Windows Blue update preview coming next month

Windows Blue update preview coming next month
Microsoft will release a preview version of its anticipated Windows 8 update at Build, the company has confirmed.

The Redmond giant is preparing a major update to the latest iteration of its consumer operating system, codenamed Windows Blue, following continued criticism of Windows 8's user interface changes since Windows 7.



Windows 8 aimed to both continue offering a Desktop environment for PC users, whilst also looking to get in on growing tablet PC sales. However, merging the two different environments has led to user confusion and an avalanche of criticism aimed at Microsoft.

For example, it is speculated that the Windows Blue update will restore the Start Menu in the Desktop environment, after it became clear that some long-time Windows users who upgraded were having trouble even figuring out how to shut down their PCs.

The update also is expected to allow users to boot directly into the Destkop mode, avoiding the Start Screen (Metro) where they have to select a tile to get to the Destkop.

Microsoft revealed that Windows 8 has sold over 100 million licenses since launch in October 2012, but a look at the figures show that sales for the first four months of 2013 were around 40 million, indicating Windows 8 is not following the accelerating growth in sales seen by Windows 7, which sold 240 million licenses in its first 12 months on the market.

Written by: James Delahunty @ 9 May 2013 11:56
Tags
Microsoft Windows 8 Windows Blue
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  • 16 comments
  • megadunderhead

    good i hope we get the start menu back it's really the only thing keeping me from windows 8 right now

    10.5.2013 00:02 #1

  • ronhondo

    Windows 8 is ugly and slow !!! Don't buy it !!!

    10.5.2013 16:52 #2

  • Sontiago

    Not to mention the fact that they could barely sell them(copies) at 39.99 and now they want you to pay 3 times the price for the same thing.. are consumers really that stupid?

    10.5.2013 18:25 #3

  • 8686

    I would switch to this on my work and home pc. Currently it's only been deployed on my htpc because the metro screen is perfect for that. Funny though since for the passed week or so the pc has been booting into the desktop. Maybe because I always use sleep mode.

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    10.5.2013 18:28 #4

  • bluedogs

    "Windows 8 is ugly and slow !!! Don't buy it !!! "

    What copy are you using. It's a damn sight faster than 7. I don't use it because no start button and taken to the metro screen first up. They fix them and I might change over.

    10.5.2013 20:59 #5

  • cart0181

    Quote:, it is speculated that the Windows Blue update will restore the Start Menu in the Desktop environment, I hope not. The Start Screen is the Start Menu, just in Full Screen, that's what people don't seem to get through their extremely thick skulls. Retreating back to a windowed start menu would be regressive IMHO. Why not just fix what was wrong with Windows 8 instead? Microsoft made a bold move with Windows 8. Take us further into the future instead of clinging to the past!

    10.5.2013 21:09 #6

  • bluedogs

    Why should those who want their start button and no Metro have to have it just because you want it? Why can't they make it optional? Your arrogance is amazing.

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    11.5.2013 07:25 #7

  • 8686

    I agree with cart that the metro screen is the new start button. It is an advancement in the world of tablets but The problem is that it doesn't make sense on a desktop. It adds way too many steps to get to the things you need. Same with the charms menu. I don't want to be dealing with this at work. I would venture a safe bet to say your in the minority with liking the way it is based on rumors and their sales figures. Which is why they are changing it with windows blue. They tried, they didn't succeed, they listened and then fixed it. What more could people want?

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    11.5.2013 08:13 #8

  • meve

    Originally posted by ronhondo: Windows 8 is ugly and slow !!! Don't buy it !!! Sorry dude. Windows 8 certainly isn't ugly and definitively isn't slow. I installed it over Windows 7 as an upgrade and boot time halved. I am an IT engineer and work with this everyday. As for the "Start" button I just installed the one from StarDock and I am enjoying a really fast OS. Sorry to disagree with you.

    11.5.2013 15:17 #9

  • meve

    Originally posted by Sontiago: Not to mention the fact that they could barely sell them(copies) at 39.99 and now they want you to pay 3 times the price for the same thing.. are consumers really that stupid? Please stay with your Mac and watch at a distance. I simply cannot hear (or read for that matter) comments from MAC users about Windows. They simply don't sound intelligent.

    11.5.2013 15:20 #10

  • Sontiago

    Originally posted by meve: Originally posted by Sontiago: Not to mention the fact that they could barely sell them(copies) at 39.99 and now they want you to pay 3 times the price for the same thing.. are consumers really that stupid? Please stay with your Mac and watch at a distance. I simply cannot hear (or read for that matter) comments from MAC users about Windows. They simply don't sound intelligent. Sorry... I don't have a MAC(win 7 currently) but thanks for the condescending reply....

    12.5.2013 00:05 #11

  • GrandpaBW

    Originally posted by cart0181: Quote:, it is speculated that the Windows Blue update will restore the Start Menu in the Desktop environment, I hope not. The Start Screen [b][i]is the Start Menu, just in Full Screen, that's what people don't seem to get through their extremely thick skulls.[/i][/b] Retreating back to a windowed start menu would be regressive IMHO. Why not just fix what was wrong with Windows 8 instead? Microsoft made a bold move with Windows 8. Take us further into the future instead of clinging to the past! The Start button, in previous the versions of Microsoft OS, is what hundreds of millions of consumers and businesses have used for years and want to use for many more years. What part of that can't YOU get through YOUR f***ing thick skull?

    Microsoft realizes that they made a HUGE mistake, and they are going to fix it, which is great.

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    12.5.2013 00:18 #12

  • aldan

    good point.i for one dont want nor need a full screen start menu and since its me and other consumers like me that ultimately buy these products,i would think microsoft and others would listen just a bit as to what we want.windows 8 has been a royal pain in the ass and we will now see if ms can eat a little crow and fix it.

    12.5.2013 08:41 #13

  • ronhondo

    Originally posted by meve: Originally posted by ronhondo: Windows 8 is ugly and slow !!! Don't buy it !!! Sorry dude. Windows 8 certainly isn't ugly and definitively isn't slow. I installed it over Windows 7 as an upgrade and boot time halved. I am an IT engineer and work with this everyday. As for the "Start" button I just installed the one from StarDock and I am enjoying a really fast OS. Sorry to disagree with you. I guess you work for Microsoft ?

    12.5.2013 09:10 #14

  • mukhis

    yes, the start button should be back, and traditional desktop or metro option should be offered at the discretion of the user. why don't they keep a button so that user can choose and switch to either of them?
    but i guess it gonna be kinda mess since MS has decided to come up with a new version every year. you need to keep paying every year if you want upgrade; oh well, fruit users do that...

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    14.5.2013 01:22 #15

  • meve

    Originally posted by ronhondo: Originally posted by meve: Originally posted by ronhondo: Windows 8 is ugly and slow !!! Don't buy it !!! Sorry dude. Windows 8 certainly isn't ugly and definitively isn't slow. I installed it over Windows 7 as an upgrade and boot time halved. I am an IT engineer and work with this everyday. As for the "Start" button I just installed the one from StarDock and I am enjoying a really fast OS. Sorry to disagree with you. I guess you work for Microsoft ? No. And I do own an iPhone which is an awesome device. I am not married with brands. As an engineer (BSEE) I just side with the best technology. As a PC power user a Mountain Lion or Snow Leopard cannot deliver what I need. I tried but they flunked.

    14.5.2013 22:04 #16

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