No Microsoft Start Menu for Windows 8 until 2015: Sources

Microsoft won't be delivering a new Start Menu for Windows 8 with its coming Windows 8.1 Update 2, after all.

That recent change in plans comes courtesy of a couple of my sources who've had good track records on Windows information.

Up until recently, Microsoft was hoping to make a new "Mini" Start Menu part of a second update to Windows 8.1. Windows 8.1 Update 2 was -- and still is, last I heard -- slated to arrive in August of this year.

Microsoft's operating systems group has decided to hold off on delivering a Microsoft-developed Start Menu until Threshold, the next "major" release of Windows. Threshold, which may or may not ultimately be called Windows 9, is expected to be released in April 2015. I'm not clear whether the postponement is because the feature won't be fully baked in time, or if there's another reason for the change in plans.

Read more at: No Microsoft Start Menu for Windows 8 until 2015: Sources | ZDNet

 

[Rickkins]

No, you didn't get it wrong at all. It takes me some modifying to get it back to a state I consider "usable". The whole uac thing irks me to no end, a little too "big brother" for me.

I suppose if they wanted impress me, and others too I suppose, they could release an 'expert' version, a 'clean' version without all the nonsense.(not that I'M an expert)

Lose the uac.
Lose the ridiculous 'defaults'. Among other things.

 

[brotherboard]

Windows 8.1 on my system is fully updated, without any problems. I like it very much. I have StartIsBack running and have disabled all the "metro" and "charms" side of the o/s. I have removed as much aspect of the modern apps as I possibly can. I have no reason to use any of them. I do not use the Microsoft store and have just a local account.

 

[alphanumeric]

No, you didn't get it wrong at all. It takes me some modifying to get it back to a state I consider "usable". The whole uac thing irks me to no end, a little too "big brother" for me.

I suppose if they wanted impress me, and others too I suppose, they could release an 'expert' version, a 'clean' version without all the nonsense.(not that I'M an expert)

Lose the uac.
Lose the ridiculous 'defaults'. Among other things.

I've seen talk of a custom install process depending on whether the device has a touch screen or not. Windows will configure itself one way or the other during the install with different defaults for the Start Screen etc. It's just talk though, rumors mostly. Not what your looking for though I suspect.

At one time I used to do a lot of tweaks etc to my PC's, in the XP days. Not to much now though. I turn UAC down one setting, and disable hibernation from the command line. Everything else is done though Windows context menus etc.

I had one desktop PC that update 1 wouldn't install on, and one laptop that wouldn't update to Windows 8.1 at all. IMHO those processes do need work to be more reliable. Being an MVP I have access to MSDN and a Windows 8.1 Update ISO, so I just did clean installs on those two PC's. Those with factory OEM installs are not so lucky and can really end up in a mess.

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there

I've installed Windows 8.1 update 1 on at least 8 (EIGHT) different machines -- and all I can say is that whatever else one thinks of the system good or bad I haven't had anything more than tiny trivial problems -- I cannot understand how people can say "It destroyed my system".

While I'm sure @Rickkins is stating what happened to his system really did happen it just seems totally outside anything I've ever experienced -- and in fact I've had very little trouble with installing ANY Ms OS apart from the odd driver or two - and that was caused by rather eseoteric hardware trying to interact directly with the hardware (which well written software shouldn't do) and not by the OS.

I appreciate the fact that there are many people who for one reason or another don't like W8 (I HATED the original W8 release myself) but stating that it "just breaks a system" in my mind doesn't seem too plausible. There are certainly plenty of decent arguments as to why some people might want to hang on to W7 etc --no problem there of course - but failure to install seems a bit unlikely provided all the proper procedures were followed.

Not of course having an ISO doesn't help and that could be the cause of any potential problem -- doing a clean install from a proper iso is always the best -- but that IMO that should be a complaint against the UPDATE procedures that need to be changed rather than a problem with the OS itself.

Anybody on these forums who has influence with Ms either as an employee / interested developer / contractor etc should press Ms into providing PROPER ISO's for all future OS'es.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[Rickkins]

Yea, I bought a laptop with 8 installed, hp g7 pavillon notebook, I I now find that 8.1 is not supported, much less the update.

I went and did just the updates from windows update, and now it takes forever to start up.
I guess I'll just undo the updates there too.

Mind you I really just use it as a jukebox on my deck, along with my z-2300, so it's not the end of my world...

 

[Nemix]

@ brotherboard

Charms top right corner can be disabled via Task Bar properties in Windows 8.1 and charms bottom right corner is not as annoying in Windows 8.1 (default hover time has been increased) as it was in Windows 8 (practically no hover time) which showed up every time you wanted to press show the desktop.

Also the Win X menu has been improved in Windows 8.1 and can be used to to shutdown the computer much faster than using the charms bar in Windows 8.1 (my preffered method for shutdown in Windows 8.1) and getting to all apps in the start menu is much more intuitive in Windows 8.1 it's practically as fast as it was to find all your apps in windows 7 or using 3rd part Start Menu with Windows 8/8.1 (press Start Button then click arrow down or set to show all apps when you press the Start Button).

Personally I feel Windows 8.1 with Update 1 is big improvement over Windows 8 and better than Windows 7 out of the box (clean install) for desktop users but of course users who still like the familiar feel of Windows 7 Start Menu can download alternative apps like StartIsBack, Start8 and Classic Shell as an alternative to to using the Windows 8.1 Start Button and Start Menu to find all apps, it purely optional in Windows 8.1 where as is felt like it was much needed in Windows 8.

Just my thoughts,

 

[jimbo45]

Hi everybody

My previous post I think got posted after the last two -- but what we really need for all future OS updates is a PROPER ISO so people can install CLEAN.

Without an ISO it's really hideous to re-install from fresh -- especially if you have to go back to W8 and then re-install loads of updates which might not be available any more and then try the whole wretched update thing from that HIDEOUS STORE. !!!

Cheers
jimbo

 

[Rickkins]

Agreed. Iso is the way to go, don't ya know...

 

[alphanumeric]

Anybody with only a TechNet subscription wants to download them before their subscription runs out, if you haven't already.

 

[pparks1]

No, you didn't get it wrong at all. It takes me some modifying to get it back to a state I consider "usable". The whole uac thing irks me to no end, a little too "big brother" for me.

This whole "uac" thing is one of the things that is helping the OS to be more secure. Linux/Unix has it and has for years. Apple OSX has it. The implementation in Windows 7 and 8 is the least annoying implementation I have seen.

I suppose if they wanted impress me, and others too I suppose, they could release an 'expert' version, a 'clean' version without all the nonsense.(not that I'M an expert)

I'm an expert too. I do IT for a living. I've fixed, computers for ever. Sometimes even my own boxes have hit a drive by downloader that packed even more stuff than I wanted. Sometimes UAC popped up and made me thing, "why should this happen". Sometimes my anti-malware apps have stopped it ,but other times I has gotten through and I had to clean up. My point, even when you know what you are doing, there is no way to simply "trust" a site. For example, eightforums.com is very trustworthy ,but one day it could get hacked and you could find some stuff installed you never wanted. How would you ever know without protective measures in place.

 

[Nuccii]

For example, eightforums.com is very trustworthy ,but one day it could get hacked and you could find some stuff installed you never wanted. How would you ever know without protective measures in place.

Bite your tongue!!

 

[HippsieGypsie]

Don't need no stinkin' Start Menu. I like the Start Screen along with All Apps and all their features.

So far as 8 to 8.1 > As usual it's mostly about getting drivers for a particular machine. Nothing new really. I know it sucks when we can't.

So far as ISOs > Don't understand why MS is going the route they are. Seems to me that they are promoting piracy rather than not. Found out that my 8 Pro System Builders key won't work on the ISO download page. OEM keys are out as well. Just retail editions. Ugh! I bought mine retail! ??? In the process of contacting them now. Argh and a woof thrown in!

 

[alphanumeric]

Don't need no stinkin' Start Menu. I like the Start Screen along with All Apps and all their features.

So far as ISOs > Don't understand why MS is going the route they are. Seems to me that they are promoting piracy rather than not. Found out that my 8 Pro System Builders key won't work on the ISO download page. OEM keys are out as well. Just retail editions. Ugh! I bought mine retail! ??? In the process of contacting them now. Argh and a woof thrown in!

again. Especially since the 8.0 to 8.1 Store upgrade seems to be breaking the factory OEM Reset to 8.0. That's leaving a lot or people stranded when things go south with their 8.1 install. Even some of those that made their Recovery drive ran into snags when they went to use it. It seems to me it would be good press if they offered up 8.1 ISO's to those running a genuine activated 8.1 install, even if it was originally OEM. But, based on past history, I wouldn't hold my breath.

 

[CountMike]

M$ is hoping that most will forget about old Start menu by the time when Win 9 comes out and than will taut it as "New" feature.

 

[RBS]

I am satisfied with my Start8 (third party menu), so I could care less about it. Stardocks Modern Mix already works as it should, Microsoft just screws it up. I have only 3 useful Metro apps to date that I use, so could care less about Metro. However, there are numerous Windows 7 tools they removed, I would like to see be brought back. I also, can't use my wifi adapter properly.

But, my biggest gripe about Metro, is that I can not customize the screen as I would like, in version 8.0, Stardocks Decor8 was great, but was essentially disabled in 8.1. Some may think it is silly, but, I use mine on a 46" HDTV, it is on most of the time, so I want a desktop that I can customize, and want to look at. A screen that matches my rooms decor. I would like to see Areo brought back, customized, scrolling backgrounds on the start screen, able to customize fonts and tiles.

If I have to look at a screen 24/7, I want it to be what I choose.

Maybe Win 9,might have some of this. I doubt it though.

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there
@RBS - COULD care or COULDN'T Care -- not sure which side of the fence you are on !!!!

BTW before getting too used to these 3rd party menus - prepare for the eventuality that they might (or probably) won't work in future Windows upgrades / releases. It would appear from the whisper places that W9 will certainly have some sort of menuing - also metro apps should be re-sizeable rather than occupying fixed portions of the screens -- very good for multiple (and LARGE) monitor users.

Also to say that Ms screws up a 3rd party app is a bit silly -- WINDOWS IS an Ms application -- it's up to 3rd party apps to conform to what the Windows interfaces are - not for Ms to re-write Windows for specific 3rd party apps. (Ms will actually WORL quite well with 3rd party developers / hardware driver manufacturers -- rather different from our very well known "Fruit Company").

Cheers
jimbo

 

[Clintlgm]

I am satisfied with my Start8 (third party menu), so I could care less about it. Stardocks Modern Mix already works as it should, Microsoft just screws it up. I have only 3 useful Metro apps to date that I use, so could care less about Metro. However, there are numerous Windows 7 tools they removed, I would like to see be brought back. I also, can't use my wifi adapter properly.

But, my biggest gripe about Metro, is that I can not customize the screen as I would like, in version 8.0, Stardocks Decor8 was great, but was essentially disabled in 8.1. Some may think it is silly, but, I use mine on a 46" HDTV, it is on most of the time, so I want a desktop that I can customize, and want to look at. A screen that matches my rooms decor. I would like to see Areo brought back, customized, scrolling backgrounds on the start screen, able to customize fonts and tiles.

If I have to look at a screen 24/7, I want it to be what I choose.

Maybe Win 9,might have some of this. I doubt it though.

You might want to check out Classic Shell

 

[Clintlgm]

M$ is hoping that most will forget about old Start menu by the time when Win 9 comes out and than will taut it as "New" feature.

I wonder what the percentages of people using a third party start menu. I'm thinking its pretty high, I myself actually like classic shell better than the original start menu of MS any version. Then again there may have been ways to tweak MS Start menu that I was not aware of? CS give you lots of customization in one place.

 

[mdmd]

You might want to check out Classic Shell

I don't like the classic shell.

 

[mdmd]

But, my biggest gripe about Metro, is that I cannot customize the screen as I would like ...

There are still things you can do with décor 8 and oblytile in 811.