Anyone use Windows 8?

[2LaneCruzer]

I've read a little about Windows 8, but can't get past the technical jargon. Can someone explain how it is different from windows 7? I read where it is a touch-screen system like they have on telephones and laptops? Pardon my ignorance, I don't have a phone, can't even answer my wife's without screwing things up. Thanks in advance;

Dennis. P.S. Windows isn't a free download, is it? You have to pay for it as an upgrade?

 

[Egbert]

Windows 8 is NOT free. Most new computers will come with it pre-installed.

Windows 8 incorporates a new user interface called the "Metro" desktop. Your applications are represent on this interface as individual icons, instead of the familiar taskbar/programs option. The system is designed for touchscreen but works on computers that are not. A load of folks are unhappy with some of the interface changes and Micro$oft is soon to release the 8.1 update to restore some of the older function.

My biggest gripe about Windows 8 is it tends to jump back and forth between the new Metro interface and the traditional desktop. Apps must be written for the Metro environment, otherwise, when you select them the systems throws you back into the older environment. You get used to it - but it can be irritating.

You can click an icon to go to the older desktop and pretty much stay there but, as I mentioned, you'll find an absence of some of the taskbar options you now enjoy. The upcoming update will probably be a nice development.

After all of that ... I've gotten used to Windows 8 and can get around in it just fine. It has its good and bad sides but it performs well. If you will recall, they had some major nightmare releases, i.e. "Windoze ME" and "Vista" that were enough to get people to hang themselves.

 

[RoyJackson]

The last good Windows OS was XP...
I loaded a beta of Windows 8 on a laptop...did not like the interface at all!

 

[wjmst]

Egbert is pretty much right on spot. Although, I must say I prefer win xp or win 7 over win 8, at least for a desktop or non-touch screen device. For someone new to computers, it is probably easy to use than win xp or win 7.

 

[aczlan]

The last good Windows OS was XP...
I loaded a beta of Windows 8 on a laptop...did not like the interface at all!

I'll have to disagree with you. Windows 7 is much better than XP.
Will be trying Windows 8.1 (for for free) in a VM at home to see how I like it. My laptop is due fore a refresh and I may switch to 8.1 if I can stand Metro as 8 is supposed to be faster than 7.

Aaron Z

 

[Egbert]

I don't know how old, or the capacities, of your current system. However, as always, Windows needs room to play - even moreso with each new release.

I would not recommend Win 8 on less than an Intel i5 processor, or equivalent, and no less than 6 GB ram. A system can NEVER be too fast but it can quite easily be too slow. Touch-screen capability is not required but I would encourage you to move that direction as this is where everything is headed.

 

[Dutch445]

we bought a new laptop recently with win 8, and i'm not a fan so far. i don't use it like SO does,
but it's confusing going between modes to get to the app she wants to use.
and the computer is not touch screen, so , the touchpad scroll is backwards!
rolls up when i motion to move down, ok if your used to it i guess.

i'll be interested to see an update that allows more familiarity with win7 mode.

 

[deerseeker001]

when i first used widows 8 i hated it whole new ballgame,it was struggle to do anything.then i downloaded Firefox and customized windows 8 to look like window 7.Firefox has a lot of add ons.i love it now it is very fast.

 

[TripleR]

I don't now nor will I ever like Windows 8, I preferred XP or 7. I am not new to computers, first one was an Apple IIc, I just don't like it. Now I HATED ME and Vista.

 

[NorTracNY]

We bought a new computer recently. We went with a system that still have Windows 7. I had not spoken with anyone that recommended Windose 8.

 

[rekees4300]

I've read a little about Windows 8, but can't get past the technical jargon.

Bottomline: Windows 8 is a POS. If you have Windows 7 keep it!

 

[GPintheMitten]

It has taken a few days to get used to Windows 8, but for my wife and I its fine. We bought our first new desktop (all in one, actually) in over 10 years. It has a touch screen but we use the mouse about 30% of the time. If it were a laptop or notebook, we certainly use touch screen more.

The best way to learn about W 8 is to go to a store and try it. Reading about a user interface is like reading about a painting.

A few minutes in a store will by no means get you accustomed to something as different as this, but you will get the idea.mysalesman took the time to show me about the user interface.

Even though it is different, I think most people will be better off going in the mainstream.

 

[LD1]

I dont like windows 8. My parents and brother have it. I cant find anything:mur:

But I imagine like everything, when the time comes, I'll adapt and get used to it. I like 7 now. Best so far IMO. But If I had to go back to XP, or 2000, with 2000 versions of office, I would probably be just as lost as I am on windows 8.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I have Windows 8 and it takes some getting used to as it is much different than Vista or 7 or XP. The command bar is sometimes hard to get it to come up and have to bounce the mouse against the side repeatedly to final get the Start, Settings etc to come up and Start no longer shuts down the computer, you have to go to settings to find the power button. One thing I don't like is the email command takes you to Microsoft mail and if you don't have that it is a wasted effort, like when the notice on some websites say email to friend, click and it directs you to Microsoft website. I suppose there is a way to make it go to your email but I don't know how to do it.

 

[MossRoad]

Sitck with 7 if you can....

8 is hokey.

 

[kf4uda]

I bought the Wife a new notebook with Win 8 on it. Neither of us liked it. I found Classic Shell which makes 8 look and act like Win 7....much better.

Classic Shell - Start menu and other Windows enhancements

 

[SoGeorgia]

I'm a Sr. Systems Engineer for a fairly large company. I'm responsible for around 1500 desktops, laptops, servers and tablets. All windows of course.

I'm a Linux guy. I hate Windows. But I'm forced to use it. I just received a Surface Pro with Windows 8 Enterprise. It's taken a few weeks but I actually like it. It's quite fast even with the low specs of the Surface. It's more responsive with some applications than my high end desktop running Windows 7 Pro.

 

[Egbert]

Command line is ... WIN key + R

 

[SoGeorgia]

Command line is ... WIN key + R

Win key + x brings up a power users menu.

Win key + c brings up the charms bar on the far right.

Win key + i brings up the settings pane.

 

[aczlan]

It's quite fast even with the low specs of the Surface. It's more responsive with some applications than my high end desktop running Windows 7 Pro.

Hmmm, does your desktop have a SSD in it? We got in some Dell Ultrabooks at work with SSDs and they are FAST. Under 30 seconds from a cold shutdown to the login prompt and another 15-20 seconds to load the desktop.

Aaron Z