Windows 8 earns a second chance in enterprise after change

Computerworld - Microsoft will have another shot at tempting businesses to try Windows 8 after it rolls out the "Blue" update later this year, analysts said Thursday.
Windows 8.1, as the free update has been branded, will ship as a preview on June 26, the first day of Microsoft's BUILD developers conference, and release in final form later this year -- probably in October, a year after Windows 8's launch.
Among the changes debuting in Windows 8.1 are an option to boot directly to the "classic" desktop, bypassing the tile-style Start screen, and the restoration of the iconic Start button, which will be visible by default on the Windows 7-esque desktop.
Windows 8 earns a second chance in enterprise after changes - Computerworld


Most changes in 8.1 is eye candy the only real change is boot to desktop if that is all it takes to please enterprise ( I don't think so) Windows 8 did not need any changes to please enterprises. Windows Blue will be just as dead in the water as Windows 8.
 
Windows Blue will be just as dead in the water as Windows 8.

I don't know about that. I think MS is trying to respond to what customers want. I'm certainly willing to take "Blue" for a spin to see if I like where they're going with it.

I also see it as more than "eye candy" - I imagine that the vast majority of people will like the changes. Let's not be in a rush to dismiss 8.1 before it even shows up.
 

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Moorhead's argument relies on the fact that with Windows 8.1's modifications, companies can set Windows 8 on traditional PCs to be much more like Windows 7

Umm. . . Call me crazy on this one but, how about I just stick with Windows 7? No cost, no upgrade time etc.

Seriously, this is comical stuff.

MS: Ok everyone, were excited about this one. With the new Windows 8.1 upgrade, were making Windows 8 more like Windows 7. Isn't that great? We're very excited about these changes.

:rolleyes:
 

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Moorhead's argument relies on the fact that with Windows 8.1's modifications, companies can set Windows 8 on traditional PCs to be much more like Windows 7

Umm. . . Call me crazy on this one but, how about I just stick with Windows 7? No cost, no upgrade time etc.

Seriously, this is comical stuff.

MS: Ok everyone, were excited about this one. With the new Windows 8.1 upgrade, were making Windows 8 more like Windows 7. Isn't that great? We're very excited about these changes.

:rolleyes:

Like I said before. You guys were complaining about how windows 8 doesn't look like windows 7 enough. Now that MS is caving into your demands, you're now complaining that it looks too much like windows 7.

Some people just can't be pleased.
 

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So the option to default boot directly to desktop EVERY TIME is confirmed???!!

If this is so I'd like to THANK the new decision makers at MS!!!!!


I will be buying a PC with Windows 8.1.
 

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I didn't see anything that even hints that 8.1 will make 8 more like 7? Other than the boot to desktop option most of the changes are to Metro. They added another Start Button but that's just a copy of the one on the charms bar. The changes to how Metro works sound like a step in the right direction though. Still a long way to go IMHO.
 

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I have no idea why Legacy is so happy.:confused:


Does seem there are changes to metro - they may please the metro likers.

Can't see anything there for those who are not interested in the Metro stuff.

More of the same, really.

It is probably ok on a tablet. Luckily for MS new cheaper devices on the way, it is an expanding market - they should sell some of those.
 

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    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
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Like I said before. You guys were complaining about how windows 8 doesn't look like windows 7 enough. Now that MS is caving into your demands, you're now complaining that it looks too much like windows 7.

Some people just can't be pleased.

The improvements in Windows 8 are real and tangible and it would be lovely if I was able to partake in its utilization and not be an OS generation behind.

I like the ribbon in Explorer. I'm an auditor/accountant and my first real exposure to Excel was the 2007 version with the ribbon and I liked it more than my brief experience with 2003. I think it takes less button clicks to do what I need to navigate the explorer in W8.

The task manager is superior in W8, no doubt about that. It gives better information, is information dense, and just plain more useful.

The file manager is superior and I always thought it was extremely daft the way Windows handled multiple file transfers prior to this. It would have been so easy to implement sequential file transfers. A simple logic test of checking whether the multiple file transfers originates from, or are transferring to, the same physical drive to determine whether it would be quicker to transfer files in parallel or in sequence. My plebeian self often wondered at this while waiting for a file to finish transferring so I could start the next sequence.

I am really attracted to the minimal flat look of W8 desktop. The interface is just so clean and I really wish W7 offered a stock theme like it.

However, the focus/context stealing start screen makes all these improvements moot to me. They didn't change this. All they did was to let the desktop background be the start screen background. I'd be onboard if something like a floating transparent start screen popped up over the desktop and slid away. Think the start screen but with an invisible background. I'd be okay with that.

All other improvements to me, without changing this, is like straightening chairs on the Titanic.

I realize a lot of people like the way the start screen works but realize that a lot of people don't. An option would be great but MS knows exactly what would happen if we were given the option.
 

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System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
Moorhead's argument relies on the fact that with Windows 8.1's modifications, companies can set Windows 8 on traditional PCs to be much more like Windows 7

Umm. . . Call me crazy on this one but, how about I just stick with Windows 7? No cost, no upgrade time etc.

Seriously, this is comical stuff.

MS: Ok everyone, were excited about this one. With the new Windows 8.1 upgrade, were making Windows 8 more like Windows 7. Isn't that great? We're very excited about these changes.

:rolleyes:

Like I said before. You guys were complaining about how windows 8 doesn't look like windows 7 enough. Now that MS is caving into your demands, you're now complaining that it looks too much like windows 7.

Some people just can't be pleased.

God, seriously. Damn Microsoft if they do, damn them if they don't...
 

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    Windows 8.1 Pro
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    AMD FX 8320
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    Crosshair V Formula-Z
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    16 gig DDR3
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    ASUS R9 270
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    1440x900
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    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
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    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
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    Microsoft Touch Mouse
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    Internet Explorer 11
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    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
Hi there
Boot direct to desktop should be fine -- I still though have HUGE reservations about the ungodly mess that's created when you INSTALL standard large windows desktop apps -- unless this is fixed you still get wretched tiles generated for every executable (.exe) file whether or not it's the main executable which makes tidying up a real pain and probably almost impossible for some non technical users.

Pinning to the DESKTOP requires a bit of trickery too -- you need to go via the Start (Metro interface) and point to OPEN FILE LOCATION and THEN you can send to desktop. IMO it would be better to be able to send an application (or copy) to the desktop from the quick launch taskbar. That facility was removed in W8.

I can't really say I need a Menu - but I do need the whole non metro application install process to be tidied up.

If you need a menu it's easy to create quite a flexible scheme by using custom toolbars - screenshot below - and by booting directly to the desktop W8 should be a lot more user friendly for desktop type users.

Cheers
jimbo
 

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Hi there
Boot direct to desktop should be fine -- I still though have HUGE reservations about the ungodly mess that's created when you INSTALL standard large windows desktop apps -- unless this is fixed you still get wretched tiles generated for every executable (.exe) file whether or not it's the main executable which makes tidying up a real pain and probably almost impossible for some non technical users.

Pinning to the DESKTOP requires a bit of trickery too -- you need to go via the Start (Metro interface) and point to OPEN FILE LOCATION and THEN you can send to desktop. IMO it would be better to be able to send an application (or copy) to the desktop from the quick launch taskbar. That facility was removed in W8.

I can't really say I need a Menu - but I do need the whole non metro application install process to be tidied up.

If you need a menu it's easy to create quite a flexible scheme by using custom toolbars - screenshot below - and by booting directly to the desktop W8 should be a lot more user friendly for desktop type users.

Cheers
jimbo

That would be one of my biggest beefs with the Metro Start Screen. That and the PITA it is to rearrange the tiles every time you install something. I now dread ever having to do a clean install on my laptop. The install part is easy, its all the clean up you have to do after that's a PITA.
 

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    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
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    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
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Hi there
It does appear that the whole install classical Windows apps dog dinner of a mess will be more or less solved in the windows 8.1 release. If so I for one will be really glad as will 100,000's of other desktop users. (By Desktop users I mean anybody running "Classical Windows apps" whether on a laptop or a fixed workstation).

Apparently it will create a SINGLE tile which you can then expand / or re-arrange at will --not 100% perfect but livable with and INFINITELY better than the current Dogs dinner of a mess.

Cheers
jimbo
 

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Let's see... boot to desktop....start button that brings you right back to tifkam...???

Seriously....??? Do they really expect anyone to be fooled by such a pathetic slight of hand...???
 

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Hi there
The start button IMO is an irrelevance but the other features actually make looking at W8 worth while again -- Boot straight to the desktop will remove 99% of the irritation desktop / classical windows apps users have by currently by being presented with the stupid "Kiddy Interface" and by fixing the install stuff means that one can re-arrange apps properly without needing a doctorate in Computers to be able to do it.

I don't want W8 to look EXACTLY like W7 --if it does then what's the point of it anyway. This upgrade changes it enough while still maintaining a lot of the proper desktop usability.

With re-sizeable Metro screens and a proper working for multi-monitor usage some of these Metro apps might just conceivably become useful while also being able to run concurrent standard Desktop sessions.

My biggest gripes were only FULL SCREEN for metro which made the whole Metro thing totally USELESS for anybody who essentially had to spend most of their time on Classical Windows applications and the Endless scrolling if you installed a lot of large applications which had many .EXE files in them. Seems Ms has fixed this quite decently.

A menu is also an irritation once you get to several levels deep and also involves scrolling too so I don't moan the loss of the menu -- and you can re-instate a sort of menu system anyway with custom tool bars as I've shown previously --WITHOUT needing 3rd party apps either.

I'm actually looking forward to the upgrade -- W8 could morph into a fairly decent product.

Cheers
jimbo
 

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    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)
Hi there
The start button IMO is an irrelevance but the other features actually make looking at W8 worth while again -- Boot straight to the desktop will remove 99% of the irritation desktop / classical windows apps users have by currently by being presented with the stupid "Kiddy Interface" and by fixing the install stuff means that one can re-arrange apps properly without needing a doctorate in Computers to be able to do it.

I don't want W8 to look EXACTLY like W7 --if it does then what's the point of it anyway. This upgrade changes it enough while still maintaining a lot of the proper desktop usability.

With re-sizeable Metro screens and a proper working for multi-monitor usage some of these Metro apps might just conceivably become useful while also being able to run concurrent standard Desktop sessions.

My biggest gripes were only FULL SCREEN for metro which made the whole Metro thing totally USELESS for anybody who essentially had to spend most of their time on Classical Windows applications and the Endless scrolling if you installed a lot of large applications which had many .EXE files in them. Seems Ms has fixed this quite decently.

A menu is also an irritation once you get to several levels deep and also involves scrolling too so I don't moan the loss of the menu -- and you can re-instate a sort of menu system anyway with custom tool bars as I've shown previously --WITHOUT needing 3rd party apps either.

I'm actually looking forward to the upgrade -- W8 could morph into a fairly decent product.

Cheers
jimbo

:ditto: The missing classic start menu isn't that big a deal for me personally. Like you the Metro, one screen only, full screen only, limitation was a big turn off for me.
 

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    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
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    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
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    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
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    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
Hi there
Boot direct to desktop should be fine -- I still though have HUGE reservations about the ungodly mess that's created when you INSTALL standard large windows desktop apps -- unless this is fixed you still get wretched tiles generated for every executable (.exe) file whether or not it's the main executable which makes tidying up a real pain and probably almost impossible for some non technical users.

Pinning to the DESKTOP requires a bit of trickery too -- you need to go via the Start (Metro interface) and point to OPEN FILE LOCATION and THEN you can send to desktop. IMO it would be better to be able to send an application (or copy) to the desktop from the quick launch taskbar. That facility was removed in W8.

I can't really say I need a Menu - but I do need the whole non metro application install process to be tidied up.

If you need a menu it's easy to create quite a flexible scheme by using custom toolbars - screenshot below - and by booting directly to the desktop W8 should be a lot more user friendly for desktop type users.

Cheers
jimbo

I don't use Windows xp.

Worse thing than having tiles appear when you install a program is having to tediously navigate flyout menus.
 

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    16 gig DDR3
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    ASUS R9 270
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    1440x900
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    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
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    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
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    Microsoft Touch Mouse
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    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
Apparently it will create a SINGLE tile which you can then expand / or re-arrange at will --not 100% perfect but livable with and INFINITELY better than the current Dogs dinner of a mess.

Cheers
jimbo

Link to this? I haven't read anywhere saying such.
 

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  • OS
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    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
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