Although Microsoft confirmed the return of the Start Menu to Windows 8 during the BUILD conference back in April, a new report from Mary Jo Foley at ZDNet reveals that the company won’t deliver the new Start Menu with Windows 8.1 Update 2, which is due later this year.
Instead Microsoft will delay the new feature until the next major release of Windows, currently known as “Threshold”, which is scheduled to debut in April 2015. Threshold will be the Windows 8.1 successor and Microsoft may use Windows 9 as the new name for this release of the operating system.
SEE ALSO: Windows 9 to fix a broken Windows 8, but will it be a free upgrade? (editorial)
While the software giant won’t be making the Start Menu available Windows 8.1 Update 2, the operating system is getting better, Windows 8.1 update and Windows 8.1 Update 1 are the proof of how the company is working to make its operating system more usable for those with keyboard and mouse, and it will continue with feature updates.
The new Start Menu that Microsoft is building isn’t the same as the previous menus from Windows XP or Windows 7. The new one will be a combination of the old Start Menu and the new Start screen. You’ll be able to once again see all your recent and pinned apps, search apps using the search box, and you’ll have easier access to all your programs. Also the second part of the menu features a mini Start screen, where you will be able to place Live Tiles with any sizes, but still unclear how many rows you’ll be able to fit.
SEE ALSO: This is the Start menu for Windows 8.1 (video)
It all will come together with Threshold as Microsoft is also planning to enable Windows Store apps to float inside the Desktop, like we’re used to with previous versions of Windows.
There are a lot of great features coming in the future, but now the big question is what will Windows 8.1 Update 2 will bring? At this moment everyone at Microsoft is silent.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].