I'm in over my head. Please help.

DJJ

New Member
Messages
5
Hi all, new guy here and I'd appreciate some help or advice.

I recently purchased a new Dell Inspiron 17R that came with Windows 8. While the laptop is fine and is actually more than I need, all is not well with the Windows 8 operating system.

I'm an old guy but have been using PCs for 25 years and have never had a problem with newer systems until now. The Windows 8 OS is simply not intuitive enough for me. I don't even own a smartphone or any Bluetooth devices, so much of the terminology and navigation is frustrating.

I'm retired, have lots of time on my hands and have been really trying to "get it" for a couple of weeks.

It ain't working for me.

I really, really would like to install Windows Vista on this thing so I can actually use it instead of spending hours and hours trying to "figure it out".

Is it even possible to "downgrade" to an old OS?


Thank you.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 17R

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom build
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X 4 965 BE
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-MA790X-DS4
    Memory
    G-Skill 8 GB PC 8500
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD XFX HD Radeon 6790D
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2l Samsung SyncMaster S20B300
    Screen Resolution
    1600 X 900
    Hard Drives
    Seagate Barracuda 320 GB w/OS
    Seagate Barracuda 1 TB data storage
    PSU
    Ultra X4 750 watt fully modular
    Case
    Thermaltake OverSeer RX 1 fulltower
    Cooling
    Cooler Master Hyper212 120mm
    Keyboard
    Logitech G510
    Mouse
    Razor DeathAdder 3.5
Hello and welcome!

This is a repost of a post I posted earlier on a different post with a similar issue.

My suggestions, tips, and other stuff...

1. Learn how to pin things to Start. The Start Screen is VERY easy to get configured when you figure out what to do. This is simple. Open File Explorer (the file folder icon) and go through and find things like Documents, Pictures, Videos, and Music Libraries (if you skipped over 7, this is a VERY handy feature if you have things like two video folders to consolidate them down into one view) and right click on them. Then, you will see, Pin to Start. Do that for all sorts of things other than libraries, like folders, program shortcuts, Recycle Bin, Computer, ect. Hit Start, go to the end, and click and drag the tiles around to how you'd like. I'd bet you might move them to the very left of the screen. To remove said tiles, right click them, then hit Unpin from Start at the bottom.

2. Uninstall the apps you don't want. This is dreadfully simple that most that decry Windows 8 don't seem to know. Right click on the app tiles, on the bottom of the screen you'll see an option to Uninstall. Hit that, and hit Uninstall again and that's it. But I'd suggest to keep the Weather, News, Finance, and maybe the Calendar or Mails apps as they're nice to have.

3. Choose program defaults. If you want IE 10 to ALWAYS open on the Desktop, you can do that by opening up IE on the Desktop, hit the Tools cog on the top right of the window, Internet Options, Programs, and set IE to always open on the Desktop. Do this for other programs like Photo Viewer over Photos, Windows Media Player (or VLC or whatever music player you'd like) over Music.

4. Learn the touchpad gestures. There are A LOT depending on the PC. My bet is that you have all so this won't be a problem. Swipe from the right side of the pad inward, opens the Charms. From the left, switches apps that are open. Swipe from the bottom of the pad opens the app command bar. Pinch to zoom to go to zoom in or out. On the Desktop, three finger gesture downwards minimizes all your open windows. Three up will show the window/app selector ribbon. Three left or right is the same as clicking the back or forth button in any program. You can probably also do a rotate gesture with Photo Viewer as well. Two fingers up or down will scroll. Pretty nifty! :cool: Although I'm not sure on your particular laptop, please report back if the gestures do work on that.

5. Install Decor8. It will make the Start Screen look very cool!

6. Ideally, you'd want to uninstall all the crap and bloatware that comes on OEM PCs such as from Dell. Makes things a tad faster and improves boot time.

7. Open the Task Manager, hit the Startup tab, and disable all the items that don't deal with needed programs like idiotic power utilities. Leave things like the touchpad software enabled.

8. Open some apps, and use the touch gestures I said of earlier to navigate around. Just a simple type to search will start searching. No need to hunt down a search bar. The Settings charm is what is used to change app settings, sound, power, and screen brightness. This is used very often. Share will be used if you're in an app and want to email someone a link to a website, but this is ONLY within apps, not on the Desktop. Things work differently. To close an app, move the mouse pointer to the top of the screen, see the little hand icon, click, and just drag down. BAM! That simple. To change some settings like Start Screen colors, account picture, picture password, and some other things, open the Charms, hit Settings, and you'll see PC Settings at the bottom. PC Settings is a condensed down Control Panel of very commonly changed settings within Windows. Also, on the Desktop, opening the Settings charm will display a few things from the Control Panel, like Personalization and PC Info.

I think that is 8 simple tips/suggestions to use Windows 8. Wow.

And for a screenshot of a few Start Screens to show how to arrange things nicely...



Windows 8 was designed for touch, you have a touchpad that makes interacting with Windows 8 better than a standard three button mouse. Simply, learn to take advantage of the Start Screen, make things your own, and use the touch gestures of your new and shiny laptop and you'll quickly start liking things and won't feel so lost. Also, ask us questions, we don't bite. At least, not too hard. :D
 

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
Save yourself a lot of heartache and start with something that you are familiar and comfortable with using, by installing one of the third party desktop menus (these will bring back the familiar). You can then take your time to explore the new, in your own time, and find out if it offers you anything of value.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows Phone 6, Windows CE 5, Windows Vista x32, Windows 7 x32/x64, Windows 8 x64

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus Tansformer Book Flip TP500LN
    CPU
    Intel i5-4210U
    Memory
    8GB DDR3 SDRAM
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia Geforce GT 840M
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15" Touchscreen
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    1TB Hybrid
    Mouse
    Microsoft Wireless Mobile Mouse 4000
Hi there, just got here but I like to help whenever I can. I had some of the same trouble as you it seems. I suggest you try this free start menu Pokki. Its simple and customizable, if you like it that way give it a try :)

Edit: as for the original question, yes you can downgrade just about any machine. I would suggest you try to make win8 work for you first as all the drivers are all set from the factory as you have it now, a new install of an older os might be more headache than its worth. Just my two cents...
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8
My best advice.

As I have said numerous times, Windows 8 is a scientific marvel. It is far advanced over Win 7 or any other OS.

Humans have 5 senses. There was always talk of a sixth sense and now I think it has been found. The dielectric impulses of the human finger that are detected by a touch pad or touch screen that commands the computer.

No-one is going to master Windows 8 without help. It's foolish to even try.

There is plenty of help available in several forms including these forums and tutorials. But anyone who is dedicated should go to the book store and "Buy A Book" on Windows 8.

Windows 8 isn't that difficult. It has at least 3 different ways to do anything. It is actually light years ahead of the older systems.

It saddens me to see dropouts fold and give up.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP
As I have said numerous times, Windows 8 is a scientific marvel. It is far advanced over Win 7 or any other OS.

Humans have 5 senses. There was always talk of a sixth sense and now I think it has been found. The dielectric impulses of the human finger that are detected by a touch pad or touch screen that commands the computer.

No-one is going to master Windows 8 without help. It's foolish to even try.

There is plenty of help available in several forms including these forums and tutorials. But anyone who is dedicated should go to the book store and "Buy A Book" on Windows 8.

Windows 8 isn't that difficult. It has at least 3 different ways to do anything. It is actually light years ahead of the older systems.

It saddens me to see dropouts fold and give up.


What? :huh: 6th sense?!? Buy a book? Light years ahead? Scientific marvel? Slow down Socrates.

My smartphones OS is better than Windows 8 and no one is having a hard time figuring that system out.

Actually, maybe you're on to something here. Perhaps Windows 8 is SOOO advanced that us mere mortals on Earth just cant handle it. . . Who is it that Microsoft is marketing this OS to. . Oh ya, us mere mortals. Whoops.


"No-one is going to master Windows 8 without help. It's foolish to even try"
What is so difficult about figuring out Windows 8?

"Windows 8 isn't that difficult"
Wait, what?

I'm not so sure you're helping out Mr. DJJ that much. Your post is pretty confusing, and well, a bit out there.

To DJJ: I don't think Windows 8 was designed for users such as yourself. I am not sure why they didn't build into the OS more customizable options to give users who want a more XP or Windows 7 experience (I wont bring up Vista since that was a failed OS as well as just about every other version of Windows has been).

I think you would like Windows 7. If you're familiar with Vista it wont be a problem for you and it gives you a very XP like experience. It doesn't try to be too much and it just lets you use your computer. It's what I use and I am very, very happy with it. Stable, reliable, compatible. Below are some links to downgrade rights info. You'll have to figure out which one applies to you since I think you have an OEM version.

Understanding downgrade rights

Downgrade Your New Windows 8 Computer to Windows 7 for Free

Good Luck DJJ and welcome to the forums.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Pssh. Who buys prebuilts?
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-2600k 3.4 Ghz
    Motherboard
    Asus
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GT 520
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dual Asus 22" Widescreen
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    OCZ SSD boot drive. Spinny secondary drive.
    Case
    Diablotek
    Cooling
    Air
    Keyboard
    Razer BlackWidow Toureny edition.
    Mouse
    Logitech
    Internet Speed
    50 down 10 up
    Browser
    FireFox
    Antivirus
    HAHAHAHAHAHAHA. AV is for noobs.
    Other Info
    I like Macs.
Phil:

There ya go good Buddy. A library starter kit.

I have Win 8 all over the place.

You missed many of my posts. I'm an old curmudgeon who has used every Microsoft OS since 1983.

232323232%7Ffp54396%3Enu%3D3263%3E8%3A9%3E9%3B2%3EWSNRCG%3D3892664%3B%3A632%3Cnu0mrj
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP
Phil:

There ya go good Buddy. A library starter kit.

I have Win 8 all over the place.

You missed many of my posts. I'm an old curmudgeon who has used every Microsoft OS since 1983.

232323232%7Ffp54396%3Enu%3D3263%3E8%3A9%3E9%3B2%3EWSNRCG%3D3892664%3B%3A632%3Cnu0mrj

I'll pass on the first two, Windows 7 is working great for me. If Windows 8 changes or releases a service pack to make it more like a Windows 7 experience, I might install it.

I build my own computers.

I have the fourth, or had. It might have been sold.

I too have been around computers for a while. Cassette tape data storage, 1200 baud modems, 5 1/4", BBS cosysop etc. Even had a usenet account in like 6th grade. I am also a card holding member of the curmudgeon club but haven't meet the minimum requirements for the old club yet. ;)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Pssh. Who buys prebuilts?
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-2600k 3.4 Ghz
    Motherboard
    Asus
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GT 520
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dual Asus 22" Widescreen
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    OCZ SSD boot drive. Spinny secondary drive.
    Case
    Diablotek
    Cooling
    Air
    Keyboard
    Razer BlackWidow Toureny edition.
    Mouse
    Logitech
    Internet Speed
    50 down 10 up
    Browser
    FireFox
    Antivirus
    HAHAHAHAHAHAHA. AV is for noobs.
    Other Info
    I like Macs.
Stop this please, it's making me realize I'm old......:)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8 pro
    System Manufacturer/Model
    home built
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II 955 BE
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4A785TD-V EVO
    Memory
    4GB geil
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI HD5770
    Sound Card
    onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG flattron L225WS
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 1TB
    Samsung 1 TB
    Case
    Collermaster HAF
    Cooling
    XTREME Frezer II
    Keyboard
    Logitech G15
    Mouse
    Microtools WMX810
    Internet Speed
    cable
It seems that many are trying to help by teaching an old dog new tricks; however, some of us old dogs (like myself) don't want to learn new tricks so from one old dog to another, I offer the following advice:

Follow bassfisher6522's advice and if that doesn't work for you, maybe you can downgrade to Windows 7 but I would not recommend going back to Vista.

Cheers!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
It seems that many are trying to help by teaching an old dog new tricks; however, some of us old dogs (like myself) don't want to learn new tricks so from one old dog to another, I offer the following advice:

Follow bassfisher6522's advice and if that doesn't work for you, maybe you can downgrade to Windows 7 but I would not recommend going back to Vista.

Cheers!

This.

Taking the time to learn a new system is fine and dandy, but in the mean time it leaves you with no clue as to how to use your current system.

Start8 (or Start menu 8 if you're cheap) will make Windows 8 run as close to Windows 7 as possible, and you can set it to override Windows 8 features with a Windows 7 like version.

As you get more used to the system you can disable the overrides and try out the new Windows features, but it the meantime it allows you to use your system.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus Tansformer Book Flip TP500LN
    CPU
    Intel i5-4210U
    Memory
    8GB DDR3 SDRAM
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia Geforce GT 840M
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15" Touchscreen
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    1TB Hybrid
    Mouse
    Microsoft Wireless Mobile Mouse 4000
As another old fart, I'm dragging you kicking and screaming into century 22

Are you sure about that?

Ever considered it might actually be going backwards.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8 pro
    System Manufacturer/Model
    home built
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II 955 BE
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4A785TD-V EVO
    Memory
    4GB geil
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI HD5770
    Sound Card
    onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG flattron L225WS
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 1TB
    Samsung 1 TB
    Case
    Collermaster HAF
    Cooling
    XTREME Frezer II
    Keyboard
    Logitech G15
    Mouse
    Microtools WMX810
    Internet Speed
    cable
As another 60 something with desktop experience since MS-DOS in the mid 1980s, I have no problem with Windows 8 as a desktop OS, no longing to have a start menu or :orb:!

I prefer 8 to 7, use the mouse less and the keyboard hotkey combinations more. I turn my laptop off rarely, using sleep almost exclusively, only turning off and restarting when updates or installations require it. I have a shortcut to shutdown -r -t 0 pinned to the taskbar.

8 starts faster and connects to the network faster. I don't even bother to turn off UAC now, it is just less invasive than with 7 or Vista, as are the Windows updates which allow 3 days before automatic restart. I use netplwiz to allow autologon, and do not require a password on waking on my personal machine.

I use :winkey:+x for basic management tasks, and if I want to use something a little more low-level, like regedit, I hit :winkey:, type regedit, and hit <enter> instead of :orb: (with mouse), point to the search box and click (with mouse) and then type regedit <enter>.

I don't visit the desktop much now either, but if there are programs I may need to use on occasion, I drop a shortcut on the desktop, and use the taskbar Desktop toolbar to locate the link.

One thing I always do with the start screen is to place the desktop link at the upper left of the first block of tiles, and to uninstall or remove all tiles I do not want. I find most apps do not work well, are slow to start, and I prefer not to use them, only the desktop versions of say IE10 (I rarely use IE, I prefer Chrome, Opera or Firefox), MSTSC (Remote Desktop - MicroSoft Terminal Services Client), Adobe Reader, Media Player, although I keep the Weather app and visit the Store in case something useful arrives, and to run the updates for the apps I have kept, just in case they are found to be insecure.

All this H8 is futile - It is just the latest Windows with yet another shell, just like you can run a Windows cmd shell console, a DOS Command shell console and a Powershell console, as well as specific virtual machines.

8 is just a very versatile advanced OS, not yet perfect. Rather than customisability, Microsoft has chosen versatility for this version, and wants the users to learn the different ways of doing things. Those users who prefer the old ways of working are not the users that Microsoft wants to encourage - Windows XP nearly was the end for Microsoft as a profit drain - they will not allow it to happen again.

I like to be free to choose, to do the things I am comfortable about choosing to do, and I see many things in Windows 8 that I could object about in this regard, but I also see the need to move on. I can still run DOS and XP and Linux either as dual boot or as virtual machines, even dual-booting VMs, if needed. Like so many limited value third-party utilities and customisations, I don't see the need for a replacement start menu button or to disable the charms bar - I need neither, and see them very infrequently now.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP COMPAQ Presario CQ57
    CPU
    AMD E- 300 APU with Radion HD Graphics 1.30GHz
    Motherboard
    inbuilt
    Memory
    4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI
    Sound Card
    High Definition Audio on-board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    notebook
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    Seagate ST9500325AS
    Google drive 15GB
    Skydrive 25GB
    BT Cloud
    PSU
    external 20v
    Case
    Laptop
    Cooling
    pretty good
    Keyboard
    inbuilt
    Mouse
    touchpad
    Internet Speed
    BT Infinity Unlimited - 80 up 20 down =70/16 really
    Browser
    Chrome Canary usually
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender and Malwarebytes
    Other Info
    no Start menu modifications
    Upgraded with no issues to 8.0 and to 8.1
Hi all, new guy here and I'd appreciate some help or advice.

I recently purchased a new Dell Inspiron 17R that came with Windows 8. While the laptop is fine and is actually more than I need, all is not well with the Windows 8 operating system.

I'm an old guy but have been using PCs for 25 years and have never had a problem with newer systems until now. The Windows 8 OS is simply not intuitive enough for me. I don't even own a smartphone or any Bluetooth devices, so much of the terminology and navigation is frustrating.

I'm retired, have lots of time on my hands and have been really trying to "get it" for a couple of weeks.

It ain't working for me.

I really, really would like to install Windows Vista on this thing so I can actually use it instead of spending hours and hours trying to "figure it out".

Is it even possible to "downgrade" to an old OS?


Thank you.

If you really want to get back to ease of navigation you need to get this little gem StartIsBack - real start menu in Windows 8. It's the real deal for the start button they use the existing code left behind in 8. 30 day trial but believe me just pay the three dollars it is sooo worth it. Plus the activation key is good for two PC's.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W8 Inspiron 17R W8P+MCE HTPC
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Hard Drives
    Custom HTPC systems builder, trouble shooter for Apple and PC products.
    My HTPC specs:
    Core i5 W7 Pro/W8 Pro+MCE
    Lian Li blk mid tower 10 gigs + 2 OS HDD's W7/8.
    Other Info
    Gigabyte UD3 mobo P55 chipset.
    Workstation:
    Same as above but using the "M" series mobo with ATi 5670
    Dell Inspiron 17R i3 3rd gen W8.
    Nokia Lumia 810 W Phone8.
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