Where to find the Version of Windows 8 and 8.1 ?

[Katmandu]

I have (2) PCs running Windows 8.1 (upgraded) and a brand new laptop here that came with 8.1 pre-installed.

I'm very satisfied with my (2) PCs performance and no real issues. This new laptop with 8.1 has been nothing but a major PITA to set up.

I am not a fan of Metro and want it gone. Apparently, one needs the PRO or Enterprise versions that includes MMC to get rid of it and a bunch of other Admin settings.

I don't know what version of 8.1 this new laptop has and for that matter don't know the versions of my other (2) PCs.

Where does one find this specific info on the versions ?


TIA!

 

[Brink]

Hello Katmandu, and welcome to Eight Forums.

You could use either option in the tutorial below to see what edition of Windows 8 you have. If it only says "Windows 8.1", then it's just the core Windows 8.1. It'll have "Pro" or "Enterprise" after the "Windows 8.1" if it was one of those editions instead.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/32371-system-information-view-about-your-windows-8-pc.html

In addition:

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/22467-system-type-32-bit-x86-64-bit-x64-windows-8-a.html


I'm afraid that the Modern UI (Metro) cannot be disabled in Windows 8.1, but you could install a program like the free Classic Shell to help avoid if you like.


Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[davehc]

"I am not a fan of Metro and want it gone. Apparently, one needs the PRO or Enterprise versions that includes MMC to get rid of it and a bunch of other Admin settings."

I may have misread your remark, but MMC is not included (free) in any editions of Windows 8 or 8.1. Neither is the ability to "get rid" of the Metro screen.

You might find it interesting to have a glance at this comparisons page:

"Compare Windows Enterprise editions"

 

[elbmek]

Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\System

 

[elbmek]

iobit do a start menu 'fix' which reverts all setting to Win 7 eg: start menu etc. Its in the freebie Advanced System Care. It also leave a switch in the menu in case you wish to go back.

 

[Katmandu]

Hello Katmandu, and welcome to Eight Forums.

You could use either option in the tutorial below to see what edition of Windows 8 you have. If it only says "Windows 8.1", then it's just the core Windows 8.1. It'll have "Pro" or "Enterprise" after the "Windows 8.1" if it was one of those editions instead.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/32371-system-information-view-about-your-windows-8-pc.html

In addition:

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/22467-system-type-32-bit-x86-64-bit-x64-windows-8-a.html


I'm afraid that the Modern UI (Metro) cannot be disabled in Windows 8.1, but you could install a program like the free Classic Shell to help avoid if you like.


Hope this helps,
Shawn

Thanks Shawn! Shows my laptop here as having version 6.3 (Build 6100). ???

 

[Katmandu]

"I am not a fan of Metro and want it gone. Apparently, one needs the PRO or Enterprise versions that includes MMC to get rid of it and a bunch of other Admin settings."

I may have misread your remark, but MMC is not included (free) in any editions of Windows 8 or 8.1. Neither is the ability to "get rid" of the Metro screen.

You might find it interesting to have a glance at this comparisons page:

"Compare Windows Enterprise editions"

I spent a lot of time looking to Edit Group Policies. I did see that as well that my pre-loaded 8.1 does not have the MMC and the others do.

Thank you.

 

[Katmandu]

iobit do a start menu 'fix' which reverts all setting to Win 7 eg: start menu etc. Its in the freebie Advanced System Care. It also leave a switch in the menu in case you wish to go back.

Yup, one of the first apps I installed when I bought this new laptop yesterday. Already have it on my other (2) PCs as well. Great Apps!

I did manage to revert most of the "looks/features" back to Windows 7. I really dislike this new charms bar pop. I find it very intrusive and very annoying. I haven't yet found a way to disable it. ??

 

[davehc]

You can partially get rid of it by right clicking the taskbar - Properties and then have a look in the "navigation" tab.

 

[Brink]

iobit do a start menu 'fix' which reverts all setting to Win 7 eg: start menu etc. Its in the freebie Advanced System Care. It also leave a switch in the menu in case you wish to go back.

Yup, one of the first apps I installed when I bought this new laptop yesterday. Already have it on my other (2) PCs as well. Great Apps!

I did manage to revert most of the "looks/features" back to Windows 7. I really dislike this new charms bar pop. I find it very intrusive and very annoying. I haven't yet found a way to disable it. ??

You can't completely disable the Charms bar, but you could disable the Charms hint corners if you like.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/15538-charms-bar-hint-enable-disable-windows-8-a.html

 

[alphanumeric]

Instead of disabling the hot corners go into your mouse/track pad settings and turn off the edge swipes. The edge swipes were driving me batty on my laptop. The charms bar was always coming up as I would slide my finger across the palm rest to find the track pad without looking. Now if I do actually want the charms bar I just use the hot corner to find it.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/20992-touchpad-edge-swipes-enable-disable-windows-8-a.html