Start Orb Removed in Windows 8 Consumer Preview

Considering the windows button starting showing up on keyboards shortly after Windows95 was released, It's a pretty safe bet that the button is going to be present on the hardware on which people install Windows 8. Of course if there's no keyboard they'll be using the Touch First elements instead. I'm sure that once the consumer preview released, we'll have plenty to talk about with Windows 8. Well until the enterprise preview (RC) is released that is.

I don't mind that the Start Menu is being replaced with the Start Screen, but to remove the Start Orb seems like a real mistake. Microsoft is having a real tendency with Windows 8 to make basic functionality non-discoverable. Ordinary users are probably going to have to use the legacy Desktop every now and then: inevitably they'll want to go back to the Start Screen or launch a new program or something, and without the Start Orb, the Desktop might feel like a dead end. Unless Microsoft's telemetry data shows otherwise, I'm guessing that most of them won't know to press the Windows logo key or do Ctrl+Esc, much less mouse to the correct corner of the screen. (This might be more obvious on a Windows 8 tablet, though, with its WinKey button front-and-centre.) Also, where's the notification area?

I really dont like where Windows is heading. It's time to start hording Windows 7 keys. For my home machine, I dont care as I mainly just need a terminal to get on the internet. The operating system is moot. However, at work where I launch applications to do development and engineering analysis this just gives me nightmares. I dont need a mobile experience dictating how I use my desktop. I also Don't need my applications written for the WinRT environment lambasting my simulation and development tools with artistic nonsense. It evokes very emotional feelings in me and I feel like I am turning into my father. I just hate everything about windows 8 for the enterprise environment. Fortunately, most my tools have a split personality and can run on a Unix terminal. Maybe I can convince my boss to get me a Solaris box, or just let me run some flavor of Linux. I certainly dont need office to do my job. Just about anything will output a .doc or .xls file. And I can always do Email in the Cloud so I dont need outlook. Just the more I hear about Windows 8 the more angry I get. I will probably use it at home, because I actually like what I see with Windows tablets, But for work, I will delay upgrades until IT just puts a gun to my head. Then I will turn in my two weeks notice. My only hope is Bring your own device becomes a more acceptable IT policy. Seems to work in the mobile world. Damn I hate Windows 8. Its turned me into my Dad.

I don't want the start screen. Pulling me out of my workflow with a full screen interface that wastes screen real estate is incredibly disruptive and distracting. Surely Microsoft can see what a disaster Windows 8 will be. I, for one, have no plans right now to deploy Windows 8 at all on my company's computers. The cost of user retraining alone would be huge. Ivory tower elitists like Steven Sinofsky think they know what makes an easy to use interface but they don't. The most important thing to the average user is consistency. The average user sees their computer as a tool to get stuff done. They want to be able to sit down at their computer and do their work, browse the web whatever. They do not have the time nor the inclination to continuously learn new interfaces merely because Microsoft thinks it's "cool" or "easier to use". Office 2007 was bad enough. I had so many users asking me "how do I save a file?" (who would have thought that an orb with the Office logo wasn't intuitive) that I had to send out a memo. I shudder to think how they will react with Windows 8.

"Luddites like you also railed on Windows 95 for replacing DOS." I railed on Windows 95 for not replacing DOS (because it didn't). Merely because someone is opposed to something new doesn't automatically make them a Luddite. Not every change is for the better. Microsoft's core business is PC software. The core Windows customers are PC users who use Windows on their PC. Alienating your core customer base is not a bright idea.

@Steven Grey Sometimes my Dad is right, I'm not too cool for school to admit that. Windows 8 [at least configured to Metro] is another Windows Me/Vista. Microsoft will make billions because it will be preloaded, but everyone who's stuck with it will long for either Window 7 or Windows 9 if they can't get rid of Metro. If they can't, Enterprises in the majority will altogether reject it as a sad and obvious marketing scheme. Microsoft should focus on serving it's customers not trying to corral them into ugly marketing contrivances. Don't get the wrong idea: I like Windows! And think Windows 7 is the cat's meow of PC operating systems. And Windows 8 set to Desktop only is nice too. But ..