Microsoft could be planning to bring back a feature it abruptly "killed off" in Windows 8 - the Start button.



The button, with its iconic Windows flag, will reappear in an update to the operating system, Windows 8.1, this year according to company sources quoted by tech site The Verge.



Other technology sites such as ZDNet had reported earlier this year that Microsoft was to restore the popular function.



The Start button had been an iconic part of Microsoft's operating system since it was introduced in Windows 95 - before it was removed for the new touchscreen-friendly Windows 8.



The button evolved to become the operating system's 'launchpad', offering access to software, files and search functions.























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The return of Start will see the button evolve to offer access to the Start Screen, instead of bringing back the Start Menu.



The new update will also allow users to launch a “traditional” desktop on start-up.



Microsoft removed the Start button as part of a relaunch that saw Windows evolve to work on touchscreen devices as well as desktop PCs.



The move was met by outrage from fans - and add-ons such as Pokki became a popular addition to Windows 8, offering similar functions to the Start menu.



Pokki has been downloaded 1.5 million times.



The Verge reports that the return of the STart Menu is due to “customer feedback”.



“We understand the return in Windows 8.1 is due to customer feedback,” said the site.



“We may see the Start button return in the upcoming Windows 8.1 Public Preview, if not expect to see it in the final version due later this year.”



































