Windows 8.1 will get ‘classic’ start menu back in future update

Windows 8.1 will get a new start menu in a future update that closely resembles the classic start menu from previous Windows versions. In addition, it will also be possible to run Metro apps within a window instead of just fullscreen.

Microsoft did not announce when the new features will be rolled out, but did show images of, among other things, the new start menu. It is a combination of the classic menu from earlier versions, with a vertically sorted list of applications, and the Live Tiles of the Start screen that was introduced with Windows 8. What this means for the current Start menu of Windows 8.1 is not yet known, but given that the current Start screen comes out well on tablets, it is unlikely that Microsoft will remove it completely.

In addition to the new start menu, the images also show how modern Windows apps are run within a window while the traditional desktop is visible. The use of a new SDK and APIs should make it possible in the future to run these kinds of apps on Windows Phone 8.x as well as Windows 8.x and the Xbox One. Developers only need to maintain one codebase that will function on all platforms. Microsoft calls these ‘universal apps’. Makers of such an app can choose to let the user pay only once, after which the app can be used on multiple platforms.

During the keynote, Microsoft also announced that a special version of Windows is in the pipeline that is made for the internet of things. This will be distributed for free. In addition, it was announced that manufacturers of Windows devices with a screen smaller than 9″ will no longer have to pay license fees to Microsoft.

Source: Engadget