Win 8.1--Is it Really All That Bad?

Hadn't considered XP mode and I have important legacy software that may require it. There isn't any equivilent in 8.1?

1775 wrote:
I have blocked all of the privacy concerns with settings from within Win 10's privacy menu. With a wifi internet connection, you can turn off all updates by setting the status of the wifi connection to a "metered connection". With this set on my laptop it downloads no updates...

I tether my laptop to my smartphone via USB for internet access. Because I am tethered by USB and not Wifi, it will NOT allow me to set that connection as a metered connection. That is the main reason why I'm sticking with 8.1 on my laptop.

I have blocked all of the privacy concerns with settings from within Win 10's privacy menu. With a wifi internet connection, you can turn off all updates by setting the status of the wifi connection to a "metered connection". With this set on my laptop it downloads no updates. Don't turn on Catana or you will undo the privacy settings and open them up again.

Win 8.1 had lots of annoyances that Win 10 does not have. I had Win 8.1 set to boot to the desktop, not ask for a password, and on the desktop there was a pseudo-start menu. But every time my mouse went near the right side of the screen the side menu would open - always at the worst times. No problem with that now in Win 10.

I will keep Win 7 on my desktop, especially to keep XP mode for software we can't get rid of, use regularly, and there are no updates for. We still have laptops and a desktop on XP - all still do fine.

It is all a matter of preference. Upgrade from Win 7 to 10 - absolutely not. Upgrade from 8.1 to 10 - certainly.

tomkaren13 wrote:
Hated 8.1. I found it hard to navigate. I up graded to 10 and am happier with it. 10 was not hard to learn. The search feature works well for me to get to anything I need.

If you like and use the search function in Win 10, why didn't you use it in Win 8.1?

kohai wrote:
8.1 and 10 are not that different. Some of the responses make it sound like you have to learn all over again -- that isn't the case. 10 is just a mature 8.1 (no need for classic shell).

The reasons to upgrade:

- the upgrade is free now, but won't be free later (like $100 later)

- 10 will be supported longer than 8.1. MS will not be adding features to 8.1 going forward -- those will be in 10's updates.

- software developers will be targeting and testing on 10 as their primary
platform because 100 million upgrades have been done getting people to 10

- automated updates (yes, they are forced but you get better security and protection from bugs)

Reasons not to upgrade:

-- preference to control which updates and when. I tether my laptop to my phone when camping, and I found that Windows won't recognize my tethered connection as a metered connection, so Win 10 is a definite non starter for me on my travel laptop.

-- strong possibility that Mickeysoft will start charging an annual fee for Win 10 at some future time. Be suspicious of "Free" upgrades.

-- Win 8.1 will likely be supported long past when I will replace my computers.

....... to each his own. I'm passing on Win 10.

8.1 and 10 are not that different. Some of the responses make it sound like you have to learn all over again -- that isn't the case. 10 is just a mature 8.1 (no need for classic shell).

The reasons to upgrade:

- the upgrade is free now, but won't be free later (like $100 later)

- 10 will be supported longer than 8.1. MS will not be adding features to 8.1 going forward -- those will be in 10's updates.

- software developers will be targeting and testing on 10 as their primary
platform because 100 million upgrades have been done getting people to 10

- automated updates (yes, they are forced but you get better security and protection from bugs)

No problems with 8.1. Bit of a project to get all my old stuff working when I replaced my old XP machine (had to buy some newer software versions, no drivers for older printers etc) but once set up it works great. I will not be "upgrading" it to Win 10.

Yes, on my Win8.1 tablet I have "Classic Shell" and one other tool, can't remember the name, but I believe it suppressed the endless Apps and app-offerings, etc.

Once most of the crud was out of the system it seemed to work as well as Win7. I was mainly asking to see if anyone had hit any particular slowdowns or problems with 8.1, and there just doesn't seem to be any.

Regarding Win10, yes it's the best OS yet--EXCEPT--it will monitor your activities to farm for sales oppportunities, AND it will force updates on you without explanation or ability to delay. I suspect that once SP1 arrives there will also be some path to purchase the OS and forego the constant privacy invasions.

Hated 8.1. I found it hard to navigate. I up graded to 10 and am happier with it. 10 was not hard to learn. The search feature works well for me to get to anything I need.

Fishinghat wrote:
Folks, this is why Microsoft is giving away for free, copies of Windows 10 to all owners of 8.1, 7 and, I think, XP. Microsoft knows people aren't going to buy it since all three of those operating systems work quite well, AND WE KNOW HOW TO USE THEM. We've worked thru all the bugs and conflicts. We don't want to do it again, and again, and . . .

X2

Now that I have 8.1 down pretty well and know how to navigate through the system, I am NOT changing to Windows 10 and go through another long learning and configuring process.