Microsoft is choosing to highlight the button return in a new Windows 8.1 ad. After launching a "Windows Everywhere"campaign back in June, the latest Windows 8.1 ad follows a similar pattern. It highlights the ability to start up to the desktop (boot to desktop) and "hit the start button to flip back and forth" between the desktop and "Metro" Start Screen. Similarly, it also ends by featuring a Windows tablet, PC, and Surface.
At Intel's developer forum recently, Microsoft's head of marketing, Tami Reller, revealedthat the company's August activations for Windows 8 were the highest so far. Microsoft has been focusing on back to school promotions and it's gearing up for new PCs and its own Surface 2 release ahead of the holidays. After Surface and Windows tablets got off to a slow start last holiday, Microsoft has partnered up with Best Buy and some European retailers to create Windows Stores inside retail locations. The company clearly hopes the retail presence and new ads will help convince consumers to opt for a Windows tablet this fall.