Can the new Windows 8.1 bring back users?

First, because I can't resist, let me just say "I told you so!"

I'd said all along that Windows 8's Metro interface was downright awful for desktop users. I was right. Windows 8 saw PC sales plummet to their worst level in a generation. Under new leadership, Microsoft has finally bought a clue and is retrofitting Windows 8.x's Metro/Modern desktop with a much more keyboard- and mouse-friendly Windows, Icon, Menu, and Pointer (WIMP) interface.

I can only ask, "What took you so long Microsoft?" Popular programs, such as Stardock's Start8, showed that Windows power users craved their Start Menu. Besides, Windows 8.x's abysmal usage numbers were even worse than Microsoft's previous all-time operating system flop, Vista. It doesn't take the next coming of GE CEO genius Jack Welch to realize when a core product has failed.

The rest here:

 

[caperjack]

What's even funnier, little kids find no problems at all, they just start using it.

That's not amazing. The kids are familiar with the playmobile UI.

lol

 

[BlueMasterFX]

I've been using the OS X desktop quite a long time and if you compare Mavericks to like the original OS X 10.0, they pretty much look the same, only the theme changes. A menubar on top, a dock on the bottom, icons on the desktop if you want. That's pretty much it. This formula has worked great over the years and still relevant today.

On the Windows side of things, Windows has had the start menu since Windows 95, a task bar, and desktop icons. Formula has worked great over the years.

The question is why should you change that formula? Its like saying instead of using a steering wheel on a car, you use buttons to control the car. It doesn't feel natural.

You can only change that formula if your going to revolutionize the whole operating system. You just can't put stuff on top of an operating system and expect people to like it. Everyone should know by now that Microsoft made Windows 8 to compete with the tablet market. They were lazy to make a new OS for tablets.

The idea of a hybrid operating system isn't bad. I mean if you can get a single compiled application to run on tablets, smartphones, xbox, and desktops, then the Windows OS should be built for that, optimized for that. Not throw in a start screen and here are metro apps that don't work on Windows Phone or Xbox. Its a complete mess. If Windows 8 is a hybrid OS, then it SHOULD work like a hybrid OS. Microsoft is weird and confused lol.

 

[CountMike]

What's even funnier, little kids find no problems at all, they just start using it.

That's not amazing. The kids are familiar with the playmobile UI.

lol

Maybe we should all stay kids at heart at lest. Loved those blocks with letters.

 

[Burgurne]

I went from win7 to win8 about 1½ years ago. I then got 3 problems, that today is unsolved, but maybe MS is too much in the game to make win8 a salesuccess?

My 3 problems are:
Driver for my buildin USB3 HUB, so it actually runs USB3 speed? (works in win7 with win7 standard usb3driver)
Games build on dx9.0c or older runs like crap in windows 8
Problem with my G25 and cstm profiles (works in win7)

Beside from the above I like windows 8.1 (well it is quite ugly, but I got 3th party aero, so now it is looking allmost like win7). It is using lesser space on my SSD, it seems to run more clean, but it still needs to be nursed or it will also get "dusty". As my PC is a "homebuild" and I have installed my Windows 8.1 from an USBkey, I don't have a "recovery"partition, and the "refresh windows 8.1" has never worked for me. Don't know why. So now I am at a crossroad, should I stay with windows 8.1 (along with the new update, that will come later today), or should I return to win7?
Metro and fullscreen apps is not my cup of tea, never used it, and I don't think I will in the future.

What I'm trying to say is, that both windows 7 AND windows 8.1 has good sides and bad sides like allmost anything else in this world.

 

[HippsieGypsie]

Dinosaurs click here

 

[Rickkins]

Dinosaurs click here

Do NOT click here (seriously, you've been warned, don't do it)

 

[Edwin]

Do NOT click here (seriously, you've been warned, don't do it)

 

[whs]

You guys are funny. It made my day laughing.

 

[HippsieGypsie]

Dinosaurs click here

Do NOT click here (seriously, you've been warned, don't do it)

Do you really think I'm going to click that? Waddaya take me for a fool?!! I'll probably get this.

That's what your opinion means to me.

 

[Rickkins]

Do you really think I'm going to click that? Waddaya take me for a fool?!! I'll probably get this.

That's what your opinion means to me.

Hehehe.... just a joke dude, no offense intended...

 

[HippsieGypsie]

Do you really think I'm going to click that? Waddaya take me for a fool?!! I'll probably get this.

That's what your opinion means to me.

Hehehe.... just a joke dude, no offense intended...

I know. I'm just dishing out Chicago style.

Don't think for a minute that I don't listen to criticism as long as it's constructive. I feel some haven't learned the system enough to do so. I'll respect those that I think have, but there are really those that have jumped on the bandwagon of H8ers just for the sake of it. And I really dislike using that term, for hate is a such a negative and destructive emotion.


I'm on my phone so I'll be back with more on this in a bit. I just wanted to let you know that for now.

 

[Rickkins]

It's all good mate.

Most often I don't really do long posts... my typing skills are essentially two fingered pecking, so I try to keep my stuff short and sweet. Also, I don't actually expect to change anyone's opinion, at least as it pertains to metro. I do however believe that I owe my continued support to those who also believe that tifkam needs to be a choice and nothing more.

But just between you me and the lamppost, I'll be glad when the war is over....