Windows 8 / Windows Server 2012: Start Screen and User Interface Part 1

re: Windows 8 / Windows Server 2012: Start Screen and User Interface Part 1

Martin Wierenga — Sat, 04 May 2013 13:56:51 GMT

Sorry guys but I totally disagree with most of you. As Blake said before there is a learning curve I give you that but it's much faster working with this new interface. Especially the charms bar is something I love, look for programs, files or settings very quickly. On server you only need the Server Manager and if you have 3rd party software you can link it on your taskbar or just get it quickly to either Start or Charms. Ofcourse you have to get used to this new way of working but I think it's more productive. And yes I also use it in RDP, look at the new icon in the RDP-bar in the top of windows, it's all there and otherwise learn some shortcut-keys, it will certainly go faster.

re: Windows 8 / Windows Server 2012: Start Screen and User Interface Part 1

Rick — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 19:59:17 GMT

I have 17 screens of tiles. Is there a limit? It sure is a pain in the butt to get to an app now.

re: Windows 8 / Windows Server 2012: Start Screen and User Interface Part 1

Bob the Lync guy — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 21:58:39 GMT

I agree with Fred, this tile stuff is useless for a admin and has no business being used on a server operating system. It shouldn't take half a day to figure out where all the common apps I use are now located and trying to get the start menu to pop up so I can do a reboot through rdp is painful

re: Windows 8 / Windows Server 2012: Start Screen and User Interface Part 1

Fred — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 12:28:21 GMT

At first, I quite liked the changes with the new start screen, however after a few weeks of using it, I've decided that I detest the changes that have been introduced to Windows 8 / Server 2012. Three things I would change, that would make the start screen work for me.

1. Leave a start button on the task bar.

2. Make it easier to return to the desktop (i.e. pressing Win key toggles start screen, not just opens it) Click on a unused bit of the start screen to return to the desktop.

3. When you start typing show all results by default, rather than just applications. It takes a lot longer to navigate to control panel applets or administrative tools on Server 2012.

We've adopted the server OS due to the fact that:

1. Virtualisation licensing benefits.

2. People don't have to use the desktop.

We have no plans to move to Windows 8 on the desktop, ever.

Productivity on server has definitely plummeted. Just try doing just about anything using an RDP session that isn't running full screen. Very precise mouse control required, and very, very frustrating to use.

re: Windows 8 / Windows Server 2012: Start Screen and User Interface Part 1

Blake Morrison - MSFT — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 20:35:41 GMT

@Cocotus.Interruptus: Like any new OS, there is a learning curve. Once users get use to it, it will become second nature. Since using Win8/Srv2012, I do not miss the Start Menu at all. In addition to our blogging about the topic, there are tons of helpful "How-to" resources on www.windows.com.

Thanks for reading!

re: Windows 8 / Windows Server 2012: Start Screen and User Interface Part 1

Cocotus.Interruptus — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 17:48:31 GMT

@Blake: Similar questions suggest that MS developers are autistic, sorry. Suggest placing a group of users in front of this shiny new "GUI" and asking them to do a couple of simple tasks. For starters, things like - find an application/document/whatever, log off, restart/shutdown the computer. These are things that tool one or two clicks with the killed start menu.

re: Windows 8 / Windows Server 2012: Start Screen and User Interface Part 1

Blake Morrison - MSFT — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 15:03:45 GMT

@Cocotus.Interruptus: Can you explain to me how it kills user productivity?

re: Windows 8 / Windows Server 2012: Start Screen and User Interface Part 1

Cocotus.Interruptus — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 12:29:49 GMT

@Blake: Yeah, that great idea was called Start Menu. It was *already there*, before you damaged it and caused an order of magnitude drop in productivity for users who are going to be unfortunate enough to be forced to work with this touchpad abdomination that plain does NOT belong on desktop.

re: Windows 8 / Windows Server 2012: Start Screen and User Interface Part 1

Blake Morrison - MSFT — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 20:53:54 GMT

@Simon: We, the Performance Team, supports the Shell (aka explorer, desktop, start menu). These posts are intended to be level 100 material, and give an overview of the new features in Windows 8. Deeper dive posts will come in the near future which will include level 200 +.

@Mike: Great idea. Maybe that option will come in a future release.

Thanks for reading!

re: Windows 8 / Windows Server 2012: Start Screen and User Interface Part 1

Mike — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 19:29:18 GMT

I'd sure like to be able to rename tiles and place them into folders to reduce the foot-print of a group.