Windows 10: Windows 8.1 Start Screen vs. Windows 10 Start Menu

I meant "Recent" as in recently opened programs. Happy painting.

 

Ditto.

It doesn't take a genius to work out what's need in Windows 10 - Windows 8 with Windows 7 Start Menu or Windows 8 with Stardock Start8.

Personally, I'll probably stick with Windows 7 but find Windows 8 with Start8 a good compromise. However, I don't like the increased security restrictions with Windows 8/10. DITTO+2. For casual/personal/social use, even on my desktop systems, I much prefer a "live" screen that parallels the mobile experience I get on my phone and [Android] tablet. Even though I don't have a touch screen on my desktop systems I still find the Start screen and some Metro apps very useful. On my 8.1 systems I have switched my email and social stuff entirely to Metro apps. It's just a more satisfying experience even without touch capability.

But I still want a Start menu when I'm on the Windows desktop. And I don't want it cluttered with tiles.

I've made my personal choice: I don't want a compromise (as it is now in 10) and I don't want to have to choose. I want both a "live" Start screen AND I want a proper Start menu, a la Win 7, when I'm using the desktop.

...ken...

 

I am still looking for a useful Metro app. Can you share which ones you think are useful.

 

I am still looking for a useful Metro app. Can you share which ones you think are useful. That will be pretty difficult without knowing what more you want to be able to do besides run normal Windows desktop programs.

I much prefer the built-in Mail app to any desktop email clients I've used. I love Metromail for my Gmail accounts. And it's great that 10 brings notifications to the desktop for apps like email that know how to do them.

The built-in People app is great for my sync'ed Gmail contacts. What's best is that I only need one contacts database to service any apps that require contacts.

I do Twitter and Twitter's native Metro app is as good as the Android version.

I like The Weather Network for its live tile at a glance. But I also like all the rest of its features. The OneNote Metro app is very good. And there are a couple of time wasting games that I favor. *Smile

If you have become spoiled by the things you can do in a mobile environment llike Apple, Android, or Windows Phone, as I have, you should be able to figure out what parts might transfer well, for you, into a desktop context.

If you don't find anything in the mobile environment to be compelling then - and I say this with utmost sincerity - you probably will never find much of interest in Metro apps. Metro is, after all, about mobile. If you don't get mobile or it simply holds no interest, you won't likely find value in Metro apps. No criticism; just the fact that we all have different needs and interests.

...ken...

 

Thanks for the info.

I will look at the people app for Gmail and check what can be useful for my W8Phone. Weather I have already (nice).

Twitter and mail I do not need/use. As you say, we all have different needs.

 

Maybe something like this will cover all bases:

 

I am still looking for a useful Metro app. Can you share which ones you think are useful. That will be pretty difficult without knowing what more you want to be able to do besides run normal Windows desktop programs.

I much prefer the built-in Mail app to any desktop email clients I've used. I love Metromail for my Gmail accounts. And it's great that 10 brings notifications to the desktop for apps like email that know how to do them.

The built-in People app is great for my sync'ed Gmail contacts. What's best is that I only need one contacts database to service any apps that require contacts.

I do Twitter and Twitter's native Metro app is as good as the Android version.

I like The Weather Network for its live tile at a glance. But I also like all the rest of its features. The OneNote Metro app is very good. And there are a couple of time wasting games that I favor. *Smile

If you have become spoiled by the things you can do in a mobile environment llike Apple, Android, or Windows Phone, as I have, you should be able to figure out what parts might transfer well, for you, into a desktop context.

If you don't find anything in the mobile environment to be compelling then - and I say this with utmost sincerity - you probably will never find much of interest in Metro apps. Metro is, after all, about mobile. If you don't get mobile or it simply holds no interest, you won't likely find value in Metro apps. No criticism; just the fact that we all have different needs and interests.

...ken... Very well put. . .and done with great skill, and thought. . .*Thumbs

 

Except for this part: "If you don't find anything in the mobile environment to be compelling then - and I say this with utmost sincerity - you probably will never find much of interest in Metro apps. Metro is, after all, about mobile. If you don't get mobile or it simply holds no interest, you won't likely find value in Metro apps. No criticism; just the fact that we all have different needs and interests. "
Metro Apps do have a future on desktop computers even without referring to them as "Mobile Apps only". Some serious apps could be made with new format of their display. In W8 they were limited but in W10 it only takes some serious programing of "ordinary" programs or porting them to that format.

 

Agree, Count. *Smile It's rumored that they are porting Office to the Modern. That will be a huge step.

 

Yes, real, useful Apps would show to people that Apps are not for Phones and finger painting only. Apps and Modern should be just a different mode of program distribution.

 

Yes, real, useful Apps would show to people that Apps are not for Phones and finger painting only. Apps and Modern should be just a different mode of program distribution. And I suspect one reason is because that is an easier path at our money.

 

The next preview of Windows 10 is suppose to have core version 10 instead of 6.4 and this will unify the core for all platforms. This should bring about a lot more Modern Apps that will function on multiple devices. This was the plan when MS released Windows 8 and will finally be here next year.

Jim *Cool

 

A little bit more refined concept than my previous post. The design is a bit crude but I think the options are very doable including the Shutdown Options on the task bar.
Also an advanced color palette for colorizing either the Start Menu or Start Screens would be nice.
Grouping and naming Tiles in the Start Menu would be a little tough though, with it's ability to shrink and expand.

 

I changed my mind! As in Android, for example, Tile Groups should be easily accomplished. *Wink

 

Hoping they port this over from Windows phone.