Windows 8.1: Close, but no cigar

I took my time kicking the tires of the public preview build of Windows 8.1. I thought that after the Windows 8 fiasco surely Microsoft would get it right the second time around but I wanted to make sure.
It didn't.
Don’t get me wrong, Windows 8.1 is better than Windows 8. But that's not saying much. In my opinion, Windows XP was--and is--better than Windows 8.
First, the good news.
Microsoft has integrated SkyDrive cloud storage even deeper into the operating system. If you trust the cloud with your files, the 7GBs of free storage is handy.
Of course, other personal cloud storage services, such as Amazon Cloud Drive, Dropbox, and Box also work well with Windows 8.1. None of these work with it hand-in-glove the way SkyDrive does, or the way Ubuntu One does with Ubuntu, or Google Drive with Chrome OS.
Still, I think building SkyDrive into Windows 8.1 is the single most significant improvement Microsoft has brought to this new version of Windows.
One real user-interface improvement is the down-arrow at the bottom of the Metro screen that takes you to the Apps view. It's not as easy as getting to your programs from the old Start menu, but it certainly makes it easier to access applications.
Windows 8.1 also gives you much more power to easily customize the desktop. In particular, it's much simpler to rearrange and customize tiles on the Metro interface. I'm still not sure why you'd want to be using Metro as your PC interface, but that's another matter.
The best new desktop today: Linux Mint 15 (Gallery)

Windows 8.1 is still a two-headed monster. On one side is the tile-based Metro, aka Modern, interface. On the other is the desktop interface, which is, kind of, sort of, like Windows 7's Aero interface, but not quite.
You're faced once more with two different ways of doing the same jobs. It's not only annoying, it's confusing.
Microsoft still would prefer you to use Metro, and the Metro screen is what you first see when you start Windows 8.1. Microsoft finally has made it possible to start from the desktop. But that don't make it easy.
Windows 8.1: Close, but no cigar | ZDNet
 
I took my time kicking the tires of the public preview build of Windows 8.1.

Interpreted: "I had a long 4th of July weekend vacation, so I didn't have the time. I'll rush this out".

In my opinion, Windows XP was--and is--better than Windows 8.

Interpreted: "I can't learn or won't open my mind to new technology."

First, the good news.

Well, wow!, he enlightened us!

But... as Harry McCracken recently wrote, "Windows 8 can’t live without a killer app forever.

More enlightenment. Neither would have Apple or Google survived, but it took time. I think the big problem is that most so called "Desktop users" won't give Modern Store apps the time of day, but you'll use apps on your Apple and Androids phones and tablets. You'll only think you know 8 until you learn the Modern/Metro Store app side of it. There are some great ones and more being added daily.

Maybe that's because, as Ed Bott suggests, Microsoft is aiming Windows 8.1 squarely at mobile users.

Well, duh! That's because Ed knows how to read facts to give professional-like analysis instead of giving his personal biased opinion. BTW, Ed's posted chart shows the decline of the desktop PC beginning years before 8 was released. Even 7. And don't forget that line includes Apple and other brands.

Windows 8.1 is still a two-headed monster. On one side is the tile-based Metro, aka Modern, interface. On the other is the desktop interface, which is, kind of, sort of, like Windows 7's Aero interface, but not quite.

What a warped view of technology. It is the new Modern/Metro UI with the desktop now placed as a portal. Who here cannot run applications on the 8 desktop that they couldn't run on the 7 desktop? Anyone?

I found some other annoying oddities. For example, while it's nice that you can search both your local resources and the Internet from one Bing-powered interface, the display also showed me three Web results per screen. This is unacceptable.

Geez....Anyone make sense out of this?

Windows 8, and now 8.1, asks you to learn new ways of doing the same old things, and it doesn't reward you for learning them.

Are you looking for a bisquit?


All in all, this guy has become so anti-MS that he's now promoting Linux just as I see some members here doing so. Go! Go to Linux if that's what makes you happy.
 

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All in all, this guy has become so anti-MS that he's now promoting Linux

Completeley wrong.

As long as I can remember:

Steve has always been a Linux guy. Ed has always been a Windows guy. They are both well known. I think they are buddies in truth. They have debates, sometimes on ED's site.

That is a perfectly reasonable and well thought out review.

He makes his personal preference clear:

I believe
that the best desktop operating systems, such as Mint and Ubuntu are based on Linux, but I can see why people like Windows 7 and XP.

If I were a full-time Windows user, I'd stick with Windows 7 until Microsoft pried it from my cold, dead hands.
 

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More enlightenment. Neither would have Apple or Google survived, but it took time. I think the big problem is that most so called "Desktop users" won't give Modern Store apps the time of day, but you'll use apps on your Apple and Androids phones and tablets. You'll only think you know 8 until you learn the Modern/Metro Store app side of it. There are some great ones and more being added daily.
The problem is not the "Desktop" users. The problem is why do MS try to put these Modern apps on a Desktop operating system where legacy apps are easier to use and does far more than Metro apps and that these legacy apps don't need a some kind of "store" giving less point for these Metro apps to be even on a desktop in the first place. Most of the top popular Metro apps are games, not applications for professional or business use. Metro apps and the store only make sense on tablets. Apple and Android thrive on this because they were ahead of the mobile trend and have established a strong hype and since they have been there for some time, many people tend to stick with something they got used to. Even if something new and better comes along, its adoption will remain slow unless it becomes a hype. A tablet is a tablet, a desktop is a desktop, there are still gaps from which the two are divided in terms of usage that's why there are things from one that seem out of place when integrated into the other. MS would have made better if they had popularized a competent mobile platform 4-5 years ago.
 

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    Windows 7 Ultimate, Windows Developer Preview, Linux Mint 9
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Perhaps you'd like to explain why Apple is trying to move their apps to the desktop then?

The reason is that mobile users want to use the same apps on their desktop as they do on their phones and tablets. They may also want to use desktop apps, but they're already familiar with their mobile apps..

Will desktop users flock to mobile apps? Maybe someday, when mobile apps become on par with desktop apps, but that's a work in progress. Today, the purpose of Metro on desktops is to provide a single consistent environment across all types of devices. And yes, there are lots of people that use metro apps on Windows 8.. and yes, they're mostly games, but so what? They're still apps, and people still use them.
 

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I stand corrected so far as the author. I didn't know he was that much of a Linux guy.

Completely wrong, eh? Perhaps in respect of wasting my time reading and commenting on a biased review of a Windows edition by Linux guy, especially with the new direction MS is heading with it.

Make no mistake. The walled garden/TV approach to computing is the new wave. Store apps will prevail. They will get to the quality of desktop apps. Some already are. Some people simply don't take the time to look and use.

We'll finally get rid of the Internet insofar as where nasty cockroaches lay their viruses, hack, wastes people's time & money, and cause all kinds of havoc. While I'm using a Modern Store app I'm not laid open to such trouble. I'd like to know all the hours that IT Pros spend worldwide fixing systems because of such havoc. Personally I've spent too much of my time.

MS has attempted to satisfy the desktop user and the general public consumption user with this edition. Why? Because your precious desktop computer market flat lined. Mobile devices are on the rise. They need the market share. And God forbid if they ever try to get the system to work across multiple devices! That would be devastating! 8 is just as efficient, if not more so than 7 once one has learned the system.

Like I said, if he or others think Linux Is the way to go, then go. I'm betting that MS will leave them in the dust.

Nuff said. Have a good day.
 

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I stand corrected so far as the author. I didn't know he was that much of a Linux guy.

Completely wrong, eh? Perhaps in respect of wasting my time reading and commenting on a biased review of a Windows edition by Linux guy, especially with the new direction MS is heading with it.

Make no mistake. The walled garden/TV approach to computing is the new wave. Store apps will prevail. They will get to the quality of desktop apps. Some already are. Some people simply don't take the time to look and use.

We'll finally get rid of the Internet insofar as where nasty cockroaches lay their viruses, hack, wastes people's time & money, and cause all kinds of havoc. While I'm using a Modern Store app I'm not laid open to such trouble. I'd like to know all the hours that IT Pros spend worldwide fixing systems because of such havoc. Personally I've spent too much of my time.

MS has attempted to satisfy the desktop user and the general public consumption user with this edition. Why? Because your precious desktop computer market flat lined. Mobile devices are on the rise. They need the market share. And God forbid if they ever try to get the system to work across multiple devices! That would be devastating! 8 is just as efficient, if not more so than 7 once one has learned the system.

Like I said, if he or others think Linux Is the way to go, then go. I'm betting that MS will leave them in the dust.

Nuff said. Have a good day.

Personally I find you to be closed minded and you really sound like sour-grapes.

Windows 8.1 is difficult and cumbersome to use, while I appreciate what they have tried to do, it has horrible short comings. I doubt you have ever used Linux, and personally I find Linux difficult to use, but it is rock solid. My preferrence is neither. I have never used OSX (apple) so maybe I will give them a try. At least their iPads are easy to use, have worthwhile apps, and have apps you can use in the real world (unlike Windows).

Windows downfall is there apps are garbage and lack sophistication. Why use a half-assed app when you have the full blown power of the same desktop software. I think about Skype, I have to use the desktop to set it up, the Metro app is a flaky toy in comparison.
 

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[h=1]The missing pieces from the Windows 8.1 preview[/h]
Microsoft says they listened to customer feedback when planning Windows 8.1. That may be so, but they also made some engineering decisions to slash features and omit unfinished apps in the preview release. If you’re currently using Windows 8, you might want to be aware of these missing pieces.
A few features that were in Windows 8 are not in Windows 8.1 at all. Here’s a partial list:
The missing pieces from the Windows 8.1 preview | ZDNet

Even pro Windows 8 people are bashing Window 8.1.
 

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    Around 13 million employes
I'd hardly say that qualifies as "bashing". In fact, most of it is just informational.. saying that the problems will be fixed by the final release.
 

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    Windows 8.1 Pro
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I took my time kicking the tires of the public preview build of Windows 8.1.

Interpreted: "I had a long 4th of July weekend vacation, so I didn't have the time. I'll rush this out".

In my opinion, Windows XP was--and is--better than Windows 8.

Interpreted: "I can't learn or won't open my mind to new technology."



Well, wow!, he enlightened us!



More enlightenment. Neither would have Apple or Google survived, but it took time. I think the big problem is that most so called "Desktop users" won't give Modern Store apps the time of day, but you'll use apps on your Apple and Androids phones and tablets. You'll only think you know 8 until you learn the Modern/Metro Store app side of it. There are some great ones and more being added daily.



Well, duh! That's because Ed knows how to read facts to give professional-like analysis instead of giving his personal biased opinion. BTW, Ed's posted chart shows the decline of the desktop PC beginning years before 8 was released. Even 7. And don't forget that line includes Apple and other brands.



What a warped view of technology. It is the new Modern/Metro UI with the desktop now placed as a portal. Who here cannot run applications on the 8 desktop that they couldn't run on the 7 desktop? Anyone?

I found some other annoying oddities. For example, while it's nice that you can search both your local resources and the Internet from one Bing-powered interface, the display also showed me three Web results per screen. This is unacceptable.

Geez....Anyone make sense out of this?

Windows 8, and now 8.1, asks you to learn new ways of doing the same old things, and it doesn't reward you for learning them.

Are you looking for a bisquit?


All in all, this guy has become so anti-MS that he's now promoting Linux just as I see some members here doing so. Go! Go to Linux if that's what makes you happy.

I wonder if you might be able to articulate your position without the need for insulting folks and putting them down...???
 

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warning   Warning
Let's keep this friendly and non-personal shall we. :sarc:

 

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    64-bit Windows 10
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    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
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    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
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Just FYI for everyone here, I like the Start screen, so I'm closed-minded, very, very CLOSED-MINDED. ;)

Haha. But seriously, the desktop seems like it's awfully mature. Without Microsoft venturing into this new mobile arena, what else could they have done to Windows? I know we can't have progress for progress sake, but at the same time, they need to innovate somehow and come out with new products. Who knows, maybe the should have released separate OSes, a traditional one and a tablet one, I don't know. But again, speaking for myself personally, I've learned to live with the fact that they are basically married at this point. What with the improvements under the hood that Windows 8 introduced as well as some of the mistakes they've corrected with 8.1, I can only hope the situation can get a little better.
 

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    Windows 8.1 Pro x64
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    ASUS M5A99FX PRO R2.0
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    Windows Defender, Malwarebytes
I can't believe there is no sign of a notification center. WHY?!?? What's the point of letting W8 apps give you a notification pop up alert if you can't view it 2 seconds after it leaves the screen??? WHY?!?!?
 

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  • OS
    Windows 8
most so called "Desktop users" won't give Modern Store apps the time of day, but you'll use apps on your Apple and Androids phones and tablets.

Ummm, yeah, I guess. They're *phones* and *tablets*. That's what "apps" are designed for and have no place on my laptop and desktop *computers*.

-jeff
 

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    Linux Mint and Windows 8 Pro
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    16G
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    nVidia
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    17"
    Hard Drives
    Seagate 5400 rpm 1T and Seagate 7200 rpm 500G.
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    Oracle Virtual Box
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most so called "Desktop users" won't give Modern Store apps the time of day, but you'll use apps on your Apple and Androids phones and tablets.


Ummm, yeah, I guess. They're *phones* and *tablets*. That's what "apps" are designed for and have no place on my laptop and desktop *computers*.

-jeff

App is short for application. Who cares what platform phone/tablet/desktop that you use it on? That makes as much sense as me saying I won't use a iphone because it has a camera and only cameras can be old school point and click cameras.
 

My Computer

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  • OS
    Windows 8
most so called "Desktop users" won't give Modern Store apps the time of day, but you'll use apps on your Apple and Androids phones and tablets.


Ummm, yeah, I guess. They're *phones* and *tablets*. That's what "apps" are designed for and have no place on my laptop and desktop *computers*.

-jeff

App is short for application. Who cares what platform phone/tablet/desktop that you use it on? That makes as much sense as me saying I won't use a iphone because it has a camera and only cameras can be old school point and click cameras.

It would be fine if the app ran in a chromed window on the desktop at a tablet resolution. But with 8.x trying to make the monitor and desktop LOOK like a tablet, its borked.
 

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    Windows 7 on the desktop, Windows 8 Surface Pro mobile
Ummm, yeah, I guess. They're *phones* and *tablets*. That's what "apps" are designed for and have no place on my laptop and desktop *computers*.

-jeff

App is short for application. Who cares what platform phone/tablet/desktop that you use it on? That makes as much sense as me saying I won't use a iphone because it has a camera and only cameras can be old school point and click cameras.

It would be fine if the app ran in a chromed window on the desktop at a tablet resolution. But with 8.x trying to make the monitor and desktop LOOK like a tablet, its borked.

Well put and thank you.
 

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    Linux Mint and Windows 8 Pro
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    nVidia
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    17"
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    Seagate 5400 rpm 1T and Seagate 7200 rpm 500G.
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    Oracle Virtual Box
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It would be fine if the app ran in a chromed window on the desktop at a tablet resolution. But with 8.x trying to make the monitor and desktop LOOK like a tablet, its borked.
That's the default behavior for the installed apps, but not for the desktop applications. The latter one starts up in the, well, desktop, where you can re-size the window any way you like it.

The desktop does not need to look like a tablet; if that's not your cup of tea, then boot Windows 8.1 directly to the desktop. Most of the apps that come preloaded on the start screen should be treated as OEM crap; uninstall or remove it from the start screen, and replace them with your the desktop applications...
 

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  • OS
    Win 8.1
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    PC/Desktop
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    Dell Latitude
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    Intel i5-3350P (3.1 GHz)
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    Gigabyte
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    16 GBs
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    AMD Radeon HD7850
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    Built-in to MB
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    2 x 24" Dell
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    3,840 x1,200
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    128 GBs, OCZ Vertex, SATA III SSD
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    3 x Seagate 1 TBs HDD
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    Antec 750W
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    Antec P185
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    50 Gb/s
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    Vipre
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    Works, most of the times unless Microsoft patches decide otherwise...
A look at the black underbelly of Windows 8.1 'Blue'

Pieces of Windows 8 inexplicably didn't survive jump to Windows 8.1, and new feature allows Microsoft to track your local searches

As Windows 8.1 Milestone Preview testers push and prod their way into the dark corners of Windows 8.1 "Blue," they're finding a bunch of things that go bump in the night. From new and likely unwelcome features, to nudges into the Microsoft data tracking sphere, to entire lopped-off pieces of Windows 8, it looks like Microsoft is changing Windows to further its own agenda.


...The new Win8.1 Smart Search -- invoked by default through the Windows 8.1 Search charm -- not only searches your computer for the string you specify. It also, all by itself, gathers up the terms and runs them through a Bing search. Making this cool new feature all the more lovable, Microsoft has officially announced that advertisers will be able to dish up advertising to your computer, based on the searches you perform on your computer.

A look at the black underbelly of Windows 8.1 'Blue' | Microsoft windows - InfoWorld
 

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    Windows 10 (64 bit)
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    Asus M5A99X EVO
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    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD 7870
A look at the black underbelly of Windows 8.1 'Blue'

Pieces of Windows 8 inexplicably didn't survive jump to Windows 8.1, and new feature allows Microsoft to track your local searches

As Windows 8.1 Milestone Preview testers push and prod their way into the dark corners of Windows 8.1 "Blue," they're finding a bunch of things that go bump in the night. From new and likely unwelcome features, to nudges into the Microsoft data tracking sphere, to entire lopped-off pieces of Windows 8, it looks like Microsoft is changing Windows to further its own agenda.


...The new Win8.1 Smart Search -- invoked by default through the Windows 8.1 Search charm -- not only searches your computer for the string you specify. It also, all by itself, gathers up the terms and runs them through a Bing search. Making this cool new feature all the more lovable, Microsoft has officially announced that advertisers will be able to dish up advertising to your computer, based on the searches you perform on your computer.

A look at the black underbelly of Windows 8.1 'Blue' | Microsoft windows - InfoWorld
Truly interesting. . .albeit what is your point (just curious).
 

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  • OS
    Win 8, (VM win7, XP, Vista)
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    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion p1423w
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    Intel Core i5 3330 Ivy Bridge
    Motherboard
    Foxconn - 2ADA Ivy Brige
    Memory
    16 GB 1066MHz DDR3
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    Mitsubishi LED TV/Montior HD, Dell 23 HD, Hanspree 25" HD
    Screen Resolution
    Mit. 1980-1080, Dell 2048-115, Hanspree 1920-10802
    Hard Drives
    1 SanDisk 240Gig SSD, 2 Samsung 512Gig SSDs
    Case
    Tower
    Cooling
    Original (Fans)
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Keyboard 2000
    Mouse
    Microsoft Optical Mouse 5000
    Internet Speed
    1.3 (350 to 1024 if lucky)
    Browser
    Firefox 19.1
    Antivirus
    MSE-Defender
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