If you are like most people and hate learning something new after just having gotten used to your computer then you might like these news.

Microsoft’s release of Windows 8 has received a rather cold reception in the last quarter of 2012 from both business and home users. The cause for this was Microsoft’s rather drastic change to the way the system operates on the surface, the new Metro interface. The now “App” based concept has been a cause for concern for many of the potential buyers and for the apprehension they felt for the operating system.

This “App”based concept mimics those of smartphones where you download the app, such as Skype or Netflix etc. and install it from the new Microsoft App store. This overall concept is great on any portable touch screen device however does cause for a brief pause when considering it on Desktop Computer Systems.

You might say that this isn’t actually so different than before and you would be right however the presentation and hidden interface components more meant for touch screen platforms change the overall functionality and experience for users. This alone received so much criticism in the first month of Windows 8’s release so that Microsoft had to cut their OEM costs to the Manufacturers, allowing them to reduce the cost of their electronics, to make them more attractive to customers as CNET and ZDNET reported.

Microsoft’s attempt in painting all computing platforms with the same interface seems very much like an obvious mistake and has caused Microsoft to reconsider their somewhat “revolutionary” new approach to tablet/desktop computing. In the last 6 months this approach has been labeled as a failure by; IT Professionals, Journalists and Consumers alike.

The concern ever since release of Windows 8 has been the learning curve and the cost of educating employees on using the new operating system, which now runs the Desktop as well as most of its other components as an “App”. While there was an adjustment period between Windows XP and Vista/7 it was never considered to be a learning curve, which now exists between Windows 7 and 8.

Microsoft however is learning and based on user feedback has come up with the answer, which is Windows Blue or Windows 8.1.

In an interview with the Financial Times and ZDNET, Tami Reller CFO of the Windows Client Division of Microsoft indicated that a concerted effort was being made to correct or adjust the Metro experience.  Microsoft has been feeling the pressure, as more companies and consumers are reluctant to make the switch to Windows 8.

Utilizing the feedback from consumers Mrs.Reller indicates that Windows 8 will receive a substantial update through Blue or Windows 8.1. However if these updates include the missing start button and the ability to start right into your Desktop is still unclear, in fact a lot is unclear.

Some of the concerns IT Consultants such as I have are rumors are circling the community that Microsoft may look at charging for this “Blue” update as well as the follow-ups. With follow ups I refer to the also rumored “yearly” released bundle updates similar to Blue. This would be a drastic change to the way Microsoft has done business in the Operating System market and may likely push more users to Mac OSX and Linux Markets. Lenovo/IBM for example is already pushing Linux based platforms to their larger corporate clients in need for secure network environments, which definitely is a shift away from Microsoft based systems and an indicator of what is to come if Microsoft isn’t getting their act together.

Here goes for hoping that Microsoft is listening to the consumers and that Blue is going to bring back all the components users are asking for. However if you already have Windows 8 and don’t want to wait until the release of Windows 8.1 I can offer you some relief. Stardock has developed some applications such as Start8, Decor8, and ModernMix, which bring back the Start Button, as well as let you customize your Windows 8 computer to run the Metro Apps in normal Windows on the Desktop. This should allow you to bring some normalcy back to your desktop experience.