Windows 8 discussion

[g4mer]

In Win8 you just start typing at the Metro screen and it live searches what you're typing

Still they separated search to Apps, Settings and Files and you must use your mouse to click on it and that is the most annoying thing in search for me. I'm sure that there are lots of shortcuts and hidden functions in Windows 8 but I wouldn't know about them unless I see them on a video or something.

 

[dividebyzero]

I'm sure that there are lots of shortcuts and hidden functions in Windows 8 but I wouldn't know about them unless I see them on a video or something.

Try this one.

Googling Windows 8 shortcuts will likely produce more than one viable result. There is actually a pretty good knowledge base sitting here at Techspot

 

[g4mer]

Try this one.

Googling Windows 8 shortcuts will likely produce more than one viable result. There is actually a pretty good knowledge base sitting here at Techspot

It's a nice trick like many others but thats just what bothers me with this windows. Without lot's of tweaks, hacks, shortcuts - it's crap. Users have to make up for what Microsoft forgot to put...Like it's unfinished OS.

 

[fivish]

How the hell do you get the start menu back!

Get the Start button back by unistalling the gastly W8 and putting W7 back, or better still XP. Enjoy!

New Coke or Coke Classic?

Microsoft may dodge the bullet that had Coke scrambling to backtrack on their gross mis-read of their customers. There are already some really good third-party apps (ViStart, Metrocheat, XLaunchpad...) that restore the accustomed Start Menu and Desktop to Windows 8 CP and permit you to toggle Metro on/off with a mouse click. I can see the benefits of having the familiar interface for business and power users who may then easily switch to the tablet-oriented GUI for "play".

I'll be surprised if MS doesn't build-in this capability to the final release.

Under the hood, Windows 8 appears to be a solid improvement on 7 which, imo, is a really great OS.

So why cant they split the operating system from the GUI and let users decide how they want to use their computer?
I like the XP GUI. W7 GUI has useability issues and W8 GUI sucks.

I purchased a new PC (ultrabook with W7 hp) a week before W8 was launched. I received a W8 pro download for free (£14.99 refunded). I installed W8 (took 4 hours) just to see if it was any good. I tried it and found it a complete disaster. As stated elsewhere, it makes your computer look like a Fisher Price toy! The W7 'app' is worse than W7 for real. So I re-installed W7 from the 5 DVD recovery disks I had made. TEN HOURS later I had my PC back where it was prior to the W8 fiasco!!!
I really must make a clone of the HDD on a spare 500GB drive.

Microsoft must separate the OS from the GUI so they can improve the OS as much as they like but not **** around with the GUI.

After all, 40% of PC are still running XP. I really like the XP GUI.

Perhaps W9 will lose the Metro and have a Start button and a choice of GUI.

 

[tipstir]

These WEI can be changed by anyone who knows how to do it. Can put in any number you like up to 7.9 or higher. Then same look my system runs well. Overriding the settings for Windows 7 and 8. Still 8 TCP/IP is faster than Windows 7. MS has the patch for 7 but you have to contact them to get it. With the patch you can access RTO settings in Windows 7. I have that setup on all system here. No issues. So TCP Global settings shows about the same as it does under 8 and now under 7.

Also BCEDIT fixes 7 total RAM and usable RAM. So like with me I have 32GB of RAM but Windows 7 shows it as 30.4GB. Usable BCEDIT fixes that so now is shows 31.4GB Usable. out of the 32GB. I am sure the same issue is in Windows 8 too with corrupt memory total values.

Also Windows 8 can be installed on netbooks by changing the Intel Graphics driver so that it can read 1024x768 instead of 1024x600 where most netbooks are set as. I've tested this on ASUS Eee PC netbook and it works with Windows 8 now.

 

[FunkyMunkey]

I'm not sure if I should get it, I like simple..

 

[circusboy01]

I will add one more dimension to this debate, going forward, I think desktop users (read 'power users') will have to understand that MAK (I.e. mouse-and-keyboard) UI will no longer be the priority for MS (or for any other software company for that matter) as touch (due to explosion in mobile tech) is the way forward, hence, from hereon in I fully expected touch interfaces to be prioritized above MAK. Problem is, generally we are (including me) are averse to change.

I sure hope that keyboards don't become completely obsolete, so we have to use an onscreen keyboard.

 

[Archean]

I'd put it this way, hopefully, they will leave a way to attach a keyboard/mouse for those who still want to use it. I don't care about start button or Metro UI (on desktop), I don't want either of them.

I think a more 'acceptable' solution for MS would have been to give user's the choice to select which environment they want their copy of OS to boot in. Anyway, it is very easy to make that change (Poki?), one more change I'd like is ability to have multiple apps visible on Metro UI desktop. Except for these the new OS is pretty solid upgrade.

 

[SNGX1275]

Looked back as far as post #121 and couldn't find where I had complained about 8, in the Metro interface/apps did not work well with a mouse. I noted this in the CP and I could have sworn someone said they fixed it in the final. I've just installed the final release and it is not fixed. I'll clarify what I'm talking about.

Its clear that the Metro interface was designed for touch screens/tablets. So on a touch screen to move the screen to the left (to see stuff off screen on the right side), you put your finger on the screen and swipe left. To do the same thing with a mouse... well you can't, you have to use the scroll wheel, or go to the bottom of the screen to make a scroll bar appear. That is terrible.

My suggestion is to make the interface click and drag. Just pretend the mouse pointer is your finger and click+hold is like putting your finger on the screen. It intuitively makes sense, yet it isn't implemented. (Or maybe it is a setting somewhere that I haven't found?)

 

[JudJer]

OK, I'll be the dummy. With no instructions at all, my new Sony all-in-one touchscreen with factory installed W-8 is driving me nuts. I watched some videos on youtube, but the screen doesn't llok like mine.

I can't download my Quicken 2011 Rental Management Program b/c I purchased it at a retailer. I can't ex/import my favorites, but I managed to add each separately - now they're gone.

If I had a good book, I might be able to follow instructions. The help at Microsoft is no help at all. Can someone please help me out?

 

[Poppa Bear]

Last year I purchased Win8 Pro OEM stand alone on DVD bought from retail shop.

Have been using it as flag ship since February this year.

My set up:

1. StartIsBack purchased for $3 boots direct to desktop and shuts down Metro/Modern totally.
2. It also restores the traditional Win7 legacy Start Button/Alphanumeric cascaded menu. With all the features such as jump start, User name short cut to AppData, shut down button, ete, etc.

Basically this gives me the same setup as Win7 but with the improved kernel of W8.

If StartIsBack, or similar 3rd party software, was not available to restore Win7 Start menu, I would not have bought Win8 but stayed with Win7.

Unfortunately Windows 8.1 stops StartIsBack working.

 

[tipstir]

Only one system has 8 on it, and the tablet I rather run Windows 7U64 on it since it works and Windows 8 and the Windows 7 home-group will not work at all. Odd.

 

[learninmypc]

Last night a lady friend of mine stopped by with her brand new HP W8 laptop & I'm still trying to figure out how I managed to install Firefox, Avast,M-bam, Superantispyware & SpywareBlaster on it.
Yes, I did remove the norton once done.
I'm not used to a touchscreen at all.Will probably be having her install TeamViewer so I can remotely access it.

 

[Raoul Duke]

To be brief here's my "Windows Experience":
-tried pre-release version, after 15 minutes, wanted to kill myself so reformatted, reinstall Win 7
-tried pre-release version, after learning more thought it's better experience than 1st, but will skip it
-after finding out I could buy Win 8 Pro w/Media Centre for $40 CAD went for it
-drove me nearly insane until installed 3rd party products most notably Start8 for the Win7 start menu and told myself I could live with this, it has a good Task Manager and better memory management etc.
-now after running Win8 since release I am finding I want to return to Win 7. Unhappy having to install several 3rd party applications (Start8, MetroMix, etc) that all run, all the time. Metro and the MS Store have been a total loss as far as my use goes and they also run always, number of running processes is 60+. Miss the Aero display and the simplicity of use of Win7 and if you want to dig in the internals they are easily accessible, Win7 a good OS without all the cra_p of 8. Saving for a copy of Win7 now and going to ditch Win8. End of Win8 experience, especially when I read of the 'improvements' of Windows 8.1 like the start button that just fires you into Metro. I don't want to go where Microsoft seems to be heading.....back to Win7

 

[cliffordcooley]

To be brief here's my "Windows Experience":
<snip> I don't want to go where Microsoft seems to be heading.....back to Win7

I could foresee having the same experience, and never once had a desire to try Windows 8. I said this once before, you don't always have to test drive an automobile to know you will hate it.

 

[SNGX1275]

Raoul duke- take your last real paragraph, do a 'find and replace' to it. Find "Win 7" replace with "Win XP".

Also to take that another step, do the exact same thing but find "win XP" and replace with 98 or 9x.

I've been around long enough to see this, unfortunately this version of the forums have not, and we lost the 9x to NT transition time in the switch. The XP to Vista transition should be well contained here though.

 

[wholesalestunna]

I'm still not digging 8.1. I didn't like it when I got it and decided that I'd give it a chance but the more I use it the more frustrated I get with it. 8.1 helped a little by allowing me to boot straight to the desktop but I really miss having a real start menu and hate using the App screen. Because of this I now keep icons to all the software I use on my desktop so I don't have to even pull up the app screen if possible.

 

[Charles Ingram]

PC sales like Win 8 are in the crapper, MS tries to sell Xbox for gaming, bur not gaming on the PC, while you cannot buy the latest computers with Win 7. Pushing Win 8 a system which is terrible for the desktop is killing sales of both PC and Win OS.
Give us Win 7 and good desktops and see sales increase.

I am disgusted with those who push only Win 8 a terrible system for the desktop, it is no sounder PC sales suck.

 

[mike1959]

Hi, Running Win8 Pro here on an old (06) Dell Tower, not installed the 8.1 upgrade yet, but can't think of any problems I've had, runs well here.
It's fairly easy to add an XP/Vista style 'Start' menu, there are several add-on's that look and work just like the XP version did.
Personally, I use the 'search' box to get to any of my hundreds of programs, it's SO fast, that I don't see that the XP menu was better than that.

 

[oldikes]

Ill explain this again
I will not nor should I have to install an external program to use the start menu.
Make a start menu optional. Make metro optional. People can use whatever they want. Everyone is happy.

 

[Cobalt006]

Ill explain this again
I will not nor should I have to install an external program to use the start menu.
Make a start menu optional. Make metro optional. People can use whatever they want. Everyone is happy.

No you should not have to. But Microsoft has no intention of changing Win 8 or 8.1 for that fact. All we can hope is maybe win 9 will change.

 

[GhostRyder]

Personally, I have gotten used to Windows 8/8.1 at this point on my Desktop and Surface Pro while keeping Windows 7 on my MSI GT70 and honestly my opinion is this:

Windows 8/8.1 is smooth and sleek, the search system that was fixed on 8.1 along with the improvements have pretty much for me eliminated all my issues I had originally with 8. Im not big on the Metro because I dont use it nor have a reason to use it, but I got over it by just hitting the windows key or new start button and just typing immediatly. Also the smoothness and speed of the OS on all machines I have seen is just so nice even compared to Windows 7.

I have not upgraded my laptop because I have no real reason to just because either work for my needs but of course in the future I may go ahead and make the jump on my laptop. I know most people dont like the whole metro thing, but it really is not that big a deal and can be ignored very easily if you dont like it. I agree with people saying that there should be options to go to a classic style if you want, but honestly times are changing, and while complaining does help the evolution of a product to be better, sometimes you just gotta move forward and change with the times.

Overall, I like Windows 8.1, I see no reason to avoid it like the plague and it honestly enhances my overall experience minus the annoying touch screen add-ons for non-touch screen devices.

 

[Booog]

Hey everyone,

other than me, anybody else here experience laggs/slowness after Windows 8.1 Update 1?

Im not sure why. Does it need a higher specs?

 

[Vollezar]

I have tried Windows 8 when it first got out. Didn't like it. So I am still using Windows 7. However most of the apps and games I use/play are now compatible with Windows 8 so I am starting to wonder if I should switch back to Windows 8.
Should I do it?
Thanks.

 

[cliffordcooley]

I am starting to wonder if I should switch back to Windows 8.
Should I do it?

That's a question only you can answer for yourself. Good luck with what ever you decide. There is no doubt in my mind I will be staying with Win7.