I don't understand Windows 8 at all...

kona0197

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OK, I'm coming from Windows 7. I don't understand Windows 8. The live tiles are confusing. How are you supposed to go about setting up the Metro UI so it works like a start menu? If I install Start 8 from Stardock how do I get rid of the Metro UI? And why is it that Windows 7 is quick on my system but 8 is painfully slow? I mean REALLY slow?
 

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    Windows 7 Home Premium
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    Custom Built
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    Intel Pentium Dual Core E5400
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    E-Machines MCP73VT-PM
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    4 GB DD2-800 PC-6400
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You don't set up the Start screen to look like a Start menu, that's why it's a Start screen. What is it that is confusing about the Live tiles? They seem pretty straightforward to me.

Never used Start 8 but if on Win 8.1 you can configure Windows to boot to desktop and never see Start screen.

Most agree that Win 8 has slightly better performance than 7, possibly something is wrong with your installation.
 

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
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    ASUS TUF Z370-Pro Gaming, HP, MS
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    16G, 8G, 8G
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    3840x2160 (Desktop), 1920x1080 (laptop), 2736x1824 Pro 7
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    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 find the live tiles to be useless. I don't need them at all, and I don't need the info they present. The only one I would use is the weather app. I spend over 95 percent of my time on the desktop, and I launch applications from shortcuts from there. I only use the Metro UI when I need to find an app not pinned to the desktop, and that is rare. And everything takes forever to work anyhow, the system slows to a crawl, even on a fresh new install of 8.1.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Home Premium
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built
    CPU
    Intel Pentium Dual Core E5400
    Motherboard
    E-Machines MCP73VT-PM
    Memory
    4 GB DD2-800 PC-6400
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia 7400
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP W1907
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    120 GB Seagate 7200 RPM
    PSU
    250W HiPro
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    Cooler Master Fans
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    Di USB Keyboard
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    Microsoft Wireless
    Internet Speed
    Comcast Broadband, 25 Mpbs
    Browser
    Firefox 32
I find the live tiles to be useless. I don't need them at all, and I don't need the info they present. The only one I would use is the weather app. I spend over 95 percent of my time on the desktop, and I launch applications from shortcuts from there. I only use the Metro UI when I need to find an app not pinned to the desktop, and that is rare. And everything takes forever to work anyhow, the system slows to a crawl, even on a fresh new install of 8.1.
  1. You can turn off live tile by right click on it->Turn off live tile.
  2. You can install the freeware to get the Start Menu that looks similar to Windows 7 such as:
    Download Classic Shell and Get Your Start Button Back on Windows 8 | Freedownloads.us.com

    or:
    Start Menu Reviver
  3. On the fresh install of 8.1, Windows is still busy setting up your PC such as building Windows Search Index, Running Windows Updates in the background. After a while, things should speed up.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1x64PWMC Ubuntu14.04x64 MintMate17x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Brewed
    CPU
    I7 4970K OC'ed @4.7 GHz
    Motherboard
    MSI-Z97
    Memory
    16 GB G-Skill Trident X @2400MHZ
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTS 450
    Sound Card
    X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Professional Series
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dual HP-W2408
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1200
    Hard Drives
    256 GB M2 sm951, (2) 500GB 850EVO, 5TB, 2 TB Seagate
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    Antec 850W
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    Antec 1200
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    Danger Den H20
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    Logitech
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    Logitech Performance Mouse MX
    Internet Speed
    35/12mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
1. I have no need for live tiles, I want them removed completely, as well as the whole Metro UI
2. No need to install freeware, I choose to use Start 8 from Stardock as it is clearly the best one
3. That may be true, but my system is painfully slow weeks after install. Explain that. Clearly Windows 7 is better under the hood.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Home Premium
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built
    CPU
    Intel Pentium Dual Core E5400
    Motherboard
    E-Machines MCP73VT-PM
    Memory
    4 GB DD2-800 PC-6400
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia 7400
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP W1907
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    120 GB Seagate 7200 RPM
    PSU
    250W HiPro
    Case
    Compaq
    Cooling
    Cooler Master Fans
    Keyboard
    Di USB Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Wireless
    Internet Speed
    Comcast Broadband, 25 Mpbs
    Browser
    Firefox 32
1. I have no need for live tiles, I want them removed completely, as well as the whole Metro UI
2. No need to install freeware, I choose to use Start 8 from Stardock as it is clearly the best one
3. That may be true, but my system is painfully slow weeks after install. Explain that. Clearly Windows 7 is better under the hood.

  1. You can't
  2. Since you've already paid for it then it's OK.
  3. Sorry, but something is wrong with your setup. Windows 8.1 is running much faster than Windows 7.
    Double check if all Device drivers are up to date and also have the latest BIOS firmware.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1x64PWMC Ubuntu14.04x64 MintMate17x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Brewed
    CPU
    I7 4970K OC'ed @4.7 GHz
    Motherboard
    MSI-Z97
    Memory
    16 GB G-Skill Trident X @2400MHZ
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTS 450
    Sound Card
    X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Professional Series
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dual HP-W2408
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1200
    Hard Drives
    256 GB M2 sm951, (2) 500GB 850EVO, 5TB, 2 TB Seagate
    PSU
    Antec 850W
    Case
    Antec 1200
    Cooling
    Danger Den H20
    Keyboard
    Logitech
    Mouse
    Logitech Performance Mouse MX
    Internet Speed
    35/12mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
Nothing is wrong with my setup. Windows 8 just does not like it. All firmwares have been updated, and each and every driver has been installed from the manufactures website. Everything is up to date. yet I have to wait ages before 8 will boot, it takes around 3 minutes. 7 takes 45 seconds or a minute. 8 easily gets overwhelmed. For example, if I ask 8 to open a Word file and the ask 8 to open iTunes the system damn near has a BSOD and will not respond to any input for a few minutes. 7 has NO issues like this. Windows update on 8 takes hours to update files, even small ones. Apps lag when trying to open them, for example the weather app takes almost a full minute to open. Switching from Metro to the desktop takes 30 seconds or more.

Clearly Windows 7 is the fastest of the two.

Funny thing is that Windows 10 Preview works faster than 7 and 8 or my system.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Home Premium
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built
    CPU
    Intel Pentium Dual Core E5400
    Motherboard
    E-Machines MCP73VT-PM
    Memory
    4 GB DD2-800 PC-6400
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia 7400
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP W1907
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    120 GB Seagate 7200 RPM
    PSU
    250W HiPro
    Case
    Compaq
    Cooling
    Cooler Master Fans
    Keyboard
    Di USB Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Wireless
    Internet Speed
    Comcast Broadband, 25 Mpbs
    Browser
    Firefox 32

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1 Update x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 15
    CPU
    Haswell Core i5 4200U
    Memory
    8GB Dual-Channel DDR3L @1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD 4400 Integrated; 2GB Dedicated NVIDIA GT 740M
    Hard Drives
    500GB Samsung 840 EVO Internal SSD ;
    2TB WD MyPassport Ultra EHDD ;
    1TB TOSHIBA HDD
    Cooling
    Deepcool X6
    Mouse
    Logitech B175 Wireless Mouse
    Internet Speed
    10 Mbps
    Browser
    Opera v25.0
    Antivirus
    KIS 2014
    Other Info
    Microsoft Wired Xbox 360 Controller
Nothing is wrong with my setup.
Hmmm. If nothing is wrong with your setup then uninstall Win 8 and go back to 7, since noone can help you.

And windows 10 being faster than 7... makes sense since it's mostly based on 8.1 (which uses less memory, disk space and has faster boot than 7). Maybe the difference is you made a clean install, not an upgrade ?
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2299-clean-install-windows-8-a.html
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/13375-clean-install-windows-8-upgrade.html
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 (x64)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
I tested both the hard drive and memory, no issues there. Would my hard drive being an older SATA hard drive and my RAM being DDR2 be the issues that is making Windows 8 run slow?

Yes, I made a clean install of 8, did all of the updates, then installed the update from the app store for 8.1.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Home Premium
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built
    CPU
    Intel Pentium Dual Core E5400
    Motherboard
    E-Machines MCP73VT-PM
    Memory
    4 GB DD2-800 PC-6400
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia 7400
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP W1907
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    120 GB Seagate 7200 RPM
    PSU
    250W HiPro
    Case
    Compaq
    Cooling
    Cooler Master Fans
    Keyboard
    Di USB Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Wireless
    Internet Speed
    Comcast Broadband, 25 Mpbs
    Browser
    Firefox 32
No offend to you but looking at your system specs, you have a PC at least 5 year old if not more and maybe the drivers are no longer available to run Windows 8 and that could cause the problem.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1x64PWMC Ubuntu14.04x64 MintMate17x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Brewed
    CPU
    I7 4970K OC'ed @4.7 GHz
    Motherboard
    MSI-Z97
    Memory
    16 GB G-Skill Trident X @2400MHZ
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTS 450
    Sound Card
    X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Professional Series
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dual HP-W2408
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1200
    Hard Drives
    256 GB M2 sm951, (2) 500GB 850EVO, 5TB, 2 TB Seagate
    PSU
    Antec 850W
    Case
    Antec 1200
    Cooling
    Danger Den H20
    Keyboard
    Logitech
    Mouse
    Logitech Performance Mouse MX
    Internet Speed
    35/12mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
Yeah, maybe. I might need to go to Vista to get some decent speed with this system.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Home Premium
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built
    CPU
    Intel Pentium Dual Core E5400
    Motherboard
    E-Machines MCP73VT-PM
    Memory
    4 GB DD2-800 PC-6400
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia 7400
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP W1907
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    120 GB Seagate 7200 RPM
    PSU
    250W HiPro
    Case
    Compaq
    Cooling
    Cooler Master Fans
    Keyboard
    Di USB Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Wireless
    Internet Speed
    Comcast Broadband, 25 Mpbs
    Browser
    Firefox 32
Having used Windows 7 for many years, I got a new computer with WIndows 8.1.
I was confused at first but got my head round it easily within a week or so - easy.
Bye the way I am 7o years old - if I can do it so can you.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo
Nothing is wrong with my setup. Windows 8 just does not like it. All firmwares have been updated, and each and every driver has been installed from the manufactures website. Everything is up to date. yet I have to wait ages before 8 will boot, it takes around 3 minutes. 7 takes 45 seconds or a minute. 8 easily gets overwhelmed. For example, if I ask 8 to open a Word file and the ask 8 to open iTunes the system damn near has a BSOD and will not respond to any input for a few minutes. 7 has NO issues like this. Windows update on 8 takes hours to update files, even small ones. Apps lag when trying to open them, for example the weather app takes almost a full minute to open. Switching from Metro to the desktop takes 30 seconds or more.

Clearly Windows 7 is the fastest of the two.

Funny thing is that Windows 10 Preview works faster than 7 and 8 or my system.

Hi there

I don't understand your logic here -- on the one hand you say that you don't understand Windows 8 at all but on the other hand you according to your post have obviously tried Windows 10.

Now with Windows 8.1 set to boot to desktop and Windows 10 there's minimal difference - even the drivers are the same (or at least any that might be in your machine).

The lack of a start menu in Windows 8.1 could be confusing but it's simple to just search for what you want with the charms bar and then pin to desktop or taskbar. You never have to see the tiles.

On W10 it's slightly easier because you have a start menu (if you can actually read the small text !!!).

Now as to why W8.1 boots slower on your machine I have ZERO idea - if it ran W7 it certainly will run Windows 8.1. Did you try a clean install. In any case if you are thinking of migrating away from W7 I'd suggest starying with W10 instead of going through TWO upgrades.

Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

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  • 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)
Having used Windows 7 for many years, I got a new computer with WIndows 8.1.
I was confused at first but got my head round it easily within a week or so - easy.
Bye the way I am 7o years old - if I can do it so can you.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo
Once you get used to it, you will think it is the best thing since sliced bread. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1.1 Pro with Media Center
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Gateway
    CPU
    AMD K140 Cores 2 Threads 2 Name AMD K140 Package Socket FT1 BGA Technology 40nm
    Motherboard
    Manufacturer Gateway Model SX2110G (P0)
    Memory
    Type DDR3 Size 8192 MBytes DRAM Frequency 532.3 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics
    Sound Card
    AMD High Definition Audio Device Realtek High Definition Audio USB Audio Device
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Name 1950W on AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x76
    Screen Resolution
    Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x768 pixels
    Hard Drives
    AMD K140
    Cores 2
    Threads 2
    Name AMD K140
    Package Socket FT1 BGA
    Technology 40nm
    Specification AMD E1-1200 APU with Radeon HD Graphics
    Family F
    Extended Family 14
    Model 2
    Extended Model 2
    Stepping 0
    Revision ON-C0
    Instruction
    Browser
    Opera 24.0
    Antivirus
    Avast Internet Security
You can disable All hot corners---

screenshot_154.jpg
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1.1 Pro with Media Center
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Gateway
    CPU
    AMD K140 Cores 2 Threads 2 Name AMD K140 Package Socket FT1 BGA Technology 40nm
    Motherboard
    Manufacturer Gateway Model SX2110G (P0)
    Memory
    Type DDR3 Size 8192 MBytes DRAM Frequency 532.3 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics
    Sound Card
    AMD High Definition Audio Device Realtek High Definition Audio USB Audio Device
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Name 1950W on AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x76
    Screen Resolution
    Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x768 pixels
    Hard Drives
    AMD K140
    Cores 2
    Threads 2
    Name AMD K140
    Package Socket FT1 BGA
    Technology 40nm
    Specification AMD E1-1200 APU with Radeon HD Graphics
    Family F
    Extended Family 14
    Model 2
    Extended Model 2
    Stepping 0
    Revision ON-C0
    Instruction
    Browser
    Opera 24.0
    Antivirus
    Avast Internet Security
Once you get used to it, you will think it is the best thing since sliced bread. :)

Hi there.

Not the best comparison - Sliced Bread is an ABOMINATION -- and as for that unspeakable stuff that is sold in supermarkets with something that tastes Worse than the wrapping paper and that rigorous testing in a Lab might show that it contains trace elements of Flour and Yeast -- well 'nuf said.

Apart from that W8.1 certainly does the job and W10 looks as if it could be better too. For those who don't want to use the menu you can remove almost everything off it and you can also use custom toolbars as before (from W7 onwards).

I'm waiting for the next update to see how it fares with Touch devices -- they've done most of their homework with the desktop side of things - now let's see how it works on Touch and Mobile.

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)
No comment. :zip:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1.1 Pro with Media Center
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Gateway
    CPU
    AMD K140 Cores 2 Threads 2 Name AMD K140 Package Socket FT1 BGA Technology 40nm
    Motherboard
    Manufacturer Gateway Model SX2110G (P0)
    Memory
    Type DDR3 Size 8192 MBytes DRAM Frequency 532.3 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics
    Sound Card
    AMD High Definition Audio Device Realtek High Definition Audio USB Audio Device
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Name 1950W on AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x76
    Screen Resolution
    Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x768 pixels
    Hard Drives
    AMD K140
    Cores 2
    Threads 2
    Name AMD K140
    Package Socket FT1 BGA
    Technology 40nm
    Specification AMD E1-1200 APU with Radeon HD Graphics
    Family F
    Extended Family 14
    Model 2
    Extended Model 2
    Stepping 0
    Revision ON-C0
    Instruction
    Browser
    Opera 24.0
    Antivirus
    Avast Internet Security
David looks like you are using Classic Shell. Too confusing. Start 8 is a much better program.

For those of you that say that if my setup can run 7 it can run 8, that's not true.

It's not a matter of getting used to 8. It's the fact that 8 runs so slow I can't get any work done.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Home Premium
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built
    CPU
    Intel Pentium Dual Core E5400
    Motherboard
    E-Machines MCP73VT-PM
    Memory
    4 GB DD2-800 PC-6400
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia 7400
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP W1907
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    120 GB Seagate 7200 RPM
    PSU
    250W HiPro
    Case
    Compaq
    Cooling
    Cooler Master Fans
    Keyboard
    Di USB Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Wireless
    Internet Speed
    Comcast Broadband, 25 Mpbs
    Browser
    Firefox 32
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