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Microsoft 'U-turn' sees Start button back on Windows 8 | Microsoft 'U-turn' sees Start button back on Windows 8 |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Microsoft has confirmed a Start button is returning to the desktop mode's taskbar of its Windows 8 operating system. | Microsoft has confirmed a Start button is returning to the desktop mode's taskbar of its Windows 8 operating system. |
The lack of the facility - which had been in every previous version since Windows 95 - has been one of the most controversial aspects of the software. | The lack of the facility - which had been in every previous version since Windows 95 - has been one of the most controversial aspects of the software. |
However, it will not offer all the functionality previously associated with the feature. | However, it will not offer all the functionality previously associated with the feature. |
Instead it will bring users to the recently-introduced "Metro" interface. | Instead it will bring users to the recently-introduced "Metro" interface. |
"We've improved the way you navigate to Start with the mouse by changing the Start 'tip' to be the familiar Windows logo," the company said in a blog post. | "We've improved the way you navigate to Start with the mouse by changing the Start 'tip' to be the familiar Windows logo," the company said in a blog post. |
"The new tip appears anytime you move the mouse to the bottom left corner of the screen, and is always visible on the taskbar when on the desktop." | "The new tip appears anytime you move the mouse to the bottom left corner of the screen, and is always visible on the taskbar when on the desktop." |
On current versions of Windows 8, the start tip would only appear when users hovered their cursor over the lower-left corner of their screen. | On current versions of Windows 8, the start tip would only appear when users hovered their cursor over the lower-left corner of their screen. |
In the 8.1 update, the area will be more visible. | In the 8.1 update, the area will be more visible. |
A left-click on the tip will bring up a tile-based Start Screen - formerly known as the Metro interface - designed for touch-screen users. | A left-click on the tip will bring up a tile-based Start Screen - formerly known as the Metro interface - designed for touch-screen users. |
A right-click will display a small menu of other options such as Event Viewer, Device Manager and Disk Management. | A right-click will display a small menu of other options such as Event Viewer, Device Manager and Disk Management. |
Another change will allow users to boot their computers directly into desktop mode, meaning they can avoid ever using the Start Screen if they wish. | Another change will allow users to boot their computers directly into desktop mode, meaning they can avoid ever using the Start Screen if they wish. |
Many users had complained that ditching the traditional Start Menu and introducing the Start Screen had made the system less straight-forward to use, meaning businesses which adopted it would need to retrain staff. | Many users had complained that ditching the traditional Start Menu and introducing the Start Screen had made the system less straight-forward to use, meaning businesses which adopted it would need to retrain staff. |
'New Coke' | 'New Coke' |
Microsoft had been stung by claims that the expected reintroduction of a Start button would mark a major U-turn. | Microsoft had been stung by claims that the expected reintroduction of a Start button would mark a major U-turn. |
An article in the Financial Times described the move as one of the "most prominent admissions of failure for a new mass-market consumer product since Coca-Cola's New Coke fiasco nearly 30 years ago" - making reference to the soft drinks company's decision to ditch a new recipe after overwhelming customer dissatisfaction. | |
Microsoft later issued a statement saying it was "unfortunate" the FT did not represent the "good response to date on Windows 8." | Microsoft later issued a statement saying it was "unfortunate" the FT did not represent the "good response to date on Windows 8." |
A preview download of Windows 8.1 will be released to the public in June, and a final version before the end of the year. Both will be free of charge to existing users. | A preview download of Windows 8.1 will be released to the public in June, and a final version before the end of the year. Both will be free of charge to existing users. |
'A fudge' | 'A fudge' |
Chris Green, principal technology analyst for the Davies Murphy Group, told the BBC he did not think the change would be enough to silence the critics. | Chris Green, principal technology analyst for the Davies Murphy Group, told the BBC he did not think the change would be enough to silence the critics. |
"What they're proposing to do is a bit of a fudge. | "What they're proposing to do is a bit of a fudge. |
"It's the bare minimum to say they've addressed people's complaints while not having to really backtrack on anything." | "It's the bare minimum to say they've addressed people's complaints while not having to really backtrack on anything." |
He said Microsoft faced a challenge in being able to innovative with Windows while also keeping its vast user base comfortable. | He said Microsoft faced a challenge in being able to innovative with Windows while also keeping its vast user base comfortable. |
"When new operating systems come along, same with major applications, everything moves around. People hate it because they have to re-learn from scratch." | "When new operating systems come along, same with major applications, everything moves around. People hate it because they have to re-learn from scratch." |
Other changes that will appear to users running the update include: | Other changes that will appear to users running the update include: |
Follow Dave Lee on Twitter @DaveLeeBBC | Follow Dave Lee on Twitter @DaveLeeBBC |