Here are some of my suggestions I'd like MS to add to 8.1 to make it more functional for desktop users.
Yes I agree the 'metro file associations by default' is annoying and it's a hassle to change them all. Not to mention all the privacy and 'metrics' settings you have to opt-out of so that your Win 8 isn't constantly sending data to MS.
1. Resizable start screen, so it doesn't cover the entire desktop.
2. True context menu access from the start screen. Renaming and deleting shortcuts, etc.
3. All Apps sorted in even columns with nesting. Currently All Apps view folders and shortcuts are stacked on top of each other in uneven columns.
4. Nested control panel, network, favorites, recent documents/programs, restart/shutdown, etc. and other removed accessibility features.
5. Metro apps should be able to run in a window on the desktop.
6. Traditional search from the start screen.
7. Fix the new explorer ribbon, networks sidebar, notifications, newly metro-ized dialogue boxes, etc.
8. (superficial) Restore title bar transparency, allow tile color changing from Metro defaults, more display customization, etc.
Live tiles and resizable shortcut tiles isn't a bad idea, but not at the expense of all the other removed functionality.
