Forum Discussion

tkcas01's avatar
tkcas01
Explorer
May 08, 2015

[OP Update] Windows 8.1 compared to Win7 - user experience

I don't normally ask technology questions on here, but the good cross section of folks probably has some good insights...

My Mom is 82 years young and her computer just died. Over the years she has gone from Vista to XP to Win7. Most new computers come with Windows 8.1 and 10 will be out later this year.

Thing is, the last couple of years she has gotten increasingly less interested in learning new things. I tend to be her "tech support" remotely and also have Win7 with no plans to upgrade.

Question is, other than the Desktop layout on Windows 8, is there really that much difference once you start running familiar apps? She mainly uses Thunderbird for email, Internet Explorer, and a little Office 2010 here and there.

Wondering if we should let her give a go on Windows 8.1, or to downgrade the new system to Win7 before installing/configuring all her apps.

An OP update is available below

See my update below...

Yet another update below...
  • CloudDriver's avatar
    CloudDriver
    Explorer
    May 08, 2015
    MNtundraRet wrote:
    One more thing to worry about. Microsoft is now trying to get people to pay yearly for Word and spreadsheets.

    I currently use Windows 7 which came with Windows starter and spreadsheets with adds, but no problem since they were free. I would love to upgrade to free version of Windows 10 but am afraid they will not allow it to work in Windows 10.

    I am not paying the cost of new versions when I only use a few spreadsheets created over the years for monthly net worth reports listing all of our IRA's and bank accounts, etc. The current free versions are fine. I may have to stick with Windows 7 which I am used to and have overcame any bugs.


    I have been using the free LibreOffice for spreadsheets and word processing for a number of years. It can read and save in Microsoft Office file formats. The only part of Microsoft Office that I know it isn't compatible with is Visual Basic macros. Download and give it a try.
  • Ed_Gee's avatar
    Ed_Gee
    Explorer II
    May 08, 2015
    I, too, hated Windows 8 that came on my new laptop. After a few months I was ready to downgrade to Windows 7. However - I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to attend a short Windows 8 session put on by "Geeks on tour" before I made my downgrade attempt. Boy, am I glad I held off. It only took a brief education on a few basic things to allow me to easily adapt to Windows 8.1


    Make sure you get Windows 8.1 , not 8.0. MS corrected some difficult issues in this update.

    On the other hand, if your mother truly is resisting even minimal learning curves on the new OS, you can find pretty cheap Windows 7 OS on the internet. I just bought a new MS Windows 7 64 bit OS for $55. from one Online provider.

    Good luck.



    Se
  • MNtundraRet's avatar
    MNtundraRet
    Navigator
    May 08, 2015
    One more thing to worry about. Microsoft is now trying to get people to pay yearly for Word and spreadsheets.

    I currently use Windows 7 which came with Windows starter and spreadsheets with adds, but no problem since they were free. I would love to upgrade to free version of Windows 10 but am afraid they will not allow it to work in Windows 10.

    I am not paying the cost of new versions when I only use a few spreadsheets created over the years for monthly net worth reports listing all of our IRA's and bank accounts, etc. The current free versions are fine. I may have to stick with Windows 7 which I am used to and have overcame any bugs.
  • tomkaren13's avatar
    tomkaren13
    Explorer
    May 08, 2015
    Hate Hate Hate 8.1 Can't say it enough. Find it not user friendly. I am in my 70s so that might have something to do with that. Get her a Win 7 if you can. I am hoping when Win 10 is release(not Beta) and I switch this one over I will be happier.

    I have had computors since Windows came out, Wish I really could remember what I stared out with. That age thing again,
  • tkcas01's avatar
    tkcas01
    Explorer
    May 08, 2015
    downtheroad wrote:
    I'm a computer geek top to bottom..
    Windows 8 has been, is, and will always be a disaster for Microsoft.

    Like they say with buying a leaking RV....run.

    Oh... So Windows Me all over again? She's been there too.
  • downtheroad's avatar
    downtheroad
    Explorer
    May 08, 2015
    I'm a computer geek top to bottom..
    Windows 8 has been, is, and will always be a disaster for Microsoft.

    Like they say with buying a leaking RV....run.
  • 4aSong's avatar
    4aSong
    Explorer
    May 08, 2015
    I run Windows 7 and based on what I have read about Windows 8 I will not be upgrading any time soon, suggest you google it. Windows 7 does everything that I need.
  • SPRING_STREET's avatar
    SPRING_STREET
    Explorer
    May 08, 2015
    From my personal experience I don't think she will adapt to 8.1. I have it and don't like it and have not heard one good thing from any of my friends that use it . Take her to a Best Buy or other big box store and let her use the ones on display. Another option would be to buy a MAC, which is what I wish I had done !
  • dons2346's avatar
    dons2346
    Explorer
    May 08, 2015
    I wouldn't have Win 8 up my shorts if I had room for a sawmill.

    It is still possible to buy a computer with Win 7 on it. I think HP has one and I know Dell has one because I bought it

About RV Must Haves

Have a product you cannot live without? Share it with the community!8,793 PostsLatest Activity: Feb 08, 2025