Is Windows 8 so bad?

Brad-York · 3 Jul 2013 at 14:25

Looking to buy a new Dell PC but comes with Windows 8, being a Windows 7 fanboy is 8 such a bad thing.

I love my start bar and the ability to create folders easily etc on my desktop, is it all the same on Windows 8?

Thanks

ZXSpectrum · 3 Jul 2013 at 14:32

No its not that bad at all. A bit of a pain to get used to but not really bad. I am sure people said the same thing from windows 3.11 to windows 95. I was probably one of them.

That said the 8.1 is due soon and that is basically sp1 for windows 8 and that will give you back the start button/menu.

Brad-York · 3 Jul 2013 at 14:34

Whens that out thanks?

ZXSpectrum · 3 Jul 2013 at 14:37

Well looking at it, its not the traditional start menu like the windows 7 one just gives you some functions from the start button that are a pain to access. Not sure when its out but there are also a few Windows start menu apps that work well here are some reviewed

http://redmondmag.com/articles/2013/04/23/7-tools-start-menu.aspx?sc_lang=en

pingwing · 3 Jul 2013 at 14:38

Change, no one likes it. (though I have no idea if its any good, 7 is boot camped to play Pharaoh occasionally which is my only windows experience)

Brad-York · 3 Jul 2013 at 14:43

Can you downgrade to windows 7 from 8.

Brad-York · 3 Jul 2013 at 14:46

How does it work with 3 screens and multiple things open and can you set it so same things stay open in same position on the 3 screens when you shut down and switch on, like in windows 7 etc.

Elevon · 3 Jul 2013 at 15:03

Brad-York said:
Looking to buy a new Dell PC but comes with Windows 8, being a Windows 7 fanboy is 8 such a bad thing.

I love my start bar and the ability to create folders easily etc on my desktop, is it all the same on Windows 8?

Thanks

Easy to create shortcuts etc on taskbar or the old desktop on Win8,you can always use a third party Start menu like Classic Shell if you prefer or need to use old style Start button menu,link and screenshot here http://www.classicshell.net/ .

I think Win8 is fine,I don't even use a third party Start button menu like Classic Shell,took me two weeks max to get use to the layout changes from Win7 etc...

Brad-York · 3 Jul 2013 at 15:23

What is Metro.

Thing is I fly through folders for work, photos, music etc, and im not sure this allows that does it. No clue how it works but the odd go in currys ive had doesn't inspire me.

Elevon · 3 Jul 2013 at 15:27

Brad-York said:
What is Metro.

Thing is I fly through folders for work, photos, music etc, and im not sure this allows that does it. No clue how it works but the odd go in currys ive had doesn't inspire me.

Metro is the new start screen menu for Win8,

Yes those icons are called Metro tiles

(it's not mine btw one from the net).

You'll find this a good read,http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/software/operating-systems/windows-8-1093002/review

Raumarik · 3 Jul 2013 at 15:28

Windows 8 just a big-start button, hit windows+D and you're back into a Windows 7 desktop, you don't actually navigate folders using metro, which is just basically an overlay of normal start menu programs along with live apps (should you want them).

I think the OS at it's core is better than Windows 7 though, not by much but it is nice.

Brad-York · 3 Jul 2013 at 15:31

Great thanks, when my pc boots up in windows 8 will it always show that metro screen or show a normal desktop with open applications like Skype, msn etc?

I presume I can set it so certain applications like calendar, Skype, thunderbird email open on boot up automaticly in a position on the 3 screens I choose?

Raumarik · 3 Jul 2013 at 15:42

apps still load in the background for when you drop to desktop but it'll show metro, probably utilities out that drop you to desktop straight away if you wanted though.

Not sure if post the 8.1 update metro will still be the default screen once we've got a start button back though

Elevon · 3 Jul 2013 at 15:42

Brad-York said:
Great thanks, when my pc boots up in windows 8 will it always show that metro screen or show a normal desktop with open applications like Skype, msn etc?

I presume I can set it so certain applications like calendar, Skype, thunderbird email open on boot up automaticly in a position on the 3 screens I choose?

It boots to Metro start screen then you can go to old desktop UI if you like by clicking desktop metro tile,this is mine,
Metro

Old desktop UI below,

I'm using Decor8 and OblyTile for improved visual look on Metro.

Glaucus · 3 Jul 2013 at 16:01

ZXSpectrum said:
No its not that bad at all. A bit of a pain to get used to but not really bad. I am sure people said the same thing from windows 3.11 to windows 95. I was probably one of them. That said the 8.1 is due soon and that is basically sp1 for windows 8 and that will give you back the start button/menu.

No, the start menu is dead and is not coming back in 8.1

Windows 8 is great it's win7 with improvments. The desktop other than the start menu is identical, metro is great for something's and crap in others, just like the desktop. Use both in conjunction with each other and it's the best OS out there.

Elevon · 3 Jul 2013 at 16:04

Glaucus said:
No, the start menu is dead and is not coming back in 8.1

Windows 8 is great it's win7 with improvments. The desktop other than the start menu is identical, metro is great for something's and crap in others, just like the desktop. Use both in conjunction with each other and it's the best OS out there.

I use both but thats' the problem with some Win7 users they hate Metro and refuse to adapt or use it,personally it's not an issue for me and very easy to use,I just adapt regardless and make things easy.

Raumarik · 3 Jul 2013 at 16:14

They'll come around, I still remember the Windows 95 > XP debates I had with people at work, many didnt' want to make the change.. until they actually tried it themselves.

Elevon · 3 Jul 2013 at 16:16

Halfmad said:
They'll come around, I still remember the Windows 95 > XP debates I had with people at work, many didnt' want to make the change.. until they actually tried it themselves.

I started on DOS 6.22 with my first real IBM PC(486 DX66) so learned the hard way unless you count my Commodore 64/Amiga days

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ennogs · 3 Jul 2013 at 16:20

Brad-York said:
Looking to buy a new Dell PC but comes with Windows 8, being a Windows 7 fanboy is 8 such a bad thing.

I love my start bar and the ability to create folders easily etc on my desktop, is it all the same on Windows 8?

Thanks

I hated Windows 8 interface. I installed a free program called classic shell to make it look and act like Windows 7. I now like windows 8 lol. 8 is faster than 7 and more secure. Also only Windows 8 will get any future direct X upgrades. So if you are a gamer go for Windows 8 and install classic shell or a similar program.

Elevon · 3 Jul 2013 at 16:31

ennogs said:
I hated Windows 8 interface. I installed a free program called classic shell to make it look and act like Windows 7. I now like windows 8 lol. 8 is faster than 7 and more secure. Also only Windows 8 will get any future direct X upgrades. So if you are a gamer go for Windows 8 and install classic shell or a similar program.

It's all in the mind(you have been assimilated),just 18 years of doing some thing the same way ie from 95 to Win7,how do you think we used PCs before Windows

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