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No Booting Straight to Desktop in Windows 8

By - Source: CNET

Sorry, you'll just have to tolerate the blocky new tiled interface in Windows 8 until after the boot process is done.

CNET reports that users of the recently-leaked RTM builds of Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012 have discovered that one of the tweaks Microsoft has made since the launch of the last public test build, Windows 8 Release Preview, centers on the boot process. Microsoft is reportedly now blocking users from bypassing the boxy Start screen, preventing them from booting straight into Desktop mode.

Previous test builds allowed Windows 8 users to create a shortcut that switches to the Windows 8 desktop. If the user didn't want to boot their machine into the tiled desktop UI (formerly known as Metro), they could simply schedule this shortcut to be activated immediately after logging into the user's account.

Rafael Rivera, coauthor of the forthcoming Windows 8 Secrets, has reportedly verified with RTM downloaders that Microsoft's block of the boot bypass is indeed in place. He also believes that Microsoft has blocked the ability for administrators to use Group Policy to allow users to bypass the tiled startup screen. That said, it seems that Microsoft is trying to keep the desktop of old out of sight, hoping users will simply grow accustomed to the new blocky era of Windows.

As CNET points out, there are a number of shortcuts in Windows 8 that are designed to help users that are resistant to change, allowing them to slip in and out of Desktop mode more quickly and easily. These include Windows + D, Windows + B, and Windows + M. But as we reported last week, Microsoft is getting ready to launch Windows 8-specific peripherals that will make the tiled touch aspect a bit easier to navigate for those without actual touchscreens.

Reports of Microsoft's block of the Start screen bypass may not be good news for business owners looking to upgrade their desktops. The big issue is time and money that will be spent retraining employees on how to use the new Windows interface, and how to deal with life without a Start button. Like id Software's John Carmack, they may be quite content with Windows 7 and see no need to rush into disrupting the office with a new tiled, touch-based UI.

 

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Other Comments
  • 2 Ð
    Pailin , August 7, 2012 10:11 PM
    no, no and no.
  • 1 Ð
    Frankincense , August 7, 2012 10:15 PM
    Let hope something amazing happens in Windows 9. As 8 seems to just be getting worse and worse for the normal desktop user
  • 2 Ð
    eddieseven , August 7, 2012 10:52 PM
    Here we go again, Win one, skip one!
    Simply treat this version as another Millennium/ Vista episode and wait for Windows 9!
    However, if you have a phone or tablet then perhaps this may work. For me however having had access to a windows phone, didnt like it, seemed the tiles were blocking/obstructing the interface, I like icons and a background to give me some depth so Android and Iphone for me. Whichever of these reign at the top I cannot decide (dual boot would be my choice ) both are as good at what they do. Windows 8 however sadly isnt anywhere near what
    i require so giving it a wide berth until sanity returns.

  • 1 Ð
    mactronix , August 7, 2012 11:02 PM
    Yep standard has for a while now been get one skip one. they need to be very careful here. If gaming does go open source then M$ will be in big trouble with those it has annoyed with trying to force people to do it the way they want in W8 just itching for a realistic alternative.
    M$ you have been warned.
  • -3 Ð
    tulx , August 7, 2012 11:30 PM
    mactronixYep standard has for a while now been get one skip one. they need to be very careful here. If gaming does go open source then M$ will be in big trouble with those it has annoyed with trying to force people to do it the way they want in W8 just itching for a realistic alternative.M$ you have been warned.


    What you don't seem to be aware of is the fact that Microsoft has absolutely no reason to care about PC gaming. It would be far more profitable for them if people played on the Xbox instead. MS doesn't earn a cent from sold PC games (because the don't need any certification). Developers can choose to license their games as "Games for Windows", but they can also choose not to and still sell their game.
    Having said that, most modern games run better on Win8 than Win7, so I see no reason not to switch.

    And yes - the new start screen IS faster than the start menu. It's really sad to see that PC users, which is regarded as the most inovative and fastest progressing platform, have become so bigotet towards change. People seem to hate any new PC development by default - just because it's new and it's so much cooler to be "oldschool".
  • 1 Ð
    mactronix , August 8, 2012 1:50 AM
    Simple fact. If you want to play AAA games on a PC you need Windows. I know a hell of a lot of people who only have a windows system because of this fact. If M$ insist on hacking the main user base off they will jump to a different platform should it become available.
    Its got zero to do with M$ earning or not from games. If gamers can play the games which so far have proven to run better and faster on a non windows PC then they wont buy a copy of windows = Bye Bye M$
  • 0 Ð
    tulx , August 8, 2012 2:02 AM
    mactronixSimple fact. If you want to play AAA games on a PC you need Windows. I know a hell of a lot of people who only have a windows system because of this fact. If M$ insist on hacking the main user base off they will jump to a different platform


    And MS is hacking gamers off by not allowing to boot to the desktop? You can pin your games to the start screen.
  • 1 Ð
    mactronix , August 8, 2012 3:04 AM
    Its not just this issue there are other issues that make W8 Desktop user unfriendly, and its not just about Gamers, I never said it was, you are just reading what you want to and misinterpreting things to suit.
    You are in a minority that thinks these changes are good. Vista was a dog so it got slated but people like you came out with the old people resisting change rubbish.
    W8 has solid reasons why its a bad OS for a desktop user yet here you are saying its just people resisting change.
    Why did so many people jump from XP to W7 is they don't like change ? Simply because the changes were useful and actually made a positive day to day difference.
  • -1 Ð
    thekanester , August 8, 2012 3:05 AM
    Luddites, embrace something new. You might even like it.
  • 1 Ð
    silver565 , August 8, 2012 3:15 AM
    Sweet Jesus, who in Microsoft thought that this was a good idea?

    I'd love to know what the hell goes on in that design room. They're probably drunk
  • 0 Ð
    simon12 , August 8, 2012 6:15 AM
    Is windows 8 actually the Xbox 720 or something.
  • 0 Ð
    mactronix , August 8, 2012 8:00 AM
    simon12Is windows 8 actually the Xbox 720 or something.

    Well they are making native X box branded games for it that will have achievements just like Xbox games.
  • 0 Ð
    xupaguy , August 8, 2012 5:47 PM
    Before long, there will be an app to fix that!
  • 0 Ð
    Flying-Q , August 8, 2012 7:18 PM
    I hardly ever use the start button now but what I do use it for is unavailable in Metro. I also like icons on a background, I gave away my WindowsPhone7.5 phone as I found it cumbersome and unfriendly. Windows 8 is a 'skip-it' for me. I only hope that 9 will be more user-friendly on its front-end.

    Q
  • 0 Ð
    mactronix , August 8, 2012 8:59 PM
    Once it releases we will get a clearer picture of uptake. I wonder will there a downgrade option like there was for Vista.

    Mactronix :)