I was deadset against Windows 8

EchoX860

New Member
Messages
20
Hated it, hated the UI, despised this piece of crap. Decided to try it out again, found Start8, found ModernMix and strictly use Desktop Mode, not half bad, which I could use darker colors without having to use a custom theme so the title bar text didn't become hard to read, but you know what I'm sold. Plus I can use Smartglass for my Xbox One
 

My Computer

I have those as well...sure makes life easier. Right now I running 8.1 Preview as primary OS...with out start8 and mordern mix....and really liking it....Looking forward to 8.1 RTM in October.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom build
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X 4 965 BE
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-MA790X-DS4
    Memory
    G-Skill 8 GB PC 8500
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD XFX HD Radeon 6790D
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2l Samsung SyncMaster S20B300
    Screen Resolution
    1600 X 900
    Hard Drives
    Seagate Barracuda 320 GB w/OS
    Seagate Barracuda 1 TB data storage
    PSU
    Ultra X4 750 watt fully modular
    Case
    Thermaltake OverSeer RX 1 fulltower
    Cooling
    Cooler Master Hyper212 120mm
    Keyboard
    Logitech G510
    Mouse
    Razor DeathAdder 3.5
I've never seen ModernMix before. That's a pretty cool idea. I don't understand why Microsoft opted out of including a simple "X" or close button somewhere on Metro apps. An auto-hide menu at the top right to snap, close, minimize, etc. would've been such a great feature as dragging the window down is unintuitive and annoying.

I was very anti-8 as well when I first got my new laptop. I downgraded to 7 and came back to 8 when I saw that 8.1 fixed a lot of annoyances for me, although it's been about a month and I still haven't downloaded 8.1, lol. A few of my friends had trouble (BSODs) with the installation, and I'm not sure I could stand that stupid watermark.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 64-bit
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ACER
    CPU
    i5
    Memory
    4GB DDR3 RAM
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA 730m
    Browser
    Firefox
I have been using Win 8 strictly in desktop mode since the first preview. I don't use any 3rd party apps, just native Win 8 desktop. Works great for me. I have a laptop running Win 8 but won't upgrade it to 8.1 until I can do it using a clean install. I have 8.1 running in a VM and like the ability to boot directly to the desktop, MS should have included that ability from the get-go. I haven't found any Metro apps that I find worthwhile so don't use them.

I am perfectly happy with my Win 8 laptop but don't intend to upgrade any of my Win 7 machines to Win 8.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W10 Pro (desktop), W10 (laptop), W10 Pro (tablet)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home built i7-8700K, Hp Envy x360 EVO Laptop, MS Surface Pro 7
    CPU
    3.7Ghz Core i7-8700K, 11th Gen Core i7-1165G7 4.7Ghz, 10th Gen Core™ i5-1035G4 1.1Ghz
    Motherboard
    ASUS TUF Z370-Pro Gaming, HP, MS
    Memory
    16G, 8G, 8G
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon RX580, Intel Iris X Graphics, Intel Iris Plus Graphics G4
    Sound Card
    ATI High Definition Audio (Built-in to mobo)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dual Samsung U32J59 32 inch monitors, 13.3" display, 12.3" display
    Screen Resolution
    3840x2160 (Desktop), 1920x1080 (laptop), 2736x1824 Pro 7
    Hard Drives
    500GB ssd boot drive with 2 & 10TB Data (Desktop), 512GB ssd (laptop), 128GB SSD (tablet)
    PSU
    Corsair CX 750M
    Case
    Antec 100
    Cooling
    Coolermaster CM 212+
    Keyboard
    IBM Model M - used continuously since 1986
    Mouse
    Microsoft IntelliMouse
    Internet Speed
    665Mbps/15Mbps down/up
    Browser
    FireFox, MS Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender on all
    Other Info
    Retired in 2015 after working in the tech industry for 41 years. First 10 years as a Technician, the rest as a programmer/software engineer. After 1 year of retirement, I was bored so went back to work as a Robotic Process Automation Consultant. Retired for 3rd (and final) time in 2019.
I just bought a laptop today with Windows 8. I need to use it tomorrow and I'm not interested in learning a new operating system. Is there a way to either a) delete Windows 8 and load Windows 7, or b) get my windows 8 to look and behave like windows 7. I hate computers and only use them to get my work done. Never play games, never store pictures or music, use email and about a half dozen websites. Just want to use it to access QuickBooks and WordPerfect.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP
    CPU
    ?
    Motherboard
    ?
    Memory
    ?
    Graphics Card(s)
    ?
    Browser
    ?
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky
Yes Tim for $5 the Stardock8 will give you the 7 look there are a few irritations like the File History instead of the backup but on the whole my laptop is on drugs I'm sure as it now boots all the way through from power on to the desktop in approx. 8 secs (including login) and shuts down in the blink of an eye.

(There are options for free start menus see http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/8528-start-menu-restore-windows-8-a.html )

I upgraded to 8 from 7 and took my settings with me but that was just me experimenting. I now have the same thing on my Sandy bridge and to all intents and purposes runs like 7.

If you want a short cut from the metro screen to start with hit the Windows button and X and select desktop:)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8 Pro desk 1 (SB) 7 Home desk 2 (IB) 8 Pro Lap 1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Own build X 2 Desk X 1 Lap X 2
    CPU
    i5 2500 & i5 3570K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA_H67UD3H-B3 & Asus P8Z77-V
    Memory
    8GB (1333) 8GB 2400 set 1866
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVidia GTX 650 X 2
    Sound Card
    Xonar DG X 2
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Philips 24" (SB) Benq 24" (IB)
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 840 X 2 830 X 1
    PSU
    Corsair HX 650 & HX 1050
    Case
    Coolermaster Centurion 2 & HAF XM
    Cooling
    Air (SB) LC (IB)
    Keyboard
    M6980X X 2 (laser)M$ Sidewinder X4 & Sidewinder X6 (IB)
    Mouse
    Gigabyte M6980 X X 2 (laser)
    Internet Speed
    ADSL2
    Browser
    Google
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky ISS
    Other Info
    Two other machines Toshiba L550 Sat i5 CPU running 8GB RAM and Windows 8 Pro 64bit OS.
    Toshiba A200Celeron 4GB Win7 64bit
I just bought a laptop today with Windows 8. I need to use it tomorrow and I'm not interested in learning a new operating system. Is there a way to either a) delete Windows 8 and load Windows 7, or b) get my windows 8 to look and behave like windows 7. I hate computers and only use them to get my work done. Never play games, never store pictures or music, use email and about a half dozen websites. Just want to use it to access QuickBooks and WordPerfect.

If you hate computers, I definitely wouldn't go with downgrading to Win7. Making it behave like Win7 would be much easier and have the least overhead.

Of course, you can make it behave like Win7 by simply powering on the laptop. Install a 3rd party start button replacement if you want, but there's really not much else to do.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 64-bit
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ACER
    CPU
    i5
    Memory
    4GB DDR3 RAM
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA 730m
    Browser
    Firefox
Must have been typing at the same tome Breems mate I just outlined how it can be done and quite easily but forgot the Stardock address link Windows 8 start menu returns with Start8 from Stardock! the start button you just right click on and change to the orb or whatever there are plenty of choices.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8 Pro desk 1 (SB) 7 Home desk 2 (IB) 8 Pro Lap 1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Own build X 2 Desk X 1 Lap X 2
    CPU
    i5 2500 & i5 3570K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA_H67UD3H-B3 & Asus P8Z77-V
    Memory
    8GB (1333) 8GB 2400 set 1866
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVidia GTX 650 X 2
    Sound Card
    Xonar DG X 2
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Philips 24" (SB) Benq 24" (IB)
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 840 X 2 830 X 1
    PSU
    Corsair HX 650 & HX 1050
    Case
    Coolermaster Centurion 2 & HAF XM
    Cooling
    Air (SB) LC (IB)
    Keyboard
    M6980X X 2 (laser)M$ Sidewinder X4 & Sidewinder X6 (IB)
    Mouse
    Gigabyte M6980 X X 2 (laser)
    Internet Speed
    ADSL2
    Browser
    Google
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky ISS
    Other Info
    Two other machines Toshiba L550 Sat i5 CPU running 8GB RAM and Windows 8 Pro 64bit OS.
    Toshiba A200Celeron 4GB Win7 64bit
I have been using Win 8 strictly in desktop mode since the first preview. I don't use any 3rd party apps, just native Win 8 desktop. Works great for me. I have a laptop running Win 8 but won't upgrade it to 8.1 until I can do it using a clean install. I have 8.1 running in a VM and like the ability to boot directly to the desktop, MS should have included that ability from the get-go. I haven't found any Metro apps that I find worthwhile so don't use them.

I am perfectly happy with my Win 8 laptop but don't intend to upgrade any of my Win 7 machines to Win 8.

1.- On your computer with 8 you could install another harddrive or partition on current hdd.
2.- Direct 8.1 to be installed on one of those. When upgrading from 8 to 8.1
You'll have 8 on a partition & 8.1 on a partition.

That's how I got 7 & 8 on the same hdd. By default it boots into 8 after 30 seconds if I don't choose 7.
With the options I changed it to 5 seconds.
When I was helping a friend with 7, I changed the default temporarily to 7. Then back to 8 as default.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i7-3770K
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z77 Extreme4
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17" 24"
    Hard Drives
    1 TB WD
    PSU
    550w
Yep another option would be to clone the drive and update to 8.1 on the clone. I cloned my 7 drive and then upgraded it to 8 and have had nothing but success. Plus I still have the drive with 7 on if things go south and I need to clone again.

Macrium is the way to go if you want a decent cloning program. Macrium Reflect FREE Edition - Information and download
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8 Pro desk 1 (SB) 7 Home desk 2 (IB) 8 Pro Lap 1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Own build X 2 Desk X 1 Lap X 2
    CPU
    i5 2500 & i5 3570K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA_H67UD3H-B3 & Asus P8Z77-V
    Memory
    8GB (1333) 8GB 2400 set 1866
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVidia GTX 650 X 2
    Sound Card
    Xonar DG X 2
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Philips 24" (SB) Benq 24" (IB)
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 840 X 2 830 X 1
    PSU
    Corsair HX 650 & HX 1050
    Case
    Coolermaster Centurion 2 & HAF XM
    Cooling
    Air (SB) LC (IB)
    Keyboard
    M6980X X 2 (laser)M$ Sidewinder X4 & Sidewinder X6 (IB)
    Mouse
    Gigabyte M6980 X X 2 (laser)
    Internet Speed
    ADSL2
    Browser
    Google
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky ISS
    Other Info
    Two other machines Toshiba L550 Sat i5 CPU running 8GB RAM and Windows 8 Pro 64bit OS.
    Toshiba A200Celeron 4GB Win7 64bit
I just bought a laptop today with Windows 8. I need to use it tomorrow and I'm not interested in learning a new operating system. Is there a way to either a) delete Windows 8 and load Windows 7, or b) get my windows 8 to look and behave like windows 7. I hate computers and only use them to get my work done. Never play games, never store pictures or music, use email and about a half dozen websites. Just want to use it to access QuickBooks and WordPerfect.

Wow. You must have the world record in less interest and less functions used in a computer ever.

Nothing wrong about it, just funny.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus X501A
    CPU
    Pentium 2020M 2.4GHz Ivy Bridge
    Motherboard
    ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. X501A1 (SOCKET 0)
    Memory
    4 GB RAM
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1366x768 Generic PnP Monitor on Intel HD Graphics
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    298GB Western Digital WDC WD3200BPVT-80JJ5T0 (SATA)
    Mouse
    Always touchpad with Asus' Smart Gestures
    Browser
    7star
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
I have been using Win 8 strictly in desktop mode since the first preview. I don't use any 3rd party apps, just native Win 8 desktop. Works great for me. I have a laptop running Win 8 but won't upgrade it to 8.1 until I can do it using a clean install. I have 8.1 running in a VM and like the ability to boot directly to the desktop, MS should have included that ability from the get-go. I haven't found any Metro apps that I find worthwhile so don't use them.

I am perfectly happy with my Win 8 laptop but don't intend to upgrade any of my Win 7 machines to Win 8.
Other than the gadgets for Windows 8, I don't have 3rd-party apps either; the start menu from seven I missed for couple weeks, but by now, I don't need it. I do agree with you about the apps, none of the default apps installed worth the screen space.

My laptop will get the 8.1 RTM, currently using the preview version only. The chances are that my Windows 7 desktop will get it as well, provided that I can locate the licenses keys for my programs.

It's rare to see a thread about people liking W8, instead of beating on it in an endless loops. After all, this is Windows 8 forum...:thumbsup:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Latitude
    CPU
    Intel i5-3350P (3.1 GHz)
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte
    Memory
    16 GBs
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD7850
    Sound Card
    Built-in to MB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x 24" Dell
    Screen Resolution
    3,840 x1,200
    Hard Drives
    128 GBs, OCZ Vertex, SATA III SSD
    256 GBs Intel SATA III SSD
    3 x Seagate 1 TBs HDD
    PSU
    Antec 750W
    Case
    Antec P185
    Internet Speed
    50 Gb/s
    Browser
    IE11, Firefox22.0
    Antivirus
    Vipre
    Other Info
    Works, most of the times unless Microsoft patches decide otherwise...
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