Windows 8.1 Start button SPOTTED in the wild

I need to save up for a Windows 7 retail copy before everyone buys them

I know, I just checked Overclockers UK, and couldn't find any retail copies available, but there seemed to be plenty of OEM copies available to buy :)

Basically , all they really did was take the Windows button from the charm bar and moved it to the task bar and are calling it a start button which is only going to take you to the Metro UI (Start Page) and back to the desktop, there is no start menu that we have all known for so long whatsoever.

Unfortunately, the start menu we have all come to know is gone forever. We can all bitch, moan a and groan all we want, they are just never going to go there in any of the new versions of Windows, yes I know it sucks, I don't like it as much as everyone else, it's just something we might as well get used to.

HOWEVER, Linux is getting to be more and more user friendly everyday, there are even Linux distro's that look extremely close to if not exactly like Windows, who knows down the road Microsoft's Windows may start slipping in it's market share, they may very well be sorry for going this route some day, unfortunately we will only find out if that happens when support for Windows 7 ends. And as of this moment, Linux is not vulnerable to 99% of the viruses, Trojans, worms and malware out there but I presume as the OS changes and more people start using it, that will change also.

edee said:

Unfortunately, the start menu we have all come to know is gone forever. We can all bitch, moan a and groan all we want, they are just never going to go there in any of the new versions of Windows, yes I know it sucks, I don't like it as much as everyone else, it's just something we might as well get used to.

It may be what MS wants, but if their sales are still as crappy as they are now after say xmas, then I really don't see how they will not either make 8 solely for tablets and revert back to 7 for desktops or watch as their business takes more and more hits. Even the best poker player knows when to fold his hand as opposed to walk away form the table. MS seems to have put "all in" and is really hoping to turn an Ace, but all they have gotten is an off suit low number and with blue they are on their final card on the river.

Indianatone said:

From the Microsoft Windows blog, this is how it is shaping up:
Continuing the Windows 8 vision with Windows 8.1

And here from the BBC

BBC News - Microsoft 'U-turn' sees Start button back on Windows 8

Not only will Windows 8.1 respond to customer feedback

I think they have responded in the completely wrong way.

PCs today are evolving for a world of mobile computing where people interact with their devices through touch, and we designed Windows 8 for this.

I thought so...