Windows 8.1 Start button may not offer actual Start menu

Windows 8 users hoping for a return of the traditional Start button and Start menu in Windows 8.1 may be disappointed.

Rumors have floated recently that Microsoft may revive the familiar Start button in the Windows 8.1 update scheduled for release later this year. A new report today from The Verge claims that "sources familiar with Microsoft's plans" have confirmed the return of the Start button.

But... Yes, there always seems to be a but....

Read more at source:
Windows 8.1 Start button may not offer actual Start menu | Microsoft - CNET News

 

[sygnus21]

Good question and statement. I'll try to explain why I think they did it following a few statements. MS is seeking to make profit by creating and selling good products and services. Keep in mind that I think MS's first and foremost goal is to get an OS that performs across multiple devices in conjunction with Windows Phone 8. This, I think, is one better than any of the competition is doing. This is where I think they will eventually win out. All devices syncing no matter which device one uses. Cloud-centricity via an account. That's the market today.

Great post HippsiGypsie

 

[HippsieGypsie]

Thanks, sygnus21. I'm glad someone else gets it.

 

[legacy7955]

Cloud-centricity via an account. That's the market today.

What you mean is that the corporate big wigs WANT that to be the market, damn the customers wants and needs. LOL

There is something about trying to lead customers by the nose that often times back fires grandly, even on folks that are sheeple.

The cloud at first appears to be a great idea until you realize all the pitfalls that come along with it from the benign to the malignant, like hacking cloud servers, and data bases.

Those with intelligence and discernment view "The Cloud" with the suspicion it deserves.

 

[turbofish]

And sending everything to 'the cloud' isn't corporate friendly and has no place in the work place.

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there
"Horses for Courses". This whole thing is not an EITHER the CLOUD or OTHER. I mean some services like dropbox are very convenient for file sharing etc. People also store (IMO far too much) data already on sites like "Farcebook" etc and companies seem to be encouraging employees and temporary contract staff to put all sorts of details on to company wide accessible data via a "local cloud".

Now PUBLIC stuff that I'm happy to share with other people --I have absolutely no problem with storing on line but PRIVATE data is PRIVATE and it's staying LOCAL on my computer and nowhere else.

If you look at the cloud in these terms then it's not so bad -- but of course there's no money in it so that's why there's this big push -- and then bingo you will be SWAMPED by spam / commercials.

I have 3 separate email accounts that I use when buying anything from Amazon -- OK the deals are good but the amount of JUNK emails you get after making a purchase are just HORRENDOUS - so I just delete EVERYTHING from those accounts without even bothering to open them.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[sygnus21]

Cloud-centricity via an account. That's the market today.

What you mean is that the corporate big wigs WANT that to be the market, damn the customers wants and needs. LOL

There is something about trying to lead customers by the nose that often times back fires grandly, even on folks that are sheeple.

The cloud at first appears to be a great idea until you realize all the pitfalls that come along with it from the benign to the malignant, like hacking cloud servers, and data bases.

Those with intelligence and discernment view "The Cloud" with the suspicion it deserves.

And sending everything to 'the cloud' isn't corporate friendly and has no place in the work place.

Hmm.... I remember people saying the same thing about online banking and shopping. How'd that turn out today?

Let me help with that answer.... Online shopping and banking has exploded into an everyday common occurrence. Sure there are those who still don't use those services, but they are in an ever decreasing minority.

While cloud computing is the next tech to try and garner peoples trust, it's (cloud computing) not going away. Like other online services, it'll eventually catch on... just like Facebook. Think about that one

 

[sygnus21]

I have 3 separate email accounts that I use when buying anything from Amazon -- OK the deals are good but the amount of JUNK emails you get after making a purchase are just HORRENDOUS - so I just delete EVERYTHING from those accounts without even bothering to open them.

You do know you can opt of those (Amazon) advertisements right?

The "only" advertisements I get from Amazon are through my Student Prime account (Amazon Student), which unfortunately is part of the reduced price for the service. In short, if you choose to take advantage of Amazon's Student account, you also agree to advertisements from that service. BS, but for the reduced price vs. services I receive... my delete button works just fine.

BTW the Student Prime accounts gets you free services like movies on demand; but for me, it's the free 2 day shipping, or the reduced 1-day shipping price that I use.... a lot

Anyway outside of that service, you can opt out of the advertisements.

 

[randomjester]

Haven't found a search yet asking about this but I found the perfect thread here to ask.

Does anyone know how or even if it's possible, to actually edit/change/customize the quick access right-click Start button list?
I would love to remove some unneeded/unused entries, rearrange the order of entries, and add some custom entries to the list with like direct CLSID/GUID key locations.

It's obviously stored somewhere right, so lets start customizing that "official" quick access Start button list how we want right?
All I could do is provide this genius idea first lol, I hope someone with the smarts could now make it happen heh.

 

[PhyllisColeman]

people are used to the start button and denying the latest being offered .. but once it will come into practice, there will be none complaining about

 

[HippsieGypsie]

Haven't found a search yet asking about this but I found the perfect thread here to ask.

Does anyone know how or even if it's possible, to actually edit/change/customize the quick access right-click Start button list?
I would love to remove some unneeded/unused entries, rearrange the order of entries, and add some custom entries to the list with like direct CLSID/GUID key locations.

It's obviously stored somewhere right, so lets start customizing that "official" quick access Start button list how we want right?
All I could do is provide this genius idea first lol, I hope someone with the smarts could now make it happen heh.

Welcome to Windows EightForums, randomjester.

That's a good question, but OMG you opened up Pandora's Box again!

Buttons are round, so I suggest we start calling at the Start Flag.

I would imagine it would have to be a registry hack. I'm not that technically advanced to know. I'm quite sure someone will come along that does.

Again, welcome.

 

[my2cents]

I believe that view you are referring to in 8.1 is the same view that pops up when you hit the Win + X key combination. If so, you can modify, add or delete entires using this simple program:

WinAero: Downloads / Software / Win+X Menu Editor for Windows 8 allows you to add or remove Win+X menu items

Good luck and I hope this helps you.

Cheers!

 

[randomjester]

Hey HippsieGypsie, thanks for the welcome! Yeah, I hope it's easy to find for someone here who's like a coder.
I like your "Start Flag" name idea, a lot easier for people new to Windows 8 to understand.

EDIT:
Thanks for the reply my2cents! That has to be it, it is the Win+X view (never even knew about that key shortcut). I'll definitely check this out. Awesome freaking help man thanks!

 

[my2cents]

Hey HippsieGypsie, thanks for the welcome! Yeah, I hope it's easy to find for someone here who's like a coder.
I like your "Start Flag" name idea, a lot easier for people new to Windows 8 to understand.

EDIT:
Thanks for the reply my2cents! That has to be it, it is the Win+X view (never even knew about that key shortcut). I'll definitely check this out. Awesome freaking help man thanks!

Great! Give it a shot. I have played with it and it appears to work nicely; however, I chose to use Chassic Shell instead. Their latest version 4.0 is awesome! Thay way, you can have the best of both worlds (eg, still use Win + X) and now modify it (with Win8Aero Win + X editor). What a great triple combination!

 

[DavidY]

Does anyone know how or even if it's possible, to actually edit/change/customize the quick access right-click Start button list?
I would love to remove some unneeded/unused entries, rearrange the order of entries, and add some custom entries to the list with like direct CLSID/GUID key locations.

It's obviously stored somewhere right, so lets start customizing that "official" quick access Start button list how we want right?
All I could do is provide this genius idea first lol, I hope someone with the smarts could now make it happen heh.

There's a Tutorial on how to do this here:
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/5607-power-user-tasks-menu-win-x-edit-windows-8-a.html

 

[randomjester]

Great. Give it a shot. I have played with it and it appears to work nicely; however, I chose to use Chassic Shell instead. Their latest version 4.0 is awesome! Thay way, you can have the best of both worlds (eg, still use Win + X) and now modify it (with Win8Aero Win + X editor). What a great triple combination!

That first program WinX Menu Editor did exactly what I was hoping to achieve. You are a freaking class act sir, thank you!
I'll definitely check out Classic Shell too now.

There's a Tutorial on how to do this here:
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/5607-power-user-tasks-menu-win-x-edit-windows-8-a.html

Awesome thanks DavidY! I guess the thing was I didn't know Win+X was the shortcut/name.

 

[my2cents]

Glad it worked for you!

 

[Wds]

OK ...since i use the AWSOME classic shell .... can some one show me how to get rid of that SM "fake" start button ... in wds8.1 ?


Thanks .

 

[my2cents]

AWSOME

Which FAKE button are you referring to? There is an option to replace (or not replace) the Start button/flag right on the Start Menu Stye Page. Now, wasn't that SIMPLE?

Thanks .

You are quite welcome.

 

[HippsieGypsie]

OK ...since i use the AWSOME classic shell .... can some one show me how to get rid of that SM "fake" start button ... in wds8.1 ?


Thanks .

Here's a program developed by one of our members: http://www.eightforums.com/free-dev...ove-start-button-windows-8-1-startisgone.html

 

[Wds]

Cool ,

Thanks all