Windows 9 To Win Over Windows 7 Users, Disables Start Screen For Desktop 681
DroidJason1 writes One of Microsoft's main goals with Windows 9, the next major version of Windows, is to win over Windows 7 hold outs. The operating system will look and work differently based on hardware type. Microsoft is looking to showcase the desktop for desktop and laptop users, while two-in-one devices like the Surface Pro or Lenovo Yoga will support switching between the Metro interface and the classic desktop interface. The new desktop will allow Modern UI apps to run in windowed mode, and have Modern UI apps pinned to the Start Menu instead of a Start Screen. There will also be a mini-start menu. Microsoft is looking to undo the usability mistakes it made with Windows 8 for those who are not on a touch device. WIndows 9 is expected around spring of 2015.
Re:One switch to rule them all? (Score:4, Interesting)
Given that it has been their standard for seven years and over three iterations of Office, I don't think they have any plans to undo it.
You can just customize it though, just add your commonly used tasks to the home tab of the ribbon and you're set.
Re:Why didn't they just listen to users? (Score:4, Interesting)
Sinofsky happened, that's why. I'm sure there were people who raised red flags internally prior to Windows8's release, but Sinofsky was so hellbent on making MS a "devices & services" company that he ignored any feedback that didn't mesh with his vision.
Now he's gone, and MS has to undo his mess and spin it as innovation... So now we see MS shills writing things like this FTFA:
In order to do this, Microsoft is working on including in Threshold lots of new features specifically aimed at "desktop" users, meaning those who interact primarily with their Windows computing device from a desktop or laptop PC with mouse/keyboard and optional touch.
Note how "desktop" is in quotes as if this group is a fringe subset of its users instead of the 95% of its users who were completely alienated.
Re:One switch to rule them all? (Score:5, Interesting)
I have to say that seeing people with no computer experience learn both. The ribbons are better. People grasped complex workflows easier, effecience was improved, and the learning curve was significantly reduced. Is this anecdotal? Yes. But I stand by it.
I skipped Windows 7... (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:Umm, ctrl+c/ctrl+v? (Score:2, Interesting)
On a high resolution touch screen, the metro interface (not the apps, those suck so bad in their own right...) is way way better than attempting to navigate through a bunch of scrolling and pop-out menus. Using a mouse, the scrolling and pop-out menus still suck (they always have, look back at the complains about why can't Windows 98/XP do better) and I think the metro 'start menu' is slightly better. Using a keyboard, the traditional start menu is better.
I'm on a Surface Pro, I've used both interfaces in multiple ways. I prefer categories like the linux menus, but 3rd party for-profit companies have never worked together for that.
Re:Touch Server (Score:4, Interesting)
It will allow you to shut down the server by pounding your head against the touchscreen equipped monitor.
Re:I won't upgrade. (Score:4, Interesting)
I do think they care about hardware OEM's shipping old versions of their OS.
That seems to be one area where Microsoft have actually been successful so far. I know a handful of friends and family who have bought new desktop/laptop PCs since Windows 8 was released. The ones actually running Windows 8 are those who didn't have a reasonable alternative, because what they bought came with version 8 preinstalled by the manufacturer and for one reason or another upgrading to Windows 7 wasn't a practical option. Several of them have been extremely vocal about their views on Windows 8, which are typically not things you would repeat in polite company, but buying a good laptop that even has the option of Windows 7 preinstalled instead of 8 now seems very difficult, at least here in the UK.