With the loss of the Start menu, people couldn't restart their computers in the same way they had since 1995. One of the Start menu's functions had been, ironically enough, allowing users to shut down their machines. To make matters worse for casual Windows users, controls to shut down or restart the computer were not immediately accessible. If it bore any resemblance to the Start menus of yore, it was more akin to the pre-XP versions in that both obscured the entire desktop. Instead of a Start menu, Windows 8 came with a Start screen, and the relatively compact and familiar menu was replaced with a scrolling screen of applications and shortcuts. Most Windows users fears came true with Windows 8 was released: that ever-so-useful function of Windows, one that had been refined and improved for nearly two decades, was no longer a part of the OS. As people began to get their hands on Windows 8, reports of the Start button's demise began to flood forth. With rumors of Windows 8 and its emphasis on a touch interface, excitement grew at the thought of Microsoft making the Start button, which launches the menu, even more useful. The Start menu, first introduced in 1995, had reached near perfection with the introduction of the search bar in Windows Vista. It had the simplicity of the 'Run' function, but didn't require special knowledge to use. The search field made it so literally anything on your computer could be started or opened with just a few keystrokes. The search bar brought an extra layer of welcome functionality to the Start menu. Same with programs, settings, control panel menus and file types. If you wanted to find a cover letter you named "CoverLetter.doc," typing in the first three or four letters of the file name would bring it up. The Start menu would only be filled with results that matched the text entered, making it incredibly useful for nearly anything on your computer. Simply typing a phrase into the search bar text field would bring up a selection of matches. The search bar is arguably the greatest step forward for the Start menu since its inception. For all the hate Vista gets, it brought the search bar to the Windows experience. But Windows Vista made one tremendous leap in ease of use. It looked different, thanks to resource-intensive Aero, but it was still broken into two halves, with one side holding general locations on your computer and the other listing most used programs. Windows Vista retained the same basic layout and formula of the XP Start menu when it launched in late January 2007. Power users still had the option to turn off all of the window dressing and return to the grey, hard-edged look of previous editions while Windows newcomers had a soft, lovely and customizable menu to call their own. On top of its redesigned functionally, the XP Start menu was smoother and came in color for the first time, making it a decidedly turn-of-the-millennium design to match the rest of the OS. 'All Programs' was also included at the bottom of the left-hand list, laid out alphabetically in a huge nested menu. XP brought the option to pin programs to the Start menu, so if you played a lot of Warcraft 3, you could access it quickly. Populating the left column were programs you used most regularly. On the right side sat commonly accessed locations such as My Documents, My Computer and Control Panel. With XP, the Start menu became two columns. Gone was the boxy, desktop-obscuring mess of sub-menus from versions past. The most significant change to Windows since 95 came with XP, and the Start menu was no exception. There's a happy ending for users who clamored for its comeback, but before we get to that, here's a look back at the the storied rise, fall and triumphant return of the Windows Start menu. It's removal sent shockwaves through the Windows community, who called for its prompt reinstatement. The Start menu followed a steady evolution of improved functionality until, suddenly, it was gone. For casual Windows users, the Start menu was a blessing when first introduced, removing another wall of arcane DOS knowledge from the experience while reducing the 'Run' function to something only for power-users and stubborn old-schoolers, clinging to their backslash and colon keys. Instead of needing to sift through directory after directory just to start a game of Minesweeper, users can simply summon it in the Start menu. It's a crucial part of Windows and has made navigating the operating system incredibly convenient. It's so important that there's even a dedicated Windows key on your keyboard - you know, the one you accidentally hit when you're trying to push 'Alt?' Long live the Start menu!įamiliar to anyone who's used Windows from 1995 onward, the Start menu has been an essential but unassuming fixture in the bottom left corner of your screen.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |