The upcoming update of Windows 8 might allow users to boot to the desktop again. The website Winbeta found traces of code that might give Windows 8.1, also known as Windows Blue, the option to boot directly to the desktop.
One of the issues with Windows 8 that many users around the web complain about might be fixed this way. On the internet there has been a lot of criticism on Microsoft's choice to boot Windows 8 in Metro. This user interface consists of tiles and doesn't resemble the desktop that has been part of Windows since the beginning.
There are already several solutions for users who don't want to end up in Metro when they boot. There is software that sends keystrokes when Windows boots to skip Metro. Developers have also released applications that resemble the start menu in Windows 8.
From the code that Winbeta has posted it seems that Microsoft might now give users the choice to boot to the desktop or to Metro. This doesn't bring back the start menu but would mean that Microsoft tries to listen to its customers. Until Windows 8.1 / Blue is released it will be unsure if this piece of code will indeed allow users to skip Metro. It could also be possible that the code refers to something else.
Update: The usually well informed Microsoft watcher Mary Jo Foley writes that Microsoft is indeed considering to allow users to boot to the desktop and will also give users an option to bring back the start menu.
Editor's note: We've updated the title to better reflect this updated information. The rest of the article has been untouched and therefor does not mention the rumors regarding bringing back the start menu.
