Microsoft details Windows RT Start Menu update

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Published onSeptember 16, 2015

published onSeptember 16, 2015

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As we posted yesterday,Microsoft has rather quietly released Update 3 for Windows RT 8.1. This is good news for Windows RT users, because the update adds in a Start menu, one of the most popular features of Windows 10 and the most demanded by Windows RT users. Microsoft has published a fairly descriptive changelog for Update 3 (officially dubbedKB3033055), and so we can provide additional details on precisely what Windows RT users can now enjoy.As mentioned, the most significant change is the addition of a Start menu, which is quite similar to the version introduced in Windows 10 very early in the Windows Insider program. The start menu is a tad simpler than the one in Windows 10 and oddly resembles Windows 7/8.X in its iconography, but it provides a number of key features.

The Start menu in Windows RT can be toggled on and off, accepts pinned apps to the grid and the Pinned List, and offers scrolling to accommodate a large number of pinned apps. A most frequently used (MFU) apps list provides quick access to your favorite apps, and a Search box occupies the familiar spot to the lower left of the Start menu.Microsoft recognizes the need for explicit Desktop support, and so they devote a few bits to describing how to return to the Desktop quickly–a process that basically involves pinning the Desktop “app” to Start. Because Windows RT still utilizes the immersive version of Internet Explorer that was dropped from Windows 10, Microsoft also provides some insights on how the desktop and immersive versions Internet Explorer work together.Finally, Windows RT users can now enjoy circular frames for User Account pictures, just like their Windows 10 compatriots. Whether this is a good or bad thing depends entirely on personal preference, of course.That seems to be everything included in Windows RT Update 3, and while the Start menu is likely a welcome addition, it looks like Microsoft isn’t investing loads of resources into updating what’s essentially a dead platform. Hopefully the changes will be enough to tide Windows RT users over until they can make the jump to a Windows 10 machine.

Radu Tyrsina

Radu Tyrsina has been a Windows fan ever since he got his first PC, a Pentium III (a monster at that time).

For most of the kids of his age, the Internet was an amazing way to play and communicate with others, but he was deeply impressed by the flow of information and how easily you can find anything on the web.

Prior to founding Windows Report, this particular curiosity about digital content enabled him to grow a number of sites that helped hundreds of millions reach faster the answer they’re looking for.

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Radu Tyrsina

With KB5043178 to Release Preview Channel, Microsoft advises Windows 11 users to plug in when the battery is low#

Copilot in Outlook will generate personalized themes for you to customize the app#

Microsoft will raise the price of its 365 Suite to include AI capabilities#

Death Stranding Director’s Cut is now Xbox X|S at a huge discount#

Outlook will let users create custom account icons so they can tell their accounts apart easier#

Microsoft details Windows RT Start Menu update#