The Start button is back! Yeah! But it just coughs up the Metro interface, the Start screen. So Microsoft apparently still doesn’t get it: Users wanted the Start button back to get the Start menu back.
I’m not sure whether this Windows 8.1 release requires me to update my Windows 8 Sucks book or not. I’ll find out soon enough whether Windows 8.1 sucks enough to warrant a new book.
There is literally nothing new in Windows 8.1 other than two new Metro tile sizes and a fake Start button. You can throw that line (two new tile sizes and a fake Start button) into your book and be done with “updating” it for Windows 8.1. Everything works and looks pretty much the same as it did in Windows 8, although the Windows Store and PC Settings did get a bit of a facelift. What I haven’t tried doing is testing any of the Start Menu/Start Button replacements to see if they still work. I wouldn’t be surprised if in 8.1 Microsoft has taken steps to break those apps.
They also appear to have removed half of the pre-loaded drivers, as when I installed it on my ThinkPad, I got the Microsoft Basic Display Adapter driver instead of the proper Intel HD 3000 driver. Didn’t bother me too much though as Microsoft provided drivers are always rubbish and I end up installing manufacturer drivers anyway.
Comment by linuxlove — June 28, 2013 @ 7:37 am
Also of note: The Windows 8.1 Preview was supposed to be distributed via the Windows Store. That didn’t happen for anyone outside of Redmond because the Windows Store broke trying to distribute it. For me, at least, there isn’t even a mention of the Windows 8.1 Preview in the Windows Store; it’s the usual set of Spotlight apps. This also does not bother me too much because I always do clean installs of any OS. If I try and do an upgrade install of any OS, it usually results in me having to clean install anyway.
Comment by linuxlove — June 28, 2013 @ 7:43 am
Glad that you’re on top of this. I’m reluctant to update any OS, but I’ll do this update on my Thinkpad as well.
On the topic of Windows’ decline, there are heavy rumors out there of Android migrating to the desktop. That would, of course, effectively be a Linux shell. Interesting should it prove true.
Comment by admin — June 28, 2013 @ 8:19 am