Using Windows 8

Discussion in 'other software & services' started by stapp, Dec 30, 2012.

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  1. stapp

    stapp Global Moderator

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    It's interesting how there seems at the moment 2 types of users. Those who feel the need to use programs such as Classic Shell to access Win 8 functions in a pre-Win 8 way, and those who don't.

    I haven't found the need to use any of those programs myself. On my start screen which Win 8 boots to, I have my apps and tools listed on it along side any of the metro apps I find of interest (the ones I don't I've just unpinned) It just all works for me, such easy access to everything.

    I feel a bit of a heretic posting this as there is so much hatred out there for the start screen :D

    I now have got to the stage where I prefer Win 8 over Win 7, it's become very usable for me and I really appreciate the way the start screen and desktop can be used in harmony, if wished.

    I don't have a touchscreen by the way, just a very average desktop which I put Win 8 on to see how it went.

    It went well :)
     
  2. Sadeghi85

    Sadeghi85 Registered Member

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    I hated it when after some program installations, all their shortcuts(such as documentation, uninstall etc) were automatically pinned on the start screen. Keeping it clean was hard. Then I tried StartIsBack, you can set it to only keep metro apps on start screen, and you can still boot to start screen if you want to.


    StartIsBack.png
     
  3. moontan

    moontan Registered Member

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    the only time i see Metro is when using the MAIL, Skype or SkyDrive apps.

    the only time i used the Start button in Windows 7 was when i needed to go to the Control Panel.
    you can easily launch the Control Panel in Win 8 by right-clicking on the hot spot at lower left.

    so for me, Start button or Metro, it doesn't matter.

    there are other ways to launch program, beside Metro and Start button.
     
  4. Krysis

    Krysis Registered Member

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    I use a combo of Classic Shell Start Menu and Start Menu - I don't see what the big fuss is about in using either. (what works for you is what counts!) The only fiddly thing I find is getting the Charms Bar to display using a mouse - but, hey! - Windows Key+C works just fine! I had misgivings about Windows 8 before I installed it due to all the negative comments and reviews - but I found I rather liked it. I have Windows 8 Pro and my only disappointment was that Applocker wasn't included (I was sure I read somewhere previously that it was) That's life, I guess! :cool:
     
  5. moontan

    moontan Registered Member

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    the best way with the mouse is to put the mouse at either the upper right or lower right, then bring the mouse toward the middle, making sure that the mouse is 'pushing' against the right side of the screen all the time.
    (as long as you stay withing the hotspot it doesn't matter if you're pushing or not)

    i hope this makes sense. lol
     
  6. Krysis

    Krysis Registered Member

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    I know what you mean! - I think I have 3 thumbs and keep going the wrong way! But hey! - Life wasn't meant to be easy!! :D
     
  7. ambient_88

    ambient_88 Registered Member

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    It really isn't that hard to get around Windows 8. Just need to put a little bit of time to learn the new functions.

    I also prefer Win 8 now over Win 7. The new keyboard shortcuts are surprisingly handy.
     
    Last edited: Dec 31, 2012
  8. Notok

    Notok Registered Member

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    Agreed.

    I think the "charms" bar is the main thing that you have to get used to. Once you customize the Start screen (pin the apps you want, create groups, add and delete any live tiles you want) then it just becomes a bigger Start menu and the rest is pretty easy.

    I really thought that I was going to hate Windows 8, but once I got used to it I found that I actually prefer it. It actually feels more solid than any other OS I've tried.
     
    Last edited: Dec 31, 2012
  9. PoetWarrior

    PoetWarrior Registered Member

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    Couldn't get settled in with a replacement start menu for W8, though something kept me looking. So a couple of days ago I created shortcuts for shutdown, restart, and log off. Pinned them to the lower left side of the task bar and I think I've arrived at my previous comfort level (with W7).

    I also pinned control panel, and other programs to the task bar, but like I indicated it wasn't until I added shutdown, etc. to the task bar that I finally felt no irritation with the desktop. It's a smoother experience.
     
  10. Firecat

    Firecat Registered Member

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    I personally am in two minds about Windows 8: It feels okay with a mouse, but on a laptop touchpad I find it horrible. It's simply unintuitive on a touchpad. So, I have to go back to Start8 for that. But for the time being, I have a mouse, so I manage.

    Windows 8 is an okay OS, but I still find myself using desktop mode far more often.
     
  11. Tomwa

    Tomwa Registered Member

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    I have a passionate hatred for Metro (and Windows 8 as a whole), I won't touch windows 8 even with Classic Shell or an equivelent program. Windows 7 is like a porsche, windows 8 is like somebody took that same porsche stripped the wheels off and painted it with big gaudy blocks of color.

    I just thought I'd come represent the "Won't touch it with a 100ft pole" part of the crowd.

    P.S.

    You got your Tablet in my PC!

    Now get it out -.-
     
  12. Notok

    Notok Registered Member

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    I thought that way too, until I actually used it and got used to where things are.
     
  13. Notok

    Notok Registered Member

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    I see Metro as just a start screen, rather than a "mode," with the OS having the ability to run mobile apps. I think that thinking of it as having two distinct "modes" leads to confusion, and there's so much contention over something that you can mostly ignore.
     
  14. Brian K

    Brian K Imaging Specialist

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    I think Metro is a fantastic Start Menu. Very customizable and I prefer it to the Win7 Start Menu. I must admit I didn't think much of it a year ago.
     
  15. Firecat

    Firecat Registered Member

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    Metro is really convenient, especially when you are searching for something. But, like I said, I found it a pain to use without a mouse.

    I didn't like some of the under-the-hood changes though, like no longer being able to see non plug-and-play devices in Device Manager and the relatively simplified task manager. Still getting used to Windows 8, it's pretty fast though to be honest, and the ribbon UI on Windows Explorer/File Explorer is pretty good, though people may not agree with me :)
     
  16. Bob241963

    Bob241963 Registered Member

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    I have no issues with the new start screen, it works well for me. I did download a start menu (Pokki) that gives me the option of the 7 style start menu, and bypasses the start screen at startup. I have my most commonly used apps on the taskbar -- like I did with XP/vista/7 so I do not need to go into the start menu much of the time. When I do need the start menu I almost always use the metro version and will probably drop Pokki sometime in the near future.
     
  17. Notok

    Notok Registered Member

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    I actually don't expect touch to be a big thing on desktops; it's just not ergonomic. Maybe some stuff with touch mice, though; who knows.

    I'm not sure what you mean; the task manager is actually pretty well beefed up. The "Processes" tab replaces "Applications" with a lot more info, and the "Details" is the old "Processes" tab which looks the same but has more context menu options. Unless you click "Fewer Details," of course, which hides pretty much everything except the old "Applications" list.
     
  18. DX2

    DX2 Guest

    Windows 8 came on my new laptop. I didn't care for it. It's easy to use and navigate through. But W7 works perfectly and I have no need for the metro experience. So I installed 7..
     
  19. Tomwa

    Tomwa Registered Member

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  20. Wild Hunter

    Wild Hunter Former Poster

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    Those aren't sales figures.
     
  21. rollers

    rollers Registered Member

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    I use startlsback as it makes windows 8 more user friendly for me. I don't have a touchscreen, otherwise I might have stuck with the default start screen. Other than that, I find windows 8 very good.
     
  22. Tomwa

    Tomwa Registered Member

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    The only "figures" that would TRULY depict windows 8's situation is the revenue from license purchases.

    When you make the price so low you may get large amounts of "Sales" but little profit. I've heard a lot of people buying it "Just because it was cheap", but the statistics from the link work better than anything else we currently have available since it reflects (for the most part) the number of people using the OS.
     
  23. Tyrizian

    Tyrizian Registered Member

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    Windows 8 boots fast and has nice modern UI apps that I find very useful. I have gotten use to the navigation aspect of Windows 8 and actually enjoyed it. The only problems I have with Windows 8 (at least in my situation) is that I don't find it very tweak friendly. Almost all performance tweaks and Windows features I ended up disabling, Windows decided to revert back all those features to it's original settings, on it's own. I really don't like that part about it, I like being in control of whats on my system (Example: If I disable the firewall features Domain, Private, Etc. to install a third party firewall, it works for awhile, but eventually reverts back to it's original settings...Same thing when changing UAC, etc.)

    I also hate that the Windows Firewall service has to remain running as a service regardless of what other firewall you happen to be running. I do know that Microsoft configured it that way so modern UI Apps can install and or update correctly, but I just think that the way it's being handled is pure sloppiness on Microsoft's part. That's all I need is for Windows Firewall to interfere with my desired firewall (Which happened to me by the way)

    I also started to experience freezes here and there, even on a fresh install, which I didn't like either.

    Like I said, I like Windows 8 for it's fast boot times, modern UI applications and its easy to navigate interface. But, since I have gone through all these setbacks with the new OS, I just had to go back to Windows 7 for the time being...and I tell you what, it's like a breath of fresh air.

    I'm sure I'll go back to Windows 8 once it's matured more, But, at this time I think it's a little wonky.
     
  24. elapsed

    elapsed Registered Member

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    From some of the stuff you've posted on here, I'm going to guess you're smart enough to understand the huge difference in overall PC sales 5 years ago when the PC industry was booming, vs now when most people have a PC, don't upgrade it yearly, are having money problems, and/or are using tablets instead.

    Overall, Windows 8 is reaching a lot of users in a short amount of time. The Steam hardware survey is a good example of this where nearly 7% of Steam users are now running Windows 8, beating the entirety of Vista after 2 months.

    http://store.steampowered.com/hwsurvey

    I guess it's just failing upwards?
     
  25. Noob

    Noob Registered Member

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    I'm running out of time and still have not purchased my W8 license. :ninja:
     
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