MS Bringing Back Start Menu (again), Making Windows Free

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    MS Bringing Back Start Menu (again), Making Windows Free


    Posted: 02 Apr 2014
    With its Windows 8.1 Update, announced today, is looking in the rearview mirror—and putting the car in reverse. But for all the people who have wanted Windows 8 to work more like Windows 7, that’s the right direction.
    On April 8—coincidentally the same day that Microsoft cuts off Windows XP support—a free Windows 8.1 Update will bring mouse and keyboard users some much needed relief with some small but useful system tweaks.
    “Our goal is to bring back the familiar,” Chaitanya Sareen, Microsoft Principal Program Manager Lead on Windows, told me as he demonstrated some of the new features last week.
    There are three that I think will significantly aid people making the transition from a traditional version of Windows, including XP or 7, to Microsoft’s now slightly-less-brave new world.
    1. Automatically go to the desktop after booting or unlocking. If you are using a laptop or a desktop PC, Windows 8.1 will now automatically boot to the traditional desktop. No more grid of colorful tiles when you first boot or wake up the machine. Computer makers will control the out-of-the-box experience, but most non-touch PCs will boot straight to the desktop. If your machine doesn’t at first, you can always set it to do so.
    Note: For now, when you hit the Start button, you’ll be taken to the Start screen, but Microsoft promised that it would soon release a classic-style Start menu. This—combined with booting into the desktop—could be the final nail in the Modern interface’s coffin.

    2. A taskbar revival. The taskbar along the bottom of the classic desktop will now be more useful—you can pin all types of apps, including new Windows apps from the Windows Store, and even a shortcut to the Windows Store itself. You’ll also be able to use the taskbar to switch between apps. Push the cursor down to the bottom of the screen in an app and the taskbar will appear.
    3. “Close” and “Minimize” buttons within apps. Welcome back the close (X) and minimize (–) icons in the upper right corner of all apps! Instead of having to figure out that you can drag the app to the bottom of the screen to close it, mouse and keyboard users will see the standard Windows tile bar along the top of all apps.
    There are other small tweaks, too, like the ability to search and shutdown right from the Start Screen—no need to access the side charms or other menus. You can also right click on tiles on the Start Screen to move them around and make other tweaks. And, while not a mouse or keyboard trick, Microsoft has finally put an arrow along the bottom of the Start Screen to indicate that if you swipe up you can get to the All Apps menu. Like I said, small but useful tricks for the traditionalists.
    Windows 8.1 Update: Microsoft Hits Reverse, Adds Windows 7 Features - Personal Tech News - WSJ
    gregrocker's Avatar Posted By: gregrocker
    02 Apr 2014



  1. Posts : 4,049
    W7 Ultimate SP1, LM19.2 MATE, W10 Home 1703, W10 Pro 1703 VM, #All 64 bit
       #1

    God only know why MS thought eliminating familiar OS/GUI controls (Start menu, Close buttons, etc.) would endear anyone to to W8.
    I guess they thought that everyone would just "drink the Kool-Aid".
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 292
    Windows 7 Professional
       #2

    Sounds like they are backing up to W7. So what will be different from W7 and W8.1 now?

    Also, If we have classic shell installed on our W8.1, what effect will the new download have on that? Will the updated 8.1 be better than the classic shell add on a lot of us are using now?

    Thanks,
    Bill
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 25,847
    Windows 10 Pro. 64/ version 1709 Windows 7 Pro/64
       #3

    I have been asking this question for a while.

    What will Windows 8 or 8xxx do for me that Windows 7 doesn't already do?
    A couple seconds on boot time isn't enough. It takes that long to pass gas.

    I'm very curious what Windows 9 will be like.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 16,132
    7 X64
       #4

    Will the updated 8.1 be better than the classic shell add on a lot of us are using now?
    No. Unless you are one of the very very few who open the "apps". They have close buttons.

    There is no start menu in the update.
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 640
    Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit Build 7600
       #5

    Well, if this is true, MS is going back to their senses, which is a relief.

    Now kill all that app nonsense and we are back to real business...
      My Computer


  6. whs
    Posts : 26,210
    Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
       #6

    They are finally getting smart - but in homeopathical doses.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 784
    Linux Mint 17 Cinnamon | Win 7 Ult x64
       #7

    billberry12 said:
    Sounds like they are backing up to W7. So what will be different from W7 and W8.1 now?
    There are still lots of things missing.

    Task Manager is still broken. Looks like they don't intend to fix that one
    Aero [glass] is gone, and it doesn't appear it will ever come back
    Explorer has been gutted (again) and renamed file explorer

    Windows 8.x still maintains the kindergarten-crayola look.

    For a bigger (but by no means complete), list have a look here... List of features removed in Windows 8 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 25,847
    Windows 10 Pro. 64/ version 1709 Windows 7 Pro/64
       #8

    Thank you Tanya for this list.

    For a bigger (but by no means complete), list have a look here... List of features removed in Windows 8 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 16,132
    7 X64
       #9

    whs said:
    They are finally getting smart - but in homeopathical doses.

      My Computers


 
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