TerraRasa's Journal: Will another OS benefit from a Windows UI change?

It has long been argued that people prefer Windows, and therefore continue to use the operating system, because they are accustomed to the user interface. They use Windows XP at school, work and a few years ago, at home as well. This may have created a sense of familiarity with computers due to the similarities between their interactions with computers at work/school and at home. However, the Windows UI is changing with the removal of the "start" button and the creation of a start page, will this change drive people to other operating systems/desktop environments? I understand applications are going to be a big part of keeping people attached to Windows as well but with a new iteration, we aren't guaranteed that applications will work seamlessly with the new system.