8.1 update 1 return of the start menu

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toyonut

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#143097 3-Apr-2014 10:45

Hopefully this is not a late april fools prank by ITnews.com.au, but the start menu is coming back.
Look at it here.

Wow, much cool, so start. Also we are finally getting "windowed" 8 apps. No more explaining to our users that they have to go to the top of the screen until it turns to a hand and then drag to the bottom of the screen, then getting the look of derision from staff about how stupid that is. This is the big one for me.

Now if MS could just roll out Surface firmware updates via WSUS, I would be so happy.

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#1017726 3-Apr-2014 10:48

Really hoping this is distributed by WSUS. If I have to build another 8.1 enterprise image like I did because 8->8.1 enterprise was not a supported upgrade path like all the other windows editions, I will probably crawl into a corner and just rock back and forth crying. Having to roll out a whole new image to all staff is much too painful to contemplate.

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reven

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#1017742 3-Apr-2014 11:04

I found this more interesting in that article

Windows will be free - for phones and tablets

Microsoft announced it will provide Windows for free to smartphone and tablet manufacturers in an effort to catch up with Google's Android and Apple's iOS operating systems.

I wonder if thats true or not...

vexxxboy

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#1017749 3-Apr-2014 11:11

April 8th it's meant to be ready for download.

Common sense is not as common as you think.

ajobbins

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#1017775 3-Apr-2014 11:39

OK this might just be enough for me to move to Windows 8. Was planning on rebuilding my machine this weekend anyway with a new SSHD.

What is the most cost effective way to obtain a licence?

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#1017784 3-Apr-2014 11:53

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gjm

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#1017789 3-Apr-2014 11:56

the article has been updated to say that the start menu is coming back at some stage but not with update 1. No biggy for me as Ive gotten used to life without it. Only miss it every now and again. Still wouldnt roll it out at work in its current form though.

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#1017791 3-Apr-2014 11:57

reven: I found this more interesting in that article

Windows will be free - for phones and tablets Microsoft announced it will provide Windows for free to smartphone and tablet manufacturers in an effort to catch up with Google's Android and Apple's iOS operating systems.
I wonder if thats true or not...

Official blog:

http://blogs.windows.com/windows/b/bloggingwindows/archive/2014/04/02/thoughts-on-day-1-of-build-2014.aspx

"To accelerate the creation of great mobile devices running Windows and grow our number of users, we announced today that Windows will be available for 0 dollars to hardware partners for Windows Phones and tablets smaller than 9” in size. This offering also enables hardware partners to provide their customers a one-year subscription to Office 365. These steps will help our partners to deliver the rich experience of Windows plus best-in-class hardware, software and services to consumers at affordable prices."

Giving a 1 yr subscription to Office 365 makes more sense to Microsoft than the current free Office 2013 Home & Student on Windows tablets.

nathan

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#1017799 3-Apr-2014 12:09

Update 1 has announced today and is available for download to MSDN/TechNet right now

we have demoed a future Windows 8.1 Update that will allow people to turn on an improved "Hunt & Peck" start menu if that's what users want, and it adds Modern apps running in a Windows, again if that's what you want

we have also shrunk down the install footprint down to 1GB Ram/16GB disk, which is 62% less space than required on a X86 tablet today. This will allow OEMs to reduce the price point of their Windows tablets

Windows 8.1 Update - Release Dates
April 3rd WU package to MSDN/TechNet
April 9th WU package goes live (updates for existing Windows 8.1 customers)
April 15th Full media published on VL (will publish earlier if possible)

For Windows 8.1 Update we are delivering
-Internet Explorer Compatibility
-Refined user experience for desktop/mouse users
-Support for low cost & the latest hardware
-Extended Mobile Device Management
-Easier deployment

toyonut

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#1017806 3-Apr-2014 12:30

So we are not getting start menu or windowed apps with update 1? Those are in a future update?
Boot to desktop was already there, so not sure why the article made a big deal about it.

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nathan

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#1017812 3-Apr-2014 12:42

the start menu is not in Update 1

Boot to desktop is mentioned as its on by default on a non-touch device (this can be changed by an OEM)

Also things like the default photo/video viewer for inside the desktop loads up in the desktop inside of modern interface

robjg63

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#1017816 3-Apr-2014 12:49

The video is hilarious!
I got bored around 1m45s - but (horribly paraphrasing):
'Look at the great things we are giving you' - you bloody took them away in the first place!
'Boot into the desktop because some people dont have touchscreens' - yes - all your existing customer base!
'A lovely close application X icon' - Great!! hmm - seen that before somewhere - oh yes - it was windows!!!

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nathan

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#1017818 3-Apr-2014 12:55

robjg63: The video is hilarious!
I got bored around 1m45s - but (horribly paraphrasing):
'Look at the great things we are giving you' - you bloody took them away in the first place!
'Boot into the desktop because some people dont have touchscreens' - yes - all your existing customer base!
'A lovely close application X icon' - Great!! hmm - seen that before somewhere - oh yes - it was windows!!!

A lesson on how to admit you were wrong without admitting you were wrong....

go talk to a retailer like Noel Leeming, they hardly sell any PCs that are not touch

Also not sure why you're bagging Windows 8, if you don't have a reason to use it (mobility, touch, security, speed etc) don't use it. Windows 7 is still a great OS on non touch device

reven

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#1017820 3-Apr-2014 13:03

nathan:
robjg63: The video is hilarious!
I got bored around 1m45s - but (horribly paraphrasing):
'Look at the great things we are giving you' - you bloody took them away in the first place!
'Boot into the desktop because some people dont have touchscreens' - yes - all your existing customer base!
'A lovely close application X icon' - Great!! hmm - seen that before somewhere - oh yes - it was windows!!!

A lesson on how to admit you were wrong without admitting you were wrong....

go talk to a retailer like Noel Leeming, they hardly sell any PCs that are not touch

Also not sure why you're bagging Windows 8, if you don't have a reason to use it (mobility, touch, security, speed etc) don't use it. Windows 7 is still a great OS on non touch device

nathan I know you work for microsoft so have to defend them, but robjg63 is right IMO.

i like windows 8 for the most part (task manager, file copy, faster booting), so have reasons to upgrade. but i have no touch screen computers, most people wouldnt have touch screen computers (that might change in 5 years or so, but right now im sure thats an accurate statement).

windows 8 is great, they just got a few things wrong, at least theyre addressing them.

robjg63

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#1017824 3-Apr-2014 13:08

nathan:
robjg63: The video is hilarious!
I got bored around 1m45s - but (horribly paraphrasing):
'Look at the great things we are giving you' - you bloody took them away in the first place!
'Boot into the desktop because some people dont have touchscreens' - yes - all your existing customer base!
'A lovely close application X icon' - Great!! hmm - seen that before somewhere - oh yes - it was windows!!!

A lesson on how to admit you were wrong without admitting you were wrong....

go talk to a retailer like Noel Leeming, they hardly sell any PCs that are not touch

Also not sure why you're bagging Windows 8, if you don't have a reason to use it (mobility, touch, security, speed etc) don't use it. Windows 7 is still a great OS on non touch device

I am not bagging windows 8 - do you work for Microsoft?

The point is that when windows 8 came out they managed to annoy quite a chunk of the existing user base - they are now gradually implementing the very things that many users/testers asked for when windows 8 was rolling out for testing. The beta testers mostly did not have touchscreens available.

Yes - windows 7 is still a great OS - but will be killed earlier than windows 8 - its older - so there is generally some point going for the latest OS - as you say speed/security etc.

These 'new features' should have been in from release date - not being retro fitted now.

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nathan

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#1017827 3-Apr-2014 13:11

sure thing. on my non touch machines, I never really spend any time in Modern environment at all

On my tablet I'm in and out of it all day as I walk around between meetings, out on the road etc

But the flexibility/openness of the Windows platform means you can essentially turn off Modern environment, there's a plethora of utilities, you can add the start menu back by right clicking, adding a new toolbar

agree most people don't have touch screens today

Most new devices are touch though

Some of our biggest Windows fans are diehard keyboard and mouse users, just like you and me. we listened to their feedback. So while we think touch is the future, for people using a PC without touch or folks who just prefer to mouse/keyboard we made Windows 8.1 Update easier

I think this is the sign of a company that is listening, that is reacting that wants to please people

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