Windows 8 Shows Desktop Will Go the Way of the Dodo

The Desktop in Windows 8 is little more than an afterthought, by design. I've got the evidence that shows why Microsoft hopes to kill it off as soon as it can.

The first piece of evidence is the most obvious: When you boot into Windows 8, you boot into the Metro interface, not the Desktop. I've nosed around various options, and haven't figured out a way to boot into the Desktop, so even if it's possible, Microsoft has made it very hard to do. (If the last thing you were doing before leaving your PC was use the Desktop, and Windows 8 goes to sleep in the interim, you'll head into the Desktop when you wake it from sleep, of course, because Windows goes to the last app you used before it slept.) If Microsoft wanted to keep the Desktop around for the long term, it would have made it simple to boot into the Desktop.

Source

A Guy
 
Yeah although it's nice but overall I feel metro start screen is pretty badly designed. Too bad they don't let you boot to desktop instead. That would be more useful for me. The metro start screen feels as cluttered and chunky as the horrible ribbon interface. And they kept saying how there would be a way for you to jut boot to one or the other. But obviously they haven't made it easy to find(if it's even available at all)
 

My Computer

Well, that's just Windows 8. The concept of Start Screen is to the "Start" launcher, whether an app or a program, and the Desktop to me seems to serve as the Task Switcher. Start a program, switch between programs in Desktop. Start an app, switch between them from the App Switcher on the left side of the screen.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    AMD FX 8320
    Motherboard
    Crosshair V Formula-Z
    Memory
    16 gig DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS R9 270
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
    PSU
    OCZ 500 watt
    Case
    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Touch Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
Kill the desktop and they kill their corporate business. Result - Goodbye Microsoft. Some people use their laptops/ desktops to actually do some REAL work on, not just play a few app games, listen to music and surf the net in a basic manner.

Try setting up an Excel spreadsheet on 10 inch tablet with a touchscreen keyboard. I think anyone would find it an horrific experience with the thing held in one hand whilst trying to type with the other.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro 64-bit, Windows 7 SP1 64-bit, Windows XP SP3 32-bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Own build computer
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 E6600
    Motherboard
    Asus P5Q SE Plus
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GT240
    Sound Card
    Creative X-FI Sound Blaster Xtreme Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    24" Samsung Synchmaster 2494HM
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080 [1080p HDMI connection]
    Hard Drives
    Internal: OCZ Vertex 4 128Gb SSD, 2 x 400Gb SAMSUNG HD403LJ External: 1 x Iomega 2Tb, 1 x Iomega 1Tb,
    PSU
    Corsair AX750 [750w]
    Case
    Corsair Obsidian 550D
    Keyboard
    Wireless Desktop 3000 v2.0
    Mouse
    Microsoft Wireless Mouse 5000
    Internet Speed
    120Mbps download/ 10Mbps upload Cable Connection via UPC Nederland
HPDeskjet, but please. I'd like to hear what is harder to do / achieve in windows 8 than in windows 7
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 x64 Home Premium / Commodore OS Vision / Windows 8 Release preview
    CPU
    AMD Athlon x2 Dual Core 7750 BE 2,7Ghz (2/4)
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N-e
    Memory
    4Gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    GIGABYTE (ATI) Radeon HD 6870 (1Gb)
    Sound Card
    Do i have one?
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2
    Screen Resolution
    1x HD1080 1x SXGA
    Hard Drives
    1x Samsung 500 Gb
    1x Samsung 30 Gb
    1x LaCie 1Tb Hard drive.
    PSU
    Antec 500W
    Case
    Antec three hundred
    Cooling
    3 fans + psu and cpu + gpu
    Keyboard
    Logitech G19
    Mouse
    CM Storm Xornet
    Internet Speed
    110mb/ s
    Other Info
    Look, what i've created... just a few visits at the recyclement center was enough...
HPDeskjet, but please. I'd like to hear what is harder to do / achieve in windows 8 than in windows 7
Its harder for some people (not to a great deal) to do things that you usually do with the old Start Menu and button on the full screen Metro that blocks your view of the Desktop and takes more clicks to search for things if you are a new user or if you are not a tablet fanboy or someone with a touchscreen monitor. It takes an extra learning curve which could be a headache for people working in offices and the enterprise levels who would rather stick to the old traditional way that they feel will get the job done quicker for them. The tastes and preferences of people vary, some like it, some don't.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Ultimate, Windows Developer Preview, Linux Mint 9
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built
:ditto:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 x64 Home Premium / Commodore OS Vision / Windows 8 Release preview
    CPU
    AMD Athlon x2 Dual Core 7750 BE 2,7Ghz (2/4)
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N-e
    Memory
    4Gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    GIGABYTE (ATI) Radeon HD 6870 (1Gb)
    Sound Card
    Do i have one?
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2
    Screen Resolution
    1x HD1080 1x SXGA
    Hard Drives
    1x Samsung 500 Gb
    1x Samsung 30 Gb
    1x LaCie 1Tb Hard drive.
    PSU
    Antec 500W
    Case
    Antec three hundred
    Cooling
    3 fans + psu and cpu + gpu
    Keyboard
    Logitech G19
    Mouse
    CM Storm Xornet
    Internet Speed
    110mb/ s
    Other Info
    Look, what i've created... just a few visits at the recyclement center was enough...
Kill the desktop and they kill their corporate business. Result - Goodbye Microsoft. Some people use their laptops/ desktops to actually do some REAL work on, not just play a few app games, listen to music and surf the net in a basic manner.

Try setting up an Excel spreadsheet on 10 inch tablet with a touchscreen keyboard. I think anyone would find it an horrific experience with the thing held in one hand whilst trying to type with the other.


Desktops actually ARE on the way out except for really special purposes --gaming say and servers : BUT :

Most organisations now are usually supplying LAPTOPS and often there is a BYO policy (Bring Your Own) - especially if you are an external consultant / contractor.

The other points are valid -- nobody will do even a SIMPLE spread sheet on a Tablet --much less a mobile phone.

A Powerpoint demo is also well nigh impossible to do on a tablet as well.

Once you start attaching extra keyboards etc to a tablet -- well it's no longer a tablet is it.

Case Closed M'lud.
Next case please. !!!!


Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Centos 7, W8.1, W7, W2K3 Server W10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 X LG 40 inch TV
    Hard Drives
    SSD's * 3 (Samsung 840 series) 250 GB
    2 X 3 TB sata
    5 X 1 TB sata
    Internet Speed
    0.12 GB/s (120Mb/s)
Why do you need desktop? If it is running in the background, then there isn't a problem! Windows key on Desktop computer brings up most of what you need!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Compaq Presario CQ3240AN
    CPU
    AMD Athlon II X4 Quad Core Processor 630
    Memory
    2GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD 4350
I notice that I can't use Internet Explorer 10 in Metro mode to view TED videos. (Haven't tried anything else.) Mind you the videos work when the browser is in Desktop mode. How bizarre!!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Compaq Presario CQ3240AN
    CPU
    AMD Athlon II X4 Quad Core Processor 630
    Memory
    2GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD 4350

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire E1-571
    CPU
    i5-3230m
    Motherboard
    Acer Type-2
    Memory
    8GB DDR3 1333MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD 4000
    Sound Card
    High Definiton Audio Device
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Generic
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 850 Pro 256GB
    PSU
    Generic
    Keyboard
    QWERTY
    Mouse
    ELANTECH Touchpad
    Internet Speed
    12.68Mbps
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
I notice that I can't use Internet Explorer 10 in Metro mode to view TED videos. (Haven't tried anything else.) Mind you the videos work when the browser is in Desktop mode. How bizarre!!
Try installing Adobe flash player 11.2 RC from here and see whether it works:

http://www.eightforums.com/browsers-mail/2871-latest-version-adobe-flash-player.html
It won't.
Metro IE was created to give plugin free browsing experience. Flash is plugin, thus it won't be loaded.
If you want to watch videos, they should either be HTML 5 based or if it is flash there is a special button to open current tab in desktop IE.

This way Metro IE can remove clutter, security issues, unstabe plugin and resource consumption while having ability to be compatible through desktop IE switch.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Tetris
I notice that I can't use Internet Explorer 10 in Metro mode to view TED videos. (Haven't tried anything else.) Mind you the videos work when the browser is in Desktop mode. How bizarre!!
Try installing Adobe flash player 11.2 RC from here and see whether it works:

http://www.eightforums.com/browsers...y using it for Youtube and works in Metro IE.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire E1-571
    CPU
    i5-3230m
    Motherboard
    Acer Type-2
    Memory
    8GB DDR3 1333MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD 4000
    Sound Card
    High Definiton Audio Device
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Generic
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 850 Pro 256GB
    PSU
    Generic
    Keyboard
    QWERTY
    Mouse
    ELANTECH Touchpad
    Internet Speed
    12.68Mbps
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire E1-571
    CPU
    i5-3230m
    Motherboard
    Acer Type-2
    Memory
    8GB DDR3 1333MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD 4000
    Sound Card
    High Definiton Audio Device
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Generic
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 850 Pro 256GB
    PSU
    Generic
    Keyboard
    QWERTY
    Mouse
    ELANTECH Touchpad
    Internet Speed
    12.68Mbps
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
The idea that Metro will kill the Desktop must be coming from the same school that the PC is dead, and alcohol should be ileagal.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 CP 64
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Me
    CPU
    AMD Athlon X2 2.4G
    Motherboard
    ASRock
    Memory
    6GS
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI HD 5450
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 75hz
    Hard Drives
    WD Black 80g SATA3 x2 System/Backup
    Keyboard
    MS
    Mouse
    MS
    Internet Speed
    10 mgs
    Other Info
    This is just my test machine.
I highly doubt the Desktop will EVER be killed because of the Windows Explorer, one of the best file navigating/managing software in existence. The Start Screen is somewhat of a complement to it in my eyes...
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    AMD FX 8320
    Motherboard
    Crosshair V Formula-Z
    Memory
    16 gig DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS R9 270
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
    PSU
    OCZ 500 watt
    Case
    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Touch Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
My favorite part of W8 is the picture password, and I like the Start Menu, the only thing is my resolution only goes up to 1280x600, which sucks
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7, Windows 8 Consumer Preview
    System Manufacturer/Model
    eMachines 355-13667
    CPU
    Intel Atom
    Memory
    1GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel GMA
I highly doubt the Desktop will EVER be killed because of the Windows Explorer, one of the best file navigating/managing software in existence. The Start Screen is somewhat of a complement to it in my eyes...


This.


For business productivity the desktop still is the best way to go.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win 7 home premium 64 bit
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