Microsoft may bring back full start menu with 8.2

I'll believe it when I see it.

Microsoft may finally bring back full Start menu with Windows 8.2

"The most important change, as Thurrott hears it, is that Microsoft will finally be bringing back the full Start menu to the Windows 8.2 desktop mode. Unlike the current Start button that Microsoft added to Windows 8.1, the new Start menu will be much more like the one Windows users have known and loved since Windows 95. Thurrott also says that the new version of Windows will allow for Metro apps to run as floating windows on the desktop screen, something that users can only do right now if they’ve installed third-party applications such as ModernMix."

 

[davehc]

but many settings and default Microsoft software is moved to metro so if that can run in windows it would be great. it may even make me interested in using some of metro apps.

Which settings and defaults do you find that only run in Metro now? . Curious.

 

[jimbo45]

Of all the nerve! Just last week I came up with a recipe for a homemade start menu (http://www.eightforums.com/customization/36732-how-make-cascading-all-apps-toolbar.html) and now MS is going to steal all my business away from me by bringing back THEIR start menu??? I'll sue them for copyright violation!

Of course, I wasn't going to make any money on my "recipe" anyway. But it's not the money -- it's their sneaky, underhanded tactics that I can't stand. What a slimy, contemptible, lowdown trick!

Hi there.

Hate to disappoint you - but I'd posted that sort of stuff AGES ago --

Create a folder containing just short cuts to the apps you want (or programs), and simply for each top level you need just put another folder in the main folder and then add the short cuts to the sub folder etc.

I've used custom toolbars for ages - even on W7 -- I don't really miss the menu at all -- however I would like the floating Window idea for metro stuff etc.

Here's my post from AGES ago

http://www.eightforums.com/general-support/35991-creating-usable-pgm-toolbar-sub-menus.html


Cheers
jimbo

 

[mart44]

too good to be true.. really MS listening to it's costumers? am I dreaming?

Microsoft might feel pressured to listen to their more vocal customers. The opinions of those who dislike the OS and therefore write about it may not reflect the opinions of the majority who just get on and learn/use it.

 

[FuturDreamz]

I do think it's possible Microsoft gave in, but I'll wait until I can install it.

 

[insane014]

Whats up with the people and Start menu? Why do you want that small cluttered window back? It doesn't make any sense, Windows Start screen is the exact same thing but with a lot more common sense to it.

I guess its psychological because users feel that Start screen is actually an app which covers their working screen so they freak out because they have the feeling they have to leave their window in other to get something done.

MS did one right thing and that is getting rid of the Start Menu but people just cant let it go, they want more of the same ol'

 

[CountMike]

Those "Metro Apps" should have been no more than sideline at first for couple of years until there was a large number of good ones. The way it is now it is difficult to find good ones if any. Paying for them for large part of the world is another story, just impossible. Once the number of programs installed on my computer shot past 50 I had no use for Start menu, now with 100 or more it would take heavy digging to start any even with a lot of work of grouping them. So, long time ago I gave up on that and instead grouped shortcut icons in folders named by the type of programs in them. Some of shortcuts to them are pinned to task bar and that's it, no more stupid Start Menu. Also 2 monitors and some on primary and some on secondary. Grouped programs on Metro too so 1 click away from anything needed.
If you ask me, if they bring Start Menu back, that should be optional too. That way it would be one of the most configurable systems and at least some gripes would be eliminated.
Possibility of changing tiles and making them to look like desktop icons would get most of "I don't want new Windows because they are Ugly" comments gone.
Letting Apps behave just like any desktop program (floating and being fully adjustable ) and some more cosmetics would bring back at least 90% of dissatisfied customers back.
It's futile to talk about "under the hood" goodies to vast number of people that do not understand or do not care about it as long as at the first glance at a picture in newspapers or on internet they get repulsed.

 

[paulsalter]

Sounds like a good move by MS, I just hope if they bring the start menu back it is optional

After 6 months of using 8/8.1 I like the way it works now

On an evening when I want to relax I find Metro very nice, split screen watching a video or listening to music while I do a bit of browsing

During the day I mainly use the desktop mode

For me this makes me feel like I have shut off from thinking about any work on an evening and use my Laptop for more media/enjoyment features

 

[mcnulty]

Whats up with the people and Start menu? Why do you want that small cluttered window back? It doesn't make any sense, Windows Start screen is the exact same thing but with a lot more common sense to it.

It's designed for mouse use, for starters. It doesn't have flashing square icons, and it's not butt ugly.

 

[lehnerus2000]

Unobtrusive

Whats up with the people and Start menu? Why do you want that small cluttered window back? It doesn't make any sense, Windows Start screen is the exact same thing but with a lot more common sense to it.

It's designed for mouse use, for starters. It doesn't have flashing square icons, and it's not butt ugly.

Agreed. :thumb:
It does its job in an unobtrusive manner.

If people spent as much effort managing their Start Menus, as they do managing the Metro screen, they wouldn't have the sprawl problems that they complain about either.

 

[Baidukun]

Whats up with the people and Start menu? Why do you want that small cluttered window back? It doesn't make any sense, Windows Start screen is the exact same thing but with a lot more common sense to it.

I guess its psychological because users feel that Start screen is actually an app which covers their working screen so they freak out because they have the feeling they have to leave their window in other to get something done.

MS did one right thing and that is getting rid of the Start Menu but people just cant let it go, they want more of the same ol'

Start menu takes around 15% of work space on my screen other 85% can be used for something else (when multitasking you can see other programs running and its not so jarring than changing to full screen UI that is so different to launch program that brings you back to desktop.)
Taking 85% less space it has everything I need (and more than full screen start screen), quick access to most used locations (computer, documents, pictures, control panel, network etc.) most used software can be pinned or populate list by most used automatically, of course you can remove manually. programs on start menu has jump list with most used functions/recent files. if program is not on list you just type part of name and you get it. you can also use structural folder menu (you can customize structure) to open other programs. It has quick access to power functions (shutdown, restart, log off, etc.)

I don't want same old. move from windows xp to windows vista and later windows 7 menu was good thing.. and old Windows 95 style start menu is even worse.

Which settings and defaults do you find that only run in Metro now? . Curious.

Some Control panel items was moved/added to metro UI, if you want to access all configuration options you'll have to open metro version of pc settings.. most of software bundled with windows like mail, calendar, Skype, picture viewer, pdf reader runs in metro. of course you can find 3rd party software for those tasks but standard ones bundled with windows is going metro way.

 

[Burgurne]

Whats up with the people and Start menu? Why do you want that small cluttered window back? It doesn't make any sense, Windows Start screen is the exact same thing but with a lot more common sense to it.

It's designed for mouse use, for starters. It doesn't have flashing square icons, and it's not butt ugly.

Agreed. :thumb:
It does its job in an unobtrusive manner.

If people spent as much effort managing their Start Menus, as they do managing the Metro screen, they wouldn't have the sprawl problems that they complain about either.

YES! +1

I prefer Startmenu any time over Metro. Using Win 8-8.1 for over ½ year, I'm still looking for anything usefull from Metro and "apps".

 

[davehc]

OK. Fair comment. But my question was "Which settings and defaults do you find that only run in Metro now" The PDF opener was a comparatively new. Those with MS Office can still apply it as normal item. Previous to that, almost since PDFs were invented, most users have installed programs such as Adobe (free) as a standard default. Mail, calendar, Skype, picture viewer. I am still using these in Desktop mode, with already purchased, or free) third party software, so cannot comment. Truth is, I have always, even through Windows XP, preferred several third party alternatives to those built in by MS, so the fact that, as you say, they are Metro orientated, doesn't bother me a great deal.
But, keep in view the context of this thread is the start menu, not what is now only a Metro App. Unless MS, assuming this roumur to be true (??), return those earlier programs, together with the menu, nothing will be different.
There may be some things lurking there, but I have not encountered any non Metro items in settings, which are not available through the desktop and/or the Control panel.

 

[Phone Man]

It is a curious news item. The link quotes Paul Thurrot. Going to Paul Thurrots blogs, I find he quotes Mary J as his source. Going to Mary J, after extensive googling, I cannot find any reference to the return of the Start Menu. Only hint I did find was the possibility of changes in 2015? Where goes Windows 8.2?

Here is Paul's article where he mentions the Start Menu and "my sources" after mentioning Mary Jo' s information about "Threshold"

http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/further-changes-coming-windows-threshold

Also an article about what might be the reason, as he looks at the shake up at Microsoft.

Microsoft Windows Changes | Windows 8.1 content from Windows IT Pro

Jim

 

[pparks1]

Whats up with the people and Start menu? Why do you want that small cluttered window back? It doesn't make any sense, Windows Start screen is the exact same thing but with a lot more common sense to it.

Consistency, and it's the way I've been doing it for over 20 years. I don't see why having it as an option for those who want to use it creates any issues.

You call the start menu cluttered, but to me the start screen is an abysmal mess. Crap all over, tons of colors, different sized tiles, having to scroll a mile to the right, etc. I use the start screen for one thing, typing name of something and launching it. I'd I use it regularly, I pin to taskbar, and call it a day.

To get into control panel, printers, shutdown, run box, etc....I use the start menu. And I do that kind of stuff all day. I just installed start 8 and gave not looked back since. Best of both worlds. Remember, this is Windows where you get choice, not Apple where there is just their way and you have to accept it.

 

[Phone Man]

Another article from Mary Jo today on the "Mini Start Menu"

Since Thurrott's initial December 10 report on the return of the Start Menu, I've heard from my own contacts that this is highly likely to happen. Microsoft is, indeed, highly likely to bring back Start Menu. Supposedly it's being called internally "mini-Start," (as it won't be a full-screen Start Menu like in Windows 8), one of my contacts said.

What might a new Windows Start Menu look like? | ZDNet

Jim

 

[jimbo45]

Another article from Mary Jo today on the "Mini Start Menu"

Since Thurrott's initial December 10 report on the return of the Start Menu, I've heard from my own contacts that this is highly likely to happen. Microsoft is, indeed, highly likely to bring back Start Menu. Supposedly it's being called internally "mini-Start," (as it won't be a full-screen Start Menu like in Windows 8), one of my contacts said.

What might a new Windows Start Menu look like? | ZDNet

Jim

Hi there.

I STILL can't see what's wrong with people creating a custom toolbar and adding their OWN programs to it -- you can cascade as many times / levels as you want -- the old W7 menu occupied too much screen real estate and wasn't very flexible.

Very simple to do - I described process in another post -- absolutely No registry edits or 3rd party apps required.

Here's the link.

http://www.eightforums.com/general-support/35991-creating-usable-pgm-toolbar-sub-menus.html

Cheers
jimbo

 

[Dragon Drop]

Of all the nerve! Just last week I came up with a recipe for a homemade start menu (http://www.eightforums.com/customization/36732-how-make-cascading-all-apps-toolbar.html) and now MS is going to steal all my business away from me by bringing back THEIR start menu??? I'll sue them for copyright violation!

Of course, I wasn't going to make any money on my "recipe" anyway. But it's not the money -- it's their sneaky, underhanded tactics that I can't stand. What a slimy, contemptible, lowdown trick!

Hi there.

Hate to disappoint you - but I'd posted that sort of stuff AGES ago --

Create a folder containing just short cuts to the apps you want (or programs), and simply for each top level you need just put another folder in the main folder and then add the short cuts to the sub folder etc.

I've used custom toolbars for ages - even on W7 -- I don't really miss the menu at all -- however I would like the floating Window idea for metro stuff etc.

Here's my post from AGES ago

http://www.eightforums.com/general-support/35991-creating-usable-pgm-toolbar-sub-menus.html


Cheers
jimbo

Yes, I saw your thread -- I posted something there too. Of course, the "create your own programs toolbar" idea wasn't mine. But what I posted in my thread was a BATCH FILE that will copy everything into your toolbar -- everything from BOTH your user start menu (in your user folder) AND the All-Users start menu (in C:\ProgramData) -- automatically including the same hierarchy of subfolders that they're organized into. If you were going to make your own folder with all THAT in it (about 150 programs in 20 subfolders) by creating and populating each folder yourself, it would be a lot of work. I'd be quite willing to do it, if there were no other way. But all it takes is two "XCOPY" instructions to the Command Prompt and it's all there.

If you're happy with the toolbar you have now, then of course you don't need mine. But for those who never know when they might need ANY program in their system, and would like them ALL in one place like the screenshot in my post, download my batch file and follow the instructions I gave. Then your whole system will be in one set of cascading menus -- like the good old Start Menu that they took away.

 

[elbmek]

I am on 8.1 and do not want the 'olde' system back. I have the option already with Advanced system Care which has a retro switch to revert win 8 and 8.1 to the old style. I am now used to the new format, made for touch screens, and see no need to revert.

 

[whs]

too good to be true.. really MS listening to it's costumers? am I dreaming?

Microsoft might feel pressured to listen to their more vocal customers. The opinions of those who dislike the OS and therefore write about it may not reflect the opinions of the majority who just get on and learn/use it.

Problem is, there are too few of those and MS gets beat up by the box manufacturers. The majority of the users do not adopt Windows 8/8.1

 

[Burgurne]

Apart from the startmenu I would also like to see gadgets come back. In windows 8 I miss my currency gadget and my weatherforecast gadget om the desktop.
Call me oldish all you want, but that is what I prefer.