Microsoft Just Killed The Tile-Based Look Of Windows 8 For Laptops (MSFT)

Kyle Russell/Business Insider

Windows leader Terry Myerson

At today's Build conference, Microsoft announced a number of changes that it hopes will improve the user experience for those using the Windows 8operating system on laptops and desktops.

The biggest change is that computers with keyboards will launch in a traditional desktop-computing environment, instead of the tile-based look Microsoft had been pushing with Windows 8.

This is an acknowledgment that Microsoft's attempt to reimagine Windows in a more tablet-like interface did not work.

The tile-based look of Windows 8 was baffling to people who grew up using Windows-based PCs. It was a big turn-off and contributed to a decline in PC sales.

After users install the updates rolling out today, Windows 8.1 will give current laptop and desktop users options to enable the above features. The company says it won't force anything new on people that they might not want.

On new products from Microsoft's licensees, however, laptops and desktops (anything with a keyboard and mouse or trackpad) will automatically default to having these new settings turned on.

Back in February, Microsoft executive Joe Belfiore said that most users who have a touch-screen laptop prefer the tile interface in Windows 8.He also said that users without touchscreens tended to prefer the Windows 7-style desktop environment.

With sales of traditional PCs falling bydouble-digit percentages,Microsoft is doing anything it can to bolster its position.

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Microsoft Just Killed The Tile-Based Look Of Windows 8 For Laptops (MSFT)