Forced to upgrade Desktop to Windows 8.1?

anything I don't mind · 25 Oct 2013 at 14:28

this_is_gav said:
It's at least the second time. XP is stuck on DX9, though that's rather more understandable.

ok you are right. :cool:

KIA · 25 Oct 2013 at 14:52

MatTheCat said:
does Start8 neutralise the poison in the same way that it did for W8?

Yes. Install Start8 or StartIsBack & enjoy.

Nevakonaza · 25 Oct 2013 at 14:56

Okay now that my new SSD came,I installed windows 8 all was good,Created my user using a LOCAL account,None of that live account crap.
Then upgraded to windows 8.1 and now the option to create a Local account isnt there?

How can i switch it back to a local account?...i don't want to use my Live account at all.

nightmare99 · 25 Oct 2013 at 16:28

How can i switch it back to a local account?...i don't want to use my Live account at all.

Read my post further up the thread.

Out of interest what is the problem with using a Microsoft account?

spoffle · 25 Oct 2013 at 16:53

nightmare99 said:
Read my post further up the thread.

Out of interest what is the problem with using a Microsoft account?

The problem is CHANGE! Change is ALWAYS Bad and wrong until the next new thing comes along, and then the previous change is THE BEST and shouldn't be changed. I'm fed up of Microsoft forcing this CHANGE on everyone!

It's been the same with each version of Windows, and people seemingly never learn.

linktoinsanity · 25 Oct 2013 at 17:24

It is FORCED change, though to be honest just install Classic Shell 4's start menu and you get a close version of the Start menu back, although this should not be necessary. Microsoft should have allowed a choice from the start.

I like 8.1 a lot more though. I can set the Start Screen to use the same background as my Desktop and it's less jarring to use. I can also boot straight to desktop, which is where I spend the majority of my time (when not in a full screen application).

spoffle · 25 Oct 2013 at 17:28

No one is forced in to buying Windows 8. They also shouldn't have given a classic start menu option, times have to move on at some point.

The start screen largely makes the need for the start menu redundant. There's nothing the classic start menu does better. People just don't like the visual difference.

linktoinsanity · 25 Oct 2013 at 17:31

spoffle said:
No one is forced in to buying Windows 8. They also shouldn't have given a classic start menu option, times have to move on at some point.

The start screen largely makes the need for the start menu redundant. There's nothing the classic start menu does better. People just don't like the visual difference.

You can repeat yourself as much as you like in this thread, personally I got your point of view on your first post.

The start menu does not push what is already on your screen, off the screen, that's why it's better.

Elevon · 25 Oct 2013 at 17:35

linktoinsanity said:
It is FORCED change, though to be honest just install Classic Shell 4's start menu and you get a close version of the Start menu back, although this should not be necessary. Microsoft should have allowed a choice from the start.

I like 8.1 a lot more though. I can set the Start Screen to use the same background as my Desktop and it's less jarring to use. I can also boot straight to desktop, which is where I spend the majority of my time (when not in a full screen application).

I have to disagree since UI in operating systems do change over time just like Linux distros change ,its also Microsoft right to change things as they see fit,if you don't like the changes then don't buy their product in question its that simple.

Also very naive if you think things like operating systems will stay the same,remember Dos, remember Win3.11 to Win95 etc...

Orionaut · 25 Oct 2013 at 17:40

nightmare99 said:
Read my post further up the thread.

Out of interest what is the problem with using a Microsoft account?

Absolutely nothing! if you want one!

It is just that I have no reason to do so for now and therefore would prefer not to be directed towards having to create one. Especially if it is really not necessary. (At the very least it would be just another bloody username and another bloody password! :mad:

)

That is all!

It seems I am not the only one who finds this "Direction" annoying Linky

And although there is nothing naugty stored on my system, this story alarms me and just confirms in my mind that all this cloudy stuff is not all it is cracked up to be! Another linky

I particularly refer to these two alarming paragraphs...

Microsoft reserves the right to suspend an account for any reason,

And

eventually just created a new account, which of course meant his achievements and the apps he purchased were lost.

I don't feel I should need an on-line account in order to use my washing machine either! Especially if doing so basically gives Hotpoint the ability to disable it on a whim!

theheyes · 25 Oct 2013 at 18:23

8.1 should make it easier to make a local account. Currently I just pull out the network cable to get past. It's no biggie really.

As somebody else pointed out, big chunks of the OS rely on Microsoft accounts to actually work. And regarding the SkyDrive stuff, there is a big splash screen that allows you to opt out when you sign in.

If you step through the privacy settings they are written in clear English and are quite granular. The vast majority of people should be able to get a satisfactory configuration with minimal effort.

Orionaut · 25 Oct 2013 at 18:40

theheyes said:
8.1 should make it easier to make a local account. Currently I just pull out the network cable to get past. It's no biggie really.

As somebody else pointed out, big chunks of the OS rely on Microsoft accounts to actually work. And regarding the SkyDrive stuff, there is a big splash screen that allows you to opt out when you sign in.

If you step through the privacy settings they are written in clear English and are quite granular. The vast majority of people should be able to get a satisfactory configuration with minimal effort.

At the risk of asking a possibly dumb question, what exactly?

I have been happily using Win8 since the £25 deal without noticing any loss of functionality.

What exactly (In all seriousness) might I be missing out on? :confused:

theheyes · 25 Oct 2013 at 18:54

Synchronization of a lot of stuff, SkyDrive, the app store etc. Those are pretty fundamental features. But sure, you can happily get by without them.

Nikumba · 25 Oct 2013 at 20:07

I have to wonder how some of you lot survive in life.

Microsoft are trying to merge both the desktop and mobile workspaces together.

I have used 8 and 8.1 a lot, deployed it to numerous users and they find the nice big shiny start screen so much easier to use than the start menu. For me the new start screen is much much faster for navigating, searching and opening programs than 7 ever was.

Using an MS account is no problem, you need it for things like Skype, the Appstore etc but it also syncs your settings to the cloud, so if you move to another machine, login as you and low and behold all your settings arrive, which is utterly brilliant, roaming profiles for normal peeps yay.

Also in the OS space it is only Microsoft who are trying to innovate, do new things, a new way of working. I for one wish I could get rid of the start button as I see no need for it.

Kimbie

V F · 25 Oct 2013 at 20:08

spoffle said:
No one is forced in to buying Windows 8. They also shouldn't have given a classic start menu option, times have to move on at some point.

Sure they do. It's always been this way. Look closely at the way society is, always has to purchase the latest device, the latest revision, the latest release and latest software. Peer pressure. So many feel the need to fit in with each other or it's outcast. Heh.

Then there's the other lot that purchases everything just to annoy the hell out of others. Even though they can't afford it while getting into debt. Look at the amount taking out payday loans to get the latest iPhone last Christmas.

Nikumba said:
I have to wonder how some of you lot survive in life.

Whining and incentive moaning? some you'd never change in 100 years.

anything I don't mind · 26 Oct 2013 at 09:48

I don't have any usability problems with the windows 7 start menu. Its a button, i press it and i have all my commonly used programs available to start. I don't need to have my functional operating system sit on top of a mobile phone ui. If i alt+tab i don't want the start menu in that list. When the start menu is in my alt+tab it is no longer the start menu its something else. they didn't replace the start menu, they removed it. from windows 95 to windows 7 they updated the start menu. With blocks 8.1 they didn't replace it.

Orionaut · 26 Oct 2013 at 13:23

Nikumba said:
Using an MS account is no problem, you need it for things like Skype,

Kimbie

No you don't!

DeathStorm · 26 Oct 2013 at 16:25

Orionaut said:
I am not sure about win 8, but with the win 8.1 upgrade there does not appear to be a "No thanks" or "Not now" button!

The best way of dealing with this is to ensure that your internet connection is disconnected after the initial installation has completed and before you start to set-up the system with your personal preferences. (Just after you deal with the terms and conditions page)

Just put in the wrong account details and then select the create local account option, it's a shame Microsoft felt the need to obscure this option.

Sighn · 26 Oct 2013 at 17:00

^ Or just select the "I am not [username]" option. It will proceed without Microsoft account details.

Until yesterday (this thread got me curious) I'd been using Windows 8/8.1 without a Microsoft account and have had no issues at all.
Then again, if I've only been using desktop-based software I would have no need to sign in.

nightmare99 · 26 Oct 2013 at 19:30

Then again, if I've only been using desktop-based software I would have no need to sign in.

If you are using Desktop IE11 on multiple PCs certain things will sync, recent tabs etc. Desktop background etc will sync.
I guess not everybody these days has multiple PCs & Windows tablets.

I still do not get why anybody would not want to sign in?