Five reasons Windows 8.1 is a winner

Windows 8.1 has gone a long way towards fixing some but certainly not all of Windows 8's woes. Here are five ways Windows 8.1 improves upon Windows 8.
Boot to the desktop
Yes, it's finally here. With Windows 8.1, when you log in you can bypass the Start screen, and go straight to the desktop. Given that many people use powerful desktop apps rather than the more anemic Modern-style apps, this is a very big deal.
Five reasons Windows 8.1 is a winner | Computerworld Blogs
 
Yea Right!

Windows 8 Pro or your new Windows Blue just ranked by Experts to be listed to 2nd place next to Windows Vista

Windows 8 Pro and Windows Blue are not to be run on Desktops and High End Laptops and don't listen to Microsoft, Windows 8 and Blue are only for Tablets only
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Microsoft Windows 7 Enterprise 64-Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel 2 Extreme 4 Core 3.2GHz X9770
    Motherboard
    ASUS Formula
    Memory
    8 GBs
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD 5000 Series
    Hard Drives
    500GB Sata SD Drive
    Browser
    EI 10
    Antivirus
    ESet
Given that many people use powerful desktop apps rather than the more anemic Modern-style apps, this is a very big deal.
And the winner is - 1 click saved. If that is the essence of 8.1, I will continue with /7.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Vista and Win7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    2xHP, 2xGateway, 1xDell, 1xSony
    Hard Drives
    5 SSDs and 12 HDs
So you don't like Windows 8 and you think it's terrible? Or you love it and you think it's the most wonderful OS ever? Good. Either way you have lots of company. There's no need to tell us the same thing a half-dozen times. Got anything else you'd like to contribute?

yes, I'll contribute... Windows 8.1 just made Windows 8 look good
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 - Linux (Ubuntu & Zorin) - XP
    System Manufacturer/Model
    iBuyPower
    CPU
    i5-2320 3.00GHz
    Motherboard
    ASRock H61M-VVGS
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon 6770
Love the 8.1 update. Works beautifully on my desktop and Surface Pro! Aside from some quirky mouse scrolling on the start screen, Twitter, etc., and some of the new apps not installing, I know this is a preview and i'm fine with that. Been waiting for the sync capability and adjustable app sizing and it is so nice to be able to browse and watch flash video at the same time in Modern IE and not have to be limited in my viewing window. Awesome! Now they just need to hurry up and port phone apps with WP8.1.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    Tablet
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Microsoft Surface Pro 3, Dell Venue 8 Pro, i5 2500K overclocked PC
    CPU
    i5
    Memory
    4gb Surface Pro, 8gb PC
Windows 8.1 is great, tablet or desktop. Not sure why if you dont like it, that you continue to read or post in a forum about Windows 8. You hate it, then stay on Win 7 or whatever else then. Windows 8/8.1 is fully functional for a tablet or desktop.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 x64
Looking agreeable from my side of the mirror

Most people already have their most used program shortcuts, on taskbar or desktop. MS had to give in a little bit.


I kind of liked the hidden live peek preview start rectangle screen shortcut, or whatever you call it.
But I guess living with visible start screen button is ok.

By being able to make very small tiles, the start screen does not have to be in ones face anymore,
scaling well with desktop. The start screen has simple and quick apps, which are fine. The start Screen is my playground. Desktop is my work center.

Anyway, now that MS have put cascading ability in WinX menu, (Shutdown/restart),
it won't be too long before someone hacks it, to include a traditional alphabetized programs start menu.

Yes, even losing a megaton of money, MS will not go back to old start menu.
 
Last edited by a moderator:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Center 64-bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Own
    CPU
    AMD A8-3850 APU
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-A75M-UD2H
    Memory
    8192 MBytes
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 6550D
    Browser
    IE, Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
I think the whole Windows 8 thing, is a disjointed mess.

the new App Store is just a mess, they added new visuals of the same old options, made it harder to find things, once you start reviewing the apps they are only on 2 lines, how long will it take to go through thousands of apps, totally stupid. They need an app Store in the same format as Google Chromes. Of course Chrome actually has apps you can use.

They should have called this Windows Metro as originally planned for touch screens only.


  • the Start button is a joke
  • they removed WEI (why?)
  • they just made it 2x as hard to pin items (they should have made it mandatory on installing an app to ask whether you want it pinned to start, taskbar or a desktop icon), why make you manually do it?
  • having apps automatically update in the background is horrible. I want to know which apps are being updated, and I decide when to update them. Then I can test to see the difference.
  • the new visuals are hideous in my opinion, hope they include the old ones
  • 1/2 my software wouldn't install (whats up with that?) it worked in Windows 8
  • Media Center is broke, netflix doesn't work and other plugins that used to work are no longer functional

just to name a few fails, hardly a winner
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 - Linux (Ubuntu & Zorin) - XP
    System Manufacturer/Model
    iBuyPower
    CPU
    i5-2320 3.00GHz
    Motherboard
    ASRock H61M-VVGS
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon 6770
@KarterJK

I will add missing a better functional on-screen keyboard. Some of us need F5 F4 etc. Ugh! I also don't like how they change the app store, it was much better before. I hope MS tweaks this a lot more before the GOLD release. -WS
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Enterprise (x64), Windows 8 Enterprise (x64), Windows Server 2012
    Memory
    32GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    4 Dell 24'
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    RAID 6 (8 x 2TB)
    Keyboard
    Dell Keyboard
    Mouse
    Dell Mouse
    Internet Speed
    100meg
@KarterJK

I will add, missing a better functional on-screen keyboard. Some of us need F5 F4 etc.


I don't understand. Win 8 and 8.1 have both the Touch Keyboard and the On Screen Keyboard.
The on screen one has Fn function keys available.
 
Last edited by a moderator:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Center 64-bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Own
    CPU
    AMD A8-3850 APU
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-A75M-UD2H
    Memory
    8192 MBytes
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 6550D
    Browser
    IE, Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
I've got W8 Pro OEM on DVD purchased from retail computer shop. I haven't bothered with 8.1 because I'm using StartIsBack with Modern turned off completely, and with direct boot to desktop.

Questions:

1. If I did install 8.1 as a standalone or straight over 8, what would happen to the Start Menu button from StartIsBack?

2. Are there any major improvements that I'm missing out on aside from Modern improvements?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Ult Reatil & Win 8 Pro OEM
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Built as DIY
    CPU
    6 core 12 thread & 4 core
    Motherboard
    Inel Extreme & Intel standard
    Memory
    12GB & 8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    3 top end SLI linked & onboard
    Sound Card
    In built in graphics card & onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    24 & 23 inch Samsung LED backlit
    Screen Resolution
    High def
    Hard Drives
    Corsair Force 128GB SATA3 SSDs in each machine. Plus several external USB3 and eSATA spinner HDs
1. If I did install 8.1 as a standalone or straight over 8, what would happen to the Start Menu button from StartIsBack?

Startisback doesn't work on 8.1. Tihiy will be doing another version at some stage.

2. Are there any major improvements that I'm missing out on aside from Modern improvements?

I haven't spotted any, except a slight improvement to win+x menu. A rather pathetic attempt by MS at acknowledging all the feedback telling them a desktop is not phone.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
1. If I did install 8.1 as a standalone or straight over 8, what would happen to the Start Menu button from StartIsBack?

Startis back doesn't work on 8.1. Tihiy will be doing another version.

2. Are there any major improvements that I'm missing out on aside from Modern improvements?

I haven't spotted any, except a slight improvement to win+x menu. A rather pathetic attempt by MS at acknowledging all the feedback telling them a desktop is not phone.
Thanks SIW2. That settles it. I'll just stick with 8, at least for the time being. Although I guess maybe I should get the free 8.1 just in case it improves by release date. Will it be available on disk as stand alone?

Totally agree with your comments re win+x. :confused: Amazing isn't it. They're slowly moving back to the legacy start menu!

Cheers M :D
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Ult Reatil & Win 8 Pro OEM
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Built as DIY
    CPU
    6 core 12 thread & 4 core
    Motherboard
    Inel Extreme & Intel standard
    Memory
    12GB & 8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    3 top end SLI linked & onboard
    Sound Card
    In built in graphics card & onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    24 & 23 inch Samsung LED backlit
    Screen Resolution
    High def
    Hard Drives
    Corsair Force 128GB SATA3 SSDs in each machine. Plus several external USB3 and eSATA spinner HDs
If the feedback keeps up, MS may add more functions to win+x, recent items and search for example.They might make it look prettier, too.

If the feedback quietens down, then MS won't do anything useful.

Will it be available on disk as stand alone?

I expect so.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win8.1.1 enterprise
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Hinze57
    CPU
    AMD FX 6100 6core 3.30gHz
    Motherboard
    gigibyte ga-78lmy-s2p
    Memory
    4gig ddr3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radon hd5000 Series
    Sound Card
    onboard realtek hd
    Monitor(s) Displays
    19" viewsonic/ 22"Samsung
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    128gig ssd Kingston
    80gig WD 10000 rpm spinner
    Case
    micro
    Keyboard
    microsoft curve 200
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless M215
    Internet Speed
    high speed 20
    Browser
    ie 11
    Antivirus
    windows defender
    Other Info
    updated enterprise apr 2/14
If the feedback keeps up, MS may add more functions to win+x, recent items and search for example.They might make it look prettier, too.


Ha Ha
OK.
We want recent items in WinX
We already have search, but want the old one in WinX
We want desktop program launcher in WinX
We want User folder in WinX
Maybe a restart in safe mode in WinX
And most of all, put some pretty icons in there too. ;)

Shout It, SHOUT IT, SHOUT IT OUT LOUD!:sleepy:

MS, DO YOU HEAR US ROAR?
 
Last edited by a moderator:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Center 64-bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Own
    CPU
    AMD A8-3850 APU
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-A75M-UD2H
    Memory
    8192 MBytes
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 6550D
    Browser
    IE, Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Read these 5 reasons how w8.1 is a winner recalled me how far into stupidity the concet of Modern Screen and W8 has gone. As if these 5 reasons were improvements! Barely fix the most horrible shortcomings is not what I call "improvements".
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    w9x
The personalized syncing across machines works great. I like how I make a change on one and it's on the other. Can't wait for what's in store for phone 8.1. I think as long as they get the apps to work cross platform, i'll be happy. Just in time for apps to work on everything and X-Box One when it releases.

1080p WP 8.1 and Haswell Surface Pro 2 will complete the whole enchilada for me! :dinesh:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    Tablet
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Microsoft Surface Pro 3, Dell Venue 8 Pro, i5 2500K overclocked PC
    CPU
    i5
    Memory
    4gb Surface Pro, 8gb PC
8.1 preview works fine on both my hybrid and my i7 desktop with two 24" monitors. Don't know what all the doomsday talk is about. If people want a windows 7 experience, then stay with windows 7. Why get windows 8 and then handsome frog it's not enough like windows 7?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8
8.1 preview works fine on both my hybrid and my i7 desktop with two 24" monitors. Don't know what all the doomsday talk is about. If people want a windows 7 experience, then stay with windows 7. Why get windows 8 and then handsome frog it's not enough like windows 7?

:roflmao:

Nobody can get into the mind of a psycho.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    Tablet
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Microsoft Surface Pro 3, Dell Venue 8 Pro, i5 2500K overclocked PC
    CPU
    i5
    Memory
    4gb Surface Pro, 8gb PC
Back
Top