Windows 8 a certifiable flop

[ken-a]

I have Windows 8.1 installed on work laptop and my home desktop pc while my work desktop still has Windows 8 installed.  All of these machines have solid state drives for the main hard disk so that combined with the fast boot that Windows 8, the are ready to use much quicker than they did when Windows 7 was on them.

I don't use any of the new Windows 8 apps or their start screen.

I use Classic Shell to put the tried and true start menu back.  So I personally would not switch back to Windows 7.

It was a bit of a pain changing the file associations so that files open with programs rather than the new apps.

I work for a software development company and we still have clients who still in the process of planning their upgrade from Windows XP to Windows 7.  Most of them skipped Windows Vista.

Ken

[Basil]

I don't use any of the new Windows 8 apps or their start screen.

I use Classic Shell to put the tried and true start menu back.  So I personally would not switch back to Windows 7.

Ken

Ok,definitly 2nd last post on this topic,LOL.

Yeah Ken,i've been on the start(Metro) screen once since i installed 8 on my home computers and that was to go to the Win. store to upgrade to 8.1.The Metro interface seems to scare a lot of people but you don't need to use it.
I boot direct to desktop and everything i need is there,i don't think you even need Classic Shell,all we do is put a shortcut on task bar to shut computer down.
Win 8 is a great OS,faster improved version of 7.,USB drivers load extremely fast which is good for me because i use USB Sticks for Broadband.
Anyway we did some photos of the Win 8 desktop for a Seniors Computer Magazine,i'll scan them on the W/end and post them here for anyone interested.

[Basil]

I know this is all basic stuff but some people,esp Seniors, are reluctant to upgrade to Win 8 because of the horror stories about the Metro Interface.Win 8 does everything quicker,better and with more security than previous OS. It only takes a few minutes to have it working similar to XP or 7 and a hour or so to become confident using it.Most XP programmes,printers scanners etc will work in native mode or XP mode.
First off you don't have to use the Metro Start for 90% of computer use,this is a snap of my desktop,shortcuts for everything i normally use including  a one click shut down(red square Icon on task bar.It is almost identical to previous versions of Windows in use and appearance.The following assumes your using a Mouse.


To have your computer boot to desktop,bypassing Metro,right click on taskbar at bottom of screen,select properties,then navigation and make sure these boxes are ticked.


To access Documents,Pictures etc.  just left click on Folder Icon on task bar.


To access Control Panel,Computer Management etc just right click on Windows Icon in bottom LHC.



To access Start screen left click on Windows Icon in bottom LHC.




To access all programmes/Apps just click on arrow in lower left of Start Screen.




There is obviously a whole lot more to 8 but don't be put off upgrading by the Metro Start,you don't have to use it,plenty of Info. on Google.

[humpybong]

Well I have Windows 7 on my PC and Windows 8 on my laptop.   Do not mind Windows 8 as I do have it set up like 7.  The only problems I have had with it was when I did a free upgrade to Windows 8.1....what a knightmare.

Ended up having to re-format drive and re-load Windows 8.

Now all is fine.....touch wood.

[Goldseeker]

My son did the amendments to Windows 8 as soon as I got it home, all 79 of them.

He then up graded to Windows 8.1.

I still can't get a handle on Windows 8.1

[Fr45h3R]

--the whole lot!--

Basil,
Thanks heaps for this post. Not the I was too fussed about going to long way of shutting down, and going to the desktop, but it makes it a little more XP'ish for me.

[Basil]

Thanks,helped some seniors(older than my 60 years,LOL) with coming to terms with 8 late last year,they had been reading & hearing media  reports and the majority didn't realise Metro was in addition to the traditional desktop and you could still use a mouse and didn't need a touch screen,etc.Not having a go at the OP,its release has been a flop for various reasons ,the main ones being  the dis & mis information campaign by Journo's & Technology Commentators but its the best MS OS so far,IMO,by a country mile.
Another tip is to disable(if you don't use them) the Apps. that come pre loaded,News,Weather,Stocks etc,also IE Big Pond Home page,its amazing how they eat into your Monthly Data allowance.  
Anyway its an option for XP upgraders other than 7,Vista is a no go unless you can pick it up super cheap. I know people that are going to stick with XP until something goes haywire,they are going to use Chrome or FF so it will be interesting to see how long they last after April's deadline,my bet is under 2 years.

[runway]

great stuff Basil...very constructive post thank you

[ken-a]

Some information about Windows 8.1 Update 1.

http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/windows-81-update-1-preview-now-more-integration

Ken

[Fulvio]

I was told not to expect much from Windows 9 and that it would be similar to Window 8.1 in scope. Fundamental changes are not coming, I was told.

Heh. I've never expected much from Windows. And MS are famous for having fundamental changes not coming. :angel:

But seriously... I'd love to see some fundamental changes in the OS world. After the early years of true innovation in both hardware and software, we've now settled into a boring world of me-too one-size-fits-all hardware and three pretty-much-interchangeable OS's (OK, four if you count Android, but I don't). They look the same, they work the same, they all have the same annoying planned obsolescence and forced 'upgrades'....

None of which is anything like what we see in sci-fi movies. Seriously, can you see the Starship Enterprise boldly going where Windows takes it? It would warp into the nearest black hole while they were trying to find the start menu!

How about an OS that runs on anything, isn't bloated, does exactly what it needs to do (and no more) and doesn't get in the way? Something, in other words, not like any of the current contenders.

[Basil]

It looks like MS will make some nice $ as XP staggers on.

http://www.itnews.com.au/News/375274,banks-hit-with-microsoft-costs-for-running-outdated-atms.aspx

[Fulvio]

It looks like MS will make some nice $ as XP staggers on.

Mind boggling, isn't it? Think how much money could have been saved by not going anywhere near M$ in the first place. And now they're setting themselves up to be robbed once again when Win 7 also get dumped in due course.

Is it any wonder that there are still over 100,000 datacenters running DEC VAXes, with zero plans to migrate? Or that most of the world's research labs still have Apple II's sitting there running critical equipment? There is much to be said for not leaping blindly onto the latest bandwagon, especially when it comes from the likes of Microsoft or Apple.

[Basil]

Yeah,no need to upgrade if the system does the job reliably but once more than one computer is linked by any method,it doesn't have to be the Internet, you can have major problems with outdated or unsecure software.

[trout]

I just upgraded my new laptop with win 8.1 and you guessed it.
It is still Crap :dash1:
I'm back on my old lappy running win7 and it is FAR better.
Looks like the grandies get a new lappy to muck about with.
I am SO done with the win8 crap :dodgy:

[Nevol]

Have you tried 'Classic Shell' with the new Lappy yet?