Another Rant - Sorry Windows 8 lovers - I need to vent.

musiclover7

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I have been using Windows 8 since before Launch, roughly probably a year to the day. It is not a bad OS, but there are numerous things about that, to this day, still really tick me off. I will start by saying, that other vendors are no better. I had a iPhone forced on me by the company I work for... I really cannot stand all the lock down that comes with it, and the fact that I am forced to use Itunes to sync with it. It is far from a perfect world, and I don't expect perfection from the products that I use, just basic common sense.

I upgraded to 8.1 a few weeks back, and so far, I think my experience is worse rather than better. I enjoy some of the improvements to the Start Screen. I like that apps don't automatically appear on there when you load them. I decided that I would actually try to take the time to manage my start screen this time around, and keep it kind of tidy. So I set about doing this. The ability to boot straight to desktop is no big deal to me, though I know itmeant the world to others, and for that reason, I am glad it is there. I definitely believe in more options, rather than less. People are different after all. One new annoyance that I have noticed, is that it seems like in order to switch back to a non-Microsoft account, there are now quite a few extra hoops you have to jump through. The option to switch to local, is no longer baked into the OS like it was before. In order to get there, I had to create a user account using the old school options in Manage, then drop my Microsoft account from my machine. Not a huge deal, but definitely annoying.

Using a non-Microsoft account, means no email app, no People app, and no Calendar apps. It probably means more things than this for all I know. All of these Apps of course, should have worked fine for me with or without a Microsoft account and I really can think of no sane reason for them not to work, other than that this is yet another Microsoft tactic to bully users into switching over to doing things their way.. So, as it is, if you want to use them, you pretty much have to bite the bullet and switch yourself over to a Microsoft account, which I reluctantly did.

I have an old hotmail account that I still get email at. I used it initially in 8 when I first started using Windows 8, and wanted to check out all the new features. I installed a bunch of new apps with it, etc. As soon as I switch to Microsoft account now, what happens.. All of those apps magically start loading on my machine. No pop up asking me if I want to do this. Also, my start screen starts to switch it's over-all icon layout, background etc, probably to match what I had 6 months ago, and the nice tidy start screen I had before goes straight out the window. The same thing becomes true on my downstairs computer. But, of course, this feature is not fully cooked yet or something, because they are formatted completely different on both computers, and for some reason if I make a change on one.. it fracks up the other and vice versa.

Now I am just pissed. I reload windows. I try to go to browse my file system after reload, and even after a year of using Windows 8, I cannot seem to figure out how to get there.. I resign to right clicking on windows start button(woo hoo, actually glad it is back) and launching file explorer. I imagine how difficult it must be for the avg user to actually figure out how to browse there files right after loading windows.. I cannot see any clear way of getting there on my start screen after launch. Of course, I can start typing, but now it really makes sense, why I get so many calls from friends and relatives who are lost as can be when they first start using windows 8. I think to myself, "Who the hell is designing things over at Microsoft these days, and what I would not give to spend 10 minutes in huddle room with them?" Seriously, this is a huge fail. all around.

This is just my experience.
 
Last edited:

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
No sir, it's not just your experience, others, like myself, have been there as well - and thus formed an opinion similar to yourself - I have just resigned myself to the fact that "Who(ever) the hell is designing things over at Microsoft these days..." are consumed with touch-orientated design and the rest of the users' requirements are very much secondary...we are left to find ways around those changes to make things work...eg. the start menu should not necessarily have stayed as per the legacy one, but there could have been more development put into it to make a Win8 version that fitted more snugly into their "re-imagined" world..if they wanted to...c'est la vie, mon ami :cool:
 

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    IBM
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    16K, 640K max
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    What's that?
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    Not quite
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    80 X 24 text
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    dual 160KB 5.25-inch disk drives
This should be moved to either "Chillout Room," or "VIP Lounge." Thank you.

Now to the rant.

You are not the only one. For some reason some have problems while others don't. In my case (not an 8 lover just user, iMac is my first choice) there has been no real problems. The one thing to remember there is no OS that is perfect. I remember when the Mac world went from OS 9 to OS X; boy was that ever a mess. It took Apple a year to get it cleaned up, and it wasn't their first OS mess. Back in the day the jump from OS 6 to 7 was another oh we're sorry we didn't mean to screw up your old Mac Plus with this new OS may be you should have bought a newer Mac prior to upgrading the old OS.

There is always a different way to go like Win 7, Linux, OS X (be careful there is no Start Button, or Start Menu in OS X, and they have Launchpad which is similar to the Win 8 Start Screen). Whatever way you go "Good Luck To You.". . .:thumbsup:
 

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    Intel Core i5 3330 Ivy Bridge
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This should be moved to either "Chillout Room," or "VIP Lounge." Thank you.

Hi there
on the whole I agree - but the OP does have some sort of point about the Microsoft account -- however he is WRONG in the fact that you HAVE to have a Microsoft account -- it's perfectly possible to set up w8.1 (and w8) without a Microsoft account.

Browsing via file (or windows) explorer is just the same as Windows 7 so I don't get at what point is being made with that problem.

Cheers
jimbo
 

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Hi there
on the whole I agree - but the OP does have some sort of point about the Microsoft account -- however he is WRONG in the fact that you HAVE to have a Microsoft account -- it's perfectly possible to set up w8.1 (and w8) without a Microsoft account.

Browsing via file (or windows) explorer is just the same as Windows 7 so I don't get at what point is being made with that problem.

No he isn't, the OP is right. He didn't say you have to have a Microsoft account. He said you need a Microsoft account to use the mail, people and calendar apps because they won't work with a local account. And I agree with his sentiments. Microsoft's only saving grace is that Windows Live Mail is still available to download for those who only want to use a local account.

As for the file system, I'm not sure exactly where the OP's problem lies. The only thing I can think of is that maybe the 'Computer' icon isn't set on the desktop by default? I can't remember if it's there as standard, or whether there's just the recycle bin instead?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8 64-bit
You were forced to use an iPhone? Where can I get a job application?

Don't like the way it's locked down, Jailbreak it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Center/Windows 7
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    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus § DualCore AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2300 MHz (11.5 x 200) 4400+ § Corsair Value Select
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    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus/Asus A8M2N-LA (NodusM)
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    WDC WD50 00AAKS-007AA SCSI Disk Device
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    Water Cooled
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    Dell Keyboard
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    Cable Medium Speed
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    Chrome/IE 10
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    Eset NOD32 6.x/Win Defend
    Other Info
    Recently lost my Windows 8 on my main PC, had to go back to Windows 7.
This should be moved to either "Chillout Room," or "VIP Lounge." Thank you.

Hi there
on the whole I agree - but the OP does have some sort of point about the Microsoft account -- however he is WRONG in the fact that you HAVE to have a Microsoft account -- it's perfectly possible to set up w8.1 (and w8) without a Microsoft account.

Browsing via file (or windows) explorer is just the same as Windows 7 so I don't get at what point is being made with that problem.

Cheers
jimbo

Maybe I missed it, but having now installed 8.1 3 times, I have yet to see where it gives one the option of using a non microsoft account. IT is not there. I googled just a little bit, only to find somewhere that if you answer no to a question like 3-4 times, it will eventually give you the option. Good Gravy! I don't know how in the heck I missed that. I musta been snoozin. I am also perfectly right about the fact that without a Microsoft account, many of the core apps cannot be used. Perfectly right in fact.
 

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
You were forced to use an iPhone? Where can I get a job application?

Don't like the way it's locked down, Jailbreak it.

I did jailbreak it. You are still stuck with itunes. I hate itunes.
 

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
Hi there
on the whole I agree - but the OP does have some sort of point about the Microsoft account -- however he is WRONG in the fact that you HAVE to have a Microsoft account -- it's perfectly possible to set up w8.1 (and w8) without a Microsoft account.

Browsing via file (or windows) explorer is just the same as Windows 7 so I don't get at what point is being made with that problem.

No he isn't, the OP is right. He didn't say you have to have a Microsoft account. He said you need a Microsoft account to use the mail, people and calendar apps because they won't work with a local account. And I agree with his sentiments. Microsoft's only saving grace is that Windows Live Mail is still available to download for those who only want to use a local account.

As for the file system, I'm not sure exactly where the OP's problem lies. The only thing I can think of is that maybe the 'Computer' icon isn't set on the desktop by default? I can't remember if it's there as standard, or whether there's just the recycle bin instead?

My computer is not there by default, and neither is there any way to get there with any sort of ease by default on the start menu. They actually changed it to This PC in 8.1 It takes a little finesse, and by finesse, I mean some right clicking in order to get it onto your desktop... Believe it or not, there are swarms of users out there who have been using a mouse for years, and have yet to press the right mouse button on purpose. I was able to get to my files, but my comment was about the avg user. The avg user is bound to have trubs, which is why I get so many calls from friends and family. I also cannot stand the fact that in 8.1 my kvm does not work like it used to. Soft of like the icing on the crap sandwich..
 

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
This should be moved to either "Chillout Room," or "VIP Lounge." Thank you.

Hi there
on the whole I agree - but the OP does have some sort of point about the Microsoft account -- however he is WRONG in the fact that you HAVE to have a Microsoft account -- it's perfectly possible to set up w8.1 (and w8) without a Microsoft account.

Browsing via file (or windows) explorer is just the same as Windows 7 so I don't get at what point is being made with that problem.

Cheers
jimbo

Maybe I missed it, but having now installed 8.1 3 times, I have yet to see where it gives one the option of using a non microsoft account. IT is not there. I googled just a little bit, only to find somewhere that if you answer no to a question like 3-4 times, it will eventually give you the option. Good Gravy! I don't know how in the heck I missed that. I musta been snoozin. I am also perfectly right about the fact that without a Microsoft account, many of the core apps cannot be used. Perfectly right in fact.
After installation, where you would put in an ms account email, just leave it blank and press continue. An option will be given to create a local account.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8
The default email, calendar and people apps included with Win 8 are pretty lame anyway so you're not giving up much. I don't use a MS Account for Win 8 (or 8.1) and also don't use those apps since there are much better apps available out there. Personally, I use Windows Live which isn't for everyone but it's also not the only game in town.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W10 Pro (desktop), W10 (laptop), W10 Pro (tablet)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home built i7-8700K, Hp Envy x360 EVO Laptop, MS Surface Pro 7
    CPU
    3.7Ghz Core i7-8700K, 11th Gen Core i7-1165G7 4.7Ghz, 10th Gen Core™ i5-1035G4 1.1Ghz
    Motherboard
    ASUS TUF Z370-Pro Gaming, HP, MS
    Memory
    16G, 8G, 8G
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon RX580, Intel Iris X Graphics, Intel Iris Plus Graphics G4
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    ATI High Definition Audio (Built-in to mobo)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dual Samsung U32J59 32 inch monitors, 13.3" display, 12.3" display
    Screen Resolution
    3840x2160 (Desktop), 1920x1080 (laptop), 2736x1824 Pro 7
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    500GB ssd boot drive with 2 & 10TB Data (Desktop), 512GB ssd (laptop), 128GB SSD (tablet)
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    Corsair CX 750M
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    Antec 100
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    Coolermaster CM 212+
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    IBM Model M - used continuously since 1986
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    Microsoft IntelliMouse
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    665Mbps/15Mbps down/up
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    FireFox, MS Edge
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    Defender on all
    Other Info
    Retired in 2015 after working in the tech industry for 41 years. First 10 years as a Technician, the rest as a programmer/software engineer. After 1 year of retirement, I was bored so went back to work as a Robotic Process Automation Consultant. Retired for 3rd (and final) time in 2019.
I have been using Windows 8 since before Launch, roughly probably a year to the day. It is not a bad OS, but there are numerous things about that, to this day, still really tick me off. I will start by saying, that other vendors are no better. I had a iPhone forced on me by the company I work for... I really cannot stand all the lock down that comes with it, and the fact that I am forced to use Itunes to sync with it. It is far from a perfect world, and I don't expect perfection from the products that I use, just basic common sense.

I upgraded to 8.1 a few weeks back, and so far, I think my experience is worse rather than better. I enjoy some of the improvements to the Start Screen. I like that apps don't automatically appear on there when you load them. I decided that I would actually try to take the time to manage my start screen this time around, and keep it kind of tidy. So I set about doing this. The ability to boot straight to desktop is no big deal to me, though I know itmeant the world to others, and for that reason, I am glad it is there. I definitely believe in more options, rather than less. People are different after all. One new annoyance that I have noticed, is that it seems like in order to switch back to a non-Microsoft account, there are now quite a few extra hoops you have to jump through. The option to switch to local, is no longer baked into the OS like it was before. In order to get there, I had to create a user account using the old school options in Manage, then drop my Microsoft account from my machine. Not a huge deal, but definitely annoying.

Using a non-Microsoft account, means no email app, no People app, and no Calendar apps. It probably means more things than this for all I know. All of these Apps of course, should have worked fine for me with or without a Microsoft account and I really can think of no sane reason for them not to work, other than that this is yet another Microsoft tactic to bully users into switching over to doing things their way.. So, as it is, if you want to use them, you pretty much have to bite the bullet and switch yourself over to a Microsoft account, which I reluctantly did.

I have an old hotmail account that I still get email at. I used it initially in 8 when I first started using Windows 8, and wanted to check out all the new features. I installed a bunch of new apps with it, etc. As soon as I switch to Microsoft account now, what happens.. All of those apps magically start loading on my machine. No pop up asking me if I want to do this. Also, my start screen starts to switch it's over-all icon layout, background etc, probably to match what I had 6 months ago, and the nice tidy start screen I had before goes straight out the window. The same thing becomes true on my downstairs computer. But, of course, this feature is not fully cooked yet or something, because they are formatted completely different on both computers, and for some reason if I make a change on one.. it fracks up the other and vice versa.

Now I am just pissed. I reload windows. I try to go to browse my file system after reload, and even after a year of using Windows 8, I cannot seem to figure out how to get there.. I resign to right clicking on windows start button(woo hoo, actually glad it is back) and launching file explorer. I imagine how difficult it must be for the avg user to actually figure out how to browse there files right after loading windows.. I cannot see any clear way of getting there on my start screen after launch. Of course, I can start typing, but now it really makes sense, why I get so many calls from friends and relatives who are lost as can be when they first start using windows 8. I think to myself, "Who the hell is designing things over at Microsoft these days, and what I would not give to spend 10 minutes in huddle room with them?" Seriously, this is a huge fail. all around.

This is just my experience.

You remind me of me a few years back.

Back when all of these google, iOS, etc. accounts started becoming popularized, I was adamant about not having one. It wasn't that I was paranoid with big brother watching me. For whatever reason at the time, I was absolutely against having one of these accounts.

Then one day my company gave me an android phone. Let me tell ya, this was my first smart phone ever. Before that I was using one of those flip phones. So, I stumbled around with the android phone. Took me weeks to get use to it. What I resisted doing for months was creating a google account. When my friends and colleagues started telling me about these wonderful apps, I began to want to have them. So, I fumbled my way into the play store (it was called market at the time). It kept asking for a google account for me to install any app. I became absolutely furious. Why should I have to create a google account to install a software?

One of my friends had google calendar, and he thought it was the best thing ever. So, I went online to look for an apk calendar app that I could side load into my phone. Still didn't have a google account. Every calendar apk I could find is actually an extension of google calendar, which required a google account to work.

I was beyond furious at this point. I went on some android forums I found on the internet and ranted about the unfairness of making me create a google account and log into that account just to use something as simple as calendar.

Looking back at my former self, I think he (my former self) was too self righteous to realize how silly he was.

The point is I can understand your reluctance to logging into an apple, google, MS, whatever account. It's that feeling that you're no longer in control. I'm sure different people have different reasons for hating having to log into an online account. But I think you can narrow it down to the feeling of not being in control.

The only advice I can give you is try to give online accounts a chance. You will come to like having these accounts. I know I have. Nowadays, I can't imagine living without my amazon, dropbox, MS, google, and apple accounts. They each serve a purpose. And my life has been more convenient ever since I started accepting them into my life.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8
I have been using Windows 8 since before Launch, roughly probably a year to the day. It is not a bad OS, but there are numerous things about that, to this day, still really tick me off. I will start by saying, that other vendors are no better. I had a iPhone forced on me by the company I work for... I really cannot stand all the lock down that comes with it, and the fact that I am forced to use Itunes to sync with it. It is far from a perfect world, and I don't expect perfection from the products that I use, just basic common sense.

I upgraded to 8.1 a few weeks back, and so far, I think my experience is worse rather than better. I enjoy some of the improvements to the Start Screen. I like that apps don't automatically appear on there when you load them. I decided that I would actually try to take the time to manage my start screen this time around, and keep it kind of tidy. So I set about doing this. The ability to boot straight to desktop is no big deal to me, though I know itmeant the world to others, and for that reason, I am glad it is there. I definitely believe in more options, rather than less. People are different after all. One new annoyance that I have noticed, is that it seems like in order to switch back to a non-Microsoft account, there are now quite a few extra hoops you have to jump through. The option to switch to local, is no longer baked into the OS like it was before. In order to get there, I had to create a user account using the old school options in Manage, then drop my Microsoft account from my machine. Not a huge deal, but definitely annoying.

Using a non-Microsoft account, means no email app, no People app, and no Calendar apps. It probably means more things than this for all I know. All of these Apps of course, should have worked fine for me with or without a Microsoft account and I really can think of no sane reason for them not to work, other than that this is yet another Microsoft tactic to bully users into switching over to doing things their way.. So, as it is, if you want to use them, you pretty much have to bite the bullet and switch yourself over to a Microsoft account, which I reluctantly did.

I have an old hotmail account that I still get email at. I used it initially in 8 when I first started using Windows 8, and wanted to check out all the new features. I installed a bunch of new apps with it, etc. As soon as I switch to Microsoft account now, what happens.. All of those apps magically start loading on my machine. No pop up asking me if I want to do this. Also, my start screen starts to switch it's over-all icon layout, background etc, probably to match what I had 6 months ago, and the nice tidy start screen I had before goes straight out the window. The same thing becomes true on my downstairs computer. But, of course, this feature is not fully cooked yet or something, because they are formatted completely different on both computers, and for some reason if I make a change on one.. it fracks up the other and vice versa.

Now I am just pissed. I reload windows. I try to go to browse my file system after reload, and even after a year of using Windows 8, I cannot seem to figure out how to get there.. I resign to right clicking on windows start button(woo hoo, actually glad it is back) and launching file explorer. I imagine how difficult it must be for the avg user to actually figure out how to browse there files right after loading windows.. I cannot see any clear way of getting there on my start screen after launch. Of course, I can start typing, but now it really makes sense, why I get so many calls from friends and relatives who are lost as can be when they first start using windows 8. I think to myself, "Who the hell is designing things over at Microsoft these days, and what I would not give to spend 10 minutes in huddle room with them?" Seriously, this is a huge fail. all around.

This is just my experience.

You remind me of me a few years back.

Back when all of these google, iOS, etc. accounts started becoming popularized, I was adamant about not having one. It wasn't that I was paranoid with big brother watching me. For whatever reason at the time, I was absolutely against having one of these accounts.

Then one day my company gave me an android phone. Let me tell ya, this was my first smart phone ever. Before that I was using one of those flip phones. So, I stumbled around with the android phone. Took me weeks to get use to it. What I resisted doing for months was creating a google account. When my friends and colleagues started telling me about these wonderful apps, I began to want to have them. So, I fumbled my way into the play store (it was called market at the time). It kept asking for a google account for me to install any app. I became absolutely furious. Why should I have to create a google account to install a software?

One of my friends had google calendar, and he thought it was the best thing ever. So, I went online to look for an apk calendar app that I could side load into my phone. Still didn't have a google account. Every calendar apk I could find is actually an extension of google calendar, which required a google account to work.

I was beyond furious at this point. I went on some android forums I found on the internet and ranted about the unfairness of making me create a google account and log into that account just to use something as simple as calendar.

Looking back at my former self, I think he (my former self) was too self righteous to realize how silly he was.

The point is I can understand your reluctance to logging into an apple, google, MS, whatever account. It's that feeling that you're no longer in control. I'm sure different people have different reasons for hating having to log into an online account. But I think you can narrow it down to the feeling of not being in control.

The only advice I can give you is try to give online accounts a chance. You will come to like having these accounts. I know I have. Nowadays, I can't imagine living without my amazon, dropbox, MS, google, and apple accounts. They each serve a purpose. And my life has been more convenient ever since I started accepting them into my life.

That may be true, and perhaps I am just paranoid. It is just not an experience i am accustomed to, and i am really not liking the way it syncs between my two windows 8.1 computers. I have given up at this point on the downstairs computer and am trying hard just to maintain my start screen on my computer upstairs. As I said, no vendor is perfect..
 

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
Hi there
on the whole I agree - but the OP does have some sort of point about the Microsoft account -- however he is WRONG in the fact that you HAVE to have a Microsoft account -- it's perfectly possible to set up w8.1 (and w8) without a Microsoft account.

Browsing via file (or windows) explorer is just the same as Windows 7 so I don't get at what point is being made with that problem.

No he isn't, the OP is right. He didn't say you have to have a Microsoft account. He said you need a Microsoft account to use the mail, people and calendar apps because they won't work with a local account. And I agree with his sentiments. Microsoft's only saving grace is that Windows Live Mail is still available to download for those who only want to use a local account.

As for the file system, I'm not sure exactly where the OP's problem lies. The only thing I can think of is that maybe the 'Computer' icon isn't set on the desktop by default? I can't remember if it's there as standard, or whether there's just the recycle bin instead?

My computer is not there by default, and neither is there any way to get there with any sort of ease by default on the start menu. They actually changed it to This PC in 8.1 It takes a little finesse, and by finesse, I mean some right clicking in order to get it onto your desktop... Believe it or not, there are swarms of users out there who have been using a mouse for years, and have yet to press the right mouse button on purpose. I was able to get to my files, but my comment was about the avg user. The avg user is bound to have trubs, which is why I get so many calls from friends and family. I also cannot stand the fact that in 8.1 my kvm does not work like it used to. Soft of like the icing on the crap sandwich..

To get "This Computer" on the desktop you can right click on the desktop and choose "Personalize" from the context menu. From the Personalization screen there is and option for "Change desktop Icons" which shows a list of Icons that can be displayed on the desktop.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 64bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 960 @ 3.20 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS Sabertooth x58
    Memory
    12 gigabytes
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia Geforce GTS 450
    Monitor(s) Displays
    65" Samsung
    Hard Drives
    120GB SSD - OS / EXTERNAL 1TB USB - Data
    PSU
    Ultra X4 Modular 750-Watt
    Case
    Raidmax SMILODON
    Cooling
    Antec Kuhler H2O 620 Liquid CPU Cooler System
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Arc Wireless Keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless Touchpad T650
    Other Info
    Kinect for Windows
To get "This Computer" on the desktop you can right click on the desktop and choose "Personalize" from the context menu. From the Personalization screen there is and option for "Change desktop Icons" which shows a list of Icons that can be displayed on the desktop.

A picture:

Untitled.png
 

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
You were forced to use an iPhone? Where can I get a job application?

Don't like the way it's locked down, Jailbreak it.

I did jailbreak it. You are still stuck with itunes. I hate itunes.

No you are not, install VLC, they have it for iPhone now, move your library into that - Wait, no, VLC for iPhone don't play MP3 files. There are also bunches of other players of varying quality.

If you are Jailbroken, install UniversalMediaImporter and Gremlin Framework and Plug in Pack - I think it comes with Bridge.

I never use iTunes anyway, I use Aphex Audio Exciter, makes it all sound great. There is also File Explorer and TIOD which have free versions that can play content. It's all quicktime anyway.

Gee Free iPhone from work, I wish I had your problems man.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Center/Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus § DualCore AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2300 MHz (11.5 x 200) 4400+ § Corsair Value Select
    CPU
    AMD 4400+/4200+
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus/Asus A8M2N-LA (NodusM)
    Memory
    2 GB/3GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce 8400 GS/GeForce 210
    Sound Card
    nVIDIA GT218 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hitachi 40" LCD HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    "1842 x 1036"
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD50 00AAKS-007AA SCSI Disk Device
    ST1000DL 002-9TT153 SCSI Disk Device
    WDC WD3200AAJB-00J3A0 ATA Device
    WDC WD32 WD-WCAPZ2942630 USB Device
    WD My Book 1140 USB Device
    PSU
    Works 550w
    Case
    MSI "M-Box"
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Dell Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Intellimouse
    Internet Speed
    Cable Medium Speed
    Browser
    Chrome/IE 10
    Antivirus
    Eset NOD32 6.x/Win Defend
    Other Info
    Recently lost my Windows 8 on my main PC, had to go back to Windows 7.
I was aware how to add my computer to the start screen. That function has been there for several iterations of the OS now. My concern was for the avg user. I could not figure out how to access the file system without right clicking after the initial load. It did not last long. I work on computers for a living. Still, i was looking for an obvious path that my grandma coukd follow, and there was none. That to me is just scary..
 

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'm a 73 year old grandma and this Win 8 is absolutely driving me crazy. I guess Microsoft thinks that seniors don't count when it comes to computers. I've used Win XP for 7 years and loved every minute of it. I had no choice but to buy this crazy Win 8, since I will not be able to use Win XP safely next year. I'm trying my best to learn it, and I may ask questions that younger generation think are stupid, but I'm giving it my best shot, and it gets me so depressed to the crying point just trying to find things that I want to do or change. I'll take Outlook Express in XP any day, because at least it is not cloud. I may be a senior, but I'm not totally senile. Don't know if I will ever be able to learn this 8. I'll get off my soap box now.

I was aware how to add my computer to the start screen. That function has been there for several iterations of the OS now. My concern was for the avg user. I could not figure out how to access the file system without right clicking after the initial load. It did not last long. I work on computers for a living. Still, i was looking for an obvious path that my grandma coukd follow, and there was none. That to me is just scary..
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Browser
    Internet Explorer
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
Ah, it's not a "senior" thing. Remember, it is those of us in our generation (I'm 64) that got this industry going from nothing and were instrumental in the day when innovation was true innovation and not just variances on the same theme which is what is occurring now. I'm in the IT business and the direction Microsoft is going with 8 annoys me also.

I might suggest you go to here Windows 8 start menu returns with Start8 from Stardock!, spend five bucks and load a copy of Start8. It will make things familiar to you once again.

-jeff
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Mint and Windows 8 Pro
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus G75VW
    CPU
    i7
    Motherboard
    Asus
    Memory
    16G
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17"
    Hard Drives
    Seagate 5400 rpm 1T and Seagate 7200 rpm 500G.
    Internet Speed
    30M down, 5M up
    Other Info
    Oracle Virtual Box
    Ubuntu 64 bit
"It is just not an experience i am accustomed to, and i am really not liking the way it syncs between my two windows 8.1 computers."

You can turn the syncing off between computers. Look here for one way of doing so:

How To Turn Off Sync Settings in Windows 8 | Techmell

Hope this helps.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASRock 990FX Killer
    CPU
    AMD FX 8320
    Motherboard
    ASRock 990 FX Killer
    Memory
    32gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte GTX 750i
    Sound Card
    Realtek (Stock on MB)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS 27 HD Monitor & a 37" LCD HD TV Screen (For movies)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    1 250 GB SS hard drive for OS
    1 1TB hard drive for data / mirrored to a second 1 TB hd.
    PSU
    650W
    Case
    No name tower
    Cooling
    Enermax Liqtech 240
    Keyboard
    Logitech
    Mouse
    Logitech
    Internet Speed
    Dnload 10.48 Upload .48
    Browser
    IE 11 and Chrome when IE doesn't work
    Antivirus
    F-PROT
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