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

[musiclover7]

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.

 

[Superfly]

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

 

[Lee]

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.". . .

 

[jimbo45]

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

 

[ARC1020]

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?

 

[XweAponX]

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.

 

[musiclover7]

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.

 

[musiclover7]

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.

 

[musiclover7]

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..

 

[goodintentions]

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.

 

[strollin]

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.

 

[goodintentions]

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.

 

[musiclover7]

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..

 

[jladwig]

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.

 

[David Bailey]

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:

 

[XweAponX]

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.

 

[musiclover7]

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..

 

[Sonjstar]

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..

 

[Jf1450]

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

 

[play2mefish]

"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.