Microsoft discusses changes in Windows 8 Start Screen

The new start screen in Windows 8 has been the topic of discussion on the Building Windows 8 blog since the launch of Windows 8 developer preview.So in order to discus various issues and get feedback from the users Microsoft has started a new series of posts on its blog.

So why suddenly Microsoft felt the need to move to a fullscreen launcher? What were the problems with the current Start Menu in Windows 7? According to Microsoft’s gatherings, the usage of the Start Menu actually decreased from Windows Vista to Windows 7. The evolution of the Windows taskbar directly impacted the Start menu. What once was locked behind a menu suddenly came closer to you. The most obvious advancements were the introduction of Quick Launch by Internet Explorer 4.0’s Windows Desktop Update in 1997, as well as the more recent taskbar pinning in Windows 7.

Fig:Change in Start menu feature usage between Windows Vista and Windows 7

Pinning Explorer by default to the taskbar and populating its Jump list with common folders makes it even easier to access system folders like Documents (not surprisingly, use of Documents in Start has also dropped, as shown below).

As Steven Sinofsky summarizes,” the taskbar has evolved to replace many aspects of the Start menu. You can even say the taskbar reveals many of the weaknesses of the Start menu and that the menu is no longer as valuable as it once was long ago. Search and access to All Programs are still unique strengths of the Start menu that we know you depend upon, but when it comes to the apps you use every day, one-click access from the taskbar is hard to beat. In fact, we sometimes even referred to the taskbar in Windows 7 as the “Start bar,” since it became clear that most people now start with the bar, rather than with the menu.”

Image Credits: Building Windows 8 blog

http://www.syncers.com/2011/08/microsoft-launches-official-building-windows-8-blog/ Karan Lugani

Whoa..!! WHat a setback for Windows 8 it is. I think its going to be disappointing .
http://www.nddw.com Neeraj

Great post Snehal, I guess Windows 8 would be great but yes there would be a lot of new changes for the avid Windows users to get used to.
- http://www.windowsfera.com Fzero37
  
  Windows 8 is going to be more like a touch os
Pau1

Well… hoping this Windows wont be a back step into problems (remember the expectation just before the release of Vista ???)
norm

I really dislike this new home screen. I really don’t need a dumbed-down interface; what I need is fast access to the stuff that I use often. Considering that I rarely reboot, this means that I always have a browser with a million tabs open, trillian, xchat, and maybe a couple instances of notepad.

This interface simple doesn’t work for me. I was frustrated almost instantly after installing the beta.
Mcampbell79782

I am really disappointed by this new start screen. i dont see why they need to change it. it was fine they way it is. and i can forsee several problems occurring with this new start menu. they should have the option to keep the old start menu or use this new one. i would really like that
Mouse_q

I deffinately don’t like the new start screen so far it is more of a hassel then anything…especially looking at all the junk as far as i am concerned that is in it
RobertD0275

I have been testing Windows products (XP, 2000, Vista, Windows 7 & Windows 8) for 12 years now. I can tell you all from experience that the ALPHA version of an OS, which this is, is usually not even close to the final product. The purpose of Microsoft putting these things out now is two fold. On one hand, the developers get a chance to see, from a code and interface standpoint, what they are going to be working with so they can prepare apps, drivers etc for the final release. Second, by giving it to the public, it saves Microsoft money by letting the public test features and detect issues before the final release so that they can make changes to the code and not pay testers. This also helps avoid another disaster like Vista.

I for one think that Microsoft will hear all of the complaints about thier new interface and integrate an option to enable the legacy start menu (similar to what they did with the control panel changes from Windows 98 to Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7) so that users have the choice to use the new one or not. The real issue here is that Microsoft is trying to build an all in one solution that works with all devices. That is tricky. On a tablet, the new menu is great because you can use getures to navigate faster than you can with a mouse. From the desktop environment (Enterprise users) the new menu will not be well received as it will hinder workflow. It has nothing to do with the new interface and everything to do with the actual navigation by mouse only. You must use a mouse to navigate if you don’t have touchscreen. and there is NO ALT+ TAB!! that is a large mistake. Changing the search field to category searching is a mistake. IT leaves no room for you to look at all files. From a tech standpoint this is vital. To do this now in Windows 8, you would have to click on the desktop icon on the Metro UI and manually navigate (using the search in the top right of the window to search folders).

With all the negative feedback, there is some positive. The Metro Apps that DO work right now are great! I loved the Weather app, though it doesn’t yet refresh itself as it should, and you can’t close it without using Task Manager, but hey it is an ALPHA version. The sharing of files between apps is great, and so is the one click file moves from the new folder ribbons.

In the end, Microsoft will take all the goods, the bads and the uglies that users provide, and tweak the system before RTM. Hopefully our feedback will be well received and they will give us what we need and demand for our new OS. If not, there is always Linux and MAC (which I am a fan of neither and don’t care to ahve to learn).
- Maguana
  
  El discurso de Jobs en el 2005 decía que Windows se copió de MAC.
  
  Windows 8 se parece mucho a Ubuntu 11.04, han copiado el concepto también. Está bien que imiten las cosas buenas, y como de negocio se trata que compensen adecuadamente a los autores.
  
  La gente ya pagó por un sistema operativo. Por cada arreglito o maquillaíta que le da Microsoft a su Windows ya le pone un número nuevo de versión y cobra otra vez. Pero hasta cuándo? Pero hasta cuándo van a hacer algo que sirva, algo estable y que no se congele por nada, que trabaje seguro, profesional y estéticamente?
Brien

Well for a few instances, the new Start Screen is at best not popular. However rembering back to windows 3.0, we are stepping into a new era. Windows has seen alot of changes over the years and now it will produce another. I for one was elated to see new attributes installed, instead of the same interface we have grown accustomed too. Microsoft is still the industry standard O/S producing corporation. I hope they stay on course with what they are trying to do in Windows 8, as it is a refreshing and exciting new change. If they actually pull off getting this O/S right I believe it will by far hamper their competition (as if they have any). I too work in the I.T. industry and believe we need new areas of interest integrated into the same old boring Windows platform (speaking soley on the new interface) to bring back to life what has long been forgotten, the fun and excitement of logging into your computer. As an example, for those whom have been around long enough, remember when your standard analog connection was at best 48,000 Kbs on AOL, using Windows ME was exciting just to log in and hear ” You Got Mail”, on by far the worst O/S produced in my mind. So just keep an open mind and enjoy the new and exciting for what it is.
tamere

For my opinion they are just integrating theire mobile os t0 the desktop world since touch screen is getting more affordable by the time. For my part i really don’t need this interface on my desktop, store icons could go straight to recycle bin lol.
- Felipe
  
  you will want that store real soon… everything is going to be found on the app store from now on. Hopefully Its going to be as good as markets such as Steam (if you have used it), but for all things.
  
  And I am hoping microsoft changes the method of installing programs, actually. I like the style found in OSX actually, copying the app to the list of apps. Its simple. Or, similar to the system on the androidOS.
  
  The whole registry+install wizard thing…. I think its getting outdated
  - Anonymous
    
    Actually, the “app” thing is a fad and will fad away into history as the most stupid thing to hit IT. Why write an app when there are such things as common interfaces. Oh yeah, there are billions of IT illiterate people out there that will pay through the nose for an app and keep paying to use it every month. Better get as much of their money as you can before they figure out they are being scammed.
    
    From a profits standpoint, yes, buy software and install is so low-profit. People are fools and will pay double or triple the price for an app. But if you want over all cost effectiveness, system security, and reliability you will not deal with apps.
Taylor

You know… I like the development of Windows 8… ALOT.
So, I REALLY like the Start Screen, now.
alex Bayes

you no xbox live your Avatar you can put your 3d avatar on the window 8 dashboard. you can your avatar and it will take you to your xbox live extras it will show you your friends and your Achievements Friends .,Cloud and messages and go to your account
will boston

The new metro UI is great in my opinion I have the Acer Iconia W500 tablet and after I got used to it works really well. That being said there is alot of room for improvement the two biggest being able to right click on the metro ui and a corner of a page or something to flick on to show the start bar
apriores

They better pun an option for separators on taskbar so we can drag and locate pinned applications anywhere we wish.
Chandlerc

all i really want is a left click option to upload to facebook, youtube..etc.options….why do we not have that???!!!
alex bayes

xbox is geting the cloud so i think you should make zune cloud so you can save app and songes and your podcasts and so whith windows8 you make zune app i no I can make some input windows 8/9/10 can you hlep
Bhavin_avira

really nice work done by win 8 cool effects and cool look
Brien

BTW has anyone ran the Winver.exe yet. Mine says it is set to expire March 20th, 2012 at 4:30 pm. Has anyone else noticed this. Just leaves room for thought that the actual beta will post sometime around the beginning of the year maybe?
- Jor El
  
  no i ran winver.exe but nothing… why? it´s says the licence nothing else
http://www.facebook.com/people/Franco-Cencio/1665253874 Franco Cencio

I enjoy the new start screen but microsoft should give an option to decide wich one someone want to use (classic or new).
Anonymous

I had great hopes for Windows 8 because I love what Microsoft did with Windows 7. Windows 8 is so slow to start up. Worse than my super old computer that is running XP, I actually did a side by side test.

This start screen has to go for desktop users. I could almost like it as a tablet since navigating menus can be a bit of a pain in the rump when I am using my laptop as a tablet. But how these “apps” function is horrible. I hope most of my complaints will go away when I become smarter than the toy and I am back in charge rather than the app controlling my screen.

There’s a long way to go to make this market ready. I hope Microsoft stops trying to focus on only apps and being Google/Apple and keeps the Enterprise users in mind. Windows 7 is a great OS, please do not dumb it down so you can get a few Apple lemmings.
Remove Metro GUI

The new windows 8 GUI is horrible.

It doesn’t work for desktop PCs. It just makes everything a lot harder in my opinion.

Having to see the new screen fade away just to open up cmd.exe or task manager and not having the “Search” box in the well-known Start menu, like in Windows 7, just disappoints me more.

If this truly is a “gaming OS” that Microsoft claimed at one point, then they better have an option to allow users to use the old-style Start Menu that PC fans come to know and love.

Guys, submit feedback on removing the new Metro GUI for desktop computers. Honestly, it’s not a true gaming OS if it’s going to be like that. Such a hassle to navigate through windows and hard drive files.