14 DAY TRIAL // Windows 10 brings back the Start menu on the desktop after an odd decision to remove it in Windows 8, but contrary to what people expected, the new version of this traditional feature comes with an improved UI, new features, and modern animations.
Back in October, when Microsoft rolled out the very first Windows 10 Technical Preview build, 9841, the Start menu came with a rather bland configuration, featuring a dull user interface, simple features, and no animations.
Needless to say, the resizing options were the most appreciated features, with many users asking Microsoft to keep them in the final version of Windows 10.
In build 10122, however, the Start menu is getting closer to the final form that we’ll all receive when upgrading to Windows 10, and Microsoft says that the design we’re seeing now is what the company has been aiming for ever since it started work on Windows 10.
Transparency, jump lists, and live tiles
The new Start menu available in build 10122 comes with a blur effect that makes it looks quite eye candy, perfectly fitting the dark theme that’s available by default in Windows 10.
The Start menu obviously comes with resizing options, just like insiders asked, so it can be adjusted just like you want to on your desktop.
Live tiles continue to be offered, but they come with a new 3D effect that again offers a modern touch to this concept.
One of the new features that are part of this release comes in the form of jump lists. Microsoft demoed them at BUILD 2015 in San Francisco, but with build 10122, they finally become available for everyone, thus bringing back a little bit of the Windows 7 smart approach.
The Start menu has evolved, there’s no doubt about it, and it now feels good, it works good, and it certainly looks good, but only time will tell if users still can’t get over the Windows 7 design and continue dreaming about a much simpler approach.
