Switching to Windows 8 Made Easier - Comments Page 1

I upgraded from Win7 to Win8 for $39 just before the price increase; I wish I hadn't.
I use my computers to get work done and I don't need something getting between me and my desktop. I also found that the so called Skype App doesn't work right and you lose messages or just never get them (It happened to me and my girlfriend wasn't very pleased with me)... to remedy that you have to uninstall the Skype App to get it off your system, then go to the desktop and download it from Skype's website, making sure you download the one for the desktop.

I tried to like Win8, but my question is why? A laptop isn't a tablet. A tablet with a keyboard isn't a tablet and isn't a laptop either...
I also heard that this new GUI is the way MS is going and getting rid of the desktop GUI in their next version (unless they wise up :)
No, I say stick with Win7 or go the Linux route! That's what I'm looking into; Linux.

I have a new Samsung ARM ChromeBook I'm testing out and it loads faster and works better than my Win8 and doesn't get viruses...but unfortunately the ChromeBook doesn't have Skype yet; I could live without it, but my girlfriend mostly uses it to communicate with me...

Bob, thanks for this information on Windows 8. I bought a new computer in 2012 and was eligible to get Windows 8 for the $14.99 (or whatever) price, but, because I'm using a desktop and not a smart phone, tablet, etc., what I saw of Windows 8 appeared to have no advantages for me so I let it slide by. Had your article been available for me to read, say, in January, I'd be running Windows 8 now. Instead, with all the 'changes' MS has made, I am very seriously considering spending a lot more $$ and going to a Mac instead!

I switched from XP. I had many doubts about Windows 8. The OS as presented by MS is silly for desk top users. I installed a little program that gave me the start button. Now I like Windows 8. It is faster and smoother than XP. I'm glad I made the switch.

You mean the "new Vista?" Why didn't Microsoft include a "time machine" for Windows while they were busy shoving this product down people's throats? That would have been a compelling feature. The only thing I have noticed is that it boots faster. Since one of the programs I use does not work as well on Windows 8 vs Windows 7 I have stayed with Windows 7.

I can't understand all the negative comments about Windows 8.I'm 68 years old,not particularly tech savvy,have had a laptop for about 6 years,bought a Windows 8 laptop about2weeks ago and I got used to it after a couple of days.If I can pick it up,anyone can.If you don't like the appearance of the tiled screen,you can press enter and you are into the familiar desktop.Then press windows key and X and you get a menu giving you various options.Or you can install classic shell etc.,to make it more like Windows 7.I will admit that at first I did not like the tiled screen but I've got used to it but still use the familiar desktop most of the time.I think you have to give it a couple of days before you pass judgement on it.

Thanks for this information, which arrives as my Dad has been expressing near-panic over the impending demise of his XP system. As he is now in his ninetieth year, and struggling to get any reasonable broadband service in his country area of mid-England, the last thing he needs is to learn his way around a new screen interface.
He is only a very light web-user: trying to pass on his deeply considered wisdom, currently majoring on global hydro-dynamics.
I have been able to somewhat calm his fears by explaining that there are yet twelve months to explore the available replacement systems. And now you've shown the transition to Win8 need not be too scary; it may yet not be the deal-breaker you suggested.

Hi,
I'm running Windows 7 Pro, is there a upgrade to W-8 and do you know the cost to upgrade? Does this include Office software as well? Runing Office 2007 as well.
Thanks,
John Young

I am a diehard XP user. I am going to be sorry to see it go. Have saved all my important files from OutLook Express but am told that these files will be unreadable in Windows 8. Still looking on the net for a conversion program to read these saved important files over the past 10 years. If security is going to be a problem after 2014 then I will have to upgrade. I think the biggest peeve that I have is that a stable platform which I have used over the years is to become NADA!

Regarding Windows Defender (WD)...I thought recent tests showed that, after initially failing, WD barely "passed" tests comparing antispyware programs. Not sure its a good idea to drop 3rd party security programs, paid-for or your recommended free programs.

I realize that Win8 is radically different looking, and that sometimes there is an additional click or two to using it. But there are also times that there are less clicks involved, simply by using the tiles to open certain apps. And while I have my own peeves with using it myself, I have learned work-arounds, and actually have learned to like W8. I offer my clients the choice of W7 or W8 on my builds, and after working with them for a while, they have, without exception, opted for 8. My clientele tend to be average users, not incredibly tech savvy, and none of them have had problems with the switch. That speaks volumes to me.

Best of all, I have yet to encounter a crash or lockup of any kind.

I love Windows XP and I haven't committed to WIN8 just yet. I downloaded Ubuntu Linux last night and took it for a test drive. Too early to tell but I kinda like it. Can't play WOW but if that's all I need windows for I will keep XP until WOW doesn't run on it anymore. So far everything I have seen on Ubuntu should take care of me (and most other people)just fine. We'll see.

Yes, will run Windows 8 if it comes with new hardware. However, on next PC am thinking of switching to Linux (Ubuntu) and use Linux's Windows simulator, Wine, for the few Windows applications without an equivalent in open source Linux and Windows. (I realize not all windows apps run on Wine and I may need to find a substitute. Not being a hard-core gamer helps)

Seems like Windows 8 Start Button may just be a repackaging of Classic Shell. If you go to
Windows 8 Start button support page:
http://www.windows8startbutton.com/support.php
you'll see there is just a link that takes you to the Classic Shell page.

What about Windows 8 phone. Why would anyone want to switch from Android, IOS, Blackberry, Symbiam, to windows phone. Does it also have some bunch of goodies under the hood?

I AM toying with the idea of upgrading my (dying) Vista laptop and making the jump to a touch screen laptop with Win8, but now I read that Windows next OS: Blue is nearly here - with possible release in late June? So, I'm thinking I should be patient and see what the next new operating system brings. I hate to buy something that will be obsolete in a couple of months!

I don't understand why Microsoft is pushing so hard on the touchscreen UI. I use my laptop most of the time at home. When I do, I have it hooked up to a regular keyboard, mouse and external monitor showing the extended desktop, so the screen on either one is about two feet away fromme. It would be really uncomfortable to have to keep leaning forward to reach for the screen every time I wanted to do something. Even on those occasions when I take the laptop out somewhere, it seems like the constant need to reach out to swipe the screen would get old fast.

The question was: Now that it was made clear Windows 8 can be tamed to appear like Windows 7, and that it is a teensy bit better here and there, would I make the jump?

Answer is no. The difficulty in working W8 as
installed has caused me a lot of annoyance which can be ameliorated only by its ruthless extirpation. And the arrogance of Microsoft by foisting such a system on us helps. Used to be GM & Ford kept on producing new designs only because they were new and they tried to induce new purchases among foolish buyers who always felt they had to have the latest product, though the old product met all rational needs. They thought as long as people kept buying they could ignore anything the imports did. Now GM is in bankruptcy and Ford is close behind.

Outside of solving trivial problems, all W8 does is push an interface in your face that annoys a large proportion of users who had no trouble with W95, W98, W2000, XP and W7. That shows incredible arrogance. I recommend users refer to www.oldversion.com, which makes available for download, free, all the old browsers (like every version of Netscape), among other "obsolete" software. Their motto is "because newer is not always better."
I am seeking software that will allow me to replace the W8 O/S with W7. Or partition for dual boot.
I own a dozen cars and the newest one I drive is a 1990. My favorite is a 1976 sports car that is fun to drive and goes like a bat outta hell.

Overall Windows 8 is better and it's just a matter of getting used to it. It doesn't take long. I'm going to try that start button program, eventhough you don't need it. Most of the programs you access through the start screen tiles are junk. I unpinned all that garbage from my start screen so when it starts there is just the desktop tile and a couple of other things like headlines and weather.Don't forget the right-click in the blue area of the start screen. It will list all programs installed if you have trouble. You can pin programs from the start screen to your desktop taskbar. As far as Windows Media Player, I quit using that long ago. It's always been junk and it seems Microsoft intends to keep it that way. Real Player is way better. I've been using that quite a while now.

Aside from the fact that Windows 8 on a desktop with the help of Classic Shell or other software is a little faster and has a few more features, Windows 8 has other baggage.

The first problem is just Microsoft's attitude: you will boot to Metro/Modern UI. You will not have a Start Button or Start Menu.

Then with new Windows 8 64 bit machines there is the Secure Boot problem that has third party vendors jumping through hoops trying to make their software work with the UEFI bios.
I can see businesses and IT departments struggling with a serious learning curve that has to mastered in order to manage computers in the Windows 8 environment.

Then there are many potential XP PC users who can't upgrade to 8 because of the XD/NX or never execute requirement. The Consumer Preview version of 8 did not require the feature. I was planning on installing Windows 8 on several of my older laptops that had been running the CP version of 8.

The RTM version will not install unless the XD/NX feature is available, even though if it is present it can be disabled.

Microsoft has limited most XP systems to a Windows 7 upgrade or Linux...

They'll get my XP when they pry it from my cold dead hands.