Citi: Windows 8.1 Won’t Save Microsoft

Microsoft will unveil the Preview version of Windows 8.1 in just a couple of weeks, while the stable build is very likely to see daylight in August.

And even though the tech company has significantly improved specific features, the new operating system is highly unlikely to save the collapsing PC industry and, consequently, Microsoft.

A research conducted by Citi and published by Win8China indicates that new PC sales will continue to go down after the new Windows 8.1 has been released, especially because the upcoming Windows 8 makeover is expected to experience a rather slow uptake.

Tablet sales, on the other hand, are very likely to skyrocket in the next couple of months, with 237 million units expected to be sold, up from 144 million last year.

Citi: Windows 8.1 Won?t Save Microsoft
 
The deliberate burial of SAFE MODE in Windows 8 makes it almost impossible for standard users to get free help in repairing minor problems that only look catastrophic and secure their precious data from RESET RESTORE REFRESH.

I dont know of anyone who would rather save their operating system over their data!

People would rather their pc/laptop smoke and catch fire as long as their data is safe..

Come on MS, listen to what WE want , and not what YOU want us to accept..
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 & Windows 7 Dual Boot
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP G60
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    AMD Turion RM-70 Dual Core 2.0 GHZ
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    3 GB
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    1366 x 768
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    MS Intellipoint 5 button (love it!)
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    Chrome and Chromium
    Antivirus
    Avast Free & Malwarebytes
The deliberate burial of SAFE MODE in Windows 8 makes it almost impossible for standard users to get free help in repairing minor problems that only look catastrophic and secure their precious data from RESET RESTORE REFRESH.

I dont know of anyone who would rather save their operating system over their data!

People would rather their pc/laptop smoke and catch fire as long as their data is safe..

Come on MS, listen to what WE want , and not what YOU want us to accept..


Well said....

WTF Microsoft?

It almost seems if MS WANTS to destroy the PC market. Do they?

The three most important things MS NEEDS to do with Windows 8.1

1) Boot directly to desktop as default selection (DONE!)

2) Return TRADITIONAL START MENU along with TRADITIONAL START BUTTON in the DESKTOP mode.

3) Return the FULL F8 safe mode facility functionality to at least the desktop mode.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win 7 home premium 64 bit
AND...

4) Reinstate Aero in full.


Wenda.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 'Ultimate' RTM 64 bit (Pro/WMC).
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer AS8951G 'Desktop Replacement'.
    CPU
    i7-2670QM@2.2/3.1Ghz.
    Motherboard
    Acer
    Memory
    8GB@1366Mhz.
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce GT555M 2GB DDR3
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD w/Dolby 5.1 surround.
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Built-in. Non-touch.
    Screen Resolution
    18/4" 1920x1080 full-HD.
    Hard Drives
    Toshiba 750GBx2 internal. 1x2TB, 2x640GB, 1x500GB external.
    PSU
    Stock.
    Case
    Laptop.
    Cooling
    Stock.
    Keyboard
    Full 101-key
    Mouse
    USB cordless.
    Browser
    IE11, Firefox, Tor.
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, MalwareBytes Pro.
    Other Info
    BD-ROM drive.
AND...

4) Reinstate Aero in full.


Wenda.

Aero is optional I don't really miss it as much as start menu.. aero does not effect my work speed or comfort that much.. but start menu does and so does desktop that's why I use start is back to get my windows 7 start menu.. and boot to desktop.. and disable "hot" corners so I don't see contraption called modern UI.
but it seems that in windows 8.1 MS only returned start button but not menu and option to boot to desktop as afterthought.. they concentrated most of development on modern UI that so many hate.

lately I wonder why MS tries to kill pc where it has dominant market (pc market maybe shrinking a bit, but its still large and pc isn't going to die anytime soon).. because mobile and tablet marked already has leaders and that is not MS... MS will have hard time to make any break to make dent in "cheap" android and "prestige" ios dominated marked.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 uiltimate, Windows 8.1 pro 64bit, Windows server 2008R2, Windows 10 TP
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Microsoft will unveil the Preview version of Windows 8.1 in just a couple of weeks, while the stable build is very likely to see daylight in August.

And even though the tech company has significantly improved specific features, the new operating system is highly unlikely to save the collapsing PC industry and, consequently, Microsoft.

A research conducted by Citi and published by Win8China indicates that new PC sales will continue to go down after the new Windows 8.1 has been released, especially because the upcoming Windows 8 makeover is expected to experience a rather slow uptake.

Tablet sales, on the other hand, are very likely to skyrocket in the next couple of months, with 237 million units expected to be sold, up from 144 million last year.

Citi: Windows 8.1 Won?t Save Microsoft

Hi there
The only possible response to this is "Little Round Objects" if you know what I mean -- for those that haven't a clue just look up the Last name of the Opposition Finance Minister for the UK (Chancellor of the Exchequer as I think it's rather more poshly titled).

Ms does a HUGE more load of things than just Windows these days - for example I'll bet a load of people on this Forum probably don't realize how much Ms is involved in robotics for example.

If you think Ms is in trouble just plot the Market price of the stock lately --it's at or around a 52 week high --even in a falling market whereas The Fruit Company's stock is at the opposite end of the spectrum and is 50% down (almost) on its high last November.

As for XBOX vs the SONY -- two different devices - Sony is for basically just gaming whilst the XBOX can be used for so much more -- although the UK price compared with the US price when you look at the exchange rate (around 1.55 USD for 1 GBP) seems extortionate.

Cheers
jimbo
 

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    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)
Safe Mode

The deliberate burial of SAFE MODE in Windows 8 makes it almost impossible for standard users to get free help in repairing minor problems that only look catastrophic and secure their precious data from RESET RESTORE REFRESH.

I posted about this before in the Forum. (Safe Mode)

If you go here :

WinAero: Boot UI Tuner

& download Boot UI Tuner & enable Advanced options, Every time you reboot/restart a window will appear with the option to boot into Safe Mode. (# 4 in the list )

2 pictures :


Untitled.png


Untitled2.png


If you don't want to use any of the options listed, press Enter to continue booting in regular startup.

I think an Administrator should make a tutorial on using the program.
It would help a lot of people. :)
 

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
Return DVD Maker to it's former glory....as I used to rely on that a awful lot when I was using Windows 7 a couple of weeks ago....bit due to something beyond my control I had to buy a new laptop which all now come with Windows 8....it is a nice OS....but disappointed with a couple of things....I really hope they listen to what we want and Not force it on us to what they want us to have!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavillion 500-326na
    CPU
    AMD A18 Quad Core Elite
    Motherboard
    Unknown at present
    Memory
    6GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 8570D + 7 40 Dual Graphics
    Sound Card
    DTS 7.1
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung
    Screen Resolution
    1360X768
    Hard Drives
    1TB
    PSU
    250W
    Case
    ATX Mini
    Cooling
    CPU & PSU
    Keyboard
    HP Classic
    Mouse
    Razer Naga Molten
    Internet Speed
    152MB Cable
    Browser
    Internet Explorer
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Return DVD Maker to it's former glory....as I used to rely on that a awful lot when I was using Windows 7 a couple of weeks ago....bit due to something beyond my control I had to buy a new laptop which all now come with Windows 8....it is a nice OS....but disappointed with a couple of things....I really hope they listen to what we want and Not force it on us to what they want us to have!

Hi there
Some people don't want the OS to be loaded with all sorts of things like DVD maker - especially as the DVD is dying faster than a snow flake would melt in the Sahara Desert.

There are a load of apps around that can do this (some free).

I'm one of those who subscribe to the theory that the OS should provide the basic OS and everything else is up to the user as to what they load on their machines. Lean and Mean is how I want my OS to stay.

The only exceptions here are built in security (which W8 has and it's quite good) and a decent backup system (which although better than W7 is still not good or robust enough).

People also use Multi-media totally differently - so what one person uses isn't what another one likes -- the best philosophy is provide a decent OS and then it's up to the users what to install on it.

Cheers
jimbo
 

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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)
The deliberate burial of SAFE MODE in Windows 8 makes it almost impossible for standard users to get free help in repairing minor problems that only look catastrophic and secure their precious data from RESET RESTORE REFRESH.

I posted about this before in the Forum. (Safe Mode)



If you go here :

WinAero: Boot UI Tuner

& download Boot UI Tuner & enable Advanced options, Every time you reboot/restart a window will appear with the option to boot into Safe Mode. (# 4 in the list )

2 pictures :


View attachment 22932


View attachment 22933


If you don't want to use any of the options listed, press Enter to continue booting in regular startup.

I think an Administrator should make a tutorial on using the program.
It would help a lot of people. :)

I just have to say, as cool as this creation is, I sure am getting more and more tired of seeing the user base have to revert to 3rd party applications to restore features that should have been a part of the initial OS. I will say it again... Everyone would be super happy now had they kept all the old features, and just added the new. People would have been thrilled. I believe that 8.1 is going to improve the OS, and in some ways make it more usable. That said, I am not confident that it will remove the rotten taste MS has left in many user's mouth with the initial release. We need more options not less. We need more choice. Even though people are physically mostly built the same, we are very different when it comes to who we actually are. I still run Windows as my primary OS, simply because there still is not viable option for what I do. The day a contender steps into the game that offers a viable option, I am more than willing to jump ship at this point, if only to, in my own small way, teach those m$#@f#$%ers a bit of a lesson. I am an individual, and I will not part of the herd, stuck blindly walking into the coral.

Unfortunately, there is still no viable option for what I do, so for this week again I am forced to 'moo'.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro 64 Bit
    CPU
    Processor AMD Athlon(tm) II X4 635 Processor, 2800 Mhz, 4 Core(s), 4 Logical Processor(s)
    Memory
    8gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GTX 460
I wholeheartedly agree with all the suggested restore items that have been listed.

However, back to reality, I've been using W8 now for about 4 or 5 months and the only third party app is StartIsBack, with Modern and charms turned off totally. And it runs very well, with only a few minor annoying glitches. Have also imported W7 games.

Safe mode is always useful to have, but with all data stored on either, or both, a second internal SSD HD; eSATA HD or USB3 external HD ... coupled with an Acronis backup image of the OS. Even if the whole OS is zapped, it's a 12 minute job to restore the whole OS with all third party stuff. And another 10 mins to restore all data.

Whenever I repair/reinstall a PC for someone, I always first save their User folder and AppData to an external media. After restore I do an Acronis image of their OS without personal data, which I restore at the end.

However, it never ceases to amaze me how reluctant people are to invest a few $$$ in an external USB or eSATA HD, and regularly update their backed up personal data to the external media. Or if that's too much effort, at least put it into cloud storage. With cloud storage I'm talking about stuff like photos, emails, etc ... not high security stuff.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Ult Reatil & Win 8 Pro OEM
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Built as DIY
    CPU
    6 core 12 thread & 4 core
    Motherboard
    Inel Extreme & Intel standard
    Memory
    12GB & 8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    3 top end SLI linked & onboard
    Sound Card
    In built in graphics card & onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    24 & 23 inch Samsung LED backlit
    Screen Resolution
    High def
    Hard Drives
    Corsair Force 128GB SATA3 SSDs in each machine. Plus several external USB3 and eSATA spinner HDs
You can still get into safe mode without relying on thirdparty apps. Just open the RUN command and type in MSCONFIG. When the box opensclick on the BOOT tab and then check SAFE BOOT. It will then boot into safemode. But you have to be sure to change it back because it will continue toboot into safe mode until you change it back.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion g7-120us Notebook
    Memory
    8 GIG
Thanks Frank. That's a useful piece of information that saves a lot of messing around. :thumb:
 

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  • OS
    Windows 7 Ult Reatil & Win 8 Pro OEM
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Built as DIY
    CPU
    6 core 12 thread & 4 core
    Motherboard
    Inel Extreme & Intel standard
    Memory
    12GB & 8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    3 top end SLI linked & onboard
    Sound Card
    In built in graphics card & onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    24 & 23 inch Samsung LED backlit
    Screen Resolution
    High def
    Hard Drives
    Corsair Force 128GB SATA3 SSDs in each machine. Plus several external USB3 and eSATA spinner HDs
Not a lot of help if you can't get to the RUN command in the first place.


Wenda.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 'Ultimate' RTM 64 bit (Pro/WMC).
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer AS8951G 'Desktop Replacement'.
    CPU
    i7-2670QM@2.2/3.1Ghz.
    Motherboard
    Acer
    Memory
    8GB@1366Mhz.
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce GT555M 2GB DDR3
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD w/Dolby 5.1 surround.
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Built-in. Non-touch.
    Screen Resolution
    18/4" 1920x1080 full-HD.
    Hard Drives
    Toshiba 750GBx2 internal. 1x2TB, 2x640GB, 1x500GB external.
    PSU
    Stock.
    Case
    Laptop.
    Cooling
    Stock.
    Keyboard
    Full 101-key
    Mouse
    USB cordless.
    Browser
    IE11, Firefox, Tor.
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, MalwareBytes Pro.
    Other Info
    BD-ROM drive.
Not a lot of help if you can't get to the RUN command in the first place.


Wenda.
You can't get the RUN command? Just get on the Start pageand hit the letter "R". You will see a few icons that start with theletter "R". Click on the one that says "Run"
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion g7-120us Notebook
    Memory
    8 GIG
I have been reading all the pros and cons of Windows 8 and I guess I will have to throw in my 2 cents. I have been fortunate in being able to acquire a new laptop, an Asus K55n, the clerk at Best Buy said it was so new at the time they hadn't put it on display. Prior, I had an Acer A0720 that dual booted Windows 7 and 8 Pro. Now it's in my wife's possession minus Windows 8. I took that license key and upgraded the Windows 8 that came with this laptop to Windows 8 Pro.
Now, I do like Windows 8 but I have Start8 and Modern Mix installed here because most of my programs, like Office 2007, I obtained when I had Windows 7. Start8, you know what it does, and Modern Mix I like for one thing it gives me Win7 style closing. And it it mixes well with Windows 8. Windows 8, I use mainly as a dashboard, so I am able to see my information at a glance, such as mail, weather, news, etc. Now the key word here is money.
I can't afford to upgrade my programs and I would like a Windows 8 tablet, etc. but it's not in the picture yet. I believe this to be the case for a lot of people. You talk about PC sales, well believe it or not the economy is not that good. I can see someone wanting a new PC but just can't afford it. You hear about cheap tablets, pushed to be like a PC , and suddenly they don't look to be so bad. Now remember we are talking about the population in general and these are the kinds of decisions they have to make. Sure, it's cheap and it looks like it will do what I need. It's not that they don't want the PC, it's plain economics. And of course the people that have a working PC, wanting to upgrade, but just can't.
Anyway, I have to say Windows 8 works without any problems on my PC. I use it mainly for Office tasks for work and I do some light programming. Of course the usual email, not Facebook, but I do use Twitter. I have adapted it for my needs. Your mileage may vary. I haven't seen anything in desktop mode that I couldn't do in Windows 7.
What I want to see is more of the help attitude that you usually see in forums.
 

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System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus K55n DS81
    CPU
    Amd A8 4500M
    Memory
    4gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon HD
    Hard Drives
    500GB
    Browser
    Inernet Explorer 11 Chrome
Not a lot of help if you can't get to the RUN command in the first place.


Wenda.
You can't get the RUN command? Just get on the Start pageand hit the letter "R". You will see a few icons that start with theletter "R". Click on the one that says "Run"



And if the OS won't boot?

If you can't start the OS, you can't access the RUN command.

Yes, there are hacks and 3rd-party programs.

But something so basic as Safe Mode should have been left alone.


Wenda.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 'Ultimate' RTM 64 bit (Pro/WMC).
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer AS8951G 'Desktop Replacement'.
    CPU
    i7-2670QM@2.2/3.1Ghz.
    Motherboard
    Acer
    Memory
    8GB@1366Mhz.
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce GT555M 2GB DDR3
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD w/Dolby 5.1 surround.
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Built-in. Non-touch.
    Screen Resolution
    18/4" 1920x1080 full-HD.
    Hard Drives
    Toshiba 750GBx2 internal. 1x2TB, 2x640GB, 1x500GB external.
    PSU
    Stock.
    Case
    Laptop.
    Cooling
    Stock.
    Keyboard
    Full 101-key
    Mouse
    USB cordless.
    Browser
    IE11, Firefox, Tor.
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, MalwareBytes Pro.
    Other Info
    BD-ROM drive.
The three most important things MS NEEDS to do with Windows 8.1

1) Boot directly to desktop as default selection (DONE!)

2) Return TRADITIONAL START MENU along with TRADITIONAL START BUTTON in the DESKTOP mode.

3) Return the FULL F8 safe mode facility functionality to at least the desktop mode.

4) Restore Aero Glass effects.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Ultimate X64
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Made
    CPU
    Intel I7-3770K running @ OC 4.6ghz
    Motherboard
    ASRock Extreme6 Z77
    Memory
    32GB G-Skill CL10Q @ 2400
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GTX670 SC 4gb
    Sound Card
    Creative XFI Fataility Platinum
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG 27" x 2 E2742-BV
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    OCZ Vertex 4 256GB (OS) SATA 3
    1TB WD1000EARX SATA 3 Data
    WD15EADS 1.5TB
    PSU
    Corsair HX650 Silver Professional Series
    Case
    HAF 932 ADV
    Cooling
    Corair H100 liquid cooler
    Keyboard
    Logitech G110 Gamer keyboard
    Mouse
    Razor Mamba
    Internet Speed
    ADSL 2+ 20.0mbps
    Other Info
    Gigabit infrastructure; Cabling, switches; DSL2750B Modem/Router All PCs connect to Windows 2008 R2 server for website, coldfusion, SQL, Firebird and media sharing & WSUS
Not a lot of help if you can't get to the RUN command in the first place.


Wenda.
You can't get the RUN command? Just get on the Start pageand hit the letter "R". You will see a few icons that start with theletter "R". Click on the one that says "Run"


And if the OS won't boot?

If you can't start the OS, you can't access the RUN command.

Yes, there are hacks and 3rd-party programs.

But something so basic as Safe Mode should have been left alone.


Wenda.
You have a good point there, Wenda. If it won't boot you certainly can't get to the run command.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion g7-120us Notebook
    Memory
    8 GIG

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8 Pro 64 bit
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo ideapad Y560p
    CPU
    i7-2630QM
    Motherboard
    Lenovo
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    HD 6570M
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Laptop LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    2x1TB, 6TB External
    PSU
    120W 19.5V brick
    Case
    Standard plastic with an ideapad logo
    Cooling
    A nice fan
    Keyboard
    Microsoft
    Mouse
    Mitsai
    Internet Speed
    DSL
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Avast 8
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