I think you missed the REAL news item here:

he explained that users would be able to find apps via the menu. Users would also be able to run Modern (aka "Metro") apps within windows on the desktop.

The dual interface where you can't run apps on the desktop is the deal breaker. That's what's truly wrong with Win 8, not the start menu everyone bellyaches about.

Fix apps to run as windows on the desktop and you might strike a home run.

Problem is, it took them so long to realize their mistakes, they didn't listen to beta testers or early Win 8 customers, the damage done is irreparable.

All MS did was chase people away to Apple and Android.

The shareholders should fry everyone involved with Win 8.

Hmmm, call me a simpleton, but how difficult is it to produce on the same CD two distinctly different versions? Yes, I buy the real deal.

a) Mobile, Apps, Tablet or whatever you kids call the latest "all swinging, all dancing, Mickey Mouse thingy"

b) A fully functional up-to-date 32/64 bit "No Frills" Desktop version?

Before any of you get all "smarty pants? I can well recollect on a very ancient forum, on a very ancient internet, in the days of Windows 3.1, when a very smart fellow developed an application for Win 3.1 [Oops! shouldn't that be "App" in today's vernacular?].

Yep, you could quarantine Mr. Microsoft's "bloat", and then later optionally delete files never - ever used.

Back in the days RAM and HD space were at a premium!

Do they NEVER learn?

Yes I'm probably an old curmudgeon - but I have both feet on the ground.

Windows is not that important to Microsoft. Most of their money comes from Office and most people that buy office are going to get windows no matter what. I bet Windows is free in the near future.

All MS did was chase people away to Apple and Android.

Really? When did you last see an office full of Macs or Android machines?

It's not chased people away from Windows, imho, it's made them want to hang on to their old (XP and Win7) machines.

Most home users I know are hanging on to see what happens. I know, that's not a good solution, but the alternatives are not providing them with a solution either.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Microsoft made a mistake by going too far away from the familiar UI and providing no alternative. We'll see after this update if they've given consumers enough to make the switch.

@Ogletree I can see complete sense in making Windows OS free. The real money is made from the apps (Applications) and ongoing fees to use cloud-based services.

Install classic shell and the problem is fixed.

>Install classic shell

The average user would have no idea how to do that.

It's not chased people away from Windows, imho, it's made them want to hang on to their old (XP and Win7) machines.

Pretty much. I pulled info from NetMarketShare's OS Share tool (no affiliation) and it seems that people who are abandoning XP and Vista are pretty evenly split between adopting 7 and 8. However, a recent drop in XP has a correlating spike in 7 adoption which must have Microsoft worried. If 8 had a good reputation, you'd expect most of the new upgrades to be there. It's also interesting that 7's market share growth has recently out-paced 8. It's pretty clear that more Windows 7 computers sold over Christmas 2013 than Windows 8 computers.

I think a big reason for the new start menu "feature" in 8 is that XP's EOL is in four days. If all those XP people see 8 and don't like it because there's no start bar, they will be heading right into 7.

Interestingly, XP still commanded a 27.69% market share in March. That's more than double the share of Win 8. In four days all those people will be feeling the push to go somewhere. It'll be interesting to see where they choose.

Interestingly, XP still commanded a 27.69% market share in March. That's more than double the share of Win 8

That will dissipate in time. The biggest users of XP seem to be government and the corporate world where their IT specialists know full well they have no alternative choice other than to bite the bullet and upgrade. Most office desktops/laptops/notebooks there are leased. When the lease is upgraded? Hello Win 8.1

On the mass domestic retail scene, everything is Win 8.1 now. The consumer only knows they have a new PC and go with the flow.

Recycled PC's [ex government/corporate lease] in Australia at a minimum will have Win 7 installed.

XP, is effectively extinct for the majority - discounting grandma's using hand me down machines for email and games.

Since Windows Vista I've not really seen much use for the Start Menu. I'm still puzzled as to why this is an issue for anyone with any PC savvy. Your hands never need to leave the keyboard...Windows key + start typing what you're looking for...

Keyboard guys will always find the work around... we need it because it's what we do?have done for 50+years. Those mouse types, however, never were strong on the keyboard. And so comfortable is that little rat in the palm of the hand that letting go to stroke a screen... well, that's just perverse! :)

Other problems were getting a true desktop... Metro and the touch concept was a big change. Perhaps a change too far.

Really? When did you last see an office full of Macs or Android machines?

It's not chased people away from Windows, imho, it's made them want to hang on to their old (XP and Win7) machines.

this and this...... productive people people aren't doing their everyday work on some android device, to think such a thing is just living in a bubble.

maybe you do, but you are the few.... and everyday people checking facebook, email, and getting directions don't count.

lots of people live face first into some small screen, but they aren't getting REAL work done.

Since Windows Vista I've not really seen much use for the Start Menu. I'm still puzzled as to why this is an issue for anyone with any PC savvy

its an issue for the blogs, and the people that read such things

Windows key + start typing what you're looking for...

For many people this method is counterintuitive.

They already know where it is, they just want to access it.

There is more than one way to skin a cat.

And they already have a hand on the mouse.

...

I work in the US government, our agency is in the process of upgrading to Windows 7 for all users (from XP) - hope to finish by the end of the (calendar) year.

Windows 8 was not a serious consideration - we are not going to re-train 100,000 users on how to use the OS. At least not until that is the only possible option available.

we are not going to re-train 100,000 users on how to use the OS. At least not until that is the only possible option available.

Exactly. That's where Microsoft made their mistake and why I think adoption has been so low.

@dcheney I agree.
Training of one person with a home computer is usually a case of just spending time to learn. It's still a huge frustration.
Training 100,000 users is a massive cost, whatever the change to the OS and programs.

I'm intrigued to know how this latest update is going to look.