Windows 8.1 SP1 will get full start menu again
Build 2014 is Microsoft’s developer-focused conference, the company shared some details on Windows 8.1 Update 1, the first significant Windows update since it became available back in October. In this post a rundown of the changes that Windows 8.1 Update 1 will bring about once it’s released as a free update for Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 users on April 8, which happens to be Microsoft’s next regularly scheduled Patch Tuesday.
Return of the Start menu
Microsoft teased that in the future, a form of the classic Start menu will make a return, and have Modern UI-style Live Tiles embedded within it. Apps will be able to run in Windowed mode as well. The Start menu will function similarly to how it did prior to its elimination when Windows 8 launched, permitting users to find and run programs and apps through it. However, it sounds like those features will be added to the OS as part of a future update, and not Windows 8.1 Update 1 when it hits next week.
- Boot straight to the Desktop: As was previously rumored, Windows 8.1 Update 1 will allow users to boot and resume straight to the classic desktop UI, allowing them to bypass the tiled Modern UI altogether. This will likely be a welcome feature considering that the Modern portion of Windows 8 hasn’t been well received since it debuted back in late 2012.
- Changes to the Taskbar: With Windows 8.1 Update 1, you can use both desktop programs and Windows Store apps from the classic desktop UI. Windows Store apps will also work on the desktop UI’s Taskbar as well, and a new button on the Taskbar will permit you to access the Windows Store without forcing you to dive into the Modern UI to do so. With Windows 8.1 Update 1, the Taskbar will be accessible while using Modern apps by moving your mouse pointer to the bottom of the screen.
- Tweaks to the Modern UI Start screen: The Modern UI Start screen will also receive some tweaks, including dedicated Power and Search buttons. The addition of a dedicated power button in the Start Screen will allow users to power their PCs off without having to open the Charms menu, shaving some seconds off the process of shutting down their systems. Newly installed Modern apps will be labeled “New,” and will pull up a drop-down menu when right-clicked, as opposed to the bar on the bottom of the screen.
Overall, Windows 8.1 Update 1 is a minor refresh as opposed to a dramatic makeover. Microsoft also reiterated that Windows 8.1 Update 1 will drop the minimum system requirements to 1GB of RAM and only require 16GB of storage, allowing the OS to run on lower-end PCs.
Microsoft offers Windows XP users $100 off select Windows 8 PCs - 03/24/2014 09:50 AM
The Windows XP end-of-support date is less than three weeks away, Microsoft has yet another deal trying to woo users off the ancient 12-year-old operating system. The company is offering $100 off new ...
Panasonic ToughPad UT-MA6 Windows 8.1 Tablet has a 4K screen - 03/14/2014 09:17 AM
Panasonic has officially introduced their latest Windows 8.1 tablet, the ToughPad 4K UT-MA6. This business rugged tablet sports a 20-inch 3840 x 2560 4K IPS 10-point multi-touch display, a 2.1GHz Inte...
Download Windows 8.1 update 1 with a simple registry tweak - 03/07/2014 08:59 AM
If you can't wait any lonfer, here's a fun tip. If you are willing to make a few tweaks to your registry, you can get Windows 8.1 update 1 right now. By adding a value to your registry, this wi...
Skype for Windows Phone 8 now requires Microsoft Account - 02/27/2014 10:04 AM
The company has been trying to move away from the old Skype username system for a while now, but until today Windows Phone 8 owners had a choice of using their Skype or Microsoft Account login. In a ...
Microsoft Windows 8.1 will get 70% price reduction - 02/22/2014 10:19 AM
Bloomberg reports that Microsoft is cutting the price of Windows 8.1 by 70 percent for makers of low-cost computers and tablets. Obviously this is to be able to compete with Google's Chromebooks etc...
Senior Member
Posts: 341
Joined: 2012-12-31
Way too late

I just hope that this update isn't gonna fight with Classic shell and Start 8. Otherwise am gonna have a lot of phone calls next week..
Senior Member
Posts: 6683
Joined: 2004-05-13
Way too late

I just hope that this update isn't gonna fight with Classic shell and Start 8. Otherwise am gonna have a lot of phone calls next week..
The way the article reads it sounds as though the update may be coming later than next week, but if it does that would be a surprise.
Member
Posts: 35
Joined: 2010-04-15
Hope that it good enough :/ but a bit get use to metro some how
Member
Posts: 68
Joined: 2014-04-01
I'm still waiting for a Windows 9 with no sign of Metro and its tiles whatsoever if I choose not to have it. The (lack of the) start menu isn't the issue with Windows 8 for me, but Metro is. I don't want or like tiles, I don't want or like small apps. I want a full-fledged desktop experience with normal applications that run in windows. I have no interest in mobile-ish apps anywhere else than on my phone.
Senior Member
Posts: 829
Joined: 2006-02-05
A little to late i think... think most people will wait for Windows 9 next year now.