14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft is very likely to bring back the Start Menu in the next full Windows version, most likely to be called Windows 9, but it turns out that users actually don’t want such a feature in the operating system.
As we told you about a few weeks ago, it’s a bit surprising that one of the most requested features in Windows is no longer needed, especially after Microsoft itself admitted that it needs to do something to get closer to users.
In Windows 8, the lack of a Start Menu – Start button mix pushed users to Windows 7 or non-Windows operating systems, such as Ubuntu, with most people agreeing that without these features, Microsoft’s platform is difficult to use and confusing.
Microsoft has gradually reverted its decisions and decided to reintroduce the Start button in Windows 8.1. And still, this new feature doesn’t launch a Start Menu, but only gets users to the same controversial Start screen that’s more appropriate for touch-capable devices.
It appears that Microsoft has actually found a way to mix the Start button, the Start screen, and a new Start Menu, so they’re all going to be part of a new release scheduled to see daylight in early 2015. Windows 9 will thus be addressed at users hoping for a much friendlier working environment.
And still, we’re hearing from our users that a Start Menu isn’t quite needed in Windows 9, especially because the existing configuration does its job very well and such a feature would actually change the face of an otherwise modern and very effective operating system.
“Do you think that Microsoft has made the right decision by bringing back the Start button in 8.1? NO, NO and NO. Bringing it back is a huge step BACKWARDS. Third-party tools (freeware for most of them) do the job just fine so one should use them.” – TheBlueBear
“Agree completely. Do not bring back the Start Menu, ditch the Start button (though I do use it out of habit), and don't bother with running Metro in windows on the desktop. Instead, concentrate of porting as much as possible to the Modern side and beef up what is already there.” – Charms
“Start button is the most unorganized, unattractive and sluggish way to launch programs. It is good thing people are used to it but it is outdated.” – Zorror
“First of all, the desktop is a metro app by definition. Secondly there is a start button and a start menu already in Windows 8.1 (the latter also in Windows 8).” – Winlux
“Start button - Heck!! I don't think it is that necessary. Instead of Start>(folder)>program, Start>1-7 scrolls> program.” – Shivanath
“Is the start button in 8.1 the 'right' move? Well, it would help somebody that just saw the OS for the first time, but after the first week or so it really does not matter in the slightest. wonder if there is a way to make it disappear, I have gotten used to win 8's full desktop mode with nothing but things I find important on the bottom (metro is overall, not important to me... except the search, do like that as it saves time looking for that random specific file).” – Sleepy
“I have a win8 laptop w/o touch screen and is totally fine. Right click my mouse button to bring up menu from bottom of screen is totally natural. It took me about half an hour to get familiar with start screen and re-arrange those tiles to the way I want.” – WillyThePooh
“Do you think that Microsoft has made the right decision by bringing back the Start button in 8.1? no, it takes some space that can be used to pin another program.” – MEE2day
Probably the best way to shoot two birds with one stone is to bring the Start Menu back, but also offer options to disable it and stick to the standard Windows 8 look. This way, everyone would be happy, even though it’s pretty clear that the success of Windows 9 depends on many other factors besides this.