Is there actually any tangible proof that millions of users a clamouring for a Start Button? I've never encountered a real person who said 'I won't buy Windows 8 because the a-holes took away that Start Button', however, I've encountered plenty who had no idea it was gone and also a few who didn't even know what the Start Button was. I think this is so overblown.
I'm reminded of the meltdown that happened amongst star wars nerds over the Star Wars special editions, when Lucas altered the classic films. Its so funny, people get twisted in knots about it even today. "Han shot Greedo first!" they say. The funny things is the overwhelming majority of the human race don't care. They don't even know who Greedo is. This is like that. This is manufactured issue that only 'computer people' actually care about.
Its an excuse for Apple and Linux lovers to find a reason to say "Look how terrible Microsoft is".
The funniest thing is its so easy for the user to put back if they want it there. There's really no issue here.
PC sales aren't poor because of Windows 8. They weren't great before it either. Has it ever occurred to people that it probably has more to do with the rise of tablets than anything to do with the PC itself? Just think about it, how many millions of casual users simply bought a PC for web browsing, email and playing Facebook games? That number was very high. Tablets are a better tool for that use case. My wife is the perfect example. She always had a computer, but ever since she got her IPad she NEVER uses it at all. Why? She doesn't need it for anything she does. My mother-in-law is the same way. There are millions of former PC users out there who now use tablet, mainly IPad as their 'PC' they don't need a computer, and never really liked them in the first place. My wife has often spoken of her relief at no longer needing one. Why? She didn't have a very good knowledge of her computer in the first place, it was all confusing. Outside of the Firefox and Word icons she basically didn't click anything else. You would be amazed how many people there are out there like that. They have abandoned PCs because they don't need them, and their tablet is simpler and easier and more fun to use.
Nobody outside of tech circles cares about the Start Button.