Windows 8, 8.1 & 10 versus Windows 7

HippsieGypsie said:

I know it's to each there own and I really do try to see the logic in the old cascading menus, but I just don't get it. To me it's liken moving into a house and using half the rooms only to cramp furniture in the other half moving some to the side to get to a piece to use. This is proportionate to the screen you show. What about the rest of your screen? Do you just like looking at it? Like the other empty rooms of the house?

I think that reasoning applies more to the Windows 10-style single-lane alphabetized apps list. The purpose of a list of apps is to be functional, and practical - not interior decorating. Scrolling through one list is less practical and functional, takes more time, which means the act of searching for an application becomes more about searching for the application, and not quickly retrieving the application and launching it.

For power users with tons of programs, it is a cumbersome pain to be regularly engaging the alphabetized single-lane start menu.

Also, the lack of a filter box for the start menu in Windows 10 is a big deal for power users with tons of programs. The universal search app is slow, and retrieves all kinds of useless bloat that kills its efficiency.


Even though the presence of the start menu is a big feature of Windows 10, its particular reduced-efficiency implementation is also one of the biggest weaknesses of Windows 10, unfortunately.

CountMike said:

You can pin desktop programs to Start (Modern) menu too. Combination of alphabetized, tiles and most used menus can make it easier to find.

I'm all for alphabetized. But I'm not for how big each item is in the list, how big the space is inbetween each letter, having live tiles to the right of the start menu rather than pinned list items directly vertical from where the start button is, and also the lack of a start menu filter.

I can understand making a very simple, though less efficient design. But I don't really understand why a company would make that features-simplified design the only available means to access the environment.

With a filter box for the start menu, a person would never need to scroll through their list of apps - just like I never once did with Windows 7. All I ever did was type the first couple of letters for what I was looking for, and the target would auto-complete in the search filter in real-time. If a person is able to find their needed app by searching the All Apps list in Windows 10, then they can also find their app by using a search filter. Both methods generally require that the person searching actually has the same level of idea for what it is they're searching for.

I don't get why this box isn't also there in Windows 10, but it would be really accommodating if Microsoft supplied an option to re-add it.

HippsieGypsie said:

I know it's to each there own and I really do try to see the logic in the old cascading menus, but I just don't get it. To me it's liken moving into a house and using half the rooms only to cramp furniture in the other half moving some to the side to get to a piece to use. This is proportionate to the screen you show. What about the rest of your screen? Do you just like looking at it? Like the other empty rooms of the house?

What's with "The alphabet letters take up too much space for me."? Don't get that at all really.

It's no secret that I like 8.1 with the Start screen. In arranging 10 to suite my needs I'm attempting to use the "whole house of rooms". I have mine set at full menu mode. Here's a screenshot of my Start menu similar to the Start screen with the All apps collapsed to only the letters next to the task bar. I also through up the Power User menu to boot using WinKey/X combo. If it's not on this screen then I don't really use it that much or need it at all.

Also, with the transparent Start menu I see my desktop Bing pic of the day background and rearrange personal, informational live tiles at will. I mean what's wrong with obtaining personal data at a glance? A cascading menu hardly gets me anything close.

Attachment 24198

Hi - Thanks for your comments on my earlier post. We obviously have different ways of working.


When I'm out in the afternoon with a tablet, it's full of tiles and icons, it's a great way to work with a phone or tablet.
When I'm home with my laptop I don't use it the same way at all. I don't want to see tiles - live or otherwise, so no news, weather or pictures. I have no need of the desktop as an entertainment centre.


I have nothing on the desktop except the recycle bin. Most used programs are pinned to the taskbar - lesser used ones are in a taskbar/toolbar folder.
When I occasionally need something else, one click on the start menu brings up the view seen in my original post and one more click opens the program.


You don't see many programs in my earlier post because I don't use W10 as my working OS. and it's a drag to keep re-installing stuff after each new ISO.

It's a good thing that we're able to set things up the way we want it - you'd probably hate my way and I'd certainly hate yours :)

Delicieuxz said:

I think that reasoning applies more to the Windows 10-style single-lane alphabetized apps list. The purpose of a list of apps is to be functional, and practical - not interior decorating. Scrolling through one list is less practical and functional, takes more time, which means the act of searching for an application becomes more about searching for the application, and not quickly retrieving the application and launching it.

What on earth is “- not interior decorating” mean? How does that relate to the subject at hand about menus within these last posts?

For power users with tons of programs, it is a cumbersome pain to be regularly engaging the alphabetized single-lane start menu.

Is it so difficult to push a letter and push another letter as seen below? Difficult to wheel scroll rather than tier click > click > click > click? At worst one scrolls to a folder then click to open it and click once more on the item needed. Same amount of time to me.

Attachment 24250

Also, the lack of a filter box for the start menu in Windows 10 is a big deal for power users with tons of programs. The universal search app is slow, and retrieves all kinds of useless bloat that kills its efficiency.

Cortana is just as fast as the 7 search box. It may also remind of something else to use, get, or another place to look depending on what item is searched.

I typed 5 letters for Snipping Tool of which I was going to use for snips in this post. It came up instantly. You may consider it “bloat”, but others may find it useful. And what "bloat" do you see in this window anyway? The Store items? Users just may want to try those.

Attachment 24251

I pushed “My stuff” to get this. Like I stated, it may be useful.

Attachment 24248

Even though the presence of the start menu is a big feature of Windows 10, its particular reduced-efficiency implementation is also one of the biggest weaknesses of Windows 10, unfortunately.

That statement is all a matter of perspective. Perhaps if you took a more positive approach and attitude you’d get more positive results.

We're near to RTM and GA. 10 is pretty much laid out the way it will be released. I'm sure you and others will find a way to install 3rd party old-tech menus such as in 7 to use if need be, but I don't see how a search will work with the integration of Cortana and Bing.

kenC said:

Hi - Thanks for your comments on my earlier post. We obviously have different ways of working.

When I'm out in the afternoon with a tablet, it's full of tiles and icons, it's a great way to work with a phone or tablet.
When I'm home with my laptop I don't use it the same way at all. I don't want to see tiles - live or otherwise, so no news, weather or pictures. I have no need of the desktop as an entertainment centre.

I have nothing on the desktop except the recycle bin. Most used programs are pinned to the taskbar - lesser used ones are in a taskbar/toolbar folder.

When I occasionally need something else, one click on the start menu brings up the view seen in my original post and one more click opens the program.

You don't see many programs in my earlier post because I don't use W10 as my working OS. and it's a drag to keep re-installing stuff after each new ISO.

It's a good thing that we're able to set things up the way we want it - you'd probably hate my way and I'd certainly hate yours :)

Yes, like I stated in my post > To each there own. I feel you're correct in stating in so many words that 10 is flexible for personalization.

You're also correct in stating I'd hate your way. I left that old tech behind when I upgraded from 7 to 8. :)

Stop calling it Technical Preview. And I'm sure that It was still Insider Preview when you posted it.