Elements with Windows 8

Having not used Windows 8 - I can not comment on whether the bad reviews were justified or not - but I really do not understand bad reviews of 8.1, it is by the far the best OS that Windows has yet produced in my view

Any user who buys a new OS and does not learn how to use it is unlikely to be impressed by it.

Carl

Why are Microsoft so keen to jump forwards to version 10, missing 9 out? ... It's to put a big psychological gap between Windows 8 and what they'll offer next to make amends.

It's not really about stability and security, it's about the interface. It's unfair to claim I don't understand it ...I read a book about it and the new things before I got it .... Understanding it doesn't change the facts about it, which is that it's turned into a mess . There is no logic or consistency to how key settings and functions are accessed.

I actually appreciate the good aspects of it ... On my phone! Yes, I use a Nokia with Windows phone 8.1, and that's great ... It works on a phone! But the hotch potch, mish mask computer version is not. The Charms bar thing is pointless, keeps popping up in the way. And you do have to go to the 'start screen for searching . The design of key elements, like windows update, has changed to an app style which looks dumbed down and has less options.

Sorry, but I regret having to buy a laptop with this OS.

I have Windows 8.1. I use PSE9 with it and have no trouble with either. I installed W8 when it came out, choosing it over W7 which was already installed on the machine, and upgraded to 8.1 when it was released.

I don't understand why so many people are so anti W8.1. It is a good stable OS and OK it takes a bit of learning compared to previous Windows but it works and I am very happy with it. I don't have a touch screen either but I can use it just fine. I have no problem with the charms bar at all - it only appears when I want it to.
I use most things in desktop mode it's true, since 8.1 allows you to pin apps to the taskbar, but I do frequently use it in "Metro" mode too.

Windows 10 is now in testing and may be released sometime next year, or maybe not. There is a good chance that W8.1 users will receive a free update.

It is important to have 8.1 and keep it up to date as Microsoft have said they won't be providing as many updates for those who didn't go to 8.1.

I too have a Windows phone and enjoy the similarities between the two operating systems, They are not (yet) the same though. Come W10 they will be even more integrated.

Because it's different and it takes time to get used to it.

Regards
David

It was to avoid confusion. (Who Microsoft avoid confusion! ) They had already used 9x with 95 and 98.

I don't really like any of them and will stay with XP Pro for general use and W7 64bit for editing.

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Win 7 64bit is the best so far for editing photos and video I feel.

Perhaps the best thing for a new user to do is what I did ... Try it out in a shop, get an initial feel for it ... Then get a guidebook that looks at the key differences with the previous versions, and see how you feel after that. I knew it was going to be a pain, but had no choice, so tried to be positive. But the initial negative reaction proved to be correct ... It is a total pain! It's not worth sticking with ... It should be ditched as soon as possible, as they're now trying to do.

I use 8.1 and now that I am used to it would not change. We use 7 at work and it is a nightmare.
I would also say that I use PSE 11 and have no problems at all.

Algernon, ive honestly found win7 makes better use of hardware than xp.
There should be no reason not to upgrade to win7 as long as there are suitable drivers available for your hardware.

Surprised to read the negative comments about Windows 7 from the two Davids. I have used Win 7 Home Premium 64-bit on two different PCs for several years, and for several hours most days, with no problems. Perhaps there are bugs affecting the professional version in an office networking environment?

Cheers.
Philip

Hi Phillip, the blue screen issues I mentioned are related to the Professional version, not sure if they affect the Home version or not. My post wasn't intended to be negative to Windows 7, but was to correct Nigel's inaccurate information about Windows 8/8.1 which may lead some people to avoid these operating systems for no good reason. Windows 8.1 is more stable than Windows 7, but if you're happy with Windows 7 and it is not crashing for you then there's no reason to upgrade to Windows 8.1

Regards
David

My points are accurate ... They are accurate responses to a users practical experience, and accurate feedback of those experiences ... Try to avoid Win 8 if possible, it's a mess as far as user intuition and interaction goes.

You should have added 'it's a mess as far as user intuition and interaction goes, in my personal opinion' Nigel. I don't share that opinion and it's clear that a lot of Windows 8.1 users on here also don't share it.

Regards
David

I use Windows 7 on my laptop and my wife recently purchased a new notebook that has Windows 8 on it (now upgraded to 8.1). I have to admit that I hated it, it seemed like you were doing double the work for basically the same results.

Anyway, for Xmas I treated myself to a 10" W8.1 tablet and after a couple of weeks I have to say .... I'm really quite happy with it now, it takes a lot of getting used to but once mastered using it becomes second nature.

As mentioned in the thread earlier, it's something different, a lot of people don't like change but if you bite the bullet and take the time to learn Windows 8.1 it really is pretty good.

It goes without saying really that what individuals say on here is personal opinion, it doesn't need more spelling out. There are different ' types' of user using the OS in different contexts ... I'm another who's had no issue with Win7 home premium for years.

Windows 8 hasn't crashed for me, or got a virus ... But its a far less enjoyable and efficient experience, and I just hope they change it all in the next version.

In any case, why should one persons negative experience and personal opinion weigh any less than another's positive? The numbers commenting here is hardly a big sample of total users ... I'd still suggest the OP try it in a shop and read a book to get a feel for himself ... And then give it a miss .

Mike, it may be that the tablet experiences is different, no doubt. I'm really limiting my feedback here to a standard non-touchscreen mouse based computer. But actually, isn't the ' surface' OS different to standard 8.1?

If Mike's Tablet has Windows 8.1 it is exactly the same OS as you have.
RT has pretty much been dropped now. That was a crippled version of W8.

W10 will be a further embroidering on W8 so you had better get used to the idea.