Can Windows 8 be rescued at this point?
- Thread starter Zaptruder
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Ah thanks.
Dreams-Visions
Member
Bullshit.
Everyone has an OPINION. Most of us don't give enough of a damn to have an AGENDA.
So please speak for yourself, good sir. You may have an agenda (I guess you said you did here), but most of us are just voicing questions or concerns as we look for things that make our lives better.
Anyway, installing Win8 on Saturday! I'm moving my old SSD onto my desktop so I figured now is as good a time as any to format and reload. It's slowed to a snails pace anyway, taking several minutes to start up fully. Should be fun, though I hated my first Win8 experience. I bought the shit, so I mine as well install it.
I just need to make sure X-Rite has proper Win8 drivers for their i1 Display Pro. Also, my version of Mezzmo, MacDrive 8, my battery backup system, and my other critical startup stuff. Is there a compatibility website out there for people to find out if their apps will run?
Wiktor
Member
Even Windows 98 would propably be better on desktop than Android
Alx
Member
Microsoft provides an assistant that will scan your system and list software that is not supported :
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/upgrade-to-windows-8
Some people can't accept that someone's honest opinion doesn't match their own.
You guys are mostly seeing this from desktop point of view, for tablet users its also terrible. Metro ui is very smooth and easy to use, but many settings in windows require you to go into the desktop mode with a 100% different ui and laggy performance.
Just to even see what updates are available in windows update or change setting in IE or network settings it'll pop you into desktop environment. This thing was designed by idiots.
Just to even see what updates are available in windows update or change setting in IE or network settings it'll pop you into desktop environment. This thing was designed by idiots.
Windows 8 is the worst of both worlds, for both desktop and tablet users. The only reason the two were joined was so MS could leverage its enormous presence in the consumer market to establish itself as a player on the tablet market.
So far this gamble has failed spectacularly. Most Windows 8 fans seem to endorse the OS despite Metro (just look at the number of recommendations for Start menu replacements) and tablet owners get a half assed experience because you still need a desktop to manage files. And what to think of people who bought a Win RT Surface tablet with Office pre-installed only to discover they can't run any other desktop apps?
I've replaced my Win7 laptop with a Transfomer Prime and can't say I'm missing anything nor am I ever looking back.
UltraMagnanimous
Member
99% of my time is spent in a browser these days. I could see myself go Chrome OS.
Angelus Errare
Banned
Pokki could have been huge if it got the proper support. Tis a shame, I remember following it's development when it was announced. Might re download it to see what's changed.
Sir_Crocodile
Member
I use classic shell to mix my nineties start menu with win 7 program search
yum
yum
For light use maybe. But cmon now, for anything remotely approaching real productivity work or stuff like gaming; its not even close. I too would rather run Win98 (and Im not even talking second edition) than Android on a desktop, mobile OS's arent ready for that yet. They pale in comparison to true desktop OS's for PCs.
José Mourinho
cocknose
I like it.
Anybody know if Windows Defender in Windows 8 is basically MSE?
Anybody know if Windows Defender in Windows 8 is basically MSE?
Define light productivity. Cause for gaming I have my ps3 and the occasional casual game from Play Store, plus stuff like football manager, GTA (with a ps3 controller) etc.
I use it in college, to write assigments, to browse web, to watch movies, to study, to read and to chat with people. That's pretty much what 90% of people use their laptops for, plus my Transformer has an amazing 15 hours battery life while being lighter and smaller than most netbooks.
Jzero
Member
Yup.
Yes.
I like the OS and I don't have a touch screen yet. I spend most of the time on the desktop but I have my account set up for email, contact and calender. It has made me love live tiles. So much so I find icon boring and a waste.
Hovering your mouse on the corner should be improved in multi-monitor setup requires too much focus that pretty much the little negative I have on it.
True Underdog
Member
Switched from OSX to Win8. Really liking it so far. There are a few things that will take some getting used to for me, but overall I'm enjoying myself. That said, sometimes I find things to be needlessly complicated but no more or less than I would assume to find with any OS. When I switched from XP to OSX I found myself looking up how to do things on there, too.
I don't understand the windows 8 hate, what's wrong with it? I find nothing wrong with it in desktop mode.
There are some very technical task that might be some what different between 7 and 8, but most people will never ever use it or even know what they are.
Other than that, it comes down to metro and start menu. Seriously, I have not used start menu in Windows 7 other than typing in program name and run it. It consist of me pressing windows key, type, and then choose what to start. Guess what, it's the same on Windows 8, instead of a menu, you get metro screen. If you gonna hate something simply because this change, then I think you are the problem, not the OS, (especially when there are already patches that can fix this super unpleasent experience for you)
The other common complaint is shutdown is hard to get to now.
window + c = general charm bring up
windows + i = setting charm, press the power button on it if you really insist.
set your god damn power button on the pc to sleep instead of shut down if you really value that extra second that you need to spend sleeping your pc.
windows + x brings up a menu on the bottom left of your screen that has most of the control panel setting short cut you will ever need also
There are some very technical task that might be some what different between 7 and 8, but most people will never ever use it or even know what they are.
Other than that, it comes down to metro and start menu. Seriously, I have not used start menu in Windows 7 other than typing in program name and run it. It consist of me pressing windows key, type, and then choose what to start. Guess what, it's the same on Windows 8, instead of a menu, you get metro screen. If you gonna hate something simply because this change, then I think you are the problem, not the OS, (especially when there are already patches that can fix this super unpleasent experience for you)
The other common complaint is shutdown is hard to get to now.
window + c = general charm bring up
windows + i = setting charm, press the power button on it if you really insist.
set your god damn power button on the pc to sleep instead of shut down if you really value that extra second that you need to spend sleeping your pc.
windows + x brings up a menu on the bottom left of your screen that has most of the control panel setting short cut you will ever need also
it's $15, what's the worst that can happen?
ok, now I'm done setting up at last, I'm very pleased with what I have. got Start8 too, I imagine Stardock must be making bank with this, very well done software with nice options;
now my home pc is like this thanks to start8;
- pressing right win key will bring up Start Screen on my right monitor, which I basically use for social services and news and music etc, basically not work.
- pressing left win key brings up Start8 which is the old win7 style start menu on my main center screen, this is what I get work done on and this menu is far more suitable for desktop work than Start screen, start screen is good for fun stuff. my left screen is just extra stuff for work too.
right now I couldn't be happier, I like how media keys on keyboard work too, if I use the volume keys I can get on screen menus to control my music which is playing in modern app!
the reader is pretty useful too for me, when I want to have a pdf open over there full screen and easy to read when I'm doing work based on it on the main screen.
I think modern screen is actually very useful on desktop for me, that is if you have three monitors like me. if you have a single screen start screen is just an annoyance interrupting your work flow.
still I think considering the super cheap price of win8 it's worth getting for the desktop improvements, you can kill start screen pretty much so that you never see it, same goes for charm bars, start8 does all of it, there are free alternatives too just not as good.
question about the news app, I used it to pin some of sources to start screen but live tiles show nothing and there is no way to make the tile bigger?
overall most of the preloaded apps have very good ideas but quite basic options, it looks like they will be updating them with new features over time as already happened, skype app can use it definitely, very basic right now.
now my home pc is like this thanks to start8;
- pressing right win key will bring up Start Screen on my right monitor, which I basically use for social services and news and music etc, basically not work.
- pressing left win key brings up Start8 which is the old win7 style start menu on my main center screen, this is what I get work done on and this menu is far more suitable for desktop work than Start screen, start screen is good for fun stuff. my left screen is just extra stuff for work too.
right now I couldn't be happier, I like how media keys on keyboard work too, if I use the volume keys I can get on screen menus to control my music which is playing in modern app!
the reader is pretty useful too for me, when I want to have a pdf open over there full screen and easy to read when I'm doing work based on it on the main screen.
I think modern screen is actually very useful on desktop for me, that is if you have three monitors like me. if you have a single screen start screen is just an annoyance interrupting your work flow.
still I think considering the super cheap price of win8 it's worth getting for the desktop improvements, you can kill start screen pretty much so that you never see it, same goes for charm bars, start8 does all of it, there are free alternatives too just not as good.
question about the news app, I used it to pin some of sources to start screen but live tiles show nothing and there is no way to make the tile bigger?
overall most of the preloaded apps have very good ideas but quite basic options, it looks like they will be updating them with new features over time as already happened, skype app can use it definitely, very basic right now.
You can never go back :O
José Mourinho
cocknose
Well, it isn't surprising that you don't notice the features missing in Windows 8 Metro.
Let's go again.
RDP is slow with an entire screen needing redrawn.
RDP/VMs is a pain to hit the corner.
Metro removes functionality of the start menu.
Cannot fully disable UAC.
Now sure I can install other software to get around most of my problems with Windows 8, or I can just use/recommend 7 for most of my machines.
The Transformer Prime is a great device but now that Windows 8 is out I see no reason why someone would pay $766 for a TP+dock when they can get a Full Windows 8 tablet with better battery life at 18 hours and $60 cheaper.
Yawn! Another stupid win8 bashing thread. Works great for me. Would never want to go back to an OS that doesn't sync my settings wherever I go and is inherently insecure like windows 7. No security issues whatsoever with my surface and once the app store fully develops the choice will be obvious.
</change sucks, end thread>
</change sucks, end thread>
How well does Visual Studio and Photoshop run on that?
I'm using the trial on my desk PC and I kind of like it. I love the ribbon interface in the windows explorer, is there anyway to add that to 7?
I'm thinking about installing it on my HTPC as well, I can use my logitech harmony remote to navigate the metro ui and I'd probably rarely go to desktop.
I'm thinking about installing it on my HTPC as well, I can use my logitech harmony remote to navigate the metro ui and I'd probably rarely go to desktop.
Dreams-Visions
Member
I'm really surprised there isn't some sort of UI option during the setup. You know, a traditional option that looks like start8 if you prefer a normal desktop experience, and the Metro option if you prefer that or have a tablet.
It's just kind of sad to see everyone installing start8. It just shouldn't be necessary because there should be a traditional start button OPTION.
It's just kind of sad to see everyone installing start8. It just shouldn't be necessary because there should be a traditional start button OPTION.
I just bought an ultrabook for my wife for X-Mas. They just barely started bundling them with Win8. Personally, I love Win8, but I'm betting she'll hate it. If it had a touchscreen, she could probably get the hang of it. I'm going to start exploring some of the start menu options mentioned in here... I don't want to downgrade, but I will if she asks me too.
I'm really mixed on Windows 8, mostly because I actually want to use Metro but it seems nearly impossible to exist fully within the environment. I don't understand why IE requires opening desktop mode to mess around with really basic options (like managing add-ons), and all in all, Metro just feels like some crazy Frankenstein appendage, and Windows 8 is just a lot more conservative than I was hoping for. Also, as somebody who generally installs the very bare bones on their computer, I'm finding that the Start screen looks rather bad with only ten or so applications, and I don't want to clutter up the Start screen with live tiles I'll never use.
I guess Windows 8 just feels really unsatisfying, and I prefer not having to think about my OSes. I'm glad I updated, as I was curious about 8, but now that I'm using Windows 8, I'm just more interested in seeing what Windows 9 looks like.
I guess Windows 8 just feels really unsatisfying, and I prefer not having to think about my OSes. I'm glad I updated, as I was curious about 8, but now that I'm using Windows 8, I'm just more interested in seeing what Windows 9 looks like.
They obviously want everyone at least somewhat interact with the modern UI, even if it's once to get people attracted, honestly the looks are quite good.
if that Windows Blue thing turns out true and windows get yearly updates, adding a start menu will probably happen, for now they just want people to use this by any means, I'm sure they knew about the preferences before release from Consumer preview release.
I think metro needs a lock mode where it doesn't just minimize into desktop when you click somewhere, not sure if that's any good as it is right now on a tablet, likewise having a mode for desktop that you don't have to jump into modern UI, that's basically start menu.
evil solrac v3.0
Member
*shrug* it's how windows always been. someone else writes a program to improve some functionality.
Liu Kang Baking A Pie
Member
It's interesting watching people come in here exasperated by the dislike of Windows 8 as they post about things that have nothing to do or sidestep the legitimate complaints people have.
Why ? MS pulled the band aid off all at once. IT be silly for them to put it back. The end goal is for people to just become use to this new verison.
Beautifully Shaped Monsters
Member
One of the mates I play Starcraft 2 with have Windows 8 installed, and it's hilarious to hear him complain about it on Skype when we play.
He seems so have no end of trouble with it, but was talking about installing Windows 7 this weekend, so my entertainment will soon be over
Personally I really hate the hot corners and the charms bar, but the start menu is certainly no hit either.
All fixable with Start8, but I kinda feel it's pointless to upgrade, if I then have to pay to fix it.
MS complete lack of flexibility in terms of giving the user a choice of how he wants to use the OS is what is preventing it from being 'rescued'.
He seems so have no end of trouble with it, but was talking about installing Windows 7 this weekend, so my entertainment will soon be over
Personally I really hate the hot corners and the charms bar, but the start menu is certainly no hit either.
All fixable with Start8, but I kinda feel it's pointless to upgrade, if I then have to pay to fix it.
MS complete lack of flexibility in terms of giving the user a choice of how he wants to use the OS is what is preventing it from being 'rescued'.
If ms gave the end user what they think they wanted we would load dos up and then load windows 95 in dos when gou want to use it and then from windows 95 you couod load up 7 and then only use metro when you feel like it.
The only windows os that didnt have a huge amount of complaing about was 7. Every os before it was met by pitch forks and. Torches.
The only windows os that didnt have a huge amount of complaing about was 7. Every os before it was met by pitch forks and. Torches.
Liu Kang Baking A Pie
Member
It's a load of shit anyway because even when we used DOS we put what we wanted to run on startup into autoexec.bat. That's DOS administration 101 right there.
dragonelite
Member
The vista launch was the deep end because of shitty driver support. Every would be better after it even windows 8.
I dont get the hate for win8.
I actually like the startscreen. But it can get a cluster fuck when you install multiple visual studio
But just like every windows just ctrl + leftclick too select multiple things and unpin.Its a wonder that some people could even use the previous windows versions how they go into derp mode or only using apps.
What microsoft probably should do is give those folks a option to boot into desktop and make the lower left corner right click menu a button on taskbar with shutdown option a sort of mini start menu. Because shutting down is layered in 2 or 3 sub menus i now just alt + f4.
Yes, they pulled off the band aid all at once by kludging two operating environments together. That makes sense.
I use Start8 because I never want to see Metro. Why? Because it's not its own system or interface yet. Half the shit I do in metro brings me back to the desktop, so what's the point? That's so dumb and interrupting to the user experience. Also, my start menu is important to me.
WickedCobra03
Member
I was going to grab windows 8 for my windows build for my parents but they have both just got pretty comfortable with using windows at this point that I wouldn't want to throw metro at them. Even I am confused by some of metros decisions when using shortcuts, trying to get back to desktop, mouse hover focus, ect.
Windows 7 was an obvious choice. I think even when I get around to building myself a gaming computer I will just end up buying windows 7.
Windows 7 was an obvious choice. I think even when I get around to building myself a gaming computer I will just end up buying windows 7.
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