Bekker's Blog

Blog archive

Widget Brings Start Function Back to Windows 8

In all the years that I've set up new PCs either in my own house or for relatives, I've never run across a piece of start-up freeware from an OEM that was worth keeping.

It has always been my mission to hunt down any bit of how-to, security dashboarding, system updating or other start-up junk and delete it. In the rare cases that I didn't (or couldn't), I always regretted it. The usually poorly written and poorly thought out junkware would either accost me with non-actionable pop-up windows or slowed system performance.

However, it appears that Samsung has done something rare, possibly even unique: It's come up with a piece of OEM freeware that might actually be useful. The South Korean company announced three new all-in-one PCs for Windows 8 yesterday that aim to undo one of the most unpopular design decisions of Windows 8.

I'm referring, of course, to Microsoft's insistence on getting rid of the Start button in the re-imagined Windows 8. The eagle eyes over at Mashable noticed that Samsung inserted the S Launcher, a widget that acts like the familiar Start button.

Check out the Mashable blog entry for some screen shots.

Posted by Scott Bekker on August 29, 2012


Featured

  • Microsoft Offers Support Extensions for Exchange 2016 and 2019

    Microsoft has introduced a paid Extended Security Update (ESU) program for on-premises Exchange Server 2016 and 2019, offering a crucial safety cushion as both versions near their Oct. 14, 2025 end-of-support date.

  • An image of planes flying around a globe

    2025 Microsoft Conference Calendar: For Partners, IT Pros and Developers

    Here's your guide to all the IT training sessions, partner meet-ups and annual Microsoft conferences you won't want to miss.

  • Notebook

    Microsoft Centers AI, Security and Partner Dogfooding at MCAPS

    Microsoft's second annual MCAPS for Partners event took place Tuesday, delivering a volley of updates and directives for its partners for fiscal 2026.

  • Microsoft Layoffs: AI Is the Obvious Elephant in the Room

    As Microsoft doubles down on an $80 billion bet on AI this fiscal year, its workforce reductions are drawing scrutiny over whether AI's ascent is quietly reshaping its human capital strategy, even as official messaging avoids drawing a direct line.