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Microsoft experiments ahead of Windows 8's public beta, is the Start button going the way of the dodo?
As we draw closer to the Windows 8 public beta this month, we've come to learn many different details of what Microsoft is cooking behind the scenes in the new OS, which is expected to debut in final form by the end of this year.
The latest tidbit, it's being reported that in the most recent Windows 8 build leaked to the web, Microsoft has tweaked the traditional desktop mode by removing the signature Windows orb button from the taskbar.
Traditionally known as the Start button, this quick access menu debuted in Windows 95 and has remained a central piece of the operating system's user interface since. The button was stylized as an orb in Windows Vista and Windows 7, and on earlier builds of Windows 8 it'd been replaced by a plain looking square that went in line with some of the new UI elements and Metro interface language.
Functionality will remain however - or at least that's how it's working on the leaked build - but instead of clicking on a button you need to move your mouse over the bottom left corner of the screen and the Start menu will pop up. Who knows, maybe the change makes sense and it simply works best like this once you get used to it.
Nonetheless, it's evident the primary focus will be on the Start screen (Metro-based dashboard), leaving the traditional desktop view as a necessary leftover interface as most applications will be depending on it when the OS launches.
Other new and upgraded elements of Windows 8 that have been uncovered in the past few months include changes to Explorer, mobile broadband and WiFi connection interface enhancements, new refresh and reset options, a smoother setup experience, built-in device synchronization, and more.
User Comments: 40
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I have yet to see any compelling reason to "upgrade" from Win 7.
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...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!
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It is astonishing to see how many of such creed has been creeping in TSF threads in recent times ............
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@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.
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all companies should join forces and make windows 1000 then we may not need to upgrade ever!
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pinothyj said:
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?
Launchy!
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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.
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all companies should join forces and make windows 1000 then we may not need to upgrade ever!
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.
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I don't know about others, but I rarely use the start button, mostly because I am used to organize shortcuts in folders placed on desktops, e.g. for applications 'Apps', for internet related software it is 'Net Utils' etc. etc. So I think if it is to go away, it won't bother me in any significant way. However, for a 'less savvy' user it could pose a problem.
So instead of two clicks to get your program loaded (one for Start and one for your program) from being pinned to your start menu, you made it "easier" by having to click 4 times to get it loaded.
2 clicks to open folder, and 2 clicks to execute. *facepalm*
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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?
How is that better than using one hand on the mouse with less clicks/button presses? Let me answer that for you. It's not.
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There is an option called "Single Click to Open an Item" ..... now you do the click counting again.
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How is that better than using one hand on the mouse with less clicks/button presses? Let me answer that for you. It's not.
Because you type Win+V+"ste" a lot faster than anything you can do with the mouse. When you can type as fast as I can it makes a lot of sense.
Also, there is no need to be so snarky as you are only embarrassing yourself?
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Because you type Win+V+"ste" a lot faster than anything you can do with the mouse. When you can type as fast as I can it makes a lot of sense.
Also, there is no need to be so snarky as you are only embarrassing yourself?
Not embarrassed at all. Your method isn't faster or more productive than single clicking on an icon (manually) pinned to start menu, or the desktop for that matter to load a program, especially if your method needs the use of two hands versus a method that only requires one finger on one hand, so try again.
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Opening a pinned program to start menu takes two clicks, and yes using shortcuts take both hands but it is much faster for power users especially who have been using PCs since the days of DOS, e.g. I can type Win+R CMD faster than scrolling through start menu. People make choices which they feel suites them, so I don't see any substantive advantage in any one method for everyone TBH.
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Opening a pinned program to start menu takes two clicks, and yes using shortcuts take both hands but it is much faster for power users especially who have been using PCs since the days of DOS, e.g. I can type Win+R CMD faster than scrolling through start menu. People make choices which they feel suites them, so I don't see any substantive advantage in any one method for everyone TBH.
Power users are the minority, hence the complaints.
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