windows 8.1

[old_guy]

I got a pop up to down load windows 8.1 for free. Has any one else seen this and down loaded it. I am not to happy with windows 8 so I am not ready to just jump in on some thing that may make it even more difficult to use, or does it make it better to use. any input from you guys?

[mlts22]

The nice thing about 8 and 8.1 are Metro apps. They run in a jailed context, similar to iPhone apps, and MS is meticulous about what goes onto their store, and they will pull anything dodgy, so if one needs a utility for a limited purpose, they may come in handy.

[Bill_Satellite]

Interesting to see how different people have different points of view. I installed Win 8.1 and uninstalled Classic Shell. I could not find anything "that I used" that made Classic Shell a superior choice to 8.1.
Please don't misinterpret that as a disagreement or argument, just my personal observation of the way I personally use the service.

[Dutch_12078]

I found that Win 8.1 was a worthwhile upgrade from 8 for the additional flexibility, but it still came up a bit short of what I wanted. Now I've added "Classic Shell" to the mix, and I'm feeling a bit better about it. My "daily driver" is still my PCLinuxOS box though.

[SuperDutyFiver]

I'd install 8.1 if I were in your boat.

Personally,I will wait until I get a machine with a touch screen-kinda afraid of 8...and 8.1...guessing that it'll be 8.3 or 8.4 by the time I jump in this summer-I do like the idea that I'll be able to upgrade my laptops as well so I can continue to work in a single environment. 😉

I did't want to give up NETSCAPE! I waited at least a year for a new computer just because I struggled to accept having to go the MS...

[Bill_Satellite]

Win 8 and Win 8.1 work perfectly well on a standard computer. I have have used them both on my laptop for many, many months. I have also tried them using a Surface with keyboard and touch screen and I found that it is still easier to use the touch pad which is just millimeters away from my fingers than it was to reach out and touch the screen that was inches away. If I disconnected the Surface from the keyboard the touch screen works quite well.
You just need to know how you want to use you computer and make your decisions based on that. Not one single person here can tell anyone else what is right for them.

[bcsdguy]

burlmart wrote:

bcsdguy wrote:
8.1 is supposed to make your win 8 look and act like win7. Download it!

This is quite an overstatement, I think, maybe. It will allow you to always boot into the old desktop, and shut down by right clicking the new 'Start' button of W8.1. It mostly still looks like W8, but gives a few more options for finding where your programs are.

It IS worth getting.

Personally, I wouldn't use Win 8 or 8.1., especially without having a touch screen machine. Win 7 does everything I need and I will stay with it as long as it is available.JMO

[robanddi]

I have been unhappy with Windows 8 and recently downloaded 8.1. There are some changes which are requiring a 'new' learning curve. I suspect some of us old 'IBMers' are just too left brained for Windows 8. Since it was originally designed for a touch screen (which I don't have) this may explain some if its quirks.

I do have a smart phone (Droid) and an iPad. I am not opposed to touch screen technology but with a laptop I reply on the keyboard primarily. I can't stand the new look of outlook and my email (Hotmail) is driving me nuts. I generally only read mail in the desktop mode and that helps BUT still #$%!@#$%.

Diann

[rvten]

dbbls wrote:
I don't see the problem we win 8. There is a learning period just like anything new.

X2
W 8.1 even better

[1775]

Microsoft is offering this for free to Windows 8 users only. It is supposed to fix problems, make the interface look like Win 7 and stop the complaints that they are getting from so many. Soon they will just say, "Here is a copy of Win 7. We will just put this one on the shelf with Win ME and Vista."

[wildtoad]

I've been using 8.1 for a few weeks now and it is slightly better than 8. Everything I use is a basic Windows app so it runs on the desktop just like Win7. I have found the new start screen easier to use than what's in win 7.

I have made the background the same picture on the desktop and start screen so as I switch between the two environments (using either the windows key on the keyboard or the new start button at the lower left) the tiles seem to pop out of the picture, I select one and I'm back to the desktop.

[burlmart]

bcsdguy wrote:
8.1 is supposed to make your win 8 look and act like win7. Download it!

This is quite an overstatement, I think, maybe. It will allow you to always boot into the old desktop, and shut down by right clicking the new 'Start' button of W8.1. It mostly still looks like W8, but gives a few more options for finding where your programs are.

It IS worth getting.

[dbbls]

I don't see the problem we win 8. There is a learning period just like anything new.

[monkey44]

The best upgrade I've found for Windows 8 a trash can, then buy Windows 7 and install it.

IF you want it to operate like Windows 7, then use Windows 7 ...

[sh410]

Make sure you download it from Microsoft. You can get "other things" from other download opportunities. After downloading, google how to boot up to the desktop.

We like it.

[bcsdguy]

8.1 is supposed to make your win 8 look and act like win7. Download it!