Dear readers: How would you change or improve Windows 8?

[h=1]
Dear readers: How would you change or improve Windows 8?[/h] Summary: Criticize or evangelize: some love it but many hate it: Windows 8. Dear readers, what changes would you make before you are swayed into buying Microsoft's latest offering?

By Zack Whittaker for Between the Lines
August 23, 2012 -- 12:28 GMT (05:28 PDT)


Windows 8 has been called many things: a "design disaster," an "unmitigated disaster," and even been likened to Vista, which is perhaps a little harsh. That said, it has also dubbed a "fresh start" for Microsoft.

The code is final, the hardware and computer makers have the finalized software, and ordinary users and enterprise customers will receive the updated Microsoft operating system later this year in October.


Yet many customers are wary over purchasing licenses or upgrading to Windows 8 in fear that the new interface is too confusing. That's the crux of the matter: people like to know where things are and on the most part do not like radical change.


In one real-life, hands-on demonstration of the barriers faced by ordinary users, Chris Pirillo sat his father down at a fresh install of the Windows 8 Consumer Preview (which has since been released to manufacturing albeit with a pretty weak 'tutorial') and left him to his own devices. It's painful to watch, but it rounds-up exactly how many feel about the design of the new operating system.

more
 
The video was hilarious, awkward, and like the quote, painful to watch.
It was an unfair test case - my mother could not identify what a mouse is.
She has no idea what LCD means. My father has a problem with left and right clicks.
Is their vision impaired? Do they have arthritis?
Neither know what a WinKey is. It was funny when he said, "where's the thing with all the square blocks"
"There's supposed to be a menu or something in the corner over there !" LOL
It was a chuckle. Do the same with a 23 year old... or a 14 year old, or a 39 year old...
Some people need a few kind hints to get going. It was a funny though ... LOL
Where is this thread going?
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Server 2012 / 8.0
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built
    CPU
    Intel i7 QuadCore 3770k
    Motherboard
    Asrock Extreme 4
    Memory
    16GB Crucial Ballistix
    Graphics Card(s)
    intel embedded gpu
    Sound Card
    Sound Blaster Z
    Monitor(s) Displays
    AOC / Westinghouse
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Plextor pcie msata
    PSU
    Rosewill Silent Night 500W Fanless / PicoPSU
    Case
    open bench - no case enclosure
    Cooling
    Silverstone HEO2 Passive Silent
    Keyboard
    logitech washable K310
    Mouse
    logitech wired
    Browser
    ie / maxthon
    Other Info
    Totally silent. No fans at all.
And even after Chris' father struggled with Windows 8, in the end when asked if he would buy a Windows 8 tablet he said if it was the same price as the iPad he would. Reason being he knows he'd be able to access Excel and do things with Windows that he's accustomed to, and can't do on the iPad, once he learned the new interface.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7, Windows 8 RP
I've seen a few of these videos and every time I watch them, I always want to say to the people in the video, "You almost friggin' had it!!!!"

But if I were asked what to make Windows 8 better...

Windows-Explorer.jpg

It would have to be a more metroized and modernly designed Desktop with ALL the Aero iconography removed and replaced with neater metro styled icons like Office 2013 has. Also, I would add the luscious and so uber smooth UI feel of Office 2013 into the Desktop. I'd also want Control Panel redesigned to look more like PC Settings so it's simple and clean looking. I'm asking for every vestige of vista gone for good.

If Microsoft added more of the metro style in the Desktop, I'd think it would be more of a hit, at least for me! :p
 

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
Get a 0.357 magnum and put it out of it's misery? :D
 

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

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro x64
    CPU
    AMD Phenom X4 9550
    Motherboard
    Asus M3N78 SE
    Memory
    4GB Kingston DDR2 800MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD 4670
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Philips 226V
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    WD 320 GB x2
    Internet Speed
    8 Mbit/s
Simple. Integrate Metro with the desktop.

1) Allow metro apps to run full screen or windowed, movable, resizable on the desktop as the user wishes.
2) Make Metro start screen run in either full screen or windowed mode as the user wishes.
3) Put back the start menu for the desktop.

This way people can use only metro or only the desktop OR a nice and unrestrained combination of the two.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7/8
I've seen a few of these videos and every time I watch them, I always want to say to the people in the video, "You almost friggin' had it!!!!"

But if I were asked what to make Windows 8 better...

View attachment 8079

It would have to be a more metroized and modernly designed Desktop with ALL the Aero iconography removed and replaced with neater metro styled icons like Office 2013 has. Also, I would add the luscious and so uber smooth UI feel of Office 2013 into the Desktop. I'd also want Control Panel redesigned to look more like PC Settings so it's simple and clean looking. I'm asking for every vestige of vista gone for good.

If Microsoft added more of the metro style in the Desktop, I'd think it would be more of a hit, at least for me! :p

I got to hand it to you: this looks good!

Better than the hybrid look + old icons of the RTM.

How / where did you get that look in Explorer?
 

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.
Concur with FSeal.

1. Direct boot to desk top to by-pass Metro
2. Legacy start menu.

Given that I'd be first in the queue to buy it.
 

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
And even after Chris' father struggled with Windows 8, in the end when asked if he would buy a Windows 8 tablet he said if it was the same price as the iPad he would.

A lot of Metro haters (me included) would agree. That's the point - the problem with 8 isn't tablets.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Black Label 7x64
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X6 1055t
    Motherboard
    GA-890FXA-UD5
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon HD 6790
    Sound Card
    X-FI Titanium Fatal1ty Pro
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer AJ15
    Screen Resolution
    1600x900
    Hard Drives
    Barracuda 7200 SATA 280GB
    WD Caviar Green SATA 500GB
    PSU
    OCZ ModXStream 700W
    Internet Speed
    25 Mbps/25 Mbps
Metro, I can live with.

But I want my Aero back!

I hate the flat, plain, no-transparency look.

**Sits in corner and sulks**
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Enterprise 64-bit (7 Ult, Vista & XP in V-Box)
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire Ethos AS8951G 'Super-Laptop'.
    CPU
    Intel Sandy-Bridge i7-2670QM quad-core
    Motherboard
    Acer
    Memory
    8GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel 3000HD / Ge-Force GT555M 2 gigs
    Sound Card
    Realtek/5.1 Dolby built-in including speakers.
    Monitor(s) Displays
    18.4" full-HD
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1024
    Hard Drives
    2x750GB Toshiba internal, 1x500GB Seagate external, 1x2TB Seagate external, 1x640GB Toshiba pocket-drive, 1x640GB Samsung pocket drive.
    PSU
    Stock
    Case
    Laptop
    Cooling
    Air-cooled
    Mouse
    I/R cordless.
    Internet Speed
    Borderline pathetic.
And even after Chris' father struggled with Windows 8, in the end when asked if he would buy a Windows 8 tablet he said if it was the same price as the iPad he would.

A lot of Metro haters (me included) would agree. That's the point - the problem with 8 isn't tablets.

Well in a sense it is. W8 offers a Tablet PC type touchscreen gui as a desktop OS which will simply baffle any novice user as well as trip the advanced while the advanced will put more effort in to find out where things are.

The best of that report is summed up in one paragraph.

Yet many customers are wary over purchasing licenses or upgrading to Windows 8 in fear that the new interface is too confusing. That's the crux of the matter: people like to know where things are and on the most part do not like radical change.

The link leading off from that one to another blog makes the MS tutorial for 8 into a joke!

Imagine my surprise when I first booted up the final Windows 8 code onto a system to find that the tutorial led with this:

22-08-2012-16-44-32.jpg
22-08-2012-10-34-56.jpg


That's it. No explanation of where the Start Menu has gone and what replaces it, no tips on using the new Start Screen, and no tips on using Metro -- sorry, I mean Windows 8 style apps.


"Move your mouse into any corner". That's it.


That was from the report seen at The Windows 8 'tutorial' is a joke | ZDNet
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    1st W10 Professional x64/W7 Ultimate x64 - 2nd Remote system: W10 Insider Builds/W7 Professional
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Builds
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 975 Deneb 3.6ghz -2nd case AMD Atholon II 3.2ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-790XTA-UD4
    Memory
    Kingston Hyper-X DDR3 1600mhz 16gb - 2nd case Kingston Hyper-X "Fury" DDR3 1600mhz 8gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI Radeon HD 5750 1gb - 2nd AMD Radeon 6450
    Sound Card
    Creative Xtreme Gamer - 2nd case Realtek Onboard audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer 19" dual monitor setup - 2nd case HP 20" lcd
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900 same on both builds
    Hard Drives
    1st build
    WD Caviar Black Edition Sata II 1tb two OS drives
    WD RE "Heavy Duty Sata II 2tb two Storage/Backup
    2nd build
    WD Blue Sata II 500gb
    WD Black Edition Sata III 1tb
    WD Green Power Sata II 1tb in external usb enclosure
    PSU
    Corsair TX750H 750w -Corsair 500w
    Case
    Antec 900-2 -NXZT Vulcan Mini tower/carrying handle
    Cooling
    120mm front pair, 120 rear 200cm top - 120mm Front intake 200mm side cover
    Keyboard
    Azio Blue led back lit both builds.
    Mouse
    MSI DS200 11 button programmable Gaming optical mouse - Odessa 3 button dual scroll trackball
    Internet Speed
    30mbps
    Other Info
    two MSI 22x ide dvd burners, 25 usb flash drives used for Linux Live, live data recovery 128gb, and Windows 7, 10 usb installation keys
A longer, more in-depth how to use the new interface tutorial.
Ability to make Metro start screen optional.
Ability to have a more classic start menu.
Ability to install and customize and then make a remastered ISO of your system the way you have it.
 

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.
they still should've left the start button on the taskbar like it was in the dp instead of having to try and find it.

Just watched the video of that guy trying to use windows 8
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP DV7-4269WM
    CPU
    i5-480M
    Memory
    4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Mobility Radeon HD 6370
    Sound Card
    Beats Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17.3"
    Screen Resolution
    1600x900
    Hard Drives
    750GB (5400RPM)
    Internet Speed
    1500
If you watch the video you will know Chris Dad is not a complete newbie.

He has been using pc's for basic tasks for a long while.

I think it is represenatative of a very large number of potential customers.

MS have now pinned IE and Explorer to the desktop taskbar - to stop millions of users getting completely trapped.

They were likely planning to do that anyway - it is inconceivable they would have released it as it was then.

The video was hilarious, awkward, and like the quote, painful to watch.
It was an unfair test case - my mother could not identify what a mouse is.
She has no idea what LCD means. My father has a problem with left and right clicks.
Is their vision impaired? Do they have arthritis?
Neither know what a WinKey is. It was funny when he said, "where's the thing with all the square blocks"
"There's supposed to be a menu or something in the corner over there !" LOL
It was a chuckle. Do the same with a 23 year old... or a 14 year old, or a 39 year old...
Some people need a few kind hints to get going. It was a funny though ... LOL
Where is this thread going?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
I have seen young people fiddling around with the metro with a view of total repulsion. They think the metro is stupid. You tube is littered with all kinds of comedy about the metro.
So the common typical user can't figure it out.
It's way too complicated, counter intuitive, unfriendly, ugly, useless.
Hey, I don't work for MS. I just live here.

Putting the mouse into any corner, I think, really does help.
In the video, the user was trying to find the start menu from inside the system tray.
Does not really look like a person who knows what he is doing.
The video person did not touch the Winkey.

I disagree that it is a joke. It does not seem all that complicated to me to go to the right top or bottom corner
(as described in the pic) to get most of the controls needed for typical use, especially the start from the charms bar.
It's right there, center right.

Right clicking the bottom left or win X is more for users that have some idea of what they are doing.

For most common typical users, this new thing might be a joke,
it is and will be a mess,
but it will not take long to get used to it.

Then everyone will be showing everyone else how to use it.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Server 2012 / 8.0
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built
    CPU
    Intel i7 QuadCore 3770k
    Motherboard
    Asrock Extreme 4
    Memory
    16GB Crucial Ballistix
    Graphics Card(s)
    intel embedded gpu
    Sound Card
    Sound Blaster Z
    Monitor(s) Displays
    AOC / Westinghouse
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Plextor pcie msata
    PSU
    Rosewill Silent Night 500W Fanless / PicoPSU
    Case
    open bench - no case enclosure
    Cooling
    Silverstone HEO2 Passive Silent
    Keyboard
    logitech washable K310
    Mouse
    logitech wired
    Browser
    ie / maxthon
    Other Info
    Totally silent. No fans at all.
If you watch the video you will know Chris Dad is not a complete newbie.

He has been using pc's for basic tasks for a long while.

I think it is represenatative of a very large number of potential customers.

MS have now pinned IE and Explorer to the desktop taskbar - to stop millions of users getting completely trapped.

They were likely planning to do that anyway - it is inconceivable they would have released it as it was then.

The video was hilarious, awkward, and like the quote, painful to watch.
It was an unfair test case - my mother could not identify what a mouse is.
She has no idea what LCD means. My father has a problem with left and right clicks.
Is their vision impaired? Do they have arthritis?
Neither know what a WinKey is. It was funny when he said, "where's the thing with all the square blocks"
"There's supposed to be a menu or something in the corner over there !" LOL
It was a chuckle. Do the same with a 23 year old... or a 14 year old, or a 39 year old...
Some people need a few kind hints to get going. It was a funny though ... LOL
Where is this thread going?

I think that will be the majority that will find 8 to be an awkward piece of work! As far as the IE and WE icons pinned by default to the taskbar that was introduced with 7. XP and Vista previously saw the Quick Launch bar option.

Pinning things to the taskbar and gadgets on the desktop instead of the cumbersome side bar Vista saw. What 8 is bringing in however is far more tedious leaving the typical user stumped at first sight!

As far as the Start screen appearing at startup and then suddenly no longer being seen that suggests after so many startups the Start screen no longer auto loads with Windows like it has a counter set to limit it to a certain number until the new 8 user is familiar with how to bring it up again. This is something automatic rather then MS seeing the need to add in a disable option.

The real annoyance besides getting a few 3rd party tweaks on like Classic Shell however is how the main settings are torn up with only some Control Panel items found in the right click menu in the Start screen corner. Some others are to be found when exploring the Charms bar for Settings and Apps. And then you are lost from there on unless having the CP displayed in the WE window along with all the drives!

The video plainly shows the average dumb foundedness many will find stifling when trying to figure out how things work. While most will be able to locate the various things 8 will be bringing in the entire layout is typical of someone having a bad pc dream! :ditto:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    1st W10 Professional x64/W7 Ultimate x64 - 2nd Remote system: W10 Insider Builds/W7 Professional
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Builds
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 975 Deneb 3.6ghz -2nd case AMD Atholon II 3.2ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-790XTA-UD4
    Memory
    Kingston Hyper-X DDR3 1600mhz 16gb - 2nd case Kingston Hyper-X "Fury" DDR3 1600mhz 8gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI Radeon HD 5750 1gb - 2nd AMD Radeon 6450
    Sound Card
    Creative Xtreme Gamer - 2nd case Realtek Onboard audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer 19" dual monitor setup - 2nd case HP 20" lcd
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900 same on both builds
    Hard Drives
    1st build
    WD Caviar Black Edition Sata II 1tb two OS drives
    WD RE "Heavy Duty Sata II 2tb two Storage/Backup
    2nd build
    WD Blue Sata II 500gb
    WD Black Edition Sata III 1tb
    WD Green Power Sata II 1tb in external usb enclosure
    PSU
    Corsair TX750H 750w -Corsair 500w
    Case
    Antec 900-2 -NXZT Vulcan Mini tower/carrying handle
    Cooling
    120mm front pair, 120 rear 200cm top - 120mm Front intake 200mm side cover
    Keyboard
    Azio Blue led back lit both builds.
    Mouse
    MSI DS200 11 button programmable Gaming optical mouse - Odessa 3 button dual scroll trackball
    Internet Speed
    30mbps
    Other Info
    two MSI 22x ide dvd burners, 25 usb flash drives used for Linux Live, live data recovery 128gb, and Windows 7, 10 usb installation keys
The major issue with Windows 8 is the lack of tutorial. Sure, it's different but if there was a proper tutorial showing more details of the ins and outs of navigating Windows 8 users wouldn't get frustrated. Moving your mouse to a corner is a small part of what's new, there should be a tile on the Start Screen that when clicked links to tutorial videos online. Or better yet, there should be an App on the Start Screen that users can access that explains everything to the user.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7, Windows 8 RP
There are tutorials from various sources - F1 key (desktop) and others.
The problem is, many people don't like to read, have little comprehension, are too impatient, and get easily frustrated. Some expect the experience to be effortless or they get emotional.

h1.jpg

h2.jpg

h3.jpg
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Server 2012 / 8.0
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built
    CPU
    Intel i7 QuadCore 3770k
    Motherboard
    Asrock Extreme 4
    Memory
    16GB Crucial Ballistix
    Graphics Card(s)
    intel embedded gpu
    Sound Card
    Sound Blaster Z
    Monitor(s) Displays
    AOC / Westinghouse
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Plextor pcie msata
    PSU
    Rosewill Silent Night 500W Fanless / PicoPSU
    Case
    open bench - no case enclosure
    Cooling
    Silverstone HEO2 Passive Silent
    Keyboard
    logitech washable K310
    Mouse
    logitech wired
    Browser
    ie / maxthon
    Other Info
    Totally silent. No fans at all.
There are tutorials from various sources - F1 key (desktop) and others.
The problem is, many people don't like to read, have little comprehension, are too impatient, and get easily frustrated. Some expect the experience to be effortless or they get emotional.

Common sense doesn't seem to be natural for a majority of people, most want something in front of their face so that it is obvious. It's just like the ridiculous complaints in many tech blogs about launching Windows 8 for the first time and having no instruction what to do next so they stare at the screen. Yet you put a 5 year old in front of it and the first thing they'll do is either click the mouse or touch a key.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7, Windows 8 RP
Back
Top