Four months in, Windows 8 needs help

After four months of tepid Windows 8 PC sales, maybe it's time for Microsoft to make a few changes.

During a conversation I had this week with IDC analyst Bob O'Donnell, he volunteered the following statement, which sounded strangely like my experience.

There were certain decisions that Microsoft made that were in retrospect flawed. Notably not allowing people to boot into desktop mode and taking away the start button. Those two things have come up consistently. We've done some research and people miss that.


And there are a lot of people that as soon as they boot into Windows 8, they go to desktop mode and do most their work there and occasionally back to Metro. But the point being they're much more comfortable with desktop mode.

Source

A Guy
 
Certainly if you talk to PC vendors, they'd like to see Microsoft do that.

[sarcasm]I wonder why PC vendors would say that? What do they know?[/sarcasm]
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows Phone 6, Windows CE 5, Windows Vista x32, Windows 7 x32/x64, Windows 8 x64
They don't know anything - they are only the people trying to sell it to the punters face to face. Don't pay any attention to them.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Microsoft may "stick to its guns" and leave everything pretty much as is, O'Donnell added. Pride goes before the fall.

There's a chance for Stevie B to do the right thing and prove his critics wrong. Nice opportunity for him personally to retrieve something from this unfortunate situation.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Wow, really, four months and it's over?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    AMD FX 8320
    Motherboard
    Crosshair V Formula-Z
    Memory
    16 gig DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS R9 270
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
    PSU
    OCZ 500 watt
    Case
    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Touch Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
its not over, but a few changes would sure help some people out. overall, its a decent OS, but the UI still annoys me.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self-Built in July 2009
    CPU
    Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
    Memory
    8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Acer x233H
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
    Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black, 32MB cache. WD1001FALS
    PSU
    Corsair 620HX modular
    Case
    Antec P182
    Cooling
    stock
    Keyboard
    ABS M1 Mechanical
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
    Internet Speed
    15/2 cable modem
    Other Info
    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
The only problem with Windows 8, is that lots of people dont learn to use it. If you want to boot directly to the desktop, it is very easy to fix that. If you want the start meny back, there are several versions to choose from. But the fact is that lots of things work better and faster with Metro. One month into Windows 8, on two laptops, it is the most effective and enjoyable I have had on any computer or OS.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8
The only problem with Windows 8, is that lots of people dont learn to use it. If you want to boot directly to the desktop, it is very easy to fix that. If you want the start meny back, there are several versions to choose from. But the fact is that lots of things work better and faster with Metro. One month into Windows 8, on two laptops, it is the most effective and enjoyable I have had on any computer or OS.
Boy are you in trouble. . .you just said the wrong thing on this site. . .they will be coming after you. . .:D
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8, (VM win7, XP, Vista)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion p1423w
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 3330 Ivy Bridge
    Motherboard
    Foxconn - 2ADA Ivy Brige
    Memory
    16 GB 1066MHz DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD 5450
    Sound Card
    HD Realteck (Onboard)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Mitsubishi LED TV/Montior HD, Dell 23 HD, Hanspree 25" HD
    Screen Resolution
    Mit. 1980-1080, Dell 2048-115, Hanspree 1920-10802
    Hard Drives
    1 SanDisk 240Gig SSD, 2 Samsung 512Gig SSDs
    Case
    Tower
    Cooling
    Original (Fans)
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Keyboard 2000
    Mouse
    Microsoft Optical Mouse 5000
    Internet Speed
    1.3 (350 to 1024 if lucky)
    Browser
    Firefox 19.1
    Antivirus
    MSE-Defender
Wow, really, four months and it's over?
Pretty much so. A worse start than Vista speaks for itself. This 'thing' can only be salvaged with drastic measures.

Two members of my family bought new laptops last week - and they got Windows 7 upon request.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Vista and Win7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    2xHP, 2xGateway, 1xDell, 1xSony
    Hard Drives
    5 SSDs and 12 HDs
Wow, really, four months and it's over?
Pretty much so. A worse start than Vista speaks for itself. This 'thing' can only be salvaged with drastic measures.

Two members of my family bought new laptops last week - and they got Windows 7 upon request.

Why would they need drastic measures? Two more notches to Microsoft. You didn't buy ipads and went Wintel.. thats a win for them. Not only do they get your money for the license of 7 now, but whenever you go to upgrade sometime in the future(probably a long while from now and maybe Windows 9?), they'll get you again.

As long as you stay in the cabal, it doesn't matter which device you go.. they'll hit you again eventually.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 on the desktop, Windows 8 Surface Pro mobile
The only problem with Windows 8, is that lots of people dont learn to use it. If you want to boot directly to the desktop, it is very easy to fix that. If you want the start meny back, there are several versions to choose from. But the fact is that lots of things work better and faster with Metro. One month into Windows 8, on two laptops, it is the most effective and enjoyable I have had on any computer or OS.

This is pretty much true.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    AMD FX 8320
    Motherboard
    Crosshair V Formula-Z
    Memory
    16 gig DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS R9 270
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
    PSU
    OCZ 500 watt
    Case
    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Touch Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
Wow, really, four months and it's over?
Pretty much so. A worse start than Vista speaks for itself. This 'thing' can only be salvaged with drastic measures.

Two members of my family bought new laptops last week - and they got Windows 7 upon request.

Wow, two family members went back to 7, now THAT'S a true indicator of how 8 is doing...
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    AMD FX 8320
    Motherboard
    Crosshair V Formula-Z
    Memory
    16 gig DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS R9 270
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
    PSU
    OCZ 500 watt
    Case
    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Touch Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
Wow, really, four months and it's over?
Pretty much so. A worse start than Vista speaks for itself. This 'thing' can only be salvaged with drastic measures.

Two members of my family bought new laptops last week - and they got Windows 7 upon request.

Wow, two family members went back to 7, now THAT'S a true indicator of how 8 is doing...

My understanding of his sentence was that they bought the laptops with windows 7 installed, instead of 8 at the time of purchase.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 on the desktop, Windows 8 Surface Pro mobile
Indeed. They chose an older OS instead of the newest/latest. I saw that as the point. People were itching to get Seven. Not so with Eight. A Guy
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Home x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    INTEL Core i5-750
    Motherboard
    ASUS P7P55D
    Memory
    KINGSTON HyperX Fury Black Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 1866Mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GTX750
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG 27MP33HQ 32" IPS LED
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 840 Evo 120 GB, 2 x SEAGATE 500GB Barracuda® 7200.12, SATA 3 Gb/s, 7200 RPM, 16MB cache
    PSU
    ANTEC TruePower New TP-550, 80 PLUS®, 550W
    Case
    ANTEC Three Hundred Illusion
    Cooling
    COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus, 3 x 120mm 1 x 140mm Case
    Internet Speed
    20 + Mbps
    Browser
    Vivaldi
    Antivirus
    Avast
The only problem with Windows 8, is that lots of people dont learn to use it. If you want to boot directly to the desktop, it is very easy to fix that. If you want the start meny back, there are several versions to choose from. But the fact is that lots of things work better and faster with Metro. One month into Windows 8, on two laptops, it is the most effective and enjoyable I have had on any computer or OS.

This is pretty much true.


Unfortunately for you guys saying that over and over makes it no more true than before.

If all you got is "you just have not given it a chance yet", then you have missed the point entirely. . Again, the fact that you don't see it doesn't make it any less so.

That people are not jumping on the W8 bandwagon is a little more than obvious at this point. MS can ignore it and plod along if they wish or they can admit mistakes were made and address them.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W7
Wow, really, four months and it's over?
Pretty much so. A worse start than Vista speaks for itself. This 'thing' can only be salvaged with drastic measures.

Two members of my family bought new laptops last week - and they got Windows 7 upon request.

Wow, two family members went back to 7, now THAT'S a true indicator of how 8 is doing...

Hi there
that doesn't actually say anything by itself -- You need to specify these extra variables : HOW many family members , How many family members have computers, and therefore by simple computation how many stayed with W8 -- if you have a large family where say 9 people have computers and only 2 went back then that's not bad -- if 2 out of 3 then that isn't so good --but if YOU like W8 and your family members didn't then "try brushing up on your teaching skills". !!!


I did a downgrade for someone recently -- and I have to say after using W8 that W7 computer run like Thick Treacle.

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 have no issue with anyone who thinks Eight is great. People like what they like. But it doesn't mean their opinion is the universal one. However, I have seen more and more Eight users posting that they are really liking it once they have been using it for a while. A Guy
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Home x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    INTEL Core i5-750
    Motherboard
    ASUS P7P55D
    Memory
    KINGSTON HyperX Fury Black Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 1866Mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GTX750
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG 27MP33HQ 32" IPS LED
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 840 Evo 120 GB, 2 x SEAGATE 500GB Barracuda® 7200.12, SATA 3 Gb/s, 7200 RPM, 16MB cache
    PSU
    ANTEC TruePower New TP-550, 80 PLUS®, 550W
    Case
    ANTEC Three Hundred Illusion
    Cooling
    COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus, 3 x 120mm 1 x 140mm Case
    Internet Speed
    20 + Mbps
    Browser
    Vivaldi
    Antivirus
    Avast
The only problem with Windows 8, is that lots of people dont learn to use it. If you want to boot directly to the desktop, it is very easy to fix that. If you want the start meny back, there are several versions to choose from. But the fact is that lots of things work better and faster with Metro. One month into Windows 8, on two laptops, it is the most effective and enjoyable I have had on any computer or OS.

This is pretty much true.


Unfortunately for you guys saying that over and over makes it no more true than before.

If all you got is "you just have not given it a chance yet", then you have missed the point entirely. . Again, the fact that you don't see it doesn't make it any less so.

That people are not jumping on the W8 bandwagon is a little more than obvious at this point. MS can ignore it and plod along if they wish or they can admit mistakes were made and address them.

Like it honestly matters, now that they're moving 400K Surface Pro in their first month? In short order, the SP is going to have enough profit to paper over any short-term issues with windows 8 acceptance, RT going belly up, etc. If SP pulls a million sold in somewhere in the 2-3 month mark, Ballmer is going to be doing backflips.

Thats a minimum billion dollars in revenue, with well over half of it being pure profit in under a quarter, with a lot of market space to grow. Especially given they're only in two markets with the device atm. There is also a good chance those other territories are simply going to wait for the SP, rather than give the OEM's the time of day.

I know you guys cream your pants over Apple's numbers, but they deal in a sub-$500 price-point market. The profit MS makes on each Surface Pro is almost guaranteed to be more than the price an iPad even sells for.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 on the desktop, Windows 8 Surface Pro mobile
I use 8 strictly in desktop mode.
No hot pockets.
No charms bracelets.
No metro nonsense.

Start button and start menu in their proper place.
I even have the taskbar from XP....
 

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
Wow, really, four months and it's over?
Pretty much so. A worse start than Vista speaks for itself. This 'thing' can only be salvaged with drastic measures.

Two members of my family bought new laptops last week - and they got Windows 7 upon request.

Wow, two family members went back to 7, now THAT'S a true indicator of how 8 is doing...

As far as recent PC purchases in my family is concerned, that's 100%.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Vista and Win7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    2xHP, 2xGateway, 1xDell, 1xSony
    Hard Drives
    5 SSDs and 12 HDs
Back
Top