The change wasn't a surprise: In May, Thurrott said Microsoft had been in the new operating system to prevent users from adding a Start button or booting straight to the desktop.

from Windows 8 before it shipped the Consumer Preview in late February. The Release Preview, which debuted in late May, also omitted the 17-year-old iconic user interface (UI) element.

The lack of the familiar Start button and the inability to sidestep the new Start screen -- two separate, but intertwined issues -- have been sore spots among long-time Windows users, and among the reasons why some research firms have predicted businesses will be slow to adopt the new OS.

by StarDock, may still work in Windows 8 RTM, Foley reported. Start8 adds a Start button to the Windows desktop and optionally allowed users to skip the Start screen at log on.

StarDock was unable Monday to confirm that Start8 works on Windows 8 RTM, however, as legitimate copies are still a week away from release to developers, IT professionals and enterprises.