Windows 8 Consumer Preview ditches the Start button
If the Start button falls off the Windows 8 taskbar, does it make a sound?
The Windows 8 Consumer Preview (the name they’ve placed on the public beta version) will be available for download soon, and there are plenty of changes on board. Some of them you’ve seen already, like the Metro Start Screen, the completely overhauled control panel, and the Windows Store. But there’s one new tweak that hasn’t been seen up to this point: the Start Button may be uprooted from the Windows taskbar.
Oddly, the corner where it once sat still retains some functionality. When you hover your mouse in the lower-left corner, the Windows 8 “Charms” will slide into view on the side of your display. Windows 7 introduced a similar feature that you might have noticed in the opposite corner: Peek. Park your mouse pointer to the right of the clock and all your open application windows go transparent so you can take a look at your desktop icons.
There’s an important difference between the two features, however. The right corner is slightly embossed, which gives users a hint that placing the mouse there might cause something to happen. The area where the Start Button (or Orb) used to reside is non-descript and looks just like an empty portion of the taskbar. With the Start button removed, there’s no indication that the corner is useful.
If this is a change that sticks, it’s one that is going to spark plenty of controversy — but that’s nothing new. The introduction of recently used programs on the Start Menu, the switch to the search box in Windows Vista, and the introduction of the Windows 7 “Superbar” were all hotly contested by the Windows faithful. Eventually, people got used to the updates. We’ve grown so accustomed to mousing to the left corner to click the Start Button that it’s possible — perhaps even likely — that most Windows 8 users will discover that there’s a hidden hotspot on their own.
Those of you who have downloaded the Windows 8 Developer Preview may have wondered if a bigger change was in the works. The way the Start Button functions had already changed quite drastically, with the Windows 7-style menu disabled by default — and replaced with an abbreviated Metro-style list of options.
Here’s what hovering the corner does in the Windows 8 Consumer Preview:
What do you think about the disappearing Start Button, Sync readers? Will its absence cause you any grief? Do you think there might be another reason for its removal — such as Microsoft making it a user-switchable option that can be disabled on Windows 8 tablets to prevent accidental presses? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments!
People will get used to it pretty quickly, no big deal.
I’m not sure about this. The first computer I owned ran Windows 3.11 and my present machine is running XP. Each transition to XP was fairly easy but my son came for a visit with a laptop running Windows 7, which I found a bit confusing when I spent 5 minutes trying to find and copy a simple image file. I don’t understand making cosmetic changes that are confusing to people upgrading versions unless they are necessary to provide the user with increased features and/or functionality. Why doesn’t Microsoft produce parallel lines of operating systems… one that caters to people who want their stuff in the cloud and one for people who like to keep their files local? I would prefer an operating system that made very light demands on CPU and RAM so more would be available for the applications I run.
I totally agree with you. Microsoft seem to putting all these BLOATED features which uses most of the system resources. They should stop with all the “eye candy” and make it fast and functional.
Will hitting the Windows key on the keyboard still do something? Or will PCs that come out with Windows 8 be absent of the Windows key?
This is my main concern. I’m so used to hitting the windows key and typing that I’ll be at a loss if I can’t do that navigation.
WHY cant they just announce that they have finally found a way to stop it from crashing all the time now THAT would be a new user friendly system
Windows 8 sounds ho hum for my laptop… and I am no lover of Microsoft, but at least they are trying to improve their offering… so my MS hostility has subsided as of late.
There does not appear to be any reason a person would upgrade to 8.
What I see Windows 8 is getting ready for Touch screens.
Microsoft is going in the wrong direction for my business, All I want is a plain simple interface for non geeks to use, Don’t want touch screens, or cloud, just a simple system. I have used windows 7, and I don’t want it, and nor will I want 8.
Anyone have new XP Pro licenses available. Thats what I still want to install. simple easy and effective without the gadgets.
Hey microsoft, LEAVE THINGS ALONE. I started with XP and got on to that OK. Then came vista which meant learning again and then I had to get a new computer which meant I went to 7 which is not as good as XP. Now windows 8 is coming out ! Do I look like a programmer ? Leave it alone, we just want something straightforward. If I can afford it I will switch to Mac to get away from your constant changes
Just thought I’d add that, for those concerned about the overuse of system resources just for making the system ‘look nice’, as with Vista and Windows 7 and presumably 8 as well, you can easily change the appearance and performance back to a Windows XP-like version. Simply go into the control panel>system and security>system>performance information and tools>adjust visual effects. In this screen, you want to change it from ‘Let Windows choose what’s best for my computer’ to ‘Adjust for best performance’. Or if you want you can manually pic and choose what to keep. Not as pretty but some may prefer it:). I loved XP, hated Vista and have to say, I really like 7. We’ll see about 8;)
I agree with Allan…Xp Pro is still great. They are putting in way to much fluff. Just give us a rock solid, stable operating system and leave the fluff to third party developers.
How will I start my computer if there is no START button on the screen?
Plug it in.
Have you guys considered switching to Linux?
Beside the fact that it’s free, it has become very user friendly and it allows you to use same or similar applications windows does, and even more.
It requires less resources than windows. It’s much more stable than windows.
It might be easier to get used to Linux than to Windows 8.
I have Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows , each on a different computer.
I much prefer WindowsXP and find the tampering with an already useful setup confusing. Why change the main Titles in the Control Panel? It adds to confusion. True, one can switch to the Classic view. But why the unecessary change?
In Vista and 7 the renamimg and relocating of useful icons is confusing.
As for taking away the Start button……now many useful guides and directions will have to change.
If it ain’t broke don’t fix it! Microsoft are simply creating a make-work situation for themselves and are NOT making things more user-friendly, in fact…….they are making things worse.
Buy a mac – problem solved.
I think its retarded to have an invisable icon.
Can’t comment until I get my hot little hands on them things. I will reserve the judgement until I work with it…. duh……!! I can’t just go by what you say. I will see it for myself.
Another reaseon to stay with Linux!
even if people get used to clicking on nothing,what is the point. Oh I know it must be to make computers even more unuser friendly than they already are espically to new users.
If it ain’t broke why fix it? Windows XP is simpler and less confusing than Vista and Windows 7. Why make things even worse? Microsoft are NOT making their OS more user-friendly, in fact, it is the reverse. By changing icons, titles and locations it becomes more confusing and annoying.
Microsoft are clearly creating make-work jobs for themselves but confusing the users. They believe we will simply accept and assimilate all the changes but many will NOT.
This is great news for Android. A simple common sense operating system that is stable, faster, and easier to use. Say good-bye Microsoft, you screwed up with Vista, and 8 will bury you. Whoever designed this had no consideration for the millions of users who need simple and easy to use. I have seen the launch, yikes Bill, Stevie is laughing at from up above, but no too hard because Android is a comin’
And no I do not work for Google but work with all three operating systems
Who needs the start button it’s right on the keyboard.