O/T: How ANNOYING is Windows 8?

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Made the schoolboy error of replacing my 10 year old PC last weekend. Checked the spec, that effortlessly surpassed anything I've had for home use before. Which admittedly wouldn't be all that difficult. Barely paid attention to the blurb that it had Windows 8 pre-installed.

Schoolboy error as it turns out. Windows 8 is seriously shit. Did a quick Google and my fears were confirmed: ' MIT professor Philip Greenspun handed Windows 8 one of its most damning reviews yet earlier this week, calling the new operating system a “Christmas gift for someone you hate.” Greenspun panned almost every aspect of Microsoft’s new software, noting that Microsoft had four years to study Android and more than five to examine iOS, but still couldn’t build a usable tablet experience.... “Suppose that you are an expert user of Windows NT/XP/Vista/7, an expert user of an iPad, and an expert user of an Android phone… you will have no idea how to use Windows 8,” Greenspun wrote.

And he's 100% correct. The thing is ridiculous. Serious question: would my wizzy new PC - Intel Inside! - continue to work if I installed Windows XP over the top of Windows 8? Or should I just try turning it off and on again? Or hitting it with a hammer? Well?

 

[pasty]

Thanks for that. I bought a new pc just before Christmas with Windows 7 installed, but I have the option of a free upgrade to Windows 8. Think I might give it a body swerve after what I've been hearing about it.

 

[GoldWithFalmer]

use 7 myself and sticking with it,have read the horror stories-

Perhaps you can install Vista or 7? as opposed to XP

 

[deletebeepbeepbeep]

Windows 8 is fine it's just windows 7 with a new interface that you don't have to see if you just do this:

Make Windows 8 boot straight to the desktop | TechRepublic

Don't install windows xp, an os released 10 years ago- its no way near as good as 8 and you'll get a virus.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

You'd be silly to downgrade to XP especially if you have a 64 bit system. Try Windows 7, it's what I use, it's great.

Cheers for advice. Got a 64 bit system and will look into Windows 7. Can only be an improvement on the complete dog's dinner that is Windows 8.

 

[happypig]

Try Kubuntu (Kubuntu | Friendly Computing)
Download, burn,boot and you can try it without making any changes to the installed OS.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Windows 8 is fine it's just windows 7 with a new interface that you don't have to see if you just do this:

Make Windows 8 boot straight to the desktop | TechRepublic

- - - Updated - - -

Try Kubuntu (Kubuntu | Friendly Computing)
Download, burn,boot and you can try it without making any changes to the installed OS.

 

[Aseros]

Windows 8 takes a little bit of getting used to, but in my opinion I love it compared to 7 or Vista.

 

[Skaville]

It's seriously difficult to use

 

[GoldWithFalmer]

Windows 8 takes a little bit of getting used to, but in my opinion I love it compared to 7 or Vista.

Fair play,but i wish not to find out..

 

[Another Berkshire Seagull]

I love it.

Has a few gestures you have to get used to but after that its simpler than any other version of windows.

 

[Aseros]

Fair play,but i wish not to find out..

Only took me a couple of days. If you don't like it you can always used desktop mode. The only problem I had at the start was PDF and Video files opened up in a Windows 8 application which took f***ing forever. Thankfully can get around it now, but still! My only downside to this. Everything else is exactly the same to previous versions of Windows so I am unsure as to why so many people dislike it.

 

[martyn20]

I love Win8, very easy to use when you get used to it, very stable and very fast

 

[Acker79]

I must be Windows' target audience because I have used each version since 95 and have never hated any of them, every time I upgrade I think 'this is neat, not really much difference, but new!' then hear loads of complaints on line.

I have 8 and think it is just dandy. (Not 'blow your socks off'-great (though I've never felt that about any operating system) but 'fine' seemed to suggest adequate so I went with 'dandy'). In truth other than the start screen, I've not noticed any real difference (nor did I notice much of a difference with each change in OS).

It really makes me wonder what I'm doing with my computer that others aren't or vice versa. Am I missing out on something?

 

[Frutos]

Is there any way of getting rid of the stupid sidebar and giant clock that pop up if I deign to move my cursor somewhere it doesn't like?

 

[Deleted member 22389]

Made the schoolboy error of replacing my 10 year old PC last weekend. Checked the spec, that effortlessly surpassed anything I've had for home use before. Which admittedly wouldn't be all that difficult. Barely paid attention to the blurb that it had Windows 8 pre-installed.

Schoolboy error as it turns out. Windows 8 is seriously shit. Did a quick Google and my fears were confirmed: ' MIT professor Philip Greenspun handed Windows 8 one of its most damning reviews yet earlier this week, calling the new operating system a “Christmas gift for someone you hate.” Greenspun panned almost every aspect of Microsoft’s new software, noting that Microsoft had four years to study Android and more than five to examine iOS, but still couldn’t build a usable tablet experience.... “Suppose that you are an expert user of Windows NT/XP/Vista/7, an expert user of an iPad, and an expert user of an Android phone… you will have no idea how to use Windows 8,” Greenspun wrote.

And he's 100% correct. The thing is ridiculous. Serious question: would my wizzy new PC - Intel Inside! - continue to work if I installed Windows XP over the top of Windows 8? Or should I just try turning it off and on again? Or hitting it with a hammer? Well?

Windows 8 is a bit of mash up in my opinion. Its stupid when you have to go back to the desktop to change settings. What's the point of metro for desktop use lol? I understand for phones and tablets.

This is why I love Linux because it allows you to use the computer how you like. It works, you can install it on as many machines as you like, and you don't have all the other bollox to put up with. You don't need drivers either as most things are now detected.

Some people will love Windows 8 others will hate it.

 

[Rambo]

Here is the best answer for you. Throw the PC away and go buy a MAC, simples.

 

[Deleted member 22389]

Here is the best answer for you. Throw the PC away and go buy a MAC, simples.

Damn Mac users lol. I don't like Mac's but I know exactly what you are talking about.

 

[Blazing Apostle]

I hate Windows 8 and still can't find out how you can make it revert back to Win 7 - its utterly illogical and the key areas you want to find My Comp, Documents and Contral panal are hidden away...and as for those useless intrusive side bars......even worse than XP IMHO..avoid at all costs

 

[Neecha]

Made the schoolboy error of replacing my 10 year old PC last weekend. Checked the spec, that effortlessly surpassed anything I've had for home use before. Which admittedly wouldn't be all that difficult. Barely paid attention to the blurb that it had Windows 8 pre-installed.

Schoolboy error as it turns out. Windows 8 is seriously shit. Did a quick Google and my fears were confirmed: ' MIT professor Philip Greenspun handed Windows 8 one of its most damning reviews yet earlier this week, calling the new operating system a “Christmas gift for someone you hate.” Greenspun panned almost every aspect of Microsoft’s new software, noting that Microsoft had four years to study Android and more than five to examine iOS, but still couldn’t build a usable tablet experience.... “Suppose that you are an expert user of Windows NT/XP/Vista/7, an expert user of an iPad, and an expert user of an Android phone… you will have no idea how to use Windows 8,” Greenspun wrote.

And he's 100% correct. The thing is ridiculous. Serious question: would my wizzy new PC - Intel Inside! - continue to work if I installed Windows XP over the top of Windows 8? Or should I just try turning it off and on again? Or hitting it with a hammer? Well?

Totally agree, could they have made it any different...total fiddle !!