jm24
The start screen is modifiable. But so is/was the w7 start menu. And with the start menu ALL the programs are where they are supposed to be, where I put them.
The start wall will display ALL 130+ tiles for all the installed programs and utilities which requires scrolling and reading and time wasting. (MS Office, sonar 8.5, X1/2, misc utilities, driver access, manuals,...)
Just as with w7, I have the most used programs on the taskbar. And the secondary programs' shortcuts on the desktop and/or in a folder.
And I have added folders to the "start menu" folder and moved the shortcuts as is reasonable. And the full start-wall displays them as groups with the folder names.
The w8 start-wall is NOT a good replacement for a hierarchical menu structure.
The main problem with the start menu with 7 is the lack of the quick access link that was available with XP. Partly this is because the ALL USERS start menu is in a buried hidden folder.
Using the start menu there is no way to add a folder, and no way to move more than one shortcut at once. This requires using a windows explorer (file manager) and un-hiding the folders, and then hunting about to find it.
This is the same for w8. It is a buried hidden folder. And the start wall does not provide a way to create group headings and move more than one shortcut at once.
Pretty much like the Sonar X series: more clicks to get at stuff that used to be quicker to access.
And some really stupid stuff like: there are 2 dialogs for creating and modifying users. BUT, a password can ONLY be entered/changed from the metro interface. Why move it??? Why not just make both screen completely the same???????????????? Idiots!
I've gotten used to hitting the start screen and right clicking everything I don't want to see each time I install something. Luckily, the DAW doesn't get many software installations, once it's set up it's left alone for the most part.
I can't stand the hierarchal start menu in XP any more. I used to waste so much time organizing that stuff, until windows 7. Slap the windows key, type in what you're looking for, bam done. Also, in Windows 7 you can still right click on the "All Programs" menu and open up explorer for all users or the current user, then organize away just like in XP. Except I've found that pretty much unnecessary these days. Windows 8 has made me go back to maintain the items on the start screen, except the old win key then type stuff still works so it's not so bad.
I wholeheartedly agree about the user password thing, they seem to have petered out somewhere in the control panel when converting things to "metro". sometimes you hit a metro window, sometimes you hit a desktop window. It's all a bit strange.