Windows 8.1 May Bring Back the Start Button

Windows 8.1 leaks have been occurring left, right, and center these days along with not only rumors, but confirmed code. So far we've heard of 'kiosk mode', and that Windows 8.1 will feature a boot to desktop option, but something else seems to be astir in the tech blogosphere.

According to The Verge and their sources who are familiar with Microsoft's plans have revealed that the Start button that everybody misses so dearly is set to return to a desktop near you! While ZDNet's Mary Jo Foley previously wrote on the matter, it's only recently that we are receiving multiple confirmations for these plans.

Many say the Microsoft killed the start button, when is not the case. They've simply moved it off screen. Out of sight, where you can't see it. They've created a steep learning curve for those not technologically inclined and made it difficult, for those who are forced to work with Windows 8, to adapt. While Microsoft previously explained their reasoning, customers have still been begging for the portal to return to it's original positioning.

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Surface Pro's Price tag Starting at $899 but With Half RT's Battery Life?

We're seeing some pretty impressive specs for a 10-inch Windows tablet with the Surface Pro: Intel's Third Gen. Core i5 processor, 10.6" 16:9 1080p ClearType display, USB 3.0, Mini DisplayPort supporting up to 2560 by 1440 external display resolution and a 4-hour battery life...wait what? My Surface Pro, that costs more than an iPad at entry, can only run for four hours?

You read that right folks! The so-called iPad killer can't even match half of the iPad's resolution, nor half of it's battery. The Surface RT already got a bad enough review and I hate to see Microsoft fail twice on the tablet front.

When we saw this Tweet and Reply from Panos Panay, we were just as floored as you.

@gostags92 Hey Chris, to answer your question, #Surface Pro will have approximately half the battery life of Surface RT.
— Panos Panay (@panos_panay) November 29, 2012

Hopefully the performance is worth the dismal battery life, and unimpressive specs.

Will you be buying a Surface Pro? Sound off in the comments below.

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Getting Started with Windows 8: Changing the Default Browser

Most users spend their time online and with Microsoft’s new Metro interface, Windows gets a full screen experience without ever having to use the desktop – unless you need to. The new experience includes a very basic and stripped Internet Explorer but users can replace this browser, Mozilla has announced it is working on a version of Firefox and Google, more silent about it, has included a metro style version once its browser is set as the default. In case you’re wondering: right clicking on the top of the screen toggles tab view – even in Chrome. Let’s get started!

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Getting Started with Windows 8: Getting and Playing Music

Windows 8 has brought a new music experience to the table. It takes less ram to run than Windows Media Player and it runs in full screen. It is called the Xbox Music app and it is the default music player in Windows 8. Xbox Music can also purchase and sort your existing Music. Let's get started!

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Getting Started with Windows 8: When things go wrong…

There comes a time when Windows starts running into problems that can be caused by various reasons. Windows 8 has utilities that will help you get back on your feet including System Restore, Refresh and Reset. Let’s get started!

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Getting Started with Windows 8: Automatic Maintenance

Windows 8 takes a bold leap in the automatic direction. Automatic Maintenance is hidden in the Maintenance section of Action Center but it does quite a bit: virus scans your computer, updates programs, runs disk maintenance and much more. Let’s get started!

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Getting Started with Windows 8: Libraries and Pinning to Taskbar

If you’ve been using Windows 7, you will recognize the features in the video as they are the same (except that the Start Screen replaces the Start Menu) but if you are coming from Windows XP, here are some features that you may find handy. Let’s get started!

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Getting Started with Windows 8: Importing Pictures

Importing photos in Windows 8 has changed. Rather than using a desktop application, Windows 8 uses the photos app to mass import your pictures. Let’s get started!

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Getting Started with Windows 8: Using the Calendar

Many people have an agenda and many people plan certain events. However, it is sometimes more convenient to use a computer to plan these events. In the past you had to use an email application or open a browser to get to agenda, now all you have to do is look at the start screen to be reminded of where you have to go and what you have to do. Let’s get started!

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Getting Started with Windows 8: Changing Default Programs

With an interface change and new features, Windows 8 is geared to be a love or hate operating system with many calling foul and many calling bold. However, for those that decide to use it and are more comfortable with the default settings of the past, there is a way to get that. Let’s get started!

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Getting Started with Windows 8: Getting Classic Games

In previous versions of Windows, classic games like solitaire and free cell came installed with the operating system. Users of Microsoft’s new Windows 8 will come to a surprising realization when they find that all these games have been stripped and not installed by default. Microsoft, however, has released some redesigned versions of their classics as free downloads in the Windows Store. Let’s get started!

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Getting Started with Windows 8: Backing up Files

One  of the most important things a person should do with a computer is set up a back up system to ensure that no files get lost if something went wrong down the road. Windows 8 comes with a built-in backup utility called File History which is very easy to set up. It does, however, require you to use a network drive or an external hard drive and won’t let you use the internal hard drive. One of the advantages of File History is that it doesn’t create a backup file that requires a program to read it, instead it creates a directory on the hard drive where all the files are simply copied over at the rate of your choosing. Let’s get started!

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Getting Started with Windows 8: Playing Videos

Windows 8 has brought a new video experience to the table. It takes less ram to run than Windows Media Player and it runs in full screen. It is called the Xbox Video app and it is the default video player in Windows 8. In the video below, you will see first hand what the playback experience is like and how to go back to Windows Media Player if you don’t like it. Let’s get started!

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Getting Started with Windows 8: Mounting Disk Images

In previous versions of Windows, mounting and burning ISO files and other disk image files were a hassle. Windows 7 introduced the ISO burning utility which made the default action when someone clicked on an ISO file to burn it to a disk. Windows 8 goes further and allows users to mount disk images to use them without having to put them on a disk or get a third-party driver. Let’s get started!

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Getting Started with Windows 8: Desktop Customization

Changing the Desktop wall paper and adjusting the resolution are easy tasks in Windows. If you’re migrating from Windows XP, you may notice a different interface, if you are coming from Windows 7, you will notice that the choice between AERO and Windows Basic is gone. What you both likely won’t notice is that the choices you make will be synchronized and if you don’t want it to be you will have to turn the setting off. In this video, I will show you how to customize your desktop. Let’s get started!

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Getting Started with Windows 8: PDF Documents

In previous versions of Windows, users had to install third party software to be able to read PDF documents. In Windows 8, Microsoft introduces a PDF reader app that is basic and gets the job done. While it is basic, there are some features lacking. The full overview of the new Windows 8 PDF reader can be seen in the video below. Let’s get started!

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Getting Started with Windows 8: Built-in Security

Security has long been an issue with Windows. From the worms and Trojans and viruses that await an opening to your system to the paralyzing damage they can cause, Windows users, left with no other option, were forced to get antivirus software from paid and free sources. In Windows 8, Microsoft has updated Windows Defender to scan for viruses using an interface that much resembles Microsoft Security Essentials which proved to be a trust worthy option when it made its debut.  They have also included a Smart screen filter which will verify programs with a database before allowing them to run. In this video we will explore the new security features and see what Microsoft has to offer.  Let’s get started!

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Getting Started with Windows 8: New Password Options

One of the many new features that come baked into Windows 8 RTM feature how you log on to your computer. Let’s get started!

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Getting Started with Windows 8: Settings and Customization

With a new interface comes new settings and a new way to manage those settings. In this video, I will look at the PC settings that come with Windows 8 RTM. Let’s get started!

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Getting Started with Windows 8: Exploring Installed Apps

Microsoft’s new Store opens way for a new set of apps. Some come pre-installed and offer basic functionality that you had before while others are there to show off the new uses of Windows 8. Regardless, in this video I will show you what comes with Windows 8 right out of the box and I will point out some tips and tricks with apps of interest. Let’s get started!

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