Despite what many have been suggesting or hinting at, CNET reports the Windows 8.1 update will not give users the return of the famous Start button.
Windows announced on May 30 that the struggling 7-month-old operating system will be sticking to the principles of its tablet optimized tile system and not backtrack to the Start button menu. However, in order to prove that user's requests for something with some Start button functionality have not fallen on deaf ears, they've announced the "Start tip."
The tip will allow those who click on it to return to the Start screen in Windows 8.1. It will be located on the left hand side of the toolbar when users are working in the desktop mode and it will have the look of the newest Windows logo. When users are working in the tile screen, they'll have to hover their cursor over the lower left corner and wait for the tip to pop up.
Things won't be all bad for people who were crossing their fingers for the return of a Start button. The update gears itself significantly toward customization. In essence, users could rearrange the Start screen that the tip brings them to and have it work similar to a traditional Start button. It's unclear if this will give users the familiarity that they have been saying Windows 8 is lacking, however, Microsoft seems to be hoping that customization will quiet user's clamor for familiarity.
Some other features that will be pushed with the 8.1 update include allowing users to boot directly to the desktop menu, and to customize the look of their tile menu with new background colors and backgrounds, including ones with motion. Also, responding to complaints that the tiles were too easy to move accidentally, Windows 8.1 will force users to press and hold a tile with their finger or to right click in order to move tiles around on the desktop.
The general hope is that customizing their screens to fit the individual will replace the lack of familiarity that the new operating system had done away with in favor of a new, more modern look.
