Microsoft Is Bringing the Start Menu Back

[ohio_grad_06]

As someone who's been running Windows 8 since it came out, I got it in November 2012, I will say I get it but do not change for the sake of change especially when the changes are not a big improvement if any at all over previous versions. Also the fact they removed an element(start menu) that had been there for 20 years and that's how a lot of people know how to navigate their system. I don't agree. I felt like they said you will learn to do it this way and deal with it. This is not the 90s.

I will say from what we are seeing not a great deal of Windows 8 out there. 5-8 calls on it since 2012. Oh well.

 

[Krynn72]

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

I have no problem with the new (current) start menu. In fact, like I have said on this forum before, I actually prefer it to the orb, because its faster and easier to get to everything, it really is. The Metro apps however are an entirely different subject and are god awful and the whole windows store should be burned with fire. The default Mail app is okay, but I've hated every single other one, whether made by MS or a third party. The new VLC app which, is in beta, MIGHT be the second okay app to exist on this planet when its officially released.

 

[nlinecomputers]

Too much f-ing scrolling. I can open the start menu and get to my program faster and with less mousing actions then with that damn tile crap.

 

[Instant Housecall - Corey]

Fair enough. Let me put a couple questions to you, then:

1. Is desktop perfect the way it is today?
2. If not, what do you dislike about Windows today (excluding the modern UI)

I'm willing to make a bet that: (a) you'll have trouble thinking of what you dislike today because you've just learned to live with the problems of desktop; and (b) anything you can think of is already fixed in the Modern UI.

Any takers?

 

[ComputerRepairTech]

when is that new update suppose to be going in?

 

[Instant Housecall - Corey]

when is that new update suppose to be going in?

It's already out. If you have a magnifying glass on your Start screen, or a Store icon on your desktop you've already got it. If not, go to Windows Update and it'll download.

 

[codegreen]

Fair enough. Let me put a couple questions to you, then:

1. Is desktop perfect the way it is today?
2. If not, what do you dislike about Windows today (excluding the modern UI)

I'm willing to make a bet that: (a) you'll have trouble thinking of what you dislike today because you've just learned to live with the problems of desktop; and (b) anything you can think of is already fixed in the Modern UI.

Any takers?

I'll bite

1. No, it isn't.
2. I dislike the way the Desktop tends to get cluttered with unorganized icons. If you don't keep on top of it, manually tidying up, it gets to be unusable.

 

[ComputerRepairTech]

It's already out. If you have a magnifying glass on your Start screen, or a Store icon on your desktop you've already got it. If not, go to Windows Update and it'll download.

I mean the one thats suppose to look like this:

 

[PBComputer]

I mean the one thats suppose to look like this:

I understand it's due out next month. But could be wrong.

Paul

 

[Metanis]

General purpose computing.

Micro$oft forgot their market in lusting after Apple's. Changing the entire Windows UI to force people into the Store will go down in history as the "new Coke" of the PC business.

 

[gunslinger]

Micro$oft forgot their market in lusting after Apple's. Changing the entire Windows UI to force people into the Store will go down in history as the "new Coke" of the PC business.

Yup

 

[nlinecomputers]

The app store isn't a bad idea. If all windows updates and third party programs would update via the store it would put Windows management it a much better position then it is now. All the major Linux distros have done this for years. None of this BS about Flash, Java, Adobe, Skype, your antivirus, your antimalware, your browser, your office package, and of course windows itself, all needing separate updates. The store brings sanity to the nightmare of popup warnings. THAT IS a good thing about Windows 8. Still doesn't make up for the Godawful GUI.

 

[nlinecomputers]

when is that new update suppose to be going in?

Some time in 2015.

 

[nlinecomputers]

Fair enough. Let me put a couple questions to you, then:

1. Is desktop perfect the way it is today?
2. If not, what do you dislike about Windows today (excluding the modern UI)

I'm willing to make a bet that: (a) you'll have trouble thinking of what you dislike today because you've just learned to live with the problems of desktop; and (b) anything you can think of is already fixed in the Modern UI.

Any takers?

My complaints about Windows is less about the GUI and more about Windows' underpinnings. Things like still having to reboot after most any task, bad power management, and crappy file structure that still has it's roots in Dos.

 

[Instant Housecall - Corey]

I dislike the way the Desktop tends to get cluttered with unorganized icons. If you don't keep on top of it, manually tidying up, it gets to be unusable.

Too much f-ing scrolling. I can open the start menu and get to my program faster and with less mousing actions then with that damn tile crap.

Still doesn't make up for the Godawful GUI.

My complaints about Windows is less about the GUI and more about Windows' underpinnings. Things like still having to reboot after most any task, bad power management, and crappy file structure that still has it's roots in Dos.

Come on... Let's hear it: Who else has complaints -- What do you dislike about desktop? What do you dislike about modern UI?

I'll address everything in a single post.

 

[FoolishTech]

Come on... Let's hear it: Who else has complaints -- What do you dislike about desktop? What do you dislike about modern UI?

I'll address everything in a single post.

only this =)

 

[nlinecomputers]

Lets spare you that. YOu are going to point out how Windows 8 handles all those complaints better. Some of that is true and other is trading one problem for another or marginal fixes(smaller icons on the start tile menu with 8.1).

It still doesn't solve the issues that the tile screen is distracting, intrusive, even with the enhancements still tends to split the OS into Metro vs Desktop. It has features that are completely hidden and totally non-intuitive. While still inheriting all the issues that windows STILL has. Windows 8 still has to be rebooted too much. Still has issues with power management. Still has a file structure that was created in 1981. Still has that god for saken registry.

Oh and if you say that you can install (favorite start menu replacement app) then your whole argument is voided. You should not have to install a third party application just to make the OS usable. For one you risk an update nuking it and causing problems.

 

[FoolishTech]

Windows 8 still has to be rebooted too much.

Aside from driver and some initial program installations (and yes, I know that is annoying in and of itself) for performance or any other reason I can think of, I honestly didn't reboot my 8.0 install for like 4 months and only then it was to install 8.1 -- and after that only to install Update 1. I've not yet had to reboot other than OS updates and initial setup, and that is saying a lot even compared to Windows 7 but especially to prior versions. 8.x is by far the most stable and well performing version of Windows yet IMHO..

I also don't see the current file system and registry as being issue for complaint, and I still don't understand why people feel the need to actually install a 3rd party app to make the OS usable.. but that is entirely a matter of PREFERENCE and NOT FUNCTIONALITY.

though I agree with you completely on the aesthetic of the UI...

 

[gunslinger]

Come on... Let's hear it: Who else has complaints -- What do you dislike about desktop? What do you dislike about modern UI?

I'll address everything in a single post.

Ok, watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTYet-qf1jo


Pretty much explains about 95% of the complaints I have about Win 8.


Oh, and Nick, you got PM.

 

[Instant Housecall - Corey]

Lets spare you that. YOu are going to point out how Windows 8 handles all those complaints better.

Of course I am. That's kinda the point.

I think a lot of the hate is genuinely misplaced. I don't expect that I can convince you, nline, but I think a lot of people don't "get" Windows 8 or see the advantages in it. They're there, and the improvements in 8 address everything you've complained about in Windows for the last 20 years

Look, I know people think that I'm defending Windows 8 because I have an app to sell. Fair enough.

But honestly, HONESTLY -- do you think I would have sunk that kind of investment into a clearly a struggling platform if I didn't believe in it, and think that it had enough compelling advantages for it to take? I'm literally putting my money where my mouth is. Maybe that was a bad decision, time will tell. But as someone who initially hated Windows 8 back in the dev preview days, and yearned for his start menu, now I get it.

It has features that are completely hidden and totally non-intuitive.

Because right clicking the task bar or Ctrl-Alt-Del is an intuitive way for people to find the Task Manager? There's a difference between what you're used to and what's intuitive.

Oh and if you say that you can install (favorite start menu replacement app) then your whole argument is voided.

You won't hear that argument from me. Pinky swear. I think the Start menu is stupid. Virtually nobody uses it the way they think they use it. I'll save that for the big diatribe. Hoping to get a few more reasons from people why they hate 8/what they dont like about desktop so I can address it all in one comprehensive mess.