How are YOU using your Start Screen?

Coke Robot

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I want to ask this. How is everyone using their Start Screen? Is it becoming a separate Desktop or is it being used as a full screen Start menu?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    AMD FX 8320
    Motherboard
    Crosshair V Formula-Z
    Memory
    16 gig DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS R9 270
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
    PSU
    OCZ 500 watt
    Case
    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Touch Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
I have no use for it on my main systems or notebooks and I don't need a tablet, so it contains just a single desktop tile. I also use one of the methods, discussed elsewhere here, to bypass the Start page on boot.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 x64 Ultimate/Windows 8.1/Linux
    CPU
    FX-8350
    Motherboard
    GA-990XA-UD3
    Memory
    16GB DDR3 Corsair Vengeance
    Graphics Card(s)
    HD7860
    Sound Card
    Xonar Essence STX
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Various
    PSU
    Corsair HX 850W
    Case
    Corsair Obsidian
    Cooling
    Thermalright
    Keyboard
    Logitech
    Mouse
    Logitech
    Internet Speed
    50/50
    Browser
    firefox
I want to ask this. How is everyone using their Start Screen? Is it becoming a separate Desktop or is it being used as a full screen Start menu?

Dual boot Win7 & Win8. Booting into Win8 from time to time to make use of some of the suggestions being shared on this forum but really I cannot see me using Win8 as it stands. I haven't seen any performance improvements over Win7. In fact boot times are longer although appreciate this could be because of my laptop hardware and of course CP is still being developed.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win7 & 8 64bit / Linux Mint 14
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i5 2400
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI HD3870
    Sound Card
    On-board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1280
    Hard Drives
    128gb SSD, 500gb SATA
    PSU
    Coolermaster
    Case
    Zalman Z7
    Cooling
    Air
    Keyboard
    Logitech Illuminated wired
    Mouse
    MS Optical wireless
    Antivirus
    Avast
Because it is generally dark, and I've put most of the (all rarely used) apps out of the way to the right (and I've tried the customization tool with mixed results), it hurts my eyes switching to a bright app, or desktop windows. I therefore avoid it, and have put some windowed apps in the startup folder to dismiss the start screen shortly after it opens. I need to find the delay registry settings to speed up opening the desktop. I don't really miss the start button, but I find I am using the desktop like I did in XP, rather than 7, with my most used shortcuts there, so It doesn't look as nice and simple.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP COMPAQ Presario CQ57
    CPU
    AMD E- 300 APU with Radion HD Graphics 1.30GHz
    Motherboard
    inbuilt
    Memory
    4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI
    Sound Card
    High Definition Audio on-board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    notebook
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    Seagate ST9500325AS
    Google drive 15GB
    Skydrive 25GB
    BT Cloud
    PSU
    external 20v
    Case
    Laptop
    Cooling
    pretty good
    Keyboard
    inbuilt
    Mouse
    touchpad
    Internet Speed
    BT Infinity Unlimited - 80 up 20 down =70/16 really
    Browser
    Chrome Canary usually
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender and Malwarebytes
    Other Info
    no Start menu modifications
    Upgraded with no issues to 8.0 and to 8.1
Avoiding it as much as possible.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
I use my Start Screen literally as a full screen start menu. I have my needed Libraries, Zune, some metro apps scattered here and there, and Office 2010. It's my vitals, and my frequently used items are on the Taskbar.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    AMD FX 8320
    Motherboard
    Crosshair V Formula-Z
    Memory
    16 gig DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS R9 270
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
    PSU
    OCZ 500 watt
    Case
    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Touch Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
@ SIW2, same here!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 RP, Windows 7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP / Compaq 610
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Duo
    Screen Resolution
    1300x768
Totally ignoring it

I basically used the W7 betas (from b7048) as my main OS.

I have no use for this thing.
I only start it to get MS updates.
Therefore, I'm ignoring it as much as it will let me (which isn't often enough).
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 (64 bit), Linux Mint 18.3 MATE (64 bit)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    n/a
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II x6 1055T, 2.8 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASRock 880GMH-LE/USB3
    Memory
    8GB DDR3 1333 G-Skill Ares F3-1333C9D-8GAO (4GB x 2)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD6450
    Sound Card
    Realtek?
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung S23B350
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Western Digital 1.5 TB (SATA), Western Digital 2 TB (SATA), Western Digital 3 TB (SATA)
    Case
    Tower
    Mouse
    Wired Optical
    Other Info
    Linux Mint 16 MATE (64 bit) replaced with Linux Mint 17 MATE (64 bit) - 2014-05-17
    Linux Mint 14 MATE (64 bit) replaced with Linux Mint 16 MATE (64 bit) - 2013-11-13
    Ubuntu 10.04 (64 bit) replaced with Linux Mint 14 MATE (64 bit) - 2013-01-14
    RAM & Graphics Card Upgraded - 2013-01-13
    Monitor Upgraded - 2012-04-20
    System Upgraded - 2011-05-21, 2010-07-14
    HDD Upgraded - 2010-08-11, 2011-08-24,
Windows 8 works well for all desktop, keyboard, mouse applications. The Start screen, properly organized, in conjunction with the Apps screen is easier to use than the old start menu. Windows 8 will work well for the power user.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Dual Win 7-8 64-bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Studio XPS8100
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 3.2 GHz
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GeForce GTX 260
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Dell 24" LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1200
    Hard Drives
    900GB and 1.5TB
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Mouse
    Dell Optical
    Internet Speed
    10 Mb/s down 1.5 Mb/s up
    Other Info
    I worked my up from a virtual machine, to a slow 32-bit celeron and now two monitors on my XPS8100. Works great!
Removed most of what was on it, added many of my main programs on it, use it as little as possible. But that is just me.
Glenn
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
I'm going to go on a tangent real fast. To make the Start Screen an effective evolution of the start menu, it MUST have the default Library links, like Documents, Music...etc. It must have ask the user to use metro apps to play media files, because when I first tried to play music when I first installed the Consumer Preview; it went to the Music app and that was odd. The Music app is terrible in my opinion. Ideally, it should had to metro popup and asked what app I want to use, media center, media player and on. If the Start Screen doesn't have that, I bet users will get slightly confused. Even the Computer shortcut isn't there by default.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    AMD FX 8320
    Motherboard
    Crosshair V Formula-Z
    Memory
    16 gig DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS R9 270
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
    PSU
    OCZ 500 watt
    Case
    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Touch Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
I guess folks aren't happy with having to do a bunch of configuration to make the Start screen useful. However, its easy to add all the usual things. Just use the explorer to find the folder of interest, Pictures, Music, Documents, whatever. Right click and "Pin to Start". I think you can pretty much get everything on the XP or Win7 start menus. Perhaps Microsoft will have an easy way to do that. Certainly a third party will provide a way to quickly configure the Start screen to represent what you are looking for.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Dual Win 7-8 64-bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Studio XPS8100
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 3.2 GHz
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GeForce GTX 260
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Dell 24" LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1200
    Hard Drives
    900GB and 1.5TB
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Mouse
    Dell Optical
    Internet Speed
    10 Mb/s down 1.5 Mb/s up
    Other Info
    I worked my up from a virtual machine, to a slow 32-bit celeron and now two monitors on my XPS8100. Works great!
I did some configuration to put the app tiles I use the most front and center. But for nearly all of those apps I created taskbar shortcuts so I've yet to really use the metro start screen for launching apps.

Also I have to jump to start screen to do searches now, which I do not care for, if only because they split the results into categories so I have to drill down through each one. They should just show me all the results and put them in different columns or use different icon borders or something if they are anal about files vs. settings vs apps. Making me drill down for search results which were displayed automatically in the previous version is annoying
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 CP
Unfortunately - a lot of things have been removed - to make room for the metro stuff.

Unified search is just one of them.

You can use some kind of 3rd party app for searching.

I use Start Menu 7 - typing into its search box works reasonably and keeps you on the desktop.

( There is also a search icon in the start menu - I removed it - because that one does take you back to the metro search ).

Otherwise, free tools like Everything, or Agent Ransack may suit you.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Otherwise, free tools like Everything, or Agent Ransack may suit you.

Everything is the best search tool I've used. Gave up on Windows search many years ago.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Black Label 7x64
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X6 1055t
    Motherboard
    GA-890FXA-UD5
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon HD 6790
    Sound Card
    X-FI Titanium Fatal1ty Pro
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer AJ15
    Screen Resolution
    1600x900
    Hard Drives
    Barracuda 7200 SATA 280GB
    WD Caviar Green SATA 500GB
    PSU
    OCZ ModXStream 700W
    Internet Speed
    25 Mbps/25 Mbps
Ideally, it should had to metro popup and asked what app I want to use, media center, media player and on. If the Start Screen doesn't have that, I bet users will get slightly confused. Even the Computer shortcut isn't there by default.

Coke, but that is easy to fix. Just right click on any of your Music, Pictures, etc. files > Open with.. > Choose Default Programs > there you select your new default. You have to do that only once per filetype and the file association will be updated accordingly. Then you can just double click on the file and your new program will act.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Vista and Win7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    2xHP, 2xGateway, 1xDell, 1xSony
    Hard Drives
    5 SSDs and 12 HDs
My setup boots straight through Metro directly to the desktop.

I rarely use it. Not because I can't, but because I simply don't like it.

MS can leave it in or remove it, I don't really care either way.

We'll always find workarounds to bend Windows to OUR will.

That's one thing I've always liked about Windows.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Enterprise 64-bit (7 Ult, Vista & XP in V-Box)
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire Ethos AS8951G 'Super-Laptop'.
    CPU
    Intel Sandy-Bridge i7-2670QM quad-core
    Motherboard
    Acer
    Memory
    8GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel 3000HD / Ge-Force GT555M 2 gigs
    Sound Card
    Realtek/5.1 Dolby built-in including speakers.
    Monitor(s) Displays
    18.4" full-HD
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1024
    Hard Drives
    2x750GB Toshiba internal, 1x500GB Seagate external, 1x2TB Seagate external, 1x640GB Toshiba pocket-drive, 1x640GB Samsung pocket drive.
    PSU
    Stock
    Case
    Laptop
    Cooling
    Air-cooled
    Mouse
    I/R cordless.
    Internet Speed
    Borderline pathetic.
I very rarely go into the traditional desktop anymore, I really like Metro. I have all my programs there setup into different rows.

Regards,
Eddie

Sent from my WM8650 using Tapatalk 2 Beta-4
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 CP
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom PC
    CPU
    AMD Sempron 140 2.70 GHz
    Motherboard
    BIOSTAR MCP6P3 AM3 NVIDIA GeForce 6150 / nForce 430 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
    Memory
    Crucial 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600)
    Graphics Card(s)
    DIAMOND 4870PE5512 Radeon HD 4870 512MB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC662 6-Channel HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    KDSUSA 19" CRT
    Screen Resolution
    1280X1024
    Hard Drives
    Maxtor 100GB IDE drive.
    PSU
    Raidmax 530W ATX12V Power Supply with 135mm Glowing LED Fan
    Case
    Not in case.
    Cooling
    Standard CPU cooling, no system fan.
    Keyboard
    Logitech USB wireless keyboard.
    Mouse
    Logitech USB wireless mouse.
    Internet Speed
    1.5 to 3.0 Mb's Verizon DSL.
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