One in Three Windows 8 Users Downgrade to Windows 7

Windows 8 has often been criticized for the changes it brings to the OS market, especially because it pushes all users towards a touch-based experience, so adoption remains low almost 9 months after launch.

Statistics provided by Net Applications show that Windows 8 is currently installed on 5.40 percent of computers worldwide, while Windows XP, the ancient operating system that’ll be soon retired, is still powering 37.19 percent of the machines across the globe.

According to Microsoft watcher Paul Thurrott of WinSuperSite.com, there are approximately 88.5 million Windows 8 users out there, based on Microsoft’s estimates that 1.5 billion of the PCs are now running its own operating system.


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The 50-million difference between these two estimates is most likely represented by Windows 8 adopters who decided to go back to Windows 7, Thurrott writes, which means that 1 in 3 users of Microsoft’s new OS downgraded to the previous Windows release.
One in Three Windows 8 Users Downgrade to Windows 7
 
I haven't downgraded a PC that shipped with Windows 8, but I have tried 8 on a couple of PC's and rolled them back to Windows 7. I have seen posts where people are looking for help to replace 8 with 7. Here and on 7 Forums. I can't blame them really. If you don't like it you don't like it. Some just get utterly frustrated and raise the white flag.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
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    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
I imagine there are a lot of corporate customers who buy lots of PCs but haven't yet decided to switch their infrastructure to Windows 8.

But that slow pace of change would be true even if Windows 8 was the most wonderful operating system ever.

My work laptop is fairly modern (i3 processor), and has a Windows 7 sticker on it. However it's been downgraded to run XP (because that's the corporate standard), even though few would argue against 7 being significantly better than XP.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1, 10
Courage to the one in three users

And hopefully they all get it running properly...

Just imagine: One in three users downgrade to Win7 and then again one in three from those (one in three) users get it installed properly.

Because of UEFI restrictions, BIOS problems + locked settings, boot problems and driver issues...
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy DV6 7250
    CPU
    Intel i7-3630QM
    Motherboard
    HP, Intel HM77 Express Chipset
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD4000 + Nvidia Geforce 630M
    Sound Card
    IDT HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6' built-in + Samsung S22D300 + 17.3' LG Phillips
    Screen Resolution
    multiple resolutions
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 250GB + Hitachi HDD 750GB
    PSU
    120W adapter
    Case
    small
    Cooling
    laptop cooling pad
    Keyboard
    Backlit built-in + big one in USB
    Mouse
    SteelSeries Sensei
    Internet Speed
    slow and steady
    Browser
    Chromium, Pale Moon, Firefox Developer Edition
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    That's basically it.
@ Hopachi, if you have something really new it can be a problem. If the manufacturer doesn't offer Windows 7 drivers you'll be hoping everything works and you won't have to go hunting for a driver. And like you said UEFI could be a problem. Not mention the added expense if you don't already have an Extra Windows 7 licence to use. The two laptops I have just recently bought came with 8 core so no downgrade rights from the manufacturer. You need 8 Pro for that. I was thinking I might have to put 7 on my wife's laptop but all she does is Facebook so all she has to do is click the one tile for IE. I replaced the Metro IE tile with a Desktop IE tile and all is good. Her Facebook page is her home page.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
I personally don't mind 8 :) My only issue is the poor compatibility with old Wireless security (WEP) and poor driver support for NICs.

I think MS are stuck in middle because if they didn't have the metro interface people would most likely complain that it's the same as Windows 7 just with more eye candy. Then again I don't think integrating the touch experience was the right way to go about making different :)

Just my opinion,
Josh :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit ; Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 2400 @ 3.10GHz
    Motherboard
    Foxconn H67MP-S/-V/H67MP (CPU 1)
    Memory
    8.0GB DDR3 @ 665MHz (2GBx4)
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 6800 Series (Sapphire/PCPartner)
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    SMB1930NW + AOC 2243W
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900 + 1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    977GB Seagate ST31000524AS ATA Device (SATA)
    250GB WD iSCSI attached drive
    PSU
    750W PSU
    Case
    Novatech Night
    Keyboard
    Dell Standard PS/2 Keyboard
    Mouse
    R.A.T 7 Gaming Mouse
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Other Info
    Optiarc DVD RW AD-5260S ATA Device
Time for a complete change and relax

I have been using MS since Windows 3.1.

In the last year, due to the purchase of a new PC, I began using Windows 7 instead of Windows XP which worked fine until the amount of updates brought the PC to it's knees.

With plenty of hard disk space, I also installed Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 Preview in separate partitions to try out.

With the exception of my Laptop, which I am using to write this thread, I quickly dumped MS in favour of Ubuntu 12.04.

Works far better than any Windows product ever released.

When this Laptop is replaced, I will also implement Ubuntu on a new one.

One happy and contented user.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
I recently bought a 17" laptop, which came with win8. I didn't switch it out for 7, but like about 50% of other people, I eliminated metro completely, using a third party fix to restore a normal desktop environment.(classic shell in my case)

In fact, every single person I know personally has done this.
 

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
In fact, every single person I know personally has done this.
Never thought of this. I know personally around 10 people with Windows 8, and all of them use a start menu replacement. I have never personally seen someone successfully function within the stock windows 8 UI. I had one friend, who apparently tried to use Metro, end up taking the computer back because of windows 8. He got a Mac all in one.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
Microsoft needs two OS' - one for desktops and one for surfaces and phones, similar to Apple. By trying to make them all basically the same they have alienated a lot of the laptop/desktop community. Although surfaces are supposedly the hot thing, there are still many that the desktop/laptop is the PC of choice. Many business' could not properly function with only surface/iPad type units. I have a recording studio and must have a non surface type environment. My recording studio production system is Sonar X2 running on Windows 7 64 bit, however, I have installed it on Win 8 Pro 64 bit for testing and validation (so far everything appears to be working). I have Start8 so I have the conventional desktop.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built
    CPU
    i7 6700K
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VIII Hero
    Memory
    16 Gb G Skill TridentZ DDR4 3400
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel (i7 CPU)
    Sound Card
    RealTek Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    27" Dell SE2717HR
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1080
    Hard Drives
    500GB Samsung 850 SSD, 3TB for backups
    PSU
    EVGA Supernova 750 G2
    Case
    BeQuiet Silent Base 600
    Cooling
    Deepcool Captain 120EX
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    Cable - 100MB Downlink
    Browser
    Edge/Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft
    Other Info
    Sonar Platinum 64 bit recording studio software with MOTU 896Mk3 Hybrid recording interface unit.
Switching from 8 to 7 is a downgrade? There are many who would argue its the opposite. A laptop I purchased 5 years ago came with Vista. I ran XP on it until 7 came out and made the switch. Vista never had a minute of run time.

When Vista came out people joked that keeping XP was an upgrade. In many peoples minds keeping 7 over 8 is an upgrade.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 7 Pro x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Alienware M18xR2
    CPU
    i7 3820qm
    Motherboard
    Alienware / Dell
    Memory
    16gb Corsair ddr3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Dual GTX 675m
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 120gb SSD
    1tb storage drive
    Internet Speed
    Not nearly fast enough
I expect classic shell etc have saved 8 from an even worse fate.

If those 3rd party shell programs didn't exist, the returns of 8 machines would likely be much greater.



In fact, every single person I know personally has done this.
Never thought of this. I know personally around 10 people with Windows 8, and all of them use a start menu replacement. I have never personally seen someone successfully function within the stock windows 8 UI. I had one friend, who apparently tried to use Metro, end up taking the computer back because of windows 8. He got a Mac all in one.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
I expect classic shell etc have saved 8 from an even worse fate.

If those 3rd party shell programs didn't exist, the returns of 8 machines would likely be much greater.



In fact, every single person I know personally has done this.
Never thought of this. I know personally around 10 people with Windows 8, and all of them use a start menu replacement. I have never personally seen someone successfully function within the stock windows 8 UI. I had one friend, who apparently tried to use Metro, end up taking the computer back because of windows 8. He got a Mac all in one.



Hi there
@SIW2 -- your wishes have been answered -- W8 is DEAD and BURIED.

Windows 8.1 is far better and W8 will STOP receiving updates once W8.1 releases to final --and it IS a FREE update.

Still some things wrong with it (especially IE11) but it is in BETA and it IS a 1000% improvement on W8 -- even if only for boot direct to desktop.

W8 probably had the smallest life time of any W8 OS -- even Windows 1.1 or the ill fated Windows/286. Remember that one !!!!.

Anyway you've got your wish -- now go and have a few beers. !!!

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)
There's some W8 "feature" that remains in W8.1 that I don't like, namely, integrating Bing search into the "search charm". While the Bing online search can be customized, such as disabling it; however, the customization does not stop sending the search query and possibly the results to Bing. It's hard to know since the communication is encrypted by TLS version 1.2. Disabling the online search just hides the results from the end user.

I couldn't find a way to remove the online search integration with the search charm, maybe someone else knows how to. The most obvious way to prevent the the online search is not to use the search charm. Alternatively, block access to the DNS name and/or IP on the broadband router, or firewall.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Latitude
    CPU
    Intel i5-3350P (3.1 GHz)
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte
    Memory
    16 GBs
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD7850
    Sound Card
    Built-in to MB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x 24" Dell
    Screen Resolution
    3,840 x1,200
    Hard Drives
    128 GBs, OCZ Vertex, SATA III SSD
    256 GBs Intel SATA III SSD
    3 x Seagate 1 TBs HDD
    PSU
    Antec 750W
    Case
    Antec P185
    Internet Speed
    50 Gb/s
    Browser
    IE11, Firefox22.0
    Antivirus
    Vipre
    Other Info
    Works, most of the times unless Microsoft patches decide otherwise...
Switching from 8 to 7 is a downgrade? There are many who would argue its the opposite. A laptop I purchased 5 years ago came with Vista. I ran XP on it until 7 came out and made the switch. Vista never had a minute of run time.

When Vista came out people joked that keeping XP was an upgrade. In many peoples minds keeping 7 over 8 is an upgrade.
I had Vista on my Dell D630 for for 5-6 years and it wasn't much different from W7 and was not updated. About a month ego W8.1 had replaced Vista and that's what's going to stay on it when the W8.1 RTM is available.

For me, W8.1 will be more suitable for my needs on this laptop and I don't mind the Metro interface at all. Having a Windows 7.5 smartphone probably helps; both the W8.1 and Windows phone 7.5 can easily be customized for my liking.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Latitude
    CPU
    Intel i5-3350P (3.1 GHz)
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte
    Memory
    16 GBs
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD7850
    Sound Card
    Built-in to MB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x 24" Dell
    Screen Resolution
    3,840 x1,200
    Hard Drives
    128 GBs, OCZ Vertex, SATA III SSD
    256 GBs Intel SATA III SSD
    3 x Seagate 1 TBs HDD
    PSU
    Antec 750W
    Case
    Antec P185
    Internet Speed
    50 Gb/s
    Browser
    IE11, Firefox22.0
    Antivirus
    Vipre
    Other Info
    Works, most of the times unless Microsoft patches decide otherwise...
I do not fully understand why new machines shipped with Windows 8 have UEFI. I know its supposed to help protect you from malware but its also a hindrance when installing other operating systems. I also do not understand why very useful features like Safe Boot are harder access on Windows 8.

Not only that, fewer of us people have noticed this but there is no graphical way to create a native adhoc network on Windows 8 or even 8.1. This graphical option still existed when I was using Windows 8 DP. You have to do it the command line way now, a disadvantage for those of us less tech savvy:

How to make Adhoc Network in Windows 8 - YouTube

There has been a few questions asked about that on this forum:

http://www.eightforums.com/network-sharing/25197-ad-hoc-computer-computer-network.html


http://www.eightforums.com/network-...w-create-ad-hoc-network-wifi-windows-8-a.html


And once again you'd have to resort to third party methods such as Connectify, Wifi Hotspot Creator, etc and so far there has been claims that those don't exactly work the way the native Windows adhoc works. When some colleagues of mine, many of which used laptops, boarded an apartment with no Wifi-hotspot last year, they would create these adhoc networks and whoever had broadband Internet would share their connection via adhoc and they also used it heavily for multiplayer games. I do not know if any of the third party alternatives to the native adhoc networking provided this option to play multiplayer games in between the machines joined into the network. They all used Windows 7 except for 3 people who had XP desktops (with no wireless adapters) who can't join the adhoc anyway.

I can't stand they way MS are stripping those native useful features and they better not do those kinds of things again on Windows 8.2 and beyond.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Ultimate, Windows Developer Preview, Linux Mint 9
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built
Hi there
@SIW2 -- your wishes have been answered -- W8 is DEAD and BURIED.

Windows 8.1 is far better and W8 will STOP receiving updates once W8.1 releases to final --and it IS a FREE update.



Cheers
jimbo

No, it's not. It'll be supported for another two years.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
Well it doesn't make much sense to stay on Win8 when the upgrade is free and offers so much more...so yes Win8 should join Vista in the archives of anonymity...

@SIW2 I'll join you for a few beers anytime :)...maybe if we are nice, jimbo will buy each a Brewsky ..:dinesh:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    PC-DOS v1.0
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    IBM
    CPU
    Intel 8088, 4.77MHz
    Memory
    16K, 640K max
    Graphics Card(s)
    What's that?
    Sound Card
    Not quite
    Screen Resolution
    80 X 24 text
    Hard Drives
    dual 160KB 5.25-inch disk drives
Hi there
@SIW2 -- your wishes have been answered -- W8 is DEAD and BURIED.

Windows 8.1 is far better and W8 will STOP receiving updates once W8.1 releases to final --and it IS a FREE update.



Cheers
jimbo

No, it's not. It'll be supported for another two years.
I have a feeling that M$ will be changing the policy on that for Window 8.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win7/8 Mint
    System Manufacturer/Model
    lenovo W530
    CPU
    intell i7
    Motherboard
    Lenovo
    Memory
    16gb
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    512 gb ssd
    Other Info
    Around 13 million employes
I do not fully understand why new machines shipped with Windows 8 have UEFI.

The answer is to take advantage of some new security functions. The manufacturers decide in the end but Win8 can work without UEFI only then you don't get that little extra that everyone advertise.

And I don't understand why they should keep the old BIOS (first made in the 70's) on all our devices...
I know that some don't like UEFI but others DO.

A choice would be nice but UEFI is becoming the new standard so you'll have to get used to it if you buy new computers.

There are ways to enable legacy mode so all older OSes are possible to be installed. It's just a question if you can get all the hardware drivers found and installed if the OS is not designed for the (too new) machine...

Also UEFI is supported by Linuxes like Ubuntu 12.04.2 and higher and Vista and Win7.

UEFI is made to take advantage of x64 architecture otherwise why do we buy machines with more than 4GB of ram anyway... At the moment the old BIOS still exists even as a part in the new UEFI called legacy mode.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy DV6 7250
    CPU
    Intel i7-3630QM
    Motherboard
    HP, Intel HM77 Express Chipset
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD4000 + Nvidia Geforce 630M
    Sound Card
    IDT HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6' built-in + Samsung S22D300 + 17.3' LG Phillips
    Screen Resolution
    multiple resolutions
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 250GB + Hitachi HDD 750GB
    PSU
    120W adapter
    Case
    small
    Cooling
    laptop cooling pad
    Keyboard
    Backlit built-in + big one in USB
    Mouse
    SteelSeries Sensei
    Internet Speed
    slow and steady
    Browser
    Chromium, Pale Moon, Firefox Developer Edition
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    That's basically it.
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