Evolution of Start Menu Search continues in Windows 8

Written by Rich Fiscus @ 20 Oct 2011 1:58 User comments (4)

In Windows 8, Microsoft continues to refine the Start Menu search feature first introduced in Windows Vista according to the latest entry on the Building Windows 8 blog.

In Windows 7, Start Menu searching was expanded to include Control Panel apps and email messages and contacts. Since few email developers added support for this functionality, Windows 8 is dropping that feature.

What you will get from the Start Menu Search in Windows 8 is the option to search for Apps, Settings, or Files. Also, unlike Windows 7, the results will all be displayed in the Start Menu, instead of having a 'See more results' option to see the complete list in Windows Explorer.

Essentially what they've done is expand Start Menu Search so it can fill the entire desktop. That way you don't need a separate window for viewing detailed results.

As with Windows 7, the most commonly accessed items will appear higher in the list.

Tags: Microsoft Windows 8 search Start Menu

<iPhone 4S owners complaining of yellow screens >French 3 strikes law used in another email scam

4 user comments

120.10.2011 09:44

Linkdx

Send private message to this user

Junior Member

now see, what if you share a computer with someone?... i don't think the most commonly used apps or items is a very useful thing :p

220.10.2011 14:40

neronut

Send private message to this user

Member

Thank you Microsoft for making Windows less efficient for everyone.

Their new MetroUI is cool, on tablets and touchscreens. It is highly inefficient when using a traditional mouse and keyboard. They should detect the display type and adjust accordingly. Also allow the user to choose, if they want a start menu then allow them to have a start menu.

320.10.2011 15:20

Azuran

Send private message to this user

Member

Originally posted by Linkdx:
now see, what if you share a computer with someone?... i don't think the most commonly used apps or items is a very useful thing :p

That's what multiple logins are for.

Originally posted by neronut:
Thank you Microsoft for making Windows less efficient for everyone.

Their new MetroUI is cool, on tablets and touchscreens. It is highly inefficient when using a traditional mouse and keyboard. They should detect the display type and adjust accordingly. Also allow the user to choose, if they want a start menu then allow them to have a start menu.

I agree, although it might just be my distaste for change talking.

427.10.2011 09:51

BobShaft

Send private message to this user

Newbie

I definitely embraced Windows 7 when it came along. It may have only been a "refreshing" of the UI as compared to Vista, but it's performance and bug fixes made it well worth while.

I've tried the early version on my laptop and although it's rough in it's current state, I haven't seen any features that would lead me to upgrade. Without a tablet or touch screen I just don't see advantages to the new interface.

This message has been edited since its posting. Latest edit was made on 27 Oct 2011 @ 9:52

Comments have been disabled for this article.

	EU to launch age verification app, mandatory for porn sites (02 Jun 2025 3:28) European Union is set to launch an age verification app by October 2025. Age verification uses so-called strong digital user authentication and it is required in order to access the largest adult websites.
	EU: Mandatory 5 year update commitment for phones (30 May 2025 2:51) European Union requires phone manufacturers to provide software updates for minimum of 5 years for all their phones, starting from June, 2025.
	Signal fights Windows Recall with a DRM trick (22 May 2025 2:49) Signal blacks out its app when trying to screenshot it in Windows. The move is a counter-measure against Windows 11's so-called Recall feature that automatically screenshots Windows desktop every few seconds.
	Roborock Saros 10 review - Great, but not perfect (14 May 2025 5:54) We tested Roborock Saros 10 robot vacuum for more than two months in order to see whether it is really worth its hefty price tag. The mopping, self-emptying Saros 10 was mostly great, even perfect. But its object avoidance was bit disappointing. 1 user comment
	Napster Sold – Yet Again (27 Mar 2025 1:16) The world’s most iconic peer-to-peer music-sharing platform, once infamous for its role in digital piracy, has once again been sold.

	What happens if you don't update Android? Sometimes it can be tempting to avoid updating to a new Android version. What happens if you decide to delay major updates to the OS?
	Does your phone rattle? Here's why it happens When you shake your phone and hear a light rattle, clatter, or jingle, it's likely not broken. The culprit is probably the optical image stabilization (OIS) system in your phone's camera, meaning everything is functioning as it should. 2 user comments
	What IP rating for dust and water resistance means An IP classification (such as IP68) is given to mobile phones, Bluetooth speakers, and other devices, but what do these classifications mean? 1 user comment
	GUIDE: Wi-Fi speeds are slow? Here are some tips Having problems with Wi-Fi speed and stability at home? Here are some tips to follow to alleviate the issues. 1 user comment
	Guide: Phone battery drains quickly - how to fix (iPhone / Android) In this guide, we go through the most typical reasons for rapid battery drain with phones, and look at potential reasons or solutions.

Evolution of Start Menu Search continues in Windows 8

4 user comments

Latest news

Reviews

Guides

News archive

Subscribe

Sections:

Follow us:

	Roborock Saros 10 review - Great, but not perfect We tested Roborock Saros 10 robot vacuum for more than two months in order to see whether it is really worth its hefty price tag. The mopping, self-emptying Saros 10 was mostly great, even perfect. But its object avoidance was bit disappointing. 1 user comment
	Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra review - obstacle avoidance doesn't work as it should, otherwise almost perfect robot vacuum We put the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra through a very, very long review process. The $1800 mopping robot vacuum is almost perfect, but its obstacle avoidance was surprisingly bad, considering the price - and compared to its competitors.
	Sharge x OnePlus Pouch review: Beautiful power bank that supports SuperVOOC charging In our review, we take a look at Sharge's power bank that supports OnePlus SuperVOOC quick charging technology as well as standard USB PD charging. It has small design flaws, but despite those, the Pouch is very nice product. 1 user comment