The Start button – a simple concept that has defined the Windows operating system since its inception. It’s a shame then that Microsoft is killing it with Windows 8.

Windows 8 is going for a more visual approach to navigating their OS with the Metro style desktop. The Start button will still be there in theory, but as Extreme Tech reports, it’s going to now be a “hot corner.” To access the applications on the start screen, users will now flick their mouse to the left corner of the screen, or just touch it if they have a touch screen monitor.

What is Microsoft thinking, you ask. It’s a good question and one they have answered. They are saving space. They want to be able to fit one more app onto the Super Bar.

The confusing bit is that there’s no visual indication that a start screen exists so first-time users may not even be aware of its existence.

I’m all for simplifying things for the end user, but I’m going to stick with Windows 7 for now. The Metro style desktop is cool for the first few minutes until you realize that you want a computer that’s more than just a glorified media player.

Microsoft will release the Windows 8 Consumer Preview public beta in a few weeks time. That’ll be your chance to try out the new OS to see if it’s to your liking. The Start button is not likely coming back, but that’s just a small problem in the larger scheme of Microsoft trying to emulate the simplicity of Mac OSX and losing its identity in the process.

In remembrance of the Start button, here’s a video of the first Windows 95 ad that prominently featured the lovely Start button: