Back in April, Microsoft announced during its Build conference that it will be launching a new Start Menu "that looks like a hybrid of the best of Windows 7 and Windows 8," according to The Verge.
"It's around the same size as the Windows 7 menu, but also features miniature Live Tiles along one side," the site added.
Although no further details were given as to when this feature will be included in Microsoft's OS, it was mentioned that the Start Menu will "come as part of a 'future update' of Windows later this year." And, judging by a recent Windows 9 leak, it looks like the said feature will be seen in the future iteration of the tech company's OS.
"Screenshots allegedly showing the new Start menu leaked on an Internet forum over the weekend," Mashable reported. "The menu looks similar, but not identical, to what Microsoft showed publicly at its Build developer conference in April."
"The size and format of the menu is the same, but the tiles themselves are different, suggesting the image was generated by an early build of the new Windows," the site added.
This is an interesting development, if indeed this "leak" is legitimate.
See leaked photo here.
Another screenshot image reportedly showed the settings menu of Windows Modern, also known as Metro, "running within a window on the desktop." This implies that the new feature will enable users to minimize the Modern experience.
"That should please many users who have resisted upgrading to Windows 8/8.1 because of a distaste for the Modern UI," Mashable pointed out.
But are these screenshots actually based on a Windows 8.1 update? Or are they of the new Windows 9?
"The leaked image is supposedly a screenshot of Windows 8.1 Pro Build 9788 in action. However, that doesn't necessarily mean that the new Start Menu will appear in the next update of Windows 8.1," Digital Trends said. "As of last week, a Russian leaker of Windows-centric information, who goes by the name of WZor, said that the new Start menu will now be released along with Windows 9, which is rumored for a Spring 2015 launch."
Mashable also said that the general consensus has it that the "unofficial" screenshots are from Windows 9, which is also reportedly designed to resolve issues and criticisms surounding Windows 8.
Currently, Microsoft's representatives have yet to confirm or comment on the leaked images.
What do you think of these developments, readers? Would you say hooray or nay to the reintroduction of the Start Menu?
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