Just after Microsoft released Windows 8.1, rumors have surfaced that they might be releasing fix 8.2 as early as January of 2014. The big changes coming, in 8.2, are said to quell the critics of Windows 8 and their last release of their 8.1 fix.
These changes in 8.2, are Microsoft’s attempt at making the OS a lot more intuitive for the user and acknowledges the changes that users have asked for. The recent release of version 8.1, brought back the familiar Start button that was absent in their first release, but it wasn’t quite enough for most users. The newly added Start button, in 8.1, only took users to the Metro user interface, which required an extra right click to bring up the more familiar Start Menu that users asked for.
Other Start menu options that users asked for are said to be “booting to the desktop” and an option for “shutting down the computer.” Many users, of the first release, found it very frustrating when looking for these options, with many of them ranting about it on popular blogs and social media sites.
The rumors said big changes in their 8.2 release will bring back the more common Libraries in file explorer, which currently do not show by default. Just like the Start button, users didn’t find this option intuitive enough to return to their more familiar UI, as tech support in Redmond was rumored to be inundated with this as a call driver.
In the 8.1 release, Microsoft introduced Internet Explorer 11, which didn’t contain a noticeable difference from older versions. The newest version of IE is said to increase the speed of page loads. Microsoft has taken much criticism in the past over IE having slower speeds than other popular browsers.
A Microsoft job posting for coders last February, asked if they wished the code they wrote for apps would work on Windows and Windows based phones, and vice-versa. This would suggest that the company has future plans for the Windows Store to unify all of their latest product versions, fixes and apps to be a one-stop-shop. At this point it is anyone’s guess whether this will be possible in the near future, but rumors are that the next update will come from the Windows Store, something that didn’t occur in release 8.1.
Looking past fix 8.2, Windows 9 is said to utilize and involve more cloud integration by using some of the same processing cleverness that Microsoft recently debuted in their Xbox One this week. Although not available at launch time, there are plans for the Xbox One to utilize the cloud for making virtual upgrades to their latest entertainment system.
With these rumors running rampant, it suggests that Microsoft is trying to embrace the old and the new in us all. Satisfying everyone is something that is impossible to do, but Microsoft appears to be listening and addressing some of their critics with these big changes. This may also suggest that they have finally acknowledged that many of the critics wanted a traditional Windows desktop interface and that the majority might not yet own a touch screen.
By Brent Matsalla
Decrypted Tech
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30 Responses
Windows should make a touch screen and desktop versions of Windows, PERIOD! They should not be in the same os!
Microsoft still don’t get it get after 2 times now no one want the metro ui no one cares about touch screens and the people who do just make a new windows for them. I hate both nothing will ever replace my keyboard and mouse. Touch screens are garbage maybe make windows voice active but that’s is it leave the rest alone or put in a few interfaces and make sure we can disable the ones we don’t want problem fix.Windows 7 will always be the only good Os left if they don’t do this …
I have no optimism at all the Microsoft will recognize that Windows 8 is an unmitigated disaster, and make significant changes to it. The only thing I would accept would be an initial startup question of ‘Do you want to use the Modern interface?’ and if the user answered no, then never show it.
…at the end of the day…if you think CAREFULLY…What is it all about?….MONEY!!!
Each new version…is an INCOME for them…as Service Packs are for FREE ( correcting the f-ups of the original version )
windows 8.1 hates online games with gameguard i cant play properly boo to 8.1 fix that Bsod problem
Personally, I like the new interface. I think it’s a much simpler and cleaner design, and a positive step into the future of a rapidly increasingly mobile computing world. But it’s not without it’s flaws. Putting previous features (e.g. Start menu) back is just going backwards, isn’t it? Besides, having both a start screen and start menu would be even more confusing for consumers. I don’t know why people get so upset about change. If you don’t like it, Windows 7 is still around.
I’d be happy if 8.2 just fixes the mouse issue. 8.1’s new feature, apparently, was let’s have your mouse decide when it feels like working…
I’m quite enjoying 8.1 now. I wasn’t to start with and went back to 7, but my new laptop came with 8.0 and I stuck with it.
The only thing I would love to see is more tile sizes. Maybe small-wide tiles and tall medium tiles, (wide tiles upright). I use oblytile and it’s fantastic at making the start screen look great.
“The recent release of version 8.1, brought back the familiar Start button that was absent in their first release, but it wasn’t quite enough for most users. The newly added Start button, in 8.1, only took users to the Metro user interface, which required an extra right click to bring up the more familiar Start Menu that users asked for.”
What? This is not true at all.
Clicking the Start button brings you directly to the Start Screen, and you can also configure it to immediately go to the “All Apps” view if you want to.
There is no Start Menu which is “brought up with an extra right-click” in Windows 8.1.
The menu appears if you right click in the Start button in the lower left corner.
I don’t have much hope in Microsoft anymore. All they’re really doing is trying to make money, and honestly, it’s money they’re not really in desperate need for. In my opinion, they’re only probably responding to customers’ complaints because they know that they’re going down in marketshare, and that’s the only thing that will save them… They’re not doing it because they care about their customers. 😛
When you’re a big successful monopoly like Microsoft, you’re fooled into thinking you can’t lose, and you care less about what people think of you.
@Reality Health: What if he wiped up his… errr, not-so-legal-copy-of-Windows 8? Do you accept donations via PayPal?
P.S. Seriously, I may not have enough money to donate all over the Web, but I may have a few ideas for you on how to get donations. If you are a serious charity and can prove that, of course.
i feel windows-8.1 is ok but i want the microsoft to release 8.2 or 9 with more inbuilt features like virtual graphics , faster browser ,virtual support for andriod apps etc as soon as possible to gain back the peoples support and confidence
ok i got windows 8.1 and i simply downloaded pokki as a start button now i have 2 start buttons
Just bring back the damn start menu please, there I know everyone was thinking about it!
That wont happen… and nor should it, just get used to it times have changed. Such a shame so many people are so static and expect everything to stay the same forever.
Ive been using windows since version 3.1, and Ive seen microsoft make numerous design mistakes. i.e. ms-bob and windows desktop update(ie4). just because something is new doesnt make it better. people want the start menu back because it is the most optimal way of working with windows, it evolved for usability. MS’s mistake is trying to bring tablet interfaces to pcs instead of trying to bring the pc interface to tablets like they should. personally, I will eventually stop using windows once they drop support for windows 7, the only way i will stay with the platform is if they stop development on metro, scrap it, port the windows 7 explorer.exe to windows 8 and update it for the new features…. Tablet interface on desktops or laptops is never going to work… ever. Also desktops and laptops will never go away, for any serious work a keyboard is a requirement, not a luxury.
I use Windows 8.1 and I love it even more than Windows 8. It’s fast, fluid, and modern. The only thing I would complain about is the fact that there is two of everything: 2 IEs for example, one metro and one desktop.
If you set another browser to be your default for example Firefox or Chrome. The IE tile on the start screen will open the desktop version and not the metro.
You don’t need another browser to enable this feature, at all. Go to Internet Options in Control Panel, select Programs tab and check “Open Internet Explorer tiles on the desktop.”
Windows 8 and 8.1 are very fast, and easy to use, the only complain that I could have is that is different but never difficult. I am loving more 8.1 because it looks and feels like windows 7 if we use it as a desktop, and I think desktop environment still has a huge audience.
i am having a horrible problem trying to get windows 8 to work properly on my commodore 64…
love 8 and 8.1 – feels like they made it for gen XA
I still dont own 8 or 8.1 lol
i wiped out my windows 8 on my new laptop and put windows 7 in it
Please post your redundant copy of Windows 8 to Reality Health Inc , P O Box 33 009, Christchurch New Zealand. Our charity needs your donation.
If you are in such a desperate need for an operating system why don’t you try using Linux it is free and easy to use. I think that would be must better than pestering people to give you their unwanted windows 8 licences.
I really wish the end users would give Windows 8, in its 8.1 rendition, a chance. It’s quite fluid & intuitive. It may not seem intuitive when looking at Windows XP or 7 but when you look at it as its own OS, it’s very simple to use & navigate.
100% agree with you.
Gave it a chance, hated it, got Windows 7 pro, been happy ever since.