There's been a mockup on the net; not sure if this is official or a leak, but it looks pretty good if real -- windows 7 style start menu, plus a narrow row of tiles.

Windows 8.1 has already solved most of the issues of Windows 8 - I'm reminded of Windows 3.0 vs 3.1 (and yes, that makes me OLD!).

You don't even need to spend $5 on Start8 - StartMenu8 is just as good and it's free.

I have Win 8.1 on my ThinkPad T440s and on my ThinkPad Tablet 2. I go to the Metro interface perhaps once a week for the Kindle app, and that's about it. (I really don't even need to do that if I don't want to; I could download Kindle for PC and run that from the desktop.)

Everything else runs swimmingly from the desktop, which looks just like my old Windows 7 desktop, except it's a little faster and a bit more stable.

ClassicShell is also a good free one.

I'd disagree. Windows 8.1 simply adds ways to force you to use Metro, while making you think they've listened by giving you back a start button.

What ways is it forcing me to use Metro? As I said earlier, the only Metro app I use is Kindle - and Windows 8.1 isn't "forcing" me to do so.

Without a start menu replacement and the ability to run stuff like the Settings app in a window, they still don't give you adequate tools for avoiding Metro.

ClassicShell/Start8/whatever is the most important thing.

ModernMix (for which I'm aware of no free or open source replacement) is also really handy for those few apps that don't have adequate desktop versions.

Run in a ModernMix window, I actually rather like the Metro version of Skype.

Yep, so you do have to have a start menu replacement; I guess I'm used to that sort of customization because I've been tweaking Windows since Windows first came on the scene.

As I understand it, the upcoming updates to Windows 8.1 will allow Modern apps to run in a desktop window.

Exactly. 8.1 was supposed to improve the experience for desktop users, for whom one of the chief complaints has been the elimination of the start menu. Instead, they give you a start button that just takes you to the interface you're largely trying to avoid. It's easily remedied by third party apps, but nonetheless demonstrates how MS didn't get it. It sounds like they're finally starting to, with Sinofsky out of the picture.

I tried to install the windows 8.1 update, but it kept asking for me to either use or create some type of email/windows account. Why does an operating system need an account?

I tried to back out of the install, but now I think the OS is hosed. Might have to install windows again...hope I kept the disc.

Making me think of taking the leap and getting a Mac.

They try really, really hard to get you to enter a MS/Hotmail/Outlook/etc. account when setting up the OS. I got suckered in the first time and re-installed to get a standard local account just on my machine. It's been a long time, but I remember having to search for some cryptic language that enabled it. You may want to start over.

I had to hook it to my Hotmail account to go from Windows 8.1 preview to Windows 8.1 release. It was really annoying, because it didnt tell me I had to do that, it just kept cryptically failing to connect to the Microsoft store. Googling was maddening to fix it, until finally one guy posted the solution.

I keep meaning to send it back to a local account.

What is the advantage/disadvantage to using an online account?

It can sync your settings (think wallpaper, picture, favorites, browsing history, keyboard/language preferences, etc.) and saved passwords across computers where you use your online account to log in. Can sync your apps too, and since you need an MS Online account to use the app store anyway...

Disadvantages? Ehh... none really, that I can think of, apart from whether you think there are any security risks inherent in having that kind of data sitting in the cloud. You can still use your online account even when you don't have a connection (provided you've logged into the machine before). I just don't find this kind of thing useful, and I'd rather keep my settings and passwords out of the cloud.

I am not sure what everyone is complaining about on Win 8.1. I use both desktop and laptop with 8.1 and i do not see any issues or usability problems at all. In fact, i find 8 is a lot better than Vista or XP.

in fact, 8.1 is better than Vista or XP (i have never use 7 because my last OS before 8 was Vista and i upgraded my desktop using the $25 promo MSFT had back then). My desktop is at least 6 years old.

as far as online account vs local sign in, the only disadvantage i can think of using online is privacy. With everything is sync at OneDrive, MSFT knows what you been doing, when you login, when you logout, when you standby your PC, i think it can create your usage pattern. For me, i use local sign in for both desktop and laptop

Don't really know. For me, it's an easier password to type.