Since the introduction of Windows 8, Microsoft hasn't quite known what to do with the Start menu. The company tried removing it, before reintroducing it in Windows 8.1. Windows 10 brought its own vastly improved Start interface, but there has always been a feeling the Start menu never needed to be changes at all.
With Windows 10 Redstone 2, Microsoft is going to revert back to a Windows 7-esque Start menu. That seems to be the case with the latest release of the preview platform. In fact, the company is merely refining the Start menu experience further. Windows 10 and Redstone 1 started that change, Redstone 2 will further it.
The result will be a defined Windows 10 Start menu that is more in keeping with older platform version styles. If you're someone like me, who likes the Windows 10 Anniversary Update Start menu, you may see no need for it to look like Windows 7. Especially as Microsoft will keep the live tiles.
Simplifying the Experience
Live tiles divide opinion, some love them and other hate them. Then there are those like yours truly who just never pay attention to them. Either way, Microsoft will retain live tiles for its Redstone 2 Start menu. When the app list is clicked the overall layout and UI looks more like older Windows builds.
This will actually be a feature that users can activate through Settings>Personalization>State>Hide. Microsoft says it made the change because users have asked for it. Indeed, the company points out this is the most requested feature from feedback.
The company is unwilling to abandon the live tile idea yet. However, there has been a definite pull back from the design first established in Windows 8. Considering the general mess that OS provided in terms of fluid UI, Windows 10 continues to feel more dynamic.
Redstone 2 is not going to be launched to all users until spring, 2017. The new Start menu design is only currently available to members of the Windows Insider Program.
