14 DAY TRIAL // Believe it or not, some people can’t get over the lack of a Start button in Windows 8, even though more than five months have passed since the debut of Microsoft’s new operating system.
Research firm IDC rolled out a new report to show that PC shipments fell 13.9 percent in the first three months of the year, reaching a record low of 76.3 million units. Windows 8 is again the product to blame for this decline, with IDC explaining that the Start Screen remains one of the reasons why people decide to stay away from the new OS.
“While some consumers appreciate the new form factors and touch capabilities of Windows 8, the radical changes to the UI, removal of the familiar Start button, and the costs associated with touch have made PCs a less attractive alternative to dedicated tablets and other competitive devices. Microsoft will have to make some very tough decisions moving forward if it wants to help reinvigorate the PC market,” IDC analyst Bob O’Donnell said.
Unfortunately for those hoping to see a Start button getting back on Windows sometime in the future, that’s not going to happen, as Microsoft has already expressed its intention to focus solely on the Start Screen.
The company is currently working on Windows 8.1, internally known as Blue, which is a major upgrade for the existing Windows 8 that’s going to bring plenty of improvements, including some minor UI changes.
As we could all see in the leaked build that reached the web a few weeks ago, Windows 8.1 won’t bring back the Start button, but will instead bring some new customization options of the Start Screen, supposed to help users personalize this feature more easily.
Of course, third-party Start buttons continue to exist, so have a look on this list to pick the one that fits you the best.