Can win 8 look like win 7

I'm having a desk top rebuilt (keeping video,case,power). I was told to install win 8 but would like win 7. We have two other laptop that will be win 7 and wife would not like leaning new OS. Is there a way for win 8 to look like win 7,with out degrading win 8 and then in future get my wife to move to new OS . Also if I do get win 7 installed can I upgrade to win 8 in a few years or would there be extra charge to upgrade.

There a few ways to make Windows 8 look and behave like Windows 7. My favorite is
Start8 Start menu for Windows 8. Bring the Windows 8 Start menu back. I use this on my laptop. Another popular program is Classic Shell. I've never used it myself, but it generally gets good reviews from users.

yes, if you install win7 ,a update to win8 at a later date will cost you more money, but I think in 2 or 3 years it will be called win9 ,and giving Microsoft's record ,not sure if win7 will be updatable to win9

BILL1901 said:

I'm having a desk top rebuilt (keeping video,case,power). I was told to install win 8 but would like win 7. We have two other laptop that will be win 7 and wife would not like leaning new OS. Is there a way for win 8 to look like win 7,with out degrading win 8 and then in future get my wife to move to new OS . Also if I do get win 7 installed can I upgrade to win 8 in a few years or would there be extra charge to upgrade.

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Your wife wouldn't have to learn a new OS. It's really just the menu that has changed. Instead of listings in the Start Menu, you have a Start Screen where the programs are laid out with larger tiles instead of icons. Sure, controlling the placement and such is different, but not that daunting for anyone already familiar with Windows.

Software designed for the desktop will continue for many, many years. Publishers will update their software to run under both Windows 7 and 8, but eventually Windows 7 will fade just like every other version did.

Plus, I believe now is the time to learn how to operate the newly designed Apps. They will continue to grow and mature over the years, depending on the success of touch. As with every major release of OS, getting familiar early one is way better than struggling with it later.

As far as all the other OS functions, (i.e. users, programs, etc) they can all still be control through the same old Control Panel.

Maybe this video will help show the differences between the Start Menu and Start Screen:

Why the Windows 8 Start Screen is Better Than the Windows 7 Start Menu - YouTube

Besides this, there are TONS of videos from Microsoft and individuals that explain how to use Windows 8.

nice video oldguygeek

The one thing not mentioned is Glass. If you have applications with lots of Glass they may not look so hot on W8. You can use modification to get some glass, but it's not the same. Applications that show a translucent blue on W7 will just look like a regular dialog. Even if you have the Glass theme modification it will look like a regular dialog or window except the caption bar may be transparent.

If you like toys like green glass clocks and such forget W8.

Another vote for Start8 with Metromix for Metroapps if you wish to use them on the desktop. Most systems will run very slow, when operating in the Metro interface. Go into the Desktop and you will find out that the system fly's along pretty fast.

The good thing about Start8. You can change the style of the All programs Orb. Now if you wish to just use the Metro Screen. Stardock Software has added some extra features, that you would only see in Gnome for Linux. Stardock Corporation - Products

Their software is pretty lightweight when using. Also their support is very good in following up with you, if you have any kind of issues with their software.

MilesAhead said:

The one thing not mentioned is Glass. If you have applications with lots of Glass they may not look so hot on W8. You can use modification to get some glass, but it's not the same. Applications that show a translucent blue on W7 will just look like a regular dialog. Even if you have the Glass theme modification it will look like a regular dialog or window except the caption bar may be transparent.

If you like toys like green glass clocks and such forget W8.

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It gets even worse if you try and add themes in Linux, that replicate Windows. So that users who are switching from XP or Vista and want Linux, but still want the feel of Windows. I have found that some of the themes do not play well.

Even with the Devian Art themes for windows have difficulty for some that will not play right with Windows 8.x.x.

BILL1901 said:

I'm having a desk top rebuilt (keeping video,case,power). I was told to install win 8 but would like win 7. We have two other laptop that will be win 7 and wife would not like leaning new OS. Is there a way for win 8 to look like win 7,with out degrading win 8 and then in future get my wife to move to new OS . Also if I do get win 7 installed can I upgrade to win 8 in a few years or would there be extra charge to upgrade.

Click to expand...

I use Start 8 and it makes Win 8 look and act like Win7. If your computer doesn't have a touch screen, you'll like having Start 8. The only one of the 7Win 8.1 machines we have that doesn't have Start 8 on it is my Asus Transformerbook T100 as it's the only touchscreen device out of the 7 so the regular Win 8 metro/Modern/whateveryouwanttocallit interface works fine on that.

Sam

I was told to install win 8

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That is very good reason not to do it.

It gets even worse if you try and add themes in Linux

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I'm just messing with Linux again a bit on VM Player. I would like to find a nice glass theme. I've only looked at Cinnamon this time around but it does bum me that windows seem so flat. Right now I only have a Laptop. I don't want to install on the metal until I have other machines to bail me out. Much easier to recover from a bad decision if I can just jump on another PC and download the driver,fix, whatever, that I need. But I'll get back there eventually.

I did find a nice theme with semi-transparent screens but the link was a couple years old and led nowhere. I guess it is possoble. But I haven't found much for Linux yet.