Windows 8

Anyone else using this? I don't like it. As someone who has used Windows since it's inception (going right back to DOS),I have to say that Windows 8 is by far the worst version yet. The touch screen stuff is nice in theory, but sometimes you just can't get anything to work, and then find you have to use some stupid touch gesture to make the "$%^&&@ computer do what you want. And then it doesn't always work. Sometimes you'll be on the internet and then another screen pops up, because you accidentally pressed a key or touched the wrong part of the screen, having no idea that this was a shortcut to some application you didn't even know was on your computer. Unless Microsoft sort this out soon I will be moving to Apple, a move I have never even considered before, as I don't like the ethos or business practices of the company. However, I would not recommend Windows 8 to anybody. It's like a really bad version of a 1990's mobile phone OS.

I've noticed it seems to take more mouse clicks to even get to the desktop screen. The only reason I haven't reverted to Win 7 is that the laptop it's on (a sony, I know, I should have known better) loses some of the functions of the keyboard if I "downgrade" according to Sony. I was under the impression that Win 8 was written for the Windows Phone, then put onto laptops etc when the phone was a bit of a flop.

I used it for a while on my Netbook. Didn't like it, couldn't do the simple tasks I once could, and went back to Windows 7.

I upgraded to 8 and went back to 7 yet windows phone 8 is brilliant, so simple and elegant.

I think win 8 forgets its supposed to be an OS and not an hindrance which it is. I also thought about going apple but decided I needed another laptop first so tomorrow I take delivery of yet another win 8 laptop with win 7 disc at the ready...

I have a computer on Windows 8 and hardly ever use it. Windows 8 is just a piece of s---.

As Aliengrove wrote, you never know what's going to happen when you touch a key. And, unlike what Microsoft says, it's far from being intuitive.

Micros**t will be releasing an update in Sept/Oct (I think) that is intended to iron out any issues with 8. Personally, I think they should skip it, and just go straight to Windows 9!! I haven't tinkered with the guts of my Win8 rig, but it seems that every time I import photos from an sd card to the photos folder, the MMS (memory Management Console) tells me that something has tried to access my location!!

It's also a pain in the bum having to set up the defaults, since the pc wants to open up the installed apps, instead of Windows Media Player / Adobe Elements, etc.

The only thing Win8 is good for is downloading porn (allegedly!!!!)

I have Windows 8 and find it absolutely brilliant, had no issues with it at all so far, after a couple of months usage.

If you want to use it as a 'traditional desktop' without the 'windows 8 tiles' this is so easy, just switch it to the desktop view and it works just like windows 7.

- It loads much faster than any previous Windows version
- It doesn't crash (at least it has never crashed on my PC)
- It is less resource hungry than some previous versions
- It provides the flexibility to use it in different ways if you have a device or a PC that can take advantage of this, e.g. a touchpad where you can 'pinch/zoom', 'double-swipe', 'triple swipe' etc.
- I have had no compatibility issues with any of my existing software, some of which is quite old
- It works so much better with my home network and my Epson printer than XP did (prints come out as they are intended to, no colour casts or dark print issues)
- It's easier to find applications installed on the PC

In fact, everything just works better. I suspect that if some are having problems with it that may be due more to unfamiliarity than anything else?

I work for a company that is heavily involved with software development and as such I have extensively used all Windows version since XP and continue to use different versions every day. Windows 8 is without a doubt the best version so far IMHO.

Not so Stephen, you can't be using it correctly! Simply use it in the desktop view and pin the required programs to the Taskbar, then open them when you need to use them. It could not be simpler.

My suggestion would be for anyone struggling, take the time to learn how it works - it is different but this does not mean it is bad.

Regards
David

David - my main issue is that I don't want my taskbar cluttered up, as my missus also uses the pc. It may also just need a tweak of the registry, but I have found that if I set my wife up with administrator priveleges (same as me), computer says "NO!!..". Since I got my pc in January, I don't think unfamiliarity comes into it any more. I just don't like it - it's trying to be more clever than it needs to be. The biggest pain in the ass for me was the absence of the familiar start button. I now have HP's own version on the desktop, but by the time it takes to load, I could have made a cup of tea, had a shower, and probably a full night's kip before it's ready!!

I can only give you my own experiences, and they have all been good. I don't find anything annoying and much of the additional security already exists in Windows 7.

I will not be switching back to an earlier version, I really do like Windows 8 and find it helps me to do things much more quickly and efficiently.

Regards
David

I must agree with you David, took a bit of getting used to but I now think its better than 7, had no issues yet and I'm no computer wizard by any means!!!!!!

I must admit I couldn't get on with it at first but once I downloaded the start button as in windows 7 even an old non computer whiz kid like me! can use it without to much trouble

The problem is its got way beyond the point where any individuals experiences are relevant - the numbers just don't add up. 100 million licenses sold but nearly 300 million PCs in the same time.

I read in a recent 'MicroMart' also that the business community show no signs of coming on board, and in the gaming community it is being slated for hardware and performance issues.

So Microsoft now are forced to play catch-up and reinstate the GUI elements that users didn't want to lose in the first place.

It's just Win 7 with a daft front end, what a rip off. The new backwards update should pacify the luddites.

I was put off from the first time I switched on.

1. Press power button
2. Computer boots to an image of some description
3. Click mouse or tap touch pad
4. Log in screen appears
5. Type in password.
6. Press Return key
7. Search through a maze of irrelevant icons for means to reach desktop

Have used windows Win 3.0, 3.1, Win 95, Win2000, Xp, Vista and Win 7 so not a complete beginner. Most of any advantage in speed is lost by searching for what I want to run. Yes taskbar has MFU.

There is a direct route to the desktop, either via a mouse click or by moving the mouse pointer to the top or bottom left corner of the screen, this then allows you to click to reveal the desktop.

All you need to do Stephen in that case is to put shortcuts on the desktop to all of the programs you like to use, just like you probably had on previous Windows versions!! Then you click on the shortcut for the program you want to use and it opens!

As stated above, Windows 8 is basically Windows 7 with some added navigation options, but can be used pretty much like Win 7 if you wish.

Regards
David