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
 
Offering a Start button that just leads you back to the Start screen seems like a half-hearted effort at best. Or course, it's not fair yet to criticize Microsoft based simply on rumors of such a feature. But if the report is true, I think Microsoft needs to listen a bit more closely to its user feedback.

Well said. Although it really doesn't matter to me anymore - my start screen is disabled, I stay in desktop, have Start8 installed but rarely use it anymore, I never really used the Start Menu except for searches. Still, this seems a little insulting to the people that use it and want the menu, "We'll give you your dang button to shut you up - but guess what, it's going where we want you to go. Now go buy some crappy apps."
 

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jab, jab :(

ss81.jpg
 
Last edited:

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A “Fake” Start Button Might Not Save Windows 8

Rumor has it that Microsoft is working on a reinvented Start button that could hit shelves by this summer as part of the new Windows 8.1 operating system, a major upgrade for the flagship Windows 8.

While many users applauded Microsoft’s decision to relaunch this utterly-popular feature in Windows, word is that the tech giant is actually developing a different Start button. One that wouldn’t launch a Start button, but instead would get users to the same confusing and often criticized Start Screen.

Could be a big M$ mistake.
 

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Hahahaha... talk about being unclear on the concept. Sooner or later they'll have to realize that most people do not want metro. Period.
 

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Hahahaha... talk about being unclear on the concept. Sooner or later they'll have to realize that most people do not want metro. Period.

Hi there
Most people don't want Income Tax either -- but that doesn't mean it will be abolished.

Cheers
jimbo
 

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You are across the pond, Jimbo? I've heard that you guys at least get a little something, here, we get poodoo. But good point anyway hahaha
 

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    AMD 4400+/4200+
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    Recently lost my Windows 8 on my main PC, had to go back to Windows 7.
I bet the overwhelming majority who bought Windows 8 or a Windows 8 machine don't care about this.

I also bet the overwhelming majority who don't own Windows 8 don't really know much about this, and if they did, they also wouldn't care.

This is a largely manufactured issue. Only a small percentage of user actually have strong feelings either way.

People just need to let it go and get over it.

c707f44a17bea57cab69b2e0d767e35b.jpg
 

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Hahahaha... talk about being unclear on the concept. Sooner or later they'll have to realize that most people do not want metro. Period.

Hi there
Most people don't want Income Tax either -- but that doesn't mean it will be abolished.

Cheers
jimbo

You are across the pond, Jimbo? I've heard that you guys at least get a little something, here, we get poodoo. But good point anyway hahaha

I get a tax refund every year because I play my cards right.

Likewise, you learn to make Windows work for you.

I can't comment on the presence of said start button but based on where I see Windows going as an individual power user, the old "start menu" of Windows 95 - 7 days is gone.
 

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No, you get a tax refund every year because you let the government borrow your money interest free!
 

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Hahahaha... talk about being unclear on the concept. Sooner or later they'll have to realize that most people do not want metro. Period.

Hi there
Most people don't want Income Tax either -- but that doesn't mean it will be abolished.

Cheers
jimbo

You are across the pond, Jimbo? I've heard that you guys at least get a little something, here, we get poodoo. But good point anyway hahaha

No, you get a tax refund every year because you let the government borrow your money interest free!

And here we go!

Government/political arguments aside, I could easily adjust my withholding to practically zero-out my tax return if I was willing to sit and spend more time than I want to in front of a calculator. One year I had enough credits to have negative overall witholding... so I got some of your money back, too ;)

And that's all I'm going to say about that topic.
 

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I bet the overwhelming majority who bought Windows 8 or a Windows 8 machine don't care about this.

I also bet the overwhelming majority who don't own Windows 8 don't really know much about this, and if they did, they also wouldn't care.

This is a largely manufactured issue. Only a small percentage of user actually have strong feelings either way.

People just need to let it go and get over it.

View attachment 20801

Only a small percentage? In the known universe, there are at least 8.5 million people who have sought a third party option for the return of the start button. Those who refuse to believe this, need to get over it.
 

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At least you get a refund, that's something. I was just referring to actual benefits available here compared to what he gets, they take more out, but I've heard they get more in return for that. This is at least what was told to me by someone who had moved here from there, back in the 80's, I'm sure its all different now. He wanted to come here, because the taxes were lower, but his complaint was there were no social programs like he had given up. I'm sure the whole landscape has changed from then until now, in the 80's we lost stuff like Community Colleges, Music in schools, Drivers Training in High School. it was like, after I graduated from High School, the entire music program was shut down, no more Drivers Ed, and suddenly the tuition was sky high for the 2-year school I spent 8 years at.
 

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    AMD 4400+/4200+
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    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus/Asus A8M2N-LA (NodusM)
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    Recently lost my Windows 8 on my main PC, had to go back to Windows 7.
I bet the overwhelming majority who bought Windows 8 or a Windows 8 machine don't care about this.

I also bet the overwhelming majority who don't own Windows 8 don't really know much about this, and if they did, they also wouldn't care.

This is a largely manufactured issue. Only a small percentage of user actually have strong feelings either way.

People just need to let it go and get over it.

View attachment 20801

Only a small percentage? In the known universe, there are at least 8.5 million people who have sought a third party option for the return of the start button. Those who refuse to believe this, need to get over it.

Last I looked, Windows 8 has been bought/downloaded/pirated around 100 million times (probably VERY conservative number). 8.5% IS a tiny amount of that. Then you have to factor in the people who download out of curiosity. I have checked out all of the major 3rd party Start buttons. I even bought Start 8 (never use it though). I reckon I'm responsible for at least 10 of those 8.5 million. I wouldn't be the only one.

its such a non-issue.
 

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  • OS
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I only know of one person who bough a win 8 machine. Didn't like it due to no start menu and start screen covering everything up -he now has 7 instead.

Today I heard of one more who had downloaded it to try - same story - he hates it as a desktop os - doesn't want the start screen - wants a start menu.

I think you are very wrong.

There are few who like their desktop to behave a mobile phone.

There are some who just put up with it.

There are some who use free replacements.

There are some who use paid replacements.

There are some who have 8 as dual boot/vm for the occasional look - they may have left it as it is.

Perhaps the rumoured $200 pc's will help windows sales , on the basis - it's not ideal - but hey it's cheap. Tho somebody else might release a competitive product and take the lions share.

Perhaps if Jeff Ubben does go ahead, he will be instrumental in setting MS on the right track .

Plenty of interesting things for us to look forward to seeing.
 

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  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
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    PC/Desktop
I only know of one person who bough a win 8 machine. Didn't like it due to no start menu and start screen covering everything up -he now has 7 instead.

Today I heard of one more who had downloaded it to try - same story - he hates it as a desktop os - doesn't want the start screen - wants a start menu.

I think you are very wrong.

There are few who like their desktop to behave like a mobile phone.

There are some who just put up with it.

There are some who use free replacements.

There are some who use paid replacements.

There are some who have 8 as dual boot/vm for the occasional look - they may have left it as it is.

Perhaps the rumoured $200 pc's will help windows sales , on the basis - it's not ideal - but hey it's cheap. Tho somebody else might release a competitive product and take the lions share.

Perhaps if Jeff Ubben does go ahead, he will be instrumental in setting MS on the right track .

Plenty of interesting things for us to look forward to seeing.
Everyone I know who recently bought a laptop with windows 8 have not said anything at all. They just use it like normal. The other day, I met up with my ex. We talked and caght up with some things. Then he wanted to show me some pictures so he got out his new laptop and showed me some pictures. During that time, I asked him how he liked the new windows 8 and he just shrugged his shoulders. I was actually expecting him to hate it because there's no start button. So, I asked him and if he likes this better than his old windows 7 laptop or if he liked his old windows 7 laptop more? He said they both feel the same to him.

The point is I've not seen any strong reactions to the lack of the start menu or the new start screen. Most people I know who have bought a new machine with windows 8 don't care either way. They just use it.

So, yeah, I honestly think, too, that this is a manufactured issue on the internet and that most people honest to god just don't care.
 

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    windows 8
Clearly you know more people who have one than I do.

I have only heard of one who has bought it.

I haven't seen one in the wild.

Maybe it is a UK thing.

Hard to spot anty interest in 8 in this coutry.

Today I asked a around at a company I was visiting if anybody was using 8.

Some had never heard of it.

The one response I did get is the guy who tried it - see my previous post.

I didn't like the full screen apps dash in opensuse, and I don't like it now they have put it in 8.

At least in suse you are driving it from the desktop, have several workspaces, and are not being subjected to the constant ad billboard.
 

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  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
I bet the overwhelming majority who bought Windows 8 or a Windows 8 machine don't care about this.

I also bet the overwhelming majority who don't own Windows 8 don't really know much about this, and if they did, they also wouldn't care.

This is a largely manufactured issue. Only a small percentage of user actually have strong feelings either way.

People just need to let it go and get over it.

View attachment 20801

Only a small percentage? In the known universe, there are at least 8.5 million people who have sought a third party option for the return of the start button. Those who refuse to believe this, need to get over it.

Last I looked, Windows 8 has been bought/downloaded/pirated around 100 million times (probably VERY conservative number). 8.5% IS a tiny amount of that. Then you have to factor in the people who download out of curiosity. I have checked out all of the major 3rd party Start buttons. I even bought Start 8 (never use it though). I reckon I'm responsible for at least 10 of those 8.5 million. I wouldn't be the only one.

its such a non-issue.

I have two Windows 8 licences and don't use one at all and the other only occasionally. We already know that 65% of Windows 8 licences have gone to OEMs, who aren't doing such a roaring trade, but are offering Windows 7 upgrades to buyers, and the remaining 35% is split between corporate and consumer sales. How many have bought a windows 8 device and upgraded to Windows 7 is anyone's guess, but Windows 8 is not the success story Microsoft hoped.
 

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    Windows Phone 6, Windows CE 5, Windows Vista x32, Windows 7 x32/x64, Windows 8 x64
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