The Windows 8.1 Preview Start Button Is an “Insult to...

Microsoft has brought back the Start button in Windows 8.1 Preview, but instead of launching the old and popular Start Menu, it actually gets users to the new Start screen.

The Start button is always visible when working on the desktop, just to make sure that users can quickly access the Start screen, while in Metro mode consumers are required to move the mouse cursor in the lower left corner to launch it.

​

Unsurprisingly, many Windows 8 adopters are fairly disappointed with Microsoft’s own way to address customer feedback, claiming that the new Start button is “an insult to everyone’s intelligence.”

Users: The Windows 8.1 Preview Start Button Is an ?Insult to Everyone?s Intelligence?

 

[sajara]

I really don't care about the button, I just demand that my tea is hot.

 

[Herbys]

Its not a "Start" button in the traditional sense. Left click sends you back to the metro interface and right-clicking will bring up a menu for options normally found in the control panel. Definitely not what people expected from Microsoft when they said they were bringing back the start button. Its like they spit in everyone's face instead.

Besides the aesthetic differences, can anyone tell me what you can do with the Start button that you can't do with the Metro UI? As far as I can see the two are exactly equivalent: they show the same information, they respond to the same keystrokes, they have the same organization, etc. You can search from either by just typing what you want, open applications, everything. The only difference I see is that with the start button you can still see your desktop while selecting from the menu, vs. the one in Windows 8 being easier to use with touch but forcing you to lose the desktop from view. I hardly see that this difference causes all the fuss, so what am I missing?

 

[eatup]

You know what's funny? The new Win10 hybrid start menu now looks like a page out of those magazines with small square ads on the side column. I'll never shake off that "magazine look" which is why I might avoid w10 4ever if it isn't a free upgrade from 8.1, which I don't think it will be.

Btw, I predict the next fad would be in w10, you get paid for putting up with small ads in place of those metro tiles on the start menu...

 

[Clintlgm]

You know what's funny? The new Win10 hybrid start menu now looks like a page out of those magazines with small square ads on the side column. I'll never shake off that "magazine look" which is why I might avoid w10 4ever if it isn't a free upgrade from 8.1, which I don't think it will be.

Btw, I predict the next fad would be in w10, you get paid for putting up with small ads in place of those metro tiles on the start menu...

I guess I'll never know. I've been using ClassicShell for so long now I don't think it matters what MS does with there start button. I only had Win 8 loaded as a dual boot for a month or so and went back to Win 7. My Wife's HP Touch screen kept win 8 through the update to 8.1 and update. My notebook I moved to 8.1 the update clean installs. I never thought twice about not putting on ClassicShell First thing I loaded after windows. It been 2 years now for my wife with a touch screen and she does not multitask with multi window for her its 1 window full screen full time so she still wanted ClassicShell installed after the upgrade to 8.1 and again after the update. I don't think were going to go to windows smart phone. We have become used to Android and unless google does something stupid to screw that up. We'll stay right were we are for smart phones and tablets. For me I have 6 tabs open in IE and MS Word and MS Excel, Outlook , SnagIt, and others at different times, four gadgets all running that I' using full time Metro don't work for me nor will it in the near future.

 

[whs]

I really do not understand why people want to hang on to the old stuff or simulate it with programs like classic shell. And let's not even talk about this terrible hybrid in 10.

The 8.1 start page is ideal. It is highly customizable, can accommodate all those shortcut icons that used to clutter up the desktop and is pleasant to look at.

And the Apps page certainly beats All Programs. It is a lot easier to read and you see a lot more apps at one time. If they only would bring them all in alphabetical order and not have first class apps and second class apps.

 

[eatup]

I really do not understand why people want to hang on to the old stuff or simulate it with programs like classic shell. And let's not even talk about this terrible hybrid in 10.

The 8.1 start page is ideal. It is highly customizable, can accommodate all those shortcut icons that used to clutter up the desktop and is pleasant to look at.

And the Apps page certainly beats All Programs. It is a lot easier to read and you see a lot more apps at one time. If they only would bring them all in alphabetical order and not have first class apps and second class apps.

XP is still my go-to OS. When I want fast upload speed to OneDrive, or take advantage of super-fast download servers, which somehow only Win7+ wi-fi connectivity can fully utilize, then I briefly go there.

When you're not actively uploading/downloading stuff over wi-fi, XP is one of those OSes that is good enuf 4ever, if your system has drivers for it...

 

[whs]

You must be kidding me. I would not want a prehistoric primitive XP. Those times are long gone.

 

[JohnBurns]

I really do not understand why people want to hang on to the old stuff or simulate it with programs like classic shell. And let's not even talk about this terrible hybrid in 10.

The 8.1 start page is ideal. It is highly customizable, can accommodate all those shortcut icons that used to clutter up the desktop and is pleasant to look at.

And the Apps page certainly beats All Programs. It is a lot easier to read and you see a lot more apps at one time. If they only would bring them all in alphabetical order and not have first class apps and second class apps.

I agree - IF the apps work all the time. However, I have had problems with the apps not working properly from time to time and it really is an annoyance. I still cannot get The Weather Channel App to work no matter how I try.

I guess it's all where each user places importance and/or how technical he/she is. My spouse could never exist without Classic Start Menu and doesn't care to try - lol. I like the Start Page and agree about it cleaning up the clutter on the desktop. Each user just needs to see what's available and use the things that best suits their individual needs.

 

[Cliff S]

My 2 cents: I like the start screen and apps screen but I don't need them or a start menu in windows 8.1. I use the Desktop toolbar in the taskbar with the slide menus and have desktop icons turned off because I can see them in the toolbar also. And when there# something that' not there that I need like "Snipping Tool" I just use search like I did in windows 7's start menu.

 

[whs]

My 2 cents: I like the start screen and apps screen but I don't need them or a start menu in windows 8.1. I use the Desktop toolbar in the taskbar with the slide menus and have desktop icons turned off because I can see them in the toolbar also. And when there# something that' not there that I need like "Snipping Tool" I just use search like I did in windows 7's start menu.

That is a good additional resource.

Toolbars - How to Use in Windows 7 and Vista - Windows 7 Help Forums

 

[eatup]

B4 they axe development of 8.1 for good, I just hope they polish things up a little. Having to right click the Windows button just to access "shut down" among a list of very technical items just seems kind of geeky to me...

If anyone from Microsoft is reading this, can we at least have a cool (non-nerdy) way of shutting down our computers like in XP/7/10 for desktop users?

 

[whs]

B4 they axe development of 8.1 for good, I just hope they polish things up a little. Having to right click the Windows button just to access "shut down" among a list of very technical items just seems kind of geeky to me...

If anyone from Microsoft is reading this, can we at least have a cool (non-nerdy) way of shutting down our computers like in XP/7/10 for desktop users?

How about this one:

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/44237-power-button-start-screen-add-remove.html

 

[eatup]

Um, that only works for the metro screen. I have my Windows button open to the all apps screen, which doesn't have the power button...

Edit: nvm, i see from certain screen shots that the all apps screen does have a power button. Why couldn't MS have it enabled by default like the metro screen? Makes desktop users look like nerds by default...

 

[Dragon Drop]

With this tutorial http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/7025-shut-down-shortcut-create-windows-8-a.html?ltr=S

you can get a "Shut Down" icon on your Desktop, and then pin it to the Start Screen.

It will appear in All Apps too.

 

[eatup]

I'll tell you guys what's an insult though, letting you play MKV files on 8.1 only thru XBox Video app. This should have been part of WMP update not on some app I only fire up exclusively to play MKV files. Oh well, nothing beats MPC though. It not only plays MKV & FLAC, which ahem are only starting to appear in w10 natively, but I make heavy use of the "normalize" function in MPC which makes the sound sound much better than without!

(Of course I don't recommend getting MPC alone. The standalone version has glitches. I normally obtain MPC thru the CCCP pack which includes a bunch of other goodies...)

 

[Clintlgm]

My 2 cents: I like the start screen and apps screen but I don't need them or a start menu in windows 8.1. I use the Desktop toolbar in the taskbar with the slide menus and have desktop icons turned off because I can see them in the toolbar also. And when there# something that' not there that I need like "Snipping Tool" I just use search like I did in windows 7's start menu.

I don't use start screen or Apps, My G75VW has never had BSOD July 2012 Win 7 the clean install of 8.1 Pro

 

[jimbo45]

I'll tell you guys what's an insult though, letting you play MKV files on 8.1 only thru XBox Video app. This should have been part of WMP update not on some app I only fire up exclusively to play MKV files. Oh well, nothing beats MPC though. It not only plays MKV & FLAC, which ahem are only starting to appear in w10 natively, but I make heavy use of the "normalize" function in MPC which makes the sound sound much better than without!

(Of course I don't recommend getting MPC alone. The standalone version has glitches. I normally obtain MPC thru the CCCP pack which includes a bunch of other goodies...)

Hi there

Why bother with Ms's video player stuff -- VLC will play all your video codecs and physical DVD's too. It will also play almost evey audio codec on the planet as well -- FREE download from videolan.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[Atomcrusher]

Why bother with Ms's video player stuff -- VLC will play all your video codecs and physical DVD's too. It will also play almost evey audio codec on the planet as well -- FREE download from videolan.

I second this .. I have used VLC for a long time now. It is a great program

 

[brotherboard]

Me neither. Never have never will.
Personal computing started going downhill the day programmes became "apps" The flat appearance of the "Metro look" is horrible and I simply detest the way every programme maker seems to apply it in their design.
I will have my PC look and behave how I want it too NOT how Microsoft thinks it should be or wants it to be.
Who ever wants a return to this...........

 

[Atomcrusher]

I will have my PC look and behave how I want it too NOT how Microsoft thinks it should be or wants it to be.

I second that!