Allen also repeated criticisms of Windows 8 that have been long-expressed by users, Microsoft watchers and analysts.

"Strangely, there is no way to set the desktop as your default view ( )," Allen wrote. "This is one of the single biggest changes in Windows 8: the lack of the familiar Start menu."

He also took Windows 8 to task for not helping users learn the new Windows 8 style UI and for hiding the shutdown command, points others have made. "Personally, I think it would have been nice to provide some sort of a visual cue indicating that commands are available, and how to invoke them," he said.

"I found myself wishing that a Power tile was available on the Start screen to make these commands more accessible," Allen said.

Microsoft does offer a very animated tutorial during setup that demonstrates how to access the Charms menu, but that's the extent of its opening-round assistance.