Wow, there is no more Start button built in on the taskbar...

Start Menu Orb Hidden In Latest Windows 8 Builds

From this article, the latest build of Windows 8 has no more Start button built into the Taskbar anymore, you have to hover over to the left bottom corner, like in the Developer Preview, to see the Charms Bar and also the Start button.

I am shocked and awed!

I think this might not be such a bad thing because then Windows 8 will be playing off more the success of the 7 taskbar more. But wow, though. My complaint is now that the Desktop interface will look much older compared to the newer metro design, either go all in or don't go at all.

I like how it takes away the Metro mix between the desktop and Metro. I still wish they were individualized the 2 a bit more and not so meshed together.

How I would have it, is so that you still have the normal start orb and start menu on the desktop, like when you click the start orb, It brings up the start menu that we are all used to, but when you hit the windows key, it brings you back to metro.

Or, same thing, except instead of the Windows key, you hold your mouse to the right of the screen and it shows Metro (just like how you can swipe in apps to the left) and you can still swipe in your apps to the left.

Like the idea?

Clayf700 said:

...How I would have it, is so that you still have the normal start orb and start menu on the desktop, like when you click the start orb, It brings up the start menu that we are all used to, but when you hit the windows key, it brings you back to metro...

Click to expand...

Using a few utilities and Newgen, this can be achieved.

MD678685 said:

Using a few utilities and Newgen, this can be achieved.

Click to expand...

...Wait, we can already do that?! Yes! I just hope that Microsoft changes it's mind into doing that, but hey, that's just my opinion.

Blah, this is further disappointment for me. I hope you still got the option to pin it there so it does not hide itself automatically. I think they are making a mistake on the design there. The Start Button must still be easily visible and usable as its always been for Windows users. Hiding it, is absolutely absurd just because they wanted people to focus on the Metro, they wanna kill of the Start Menu. What a crap!

i think it's an odd move by microsoft, many consumers don't like change and windows 8 has far to many changes.

the start button does nothing...except take you to a menu full of useless content that would otherwise be hidden behind accessories or games tags within an easily recognised structure.

while myself and most of you will probably get used to that change i think Microsoft has forgotten or flat out ignored many older consumers that are still struggling to come to grips with windows 7 going from xp.

You can't conform anything unless it's release. I really doubt if Microsoft would do that...

Capt.Jack Sparrow said:

You can't conform anything unless it's release. I really doubt if Microsoft would do that...

Click to expand...

Yeah. better listen to the Capt. Just sit tight till we are able to have it installed. Then start making "words boxing" somewhere in this forum.

I think this is an odd move. But thinking about it, some of the things Microsoft removed from Windows 8 is still there, but not visually displayed. For example, we have become used to searching files from the start menu but opening up the menu and just typing. Well, the Start Screen does this too, but without a displayed search bar. You type something in, and Windows automatically pulls open the search pane and options to filter out results.

The Start button is something we always see, but don't always need for desktop users multitask on the taskbar.

Honestly, I think it removes the Windows branding that we always have known since Windows 95. You know you're using a Windows operating system if it has a Start logo on the left hand side. This may go to serve what my thoughts are for the future of Windows....or the lack thereof...

This is making me think about Windows Longhorn. It once had a genuine sidebar that could be used the taskbar's sidekick or be configured to take over almost every element of the taskbar except the Start button. I kind of wonder if the route Microsoft will take will be similar for Windows 8. I mean, there is a geniune fly out sidebar that has empty space, a live tile can be put there. The Settings fly out bar has all the system tray settings, making the system tray useless and somewhat awkward.