Interface aside, what do I lose by switching from Win 7?

Toslow

New Member
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2
Hi all,
First time posting here. I know the debate about 7 vs. 8 and 8.1 is endless; it mainly seems to be about the new interface trying to cover all platforms and annoyance at having to learn the new layout.

My 3-year-old Asus laptop (Win 7 Home Premium 64 bit) is due for a refresh, and before I pay extra for a Win 7 "downgrade", i thought I'd ask what Win 7 functionality and features I would actually lose if/when i switch to 8.1?

I'm not a fan of Metro or the Start screen, and don't need a touchscreen, but I'm happy to install StartIsBack and I also don't mind taking the time to learn where controls and functions are now accessed.

But "under the hood", is there anything important that's gone? I understand that Back-up and Restore is not what it once was but I use Acronis. Can I still? I don't want Windows Media Center, so that's fine, but can I still play DVD-Video by using VLC and third-party codecs? (I understand that MS didn't want to pay to include a DVD-Video codec).

Is it true that Win 8.1 is more robust? Is it true that's it's more secure? Are there still the same Windows MMC Snap-ins?[h=1]
Thanks for any comments or insight you could give.
[/h]
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 7 Pro
Control. Stick with Windows 7. Right now it is to the point that Microsoft is trying to kill off 8 before 9 rolls out. You will most likely see people using Windows 7 for at least 2020 to this point.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Mint 17.2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satellite C850D-st3nx1
    CPU
    AMD E1-1200 APU with Radeon (tm) HD Graphics 1.40 GHZ
    Memory
    12GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon™ HD 7310 Graphics
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    Realtek HD
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    LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    Crucial M500 240GB SSD
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    Logitech M525
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    45/6 - ATT U-Verse
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    Google Chrome
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    None needed. It is Linux.
    Other Info
    Arris NVG589 Gateway; Router - Cisco RV320; Switch - Netgear GS108 8-Port Switch & Trendnet TEG-S50g 5-Port Switch; Access Points - Engenius ECB350, Trendnet TEW-638APB; NAS - Lenovo ix2-4; Printer - Brother HL-2280DW; Air Print Server - Lantronix XPrintServer

    A/V UPS - Tripp-Lite Smart 1500LCD 1500 Va/900 W.
I find everything I had in Windows 7 is also in Windows 8. I use the Pro X64 version for both. It's been rock solid for me with not a single BSOD. I prefer it over Windows 7 but then I don't use the Metro interface at all. True I have a nice computer (see Specs) that came with Windows 8 but I don't see the point of downgrading to Windows 7 when Windows 8 can be made to run as well or better.

I've installed Stardock's Start8 to get the Start menu back (also used Classic shell on other Win 8 computers I've worked on), I use Quick Launch as I did in XP and Windows 7, I've installed 8GadgetPack so I have the Windows 7 gadgets. I boot directly to the desktop, never see the Metro start screen. All hot corners are disabled. I've also completely disabled UAC so I can't use any of the Metro stuff even if I wanted to :)

Why do I bother to run Windows 8 you might ask? I like it's reliability and performance and it's what came with the computer when I bought it.

That's my $.02 worth :):)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo IdeaCenter K450
    CPU
    Intel Quad Core i7-4770 @ 3.4Ghz
    Motherboard
    Lenovo
    Memory
    16.0GB PC3-12800 DDR3 SDRAM 1600 MHz
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    Intel Integrated HD Graphics
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    Realtek HD Audio
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    HP h2207
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    1680x1050@59Hz
    Hard Drives
    250GB Samsung EVO SATA-3 SSD;
    2TB Seagate ST2000DM001 SATA-2;
    1.5TB Seagate ST3150041AS SATA
    PSU
    500W
    Keyboard
    Wired USB
    Mouse
    Wired USB
    Internet Speed
    3GB Up, 30GB Down
    Browser
    SeaMonkey
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender; MBAM Pro
    Other Info
    UEFI/GPT
    PLDS DVD-RW DH16AERSH

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 (64 bit), Linux Mint 18.3 MATE (64 bit)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    n/a
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II x6 1055T, 2.8 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASRock 880GMH-LE/USB3
    Memory
    8GB DDR3 1333 G-Skill Ares F3-1333C9D-8GAO (4GB x 2)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD6450
    Sound Card
    Realtek?
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    Samsung S23B350
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
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    Western Digital 1.5 TB (SATA), Western Digital 2 TB (SATA), Western Digital 3 TB (SATA)
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    Tower
    Mouse
    Wired Optical
    Other Info
    Linux Mint 16 MATE (64 bit) replaced with Linux Mint 17 MATE (64 bit) - 2014-05-17
    Linux Mint 14 MATE (64 bit) replaced with Linux Mint 16 MATE (64 bit) - 2013-11-13
    Ubuntu 10.04 (64 bit) replaced with Linux Mint 14 MATE (64 bit) - 2013-01-14
    RAM & Graphics Card Upgraded - 2013-01-13
    Monitor Upgraded - 2012-04-20
    System Upgraded - 2011-05-21, 2010-07-14
    HDD Upgraded - 2010-08-11, 2011-08-24,
No need to really lose much of anything. 7's interface can be saved with Classic Shell
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win8.1 Pro, Desktop Mode
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Me
    CPU
    AMD FX-8150
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-890GPA-UD3H
    Memory
    8.00 GB Dual-Channel DDR3 (9-9-9-28)
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 6570
    Sound Card
    Creative X-Fi Titanium
    Monitor(s) Displays
    PX2710MW
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080@60Hz
    Hard Drives
    1x1TB Western Digital WDC WD1001FALS-00J7B1 ATA Device Caviar Black -

    4 x 2TB Seagate ST32000542A -
    1 x 4TB Seagate External
    Case
    Antec
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D14
    Keyboard
    Logitech Illuminated Keyboard K740
    Internet Speed
    60meg cable
    Browser
    Cyberfox
    Antivirus
    AVG Security Suite
Hi there

Stick to the old Engineering adage - "If it ain't broke don't fix it".

If you want to play around with W8/8.1 then you could always try these in a Virtual Machine - although the way W8 activations are handled makes this a bit of a bother -- W8 needs product key entered at install time whereas with W7 you got 30 days before activating).

You can download the Enterprise trial version though for playing around with either as a Real or Virtual Machine.

Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Centos 7, W8.1, W7, W2K3 Server W10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 X LG 40 inch TV
    Hard Drives
    SSD's * 3 (Samsung 840 series) 250 GB
    2 X 3 TB sata
    5 X 1 TB sata
    Internet Speed
    0.12 GB/s (120Mb/s)
I would also suggest downloading and trying "Enterprise Evaluation". This will give you 90 days evaluation time which is plenty enough to learn about it. Then you can decide whether to buy 8 or stick with 7.

Download Windows 8.1 Enterprise Evaluation

Probably around August , a huge second update for "Windows 8.1" will release. This update is confirmed to be include a new generation style "Start Menu" and other goodies which will make the OS keyboard and touch friendly.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
I see that you already made a decision.... The below is added anyways, FWIW:

You lose precious time by having to navigate around your computer to find stuff that was so easy in 7 that it wasn't even thought about - about how to get to it. Now in Win8, there seems to be a strategy needed to design, visualize and process just to get to the simplest things... Such as Command com.

You also lose ease-of-visibility of your computer. This is tied in with the above and with what you said- about the interface. I see it as a separate issue. In Win7, everything is all integrated right to a point - the Start button. Your whole computer revolves around it. Now things are obstipated and (unnecessarily) complex.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    s: XP, Win7, Win8, Ubuntu
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Laptop - recommended brand.
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 currently- laptop monitor
    Other Info
    Have XP Virt. Mach. on Win7.
    // 2-7-2015 - Purchased cheap Win 8.1 tablet. So far, it's amazing. Update: 5-24 - Switched to MS Surface 3. it's just a better way to go.
I see that you already made a decision.... The below is added anyways, FWIW:

You lose precious time by having to navigate around your computer to find stuff that was so easy in 7 that it wasn't even thought about - about how to get to it. Now in Win8, there seems to be a strategy needed to design, visualize and process just to get to the simplest things... Such as Command com.

You also lose ease-of-visibility of your computer. This is tied in with the above and with what you said- about the interface. I see it as a separate issue. In Win7, everything is all integrated right to a point - the Start button. Your whole computer revolves around it. Now things are obstipated and (unnecessarily) complex.
In my opinion that's all wrong except Start button but even that I never used, nothing revolves about it but it could be replaced using different programs. Except for looks, nothing much has changed, most of things and settings can be done same way as in W7 and what's wrong with command com ?, works same as before with some enhancements. (console).
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home made
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen7 2700x
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime x470 Pro
    Memory
    16GB Kingston 3600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus strix 570 OC 4gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 960 evo 250GB
    Silicon Power V70 240GB SSD
    WD 1 TB Blue
    WD 2 TB Blue
    Bunch of backup HDDs.
    PSU
    Sharkoon, Silent Storm 660W
    Case
    Raidmax
    Cooling
    CCM Nepton 140xl
    Internet Speed
    40/2 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    WD
I find everything I had in Windows 7 is also in Windows 8. I use the Pro X64 version for both. It's been rock solid for me with not a single BSOD. I prefer it over Windows 7 but then I don't use the Metro interface at all. True I have a nice computer (see Specs) that came with Windows 8 but I don't see the point of downgrading to Windows 7 when Windows 8 can be made to run as well or better.

I've installed Stardock's Start8 to get the Start menu back (also used Classic shell on other Win 8 computers I've worked on), I use Quick Launch as I did in XP and Windows 7, I've installed 8GadgetPack so I have the Windows 7 gadgets. I boot directly to the desktop, never see the Metro start screen. All hot corners are disabled. I've also completely disabled UAC so I can't use any of the Metro stuff even if I wanted to :)

Why do I bother to run Windows 8 you might ask? I like it's reliability and performance and it's what came with the computer when I bought it.

That's my $.02 worth :):)
Couldn't have said it better. I liked Windows 7 and still do but Windows 8.1 is a rock solid and fast. I also use Start8 and I've recommended to a few folks that complained to me about the Metro interface. Start8 made them all happy. :D
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8 Pro 64 bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Alienware M14XR2
    CPU
    I73630QM
    Memory
    6 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce GT 650M
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