Microsoft prepares rethink on Windows 8 flagship software

[Mike Mercury]

Microsoft is preparing to reverse course over key elements of its Windows 8 operating system, marking one of the most prominent admissions of failure for a new mass-market consumer product since Coca-Cola’s New Coke fiasco nearly 30 years ago.

“Key aspects” of how the software is used will be changed when Microsoft releases an updated version of the operating system this year, Tami Reller, head of marketing and finance for the Windows business, said in an interview with the Financial Times. Referring to difficulties many users have had with mastering the software, she added: “The learning curve is definitely real.”

Analysts warned that changing course would be a significant admission of failure for Steve Ballmer, chief executive, who called the October launch of Windows 8 a “bet-the-company” moment as Microsoft sought to respond to the success of Apple’s iPad.

Why you would click a button labelled “start” to turn something off has never been entirely clear “It’s a horrible thing for this to happen to your flagship product – he’ll take a hit for that,” said Mark Anderson, an independent tech analyst. “But he’s also responsible for a renaissance inside the company. There’s a level of risk and creativity going on that would never have happened two years ago.”

Richard Doherty, analyst at tech research firm Envisioneering, said: “This is like New Coke, going on for seven months – only Coke listened better.” Coca-Cola dropped its New Coke formula in response to a consumer backlash less than three months after launch.

Windows 8 was an ambitious attempt to update the personal computer for the tablet era by moving to a new touchscreen interface based on colourful tiles, hiding the “desktop” launch screen familiar to white collar workers and consumers around the world.

The combination PC and tablet software was widely panned by reviewers and has been blamed by some analysts for worsening the slump in sales that has rocked the PC industry. Even before its launch, Tim Cook, chief executive of Apple, said Windows 8 would be like combining a toaster and a fridge – something that, while technically possible, was “probably not going to be pleasing to the user”.

Ms Reller refused to reveal details of the changes Microsoft would make to Windows 8. However, the clamour from reviewers has become overwhelming for a return to a more familiar PC interface. Ms Reller said PC users had faced difficulties adapting to the new software.

Pressure has been building for Windows 8 PCs to launch the familiar desktop view when turned on – and to bring back the “start” button featured in the lower left corner of the screen in previous releases.

Microsoft has also admitted to a range of other slips with the launch of Windows 8, including failing to do enough to train retail staff and educate potential customers about the new software, as well as not focusing all of its financial incentives behind the touchscreen PCs that show off Windows 8 to best advantage. “It’s very clear we could and should have done more,” Ms Reller said.

Despite the slips, she said that Microsoft continued to view the software as suitable for both PCs and tablets and that “customer satisfaction with Windows 8 with touch is strong”.

[BuckyThreadkiller]

It's an OS - get it out of the way and let the apps do the work. How hard is that?

[Yerf Dog]

Came here to see "New Coke". Was not disappointed.

[Mike Mercury]

[DukeAllen]

Originally Posted by Mike Mercury

I love how the aol screen says kids only. How appropriate.

[NeedSpeed]

Originally Posted by Mike Mercury

[Blue 92]

Originally Posted by Mike Mercury

................. “customer satisfaction with Windows 8 with touch is strong”.

Both of them.

[burtonbl103]

yep fools for making the start menu go awya
There is only a billion pcs out ther that way.
I order tons of servers and deskyops and i hate that they try for force 8 down your throat,
Stick with 7 and Server 2008 R2

[Cybercowboy]

And they are constantly breaking applications and browser add-ons, it's getting to be ridiculous.

[joecaver]

I could not be more dissatisfied with Windows 8. I am exercising much restraint here by not going on a rant about how much I hate it.

[jaxgator]

I hate Winblows 8.

My brother recently had to purchase a laptop and, of course, it came with 8. I told him to check it out and if he didn't like it that I would install Windows 7 on it. He didn't like it. However, instead of installing 7 on it I decided to just run a Windows 7 shell. Works great and he is happy.

[GRADS2112]

Originally Posted by joecaver

I could not be more dissatisfied with Windows 8. I am exercising much restraint here by not going on a rant about how much I hate it.

X2...wish I would of made the switch to a Mac.

[MEANZ06]

Originally Posted by GRADS2112

X2...wish I would of made the switch to a Mac.

I'm running lion...

on a separate note: your avatar sucks...

[Norm]

Sure would like to have Outlook Express back, everything else sucks.

[GRADS2112]

Originally Posted by MEANZ06

on a separate note: your avatar is awesome!...

Thanks bro...

[CBonsall]

i dont have that problem, still using xp.

[Yerf Dog]

I just upgraded my laptop to Win7 (from Vista) a few months ago. I haven't even tried Win8 yet.

I think I read the latest Xbox360 interface is similar to Win8 and I can't say I'm too fond of that.

[Cybercowboy]

I've been working on fixing various IE10 bugs the last few days. IE10 is not properly reporting the physical location of the caret in text area elements. You have to kinda fake it out by saying "Is this point (x,y) in the text area box of interest? No? How about if I move it one pixel left or right? Oh, now it is. Thanks, morons.