Due to this and other design choices, my view on 8 is simple. Don't like. Won't buy.

if it werent for improved FX performace and xbox live integration, so far i would not consider windows 8.

i am already tired of gnome 3's hot corner and now windows is also making similar UI . what is next ?

I'll stick with Xubuntu.

I use a floating command line that appears where my mouse is when I hit Win+V and then I use auto-correcting "magicwords" to launch my programs. It is so freeing to get to exactly where you want to go by typing Win+V+"fire" or Win+V+"ste" or Win+V+"off" followed by enter; save so much time.

I recommend it to all…

I have a pretty high-end PC, and even without my SSD the file indexing and search is very swift. So, I use Win + "key_word" to launch most of my programs.

For example: Win + not = notepad.

At least this functionality needs to stay. I'm not too worried about an icon appearing all the time.. But, the start menu separates us from the novice-ness of Mac OS.

I have yet to see any compelling reason to "upgrade" from Win 7.

...a system designed to be used by more stupids day by day, will finally become to be used by the stupids, only!

as microsofts cancelled XP for all next releases, they will even faster reach this!

It is astonishing to see how many of such creed has been creeping in TSF threads in recent times ............

@Archean

The power of the Guest account in action...Don't need registration or come up with a username if all you want to do is post inanities.

From a personal PoV, Windows 8 beta will be a free download...not exactly the hardest job in the world to run a dual (or more) boot with the OS('s) you're already running...strange that the trolls can find fault with a free trial...and unbelieveable the number of "Guests" who already know everything about Win8.

all companies should join forces and make windows 1000 then we may not need to upgrade ever!

Launchy!

I use the start button a fair bit and as long as they keep the functionality thats OK but I realy dont see the point of removing the icon, as someone mentioned earlier it just confuses things, whats next hide the ie and wmp icons so you have to hover your mouse over certain blank points on the screen to activate them? seems silly IMO the start button deserves an icon just as any other app or folder does not to mention it helps define windows itself.

yea, but they dont make as much money.

Don't you think intel could come up with like a 4 NM processor if they tried? but then you skip sales.