I'd imagine it could totally be hidden (like the current one) but even still it would be easy enough to bypass by just using the Global File > Open menu.
Actually there has been a recent development on my system regarding the old Startscreen which has been annoying. I used to always rely on the "Recent Projects" option to get at whatever I've been working on. Recently I switched my main projects folder to be on the E drive. I am not 100% sure that was the cause but the result is now my "Recent Projects" option actually only goes up to the PREVIOUS saved version (penultimate) instead of the one I actually saved last. I have had to resort to using the Open Project option either in the Start Screen or via the Global File Menu. Hoping the new startscreen will resolve this little quirk.
Good news that I've gleaned from discussions about this here on the forum (and maybe this has already been implemented and not related to the new starscreen) is that we will be able to open a project without defining a folder location. So we won't have to type in a project name/path when we open a new project. This is great for a weirdo tester/noodler like me. Sometimes I get a bug in my brain and want to try something without setting up a project. I just want to open Sonar, go nuts and then kill the project (and have no trace of it on the drives). Currently I have to keep "test" projects to load up for those impromptu spazzouts but usually I end up futzing around with however I set them up previously and it sucks the life out of my moment of inspiration.
So yeah... just being able to get in and get out at the drop of a fart will be cool. Of course if the farts have some artistic merit a simple Save As would turn into an actual new project.
IDK... there are ways to do this already but I just like the idea of "PLOOF" it's open and I can futz a bit and jam without getting distracted by the Create Project crap which is a mood killer.
Cheers.