Wdw8 down to Wdw7 in laptop

Monkey44,
Good luck to you and I hope you are able to revert to Win7. You obviously can not make the jump to win8. I won't either until I have no other choice.

Have decided to resolve this issue by installing Wdw7 on the new Toshiba ...

Reasons:

Am not very tech smart, and believe even if I use some of these ideas, I'll continue to have difficulty with it.

Don't like the way Wdw8 works - generally, hidden icons, tiles concept, etc ...
Can buy Wdw7 for less than the new programs -
Won't have to update other peripherals (printers, scanners, camera software)
Can install and modify the programs I already own
Already learned/know how to use it
It is compatible with my clients and my other LTs in the house

Haven't tried it with my printers, scanners, cameras yet, but bet the house it will give me problems.

And, I can save that last hair that I haven't pulled out yet, and save that last nerve Wdw8 has been sitting on for the last month. :) :) :)

Thanks again for all the advice ... M44

1492: "Did you ever try using the ESC key as a back button in WIN 8? Or the Windows Key to get back to the Live Tiles home page? How about Windows Key+E for My Computer(Explorer)?"

Yes, tried all the things I'd normally do - and yes, I can eventually find my way back ... but often, right in the middle of a project, it suddenly jumps to one of the tile screens or a blank - no amount of 'back' or esc' does anything. The screen just sits and stares at me. It requires me to start over and I lose the project completely - numerous times.

1492: Notwithstanding, virtually every OS upgrade involves hardware/software compatibility issues, if not requiring minimum upgrades to both, just to be able to use a new OS. This is not just the case with Windows.

Yes, true enough, but if it requires manipulating, that's one thing, but trying some of the 'fixes' a few have offered, yes, tried to the limits of my understanding - which isn't great. I always try things, have no fear of it, all is backed-up ... but have no way to know if it works, until it dumps my work again.

And, it won't even recognize the CD, let alone open it. For instance, in My-CPT install, it tells me to load a CD, "go to autoplay". I go to autoplay, installs nothing - sits and idles, no recognition. So, follow instructions makes no difference.

I truly believe my concept of this program - after learning about seven MS-OS over the years just revolted, or rebelled when I keep losing data and work ... so something with this OS and me just doesn't connect.

SO, I will put Wdw7 on this new PC if I can as long as it will take it. And will be happy with that because all three LT in this house have Wdw7 ... so we are all compatible.

I even sent MYSELF an email with my 2007 MSWord doc, and it converted it and will only open with 'wordpad' (which came in this LT). Even when I try to "save as" when opening an email attachment (to myself even) it will not allow me to save it in my Word 2007, it does not allow that option, even tho that program is on this LT and I use it. But I cannot download ANY incoming email attachment in any word program, except after it converts files into the new MSWord which I cannot read or open. Well, it opens, but it looks like a foreign language, just a buncha letters and numbers and symbols ...

This one has me stumped, and I don't give up often - but Wdw8 ain't for me - even if it worked better, I don't like the way it operates anyway.

So, thanks again to you all - but this one will become Wdw7 soon as it can.
I can't keep losing work, can't load Word attachments from clients, and it's simply takes too much time to fight this ...

1492: I really agree with you. Of course not all software will run on a new OS. And also not all hardware will run on a new OS. For instance see the new IOS which will not run on the older Ipad etc. MS has given each vender early copies of the OS so they can make the changes needed for their product. Some do this for free and some make you pay. That is not the OS fault. Win 8 was available to vendors for at least a year before the release.
I know that each time Apple comes out with a upgrade or new release there are a lot of compatability issues and they have tight controls over the hardware. I just got a new IPad and my friends said how can you have issues with it. So I went to their forum and the first few issues were the same as mine.
Every Linux release has issues especially for the non Geek user.
I run over 175 programs and all but 2 worked on Win8. I found an alternative for both.

Personally, I'm not following your logic concerning this issue. If I understand correctly, the key concern is software compatibility. Though forum members have offered suggestions on work arounds, including free office suites that would very likely address your Word document issues, you haven't indicated that you've tried any of these.

Granted, I have to agree that MS dropped the ball on WIN 8. By essentially not providing end users enough clear, and easily accessible built-in instruction on a radical change in their user interface. Obviously, a not very well thought out approach by essentially saying here's the new WIN 8, now go figure it out for yourself? IMO, MS relied too much on an assumption that users would feel comfortable with the new interface, due largely to the popularity of touchscreen based tablets and smartphones. While the vast majority of existing desktop and laptop hardware don't utilize touchscreens, to which the new Live Tiles environment is best suited.

Much of this confusion and frustration could have been avoided had MS just provided built-in options for the end user in the first place? Allowing one to select/switch between the traditional WIN interface, and the new Live Tile based system. At minimum, to allow users to get comfortable with such a radical change. Or stay with the traditional interface if one chose to do so. Obviously, after market apps like Classic Shell proves that it could have been done.

I personally prefer using a combo of mouse and keyboard commands in both Windows and Mac OS. So didn't experience much of the frustration maneuvering around the new interface.

Did you ever try using the ESC key as a back button in WIN 8? Or the Windows Key to get back to the Live Tiles home page? How about Windows Key+E for My Computer(Explorer)?

Notwithstanding, virtually every OS upgrade involves hardware/software compatibility issues, if not requiring minimum upgrades to both, just to be able to use a new OS. This is not just the case with Windows.

Bottom-line, if you don't want WIN 8, then just install WIN 7 on your new laptop. It would be cheaper than spending more $ to fix an older laptop. Especially, since a new laptop would likely have updated hardware, not to mention a warranty?

ReadyToGo wrote:
I don't know how old you are but you best buy 3 or 4 computers and store them away. The world is switching to touch ie phones, tablets, autos, gps, etc.
I am 73 years old, and I just recently got an Samsung, and a Ipad along with my Kindle. I am using the computer less and less now. But I will always have a computer no matter what OS release is available.
Before I install W8 I took the time to read about it on the net. All of it's changes and solutions were read about. Now you can't tell it apart from W7 or as a matter of fact from even my old Vista. I can't tell you the last time I was on the Modern side of the OS.
One can fight changes or one can learn how to use them. I repeat the future is touch.

Sixty-nine this month - and I use only a LT, cell, and Kindle - all the new "life in a box' doesn't interest me. More stuff to maintain, repair, and replace.

It's not only the 'Look' or the way Wdw8 operates, but it keeps changing my 'stuff' coming in on the web, and so no matter what I do, accept it or not accept it as an OS, that means I still have to buy the new programs - and then, what happens when I send it out? I send it out in the new format and EVERY one of my clients has to buy the new programs too... OR, I have to make it work in a manner that they can read, which is extra steps and conversion, and then I need to know what each one has before I send it. A nightmare!

SO, no matter how acceptable one might be to change individually, I can't require every client to bend to my new OS - that's absurd.

This is the first time that my programs did not load or function in a transition to a new Laptop (some modification required, yes, but it eventually worked) ... that's a pretty major difference.

I have to say the way of the future is not touch but rather voice. touch takes too much space for the fat fingers to perform a task.. Our voice will be the way of the future. This makes for smaller devices.

As a consumer, computer tech, administrator, windows has a bad history but most people just take it and move on. That is why XP stayed around for so long. Most large companies refused to move into Vista,. some are now moving into Win 7 only because they wait until all the bugs are worked out. With Windows that never happens.

I don't know how old you are but you best buy 3 or 4 computers and store them away. The world is switching to touch ie phones, tablets, autos, gps, etc.
I am 73 years old, and I just recently got an Samsung, and a Ipad along with my Kindle. I am using the computer less and less now. But I will always have a computer no matter what OS release is available.
Before I install W8 I took the time to read about it on the net. All of it's changes and solutions were read about. Now you can't tell it apart from W7 or as a matter of fact from even my old Vista. I can't tell you the last time I was on the Modern side of the OS.
One can fight changes or one can learn how to use them. I repeat the future is touch.

Burlmart: I'd like to stay there too, XP was my favorite - but my LT gave up its ghost and I had to buy another one. The cost of repair was more than half, but if I'd have known, I'd have paid it. And now I will -

Yeah, I like and use MS software too - and did this once before several years ago, and bought the programs a second time then. If I bought the programs again this time, that will be THREE TIMES, it would double the cost of the laptop - and so I'm passing and will fix the Dell and keep my Wdw7, try it on this one.

In fact, it's not even always about the money, the cost, it's the forcing to buy new programs I bought once (twice!) and the hiding of the operation icons. And, trying once again to figure out how everything works, and each time, some other 'piece' pops up. It's supposed to be simple - it's not (maybe to some). That's bizarre to me - but no one commented on that - which is strange, still don't know why the designer hides it. Puzzling to say the least.

ON EDIT: If I actually liked the Wdw8, would probably just buy the new programs and eat it. But disliking the OS AND buying the new programs - well, that's just not a winner in my book ... M44

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2040823/tiny-windows-8-tablets-will-ship-with-office-2013-baked-in.html