14 DAY TRIAL // The Start menu is likely to receive another refresh in the upcoming Windows Lite operating system.
For starters, Windows Lite is supposed to be a slimmed down version of Windows 10 that would be specifically supposed to compete against Chrome OS and be aimed at devices where Win32 software is not necessary.
Basically, Windows Lite would be an evolved version of Windows 10 in S Mode and Windows RT, technically allowing only apps from the Microsoft Store and without featuring any Win32 components.
While the experience in Windows Lite will be very similar to the one in Windows 10, it turns out that Microsoft is preparing some important changes for the Start menu, mostly in order to align with what customers expect from this feature.
Live tiles to get the ax?
In an analysis of live tiles published by WindowsCentral, it’s revealed that Windows Lite could come with a static Start menu that at some level could remind of the one in Windows 7. This Start menu wouldn’t feature live tiles, but only icons “as seen on iOS, Android, and Chrome OS.”
One of the reasons appears to be the fact that users aren’t actually big fans of the live tiles. Microsoft’s data shows that few people launch the Start menu to check out the live tiles, according to the report.
Of course, this is the result of live tiles themselves not being adopted en-masse by app developers, and many of the items that are published in the Microsoft Store do not come with this feature. Others only offer basic functionality, so despite being praised by users, live tiles never took off.
If Microsoft steps towards a static Start menu, it could be the beginning of the end for live tiles. Obviously, it remains to be seen if the same Start menu makes it to the other versions of Windows 10, but for now, it just seems like live tiles aren’t part of Microsoft’s long-term vision.