Windows 8.1 Pro or Home is been the most stable O/S of the Windows series ever experienced from this side of the screen. Would easily pit it against even Windows 10 although best results for performance are achieved (of course) with more advanced specs of newer hardware-memory-chip-SSD etc
Win 8.1 Pro. Absolutely no question in my mind. This HP 355G2 business grade laptop came with Win 7 Pro and an OEM upgrade disc to Win 8.1 Pro. I kept 7 Pro for about a year and it seemed like every couple of weeks or a month I was getting a blue screen. I used the disc to upgrade to 8.1 Pro and for the past few years, not a single problem. It's been rock solid. I also tried Win 10 at least 3, maybe 4 times and always went back. 8.1 is faster all across the board. It's a keeper here for as long as the laptop lasts. It's 6 yrs old now, working well, no trouble.
Then YOU are already keenly aware that Windows 8.1 Pro is a stable workhorse. I tried a couple of programs from the github just yesterday and got blue screened for the efforts, but those was unsigned drivers Windows spit back at. On previous versions BSOD usually would disrupt the entire ecosystem but a boot up and all was well again. Yeah Windows 8.1 Pro is very well up to task even compared to a brand spanking new Dell Windows 10 I only bought last month. With WiseVector AND the older Windows Defender kept up to date the things is tightly secured too! Oh one other caveat. I like PowerShell personally. It was easy to upgrade it to PS 5.1 from Microsoft. Simple update file and wallah. That said some of windows previous updates just wouldn't take so rolled them back. But you can add even near AND current 2021 updates that go just fine.
What do you think about a Windows 10 Dark Mode theme for it? Sounds great isn't it? https://forums.mydigitallife.net/threads/windows10-dark-mode-theme-for-8-1.84055/
Personally dark mode will never fit my local preferences but it is another NEW option for user's to have available to them where otherwise only 10.
Windows 7. Everything thereafter is packed to the gills with corporate malware, with each successive rendition worse than the last. Win 7 is the end of the road for M$; next up is MX Linux.
Windows 8.1 is Windows 7 on hyper drive but with so much more under the hood that keeps it stable as a rock. Its a challenge for Windows 10 even in obsolete mode which is probably why silly microsoft hurried windows 11 that i understand is making for wonderful sleepless nights and anxieties.
Maybe because not everyone is a sucker to Microsoft's kool aid or have tons of easy cash to have to keep adding to their coffers (constantly having to buy new machines) while their so called advanced new versions are network piggybacking on the gullibility of user's being their guinea pig instead of Microsoft proving they can produce on their own. Not only that but maybe Windows 7 and 8 users have spent years perfecting their versions to expectations and are satisfied with what took them so long to make a better & safe computing experience for themselves and family members. Even businesses to a degree without having to learn a different set up and system (settings etc) all over once again from scratch like MS demands. The only thing outdated is Microsoft's ridiculous greedy ongoing policy of do it their way, as they say, or languish without their super duper magnificent trouble free new creation.
That's fine, its the way you feel and I have no issues with that. Myself, I have no love or hate for MS, all I want is a OS so I can use my computer. I have no desire to delve into the minutia and tweak everything, I turn off a few privacy settings and that's it. Most people feel the same and have no desire to announce to the heavens, on forums like these, how good an outdated OS is. I use W10 on a 11 year old desktop, I will probably buy a new system within a year, not to get W11 but because its time. Microsoft gets no money from me, as far as I know the last 2 OS were free were they not? There is a reason most, if not all experts, advice not to use an outdated OS.
It is called a choice and if people are happy with their software / hardware that they currently use then why update? Of course Microsoft and people selling security software subscriptions are always scaremongering as that makes them money but I've never seen actual unbiased evidence to back up their nonsense.......From my personal experience. The people who keep messing up their computers are not using out dated, unsupported software but up to date 2022 Windows updates and security software. One family member uses Windows 10 and the other one uses Windows 7 (x64) and you can guess who I have to help. It isn't the Windows 7 user.
Yes, but everyone's experience is different, I've had 0 issues with W10, I feel that's because I don't tweak and have few programs installed, but who knows? I won't be part of the "bash Microsoft" cult because I see no point in doing so.
What really caught my attention was the percentage of Wilder's members, majority by a good stretch by the way, that overwhelmingly selected 7 if given a choice between the two. Me personally, i really shouldn't be surprised, but i don't know whether to consider myself lucky to have selected 8, or if i missed something many more user's found in Windows 7 and thus hardly would give 8 as much as a try (or a nod). I will add that the Windows Eight first debut was a major shockwave that must have had 7 user's pulling out their hair in frustration. I didn't like it one iota either. But the Service Pack 8.1 certainly for me anyway made up for things. Of course by then 7 user's were already full on in abandon mode for anything remotely or near occasion as the 8 series was concerned. Probably why MS quickly got busy working toward the 10 version, but the way they forced it on those 7 user's who were quite content with 7 just added more fuel to fire. Because i find it surprising myself (although i only saw and used another's 7 once) that even these days there are still user's who are satisfied with 7 in spite of everything. Personally 8.1 is perfected on this end as far as it can go, and no problem waiting to see what a Windows 12 might offer in comparison.
Same here although I don't use it anymore due to drivers compatibility or lack of them on new machines.
