaced easy to see & read tiles once you do those 2 steps
3-press enter key or click with mouse
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
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    i7-3770K
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z77 Extreme4
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17" 24"
    Hard Drives
    1 TB WD
    PSU
    550w
When understanding the usefulness of the start menu, you have to look at more than just accessing applications. My primary use of the start menu is in the other quick accesses to Recent Items, My Computer (right click properties), control panel, etc. All in one handy place to click. I do a lot of document work and I especially use Recent Items a lot. If all I cared about was quick access to apps, sure, the Start screen makes a reasonable replacement.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 7 / Win 8
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo T510 / HP ProBook 4540S
    CPU
    Intel i5-510m / Intel i3-3110m
    Memory
    4GB / 8GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6"
I use recent items a lot also.

Much better for me to have all those functions easily accessible in one place.

Program launch is just one function.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Like mbratch above, I saw the Start Menu as a catch-all, one-stop location. I put all my most-used apps there and it was always accessible. Like my junk drawer on my physical desktop, it held a little of everything and was where I first started to look for something.

Before I added Classic shell, I used standard toolbar folders on the taskbar to replace the start menu, but when I found Classic Shell, I don't need the toolbars anymore, although I still use them at times for my audio apps.

If I started with Windows 8 I'd probably adopt a different behavior pattern.

When I had an Atari computer I used a shell program that had all my most-used stuff attached to keystrokes and pulldown menus; on early PCs I used DOSKeys and FileMan for this; on Linux and Unix X-windows systems I laid out stuff on the desktop much like Windows 8.

Whatever methodology, we all tend to make a toolbox with our most-used stuff easy to access.

I do believe that Microsoft spend an enormous amount of money and study-time to develop the metaphors used for Windows 8.

Maybe we just need some time to get used to it.

Or maybe it is just optimized for 'Touch'-based access.

Personally, I've long waited for audio-response as the fundamental way of controlling access to computer applications. There is no need for any gestural control at all. Physical response time is far slower than audio response time and it's a far more coarse 'language' with only a few nouns and verbs. It's great at locating something (if you are looking at it) or moving something around, but that's about it. Try telling somebody to do something using only physical gestures...
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center (64-bit)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom-build
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-2600K @ 4.3 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8P67 PRO Rev 3.0
    Memory
    16 GB G.SKILL Ripjaws X DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (4 banks 4GB DIMM DDR3 8-8-8-24 5-32-12-7 1T 1.5V)
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GT 440
    Sound Card
    Firewire Focusrite Saffire Pro 14
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG W2353V
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    2 of Seagate Barracuda XT ST32000641AS (2TB ea.);
    1 of Seagate Barracuda Green ST2000DL003 (2TB);
    1 of Hitachi Deskstar HDS722020ALA330 (2TB);
    2 of Seagate Desktop ST4000DM000-1F2168 (4TB)
    PSU
    Corsair AX850 Gold
    Case
    Cooler Master HAF 932 Advanced
    Cooling
    ThermalTake Silent 1156
    Keyboard
    Logitech K520
    Mouse
    Logitech M310
    Internet Speed
    7Mbps
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky
    Other Info
    Event Studio Precision 6 powered audio monitors;
    Boston Acoustics CS Sub 10 Powered Subwoofer;
    NI Kore controller;
    NI Maschine controller;
    M-Audio Axiom 61 keyboard controller; expression pedal; sustain pedal;

    ... and tons of audio software ...

    I also keep two USB 3 thumb drives (A: and B:) attached with boot recovery and security stuff that I can boot into from BIOS in case of emergency
An elderly relative of mine recently got a new laptop with Windows 8. I had suggested she get one with Windows 7 as she has been using XP for about 8 years. But with various hardware requirements she ended up getting a laptop with Windows 8.

Well, getting her accustomed to Windows 8 was a real struggle. The interface changes confused the hell out of her. The only saving grace was to install the "Classic Start Menu". After this, she has been mostly "back to normal". Her opinion? If I hadn't installed that start menu, she would've had me get Windows 7 and install that instead.

I agree. With the Classic Start Menu in place, Windows 8 becomes usable. I tell you, there's no good excuse for Microsoft removing the Start menu from the lower left corner. It really feels like Microsoft is so out of touch. I understand the need to make a core operating system suitable across a number of different devices (phones, tablets, laptops/workstations), but being insensitive to laptops where the Start menu is so frequently accessed? Fine, if you want to create the option to do things differently as with the tiles page, don't take away something considered sacred to so many users.

All I can think of is that you didn't understand Windows 8 yourself and that's why she struggled.

My wife is the worlds worst on computers I have to show her everything a hundred times. I installed Windows 8 for her, installed her programmes and thought, this is one giant mistake. I showed her where her programmes were on the desktop and her games in Metro, then showed her how to switch between the desktop and Metro and left her.

An hour later I asked her how she was going, she said she'd updated Quicken, done her banking and found the charms bar. Then she said, you told me Windows 8 was hard, I think it's easy, I nearly fainted.

She doesn't normally spend much time on the computer, but she does now, playing the new games from the store, like MS Mahjong, Solitaire and Taptiles and an excellent free Piano App.

I've said it before, if she thinks Windows 8 is easy, it's easy.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro/Windows 8 Pro/Windows 7 64 Bit64Bit/Windows XP
I guess it's a matter of taste, depending on what you think of as "all in one place." True, the Start Menu is a smaller AREA than the whole Desktop. But if I want Notepad and I have to click "Start Menu" and THEN "Programs" and THEN "Windows Accessories" and THEN "Notepad," that's four places. My Notepad icon on the Desktop is only one place to click. My Desktop has 48 large-size icons at the moment, and they only take up about half of it. So I could have 100 or so.

You can put an icon on the Desktop for anything you want. Computer, Control Panel, Recent Items......whatever you want, you can get it with one click (or one double-click). And the same thing goes for Start Screen tiles, though I don't use the Start Screen myself. You just have to create the tile or icon once, and then it will always be there. As I say, it's a matter of taste. But IMO, the Start menu is the LONGEST way to get where you're going.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 8
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP 23-D030
As I say, it's a matter of taste. But IMO, the Start menu is the LONGEST way to get where you're going.
Yes, it's partly a matter of taste, but partly a matter of how people like to work. Not everyone uses Windows for the same things or in the same way. You will find some things certainly as easy or easier with the Start screen. But there are some things that might not be as easy, and perhaps you don't typically do those things. Therefore, you would declare the Start screen more efficient. I'm still waiting for someone to tell me from the Start screen how to access a Recent Item list (various recently accessed documents: docx, xlsx, etc) with just a click and a hover, which is all it takes in a start menu.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 7 / Win 8
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo T510 / HP ProBook 4540S
    CPU
    Intel i5-510m / Intel i3-3110m
    Memory
    4GB / 8GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6"
Yes, it's partly a matter of taste,

Uhh.. ok.

but partly a matter of how people like to work.

Wow, that's deep. I wonder what we might call this "how people like to work"? Hmm... Let me think about that... I'm sure it's on the tip of my tongue.. it's so close I can TASTE it....

But there are some things that might not be as easy, and perhaps you don't typically do those things. Therefore, you would declare the Start screen more efficient. I'm still waiting for someone to tell me from the Start screen how to access a Recent Item list (various recently accessed documents: docx, xlsx, etc) with just a click and a hover, which is all it takes in a start menu.

And where, pray tell, in Windows 7 does it list recently accessed documents in the start menu? Certainly not in the start menu. It's called RECENT PROGRAMS list for a reason.

Or are you talking about jump lists? In which case, those are just as accessible from the taskbar. More so, since you don't have to open the start menu and find the program. Further, there's no guarantee that a recently accessed program is in the start menu, unless you pin it. So that means you only have access to "recent" documents in programs Windows decides to show you, and then only programs that support jump lists, and then only the files the program chooses to show you.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    CPU
    Intel i7 3770K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Z77X-UD4 TH
    Memory
    16GB DDR3 1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia GTX 650
    Sound Card
    Onboard Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Auria 27" IPS + 2x Samsung 23"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440 + 2x 2048x1152
    Hard Drives
    Corsair m4 256GB, 2 WD 2TB drives
    Case
    Antec SOLO II
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000
    Mouse
    Logitech MX
I guess it's a matter of taste, depending on what you think of as "all in one place." True, the Start Menu is a smaller AREA than the whole Desktop. But if I want Notepad and I have to click "Start Menu" and THEN "Programs" and THEN "Windows Accessories" and THEN "Notepad," that's four places. My Notepad icon on the Desktop is only one place to click. My Desktop has 48 large-size icons at the moment, and they only take up about half of it. So I could have 100 or so.

You can put an icon on the Desktop for anything you want. Computer, Control Panel, Recent Items......whatever you want, you can get it with one click (or one double-click). And the same thing goes for Start Screen tiles, though I don't use the Start Screen myself. You just have to create the tile or icon once, and then it will always be there. As I say, it's a matter of taste. But IMO, the Start menu is the LONGEST way to get where you're going.

I don't intend to get too argumentative here, but the Desktop area is usually covered up by an application window or two or three they way I use it, but the task bar is always visible, so a start button or toolbar folder is always accessible.

Moreover, Window desktop icons sooner or later seem to move around no matter how carefully placed, so finding locations is not so automatic. I've never seen taskbar icons move (if locked and notifications managed properly), so the physical locations are very easy to locate and always in the same place. (Well, I take that back, sometimes Windows wants to sort them its own way, so don't try changing their order.)

We all work differently, I like to have things appear physically in the same place all the time. I don't want to look around for them.

You'd think I'd like the Start Screen then, but I really have not used it at all yet.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center (64-bit)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom-build
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-2600K @ 4.3 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8P67 PRO Rev 3.0
    Memory
    16 GB G.SKILL Ripjaws X DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (4 banks 4GB DIMM DDR3 8-8-8-24 5-32-12-7 1T 1.5V)
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GT 440
    Sound Card
    Firewire Focusrite Saffire Pro 14
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG W2353V
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    2 of Seagate Barracuda XT ST32000641AS (2TB ea.);
    1 of Seagate Barracuda Green ST2000DL003 (2TB);
    1 of Hitachi Deskstar HDS722020ALA330 (2TB);
    2 of Seagate Desktop ST4000DM000-1F2168 (4TB)
    PSU
    Corsair AX850 Gold
    Case
    Cooler Master HAF 932 Advanced
    Cooling
    ThermalTake Silent 1156
    Keyboard
    Logitech K520
    Mouse
    Logitech M310
    Internet Speed
    7Mbps
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky
    Other Info
    Event Studio Precision 6 powered audio monitors;
    Boston Acoustics CS Sub 10 Powered Subwoofer;
    NI Kore controller;
    NI Maschine controller;
    M-Audio Axiom 61 keyboard controller; expression pedal; sustain pedal;

    ... and tons of audio software ...

    I also keep two USB 3 thumb drives (A: and B:) attached with boot recovery and security stuff that I can boot into from BIOS in case of emergency
Moreover, Window desktop icons sooner or later seem to move around no matter how carefully placed, so finding locations is not so automatic.

You may find Fences by Stardock to be quite usable then. Not only does it keep icons in nice little pens, but it also backs up their location and can restore it whenever you like. You can also add color to the fences to help you distinguish them.

Fences - Your tool for a clean desktop
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    CPU
    Intel i7 3770K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Z77X-UD4 TH
    Memory
    16GB DDR3 1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia GTX 650
    Sound Card
    Onboard Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Auria 27" IPS + 2x Samsung 23"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440 + 2x 2048x1152
    Hard Drives
    Corsair m4 256GB, 2 WD 2TB drives
    Case
    Antec SOLO II
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000
    Mouse
    Logitech MX
I'm still waiting for someone to tell me from the Start screen how to access a Recent Item list (various recently accessed documents: docx, xlsx, etc) with just a click and a hover, which is all it takes in a start menu.

Will this work for you?

Make a shortcut to <user folder>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Recent on the desktop, then right-click and 'Pin to Start'.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center (64-bit)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom-build
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-2600K @ 4.3 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8P67 PRO Rev 3.0
    Memory
    16 GB G.SKILL Ripjaws X DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (4 banks 4GB DIMM DDR3 8-8-8-24 5-32-12-7 1T 1.5V)
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GT 440
    Sound Card
    Firewire Focusrite Saffire Pro 14
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG W2353V
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    2 of Seagate Barracuda XT ST32000641AS (2TB ea.);
    1 of Seagate Barracuda Green ST2000DL003 (2TB);
    1 of Hitachi Deskstar HDS722020ALA330 (2TB);
    2 of Seagate Desktop ST4000DM000-1F2168 (4TB)
    PSU
    Corsair AX850 Gold
    Case
    Cooler Master HAF 932 Advanced
    Cooling
    ThermalTake Silent 1156
    Keyboard
    Logitech K520
    Mouse
    Logitech M310
    Internet Speed
    7Mbps
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky
    Other Info
    Event Studio Precision 6 powered audio monitors;
    Boston Acoustics CS Sub 10 Powered Subwoofer;
    NI Kore controller;
    NI Maschine controller;
    M-Audio Axiom 61 keyboard controller; expression pedal; sustain pedal;

    ... and tons of audio software ...

    I also keep two USB 3 thumb drives (A: and B:) attached with boot recovery and security stuff that I can boot into from BIOS in case of emergency
Moreover, Window desktop icons sooner or later seem to move around no matter how carefully placed, so finding locations is not so automatic.

You may find Fences by Stardock to be quite usable then. Not only does it keep icons in nice little pens, but it also backs up their location and can restore it whenever you like. You can also add color to the fences to help you distinguish them.

Fences - Your tool for a clean desktop


Looks like a nice tool.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center (64-bit)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom-build
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-2600K @ 4.3 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8P67 PRO Rev 3.0
    Memory
    16 GB G.SKILL Ripjaws X DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (4 banks 4GB DIMM DDR3 8-8-8-24 5-32-12-7 1T 1.5V)
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GT 440
    Sound Card
    Firewire Focusrite Saffire Pro 14
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG W2353V
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    2 of Seagate Barracuda XT ST32000641AS (2TB ea.);
    1 of Seagate Barracuda Green ST2000DL003 (2TB);
    1 of Hitachi Deskstar HDS722020ALA330 (2TB);
    2 of Seagate Desktop ST4000DM000-1F2168 (4TB)
    PSU
    Corsair AX850 Gold
    Case
    Cooler Master HAF 932 Advanced
    Cooling
    ThermalTake Silent 1156
    Keyboard
    Logitech K520
    Mouse
    Logitech M310
    Internet Speed
    7Mbps
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky
    Other Info
    Event Studio Precision 6 powered audio monitors;
    Boston Acoustics CS Sub 10 Powered Subwoofer;
    NI Kore controller;
    NI Maschine controller;
    M-Audio Axiom 61 keyboard controller; expression pedal; sustain pedal;

    ... and tons of audio software ...

    I also keep two USB 3 thumb drives (A: and B:) attached with boot recovery and security stuff that I can boot into from BIOS in case of emergency
Before I discovered the Classic Shell, I made my Win 8 taskbar toolbars like this.
I used folders named with unicode symbols so that they took up little space on the taskbar.




Add%20Toolbar.png
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center (64-bit)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom-build
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-2600K @ 4.3 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8P67 PRO Rev 3.0
    Memory
    16 GB G.SKILL Ripjaws X DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (4 banks 4GB DIMM DDR3 8-8-8-24 5-32-12-7 1T 1.5V)
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GT 440
    Sound Card
    Firewire Focusrite Saffire Pro 14
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG W2353V
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    2 of Seagate Barracuda XT ST32000641AS (2TB ea.);
    1 of Seagate Barracuda Green ST2000DL003 (2TB);
    1 of Hitachi Deskstar HDS722020ALA330 (2TB);
    2 of Seagate Desktop ST4000DM000-1F2168 (4TB)
    PSU
    Corsair AX850 Gold
    Case
    Cooler Master HAF 932 Advanced
    Cooling
    ThermalTake Silent 1156
    Keyboard
    Logitech K520
    Mouse
    Logitech M310
    Internet Speed
    7Mbps
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky
    Other Info
    Event Studio Precision 6 powered audio monitors;
    Boston Acoustics CS Sub 10 Powered Subwoofer;
    NI Kore controller;
    NI Maschine controller;
    M-Audio Axiom 61 keyboard controller; expression pedal; sustain pedal;

    ... and tons of audio software ...

    I also keep two USB 3 thumb drives (A: and B:) attached with boot recovery and security stuff that I can boot into from BIOS in case of emergency
And where, pray tell, in Windows 7 does it list recently accessed documents in the start menu? Certainly not in the start menu. It's called RECENT PROGRAMS list for a reason.
.

Just try asking Google

Where in Windows 7 can I find the recent items menu? - Microsoft Community

I'm not necessarily against Microsoft replacing the Start menu. I'm definitely against them replacing it with a stupid, flat, touch-based UI just because they desperately need to sell tablets.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 + StartIsBack + AeroGlass
    Computer type
    Laptop
Will this work for you?

Make a shortcut to <user folder>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Recent on the desktop, then right-click and 'Pin to Start'.
I will give that a try. I think that would functionally do it, but it's likely going to be clunky. I assume the way it would work would be you click it, it opens a folder, you double click the recent item. But now you have a lingering open folder. The Windows XP/7 Recent Items in the start menu is much more elegant.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 7 / Win 8
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo T510 / HP ProBook 4540S
    CPU
    Intel i5-510m / Intel i3-3110m
    Memory
    4GB / 8GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6"
You may find Fences by Stardock to be quite usable then. Not only does it keep icons in nice little pens, but it also backs up their location and can restore it whenever you like. You can also add color to the fences to help you distinguish them.

Fences - Your tool for a clean desktop


Looks like a nice tool.

I use Fences. I really like it. I originally installed it because I had a laptop at work running Windows XP and every time I closed the cover with the system running Windows would randomly scramble my desktop. IS couldn't figure out why. Fences fixed that problem, and turns out to be a nice way to organize the desktop. It also adjusts nicely when your monitor changes either through remote access or an external monitor connection.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 7 / Win 8
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo T510 / HP ProBook 4540S
    CPU
    Intel i5-510m / Intel i3-3110m
    Memory
    4GB / 8GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6"
Yes, it's partly a matter of taste,

Uhh.. ok.

but partly a matter of how people like to work.

Wow, that's deep. I wonder what we might call this "how people like to work"? Hmm... Let me think about that... I'm sure it's on the tip of my tongue.. it's so close I can TASTE it....
By "taste" versus "how one likes to work" I was distinguishing a subtle difference between the aesthetics and the actual functionality choice. Sorry that it was lost on you.

And where, pray tell, in Windows 7 does it list recently accessed documents in the start menu? Certainly not in the start menu. It's called RECENT PROGRAMS list for a reason.
There's an option in Windows 7 to switch on the Recent Items list in the start menu. I think it existed by default in Windows XP. Note the subtlety again: it's recent ITEMS not recent PROGRAMS. So it shows a list of recently opened documents of all kinds. It's not program centric, but document centric. You should learn Windows 7. You might like it. ;)

BTW, I added you as the first member of my ignore list. I would be delighted if you would be so kind as to return the favor.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 7 / Win 8
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo T510 / HP ProBook 4540S
    CPU
    Intel i5-510m / Intel i3-3110m
    Memory
    4GB / 8GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6"
The thing is, when you're technically fluent and things like setting up your own custom toolbar is super easy, it's hard to relate to people who are novices or "light weight" with computers, like the elderly. I believe that there are far more novices than tech savvy folks using Windows.

I've been using Windows operating systems for over 20 years. I'm strongly minded with tech and usually pick up most software without having to rely on a manual. But when I started using Windows 8, I began to discover how many more mouse clicks it took for me to get anywhere with configuration activities. Windows was "getting in the way", instead of enabling me to do what I want. Very little support for anyone with vast experience using the Windows Vista/7 interface paradigm.

Here's a good example: You're on the desktop and you want to open the control panel. Where is it? Oh, I need to somehow know to move my mouse pointer to the upper right corner and wait a half second for the right side panel to slide out and present the control panel for me. You have to know it's there. Also, the upper right corner is a much greater distance to travel than the lower left, where clicking on the task bar and quick launch is a common practice. Not only that but when you click on the control panel, you're presented these generalized groupings that require you to READ them all to see what might be inside them. In the old style, you click on the control panel link and a set of quick-to-recognize icons appears, sorted alphabetically. VERY easy to use, unlike the "new" way.

So yes, if you're prepared to learn a new way of doing things (assuming that the old way was obsolete or inefficient) and have the savvy to customize things to your liking, Windows 8 may be fine for you. But it's my belief that based on how drastic the changes were made that most people are having trouble warming up to this "duality" system. It would have made much more sense to do away with the tiles if installing on a desktop or laptop without touch screen functionality, or if you simply don't want to use it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP
    CPU
    AMD
    Motherboard
    AMD
    Memory
    8Gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    RADEON
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