Forum Discussion

strollin's avatar
strollin
Explorer
Aug 15, 2013

Windows 8

Many people dislike Win 8 and find it difficult to use but I personally think that it isn't really Win 8 that they dislike but the "Modern" or "Metro" style apps that come with it.

If you didn't like Internet Explorer in Win XP or Win 7, you didn't decide the OS was no good, you installed a different browser such as FireFox or Chrome. Likewise with any other MS provided programs.

Why not do the same with Win 8? I use the same set of software programs on my Win 8 machines that I use on my Win 7 machines. I'm sure there are programs out there that are compatible with Win 7 that aren't compatible with Win 8 but I personally haven't encountered any. I run from the desktop in Win 8 just as I do in Win 7 which can be reached with a single mouse-click at boot time (Win 8.1 allows you to boot direct to the desktop).

I don't use the Start screen much but I use it on occasion and have it setup the way I like, no Live Tiles and no Metro apps. All the links on my Start screen reference desktop apps.

I view Win 8 as a dual interface OS, there is the modern interface with it's Start screen and modern apps for those that like that and there is the traditional desktop for those that don't. You can choose which you want to use.

IMO, there's no compelling reason to upgrade a machine running Win 7 to Win 8 but there's also no reason to fear buying a new machine that comes with Win 8.

10 Replies

  • mlts22's avatar
    mlts22
    Explorer II
    Aug 15, 2013
    I use Windows 8 because of additional security. Secure Boot is one thing, where if something tampers with the boot sector, the machine will notice it. I also turn on Hyper-V, so I can browse the Web in a separate virtual machine than I use for my documents to minimize the damage malware can do.
  • Caddywhompus's avatar
    Caddywhompus
    Explorer
    Aug 15, 2013
    I have been running Windows 8 on at least 4 computers since January when it was on sale. Every single application I ran in 7 runs exactly the same in 8. I don't use the Metro screen much, but I even find value in the live tiles when I do.

    The OS has been stable, secure and fast. I have had no crashes, intrusions or infections despite connecting to public network all the time when I travel.

    As best as I can tell, the people complaining about 8 are generally not computer-savy, and therefore cannot adapt to change when it happens. Even though the change here is nominal at best, it is still change.

    BTW, I upgraded all 4 of my Windows 8 machines from various versions of Vista and 7. None of them were brand-new computers, and none came with 8 originally. All of them run faster, more stable and more secure after the upgrade. There is plenty of reason to upgrade a Windows 7 machine to 8.
  • burlmart's avatar
    burlmart
    Explorer
    Aug 15, 2013
    What I see in W8 startup and its smooth running on Martha's cheap Dell and the Celeron chip is very impressive, as well as all the new security and auto disk defrag and cleanup features. The WiFi seems to work smoother, also.

    I sometimes wonder if there had been no Vista, would the W7 release been so well received?
  • strollin's avatar
    strollin
    Explorer
    Aug 15, 2013
    For me, Win 7 was a compelling upgrade from XP because it seemed much more polished and refined. I liked the huge improvements in tools like Windows Explorer as well as the included backup and imaging tools and additional security. Some of the features of Aero were very useful such as Aero Snap. Overall, I thought Win 7 was a better OS than XP. I actually, upgraded all of my XP machines to Win 7 because I liked it so much.

    There are things to like in Win 8, it boots and shuts down quicker and is more secure (more secure than Win 7, FAR MORE secure than XP). I like those things but not enough to upgrade a working Win 7 machine to Win 8.
  • Chris_Bryant's avatar
    Chris_Bryant
    Explorer II
    Aug 15, 2013
    burlmart wrote:
    what was the compelling reason for upgrading to 7 from XP if you planned to run the same programs?


    Security- not an issue if you don't connect to the Internet.
  • 2oldman's avatar
    2oldman
    Explorer II
    Aug 15, 2013
    strollin wrote:
    Many people dislike Win 8 and find it difficult to use but I personally think that it isn't really Win 8 that they dislike but the "Modern" or "Metro" style apps that come with it.
    It's change they don't like.
  • burlmart's avatar
    burlmart
    Explorer
    Aug 15, 2013
    "IMO, there's no compelling reason to upgrade a machine running Win 7 to Win 8"

    I was not paying much attention, I guess, but what was the compelling reason for upgrading to 7 from XP if you planned to run the same programs?
  • strollin's avatar
    strollin
    Explorer
    Aug 15, 2013
    I'm not sure what hidden commands in Win 8 you are referring to. Maybe they're so well hidden I haven't found them? Win 8 works great with a mouse and keyboard.

    I don't own a touchscreen monitor but have played with them in stores and I found that a touchscreen is terrible on a computer with a larger screen such as a laptop or desktop and is really only useful on a small screen device such as a phone or tablet. The need to take your hand off the keyboard, reach all the way to the screen and then make a large arm movement to do something that could be done far more efficiently with a flick of my hand with a mouse, completely destroys productivity.
  • Eycom's avatar
    Eycom
    Explorer
    Aug 15, 2013
    I bought a new laptop just before Win8 was released. Since it's introduction, I've watched a few users navigate with the touch screen and frankly, I'm perplexed. I use the Corel professional art program 5 days a week and have a difficult time using a touch pad, particularly in that application. Thus, I find it easier doing meticulous designs with a mouse. I have graduated from paper maps to a GPS. But, I've resisted the smart phones taking the place of my halo statue. Somebody is gonna have to drag me, screaming and kicking, into the 21st century. I just know it ain't gonna be pretty.:B
  • Ivylog's avatar
    Ivylog
    Explorer III
    Aug 15, 2013
    Once you learn how to find all the hidden commands, 8 is OK if you are using a mouse. 8 is great if you are using a touch screen which is where we are headed.

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