Microsoft Is Bringing the Start Menu Back

ohio_grad_06 said:
So then what does Windows 9 look like? They need to have these apps be able to run on the desktop in a window.
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The latest news I heard about Win9. (And I don't know how reliable this is, found it in no man's land on the internet somewhere)

Win9 is going back to the Win7 style OS, since so many people hated Win8.

I hope this is true and it sounds correct. But if someone finds a more reliable source, I'd like to know. I also hear that an RC version will come out this fall and the full version sometime next spring.
 
I'm not expecting much

I remember the hoopla when 8.1 was supposed to bring back the Start menu. Not! This recent update (in Windows Update next Tuesday) was rumored to have improvements to the start menu. Not!. Now it's Update 2. Don't hold your breath. What MS delivers vs. the promises and rumors is often quite different.

Hank Arnold (Microsoft MVP)
 
I've pretty much been reading Microsoft only has one chance for getting Windows 9 right, because with Linux, Chrome OS, apple, don't forget steam os, unless they really get it right, the storm clouds are gathering.
 
ohio_grad_06 said:
I've pretty much been reading Microsoft only has one chance for getting Windows 9 right, because with Linux, Chrome OS, apple, don't forget steam os, unless they really get it right, the storm clouds are gathering.
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Well, maybe, but people have been saying that for years. I've heard almost the exact same story around the switch from 32-bit to 64-bit CPUs, the flop of Vista, the disaster of Windows 8...

Yes, some people switched to alternatives in all of these cases, but Windows isn't going anywhere yet. Windows 8 has set a really low bar for Windows 9 jump over, so I doubt that Microsoft is in too much trouble on that score.
 
Windows isn't going away. Linux, Mac, or even tablets aren't a full threat to Windows. Too much software that requires windows out there. Can't do it on a Mac, Linux, or an iPad.

People will just do what is being done now. Hanging on to Windows 7. They did the same thing when Vista came out and it served them just fine.
 
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codegreen said:
Well, maybe, but people have been saying that for years. I've heard almost the exact same story around the switch from 32-bit to 64-bit CPUs, the flop of Vista, the disaster of Windows 8...

Yes, some people switched to alternatives in all of these cases, but Windows isn't going anywhere yet. Windows 8 has set a really low bar for Windows 9 jump over, so I doubt that Microsoft is in too much trouble on that score.
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While I agree that Win 8 wont be the death of Microsoft I think every time they do something stupid like a Win 8 or a Vista they lose that many more people. They switch to Linux and OSX and start spreading the good word about there really being good alternatives to Windows.


Also I think with a large % of the younger age group being raised on iPads and iPhones the number of college age people that will be Microsoft free is going to skyrocket in the next few years.
 
I may be a minority in this forum in that I actually like where windows 8 is going. I use some linux for server applications, I love my I pad for portability, my android phone is good although I would love to have a better device for the OS, but I must say for my family computer it is windows 8. I honestly can not imagine trying to teach my wife to use a Linux desktop nor most businesses I service. But once they see windows 8 in action when I demo on a touch screen device I have yet to have somebody not go "wow". Throw a surface at them and watch them go to work. In reality is it that much different than a thin client or workstation? Not in my experience. I have one place where instead of getting laptops for their outside sales people they purchased surface pros. They also got the keyboard, a HDMI hookup and a few other accessories for them. I trained them in what all it does and they fly through their work. I see these "upgrades" as excellent.
 
cstech said:
I may be a minority in this forum in that I actually like where windows 8 is going.
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Me and you, both. I think a good chunk of the problem is that Microsoft sold all sizzle and no steak. There's a lot of steak in Windows 8, people just don't see it and Microsoft forgot to educate them on it.

Let Apple sell image. Microsoft should be selling what it sells best: a good OS that lets you get work done fast.
 
At least the new CEO doesn't seem to have the arrogance that Ballmer had where he thinks he can just shove things down people's throats and expect them to like it. I don't think Ballmer's ego would ever allow the start menu back. Thankfully the new CEO seems to realize this isn't the 90's anymore.

If Ballmer was still in charge, I wouldn't be surprise if they made more drastic changes for windows 9. Since windows 8 didn't push them to surface tablets, then maybe they will decide for us we no longer need keyboards and a mouse either and force us to use touch only and screw desktops entirely.
 
I'm going to get destroyed for this, but I think that removing the start menu was a good idea. Honestly, how often do you use it to navigate the whole hierarchy of Start -> All Programs -> Accessories -> Notepad? Bet you don't. You either click start and type notepad or you pin it to the start menu or task bar.

Bringing it back is a mistake, one that they're being forced to make because people "just want it so bad", and it's just not worth fighting.

If you use Windows 8 the way it's supposed to be used, it's a treat, notwithstanding a few bugs in the OS.

Now that I've put that out there, go get the tar and feathers. I'll be waiting.
 
It's for touch screens, that's it. I installed a couple of net books during the week with 8.1 and touch screens and I almost enjoyed it
 
What they should have done was to have a choice. Windows 7 clone essentially for non touchscreen. Windows I style for touch. Could have been a homerun. Honestly they just needed to give the users choice in my opinion.
 
So I am with corey on this one... My wife who is about a total oposete of me when it comes to technology doesn't like computers at all. I loaded 8 when it was still in the trail version on our family desktop mainly because I use her a a test subject. If I can teach her how to use something I can teach anybody. Here is the trick, learn how to use it the way it was designed to be used. It is not just for touch screens. I taught my wife a bunch of keyboard shortcuts that aren't available in older versions of windows and some that are but most people don't use them. I taught her little tricks like "Where do I go to do X" the answer is press the windows key and just start typing. I have loaded just a few apps for her mostly the standard ones and a few others that do the same things as a desktop program would do but she can use the app much easier.

As to giving a choice between windows 8 interface and old windows 7 interface in all reality it is there. You want the windows 7 interface then click on the desktop or press Win + D. You want to use the apps well you can split screen it and use an app at the same time you are editing your spreadsheets . Check the Finance app while you are also watching the real time market program on your desktop. Have skype going talking to your parents on the other side of the world while you play a game of solitaire. I mean really if you want windows 7 back then by all means press Win + D and you have it.

Learn to embrace what is new instead of complaining about why it isn't exactly the same as the old. Im right here waiting for some tar as well.
 
"Learn to embrace what is new instead of complaining about why it isn't exactly the same as the old. Im right here waiting for some tar as well."

I have no problem with new technology but it has to be an improvement over what has come before. I really don't see that with Windows 8. It was a mistake IMO to try and unify the GUI across all the platforms. A phone is not a PC nor is it a server yet all have the same GUI. Even Android makes changes in the GUI depending on what hardware it runs on. And Apple has never tried to make the same interface on them. Microsoft took a gamble and didn't engage in good product studies and got a bad interface for all of it's devices IMO. Just because it is new does not equal better.

Metro has serious design flaws. It is not intuitive and that goes against productivity. There is no compelling advantage over the traditional desktop.
 
"Metro has serious design flaws."

Like not being able to set a page range when you print from IE. Desktop it, it's all there.

That being said, I think Apple was wrong about touchscreen laptops. Tough sell on CAD, but easier when re-positioning, zooming a web page/map/picture, etc.
 
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