Why Microsoft killed the Windows Start button

By Barry Collins in Amsterdam
Posted on 28 Jun 2012 at 09:00


Microsoft claims it took the controversial decision to remove the Start button from the traditional Windows desktop because people had stopped using it.
The lack of a Start button on the Windows 8 desktop has been one of the most divisive elements of the new user interface. It had been widely assumed that Microsoft removed the Start button to force people to familiarise themselves with the new Metro Start screen, which is the centrepiece of the Windows 8 overhaul. However, speaking to PC Pro at TechEd in Amsterdam, a senior Microsoft executive told us that the old Start menu had already fallen out of favour with users of Windows 7

"We’d seen the trend in Windows 7," said Chaitanya Sareen, principal program manager at Microsoft, referring to the telemetry gathered by the Microsoft Customer Experience Improvement Program. "When we evolved the taskbar we saw awesome adoption of pinning [applications] on the taskbar. We are seeing people pin like crazy. And so we saw the Start menu usage dramatically dropping, and that gave us an option. We’re saying 'look, Start menu usage is dropping, what can we do about it? What can we do with the Start menu to revive it, to give it some new identity, give it some new power?'"
"So I’m a desktop user, I pin the browser, Explorer, whatever my apps are. I don’t go the Start menu as often. If you’re going to the Start screen now, we’re going to unlock a whole new set of scenarios, or you can choose not to go there, stay in the desktop, and it’s still fast. You can’t beat the taskbar."
Sareen also claims that people are taking advantage of keyboard shortcuts to open applications, instead of resorting to the Start menu. "Press the Windows key and 1 and you’re already in IE [if IE is the first item pinned to your taskbar]. It’s so fast."

Metro for desktops
Sareen was also quick to dismiss criticism that the Metro interface is better suited to touchscreen devices than laptops and desktops.
Demonstrations during the day had seen two Microsoft presenters struggle to make gesture controls work on laptop trackpads, with the Start screen intermittently failing to scroll when the presenters swiped two fingers across the trackpad, for instance. Sareen insisted that the touchpad drivers were still "very, very early" and were "still being refined".
He also claimed that the Metro interface "really works well with the mouse and keyboard", highlighting features such as the option to search for applications simply by starting to type its name on the Metro Start screen.

Read more at:
Why Microsoft killed the Windows Start button | News | PC Pro

 

[FSeal]

Sounds ok up front, but when talking about core technology (like the ability to play a video file) it hurts developers and users when windows is NOT a complete and ubiquitous system :/

"Sorry you can't install that app till you buy the X module from Microsoft for an additional $4.95"

 

[mart4494]

They deliberately and cynically removed the choice.

They (MS) had to remove choice. As I've said from day one, the whole exercise is to earn money via downloaded apps and subscription cloud services. If you like the Metro UI then fine, go with it. If you don't, then there should be a Classic UI option at installation. But giving users the choice would defeat the MS game plan.

 

[mart4494]

"Sorry you can't install that app till you buy the X module from Microsoft for an additional $4.95"

And that is just the start. Soon the paid for apps will have a time restriction on them when guess what, it's time to renew for another few $$'s.

I'm a cynic about all of this but I know how some of these bean counters operate and I do not wish to be offensive with that remark as they are just following orders to squeeze the last penny out of the consumer.

 

[Coke Robot]

It's funny when I read that a LOT of people are asking for the start menu back when those people are usually desktop users and a small chunk of users that test beta operating systems and discuss the new changes LONG before the typical consumer even knows about it. I personally don't know anyone asking for the start menu back, the few I have testing it other than me enjoy it.

As for the pinning, I personally find that's true. I pin like mad, I always set up installs of 7 to have everything needed pinned to the Taskbar versus the start menu. It's just easier, it's the first thing you see at start up and one click away. A typical Taskbar can hold MANY a program.

Then there are the people that want the menu back, but none of the Start Screen, though it literally acts the same way other than one difference. They will usually either a) get a shell to do that or b) mope about it and just install addons to 7 to replicate 8.

Change is needed, but always isn't welcome...

 

[Coke Robot]

"So I’m a desktop user, I pin the browser, Explorer, whatever my apps are. I don’t go the Start menu as often. If you’re going to the Start screen now, we’re going to unlock a whole new set of scenarios, or you can choose not to go there, stay in the desktop, and it’s still fast. You can’t beat the taskbar."

Power users who use the Start menu are a minority then? Is that what she is stating?

Clearly these people are well trained to deceive the flock of sheep and lead them in the wrong direction!

Also, how does one

you can choose not to go there, stay in the desktop

when it keeps coming back while navigating???!!!!

I would think so...

 

[SIW2]

They didn't have to remove choice - they decided to.

Could be a very bad decision.

That is why a large part of their existing user base is not behind them.

 

[pparks1]

I didn't use the Start button to launch most of my most popular apps. Like it said, those are pinned, others use things like Rocketdock and such to launch them. But for anything that I didn't have pinned, I clicked on the start menu and got around the system using it. So, while I used it less, I still used it from time to time.

I also don't use my CAPS LOCK key much, or my NUM LOCK key much...but I'm glad they are there when I need them.

 

[SIW2]

Cokie, it seems you will never understand.

Some people have very simple needs. In fact, they don't need a "computer" at all. They could do everything they want on a phone - emails, bit of browsing, playing Farting Fish and posting a bit of inconsequence on Twitter.

The only trouble with a phone is it is a bit small. They might be better with a tablet.They only need a few squares to jab at . They don't do anything that involves managing or creating content. Start screen is probably fine for that. Start menu is a bit fiddly on a tiny screen.



Those who do want to manage and create content have different needs. Start screen is a massive hindrance for that. They need to stay in the workspace - having several windows and programs running. To access something else from there - you could use a combination of taskbar pins, start menu, etc.

The start menu is not the only way - some people - like pparks use mainly taskbar pins - but they still use the start menu - it is the best, neatest solution.

It is not just geeks - I have no idea who these people are you are referring to.

Everybody I know thinks it absurd the start menu has gone.

 

[mart4494]

Cokie, it seems you will never understand.

Some people have very simple needs. In fact, they don't need a "computer" at all. They could do everything they want on a phone - emails, bit of browsing, playing Farting Fish and posting a bit of inconsequence on Twitter.

The only trouble with a phone is it is a bit small. They might be better with a tablet.They only need a few squares to jab at . They don't do anything that involves managing or creating content. Start screen is probably fine for that. Start menu is a bit fiddly on a tiny screen.



Those who do want to manage and create content have different needs. Start screen is a massive hindrance for that. They need to stay in the workspace - having several windows and programs running. To access something else from there - you could use a combination of taskbar pins, start menu, etc.

The start menu is not the only way - some people - like pparks use mainly taskbar pins - but they still use the start menu - it is the best, neatest solution.

It is not just geeks - I have no idea who these people are you are referring to.

Everybody I know thinks it absurd the start menu has gone.

 

[AC]

Cokie, it seems you will never understand.

Some people have very simple needs. In fact, they don't need a "computer" at all. They could do everything they want on a phone - emails, bit of browsing, playing Farting Fish and posting a bit of inconsequence on Twitter.

The only trouble with a phone is it is a bit small. They might be better with a tablet.They only need a few squares to jab at . They don't do anything that involves managing or creating content. Start screen is probably fine for that. Start menu is a bit fiddly on a tiny screen.



Those who do want to manage and create content have different needs. Start screen is a massive hindrance for that. They need to stay in the workspace - having several windows and programs running. To access something else from there - you could use a combination of taskbar pins, start menu, etc.

The start menu is not the only way - some people - like pparks use mainly taskbar pins - but they still use the start menu - it is the best, neatest solution.

It is not just geeks - I have no idea who these people are you are referring to.

Everybody I know thinks it absurd the start menu has gone.

This man has got it.

 

[area 66]

Cokie, it seems you will never understand.

Some people have very simple needs. In fact, they don't need a "computer" at all. They could do everything they want on a phone - emails, bit of browsing, playing Farting Fish and posting a bit of inconsequence on Twitter.

The only trouble with a phone is it is a bit small. They might be better with a tablet.They only need a few squares to jab at . They don't do anything that involves managing or creating content. Start screen is probably fine for that. Start menu is a bit fiddly on a tiny screen.



Those who do want to manage and create content have different needs. Start screen is a massive hindrance for that. They need to stay in the workspace - having several windows and programs running. To access something else from there - you could use a combination of taskbar pins, start menu, etc.

The start menu is not the only way - some people - like pparks use mainly taskbar pins - but they still use the start menu - it is the best, neatest solution.

It is not just geeks - I have no idea who these people are you are referring to.

Everybody I know thinks it absurd the start menu has gone.

same here , every forum I'm member thing the same.

 

[lehnerus2000]

Refuses to understand

Cokie, it seems you will never understand.

I think "refuses to understand" would be a more accurate description.

 

[adamus]

Some people have very simple needs. In fact, they don't need a "computer" at all. They could do everything they want on a phone - emails, bit of browsing, playing Farting Fish and posting a bit of inconsequence on Twitter.

The only trouble with a phone is it is a bit small. They might be better with a tablet.They only need a few squares to jab at . They don't do anything that involves managing or creating content. Start screen is probably fine for that. Start menu is a bit fiddly on a tiny screen.

And Microsoft commercialize to the market that W8 Metro you can do open a lot of programs at a time, multi task dock. Having a tablet can do anywhere, everywhere you go.

I can say that I can move without start menu.

 

[Lebon14]

Microsoft claims it took the controversial decision to remove the Start button from the traditional Windows desktop because people had stopped using it.

I stopped reading after this. I don't know where the f- they got this statement from but fact is, I still use the Start Menu (and I consider myself a Power User) and everyone I know that are using Windows USE the start menu. FGS

The real reason is clear - it is to try and force the start screen on users.

I couldn't agree more!

 

[alphanumeric]

Cokie, it seems you will never understand.

Some people have very simple needs. In fact, they don't need a "computer" at all. They could do everything they want on a phone - emails, bit of browsing, playing Farting Fish and posting a bit of inconsequence on Twitter.

The only trouble with a phone is it is a bit small. They might be better with a tablet.They only need a few squares to jab at . They don't do anything that involves managing or creating content. Start screen is probably fine for that. Start menu is a bit fiddly on a tiny screen.



Those who do want to manage and create content have different needs. Start screen is a massive hindrance for that. They need to stay in the workspace - having several windows and programs running. To access something else from there - you could use a combination of taskbar pins, start menu, etc.

The start menu is not the only way - some people - like pparks use mainly taskbar pins - but they still use the start menu - it is the best, neatest solution.

It is not just geeks - I have no idea who these people are you are referring to.

Everybody I know thinks it absurd the start menu has gone.

same here , every forum I'm member think the same.

x 2

 

[poppa bear]

No... they changed it just to change it at best, and they did it to force Metro on us at worst. Or... they were smoking crack. There is no logical explanation.

At least if they were on crack it might be somewhat understandable!

Unquestionably it's purpose is to promote Metro for touchfone/tablet market. And fair enough if they're trying for a bigger share of that market ...

But don't dress it up for something it's not! ... meaning a better OS for desktop users.

M$ embarrass themselves with their justifications. Have they adopted the attitude of newspaper producers who aim to sell their product to consumers with a level of understanding of the average IQ of a 12 year old?

 

[Ex_Brit]

Me too, I use the Start Menu all the time. Sorry MSFT, you guys ever work for RIM by any chance?

 

[tseven]

sigh I would have hoped they had two versions. But if they don't then windows 8 will not be complete. They are removing the choice to just use the desktop. While I do enjoy the long overdue faster performance, there really isn't anything else that is that much better in my opinion. I actually did try to put the start screen into my flow but it just is annoying. The charms bar pops up when you don't need it and when you do it takes up time. The stuff I could easily get to on the start menu are made that much more annoying to get through using the explorer. If I want to use a program that I haven't pinned since I don't use it often I have to go into the start screen and scroll to it. Even the way how they have designed the scroll bar suggest that it isn't for mouse/keyboard usage(referring to the metro side) the scroll bars look clunky and dated.

I don't mind getting us to use the start screen I believe it will be fine say maybe on a tablet. But I would not want to do the same things with a mouse. I feel like I actually have to use my mouse more although technically they were supposed to make it just work. I also hate when I go to the corner of the top of the screen while trying to click something and instead the recently opened app pops up instead. When the screen is split into two the hidden menu is still at the furthest left corner even when you split screen is on the right side. I get it for the start screen screen shot but that is just weird for the hidden menu, beside the fact that it's hidden.

I don't hate windows 8 but I wish they thought more about it and let people choose hybrid, just metro or just desktop. Now they are forcing the hybrid on us and treating the desktop as an app and the hidden menu is just weird.

 

[Coke Robot]

A perspective on the Start Orb...

Why Windows 8 means goodbye Start orb, hello Windows key | ZDNet

Interesting read on a take on the removal of the Start button from the Taskbar...

 

[DooRules]

Tired of articles explaining how i should like this. Bunk.