Microsoft Guru Paul Thurrott wrote a series of articles on how he would change Windows 8 (they can be found on his site ). I thought I’d write one on how I would change the Desktop environment.
Now I’m also taking into account that Microsoft isn’t going to bring the Start Menu back (which I agree with them).
The question is, how can they make Windows 8 more fluid going back and forth between the two Start Screens.
I wish I was good at graphic design because I think my ideas would come out better visually, but lets hope I can explain them well enough.
I thought of two separate ways Microsoft could do to probably satisfy most people in the next update of Windows.
1) They could just Metroize the desktop (I’ve been calling it the Tiled interface but for this article I’m going to make things simpler and just call it Metro) and let people just login to desktop if they’re not on a touch device. Just take away the icons for programs and add tiles.
Microsoft at the moment wants to keep both environments separate and they can still do that. Instead of mixing the Windows programs and Metro like they presently do they can separate them and just show Windows programs in the desktop environment. Some people say it feels odd going from the Metro environment to the Desktop and I think this would help.
2) My second idea is similar to the one above, letting non-touch devices login to desktop and getting rid of the icons, but this idea is to just have a transparent overlay of the Metro environment pop up (instead of taking you to the Metro start screen).
You would still be in the Desktop environment so it wouldn’t seem as jarring as being switched to the other environment.
Now that the desktop is icon free maybe they can figure out some other way?
Microsoft doesn’t need to bring back the start button. There will be people who just don’t like the Tiles but they’re here to stay.
I think icons are yesterday and the Tiles make the OS look more modern. People are visual, and I think some of the strangeness going from the Metro to the Desktop environment is the icons.
Take away the icons and put Tiles to represent the programs and I think it would make a great deal in the way people think about the OS.
Instead of going into two totally different looking environments as it is now, they’d look similar and more visually pleasing.
I hope I didn’t confuse people that much. If someone wants to make graphics of my vision for the hell of it go for it. I can’t pay you but if you think one (or both) of my ideas is good go ahead.
You can send them to hellcatm@warpmail.net and if I like them I’ll post them.
Otherwise what do you think of my ideas?
What ideas can you come up with to make Windows 8 better?
All Comments
I think the Windows 8 UI (Metro) is good the way it is, BUT they should have taken more time to convert ALL of the operating system that is needed for a fully utilized PC. The way you NEED the desktop in RT and get flung back and forth in Start/Metro UI to Desktop in Windows 8 Pro. Is just annoying as hell and needs to be fixed or they’ll have me going to Linux or even Mac. And I hate Mac. But I don’t want a schizophrenic OS.
no leave it the way it is with some support for live backgrounds
I much prefer the Windows 8 start screen to the old Start menu. The tiles are a lot easier to read, and when you have a lot of applications, it makes sense to dedicate the entire screen to them. In general, I’m not a fan of making new software act like old software. Eventually you’ll have to come along (resistance is futile), and it will be harder if you have to learn the thing twice.
No, leave it the way it is, only let the “open apps bar” be able to be pinned to the left side so that it doesn’t disappear.
I think the current PC version was well thought. Regardless it’s shortfalls (some people’s preferences), they have done well to leave the desktop and metro theme that way to suit people’s needs. People ought to orient themselves how to go about the navigation..
I much rather have windows 7 if Microsoft won’t bring start menu o’r ditch the metro flicking back and fourth its a pain then am sticking to windows 7 until its sorted or till i die
they should make it possible to customize the startscreen in every color you want. maybe also with the possibility to add a custom picture to the background
I actually like it now. It’s on all my machines and now I am used to it and have grown to like it.
I do like the way Windows 8 is now. I wrote the article because most of the people I’ve talked to, comments on other blogs, and articles I’ve read the 2 different environments seemed to be one of the biggest problems of Windows 8.
I’m glad to see there are people that like Windows 8 the way it is. I agree with Microsoft that they shouldn’t bring back the Start Button. I just figured this would be a way to make it easier on the people who are complaining about Windows 8.