Still Holding on to XP or Windows 7? - Comments Page 1

I'm actually running Windows 8 on my main computer (a desktop) and a laptop with Windows 7. Personally, i like Windows 8, and am glad I made the switch, and would do the same from the laptop, but it's incompatible with Win8, so for now I'll keep running Win7 on it, until I can upgrade it (which is basically buying a new one, I suppose--which means, it'd probably come with Win8 anyway). On my main desktop, I kept running XP for the longest time, despite having "modern" hardware. Then Win8 came out, so I made the jump straight to it (since the upgrade was cheaper at the time) My main desktop has never looked back since.

The hard drive crashed, and part of the display went bad on my old laptop, so I bought a new laptop with Windows 8. I returned it after a month, and for the first time ever, had my old computer repaired.because I REALLY did not like Windows 8. New isn't always better!

I "upgraded" to 8 and was excited to learn the new OS and found it to be a lot of fun. However, over time I stopped using the windows mentro menu completely because it seems more like a novelty to me and it turned into more of distraction. I was using the desktop and even got a win menu button back and then one day out of the blue nothing worked. I couldn't get back to the metro menu and things were starting to freeze on me. I never had such a problem in XP or Win7. I decided to go back to Win7 because it has been the most stable Windows OS I've ever been on. Win 8 feels less stable and like I said --more like a distraction with the metro menu. I hope they come up with something better and abandon 8. Seems more like a Vista nightmare to me.

Bob, a question: As far as I know, Windows 8 just ships with new computers, or it's available as an update for windows 7. And, of course, I think Windows 7 will be out of shelves soon. So, Is there a way to purchase a full instalation disk for windows 8? If there's no way, then how to install it? (I run Windows XP on a virtual machine... and I am really happy about it)

Yep, still running XP on my main desktop. Since I've upgraded almost everything but the hard drive, I might be able to run something newer. I did run the advisor for Win7 and the only thing it complained about was the graphics card (built into the ASUS motherboard).

Still running 98SE on my old laptop that I use for my Quicken and other small databases. Backed up regularly and never on the web (could never get a network adapter to work with it anyway).

Will I ever run a newer version of Windows? Maybe, if I have to. But I dual boot into Linux and use that as much as possible.

Ubuntu !

Thanks for the heads up. I'm currently running Vista and unlike many others I'm perfectly happy with it. No problems at all. Thus I will ride out the storm until the support expiration and buy a new system.

They will have to drag me away kicking and screaming before I'll stop using Win XP. Most of my fav software only works with Win Xp. I have Windows 7 but it unfortunately suffers from a Vista hangover so I was forced to return to XP.

I cling to XP; have stayed with Win 98 since 2000 through 2008, BTW. In a year or two I might think about Vista, and in another coupla years, possibly, I will switch over to Win 7... I have actually had a look at Win 8 and HATED it, so it will certainly be my last option. I'd rather install some Linux or whatever, even though I will definitely have a hard time getting used to it.

My son last Nov. purchased a laptop with W8.... within 2 weeks he attempted to install W7-64, but W8 would not let him. I told him to put that on hold until his warranty ran out...as installing W7 would likely have voided his warranty. I steered him to a couple of programs that gave him back his desktop and start button. He is living with W8 but still is not enthralled with it.

I am curious why Microsoft did not add a Q&A session upon install that asked a most useful question: Do you have a Touch Screen??? If not then W8 would install a somewhat more conventional interface. Additional questions could be will you be using a mouse and keyboard to interface your PC and provide input?

I would love to hear any useful comments from w8 users as to why I should upgrade to it??

The learning curve alone could be a problem especially for users > 70.

Bob, I haven't seen one positive reason to upgrade, especially for those of us who produce complex manuscripts and art. While flipping through screens may amuse consumers, it does nothing for producers.

Is future fear of hackers the highest and best consumer reason to shovel $$ at MS? Or did MS produce software that is useful or an advance over the old?

Is the MS motive merely their trying to get into our wallets?

While mobile devices are the rage, some of us produce apps for mobile on desktops. Windows 8 complicates and makes awkward our work lives. Right?

I don't see reasons to upgrade the desktop, except fear of future hackers, in your articles or in others.

I have XP now. Will I be able to transfer data that I have saved to windows 8.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Yes, but as I mentioned in the article, transferring installed programs is a bit more involved.

Wasn't Windows 8 designed for touchscreen devices like smart phones and tablets?
If I buy a Win 8 desktop computer, I also have to either buy a new monitor to touch or go through all the rigamarole to make it run like a Win 7.
If I buy a Win 8 laptop, I have to either go through that rigmarole or (at my advanced age) learn a whole new way to use my computer after 20 or so years of logical Windows.
In both cases, either choice is nuts. The fact that Microsoft knows what I want better than I do is the nest of flies in their ointment. They don't. If I have to go through all that nonsense to learn a new machine, I can just buy a Mac.

I have XP on two machines dual booting with Linux. Both are old (P4 IBM box, and a Acer Netbook). I keep them around for a couple of programs that are only supported on WinOS; GPS updaters and the like. Not all WinOS programs will run under WINE. When XP is gone, I suppose they will become Linux machines as I don't see anything in Win8 that I care for. May have to purchase a low end machine to run these programs, if Win8 will run them.

I have already concluded if MS wants to force me into reconfiguring the way my business uses computers, that wastes my time and money, I am far better off investing that time and saving my money by learning to use Linux. To continue using MS products is a bit like paying someone to keep hitting you in the head. It's just not logical.

Linux is becoming more attractive and popular all the time. Although it is a bit different from MS, once familiar with it isn't any harder to use than using MS products. With time, since Linux doesn't re-scramble it's OS and methods every five years, I believe the time invested to maintain a usable system will be much less in the long run, and certainly cheaper.

Linux is also finding a broader commercial support base than it did even a few years ago. More and more device manufactures are demonstrating that support by providing drivers for their products in Linux environments.

I just got a new laptop with Windows 8 and really like it. When you use the desktop it's just like Windows 7 just without the start button. Instead of a Start button there is a Start screen. When you view the start screen for the first time you will see "tiles" that launch applications. A lot of the default programs the tiles launch are crap and I don't use them. The ones I don't use I just unpinned them from the start screen and leave the one or two things I use. The only tile I use is Desktop, then you go about you business as usual. When you are on the start screen right click in the blue area and choose "all applications" and it will show you everything installed. That is a nice feature. There is a few other new things you will learn with Windows 8 but it is not difficult and I think you won't want to go back.

Have a Dell desktop that is 9 years old with
XP, will start to look for a windows 8 computer
in 2014. To bad-the Dell with XP still works great after replacing the hard drive 1 year ago. RIP XP

I am 62 and have my business on my desktop computer which is running XP. I work at home and I am thinking of upgrading to an all-in-one desktop and I have a choice of Windows 7 and Windows 8. Having tried neither I am slightly hesitant to make the jump to 8 after reading many commentaries from individuals who have really hated it. HOWEVER, people who downloaded the user guide for 8 discovered it just isn't that difficult. Being a woman, I would probably do the same. I like instruction manuals. :D

My only concern will be screwing up my business processing so it will take a bit more research on my part to make the decision. Thanks for the good information on the Windows systems.

Win 7 will be the last windows I use.
I am in the process of getting and learning something called LINUX. I do not like the 'phone look and want nothing to do with it.

I'm a die-hard XP user. I've got it tweaked to just the way I want it and I like it. Since I'll have to migrate to a different OS to stay safe I've installed Lunix Mint as a dual boot option to explore it's ways and means. It's all about the money, isn't it? Mint is FREE and, as far as I've seen, it works pretty darned good. Takes some getting used to but, then, so would Win 8.