One of the biggest criticisms with Windows 8 was that it ditched the Start button, a feature that's been a part of Windows for as long as many users can remember (it was first introduced with Windows 95 and Windows NT). Together with the introduction of the Metro UI, a lot of people found the lack of Start button confusing. So much so, that users actively looked for ways to bring it back (Tom's Guide even ran a story on how to make Windows 8 look like Windows 7, and a big part of that was bringing back the Start button).
For months, the rumor mill has been churning out reports that Microsoft would bring back the Start button in Windows 8.1. Finally, in June, the return of the Start button was confirmed. Microsoft gave a demonstration of Windows 8.1 at Computex and it briefly showed off the returning Start button. In case you were worried that the months since Computex have seen the Start button cut once more, you needn't have worried. A commercial for Windows 8.1 has shown that the Start button is still present in Windows 8.1.
Microsoft is showing off the Start button in this commercial, telling users then can use it to flip back and forth between Desktop mode and the new Metro/Modern UI mode. As we saw back in June, it's not the same Start button we've come to know and love since 1995. Instead, it serves as a quick hop to the Start screen for mouse-based customers and a comfort blanket for those that have missed the Start button immensely over the last year. Check out the ad for Windows 8.1 below:
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