Windows 8.1 still cold and ugly

pabloottawa

New Member
Messages
13
Location
Ontario Canada
Hey folks,

I just registered and still using Windows 7 but the other night I installed 8.1 on a second drive and after 24 hours of testing and tweaking i like the performance side of it all but my GOD is it ever ugly. There is absolutely no warmth to it whatsoever. The window borders and task bar can't be made to look smoother or softer, the corners can't be rounded with contrast added onto it.

I guess my question to everyone who has a little more experience with Win 8.1 is; Can you make it look and feel just a bit more like Win 7 in the sense that things are a bit more rounded with contrast and for lack of a better word "warmth".

It's really too bad. It's a great new powerful OS and yet in my opinion, it lacks SO MUCH.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    WIN 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self built custom
    CPU
    Inter i7 3930K
    Motherboard
    Asus P9x79 DELUXE
    Memory
    6 x 4 Gb Kingston HyperX RAM triple channel 24GB total
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte GTX 760 4GB x 2 in SLI
    Sound Card
    Onboard Realtek 5.1
    Monitor(s) Displays
    BENQ XL2420T 120Hz Gaming monitor
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    1 Mushkin 240gb (primary OS) plus a few other storage drives
    PSU
    Cooler Master Silent Power 1000W
    Case
    Corsair Obsidian 800D
    Cooling
    Swiftech H320 closed loop water cooling system
    Keyboard
    Logitech G510
    Mouse
    Razer Mamba 2012
    Internet Speed
    So fast I go to plaid quite often
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Eset Antivirus 7
I agree with you, first off, you can install Start8 or Classic Shell to get back a REAL Start Button, then you can find a decent Desktop Theme, set the Taskbar Colour to Automatic. If you use multiple wallpapers, the taskbar colour will change according to the main colour of your wallpaper, and it is a lot more decent to look at.

Once you install Start 8 or Classic Shell, you can set it up so that it will bypass the Start Menu, or, you can tell 8.1 to boot straight to desktop.
 

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.
Thanks for the reply XweAponX,

Do I have to pay for Start 8 and/or Classic Shell? And if so, which would you recommend?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    WIN 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self built custom
    CPU
    Inter i7 3930K
    Motherboard
    Asus P9x79 DELUXE
    Memory
    6 x 4 Gb Kingston HyperX RAM triple channel 24GB total
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte GTX 760 4GB x 2 in SLI
    Sound Card
    Onboard Realtek 5.1
    Monitor(s) Displays
    BENQ XL2420T 120Hz Gaming monitor
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    1 Mushkin 240gb (primary OS) plus a few other storage drives
    PSU
    Cooler Master Silent Power 1000W
    Case
    Corsair Obsidian 800D
    Cooling
    Swiftech H320 closed loop water cooling system
    Keyboard
    Logitech G510
    Mouse
    Razer Mamba 2012
    Internet Speed
    So fast I go to plaid quite often
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Eset Antivirus 7
Start8 is better but its 5 bucks. Classic Shell is free.

I have both, I use Classic Shell to remove Breadcrumbs from my Explorer address bar.
 

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 use classic shell. Works fine.
 

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
Thanks guys, I'm gonna look into it and hopefully with a little open mindedness, I'll like Win8.1 as much as 7.... I loved 7 right out of the box. Can't say the same for 8.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    WIN 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self built custom
    CPU
    Inter i7 3930K
    Motherboard
    Asus P9x79 DELUXE
    Memory
    6 x 4 Gb Kingston HyperX RAM triple channel 24GB total
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte GTX 760 4GB x 2 in SLI
    Sound Card
    Onboard Realtek 5.1
    Monitor(s) Displays
    BENQ XL2420T 120Hz Gaming monitor
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    1 Mushkin 240gb (primary OS) plus a few other storage drives
    PSU
    Cooler Master Silent Power 1000W
    Case
    Corsair Obsidian 800D
    Cooling
    Swiftech H320 closed loop water cooling system
    Keyboard
    Logitech G510
    Mouse
    Razer Mamba 2012
    Internet Speed
    So fast I go to plaid quite often
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Eset Antivirus 7
I prefer 8 actually, and so far everything that was running on 7 runs on it. I cant say fro 8.1, I usually do not update my OSes more than once every 2 years anyway.
 

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.
There are a great many visual styles out in the wild that will do just about anything you are looking for. At present I am using an OSX 10.8 Mountain Lion style which I truly like. If you are looking for a Win 7 style they are out there. Must of the styles that are available offer you Start is Back as part of their package thus giving you a start menu if you are also looking for one. If you are looking for sometime simple and without a start menu then WindowBlinds might be what you are looking for. . .remember "Google" is your friend. . .Good Luck.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8, (VM win7, XP, Vista)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion p1423w
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 3330 Ivy Bridge
    Motherboard
    Foxconn - 2ADA Ivy Brige
    Memory
    16 GB 1066MHz DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD 5450
    Sound Card
    HD Realteck (Onboard)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Mitsubishi LED TV/Montior HD, Dell 23 HD, Hanspree 25" HD
    Screen Resolution
    Mit. 1980-1080, Dell 2048-115, Hanspree 1920-10802
    Hard Drives
    1 SanDisk 240Gig SSD, 2 Samsung 512Gig SSDs
    Case
    Tower
    Cooling
    Original (Fans)
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Keyboard 2000
    Mouse
    Microsoft Optical Mouse 5000
    Internet Speed
    1.3 (350 to 1024 if lucky)
    Browser
    Firefox 19.1
    Antivirus
    MSE-Defender
Start Menu 8 is also nice. I agree, 8 is ugly especially after Aero in 7. We got spoiled I guess.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer V3 771G-6443
    CPU
    i5-3230m
    Motherboard
    Acer VA70_HC (U3E1)
    Memory
    8GB DDR3 PC3-12800 (800 MHz)
    Graphics Card(s)
    HD4000 + GeForce GT 730M
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17" Generic PnP Display on Intel HD Graphics 4000
    Screen Resolution
    1600x900 pixels
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 850 EVO 250 GB
    ADATA SSD SP900 128GB
    PSU
    90 watt brick
    Mouse
    Bluetooth
    Antivirus
    Comodo
    Other Info
    Asus RT-AC56R dual-band WRT router (Merlin firmware). Intel 7260.HMWWB.R dual-band ac wireless adapter.
That is the biggest disappointment in 8 and 8.1
 

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.
Yeah and after another 24 hours of tweaking I still hate it lol... I really think that like Vista, Microsoft is REALLY going to have to rethink THEIR thinking. Shoving social media down peoples throats by way of an OS is not what windows is about in my opinion. Making the simplest of tasks a navigation nightmare is not what windows is about. Take apple for instance. They have an OS for their desktop PC's and an OS for their tablets. Both perform excellently in their respective environments. Microsoft is trying to make a cross compatible OS and it doesn't work for me. I wish it did though, it is a bit faster and I like some of the features.


I guess it's another year's wait for this user. Going back to Windows 7 was light a weight being lifted lol....
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    WIN 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self built custom
    CPU
    Inter i7 3930K
    Motherboard
    Asus P9x79 DELUXE
    Memory
    6 x 4 Gb Kingston HyperX RAM triple channel 24GB total
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte GTX 760 4GB x 2 in SLI
    Sound Card
    Onboard Realtek 5.1
    Monitor(s) Displays
    BENQ XL2420T 120Hz Gaming monitor
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    1 Mushkin 240gb (primary OS) plus a few other storage drives
    PSU
    Cooler Master Silent Power 1000W
    Case
    Corsair Obsidian 800D
    Cooling
    Swiftech H320 closed loop water cooling system
    Keyboard
    Logitech G510
    Mouse
    Razer Mamba 2012
    Internet Speed
    So fast I go to plaid quite often
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Eset Antivirus 7
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