Microsoft hide Metro start screen w/ Windows 8.1 Update 1?

There are reports circulating, including this January 30 one from The Verge, that Microsoft may be poised to hide its Metro Start Screen with Windows 8.1 Update 1, by turning on by default the boot-to-desktop setting.

However, I'm hearing this may not end up being the case by the time Windows 8.1 Update 1 begins to be made available to users preloaded on new PCs and pushed via Windows Update. (That rollout is supposedly starting in mid-March.)

Windows watcher may recall that after refusing outright to include a boot-to-desktop setting with Windows 8.0, Microsoft conceded with Windows 8.1 and added boot-to-desktop option to its operating system.

Read more at: Microsoft to hide Metro start screen with Windows 8.1 Update 1? | ZDNet


See also: http://www.eightforums.com/windows-8-news/40043-windows-8-1-update-1-everything-we-know-so-far.html

 

[alphanumeric]

ok, so it auto starts the desktop app UI, but the desktop has no menu... unless one installs one. So, it's a little odd, isn't it? If you use the default 8 start menu, you must go to the modern / touch UI or the full screen desktop shell UI / tifkam. So, for the desktop modus folks, MS is assuming everyone will install a desktop menu ?? ...curious...

No not necessary, not in my case anyway. The stuff I use everyday is pined to my taskbar, and that update is also rumored to allow you to pin Metro apps to your taskbar. So I'll be able to also launch the few Apps I do use from my taskbar without having to use the Start Screen. The Start Screen is only one click or key press away anyway so I see no need for a third party Start Menu. I boot to desktop now so it will be one less tweak I have to do.

 

[mdmd]

No not necessary, not in my case anyway. The stuff I use everyday is pined to my taskbar, and that update is also rumored to allow you to pin Metro apps to your taskbar. So I'll be able to also launch the few Apps I do use from my taskbar without having to use the Start Screen. The Start Screen is only one click or key press away anyway so I see no need for a third party Start Menu. I boot to desktop now so it will be one less tweak I have to do.

Right, ok. But what about the desktop only users. The tifkam loathers. The folks that can't find the off switch.
Where's my programs? Where's the menu? MS must be assuming people will install a menu if the desktop is the default. I am not talking about you or I, not about power users plus or anyone with skills. Are they going to display the desktop on new pcs at Best Buy? How will they do this without a menu?
Asking an unskilled user to create a toolbar is a bit much. It's an odd issue.

 

[johnpombrio]

I have been saying lately that the people who have been complaining the most about the tiled Start screen are the ones who cannot figure out how to click the box to bypass it and boot directly into the desktop. My oh my, did I get flack over that!

 

[alphanumeric]

No not necessary, not in my case anyway. The stuff I use everyday is pined to my taskbar, and that update is also rumored to allow you to pin Metro apps to your taskbar. So I'll be able to also launch the few Apps I do use from my taskbar without having to use the Start Screen. The Start Screen is only one click or key press away anyway so I see no need for a third party Start Menu. I boot to desktop now so it will be one less tweak I have to do.

Right, ok. But what about the desktop only users. The tifkam loathers. The folks that can't find the off switch.
Where's my programs? Where's the menu? MS must be assuming people will install a menu if the desktop is the default. I am not talking about you or I, not about power users plus or anyone with skills. Are they going to display the desktop on new pcs at Best Buy? How will they do this without a menu?
Asking an unskilled user to create a toolbar is a bit much. It's an odd issue.

I'm not sure what your getting at? The tifkam loathers would just set "Boot to desktop" and use a third party start menu anyway? The Start Orb will be on the taskbar so first time users will more than likely click that, which will bring up the Start Screen. The Start Screen isn't gone, its just not in your face on boot up.

 

[Brink]

No not necessary, not in my case anyway. The stuff I use everyday is pined to my taskbar, and that update is also rumored to allow you to pin Metro apps to your taskbar. So I'll be able to also launch the few Apps I do use from my taskbar without having to use the Start Screen. The Start Screen is only one click or key press away anyway so I see no need for a third party Start Menu. I boot to desktop now so it will be one less tweak I have to do.

Right, ok. But what about the desktop only users. The tifkam loathers. The folks that can't find the off switch.
Where's my programs? Where's the menu? MS must be assuming people will install a menu if the desktop is the default. I am not talking about you or I, not about power users plus or anyone with skills. Are they going to display the desktop on new pcs at Best Buy? How will they do this without a menu?
Asking an unskilled user to create a toolbar is a bit much. It's an odd issue.

No worries, and really a non-issue. You'll still be able to set it to display either the desktop or Start screen at startup. It's just that in the update it will display the desktop by default now instead of the Start screen. Nothing else has changed about this.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/7449-desktop-start-when-sign-close-apps-windows-8-a.html

 

[Rickkins]

Right, ok. But what about the desktop only users. The tifkam loathers. The folks that can't find the off switch.
Where's my programs? Where's the menu? MS must be assuming people will install a menu if the desktop is the default. I am not talking about you or I, not about power users plus or anyone with skills. Are they going to display the desktop on new pcs at Best Buy? How will they do this without a menu?
Asking an unskilled user to create a toolbar is a bit much. It's an odd issue.

And there it is, again... the assertion that those who dislike tifkam are, for reasons never quite laid out, less than "power users", or somehow "unskilled".

All things considered, pretty far off the mark.

 

[alphanumeric]

It appears like its a no win situation for Microsoft, at least here anyway. The cries went out that Microsoft wasn't listening and abandoned the Desktop PC users. Some of the ones that like Metro dismiss those complaints and get all smug and condescending. They are the happy campers. That just causes bickering between the h8ters and g8ters. Now it looks like Microsoft might actually be listening and the tide has turned. Keyboard mouse users are getting some of what they wanted and the Metro guys are crying foul. Even more bickering. For the record my comments are not directed at any particular forum member or limited to just this thread. It just seems to be trend that repeats over and over.

I don't see how these changes are that big of a deal. Even if Microsoft sets boot to desktop as default you should be able to just toggle it back to Metro. If you don't want to Pin apps to the taskbar then don't. Most of the other changes just make metro Apps easier to use?

 

[johnpombrio]

There will still be a very real problem with Win8.1 booting directly into the desktop. Many extensions are defaulted to Start Menu apps such as e-mail, web browser, photos, music, etc. That means the average user will constantly be jumping into and out of Metro apps IN THE DESKTOP until they somehow figure out how to change the default program. What a mess this will cause! No, this "little" change is opening a whole 'nother can of worms.

 

[alphanumeric]

There will still be a very real problem with Win8.1 booting directly into the desktop. Many extensions are defaulted to Start Menu apps such as e-mail, web browser, photos, music, etc. That means the average user will constantly be jumping into and out of Metro apps IN THE DESKTOP until they somehow figure out how to change the default program. What a mess this will cause! No, this "little" change is opening a whole 'nother can of worms.

So how does booting to Metro instead fix that?

 

[Brink]

There will still be a very real problem with Win8.1 booting directly into the desktop. Many extensions are defaulted to Start Menu apps such as e-mail, web browser, photos, music, etc. That means the average user will constantly be jumping into and out of Metro apps IN THE DESKTOP until they somehow figure out how to change the default program. What a mess this will cause! No, this "little" change is opening a whole 'nother can of worms.

Yet another non-issue. This is just another option that can either be or not be used.

Personally, I think it will make it easier for the average user by making it easier to switch between modern and desktop aps.

Let's keep this thread a friendly discussion shall we, and not let it turn into a gripe session over issues that are really not issues if you look deeper into them.

 

[lehnerus2000]

I have been saying lately that the people who have been complaining the most about the tiled Start screen are the ones who cannot figure out how to click the box to bypass it and boot directly into the desktop. My oh my, did I get flack over that!

"... who cannot figure out how to click the cunningly hidden box to bypass it and boot directly into the desktop."

 

[Rickkins]

There will still be a very real problem with Win8.1 booting directly into the desktop. Many extensions are defaulted to Start Menu apps such as e-mail, web browser, photos, music, etc. That means the average user will constantly be jumping into and out of Metro apps IN THE DESKTOP until they somehow figure out how to change the default program. What a mess this will cause! No, this "little" change is opening a whole 'nother can of worms.

Well, actually, no. Most folks who use the desktop, as opposed to tifkam, do not use the metro apps. Plus, we're already booting directly into desktop, with no issues. I foresee a wormless future....

 

[mdmd]

And there it is, again... the assertion that those who dislike tifkam are, for reasons never quite laid out, less than "power users", or somehow "unskilled".

All things considered, pretty far off the mark.

@ Rickkins Hello there. No disrespect intended. Not asserting that in any way. Just the opposite. Most of those who want the desktop ONLY are very skilled and have no interest in metro. I never would even make that implication deliberately.

My point was for new systems, if the report is true, is how will new systems with 8.1.1 be displayed at stores?
If booting to the desktop is the default for display units, How will that work for buyers that see no menu?

My assumption is, if Microsoft sets the default to the desktop on new systems, the desktop, for display purposes, will have no menu. So they must assume people will install one, or do they think new buyers will use the metro menu? Does Microsoft think that people who dislike WinRT will use it? If MS does not provide a desktop menu, then they must assume people will install one... odd, very odd.

 

[alphanumeric]

And there it is, again... the assertion that those who dislike tifkam are, for reasons never quite laid out, less than "power users", or somehow "unskilled".

All things considered, pretty far off the mark.

@ Rickkins Hello there. No disrespect intended. Not asserting that in any way. Just the opposite. Most of those who want the desktop ONLY are very skilled and have no interest in metro. I never would even make that implication deliberately.

My point was for new systems, if the report is true, is how will new systems with 8.1.1 be displayed at stores?
If booting to the desktop is the default for display units, How will that work for buyers that see no menu?

My assumption is, if Microsoft sets the default to the desktop on new systems, the desktop, for display purposes, will have no menu. So they must assume people will install one, or do they think new buyers will use the metro menu? Does Microsoft think that people who dislike WinRT will use it? If MS does not provide a desktop menu, then they must assume people will install one... odd, very odd.

Microsoft assumes you will instinctively click the Start orb and bring up the Start Screen. Which is what you would get anyway if they hadn't changed the default. There is more than just Apps on the Start Screen, you can launch desktop programs from there just as easily as Metro apps. Also your assuming the store won't just switch it back to Metro, which they can easily do.

 

[mdmd]

I'm not sure what your getting at? The tifkam loathers would just set "Boot to desktop" and use a third party start menu anyway? The Start Orb will be on the taskbar so first time users will more than likely click that, which will bring up the Start Screen. The Start Screen isn't gone, its just not in your face on boot up.

It's illogical for Microsoft to set default of boot to desktop with no Microsoft desktop menu. Logically, if boot to desktop is ticked (enabled), then automatically a Microsoft desktop start menu should be included. If boot to start screen or apps is enabled, then a Microsoft desktop menu should be disabled. Because, what, now, with 3rd party, you have 2 menus possible! With toolbars, that's 3. With the taskbar and desktop, that's 4 or 5... How much easier can it get?

 

[mdmd]

Microsoft assumes you will instinctively click the Start orb and bring up the Start Screen. Which is what you would get anyway if they hadn't changed the default. There is more than just Apps on the Start Screen, you can launch desktop programs from there just as easily as Metro apps. Also your assuming the store won't just switch it back to Metro, which they can easily do.

I don't usually get into the opposition camp, but Microsoft assumes !!
What if the "you" person thinks the Start Screen is a joke?
Then Microsoft flippantly disregards people and doesn't care if they want a desktop menu?

 

[alphanumeric]

Microsoft assumes you will instinctively click the Start orb and bring up the Start Screen. Which is what you would get anyway if they hadn't changed the default. There is more than just Apps on the Start Screen, you can launch desktop programs from there just as easily as Metro apps. Also your assuming the store won't just switch it back to Metro, which they can easily do.

I don't usually get into the opposition camp, but Microsoft assumes !!
What if the "you" person thinks the Start Screen is a joke?
Then Microsoft flippantly disregards people and doesn't care if they want a desktop menu?

My point was, that in the past you clicked the orb to bring up the old start menu. So new users seeing the orb would click it, that's all. The option to boot to desktop has been there since the 8.1 update. All they did was toggle the default to boot to desktop. For all we know its just a test and they will flip it back to what it is now. I really don't see why your making such a big deal about this.

 

[alphanumeric]

I'm not sure what your getting at? The tifkam loathers would just set "Boot to desktop" and use a third party start menu anyway? The Start Orb will be on the taskbar so first time users will more than likely click that, which will bring up the Start Screen. The Start Screen isn't gone, its just not in your face on boot up.

It's illogical for Microsoft to set default of boot to desktop with no Microsoft desktop menu. Logically, if boot to desktop is ticked (enabled), then automatically a Microsoft desktop start menu should be included. If boot to start screen or apps is enabled, then a Microsoft desktop menu should be disabled. Because, what, now, with 3rd party, you have 2 menus possible! With toolbars, that's 3. With the taskbar and desktop, that's 4 or 5... How much easier can it get?

The option to boot to desktop is already there, has been since the 8.1 update. I thought we were debating the Boot To Desktop settings not whether there should be a Start menu etc option?

 

[johnpombrio]

I have been saying lately that the people who have been complaining the most about the tiled Start screen are the ones who cannot figure out how to click the box to bypass it and boot directly into the desktop. My oh my, did I get flack over that!

"... who cannot figure out how to click the cunningly hidden box to bypass it and boot directly into the desktop."

Yeah, THAT was the response I was getting! Except, y'know, WORSE.

But it IS cunningly hidden. Try to find the boot to desktop in the Start Menu. Look in PC settings and TRY TO FIND THE SETTING. I tried them all and with no luck:





Type in "Desktop boot" or "boot desktop" or "Boot to desktop" all I got were web pages. I NEVER found a box that allowed me to boot to the desktop in the Start screen. Now I knew enough to type in a search in control panel and immediately found it, but let's take a look at control panel as a regular user would see it:




Now if they were lucky, they would first try Appearance and Personalization, THEN to Taskbar and Navigation so let's go there:




Still no setting. So they would have to go to the NEXT tab:





And that little box is there. So for someone who has not seen how to do this, read about it, searched the hell out of the Start Menu screen or known what to search for in the control panel, yes, it's hidden. And MS does not ever say "Boot directly to the desktop".

Brink, as for jumping back and forth into and out of the start Menu screen, it's pretty jarring. I still remember getting flung into it whenever I clicked on a photo when I first started using Win8 beta. It really pissed me off.

 

[alphanumeric]

As of right now, that would be my biggest complaint/problem with Windows 8.x. Some of the settings are very hard to find. The traditional ones are not a problem but some dealing with metro etc are a pain to find. :thumb: To Brink and his tutorials. The quick way to find it is to right click your taskbar and go to Properties > Navigation.