Windows 8.1 Start button SPOTTED in the wild

[Indianatone]

Leaked screenshots of a prerelease build of Microsoft's forthcoming Windows 8.1 update reveal that the rumors are true and the Start button really is coming back – though perhaps not in the way users of previous versions of Windows might like.

Read the full story here folks:
Windows 8.1 Start button SPOTTED in the wild ? The Register

 

[Monster212]

not really though.. this stood out when i read the article... so its not the same start menu we used too..

What it's good for, specifically, is launching the Windows 8 Start Screen. That's it. Don't expect a return of the old-style Start Menu, because that isn't part of the deal. The Start button just gets you a new way to get to the new launcher UI, in addition to the button on the Charms bar, the Windows key on your keyboard, and the dedicated Windows buttons found on many Win8 fondleslabs.

 

[HarryHusker]

At least Microsoft is trying to polish a turd!!

 

[Wenda]

So in other words, Microsoft is still not listening. :mad2:

I can't see downloads from Stardock, Classic Shell etc slowing down much. :haha:
If this is the extent of the 'improvements' then I doubt I'll bother. Why spend
months getting Win 8 to work and look just the way I want it to, then having
to start from scratch to rectify the same issues in 8.1?

Wenda. rb:

 

[smarteyeball]

So in other words, Microsoft is still not listening.

Wenda.

I swear they cut their 'ears' off after Vista.

With Seven, they gave the 'appearance' of listening. Windows 8 they gave up all pretense.


If this button is for real, then they may was not have bothered really. Looks like 3rd party is still the way to go.

 

[sygnus21]

Now Patrick...

If this button is for real, then they may was not have bothered really. Looks like 3rd party is still the way to go.

Huh.... :huh:


I think you missed a keystroke or two

 

[vaidas3]

well that is some progress and maybe with windows 8.7 or whatever we can get a option to have not full screen menu on desktop pc and maybe even get more focus on windowed metro apps with quality that is similar to traditional applications (at least with default MS bundled apps). after all its windows not window.
I think critics need to continue to pressure MS.

 

[alphanumeric]

Yep, unfortunately this new Start Button is not going to lead to the classic Start Menu. That will make some and some . Some might even .
Me personally I'm content with using Windows 7 on my Desktop PC's. I have 8 on my laptop and will give 8.1 aka Blue a look see when its officially available from Microsoft.
I wouldn't mind getting the Start Menu back but I'm more interested to see if they actually make Metro more multi monitor friendly. IMHO the one screen only full screen only limitation is a PITA for anyone that really wants to try and multitask in the not so modern UI aka Metro.

 

[whs]

Looks like useless window dressing. As long as they keep the touchscreen UI for a non-touchscreen system, I am not buying.

 

[alphanumeric]

Looks like useless window dressing. As long as they keep the touchscreen UI for a non-touchscreen system, I am not buying.

That's one of the reasons I'm still running Windows 7 on my two desktops and my wife's laptop.
I now have a TechNet subscription but even for free it's not appealing to me.

 

[x BlueRobot]

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

 

[whs]

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

Retail versions seem to be rare, but OEM versions are still readily available.

 

[x BlueRobot]

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

 

[whs]

I only buy OEMs anyhow. Is a lot cheaper than retail and I don't move my licenses to other systems.

 

[boohbah]

the screenshot showing the windows logo start button is exactly the same button you get with start8.

 

[Indianatone]

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

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-22714048

 

[edee]

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.

 

[Berkey]

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.

 

[x BlueRobot]

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...

 

[Indianatone]

I don't think the are listening to their (former?) customers . They have put out some "pretty features" that ram TIFKAM further down everyone's throat without addressing the issue of a proper desktop mode. Something that has a regular start menu and regular progam and file viwers that do not stuff you back into the "apps mode". I frankly don't care I am not going to use it and no one in my family will either. As long as Windows 7 is around everything is OK. Hopefully the next version of Windows (9) will be a serious desktop system for power users and enterprise with no fondleslab functions to be found.