Start Menu to Return in “Threshold”?

Might have a start menu and apps in windows

Published on December 10, 2013 By DrJBHL In Personal Computing

“Threshold” is rumored to be the next in the coming waves of Windows updates…especially since “W8" and “Blue” were welcomed less than enthusiastically.

This upcoming version is rumored – rumored to have a functional Start Menu, although no one can really verify this. Logically, it would seem to be the smart thing to do…something like Start 8 would be a true blessing.

There are also those who believe it will have ModernMix’s app in a window functionality for users of Windows.Next. Mary Jo Foley who has blogged (ZDNet, c|net, etc.) on MS for…well, forever believes this update will be coming in the spring of 2015 (which in Microsoftese means summer or later). The rumor also has it that the OS will be cross platform (XBox One, phones, tablets, laptops and desktops) – no surprise there.

There will also be a spring “Update 1” to Windows 8.1 in spring, 2014…with the Windows Phone 8.1.

Also rumored to be in that update is a unified set of dev tools and a single unified app store.

So, MS could surprise us yet in a retreat from “full blown” W8/W8.1. That retreat would definitely help a sluggish PC market and help get W8/8.1/Threshold into the home and workplace.

Sources:

http://www.neowin.net/news/start-menu-may-return-with-windows-threshold-update

http://www.neowin.net/news/following-blue-threshold-is-the-next-wave-of-windows-updates

http://www.zdnet.com/microsoft-codename-threshold-the-next-major-windows-wave-takes-shape-7000023832/

Comments (Page 6)

Jafo

on Dec 16, 2013

Raiddinn

reply 75

I think if OEMs offered XP, 95, or even Windows 3.1 as possible OSs out of the box there would be some people that would want those.

This one machine has 2 installs of 7 Ult 64, 1 of Vista Ult, 2 XP Pro, 2 98 se, and an 8 RTM.

It's not the only computer I have.....the laptop came with 7 Ult 64 ...now has 8. Another machine has XP Pro, and 7 Ult 32, another has 7 Pro 32 and the last has XP Home.

Probably a few more OS's than the average user....kinda makes GUI comparisons a regular thing....

LightStar

on Dec 16, 2013

Jafo

reply 76

Quoting Raiddinn, reply 75I think if OEMs offered XP, 95, or even Windows 3.1 as possible OSs out of the box there would be some people that would want those.

This one machine has 2 installs of 7 Ult 64, 1 of Vista Ult, 2 XP Pro, 2 98 se, and an 8 RTM.

It's not the only computer I have.....the laptop came with 7 Ult 64 ...now has 8. Another machine has XP Pro, and 7 Ult 32, another has 7 Pro 32 and the last has XP Home.

Probably a few more OS's than the average user....kinda makes GUI comparisons a regular thing....

Wow!

DrJBHL

on Dec 16, 2013

Jafo

reply 74

Quoting Raiddinn, reply 72Does MSFT have a history of asking users before doing things in upcoming OSs that I don't know about?

Probably.

The reality all change [until Metro] had been evolutionary not revolutionary. An interface designed specifically for a touch screen as 'first function' should never have been forced on people with 8. That is why 8 is a commercial flop.

Alphas...pre betas...betas....all the 'stuff' before the RTM is when silliness is cleared out of an OS. This time either people were blind-sided by their attempt to create a universal interface for ALL machines and dropped the ball....or MS simply said 'fuck-you we're doing what we want' and are now paying the price.

Paraphrasing Churchill, "Microsoft always does the right thing, after trying everything else."

Jafo

on Dec 16, 2013

DrJBHL

reply 78

Paraphrasing Churchill, "Microsoft always does the right thing, after trying everything else."

LOL...exactly, Doc...

benmanns

on Dec 17, 2013

Jafo

reply 70

Quoting benmanns, reply 69The OS can be operated the way it is, and if folks don´t like it then they should pay or stick with windows7 or whatever they have.

That's what people are doing....and 'IF' stores could still give the option to customers to have a computer with either there'd be many LESS 8 OS's in the wild.

Once an office/workplace 'virtual monopoly' has indoctrinated/brain-washed its user base into one system of OS/GUI over decades they [should] have an undertaking/responsibility to introduce any changes 'gently' AND with an option to 'opt out'.

Ok my apologies i didn´t think about the office computers i was mainly speaking for home computing
I see how it could possibly confuse people to have The Windows8 start, but that confusion is normally gone if you use it for a single week.
You can ask BK he used NT-Win7, he was used to it, and if he managed to adopt pressing a “windows key” instead of clicking a button then everyone else can as well. (It isn’t pretty but hey it’s definitely clear and for me it is by far easier to spot what I’m looking for.
Therefore it shouldn´t be too hard to teach your employees the same, Modernmix would be way more important.

In fact its the tool that i would miss the most besides my WB and Iconpackager.

DrJBHL

on Dec 17, 2013

benmanns, you have to take into account the "lowest common denominator"...someone working in an office who doesn't care about how things look, or how they work. They only care about getting it done efficiently and as quickly as possible.

That's why W8 for business will have to have a W7 style desktop or a way to get things done quickly... They're used to XP or W7, so that's why Start8 and ModernMix type displays will be necessary in W8/Threshold/W9... however it will be called.

Not many businesses will have a week 'to get used to things' (if then).

They would be far wiser to add Start8 and ModernMix and give a couple of training sessions.

Also, don't forget inertia. MS won't admit defeat easily, and "fixing W8" or coming up with W9 won't be easy.

Jafo

on Dec 17, 2013

Yes, Doc's right...the lowest common denominator...the general user.

MS 'arbitrarily' decides to change Windows [to match some idiot phone interface] and imposes upon each and every public commercial entity/user to SPEND time/money/effort re-educating their workforce.

I'm pretty damn sure I didn't see MS front those companies, etc. to offer to cover the costs they incurred.

No, they didn't...and that's yet another good reason E-I-G-H-T is MS's new way to spell F-A-I-L.

Seleuceia

on Dec 17, 2013

DrJBHL

reply 81

They would be far wiser to add Start8 and ModernMix and give a couple of training sessions.

If they have to give training sessions with SD software, doesn't that defeat the whole point?

harpo99999

on Dec 17, 2013

seleuceia, without the sd software it would probably be a couple of WEEKS of training sessions for each employee including the managers (and the managers would probably NEED an additional month or two) and several months of heavily (3 to 4 times) increased support desk workload due to the major change of interface.

harpo

DrJBHL

on Dec 17, 2013

Seleuceia

reply 83

Quoting DrJBHL, reply 81They would be far wiser to add Start8 and ModernMix and give a couple of training sessions.

If they have to give training sessions with SD software, doesn't that defeat the whole point?

No...because they still have to learn the differences in W8 and familiarize themselves.

DrJBHL

on Dec 17, 2013

Jafo

reply 82

MS 'arbitrarily' decides to change Windows [to match some idiot phone interface] and imposes upon each and every public commercial entity/user to SPEND time/money/effort re-educating their workforce.

I'm pretty damn sure I didn't see MS front those companies, etc. to offer to cover the costs they incurred.

No, they didn't...and that's yet another good reason E-I-G-H-T is MS's new way to spell F-A-I-L.

Which is why it was Windows 8 = Bye, bye Ballmer.

MottiKhan

on Dec 17, 2013

DrJBHL

reply 86

Which is why it was Windows 8 = Bye, bye Ballmer.

That was a good first step. If MS brings the start menu back, it would be another. There was a good amount of hype and expectations when MS announced that they'd bring the start button back in 8.1. It was such a disappointment.

Our software vendors don't support W8/8.1 and they seem to be taking a wait and see approach. In the meantime, industry can still get new W7 computers. We're in the midst of replacing ours. I've recently ordered 15 replacement computers and am getting requests for more at a faster than normal pace. It's being partially driven by the fear that MS will start forcing us to buy W8. In a sense then, W8 has been good for computer sales if only because of the specter of having to use it.

It's a shame, since W8 is superior to W7 in some ways. If it weren't for the dismal UI, I'm sure it would have been widely accepted.

RedneckDude

on Dec 17, 2013

MottiKhan

reply 87

It's a shame, since W8 is superior to W7 in some ways. If it weren't for the dismal UI, I'm sure it would have been widely accepted.

Heartily agreed.

benmanns

on Dec 17, 2013

While i can agree that there will be costs to train employees and that it takes additional modifications to have it run the way it should do on a office PC.
still i cant cant agree with the word fail- the new start is superior yet more ugly over the windows7 startmenu.
(Personaly i thought from the very< start that windows8 was made for a home pc and not targeted for office use since it has these multimedia features.)
And having that startmenu adds to the rythm of the use of such a system- quick acess to information and fast.
Thats the point im trying to make, for a home system gaming surfing video music and so on windows8 seems spot on, and the startmenu covers almost everything with the liveapps.
Even the Gaming industrie seems to like Windows8 for several reasons obviously.

I can only imagine that the want of such a system as office system is speed and size mem usage...
But it would need a the standart UI thats why i said there should be 2 versions...thats why i say demand an office OS instead of forcing the old starmenu to win8...

Uvah

on Dec 17, 2013

DrJBHL

reply 85

Quoting Seleuceia, reply 83

Quoting DrJBHL, reply 81They would be far wiser to add Start8 and ModernMix and give a couple of training sessions.

If they have to give training sessions with SD software, doesn't that defeat the whole point?

No...because they still have to learn the differences in W8 and familiarize themselves.

Yesterday I read an article about HP. It said that HP is creating classes to teach people how to use Win8. I thought that kind of funny.

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