How much dumbed down Windows 8 is in comparision to Windows 7?

icet

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This is my question to all seniormembers, power users, advanced users, developers and everybody else in the forum. I saw the following thread at your forums posted by theuser “xpclient”:


http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w8itprogeneral/thread/18b53644-6c6b-4d32-820a-53134a0913f3/




Though I am not a power user oradvanced user, I intend to be one in near future. So I would wish forfull control over my PC. And without doubt all power users oradvanced users wish the same. But this thread mentions the featuresand configuration options removed in Windows 8 which were present inWindows 7, and it seems a lot has been removed and the user's controlhas been diminished.


Iwould like to know your opinions whether the features andconfigurations removed in Windows 8 are too much or little in termsof the users control on his/her PC. If they are too much, is thatpossible that through third partly applications, or with some tricksand tweaks the advanced user/power user could somehow be able to havethe same control over his/her PC and do whatever he/she can as inWindows 7? Do any alternative methods exist with which he/she couldaccomplish what he/she can in Windows 7? If Windows 8 restrictsuser's control over the system then I think its better to stick withWindows 7. If users can somehow manage to do as much as they can inWindows 7, they should welcome Windows 8 and move ahead with it.Kindly throw some light on this matter.:think:






 

My Computer

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I don't approve of anything that takes either control or options away from me.

After all, who owns the computer?

Me?

Or Microsoft?

Although I do like using Win 8, there are several reasons why I
am somewhat less than enamoured with it.

This is one.

The push to the cloud is another.
 

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    Windows 8 Enterprise 64-bit (7 Ult, Vista & XP in V-Box)
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Hello,

I've read the list. Some removed features will be missed, others not. Some new features will be liked, others not. We get over this at every major release in a few years.

Personally I don't feel a major difference in what you call full control. I can do all the advanced stuff I did in Win7. The XPClient guy mentioned Device Manager: but The version in Win8 is better than previous ones (if you know what I mean).

Whan I first discovered Win8 I was first impressed about the new features rather than being depressed about the removed features.
If WMP doesn't provide me DVD playback anymore, I'm using VLC now: they even made pure win64 versions.

There had been some heavy discussions and fights around here between metro lovers & haters... long story made short: it's possible that you like some features and hate others but complaining about them now won't help anyone. If I would upgrade, it will be because I like some of the new features. That's about it.

Can you or anyone explain that restrict user control over the system?
Trying an Auto-answer to myself::) It's seems to be one of those myths again: I don't feel a difference between my Win7 Admin and Win8 Admin rights. But it is possible that they increase security in each OS version and that's a good thing.

Iwould like to know your opinions whether the features andconfigurations removed in Windows 8 are too much or little in termsof the users control on his/her PC

No not for me.
I do find it difficult to change the screen font as the advanced theme (classic) settings are removed but for the rest all goes well.

What else: ah yes the dualboot slowdown; well I'm trying not to dualboot (use VM's instead) because I saw how that goes. But if you have only a Win8 bootloader there, you can boot faster than in Win7 even on old IDE hdd's thanks to the new hybrid boot option:
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/7806-fast-startup-force-use-all-users-windows-8-a.html that you can always turn ON on the drive.
Works even better on SSD's.

Every OS release has its ups and downs. I try to look at the ups to cheer me up.
Although I use Win7 on my main PC, I don't feel bad about Win8: it's a good release.

Cheers
Hopachi
 
Last edited:

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I don't approve of anything that takes either control or options away from me.

After all, who owns the computer?

Me?

Or Microsoft?

Although I do like using Win 8, there are several reasons why I
am somewhat less than enamoured with it.

This is one.

The push to the cloud is another.

I try to ignore the thing they call the cloud as I'm a more offline person myself.
 

My Computer

System One

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


As you say that “some removed features will be missed, others not. Some new features will be liked, others not. We get over this at every major release in a few years”. So that means its sort of balance in the number of features with every major release. So we would have almost the same control as we have with Windows 7. With technological advance some features are removed and some added. If thats the situation then I would go with Windows 8! Also personally I like the Metro interface but I won't wish to leave the desktop interface. We are getting both with Windows 8! With reference to the cloud feature, like you I too am an offline person. And like you I look forward to Windows 8! Cheers! :)
 

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  • OS
    Windows 7
Windows 8 is mostly the normal windows 7 desktop with a glorified smartphoen metro overlay bolted on.
 

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    Windows 8 RTM (Retinas taking damage...)
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    2x Nvidia 9800 GTX+
I don't feel that I am any more restricted in Windows 8 than I was in Windows 7 or in Vista.
 

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    Windows 7
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    Antec P182
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    stock
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    ABS M1 Mechanical
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    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
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    15/2 cable modem
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    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
I say this:

Windows 8 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia List of new features

List of features removed in Windows 8 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia List of removed/upgrade features.

Technically, you can say Windows 8 is dumbed down if you mean on the maintenance end, whereas there is VERY little user input needed to maintain a good, clean running copy of Windows 8. Also, reset and refresh features can be called dumbed down. Honestly, I think it's a personal relief.

Then again, if you find some of the really old forum threads, you'll find that some people find that Windows 8 is too difficult to use as there is too steep of a learning curve, then no, it's not dumbed down.

There isn't anything too dumbed down about 8 honestly. Then again, it's definition you might want to clarify.
 

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  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
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    ASUS
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    AMD FX 8320
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    Crosshair V Formula-Z
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    16 gig DDR3
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    ASUS R9 270
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    1440x900
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    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
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    Microsoft Touch Mouse
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    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
I say this:

Windows 8 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia List of new features

List of features removed in Windows 8 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia List of removed/upgrade features.

Technically, you can say Windows 8 is dumbed down if you mean on the maintenance end, whereas there is VERY little user input needed to maintain a good, clean running copy of Windows 8. Also, reset and refresh features can be called dumbed down. Honestly, I think it's a personal relief.

Then again, if you find some of the really old forum threads, you'll find that some people find that Windows 8 is too difficult to use as there is too steep of a learning curve, then no, it's not dumbed down.

There isn't anything too dumbed down about 8 honestly. Then again, it's definition you might want to clarify.





I have checked the link you provided of the list of features removed in Windows 8. I don't think that too much has been removed really. And if a few features some people like are removed, I think there must be workarounds for them. Advanced users are well capable to find workarounds. And some features could be enabled through third party applications. But on the whole the features are the same. People are just creating hype as they did when Vista was released. I have used Vista and it was quite a good operating system. Looking forward to Windows 8! Cheers!!!:thumb:
 

My Computer

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  • OS
    Windows 7
I say this:

Windows 8 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia List of new features

List of features removed in Windows 8 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia List of removed/upgrade features.

Technically, you can say Windows 8 is dumbed down if you mean on the maintenance end, whereas there is VERY little user input needed to maintain a good, clean running copy of Windows 8. Also, reset and refresh features can be called dumbed down. Honestly, I think it's a personal relief.

Then again, if you find some of the really old forum threads, you'll find that some people find that Windows 8 is too difficult to use as there is too steep of a learning curve, then no, it's not dumbed down.

There isn't anything too dumbed down about 8 honestly. Then again, it's definition you might want to clarify.





I have checked the link you provided of the list of features removed in Windows 8. I don't think that too much has been removed really. And if a few features some people like are removed, I think there must be workarounds for them. Advanced users are well capable to find workarounds. And some features could be enabled through third party applications. But on the whole the features are the same. People are just creating hype as they did when Vista was released. I have used Vista and it was quite a good operating system. Looking forward to Windows 8! Cheers!!!:thumb:

Agreed. I think people are just hyping up that Windows 8 is bad because it isn't like Windows 7, simply put.
 

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    ASUS R9 270
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    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
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    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
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    Microsoft Touch Mouse
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    Internet Explorer 11
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    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
In terms of restrictions - I have come across quite a lot.

It is only obvious to those who like to have full control of their o/s - doing modifications, building their own mini-versions, that kind of thing.

All kinds of extra hassle doing that with win8.

It is entirely possible MS have overcooked the beta versions we have had so far - the rtm might not be quite as bad in that regard. Too early to tell.

Clickers and jabbers probably are not aware of it - not yet anyway.

It is not clear to me if this is genuinely for extra security, or if there is at least an element of MS trying to stop enthusisasts messing with o/s.

In any case,

More Security = Less Freedom.
 

My Computer

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  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
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    PC/Desktop
In terms of restrictions - I have come across quite a lot.

It is only obvious to those who like to have full control of their o/s - doing modifications, building their own mini-versions, that kind of thing.

All kinds of extra hassle doing that with win8.

It is entirely possible MS have overcooked the beta versions we have had so far - the rtm might not be quite as bad in that regard. Too early to tell.

Clickers and jabbers probably are not aware of it - not yet anyway.

It is not clear to me if this is genuinely for extra security, or if there is at least an element of MS trying to stop enthusisasts messing with o/s.

In any case,

More Security = Less Freedom.


Being an advanced user and other advanced users like you, can you find workarounds, tricks, alternative ways etc. with which you are able to surpass those restrictions? Do you think that putting advanced users like you taking benefit of their high knowledge still can make modifications, build their own mini-versions etc.? Do you think there would be some third party applications which could help advanced users like you?:confused:
 

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  • OS
    Windows 7
I am just a hobbyist.

Those of us who are into this kind of thing share ideas and little apps. we have knocked up - there are also a few things out there for changing acl's and file system drivers that we might need to resort to.

It is extra hassle. Harder to overcome is the code MS have been ripping out of various places - explorer.exe for example.

Pretty sure they have done that deliberately to make it awkward.
 

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  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
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More Security = Less Freedom.
Yeah, but I wouldn't want to go back to the Windows 95/98/XP days where everybody was an admin and machines were constantly infected, rootkitted, trojaned and botted. 10 years ago MS was a laughing stock as far as security went. These days, they are actually garnering some praise at BlackHat. That's quite a change.
 

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    15/2 cable modem
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    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
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