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How Microsoft could bring back the Start menu without killing Metro UI

Updated Dec 13th, 2013 3:42PM EST
Windows 8.2 Start Menu Concept

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The biggest controversy surrounding Windows 8 has been about the so-called “Metro” user interface that lets users navigate their PC through a set of Live Tiles that replace the traditional Start menu. On one side of the debate are Windows 8 users who love the platform’s new touch-centric capabilities while on the other side are Windows users who simply miss having their Start menuThe Verge’s Tom Warren points us to a new concept for future versions of Windows that attempts to square this circle by designing a Start menu that has a distinctly Metro flavor to it.

The new concept, designed by Windows user Jay Machalani, features a traditional pop-up Start menu in the lower left-hand corner of the screen that also incorporates the Live Tiles that are a trademark of the Windows 8 experience. Users would still have to option of going to the Live Tile Start screen by clicking on the Windows button located at the bottom of Windows 8 tablet displays and on the bottom left-hand side of Windows 8 keyboards.

Machalani says that he didn’t just want to bring back the full traditional Start menu because he wanted to keep a lot of the UI changes Microsoft made with the new system.

“By doing a new Start menu you’re actually bringing the Start screen to the desktop with the same typography, your own user icon … a reflection of how the Start screen can be on the desktop, a more compressed version with more functionality,” he tells The Verge.

A short video of Machalani’s concept follows below.

Brad Reed
Brad Reed Staff Writer

Brad Reed has written about technology for over eight years at BGR.com and Network World. Prior to that, he wrote freelance stories for political publications such as AlterNet and the American Prospect. He has a Master's Degree in Business and Economics Journalism from Boston University.