Windows 8

[Lona]

I don't really feel that his opinions were biased - he merely seemed to be suggesting some things that he thinks could be improved.  I honestly still don't think I could take to it.  I need to like the look of the OS I'm working with, and all those blocks and tiles simply aren't aesthetic enough for me.  Were it not for the expense of having to change existing software, in addition to the expense of the products themselves, I'd be seriously considering a Mac of some description for my next desktop computer.

You can delete half of the useless tiles on the Smart screen and replace them with the tiles you prefer, Simon, but better just to use the desktop unless you're into touch screen viewing.

I got my refund today from John Lewis and am so relieved as I'm going to wait a bit longer before taking the plunge.

[wecpcs]

I have been using Windows 8 Pro from the day it was released as a download. I got to like it very much but as I only took the upgrade option as an install as my PC had only been recently reinstalled with Windows 7. I soon decided to carry out a fresh install with 8 (as I normally would have done anyway) especially as I had not finished installing all my other program. I also bought the Start8 app which is brilliant.

But now I am seriously thinking of going back to Windows 7 because I am experiencing many problems, one of which is Nortons 2013 as Win 8 occasionally keeps stating my Antivirus and Firewall were turned off, when they were not. Normally a simple reboot cured that until next time, and apparently MS is aware of it and working on a fix. Another problem is the PC ocassionly hangs when shutting down or hibernating forcing a hard reset and again another reboot normally cures that. I have disabled the Quick Start feature which users said cured that but not for me. Another problem I had was with MS Windows 2013 preview, that occasionally would hang or go very very slowly when downloading new mail and once again a reboot cures that. I found that the cure for that problem was to remove my new Outllook.com email address in the Start menu although it worked fine in there. Now I am getting a message that my Windows Home Server connector cannot locate my server, when the shortcut for the shared folders on my desktop still worked and also in the home network setup my server was absent but it was still working.

I have done so many hard resets that I am worried that this will eventually cause problems, then I remember it did as I had to run disk test but no errors were found. So it is my opinion that Windows 8 was rushed out too early as with all their software letting the public find out all the many other problems that arise with varying types of hardware.

My PC is new one with an Intel 3.9Ghz i7 3770k with 8Gb of fast ram with a 1Tb and 2Tb SATA 3 HDD's. I thought that buying the latest Intel i7 on the latest UEFI/GPT chipset would be the way to go, how wrong I was. So as I still have not finished installing all my other software, I think this weekend will be a downgrade as its driving me nuts and I cannot wait any longer. I will miss a few of the other features on the Start menu but I have them on my Samsung Galaxy SII anyway.

Colin

[Technical Ben]

but I have them on my Samsung Galaxy SII anyway

I think that sums it up nicely. There is nothing "wrong" with windows 8. It's just the really useful, needed and wanted bits are hidden behind the useless, pointless unwanted parts. So for now, Windows 7 is nice and dandy. If I get a spare PC in here that will take it, might give win 8 a try. But when I like my manual shift car, I'll avoid those automatic "stick" ones. 

[cavillas]

I still find that more older software runs straight away with windows 8 64 bit whereas with win 7 64 bit there was quite a bit of fiddling to do.  My machine is 2 years old and no problems at all.

[Den]

This thread in the main seems to be in four groops.

a) People who have put W8 onto their computer and in the main love it.

b) People who have tried the pre- release version and are basing their feelings on a incomplete version.

c) People who say they don't like the look of W8 and therefore are not going try it.

d) People who will not move across until the have to.

In the main people who have installed it may change some parts to suit themselves but most will leave it as it is as it so much faster and safer

[Simon]

I'll take d, and c, in that order. 

[Den]

Retard    or should I say Retread?

[Den]

For all the stick in the muds out there   

Why not down load and run Classic Shell                      www.snipco.com/7907

Recommendation:  When the installation options appears:  click the Classic Explorer and Classic IE9 options  and choosing  "entire feature will be unavailable"  These features were designed for older versions of windows.

Once installed, a new start button appears on the task bar with a windows style Start Menu. To change the look of this right click the button and choose settings. Classic Shell also bypasses the new style Start screen to display the old style Windows Desktop immediately when Windows launches.

Hope this helps 

[pctech]

Looks like it was too popular, now reporting a 404 page not found error.

[Technical Ben]

It's not that others think your opinion is wrong, it's just it is not for them (or me in this case ).

It's like telling my I should try lemon chicken, and thinking I have never tasted it, and would "love if you just ate some". I do actually like lemon chicken (windows 8), but I like sage and onion with garlic and tomatoes so much more that I'd never turn them down for something else. Oh, for a change I would, but not for my daily meal.

So likewise, I'm sticking to Windows 7 on my main machine for as long as I can imagine, because it tastes nice, fills a hole and gives me that warm cosy feeling. 

[Den]

That's because I am  plonker   

Should have read   www.snipca.com/7907   Try it now   

[Glenn]

Can we quote you? 

[Simon]

Oh, we will!   

[camdave]

My wife and myself are both in our late sixties and have used PCs at work and in the home for the past twenty-five years starting with DOS. We currently have XP and Vista on two desktops due to be replaced in the next year.

We dropped in to PC World the other day and spent fifteen minutes or so 'playing' with a Windows 8 desktop and chatting to the (helpful) sales guy.

Our reactions? I had no great difficulty finding my way around and my wife said "It will be a challenge".

I realise that when we upgrade we may end up frustrated because an old HP printer won't install or a program only a year old won't run but generally I can't see what all the fuss is about, it's surely just a case of learning new techniques. To be honest I rather liked the UI.

[pctech]

Bring back DOS!!!!

[cavillas]

Most of the older printer drivers will normally work with the supplied drivers on Windows 8.  There is very little that doesn't seem to work.  Even a very old dot-matrix printer (15 years old) worked straight after installation.  Onwards and upwards as they say, time waits for no-one.  I have been involved with computers since the 70's building and programming them, so am often reluctant to change, this time with windows 8 it all becomes interesting again.

[Den]

I did not find anything that did not work, but I found quite a few things that work better with W8 than they did on Vista and W7. 

[.Griff.]

or a program only a year old won't run

Why wouldn't a year old program run under Windows 8?

Too many myths and scaremongering out there.

[camdave]

I'm pleased that the responses so far are positive despite the 'anti-8' comments on various forums etc.

My comment regarding year old programs was perhaps not a good example of possible problems - what I was trying to saying was that whilst I don't expect a totally trouble free transition to Windows 8 overall I/we will have no fear of the new OS when the time comes.

I am already updating very old software which runs under XP but not Vista for example with Windows 8 compatible versions.

[Glenn]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_E1UxI5I_jo

[.Griff.]

Anyone upgrading to Windows 8 really should take a look at these three programs -

Start8 - http://www.stardock.com/products/start8/
Decor8 - http://www.stardock.com/products/decor8/
Obly - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1899865

I really didn't like the developers preview of Win8 but after forcing myself to try it again recently I'm converted. Not only does it run better that Win7 on my Nvidia Ion Netbook it also seems much more "polished" on my main PC.

[Den]

I for one would not want to go back, Windows 8 runs smoother and faster. I always had a problem with Microsoft Works and updated to Works 9 with a clean install on Windows 7, but to no avail and as I had a database on it I did not want to change. It runs has it should do on Windows 8 without a glitch. 

[cavillas]

I am already updating very old software which runs under XP but not Vista for example with Windows 8 compatible versions.

All stuff that runs under windows xp runs extremely well under windows 8 32 bit rather than 64 bit, it is much like windows 7 32 bit where even 16 bit apps would run.  So if in doubt install 32 bit rather than 64 bit unless you want to install a virtual 32 bit machine.

[camdave]

That's interesting, we were using ULead PhotoImpact which runs under XP but would not install on Vista 32 bit.

[Den]

I'm running Windows 8 64bit on all my machines (except my van).