Windows 8 is a few steps backwards

Corringdon

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Windows 7 is great. Windows 8 is an appalling OS with virtually no thought given to the millions of desktop PC users. When support for W7 expires I will be buying a Mac.
 

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Windows 7 is great. Windows 8 is an appalling OS with virtually no thought given to the millions of desktop PC users. When support for W7 expires I will be buying a Mac.

Its funny, I've been hearing that for years, every time there's the slightest problem with MS, you hear the same thing, "I'll be buying a Mac", yet here we are 50 years later and Mac still only has 5% of the market.
I think people jump on one end and off the other.
 

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It's mostly constantly rebounding hearsay. Vista was a marked victim of it.
 

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I dunno... this time it may happen. Apple may just now be rethinking abandoining their desktop line in wake of the Windows 8 user responses :/
 

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Apple?

Not likely!!

But I do have several variants of Linux available to me right here and now.

No, I'll be staying with Win 7 on this machine, which has the Win 8 64-bit CP in VirtualBox.

The 32-bit CP, which is running on the old laptop will probably also remain there.

But there's nothing to make me want Win 8 as my main OS, and many reasons for me not to.
 

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Hi there
Too many probs with this version (Release preview). Consumer preview was OK

This version --just a few of the probs I've had with it.

1) TOO much stupid security -- can't access my OWN disks without going through Olympic size rings to undo the security -- I've got around 12 disks connected to the machine with zillions of folders / sub folders and files -- security gives errors when trying to change access rights at root (Volume) level.

2) Power options can't switch off sleep to NEVER --no good when running Virtual Servers 24 / 7 or even want your on machine to be left on 24 /7 for remote access.

3) Control Panel doesn't give you the option any more of displaying everything as Icons / small icons but only the "Idiot" view in categories. So if you want something you have to go into SEARCH and if you don't know what the name is --tough. The old system MUCH better especially if you regularly change things.

4) W8 install left a whole load of junk .TMP files all over the system --size 0 bytes but can't get rid of them.

5) If you do a test and install OVER W8 consumer preview you'll find (again due to the stupid security) that you CAN'T delete WINDOWS.OLD which is quite a large file - especially if you are considering using SSD's..

6) Virtual Machines wouldn't run -- software OK (VMware server and HYPER) but access rights on VM's totally hosed up.

7) Multi-Media apps couldn't get going properly --combination of access rights (again !!) and the Internet browser disabling stuff that stops some websites displaying input forms -- so I couldn't set things like start up parameters etc for my media server ---- HOPELESS. !!!

I've mentioned in other posts that although I was very keen on W8 this has been my WORST ever user experience after installing an OS since as far back as Windows 3.11

I've also installed a lot of Linux distros --and while you EXPECT trouble (usually) with Linux I rarely ever got not being able to access data type of problems.

If this is progress -- I'm going back to using Pigeon Carriers for mail and the Abacus for other work.

Cheers
jimbo

I booted up an old XP Bartpe system from a USB to get rid of it --shouldn't have to do that. !!

The INSTALL looked fine -- and quick and the desktop has improved --but SURELY MS you don't design systems that lock HOME users out of their own DATA. !!!

The only GOOD thing about this version is that it takes around 10 mins to install on a decent system so it IS possible to try it a few times -- but after 3 goes with unsatisfactory results I'll hand over to other people to see if they have better luck.

BTW my remarks apply to a desktop version with lots of Disks etc.

You might find on a laptop the security problem won't exist (usually only 1 HDD). The never sleep option might not also be important either.

Seems to me that this version really is more suitable to tablets or smart phones than a proper "Work horse" of a decent desktop computer.

Cheers
jimbo
 

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Interesting responses. My 'I'll buy a Mac' comment was, perhaps, a desperate attempt to make Microsoft see some reason. I couldn't afford to replace my programmes with Mac equivalents even if they were available. W8 is a crap OS though.
 

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Interesting and very relevant comments, Jimbo 45.
 

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    Sapphire Ati
Interesting responses. My 'I'll buy a Mac' comment was, perhaps, a desperate attempt to make Microsoft see some reason. I couldn't afford to replace my programmes with Mac equivalents even if they were available. W8 is a crap OS though.

Hi there
Actually I thought Consumer Preview was a nice step in the right direction
Somebody at MS though rather than fix what was wrong with the Consumer Preview went totally Bonkers in trying to make the wretched thing too Idiot Proof and tried (and succeeded) in protecting the system so much from the users that it's almost unuseable without a HUGE amount of tweaking which I haven't got the patience or inclination to do any more


I simply re-installed my "Windows to Go" partition over the W8 Release preview -- after a few "Device settings" --It's a different machine so the Windows to go finds a couple of devices -- and everything is back to normal again. 15 mins to restore !!.

Booted up the windows to go from my external USB -- wiped all the junk of the local C HDD and re-installed the W8 windows to go Consumer preview image again.

Incidentally the Virtual machines on the RELEASE PREVIEW (not CP) also have mega problems when REMOTE users access them -- again the wretched security. It was at that point I finally said ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.

I've got til January to continue with Consumer Preview -- I'll review the situation from time to time -- but Linux again --especially the later releases of SUSE are looking very attractive again now device support is so much better there too. I van keep Office / a few other apps on an XP Virtual machine for as long as I want too.

Cheers
jimbo
 

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Control panel has option of different views.
Capture1.JPG
 

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Hi jimbo,
Yes, the snip is from RP, I 'm not sure whether it's happening to others or an isolated problem for you alone.
 

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Hi jimbo,
Yes, the snip is from RP, I 'm not sure whether it's happening to others or an isolated problem for you alone.

Hi there it might be due to the other security probs I've had.

I've calmed down a bit now -- nice glass of beer !! -- Disconnected all disks except the SSD I'm going to install on -- try again from a totally CLEAN disk and ensure computer and accounts have same name so when I re-connect the other disks I shouldn't get "Owner" or other probs.

But this is really my last attempt --I don't normally pack up but I'm getting "too old" for this stuff now. !!!

Fortunately the whole install is mercifully quick --especially using an SSD. Restore also from my Windows to Go sys is also quick too if I have to -- not like "The old days" on painfully slow hardware and 2400 baud modems !!!.

Cheers
jimbo
 

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    2 X 3 TB sata
    5 X 1 TB sata
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    0.12 GB/s (120Mb/s)
Control panel has option of different views.
View attachment 6468


Works fine in Consumer Preview but the option wouldn't show up in Release Preview -- it just stayed at Show by categories.

Cheers
jimbo

I have that option in the Release Preview, must be something wrong with yours.

Personally I hate using small icons, it takes me much longer time to find what I want with icons than with categories.
But I guess that's just because I have always used categories and never icons so I know excactly where to go
 

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Hi there
I noticed another strange thing
Installing via USB my HDD in Windows explorer reported that the "C" (Windows) drive was a USB stick !! --now I know with a lot of messing around with the Windows to go stuff that if it thinks its running on a USB stick a lot of updating stuff doesn't work.

Anyway I've burned a DVD and doing a complete FRESH install onto a single SSD with every other disk in my sytem disconnected as well as any peripherals apart from screen, LAN cable, keyboard and mouse.

Something was really strange -- Windows of any flavour usually installs and boots fine --even if I'm missing the odd driver or two.

Disk burning just finished --so here goes on attempt nr 4.

Cheers
jimbo
 

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    SSD's * 3 (Samsung 840 series) 250 GB
    2 X 3 TB sata
    5 X 1 TB sata
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    0.12 GB/s (120Mb/s)
Hi Jimbo.
I have no noticed security options over and above previous releases (Stationary)
I have the (working) option to "Never" sleep.
I confirm you have all the views in the CP.
No "junk" of any kind left after the install
I removed windows.old without problems.
No probs here with multi-media.
I do not use a VM so cannot comment on that one.
 

My Computer

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  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Use several different computers during a day, so specs are irrelevant.
Windows 7 is great. Windows 8 is an appalling OS with virtually no thought given to the millions of desktop PC users. When support for W7 expires I will be buying a Mac.

Its funny, I've been hearing that for years, every time there's the slightest problem with MS, you hear the same thing, "I'll be buying a Mac", yet here we are 50 years later and Mac still only has 5% of the market.
I think people jump on one end and off the other.

There's always these promises (threats) about moving to a Mac or Linux. It's simply not a viable alternative unless you have a bottomless pit of money (Apple) or are prepared to compromise (Linux). If your Win7 rig is running fine then I cannot see the point of moving anywhere. As Win7 support is going to continue for several years the subject can be revisited with Win9 or 10 - who knows.
 

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Windows 7 is great. Windows 8 is an appalling OS with virtually no thought given to the millions of desktop PC users. When support for W7 expires I will be buying a Mac.

Its funny, I've been hearing that for years, every time there's the slightest problem with MS, you hear the same thing, "I'll be buying a Mac", yet here we are 50 years later and Mac still only has 5% of the market.
I think people jump on one end and off the other.

There's always these promises (threats) about moving to a Mac or Linux. It's simply not a viable alternative unless you have a bottomless pit of money (Apple) or are prepared to compromise (Linux). If your Win7 rig is running fine then I cannot see the point of moving anywhere. As Win7 support is going to continue for several years the subject can be revisited with Win9 or 10 - who knows.

I think the trouble with Microsoft is that it actually tries to play too nice, just like in life if you're too nice people will spit in your face. Microsoft probably should have dropped all their old code years ago, instead of trying to please everyone.
Even now they are still at it trying to please everyone while trying to enter a new market. I can understand people's frustrations, but let's face it no one is forcing us to participate in these trials, if it's too tough don't download these beta programmes and wait till the retail version comes out.
I visit Apple websites all the time, they have just as many problems as Windows, it's not all plain sailing for them either. I've had a few problems with the Windows 8 versions, but I don't look at them as a finished OS, and I would never trust them with important info. To me they're just a testing ground and if something goes wrong I know the info goes back to Microsoft to be looked at and fixed.

My point here is that Apple never plays nice and will just drop people off, and yet they are the most loved company on the planet, go figure.
 

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Hi everyone
4th install finally worked

What seemed to have happened somehow -- still not sure exactly what but I'm not into "Monday Morning Quarterbacking" was that the system thought the drive I had installed to was actually a USB stick and not part of my RAID setup. This causes all sorts of undesirable side effects -- I have experience of this in a lot of running the Windows to Go system. Put this on a conventional USB drive if you want to use this (excellent) feature.

(Windows explorer had marked the "C" vol as a USB stick !!!).

Anyway I refreshed the RAID system, disconnected all internal drives except an SSD which I re-set and did a total clean install on.

I then re-connected the RAID and other drives -- worked fine -- except I had to re-set security on 2 drives instead of 12 !! -- that was probably left over from the previous mess.

Seems working fine now --VM's running, NEVER sleep set etc. Multi-media streaming OK too -- although IE10 might have some problem with flash type websites -- not a big issue for me.

Anyway amazing what a few glasses of beer and a break can do when stuff just doesn't work.

Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

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    1 X LG 40 inch TV
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    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)
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