Will Windows 8.1 allow users to boot to desktop?

Ever since the consumer preview of Windows 8 was available, some users of the operating system have complained that there's no way to boot to the desktop instead of the Start screen. If recently discovered information is accurate, however, that may be changing in Windows 8.1.

Will Windows 8.1 allow users to boot to desktop? - Neowin

 

[mdmd]

...And btw, 'easier' can be quite a subjective thing to measure. 'Easier' tends to be whatever method you
(as in people in general) use that you're most comfortable with...
It really is a genie that Microsoft cannot put back in the bottle. Ever.

This is very true. Easier is based on preference. I have to reply with a blanket statement sometimes because the opposition does the same. From what I have read, there really is going to be a trend to reduce the marketing and development of Win32 based desktop applications. The path, that is apparently in motion, is to promote WinRT code development and over the very long term phase out Win32. It is anyones guess where this will lead, but it is most likely the case that new code technologies will rule over older styles.

 

[Ray8]

So why even argue about it?

You obviously don't understand the difference between arguing and simply agreeing to a statement. Who would have guessed? Anyway, this should help, or not: Argument Clinic from Monty Python - YouTube.

 

[Ray8]

I've just perfected the Windows 8 'Start' screen:

 

[Coke Robot]

So why even argue about it?

You obviously don't understand the difference between arguing and simply agreeing to a statement. Who would have guessed? Anyway, this should help, or not: Argument Clinic from Monty Python - YouTube.

No, I'm talking about what's the point of having internet forums for Windows 8 JUST to have dozens of threads of people debating and arguing things about Windows 8 that are so bloody irrelevant?

 

[Ray8]

No, I'm talking about what's the point of having internet forums for Windows 8 JUST to have dozens of threads of people debating and arguing things about Windows 8 that are so bloody irrelevant?

Maybe we have dozens of threads discussing these issues because people believe that they are relevant. Has that thought ever crossed your mind?

 

[HippsieGypsie]

We as societies have gone mobile. This is not to say that the desktop tower work station is not important. It has started to play second fiddle to mobile devices. That's what is selling and people are using more of. The Surfaces were introduced to simply add more power to the pad. It may be that lappies and hybrids may win out in this department. They may be the ones that makes the tower obsolete. Seems to me that servers are the work horse of enterprise. Yes?

The very main reason MS introduced the new RT Modern/Metro touch-centric NAVIGATIONAL UI is for a common OS to run across multiple devices, especially mobile, in conjunction with Windows Phone 8. This is a new NAVIGATIONAL layer of the kernel to NAVIGATE with. Modern/Metro Store apps are also written in this new interface. The desktop continues to be a Win32 portal of the Win32 layer that continues to exist for the time to run Win32 programs during a transitional period until all software is written in the new interface.

When entered into the desktop portal the old Win32 is the NAVIGATIONAL layer there. The Task Bar to pin and to make menus there continue to exist for navigation. When all software is written in the new interface this will be stripped out. This is not an "if", it is a "when".

The Start Menu was removed because YOU and I, more often than not, didn't use it and MS needed a launching platform for touch. The Start Screen, All Apps, and apps also work great with traditional peripherals including keyboard shortcuts.

http://www.eightforums.com/windows-8-news/2886-designing-start-screen.html

The second reason for the introduction of the new WinRT Modern/Metro UI and Modern apps is to MAKE MORE MONEY via a store. That's what companies/corps are in business for. PROFIT. We all strive to make more of it. Money makes the world go round. If one doesn't think so, try living without it. One's only other choice is to find a cave and survive off of nature.

I know what you're thinking...."MS is going to soak us for a lot more money now!" No they won't. As a supposed "monopoly" I think they have always been fair on pricing. If one doesn't think so, show me a time they weren't.

I rest my case.

 

[Ray8]

We all know that Microsoft wants their OS to have a common mobile phone interface, even when people aren't using a mobile phone. On the otherhand, the OS isn't 'common'. Windows 8 does not run on a mobile phone, RT does not run on a mobile phone, the mobile phone OS does not run on the former.

All that is common is a GUI. Is that necessary? No. Is that desirable? For many, no. Is a desktop without it any less useful? No. Is a desktop with it any less useful? No. Is it necessary to force it on everyone? No.

Microsoft has done a Henry Ford, who is purported to have said: 'You can have any colour car you want, as long as it's black'.

 

[HippsieGypsie]

We all know that Microsoft wants their OS to have a common mobile phone interface, even when people aren't using a mobile phone. On the otherhand, the OS isn't 'common'. Windows 8 does not run on a mobile phone, RT does not run on a mobile phone, the mobile phone OS does not run on the former.

A. You need glasses.
B. You don't understand the complete English language.
C. You didn't read my post thoroughly enough to comprehend it.

"In conjugation with Windows phone 8"

All that is common is a GUI. Is that necessary? No.

Yes it is for the common folk to be familiar with the GUI no matter what device they use. Not just for us geeks/enthusiasts that know multiple systems. We are but a very small percentage.

Is that desirable? For many, no.

Your opinion is not the final word. References please. I showed you recently where the forum polls are.

Is a desktop without it any less useful? No. Is a desktop with it any less useful? No.

Enjoy your precious desktop for now. It's on it's way out.

Is it necessary to force it on everyone? No.

MS or anyone else have a gun pointing at your head?

Microsoft has done a Henry Ford, who is purported to have said: 'You can have any colour car you want, as long as it's black'.

Yes, he was referring to the Model A which he mass produced in black to keep the cost down to be affordable to the masses. He sold millions of them. Perhaps MS is attempting to achieve the same.

Can we please have the pretty lady with the sign circling the ring for round two?

 

[Ray8]

A. You need glasses.
B. You don't understand the complete English language.
C. You didn't read my post thoroughly enough to comprehend it.

"In conjugation with Windows phone 8"

Check out what 'in conjunction' means.

Yes it is for the common folk to be familiar with the GUI no matter what device they use. Not just for us geeks/enthusiasts that know multiple systems. We are but a very small percentage.

Who are these common folk that you speak of?

Your opinion is not the final word. References please. I showed you recently where the forum polls are.

You assign too much gravity to my words, they are but opinions. But thank you none the less.

Enjoy your precious desktop for now. It's on it's way out.

That's a very interesting prognosis. And you keep asking me for references!

MS or anyone else have a gun pointing at your head?

But that's what's being implied, even your responses indicate that there's no choice forthcoming ie desktop on its way out.

Yes, he was referring to the Model A which he mass produced in black to keep the cost down to be affordable to the masses. He sold millions of them. Perhaps MS is attempting to achieve the same.

People appear to want choice nowadays, be it the colour of the car, the wheels, upholstery and whatever else. Is Microsoft going back to Henry Ford's day of only one choice off the production line?

Can we please have the pretty lady with the sign circling the ring for round two?

We may have to wait for a while for the cleaning crew to wash the gypsie's blood off the canvas.

 

[Rickkins]

Wait.... that would mean that all those shrill voices of the pro-metro fanclub were, what's the word I'm looking for....


....oh yea.... wrong...

 

[SIW2]

“We can always count on MS to do the right thing, after they have exhausted all the other possibilities.”

The desktop is 1 click or tap away. It takes maybe 1-2 seconds.

The Start screen is your Start menu.

it takes 3-5 minutes to find, download and install Classic Shell. It can do those things easily.

Windows 7 still works

As I've said before, when everything gets sorted out, they'll realize you have two separate interfaces, and never the twain shall meet. Simply pick the optimal one for the device you're using, and then you should never leave it. If using a desktop, Apps can launch from icons and when they do they'll be windowed. If using a tablet(especially one of the mini ones), perhaps the Mobile Interface is more your taste.

But they'll spin their wheels until they realize there isn't a unified interface that works for everyone. It simply doesn't work that way. Some people like channel surfing(Mobile Interface), others like control over what they watch on one screen. Its simply different tastes and tailored for different devices.

 

[fourthofjuly]

There should be two important options to choose from upon starting up Windows 8 from the very beginning that should say:

What device/equipment are you using?
o Smartphone/Tablet
o Desktop Computer

And then Start Screen or Start Menu (on Desktop boot) will be applied accordingly.

But personally I don't give a damn. I know there's always a way to make things work the way you want it.

 

[Kari]

I have difficulties to understand this hype. If it is so important to boot directly to desktop, simply use Task Scheduler to create a task to launch for instance Explorer.exe on logon and now every time you boot / login, Windows 8 goes to desktop with file explorer opened.

Personally I prefer to arrive on Start Screen. My Mail app live tile shows if I have some unread mail, People app live tile shows if there are any new messages and so on. If and when I want to I am on desktop in less than a second.

Kari

 

[kenshen]

After reading some earlier posts in this thread... But now that that's out of the way i Actually prefer both interfaces Like many have said desktop = pc metro = tablet as simple as that nothing more nothing less

 

[pparks1]

Why with all the ruckus I think they'll need to. I'm thinking the change to RT was just too drastic for most. It's been reported that 90% don't care to learn the change. Perhaps "weaning" is the word they should focus on.

It's not that I don't care to learn the change, I've learned about it. It's just that for almost everything I do, the change doesn't necessarily provide any benefit. < At least the UI changes. I do benefit from faster boots and a few other new features of Windows 8. My main gripe has always been a lack of options to change it without having to resort to 3rd parties.

The Start Screen already is a start menu....

It is, but it works a bit differently. I remember the outrage when the start menu when from a single column to the 2 columns and it was eating up so much of my screen real estate. The fact that it takes over the whole screen for me is just annoying. Granted, I rarely see it, but it's kind of a shame that I go out of my way to pin to the desktop or taskbar and use 3rd party tools in an effort to see the start screen as little as possible.

Let's face it, some folks simply do not like how Windows 8 was designed and will never like it.

That's true. I can see why MS did what they did and while it doesn't fit me all that well, I've incorporated 3rd party tools to make it work better. The key is that on established Windows 7 boxes, I have no desire to switch to 8 and that's not great for Microsoft. On my new laptop, running 8, it's fine. No complaints. But not enough advantages to part with cash.

 

[Darrell456]

Been lurking here for a while and after using win 8 for a few weeks now that I purchased a new Lenovo T430 I think I have a feel for what I am linking and do not like.

First off about me, I am not a programmer or anything of the such, on the other hand I am pretty good with computers I would say an above average user and bad ass Googler of problems when I need to find the answer. My profession is that of Commercial Pilot. Primarily for work I use MS Office the majority of the time but the remainder is mostly just personal. I consider myself just an average MS customer and my positions are of that of just an average computer user. I am not able to debate with any of you the back workings or programming specifics of Win 8 to uphold any of my positions. With that said, time to vent!

First off, I think Win 8 is actually pretty good. I think its snappy, runs well, boot times are good and again the overall performance seems to be better than that I experienced in Win 7. I like the look of Metro, the weather app is pretty cool and I am still discovering what is out there app wise. I honestly think that MS is on to something here, they can make one single windows version that will run on a phone, tablet, desktop, whatever you choose and have everything tied together under a user name. In fact, I looked very hard at purchasing the Surface pro as my new computer. Problem for me is that the apps that I use for work are only created so far on IOS and Android so no Windows just yet. I have an Ipad for flying that I keep electronic charts on.

Now to the frustrating stuff. I have noticed in this thread that there seems to be a debate between whether or not the metro and desktop UIs are two separate UIs or one. As the average user to me they are very much two VERY annoying separate UIs. In my opinion we are a LONG way away from not using keyboards. I absolutely hate having to type a long email or really anything long on my Ipad or Smartphone without having a physical keyboard. In short, when I am using a non touch screen laptop I have absoloutly NO need for the Metro UI and forcing me to use it frustrates the hell out of me. Sure I can download a 3rd party app to avoid it but the point is MS does not want me to and is trying to force a new experience on me. It seems to me they knew this was a problem and created shortcuts or charms for me to memorize. Did we go back to the DOS age where I have to remember command prompts? Why can I not just drag an icon onto the desktop to create a short cut. Why so many steps to do so many things that in Win 7 could be accomplished so much easier with using common sense and without having to Google for the answer.

To me its simple, the Ribbon on Win 8 is cool IF I were using a touch screen, but when I am using my computer as a desktop or do not own a touch screen Laptop I would prefer to have two completely selectable modes to engage in. In my opinion as a regular average user if MS wants to grow this product they would offer such a thing.

As for the people who say I or people like me could go back to win 7 or just download a 3rd party app, remember descent is the best way to get a product improved. Hopefully MS will figure this out.

 

[HippsieGypsie]

Hello, Darrel456. Welcome to EightForums. Welcome aboard flight 8.

 

[Hopachi]

I've just perfected the Windows 8 'Start' screen:

View attachment 20165

Sorry Ray, although I used this for a while, I consider it the worst downgrade ever.

8Lovers will laugh because the Start Screen is pointless here.
and
8Haters will laugh because you still take an extra step to go to the Desktop.

You get a piece from both worlds (half-start-screen/half-desktop) and not much.

Cheers!

 

[XweAponX]

The Start Screen already is a start menu....

Uh, no it ain't. It's Metro. If you are gonna use Metro Only I suppose it's fine. But if you are gonna use Desktop only, Desktop falls way short, unless you modify it by making useful shortcut toolbars or by installing a 3rd party Orb.

 

[mdmd]

I've just perfected the Windows 8 'Start' screen

8Lovers will laugh because the Start Screen is pointless here.

That's ok. I guess I am in the plus column but take a different view of this. Not pointless.
First of all, I don't need the desktop to stream video, check my bank accounts, use the internet or shop online.
And I prefer to not use the desktop for these activities. So the desktop is not needed all the time.


Second, my preference, although no one asked, , is to basically not use any tiles unless I need them.
The start screen interface, so to speak, is a hot bed of hot keys. Press a key, select from a list. Big Wup.
So a blank start screen is not useless to me. Tiles are faster, and more informative, but I do not need them.
Press d, select desktop, if necessary. The extra steps are of no concern to me.