Windows 8 ?

Hello. I just bought a new pc with Windows 8. I'm really not liking it at all. I like XP & Vista. I've never used Windows 7. My question is - is windows 7 more similar to windows 8 or more like Vista.

This is a difficult situation. It's not too easy to find older machines pre loaded with XP or Vista. Any advice for a work around would be appreciated. Thank you.

 

Win 7 is basically Vista cleaned up... So if you're looking for something fairly similar to Vista, 7 would be it... 7 is very good.

 

Windows 7 is based on the Aero Desktop. Its the best classic desktop Microsoft ever made after Windows XP. If you don't like the new slab start menu that comes with it, you can install Classic Shell after installing Windows 7 to bring back the start menu used in Windows 95/98 and Windows XP. With that modification, it greatly resembles Windows XP but uses less memory to run and is supported in X 64 as well in 32 bit versions. Its a great choice for those who don't like or want Windows 8 and its new Metro based graphical user interface.

 

Decapad,

My suggestion is to learn how to use Win8. It's the best OS I've used. I prefer Metro to a standard Start Menu, once you learn how to turn it to your advantage.

 

The OP finds Windows 8 hard to use and many people would agree. There is nothing wrong with downgrading Windows 8! When you buy a new Windows 8 PC, you should receive downgrade rights if you decide you feel more comfortable with Windows 7. Windows 8 offers nothing that Windows 7 doesn't and the GUI in Windows 7 is like that which people have been used to on Windows since Windows 95 came out in the last century.

 

OP Says: I don't like windows 8, I would like to use a different operating system is Windows 7 a good replacement?

Brian K Says: Use windows 8 because I like it.

Love it, I really do. Windows 7 is Vista done right, it's a fantastic operating system and it's a good successor to XP.

I too dislike the windows 8 Metro UI and I can assure you we're far from alone.

 

I spent all of this year with 8 until last weekend. I downgraded my laptop back to Windows 7. My desktop is still on 8 and will will use them both for a bit and decide if I want to downgrade the desktop as well. I likely will but it will take days to get it done so I am mostly leaving 8 out of laziness. I find that 8 does not include anything that I actually use and 7 will run a lot of stuff that will not work on 8. It is good to know how to use 8 in case you encounter it (and especially if you have to support it), but I would have to say 7 is my preference.

 

If you decide to downgrade to win 7, just make sure that all the drivers for your hardware are available for windows 7. Some laptops use customized drivers, especially for audio, and the manufacturers do not provide drivers to end users, so you are stuck with the laptop vendor for drivers and they have no interest in providing drivers for all OS.

 

Yes, I think this will become an issue more and more as we go forward in time....

 

I agree with Brian about learning to use it, at first it might appear strange but after a while it is quite fast. I have a Vista machine which I've used for many years, I'm very happy with it but Win 8 is the future, a great OS.

 

That's not actually true, there are many background changes (and longer support date), but none of necessity for most.

Anyways, make sure you create a disk image just in case.

 

Windows 8 is fine.

just learn how to use it.

 

Progress isn't all its cracked up to be. Windows 8 has its fans but most of us think it sucks, for good reason.

 

I agree - I find Windows 8 the best OS I've used - previous versions include ME, XP, and Windows 7. Windows 8 is much more responsive and reliable than Windows 7 based on my experience. Just add a start menu if you are not comfortable with Windows 8 start - there are several free ones around. Check some of them out:

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-33642_7-57496506-292/how-to-get-the-start-menu-back-in-windows-8/

 

Yes, Unfortunately most of the people doesn't like Windows 8 due to its new interface. It needs little patience in adapting to its new style which does not to be the case with majority of the people for their own reasons.

But its a much more than a graphical overhaul (aka metro, which needs some serious upgrades in particular apps. Given its time, i think the apps would be more mature and be more usable). I find explorer in windows 8 to be a night and day better when compared to 7. I personally like ribbon interface. And task manager is much more usable. Easy to find which process/app is draining the resources..

It is faster, snappier and more secured when compared to windows 7. Also, smart screen adds another layer of security. It is bad that there little to none testing done (like av-comp,...) with smart screen to confirm the level of protection it adds unless you test it individually.

And mail, netflix are my day to day apps which have been improved dramatically from their initial launch.

And cant say anything about 8.1. My only concern, if there is a way to stop the ads presented on the smart screen with its upgraded global smart screen search. (only time will tell, as its in beta and anything can change) Same and uni, single interface across all the apps. I like this approach


And to answer OP's question, as he already bought Win 8 machine, i would prefer, he give it a try for 2-3 weeks and if he still finds unacceptable/harder to use, he can go with windows 7. That is the best alternative available.

And coming to drivers part, i may be completely wrong, but i am liking to use OS default drivers. It caused me issues in Windows 8 when used the video drivers from AMD website. I personally beilieve we are past 98/XP era and i expect OS to take care of audio/video drivers. There should be no need for the user to intervene here. Ofcourse not sure about printers and more custom hardware..

 

+1

Thanks,
Harsha

 

give WIN8 a chance for at least 2 or 3 weeks. Just search the net for tips and tricks on win8 to learn the basics. Only after this... downgrade.

 

The OP is like an old dog who doesn't want to learn new tricks. A lot of people liked Windows XP and many more of them like Windows 7.

 

What Brian said

 

Lol... Guys, the OP said he's really not liking Windows 8 at all... Stop trying to shove it down his throat. That's an MS tactic...

 

I think both sides use the same tactic. The noisy minority of Metro haters don't like positive things being said about Win8.

 

Haha.. Well Brian, there are without a doubt 2 sides to it. But I think you have it wrong. I think the Metro haters are by far the vast majority... But you can continue to push Win 8 and Metro, if it pleases you to do so... even in a thread where the OP clearly states he/she doesn't like 8, and is looking for confirmation that 7 is more like Vista than 8 is. I think the OP will make the right choice in the end, and go with what he/she really likes best...

 

The question is, why bother?
Getting used to things is pointless.
You can get used to being locked up in a Soviet labor camp. So what?
The idea is to choose the best tools for the tasks you need.

And if a tool is not as good as it can be, then there's no point learning it.

Mrk

 

Many people are getting used to Windows 8 because they don't understand they have a choice. Computers with Windows 7 pre-installed can still be bought on the internet, but many of my customers want to walk into the local PC store where they can only buy 8 - then they struggle with the new UI. Microsoft is counting on consumers being ignorant or too lazy to do a little research and continue to buy 7 if that's their preference.

The real problem with Windows 8 is not the learning curve, which is normal for a new OS version, but the fact that it's actually a regression in terms of keyboard and mouse control. If you have a touchscreen device then by all means get 8 for the touchscreen support and make the effort to learn it. If you don't have a touchscreen device then you're making things unnecessarily difficult for yourself by using 8 because the UI is not optimal for keyboard and mouse. Why buy an operating system that is not fully optimized for your hardware?

 

I am in the same boat with you. Purchased new PC's with Windows 8 and hate with a passion the ignorance of MS ramming Metro down desktop/business owners throat so callously. If not for MS secret gov windfall i doubt they would have been so reckless.

But it is what it is.

There is a brighter side for you with Windows 8. It is incredibly more STABLE then any of it's predecessors before it. Not a single BSOD since January for me and counting. Patchguard and driver signature requirement is contributed greatly in that respect. It sports a much improved boot up also and faster

Even explorer is been beefed up with better useability and rare crash potentials.

As already mentioned skip the stupidity of Metro by booting directly to desktop courtesy Freeware ClassicShell. It also improves productivity by returning start menu button.

Fannies can brag all they like but truth remains if you have had any windows systems prior to windows 8 it's immediately apparent that Metro ruins the computing experience right out of the box. Classic Shell helps end that annoyance.

I'm patiently waiting for an app that's being worked on which completely eliminates Metro and reroutes some of it's routines more productively in favor of desktop users.

So as distressful as it appears on the surface, don't dismiss windows 8 if you have it in spite of it's design flaws meant for tablets. There are far more POSITIVES in it in your favor then not. Just take time to grab up the many software's now available (freewares!) and once you add them Windows 8 will become better for you.

OPTIMIZE IT!