Solved Thinking of going back to Windows 7

MS wants to remove the Desktop service eventually. This has nothing to do with the Start Menu. The "metro" UI is the new Start Menu.

I know. It's just semantics. But, it's a peeve of mine. People want their Windows 7 Desktop (with a Start Menu). And, as others stated, this is easily done with a few 3rd party programs. I use the Stardock solutions mentioned. But that is different than simply wanting a "Start Menu".

The true problem lies with legacy programs that require explorer.exe. This challenge is far more complicated for MS than pacifying the handful of people who want a Start Button.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Professional
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Alienware m14x
    CPU
    I7
    Memory
    12GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia GT 650m
    Browser
    FireFox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
handful of people who want a Start Button.

Why are you assuming it is a handful? What do you mean by button?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
handful of people who want a Start Button.

Why are you assuming it is a handful? What do you mean by button?

To be fair, I would say that everyone who has ever used windows before want a start menu or start button when they first migrated to windows 8. And this includes me.

The thing is this. After just the first month of using windows 8, everyone I know including myself realized that we never used the inserted start menu anyway. I have classic shell installed on my computer and I haven't used it after the first couple times I tried it. All my friends who are IT professionals have said the same to me.

So, yes, people do want the start button if they were used to windows 7. But people will very quickly realize that they don't touch it after their initial tests.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8
handful of people who want a Start Button.

Why are you assuming it is a handful? What do you mean by button?

To be fair, I would say that everyone who has ever used windows before want a start menu or start button when they first migrated to windows 8. And this includes me.

The thing is this. After just the first month of using windows 8, everyone I know including myself realized that we never used the inserted start menu anyway. I have classic shell installed on my computer and I haven't used it after the first couple times I tried it. All my friends who are IT professionals have said the same to me.

So, yes, people do want the start button if they were used to windows 7. But people will very quickly realize that they don't touch it after their initial tests.

I still use the start menu. I bought Start8, and I use it. 95% of what I want is pinned to my taskbar, but for those things I randomly access I do so with the start menu. I strongly dislike having my entire desktop removed when I access the start screen.
 

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.
Why are you assuming it is a handful? What do you mean by button?

To be fair, I would say that everyone who has ever used windows before want a start menu or start button when they first migrated to windows 8. And this includes me.

The thing is this. After just the first month of using windows 8, everyone I know including myself realized that we never used the inserted start menu anyway. I have classic shell installed on my computer and I haven't used it after the first couple times I tried it. All my friends who are IT professionals have said the same to me.

So, yes, people do want the start button if they were used to windows 7. But people will very quickly realize that they don't touch it after their initial tests.

I still use the start menu. I bought Start8, and I use it. 95% of what I want is pinned to my taskbar, but for those things I randomly access I do so with the start menu. I strongly dislike having my entire desktop removed when I access the start screen.

Have you tried the search?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8
I have been using 8 a long while.

Like pp I still use a start menu. It works better for me. I don't think it is only me - nor is it a tiny handful.

Yes, thanks - the start menu search works well.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Like so many others, I've added the Stardock apps -- and now have Win8 looking and working much like Win7 -- which is something I really like, now.

And ... I tried, REALLY tried, using the Search capability when I first installed Win8, and discovered it was unable to find nearly everything I entered. I remember posting on that, without finding any solutions.

With a menu back, and with icons in the taskbar, I can launch everything I want with one or two clicks at most -- which is how I like to work.

Others may prefer other approaches.
 

My Computer

Like so many others, I've added the Stardock apps -- and now have Win8 looking and working much like Win7 -- which is something I really like, now.

And ... I tried, REALLY tried, using the Search capability when I first installed Win8, and discovered it was unable to find nearly everything I entered. I remember posting on that, without finding any solutions.

With a menu back, and with icons in the taskbar, I can launch everything I want with one or two clicks at most -- which is how I like to work.

Others may prefer other approaches.

Like what? I'm just curious so I can replicate it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8
Like what? I'm just curious so I can replicate it.

Are you just curious? Or are you trying to "prove" him wrong.

Don't bother, let people do what they prefer.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Like what? I'm just curious so I can replicate it.

Are you just curious? Or are you trying to "prove" him wrong.

Don't bother, let people do what they prefer.

No, I'm genuinely curious. He's not the only one I've seen saying they can't find anything with the search. I've never had a problem finding things I needed. As far as I know, everyone I know has never had a problem with the search.

But there are people who "couldn't find anything" with the search. I've been trying to track down the cause of this.

But suppose that I am trying to prove him wrong. So what? Suppose I like dairy queen. Suppose everyone I know likes dairy queen, particularly in the summer. Then one day I bump into someone that says dairy queen tastes like poop. He goes around telling people dairy queen tastes like poop. Wouldn't you be the least bit curious what he ordered or what he ate that made him think this way?

The to-each-his-own only works to a certain point. This is a tech website. Making a general tech statement, especially one with technical nature in it, requires more description than just a typical "it sux" proclamation.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8
And ... I tried, REALLY tried, using the Search capability when I first installed Win8, and discovered it was unable to find nearly everything I entered. I remember posting on that, without finding any solutions.
I'm curious about this too. I haven't had any issues with native search. I just hit start screen, start typing and click on files and it finds what I am searching for. What problems are you seeing?

With a menu back, and with icons in the taskbar, I can launch everything I want with one or two clicks at most -- which is how I like to work.
When I know the name of the app, I find it fastest to click Start button on keyboard, type first few letters and hit enter. However, when I don't actually know the name of the app exactly, I prefer using the start menu. For example, to launch calculator, I hit Start, cal, enter. Then I usually pin it to my taskbar and it's always there going forward.
 

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.
I can't answer what he was referring to, of course.

But suppose that I am trying to prove him wrong. So what?

That is what causes friction.

Wouldn't you be the least bit curious what he ordered or what he ate that made him think this way?

No. I like spinach. A lot of people don't. That is fine.

If I was making the ice cream you mentioned, then I may be interested in the things people do not like about it. I may then change those things in the hope of increasing sales.

I would not try and force them to like whatever.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
I can't answer what he was referring to, of course.

But suppose that I am trying to prove him wrong. So what?

That is what causes friction.

Wouldn't you be the least bit curious what he ordered or what he ate that made him think this way?

No. I like spinach. A lot of people don't. That is fine.

This makes no sense.

Suppose I say windows 7 sucks. Suppose I say nothing in 7 works. Every time I try to open a program in 7 it crashes and decreases my bank account by $300. You're not going to ask me what I'm smoking just to avoid friction?

He makes an incredible claim. Those of us who have never had a problem with the search function would want to know what kind of apps he can't find. Perhaps he's onto something here. But we can't know unless he's more specific.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8
If you are curious, that is different from trying to prove him wrong and shame him into doing something the way you like to do it.

There is a lot of "you are not doing it right" attitude from 8 lovers.

It doesn't matter . If I prefer a particular thing - you are not going to change my mind.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
I'm not here to change anybodies mind, I'm not the worlds largest 8 fan, but I find the search works fine. I'd like to know what is going on to prevent his from working right, because chances are that I would stumble upon it in my future IT endeavors.
 

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.
I think the Search in Windows Explorer is what people complain about, not the one off Start.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo IdeaCenter K450
    CPU
    Intel Quad Core i7-4770 @ 3.4Ghz
    Motherboard
    Lenovo
    Memory
    16.0GB PC3-12800 DDR3 SDRAM 1600 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Integrated HD Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP h2207
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050@59Hz
    Hard Drives
    250GB Samsung EVO SATA-3 SSD;
    2TB Seagate ST2000DM001 SATA-2;
    1.5TB Seagate ST3150041AS SATA
    PSU
    500W
    Keyboard
    Wired USB
    Mouse
    Wired USB
    Internet Speed
    3GB Up, 30GB Down
    Browser
    SeaMonkey
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender; MBAM Pro
    Other Info
    UEFI/GPT
    PLDS DVD-RW DH16AERSH
I don't know what he was referring to Pp

I recall it didn't work well at first. Can't remember exactly, but diskmgmt.msc may have been one of the things it couldn't find.

I think there have been updates to fix that since.

Makes no difference to me.

I am using a start menu because it works better for me, I prefer it.

I'm not here to change anybodies mind, I'm not the worlds largest 8 fan, but I find the search works fine. I'd like to know what is going on to prevent his from working right, because chances are that I would stumble upon it in my future IT endeavors.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
I recall it didn't work well at first. Can't remember exactly, but diskmgmt.msc may have been one of the things it couldn't find.
I just searched that from the start screen and it showed up as an application in the list.

I am using a start menu because it works better for me, I prefer it.
Most times I agree, but in many cases I have found that i can hit the start button (on keyboard) and type the first few letters of my app and hit enter and launch the app faster than I can with the start menu. I wish that it wouldn't take over my entire display, but I'm there for less than 2 seconds so for as infrequently as I use it, it's fine.
 

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.
If you are curious, that is different from trying to prove him wrong and shame him into doing something the way you like to do it.

There is a lot of "you are not doing it right" attitude from 8 lovers.

It doesn't matter . If I prefer a particular thing - you are not going to change my mind.

I realize that I won't change anyone's mind. But "the search function doesn't work" is not an opinion. It's a statement of fact. I know I'm not going to change anyone's opinion, but I'd like to know what's behind his statement of fact.

Refusing to tell us exactly what he couldn't find shows he was just looking for a reason to hate windows 8, which is fine with me. I'd prefer he just says so. No need to try to find a reason not to like windows 8.

I can't stress the word choice enough. We don't live in a dictatorship. Everyone is entitled to like or dislike things based on opinion and taste. But making statements of fact is an entirely different matter.

I know that I do not like ginger. And I often tell people I do not like the taste or smell of ginger. I would never say "ginger tastes and smells like poop", because that would be a statement of fact. If I were to make that statement, I would expect any reasonable person to question where I got this idea and how I arrived at this statement of fact.

Do you see the difference?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8
Back
Top