[PCWorld]

Post your comments for Microsoft Thwarts Start Button Hacks as New Windows 8 Build Launches here

[TsarNikky]

Instead of focusing on making a truly universal Operating System--equally useful for smartphones, tablets, laptops and desktops, now MS will have to devote time and energy fighting off people who are trying to fix MS's errors, omissions, and mistakes. So sad. (The third-party developers will win, as they will give users what they want.)

[JustinSalvato]

TsarNikky, on 31 May 2012 - 07:07 AM, said:

Instead of focusing on making a truly universal Operating System--equally useful for smartphones, tablets, laptops and desktops, now MS will have to devote time and energy fighting off people who are trying to fix MS's errors, omissions, and mistakes. So sad. (The third-party developers will win, as they will give users what they want.)

Not everyone, myself included, thinks Microsoft is making a mistake by not allowing some legacy code.

The Start screen is the new Start menu.

[JordanLister]

I'll be sticking with 7, thanks.

[JohnUSA]

Microsoft is stupidly acting like a big bully and very stubborn.
I will not use Windows 8 and I am sure many others will do the same.
That means Windows 8 will fail to be adopted by current desktop users, and Microsoft will be a huge loser with this unfriendly and abysmal new OS.

[immortalsly]

I think the Metro interface will work well on tablets. The big buttons and finger-friendly aspect seems very engaging. On the desktop, I'm less convinced. Most people are not going to have touch-capable monitors and will be using Win8 with a mouse. I have a hard time visualize using a mouse to "swipe" things around.

Having said that, Paul Thurrot's comments, like all bloggers, should be taken with a grain of salt. He might be right. He might be wrong. And who's to say that ViStart won't fix whatever Microsoft broke when the Preview is released? Too early to tell.

[Hemo2]

Microsoft is clueless. No wonder everyone wants a stupid "iXXX" device.

There's probably one a$$$ole at Microsoft that has an ego problem and come hell or highwater, he's ready to burn down the Windows product line instead of admitting millions of people will absolutely hate the disfunctional Metro interface and to offer a functional Start Menu like in Windows 7 would be to admit he was wrong about what his customer base wants.

When it comes to "options", Microsoft completely doesn't get it.

[JakeTerry]

Start Screen > Start Menu

[ByronKnight]

I will withhold final judgment until I actually see the Release Preview, but if I can't make Win8 act the way I want it to, I can damn sure make Linux do it. Goodbye M$.

[MikeGilmer]

Ubuntu made the same mistake in its latest linux release and drove away users. Microsoft will drive users to linux and MacOSX in droves if it keeps this up. This is why I still use XP Pro.

[Dudeman44]

Forcing the Metro interface in the home PC is one thing, but getting corporate users and IT departments to accept is another. I think they're shooting themselves in the foot.

[Boletusedulis]

Further proof that the main purpose of Win 8, beside running dumbed-down gadgets and toys, is to get Vista and XP users to go out and buy Win 7.

Oooh! Look, big squares with pretty colors and cute icons!!! I'm going to go fondle my LCD now.

[DannyHooverdoqz]

Most people are so use to the Start button being the norm that they refuse to accept change.
Just like when XP came on the scene people refused it and wanted to keep 2000 and 98.
In all honesty I would say 80% or more never use the Start button as they're first click is to open a Browser.
Deal with it people. You can keep using XP, Vista and 7 until their end date. Then you'll have a new OS by then.

[Boletusedulis]

Windows 8 has, has..., it's got... eee-leck-tro-lites!

[BThorn]

Another reason to not "upgrade" (snicker) to Windows 8. Those reasons are really piling up now.

[BThorn]

DannyHooverdoqz, on 31 May 2012 - 09:07 AM, said:

In all honesty I would say 80% or more never use the Start button as they're first click is to open a Browser.

And this estimate is based on... what? The ever popular "80% of all statistics are made up on-the-spot?"
So no Start Button anymore. How does one quickly get to favorite non-Metro programs, like Photoshop, Quicken, or Family Tree Maker?
Microsoft is being idiotic about this. If they want Metro, offer Metro. But a simple Preference setting to boot to Metro or boot to Desktop should be simple and available.
Win8? No thanks, I'll be sticking with Win7.

[BulldogXX]

I'll definitely give Windows 8 a pass. Why should I use an OS that actively fights my desktop computer?

Mind you, it will be amusing to see how much screaming and jumping up and down Ballmer has to do to beg developers, to say nothing of money changing hands.

[ChrisLozeau]

MikeGilmer, on 31 May 2012 - 08:55 AM, said:

This is why I still use XP Pro.

Why not Windows 7? XP is over a decade old. Move on, man. 7 is a good OS.

[KWierso]

BThorn, on 31 May 2012 - 09:17 AM, said:

So no Start Button anymore. How does one quickly get to favorite non-Metro programs, like Photoshop, Quicken, or Family Tree Maker?

Go to the start screen and click the big "Photoshop", "Quicken", or "Family Tree Maker" button?
Hit the Windows key on the keyboard and start typing "Photoshop", "Quicken", or "Family Tree Maker" then hit Enter?
Pin the program's icon to the Desktop's taskbar the first time you run it and then start it from there in the future?

[Schism]

Looks like MSFT is repeating the Vista mistake; if they create an OS people don't want to use, they won't. Why switch from Win7? Usability is key, not management desire.