According to , there is no way to boot straight to the traditional Windows desktop in the final version of Windows 8--which is now shipping to manufacturers. In previous tech builds of the operating system there was a shortcut for going directly to the desktop.

While the tiled Start screen is supposed to make users' lives easier, it may do the exact opposite for some. For example, a power user who has no use for the simplified Metro-style apps of Windows 8, and who needs the more powerful traditional apps. Or a business user, whose work computers only need to run a cash register application.

For these folks, the tiled Start screen is more of a useless nuisance than anything, and will only slow down their work. The only solution is to use new shortcuts in Windows 8. Pressing the Windows and D keys will take you to the traditional Windows desktop, while Windows + B takes you from the new tiled interface to the currently active traditional desktop application. Finally, Windows + M loads the traditional Windows desktop from the start screen, and minimizes all applications.

Right now these shortcuts are the only way to get around the new interface. Whether this is a smart move is debatable, but Microsoft could be doing this to force everyone--consumers and business users--to get used to a new Windows experience.

In the end, is that a bad thing?