Windows 8.1 Build 9374

Sounds like the same thing already in Windows 8.  You click on the lower left corner and you get stuck leaving the Desktop and having to go to the Metro Screen.

Personally, if they aren't going to put a functional Start Menu in the OS or allow to boot to Desktop, then I wished they'd address a few other simple items with regards to cloning in a Corporate environment, like easily allow for 'proper' replacement of the built in Lock Screen images.  Allow you to pre-set a default Logon Screen image in a clone.  Allow you to set your own image (and a default in a clone) for the Metro Screen background.  Or how about a domain policy to prevent the ability to "associate" a Microsoft account to Domain accounts?  Seeing the date/time and wireless network connectivity on the Metro Screen without having to take some sort of action first would certainly be nice.  And wouldn't it be nice if your clone image would actually 'prompt' you to select the TimeZone and set the Date/Time when it starts up, instead of just defaulting to Pacific Time?  (You can preset the TZ, but that's not helpful when your clone is used in an organization like ours that spans more than one timezone.)  More easily customizing the Metro Screen (in Windows 8 Professional) for the Default User in a clone, so when new users log in they inherit this setup would be nice.

It will be no more than a button which takes you to the metro start screen. Boot to desktop will be extended to the Windows 8 client but perhaps only for Pro and Enterprise editions of the product.

It still sucks, Mr. Ballmer! Indeed it's the same metro shit coming up. Same as in Windows 8, clicking in the low-left corner. ROFL. Mishapp? Or do you think we are stupid?

Theories abound as to what MS's thinking/strategy really is with 8.x. Personally I believe they've all lost their minds.

Its just a different way of clicking (or touching/swiping).

Dont be Luddites, Windows 8.1 is definitely the way to go!

Dont be Luddites, Windows 8.1 is definitely the way to go!

So anyone who dislikes Windows 8.x is a Luddite?

How about: Don't be a lemming.

Just because Microsoft is jumping off the cliff is no reason to follow.

Preset an image for the lock screen.  You can use Local Group Policy Editor to set the image to any you desire or have it set via GPO.

To block MS accounts, you set that in your security options.  Again via LGPE or GPO.

As for the date/time, use an autounattend.xml file that is specific for the time zone in particular.

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