Is this the new Windows 8 or 9 Start Menu?
Neowin obtained a screenshot of what is claimed to be the new Start Menu. The new Start Menu seems a mix of the old Start Menu and Windows 8's Start Screen, the left side features pinned and commonly used programs while the right side focuses on Metro.
We do know that this is still an early build of next generation of Windows and we will have more to report on that tomorrow. So, don't get too caught up in the minor details as there will be other enhancements to the desktop before Threshold is released. One item about the image that was throwing off users previously is that is says Win 8.1 Pro in the bottom corner. We have spoken to a source close to Microsoft who says that this image appears to be legitimate, and that these builds inside of Microsoft still use this branding, so this is not a big deal.
DailyTech points out that the one key difference with the old Start Menu is the lack of a folder-based system: One major change is the lack of a folder-based system for accessing apps in the start menu. This may irk some power users, however, it seems that typically users own use one key executable per major app anyways, and generally giving them that executable faster is probably the most efficient option.
Senior Member
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Joined: 2003-04-23
Why the frack didn't they keep the start menu from the get go for us mouse users and Server users, i'd be using Win8 right now on my desktop and Win2012 on my Servers if that was the case.
Junior Member
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Because they're.. innovative geniuses. Sigh
Senior Member
Posts: 16592
Joined: 2004-08-18
@somemadcaaant - Because Microsoft, in their infinite wisdom, decided to force a tablet operating system on desktop users instead rather than keep the operating systems different or offer the Start screen as an option. Even Apple have separate operating systems for their computers/laptops and tablets/phones.
Microsoft have been taking dozens of missteps for the past few years from Zune to Windows 8 to their own Xbox One, which has had more U-turns than a dodgy plumbler since its disasterous unveilling last year!!!
Windows 8.1 is fine IMO...as long you use a third-party app like Start8. The improved bootup/shutdown times are nice and there's some performance boosts in games such as Battlefield 4 too. I have my PC set to boot to the desktop in Windows 8.1 and the only time I see the Start screen is if I accidentally hit the Windows key or I want to shutdown my PC otherwise I have no use for it. I don't even use the Search feature either since it's so flawed, e.g. by default it is set to Everywhere but if you search for 'troubleshoot sound' it will find nothing because you have to change it to Settings! Everywhere clearly is NOT everywhere. Eurgh!
Senior Member
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Joined: 2005-08-12
I can see people just fail to learn to adapt.
How on earth you can call Win8 Search feature flawed when Win7 search is inferior and for some reason there's not much fuzz about it.
Senior Member
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Joined: 2011-12-31
That screenshot is a hoax from MDL.