How to decide: should you upgrade to Windows 8?

With all the hype about Windows 8, one question remains for most current Windows users: should you upgrade to Windows 8? In this article, David Gewirtz walks you through all the possibilities, so you're armed with the best decision-making strategy for your needs.

Upgrading an operating system install is never a small decision. Upgrading to Windows 8 is a particularly challenging decision because the user-interface has so substantially changed from what we were all used to in Windows 7. In this article, I'll give you some guidelines that -- based on your personal circumstances -- will help you decide what's right for you.

If you don't have time to read all the details, you can skip to the end of the article and read a short summary of my recommendations.

Read more at source:
How to decide: should you upgrade to Windows 8? | ZDNet
 
Well can I just say that my upgrade has saved me 3+ minutes on start-up alone on a Samsung R530 laptop. Nuff said!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win8 pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Computer 1 of 4
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4A78LT-M LE
    Memory
    4GB Kit (2x2GB)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 18"
    Screen Resolution
    1080p
    PSU
    Cheapo
    Internet Speed
    30mb
    Other Info
    Computer 2 :~ Dell Inspiron - 1x 350gb & 1x 250gb - 6GB Memory - Win 7 | Computer 3 :~ Samsung 355v5C Notebook - 6Gb Mem - Win8 2Core| Computer 4:~ Samsung 355v5C Notebook - 6Gb Mem - Win8 4Core
Good recommendations!

Although I want to really see if Windows 8 can possibly run on a Windows 2000 era PC. I think it might not due to PAE and such, but I wonder....
 

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
I was excited to upgrade to 8 but I will be forced to go back to 7 because the Morons at MS haven't got their rubbish together to release updates to my Network adapter, so I am forced to use Ethernet which makes my computer totally useless, and my wifi and Router also useless.....I cant understand for the life of me why they would release a product that wasn't compatible with all newer machines..... If anyone has info on the network adapter issue that I do not have let me know, its an atheros 5007eg....
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP
    CPU
    AMD Athlon ii x250
    Memory
    4gb
Hello Studiorat,

Device drivers are the responsibility of the device's manufacturer and not Microsoft. Microsoft cannot possibly always have every driver for every device already included in Windows. Just think about the bloatware that would create.


A Google search found these at Softpedia.


Download Atheros AR5007EG WLAN Driver 3.0.0.119 for Windows 8 Driver for Windows 8 - Softpedia

or

Download Atheros AR5007EG WLAN Driver 3.0.0.119 for Windows 8 x64 Driver for Windows 8 x64 - Softpedia

Hope this helps, :)
Shawn
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Hello Studiorat,

Device drivers are the responsibility of the device's manufacturer and not Microsoft. Microsoft cannot possibly always have every driver for every device already included in Windows. Just think about the bloatware that would create.


A Google search found these at Softpedia.


Download Atheros AR5007EG WLAN Driver 3.0.0.119 for Windows 8 Driver for Windows 8 - Softpedia

or

Download Atheros AR5007EG WLAN Driver 3.0.0.119 for Windows 8 x64 Driver for Windows 8 x64 - Softpedia

Hope this helps, :)
Shawn

i have tried downloading and when I go to install it comes back as the most updated driver is installed already and drops out..... I have been dealing with this now for 2 months.....its unlikely artheros will update considering at their website there is no listing for my driver .... I appreciate the links but same error both times I try to install, what else can I do? any suggestions will be great
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP
    CPU
    AMD Athlon ii x250
    Memory
    4gb
You might go ahead and create a new thread in the Network & Sharing forum area to see if we may be able to help get your WLAN issue sorted. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
I have to run Win8 to keep up with the newer OS releases since my job depends upon that. In the corporate world, we are running Windows 7 and migrating the last users from WinXP and Vista. I don't see many corporations moving to Win8 since Win7 has been tested and is rolling out... That said, the "next M$ OS" will probably be built upon Win8 and I need to become an SME on it... Most of our server that run Windows are on 2008R2, not Server 2012 yet, either. Just my opinion, but it's based on 20+ years in IT.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 10 Pro 64bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home built Intel i7-3770k-based system
    CPU
    Intel i7-3770k, Overclocked to 4.6GHz (46x100) with Corsair H110i GT cooler
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z77 OC Formula 2.30 BIOS
    Memory
    32GB DDR3 2133 Corsair Vengeance Pro
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce GTX 980ti SC ACS 6GB DDR5 by EVGA
    Sound Card
    Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium HD, Corsair SP2500 speakers and subwoofer
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG 27EA33 [Monitor] (27.2"vis) HDMI
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 850 EVO 250GB (system drive)
    WD 6TB Red NAS hard drives x 2 in Storage Spaces (redundancy)
    PSU
    Corsair 750ax fully modular power supply with sleeved cables
    Case
    Corsair Air 540 with 7 x 140mm fans on front, rear and top panels
    Cooling
    Corsair H110i GT liquid cooled CPU with 4 x 140" Corsair SP "push-pull" and 3 x 140mm fans
    Keyboard
    Thermaltake Poseidon Z illuminated keyboard
    Mouse
    Corsair M65 wired
    Internet Speed
    85MBps DSL
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, MalwareBytes Pro and CCleaner Pro
    Other Info
    Client of Windows Server 2012 R2 10 PC's, laptops and smartphones on the WLAN.

    1GBps Ethernet ports
After a short time with 8 I've decided thumbsup. Mainly because it is faster. So back to 7 would be redundant for me.
On the Start Panel, I put tiles for Computer, File Explorer, Libraries, Program Files, Control Panel, Shutdown, Logoff, Restart etc.
I also created shortcuts for them on my desktop and use them from Desktop Toolbar after hiding icons.
I think too many people are letting the missing start button hold them back.
I started a thread on customizing Start Panel & Desktop without start button. start button missing
Screenshot (15r2).png
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i7-3770K
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z77 Extreme4
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17" 24"
    Hard Drives
    1 TB WD
    PSU
    550w
pcRat: The only possible glitch I see with your arrangement is having a Shutdown tile as the first one on the Start Screen. When you are on the Start Screen, pressing the <Enter> key will activate the first tile, which in your case would activate a shutdown -- making it easy to accidentally shut the computer down. I have the Desktop as the first tile, so I can return to the desktop by pressing <Enter>.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home built
    CPU
    i3-3225
    Motherboard
    H77M-D3H (micro-ATX)
    Memory
    12GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    none (Intel HD4000 IGP)
    Sound Card
    mobo integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell U2312HM & Samsung 171N
    Screen Resolution
    1080x1920 (portrait) & 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Intel 520, 120GB SSD
    Kingston SNV425S2 64GB SSD
    WD WD10EARS 1GB HDD
    PSU
    Cooler Master eXtreme Power Plus 460W
    Case
    Silverstone TJ-08E
    Cooling
    Intel stock HSF
    Keyboard
    Logitech K260
    Mouse
    Logitech M210
    Internet Speed
    10Mbps/1Mbps DOCSIS
A good point there. Pressing the <Enter> key whilst on the Start Screen will activate the application whose tile is currently selected (highlighted). By default, unless the highlight has been moved by means of the cursor keys, the application represented by the first tile (the one at the top left) will be executed. In your case, this will cause the system to shutdown. I too have the first icon set to show the desktop, and I consider this to be the most practical application for this position, and I'm not sure why this isn't the default.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro RTM x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dwarf Dwf/11/2012 r09/2013
    CPU
    Intel Core-i5-3570K 4-core @ 3.4GHz (Ivy Bridge) (OC 4.2GHz)
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z77 Extreme4-M
    Memory
    4 x 4GB DDR3-1600 Corsair Vengeance CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9B (16GB)
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI GeForce GTX770 Gaming OC 2GB
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition on board solution (ALC 898)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ViewSonic VA1912w Widescreen
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    OCZ Agility 3 120GB SATA III x2 (RAID 0)
    Samsung HD501LJ 500GB SATA II x2
    Hitachi HDS721010CLA332 1TB SATA II
    Iomega 1.5TB Ext USB 2.0
    WD 2.0TB Ext USB 3.0
    PSU
    XFX Pro Series 850W Semi-Modular
    Case
    Gigabyte IF233
    Cooling
    1 x 120mm Front Inlet 1 x 120mm Rear Exhaust
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Comfort Curve Keyboard 3000 (USB)
    Mouse
    Microsoft Comfort Mouse 3000 for Business (USB)
    Internet Speed
    NetGear DG834Gv3 ADSL Modem/Router (Ethernet) ~4.0 Mb/sec (O2)
    Browser
    IE 11
    Antivirus
    Avast! 8.0.1497 MalwareBytes 1.75.0.1300
    Other Info
    Optical Drive: HL-DT-ST BD-RE BH10LS30 SATA Bluray
    Lexmark S305 Printer/Scanner/Copier (USB)
    WEI Score: 8.1/8.1/8.5/8.5/8.25
    Asus Eee PC 1011PX Netbook (Windows 7 x86 Starter)
wpcoe THANK YOU ! :dinesh:
I have been going NUTZ trying to find out how to stop pc from shutting down when I press enter.
I was all through settings, google, bing, forums

Now I love 8 even more. Widows key for Start Panel. :dinesh: Enter for Desktop.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i7-3770K
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z77 Extreme4
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17" 24"
    Hard Drives
    1 TB WD
    PSU
    550w
ok my opinion on if you should upgrade:
If you are happy with Windows 7 and do not want the Metro UI then I see no reason to upgrade
If you want to play around with the new OS and Know what you are doing, are an expert computer user, then upgrade
If you have no clue what to do- then stick with what works now.

If you really want windows 8 then purchase another computer or a tablet, you do no not need to go buy an expensive laptop, i see them all the time for less thant $500 at Bestbuy or one of the other chains, then at least you still have Windows 7 and Windows 8
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    4 Windows 7 Pro Sp1- 4 Win 8 Pro, 1- xp pro sp3
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 390, 380, 3 Vostro Laptops (7 computers in all)
    CPU
    desktop/laptop
    Memory
    4gigs
    Graphics Card(s)
    atm randioum
    Hard Drives
    350,250
The decision was pretty straight forward for me, I got W8 Pro and the media center thrown in for free for 15 bucks, going from W7 home Premium.

I'm not overly concerned about the "metro" thing, (it reminds me of 98 or XP) since I installed a neat little free start menu tool that takes me direct to desktop, I added back the old MS games, and even gadgets, and its business as usual. I'd like to find the areo code to add back.

Only problem was for 2 months nobody had a working graphics driver for this weird Radeon 7690m xt/Intel 3000 setup on this HP dv7t-6c00, but finally a couple weeks ago HP posted one, and I was off :)

So far I have had no big issues, all my programs run, even the 32bit stuff that was carried over from W7, only program that didn't work was Perfect Disk , but no biggie

I'm sure as time goes on there will be sp's from MS to fix things here and there for us older desktop users, for the new kids, its just what's there to use, they won't know anything else and won't miss XP, Vista, or 7.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W8.1up1 Pro x64 w/media center
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    dv7t-6c00 HP
    CPU
    2670QM
    Motherboard
    HP
    Memory
    8g
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon 7690M XT (6770m) /Intel 3000
    Sound Card
    IDT HD Intel
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Laptop 17.3"/Samsung 26"
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080 HD
    Hard Drives
    Hitichi 750g 5400 rpm Laptop
    Case
    Brushed Aluminum (steel)
    Keyboard
    external USB
    Mouse
    external USB
    Internet Speed
    DSL
    Browser
    FF, IE, Chrome
    Antivirus
    COMODO Security Suite
If you love the polish of Windows 7, you'll hate Windows 8. It offers an unpolished beta-esque experience.

If you are indifferent towards Windows 7, give 8 a try and see how you like it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows
I have just upgraded from Win 7 to WIn 8, and so far so good.

I just run it as the old win 7 interface as i dont have touch screen facilities, so i installed 'Classic Start Menu' (freeware) and now you wouldnt know it was Win 8, apart from the font change in Notepad lol.

Seems faster and more stable, but its early days yet ;-)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8
It's faster yes, not by a lot but it is noticeable. I wouldn't go back, I like some new things. Boot time for me decreased a lot, and the OS loads faster upon getting to the interface.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom built
    CPU
    AMD FX-6300
    Motherboard
    ASUS M5A97 LE R2.0
    Memory
    2x4(8 GB) G.SKILL Ripjaws
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon HD 6870
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer G245HQ
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    2xWD Black 1 TB
    PSU
    Cooler Master G650M
    Case
    Cooler Master n500
    Cooling
    Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO
    Internet Speed
    60/12(Mb/s)
    Browser
    Chrome
The average boot time I've seen on some the PCs I've installed 8 on, from shut down to startup: about 20-25 seconds. Boot from shutdown: 15-20 seconds.

These are six year old PCs.
 

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
I've been running Win8 Enterprise on my primary desktop for about a month now and I'm very happy with it, especially the snappiness (response) that I'm getting. everything seems to be smooth and very quick. Accessing the server's drives is fast and the folders populate much faster than in Win7 Enterprise. Everything works properly and I haven't had a BSOD, lockup or any issue since moving to the new OS. I'm running an Intel Q6600 CPU with 6GB of DDR2 RAM, 120GB SSD (boot) and 2TB WD Caviar Black (data), Creative HiFi-X audio card and an old GeForce GT 430 video card (I'm not a gamer). So my hardware is certainly not "state of the art" but is very mainstream and I haven't found anything that I don't like. I do use "Classic Shell", so that's my only crutch...
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 10 Pro 64bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home built Intel i7-3770k-based system
    CPU
    Intel i7-3770k, Overclocked to 4.6GHz (46x100) with Corsair H110i GT cooler
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z77 OC Formula 2.30 BIOS
    Memory
    32GB DDR3 2133 Corsair Vengeance Pro
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce GTX 980ti SC ACS 6GB DDR5 by EVGA
    Sound Card
    Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium HD, Corsair SP2500 speakers and subwoofer
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG 27EA33 [Monitor] (27.2"vis) HDMI
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 850 EVO 250GB (system drive)
    WD 6TB Red NAS hard drives x 2 in Storage Spaces (redundancy)
    PSU
    Corsair 750ax fully modular power supply with sleeved cables
    Case
    Corsair Air 540 with 7 x 140mm fans on front, rear and top panels
    Cooling
    Corsair H110i GT liquid cooled CPU with 4 x 140" Corsair SP "push-pull" and 3 x 140mm fans
    Keyboard
    Thermaltake Poseidon Z illuminated keyboard
    Mouse
    Corsair M65 wired
    Internet Speed
    85MBps DSL
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, MalwareBytes Pro and CCleaner Pro
    Other Info
    Client of Windows Server 2012 R2 10 PC's, laptops and smartphones on the WLAN.

    1GBps Ethernet ports
The article is fairly clear that XP users should upgrade.

Having tried it on more than one PC, I'd be more cautious; I had all sorts of problems with drivers (including one that came through Windows Update but caused Blue Screens of Death).

Also, I had a 1GB laptop. In theory this is the minimum spec but in practice I don't need much software running before the disk light goes frantic; I assume because of swapping, and earlier today the screen went blank for 10 minutes and I couldn't do anything except watch the flashing disk light. On checking I realised that my laptop has shared video memory within that 1GB which I imagine doesn't help, but that's not obvious at first and the Upgrade Assistant didn't mention it.

So for XP users I'd be quite cautious, make sure I had full image-type backups before I started (which I did, and was very grateful for), check out drivers and potential BIOS updates before I started, and consider getting more RAM than 1GB- I'm off to my local tech store in the morning!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1, 10
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