For TechNet subscribers and developers, Windows 8's releaseito-manufacturing build has arrived. While the desktop environment is very similar to Windows 7, criticism came quickly for the Modern UI (formerly "Metro") side of the operating system.

Which aspects of the new UI do developers find questionable?

Icons Are Too Big

Modern UI points Windows 8 towards the tablet market, so Microsoft needs to simplify the interface. Microsoft refined Modern UI, introducing large and colorful tiles that take up the whole of the screen when tapped. When using the operating system with a keyboard and mouse, this may seems like a waste of space.

Inconvenient Input

Using a keyboard and mouse with Windows 8 can leave users confused about whether to perform actions, like swiping, with a mouse or scroll like the desktop side. Users could scroll across the new start screen, though swipe-to-start games are bundled with the operating system. The result is that the process is slowed down compared to swiping with a finger when using a tablet.

Form Over Function

Long-term Windows users making the move to Windows 8 may ask why the Modern UI desktop will be used with the tiles, which reduce productivity. Users can still Alt + Tab between applications but cannot launch apps through the search bar as on the traditional start screen. If Microsoft is to convince users to switch to Metro, then productivity and presentation have to be balanced.

Inevitable Preference

With two versions of Windows 8 running simultaneously, users will inevitably develop a preference. Enterprise users, for example, will probably want an experience similar to Windows 7 and Windows XP. Metro is not that experience. By extension, if users who prefer the desktop side of Windows 8 constantly get bumped back to the Modern UI side, this could disillusion users.

Big Bet on Modern UI

Microsoft is clearly pushing its new tile-based user interface, perhaps preceding a Modern UI-only world. For that to work developers, have to be onboard, and the install base needs to be available to legitimize development.