14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft brought back the Start button in Windows 8.1 Preview, but some users are pretty disappointed with the company’s own way of listening to customer feedback.
It’s all because the new Start button doesn’t launch a Start Menu, but instead gets users to the Start screen, as Microsoft claims that its live tile-based interface is much more useful than the feature it replaces.
And still, some users are still looking for the Start Menu, with several posts on Microsoft’s support forums asking for clarification in this case.
“Where is the Start menu? I click the Start button and I'm thrown into this gaudy tablet interface,” one user wrote.
Of course, Microsoft isn’t offering a statement on this, but the company would most likely emphasize that the Start screen should come in handy to most Windows 8 adopters, as it provides one-click access to all installed apps.
And some users pretty much agree with this strategy.
“While I still prefer the old Start menu, I'd rather see Microsoft add customizability and features to the Start Screen to alleviate a lot of the problems users have with it rather than ditch it altogether. If it didn't take up the whole screen and allowed users more organization options (beyond what's already available in 8.1), for example, I don't think as many people would hate it,” a forum member explained.
In the meantime, there are lots of third-party developers out there working on Start Menu apps, some of which have already received support for the new Windows 8.1 Preview.
As far as the operating system is concerned, word is that it would hit RTM sometime next month, while general availability is prepared for later this year. End users are expected to get the full OS in the next couple of months.