Microsoft bids adieu to ‘Start Button’ on Windows 8 Consumer Preview
One of the most iconic hallmarks of Windows has always been its distinct ‘Start’ button, which was first introduced in Windows 95 way back in 1995. Well looks like this is the end of the era as Microsoft has eliminated the Windows Start Button from the consumer preview of the upcoming Windows 8. Screenshots of the near final version of the Windows 8 Consumer Preview were leaked by Chinese website PCBeta, which suggests the elimination of the ‘Start’ button from the desktop. Previously at the developer preview stage the ‘Start’ button was relegated to a minority feature with it acting like a buffer for people unfamiliar with the new UI direction Windows 8 was heading towards.
While this may be disturbing news for millions of Windows users throughout the world, TheVerge is reporting that Microsoft is hard at work at releasing a ‘Hot Corner’ which will act as a ‘Start’ button replacement providing easy access in Desktop and Metro UI modes working seamlessly with touch and mouse inputs. Microsoft will also retain the ‘SuperBar’ introduced in Windows 7, but this time around without the ‘Start’ button making it act more like the dock on ‘Mac OSX Lion’.
Clearly Microsoft is really working overtime to reinvent Windows, but one thing people hate is change and the elimination of the ‘Start’ button marks a massive change. Over the years ‘Start’ button has garnered many critics, including NYTimes tech columnist David Pogue who once famously suggested that Windows is so complicated that it is asks users to access the shut down command from a button called ‘Start’. While the new UI may get Microsoft the critical acclaim it has always sought, the move might backfire, as many people may not welcome the change.
