Windows 8.1 will bring back the Start Menu and Boot to Desktop Option

Windows 8.1 build number 9431 screenshots have been released and they are showing off two of the thing that every user has been wanting since the launch of Windows 8. The Start Menu and a boot to desktop option are officially going to be in the new upgrade, Windows 8.1. While this is not anything new since multiple sources can be cited that have their own confirmation that the Start Menu and boot to desktop option will be included in Windows 8.1, this is the first time we have seen detailed screenshots of potentially what it will look like. So without further ado here they are. Pictures were courtesy of PCBeta.com.

Windows 8.1 Start Menu

As you can see we have pictures of the desktop that has changed the start menu button but it is in its familiar place at the bottom left side. Also the picture directly above showcases how the start menu could look for the release version of Windows 8.1. Also the preview version of Windows 8.1 will be available for download which you should be able to get here if you are wanting to try it out and see if you like it. At the time of this article (6/26/2013) Microsoft has put this at the top of the page.

“You can install Windows 8.1 Preview through the Windows Store or by using ISO files. Windows 8.1 Preview ISO files will be made available on this site within the next day, so please check back. ISO files for Windows 8.1 Preview will be available in Arabic, English (US), Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), French, German, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese (Brazil), Russian, Spanish, Swedish, and Turkish. For more information about installing ISO files and the specific delivery methods for the preview, please see “How do I install Windows 8.1 Preview?”

Windows 8.1 Boot to Desktop

If you look at the image below it is from the Microsoft Windows 2012 R2 server operating system. Microsoft has shown in the past that they will implement features on Windows Server ahead of what will launch for consumers on regular Windows operating systems. As you can see though it does give the option to boot into desktop upon sign in rather than Metro. Now if only Microsoft would have done this the first time around then Windows 8 might not have such a bad reputation.

 

So now you have seen two of the biggest things that Microsoft should be launching with Windows 8.1. I for one am excited about upgrading my laptop and possibly switching over my desktop PC to Windows 8.1 when it launches since I already have two keys when Microsoft were selling Windows 8 Pro for $16 and change. If software developers and manufactures jump on the Windows 8.1 bandwagon we might see a huge uptick in Windows 8 use considering Microsoft has stated that over 100 million licenses have been sold.
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