If you have ever tried to use Windows 8, you will find that it is hard to get used to. Why? Because there is no start menu. Even shutting down Windows 8 can’t be challenging. There are so many ways to shutdown Windows 8, but the general public may find it hard to find one single way to shut it down. Just have a look at this video.
ZDNet Author Ben Woods however published an article last week titled “Removing Start for Windows 8 was the right thing todo”. However, reading his article, it was pretty flawed. Let’s analysis what Ben has said.
It’s now time, unless you plan to stop using Windows for the rest of your life, to get over it: the Start button is gone, and that’s a good thing.
Ok, we agree that it’s no longer there, but is it really a good thing? Did you not watch the video above?
Ben then discusses that people use the Start button to access different functions of the computer. Most people use it to open programs and change settings. Ben then says:
But that doesn’t make sense with a touchscreen. Think about it: let’s imagine Windows 8 did have a Start button in its desktop environment. Every time you wanted to find something via Start, you’d have to switch to the desktop view, tap in the Start search box, type in the name of what you’re looking for, and then select the right result from the dialogue window.
Hold one a sec Ben… Not everyone will be using Windows 8 on a touchscreen. Most people will be using it how they use Windows 7 – and that’s on a Desktop PC. First of all, if people are using Windows 8 in the Metro interface, why would they have to switch to Desktop view to open the application. Of course, that part is ridiculous as you can open programs in Metro. But when people are using a Desktop PC in Desktop Mode (because Metro is pointless with a mouse), how are people meant to open an application? Switch to Metro, then find the start menu? Now that sounds ridiculous, and that is how Windows 8 is configured to work.
Now think about the same process in Windows 8’s Metro environment: you can swipe from the right-hand side of the screen, tap the search ‘charm’ (icon) and start typing, and the results will appear right there in the main display space.
Again, not everyone will be using Windows 8 and a touchscreen. Who wants to swipe with their mouse left to right. And, how is that any easier that what Windows 7 offers? Click on the start menu and start typing. Oh wait, you don’t have to swipe.
The bonus of the search charm is that it does predictive matching. If you want to open Notepad up quickly, for example, you tap open the charm, start typing ‘N-O’ and it will display matching apps, whether these are desktop or Metro-style apps.
You call that a bonus? Windows 7 does that now.
The ‘flow’ around the way platforms are used is changing, and it’s not just Microsoft doing it. The BlackBerry 10 OS — although a very different beast — has a similar ethos in parts, with the emphasis firmly placed on not having to switch between applications to carry out tasks discretely.
Yeah, and have a look how that is working out for BlackBerry. With companies pulling out and using iPhone’s instead.
I’ve been using a Windows 8 tablet (alongside a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse, where necessary or appropriate) as my everyday computer for the last eight weeks or so. There’s nothing I’ve needed to do that is more complicated in Windows 8 than Windows 7, and there’s plenty that’s easier.
Now try using Windows 8 in a desktop environment and let us know how you go.
I won’t quote the rest of the article, because Ben tells the real truth about Windows 8 and all the problems. But he ends with:
There are proper things to moan about with Windows 8, but the lack of a Start button isn’t one of them.
I think it is.
About Ben Woods
With several years’ experience covering everything in the world of telecoms and mobility, Ben’s your man if it involves a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or any other piece of tech small enough to carry around with you.
You can read the original article over on ZDNet.
I’ve been using Windows 8 for a while now.
The good:
I found it find once I realised the whole “type and run” scenario worked. The indexing for the start menu seems faster than 7.
I do like the mail application, the minialist feel etc.
The file explorer is dramatically improved over 7, folders don’t take forever to load etc like they used to in 7. The file copy dialog when copying to external devices is handy for knowing when there is unexcepted downloads and seems they done file/copy optimisations to keep the speed up.
The tablet that runs Windows 8 pro coming out after the surface RT looks like a big improvement over the iPad etc, where you can run windows 7 apps.
Seems overall the performance of the OS has improved. They obviously not some optimisation work.
Things I wish they done differently:
make the metro apps just part of the desktop environment rather than feeling “separated” or have a option.
Wish they put in at least a “start menu’ representation, the place you click is the same as before. Even on tablet you need someplace to “click”
Wish the start menu was just another “window” area that didn’t dominate the entire screen. I don’t mind the tab feel though.
Hi Glen,
Windows 8, as an OS for a tablet, I think it’s great. I’ve used Windows 7 on a tablet, and I liked that better than the iPad, so Windows 8 is defiantly better.
Windows 8 as a desktop, there are a lot of issues. For example, getting from the desktop back to Metro is a challenge in itself, but once it has been learnt the issue goes away.
Clearly Microsoft needs some people who have studied Human Computer Interaction.
If Windows 8 did have a start menu in Desktop mode, I don’t think it would have had the backlash it is having now. I don’t think many people will be upgrading from Windows 7.
“Windows 7, the new XP”
It won’t be any problem if Microsoft let user to enable/disable Start button. It like forcing us to do, so I rather no do so. I will stay with Windows 7 in all of my company.
I have try and the most problem is when I connect to it with remote desktop, with laggy of remote system, it is very hard to access Start and Right panel to go to control panel. It make my work 10 times slower.
Nice work microsoft, boot up time or fancy function is only good for new user, when you get user to it the main function is the most important. Anyway, with SSD boot time is irrelevant.
I’ve actually got a Dell XPS12 with Windows 8. In fact, it’s not so bad. In time, you actually do get used to not having the start menu on the desktop. In fact, you use the Modern UI (Ie Start Screen) a lot more, like you would with an Android or iOS.
With more and more apps being developed for Windows 8, you really don’t need to use the Desktop at all.