I just purchased a computer with windows 8.1 and was easily able to make it look/act like windows 7. And I purchased a pay only once version of Microsoft office. So my new computer now behaves the old way. I use my computer for work and the new way doesn't cut it.
Hint: when you get the new computer and you see those large tiles, just swipe up and you'll see all of your programs.
Click 'desktop' to get you to the old style desktop.
Google for how to have the windows button on the desktop bring up the start menu. I think that came from youtube.
Google for how to boot to the desktop instead of those tiles. If you ever end up at the tiles just click 'desktop' or swipe up for the list of programs. Desktop is on that list.
