MS is looking to get rid of start menu hacks for windows 8

"Related to this second point is information I’ve received that Microsoft has been furiously ripping out legacy code in Windows 8 that would have enabled third parties to bring back the Start button, Start Menu, and other software bits that could have made this new OS look and work like its predecessor. In fact, I’ve seen that several well-known UI hacks that worked fine with the Windows 8 Consumer Preview are no longer functional in the coming Release Preview. And those with hopes that Microsoft would allow businesses, at least, to boot directly to the desktop should prepare for disappointment. That feature not only isn’t happening, it’s being removed from Windows Server 12 (Windows 8’s stable mate) as well"

http://www.winsupersite.com/article/windows8/microsoft-windows-8-businesses-143238

Don't know how it would effect some Stardock products, we will have to wait for the final release ...

The more they take away features people like the more they open the door to third-party developers to step in with products, right?

Just thought of something ... how would this effect winstep, Jorge.

did someone say Tiles ...

Hmm, this certainly is an unwelcome development for many I'm sure.  If I had been tempted to purchase Win 8 to take advantage of its better use of AMD's Bulldozer 4, 6 and 8 core CPU's, I've been severely dissuaded by this saddening news.  The Metro UI in no way satisfactorily replaces the start button and menu, so my purchasing Win 8 would have been entirely dependent on it working well with 3rd party apps that restore these essential [to me] features.

Oh well, another nail in Win 8's coffin

As if it didn't already have a huge amount.

Microsoft, what are we going to do with you? I fully intend to develop games primarily on PC, not Mac or another OS, when I receive my Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems from DeVry University by end of this year, but Microsoft's insanity is scaring me so much that I am having second thoughts.

Winstep Xtreme's Start Menu is provided by the NextSTART application and does not depend on Windows Start Menu code, so this for Winstep is actually good news. Microsoft can do nothing to prevent 3rd party developers from *emulating* the behavior of the 'old' Windows Start Menu.

Anyway, is it just me who feels such a move by Microsoft is highly disrespectful to every Windows user? 'My way or the highway'. They're really trying to force that Metro $!"@* down our throats.

Well, mommy, I got news for you: I'm not a kid anymore, so you can't force me to eat those veggies unless *I* want to.

You should be scared. Microsoft has already shown developers that they couldn't care less about them and what they think (classic VB and now Silverlight), and now they are doing it again to developers *and* users alike.

Insanity. That's a good word to describe what is happening, IMO.

They're going to see to it that they get a piece of the action on every Metro8 developer's work.  If they have their way, that is.  The software development field could be, let's say, "interesting" for a while.

On the other hand, this poses a HUGE opportunity for commercial development of a Metro8 replacement OS, or for Linux to finally consolidate into a robust alternative.  I'd pay for such an OS (after my Win7 machine's last gasp, of course), if for no other reason than to spite MS.

Ya'll know my opinion, but these 'features removed' lists tend to ignore that they were often either replaced or never actually used.  They're usually irrelevant to 95% of Windows users.  He was banging on the same drum about Vista and 7 and wishes we were all still on XP.

The RP performs better than I expected, it's awesome.  Still some unexpected compatibility glitches though.

Savyg -

In what sense do you mean 'perform'?  I'm genuinely curious.  Can you actually talk and chew gum at the same time with Metro8?  Thx.

Why would I need to?  I still spend almost all my time in the desktop, just like everyone else.

Though the WinRT apps are definitely responsive unlike the CP.  Still not going to be everyones cup of tea.