Windows 8.1 SP1 will get full start menu again

by Hilbert Hagedoorn on: 04/03/2014 09:08 AM | source: | 75 comment(s)

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.

Related Stories

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...

5 pages 1 2 3 4 5

Steppzor
Senior Member

Posts: 744
Joined: 2006-02-05

#4793474 Posted on: 04/03/2014 09:04 AM

A little to late i think... think most people will wait for Windows 9 next year now.

kosh_neranek
Senior Member

Posts: 341
Joined: 2012-12-31

#4793492 Posted on: 04/03/2014 09:47 AM

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..

pimp_gimp
Senior Member

Posts: 6600
Joined: 2004-05-13

#4793502 Posted on: 04/03/2014 10:13 AM

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.

Roman9441
Member

Posts: 30
Joined: 2010-04-15

#4793514 Posted on: 04/03/2014 10:49 AM

Hope that it good enough :/ but a bit get use to metro some how

Dellers
Member

Posts: 60
Joined: 2014-04-01

#4793526 Posted on: 04/03/2014 11:15 AM

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.

kosh_neranek
Senior Member

Posts: 341
Joined: 2012-12-31

#4793531 Posted on: 04/03/2014 11:21 AM

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.

yeah, I can see that, it's just that as far as I remember regardless whether the full start menu comes back now or not they still are gonna make changes to the actual one. But I have to say that it would be stupid of them not bringing it now. Windows 9 is behind the doors and I believe they will rather bring the update now and then forget about the whole 8 fiasco and start working on the 9 with as many developers as possible.But to be honest I don't want to see 9 in a few years time. 8 is OK and only needs a proper update to make people happy. I doubt it that we really need new version of OS. M$ have to understand that they are very different to apple and businesses don't want to be changing OSes too often and pay extra money every few years. Also all the professionals which are into certifications are gonna hate them if they will have to go and take new certs just to keep em updated that won't teach em nothing new at all.

TheDeeGee
Senior Member

Posts: 5537
Joined: 2010-08-28

#4793552 Posted on: 04/03/2014 11:59 AM

Done a clean install of Win 7 last week. I think i will keep that install untill Win 9 is out

WhiteLightning
Moderator

Posts: 27197
Joined: 2007-09-19

#4793553 Posted on: 04/03/2014 12:02 PM

i always like to have the latest windows installed (have been doing for 20 years

)

Bradders684
Senior Member

Posts: 1004
Joined: 2010-01-13

#4793563 Posted on: 04/03/2014 12:10 PM

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.

You are correct.

Update 1 which was leaked a few weeks ago is the one that is being released on the 8th. The one with the new Start Menu will be Update 2.

Bentez
Senior Member

Posts: 1307
Joined: 2008-12-28

#4793567 Posted on: 04/03/2014 12:15 PM

I like 8.1 more than I liked 7... there I said it

lantian
Senior Member

Posts: 295
Joined: 2013-08-16

#4793582 Posted on: 04/03/2014 12:42 PM

I dont get it, i already go straight to desktop bypasing metro when i boot my windows 8,1, the setting is already there, or does this remove?

V@IO
Senior Member

Posts: 494
Joined: 2010-04-12

#4793584 Posted on: 04/03/2014 12:44 PM

I dont think its to late, at its core Windows 8.1 is superior to previous versions imo. Any improvements are welcomed.

Barry J
Senior Member

Posts: 2682
Joined: 2006-02-23

#4793589 Posted on: 04/03/2014 12:47 PM

Another update to an already great OS windows8 can't wait to get it and install it on all my pc's

Who knows what windows 9 will bring but I am sure the loyal windows7 users will find fault

Extraordinary
Senior Member

Posts: 18726
Joined: 2010-04-21

#4793592 Posted on: 04/03/2014 12:50 PM

It's hilarious how MS make (almost) everyone excited and happy with MS for returning something that has been part of Windows since 95 by just removing it for a year or two

A start menu and boot to desktop.... yea, that's kinda what we have always had MS, well done for getting credit for something we always had anyway

So if the government took away our electricity for a couple years, then decided to give us it back, would they get a cheer at the announcement too? Or would we linch them for taking it away in the first place ?

anticupidon
Senior Member

Posts: 3180
Joined: 2008-03-06

#4793612 Posted on: 04/03/2014 01:25 PM

Reminds me of this joke.

A man went to the local church(no particular religion) and asked for a advice from God,Allah,Buddha.
He went like this:
I have three wives,each one with three children and for each woman i have a goat to fed them.
But now my house become too small to accomodate all of us
Tell me what to do
Very quick a voice from above told him:
Buy another goat and by all means,get in inside your house!!
But i dont´t have the space for....
-Do it!
We went like this three time,and the fourth time he went on to tell God,Buddha,Allah that he will quit religion and find another advice.
But then from above the voice tells him:
Quick,get out from the house the last 3 goats you struggled to accomodate!Now,tell me ...
My God,Allah,Buddha ,my house is larger ,indeed!

5 pages 1 2 3 4 5

Post New Comment

Click here to post a comment for this news story on the message forum.