Windows 8 The Verdicts ?

Just finished installing and I'm pretty impressed with how snazzy it looks, it's also much smoother which is partly due to bios upgrade, new M4 firmware and the latest drivers. There's lots I'm still confused about as they've moved a lot and I'm used to finding everything from the start menu but I'll see how it goes with program and game compatibility. Also it seems all my hardware vendors have windows 8 drivers which is nice to see

MW
 
Installed last night, straight upgrade for £25 from windows 7 on a Dell XPS ultrabook.

Bit of faffing to get the trackpad working properly, seems Dell have already sorted out some of the driver issues so it was just a case of updating drivers. Still one thing thats odd, metro swipes normally when I get to the edge but when i'm in apps they don't and I have to go to the bottom and use the bar. Hopefully that can be sorted.

Still finding my way round it, starting to like it.
 
Mr-White said:
There's lots I'm still confused about as they've moved a lot and I'm used to finding everything from the start menu
Click to expand...

I've been using it a while and even now I still sometimes get a brain freeze for certain things. It can take a long, long time to unlearn what has become an automatic process.

Two things that have helped me the most -

1. If you find yourself wandering towards the gap where the Start button was, open Windows Explorer instead. Most of the functionality you were subconsciously going for can be accessed that way.

2. Pin your frequently used desktop applications to the task bar. It cuts out a lot of unnecessary dipping into Metro.
 
2. Pin your frequently used desktop applications to the task bar. It cuts out a lot of unnecessary dipping into Metro.[/QUOTE]

Unlock the task bar the slide it open, loads of stuff un-hidden
 
well im really liking it. Now ive removed all the crap off the start window and filled it back up with my own im finding it great to use.

The only thing is when you run an app there doesnt seem to be a quit option unless you move the mouse over to the left , get the little thumbnail and then close from there. But other than that, its pretty good. Well worth the £25 anyway.

And i want to change the lock window picture but cant see the option anywhere.
 
linktoinsanity said:
Good start, upgraded my laptop from Windows 7 (after using Clonezilla to image it first I might add) and getting introduced to Windows 8...as a blue screen, well light blue sad smiley face Blue Screen.

So yeh, not all that impressed at the moment. :(
Click to expand...

Snap, but I got a little further, started using it then windows update added something and I rebooted and now I can't get back in, just the new BSOD screen.

That will teach me to do an upgrade.

Now trying to find a working boot method to recover my back from my server.
 
FlamBango said:
The only thing is when you run an app there doesnt seem to be a quit option unless you move the mouse over to the left , get the little thumbnail and then close from there. But other than that, its pretty good. Well worth the £25 anyway.

And i want to change the lock window picture but cant see the option anywhere.
Click to expand...

Click and hold at the top of screen and drag all the way to the bottom.
Apps aren't meant to be closed, just go back to start screen. That way next time you use the app, it'll open instantly, rather than a few seconds.

ATM there's only one power app in the store and its £1.39 irc, I'm sure a free app will come soon enough, otherwise you can do this
http://www.howtogeek.com/77061/how-...rt-sleep-to-the-windows-8-metro-start-screen/
 
Combat Fighter said:
I can confirm Start8 works really well, just like the old start menu.
Click to expand...

I was using Start8 on RTM version,however on my paid upgrade version decided to try and get use to no Start button,I'm finding you don't really need it for general use,I've pinned all my important stuff to taskbar,easy to switch between Metro and desktop,using the right mouse click in left corner gives quick access to CP,Programs and Features,System,Search etc....


My verdict on Win8 its very poslished for a new OS,fast/stable and had drivers for everything so can't really ask for much more,sure things have changed but you soon find your way around.
 
spent a day mostly setting up reinstalling steam etc. Had win 7 on for best part of 3 years. I don't know if the fresh install has given my pc a new lease of life or is win 8 more efficient....

had no problems with compatibility so far...
 
Glaucus said:
Click and hold at the top of screen and drag all the way to the bottom.
Apps aren't meant to be closed, just go back to start screen. That way next time you use the app, it'll open instantly, rather than a few seconds.

ATM there's only one power app in the store and its £1.39 irc, I'm sure a free app will come soon enough, otherwise you can do this
http://www.howtogeek.com/77061/how-...rt-sleep-to-the-windows-8-metro-start-screen/
Click to expand...

awesome, cheers for that , works a treat :) So apps just sit in the background sucking up resourses?
 
I think once more windows 8 apps are released, rather then the mobile ones, things will be a lot better. After a day using it, I don't feel as negative towards metro. Lots of new things to learn.
Someone was asking in another thread about ie10, how to open multiple tabs in the metro version (rather than the desktop version). If they do read this: just right click and a tab window appears.
I do worry that someone who isn't as computer savvy will have a pretty steep learning curve.

Edit: I also had to stop using Avast. With windows 8 it just gave repeated BSOD. Checking their forums out, it seems others are having this issue too.
 
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Wasn't going to bother with Windows 8, though discovered Start8 yesterday and it tipped the balance, so I bought the upgrade for £15.

Did a clean install and it's working great, more than happy.

May do the same for my Samsung Series 9 notebook, where I actually qualify for the £15 offer!

I think Stardock are going to get great sales of Start8.
 
Liking it now, and liking the Tiles interface, once you look up all teh tips and tricks in how to use them.

Space bar for the lock screen instead of having to flick the image up etc makes a HUGE difference.
 
FlamBango said:
awesome, cheers for that , works a treat :) So apps just sit in the background sucking up resourses?
Click to expand...

They don't really use resources just like closed apps on iOS. The difference with Win8 though is if left long enough apps will close on their own if left unused.
 
I like the new windows. The desktop is still there and metro replaces the start menu. It is really quick too, everything loads instantly.
 
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