Windows 8 flops

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Ultimate Geek
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#797734 11-Apr-2013 12:53

reven:
I like switching network on/off if you need to restart your wifi for any reason.

In case you haven't found it already, the quick way to do this from the Desktop is to click the Network notification icon on the system tray instead of going via PC Settings (the gearwheel).

TwoSeven

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#797737 11-Apr-2013 12:58

I think the fundamental issues were applying tablet concepts to desktops in the mistaken belief that desktops were on the way out (they are not, they are just changing form-factor), and the other is forcing everything into the cloud rather than giving people the option to use what suites them (on their personal cloud - a.k.a home environment).

I have a dislike of tiled interfaces - (xbox and windows phone included). I can never figure out which tile does what and it doesnt help that they keep changing shape and color on me.

What caused me to give up on Win 8 was removing the excelent backup stuff that Win 7 had, not being able to integrate desktop apps into the metro UI and things being just too difficult or not working or not having the same features as what I have on win 7.

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nathan

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#797739 11-Apr-2013 13:05

John2010:
reven:
I like switching network on/off if you need to restart your wifi for any reason.

In case you haven't found it already, the quick way to do this from the Desktop is to click the Network notification icon on the system tray instead of going via PC Settings (the gearwheel).

windows key + r
ncpa.cpl

John2010

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Ultimate Geek
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#797743 11-Apr-2013 13:07

networkn: I think my issue with Windows 8 and right now MS In general is the arrogant stand they have taken where they appear to no longer be taking feedback and or if you disagree with the decisions they make or the direction they are heading you get mocked or called out as being "old fashioned" or "out of date" or "not with it".

Personally, I have never seen Microsoft itself mock, etc. anyone providing feedback.

But an example of the deja vu I am sure they feel is the start button, icon, or whatever one wants to call it. I cannot remember what versions earlier than XP had now, but XP had a little square "start" button with Start written in it. Can't remember whether it was Vista or Win 7 this became a globe with no Start written in it. Big hue and cry from users because of that change then, but now most love the change (well it seems so, given they now complain because it is gone :-) ).

Now there is a hue and cry, from some, because the Start icon is invisible until one hovers over it (some even claiming it doesn't exist at all :-( ). Perhaps Microsoft are correct in that like the change from XP, most will come to prefer it and so are reticent to change back (besides, they would upset all the ones happy with the new version).

Oriphix

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#797746 11-Apr-2013 13:12

surfisup1000: Windows 8 is turning out to be disappointing . . .

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1001_3-57578914-92/pcs-hit-by-an-ugly-quarterly-drop-as-windows-8-flops/

I purchased the cheap $20 upgrade of win 8 for one of my pc's as a trial and I just can't tolerate metro.

I'd upgrade my machines to win 8 if microsoft released a version with the windows 7 start menu (and free windows media center).

There is a registry hack that gives you the start menu if you don't want the metro.

http://www.geek.com/news/how-to-get-a-windows-7-start-menu-in-windows-8-1421325/

However make sure to do a backup of your registry before you make the change :)

nathan

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#797749 11-Apr-2013 13:14

TwoSeven:

I think the fundamental issues were applying tablet concepts to desktops in the mistaken belief that desktops were on the way out (they are not, they are just changing form-factor), and the other is forcing everything into the cloud rather than giving people the option to use what suites them (on their personal cloud - a.k.a home environment).

I have a dislike of tiled interfaces - (xbox and windows phone included). I can never figure out which tile does what and it doesnt help that they keep changing shape and color on me.

What caused me to give up on Win 8 was removing the excelent backup stuff that Win 7 had, not being able to integrate desktop apps into the metro UI and things being just too difficult or not working or not having the same features as what I have on win 7.

Excellent backup stuff...
Control Panel
Windows 7 File Recovery
Create a System Image

What is forced into the Cloud?

I'd be interested to know what other things are just too difficult or not having the same features as in Win7

really you're not forced to use the Modern UI, I spend most of my time in the desktop since I'm a Power User/IT Pro like you, I have my app shortcuts on the desktop or on the taskbar

if you want to you can create your own "Start Menu" you can hunt and peck through, right click Taskbar, New Toolbar, point to a folder with the shortcuts you want or C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu

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nathan

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#797751 11-Apr-2013 13:17

Oriphix:
surfisup1000: Windows 8 is turning out to be disappointing . . .

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1001_3-57578914-92/pcs-hit-by-an-ugly-quarterly-drop-as-windows-8-flops/

I purchased the cheap $20 upgrade of win 8 for one of my pc's as a trial and I just can't tolerate metro.

I'd upgrade my machines to win 8 if microsoft released a version with the windows 7 start menu (and free windows media center).

There is a registry hack that gives you the start menu if you don't want the metro.

http://www.geek.com/news/how-to-get-a-windows-7-start-menu-in-windows-8-1421325/

However make sure to do a backup of your registry before you make the change :)

don't try this, it won't work. It doesn't exist

John2010

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Ultimate Geek
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#797757 11-Apr-2013 13:24

TwoSeven:...I have a dislike of tiled interfaces - (xbox and windows phone included). I can never figure out which tile does what and it doesnt help that they keep changing shape and color on me.

??? I have never noticed any Win 8 PC tile changing colour and shape on me, ever. And unlike earlier versions of Windows I can just pin (very simple operation) the ones I most use to the Start Page, without having to plough through lists of associated tools, help files, etc, etc as were in the traditional lists, and put them in the order I want (i.e. not forced to alphanumeric order).

???All the tiles I see in my own environment have at least as discriptive annotations on them as the application name as was used in earlier Windows start lists.

Oriphix

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Ultimate Geek
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#797759 11-Apr-2013 13:28

nathan:
Oriphix:
surfisup1000: Windows 8 is turning out to be disappointing . . .

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1001_3-57578914-92/pcs-hit-by-an-ugly-quarterly-drop-as-windows-8-flops/

I purchased the cheap $20 upgrade of win 8 for one of my pc's as a trial and I just can't tolerate metro.

I'd upgrade my machines to win 8 if microsoft released a version with the windows 7 start menu (and free windows media center).

There is a registry hack that gives you the start menu if you don't want the metro.

http://www.geek.com/news/how-to-get-a-windows-7-start-menu-in-windows-8-1421325/

However make sure to do a backup of your registry before you make the change :)

don't try this, it won't work. It doesn't exist

Yes it doesn't even if you create the key it doesn't work. There are program available for it.

http://www.stardock.com/products/start8/

$4.99 I guess that's USD.

CruciasNZ

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Ultimate Geek
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#797762 11-Apr-2013 13:31

You can bring back the Windows 7 stuff by changing a 1 to a 0 in Registry. Alternatively you can use aftermarket products.

Start8 (Start Menu) - http://www.stardock.com/products/start8/
ModernMix (Run Metro apps in a window instead of fullscreen) - http://www.stardock.com/products/modernmix/

Most peoples gripe about 8 is Metro, but it's really easy to neuter. Most of these media articles are just looking to make a quick buck of peoples ignorance and stupidity, but nothing new there either. Personally I prefer 8, Metro Start does what I need and I love both the boot time and new copy/paste notification windows.

EDIT: Forgot this website doesn't auto-establish http as a link, corrected :)

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nathan

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#797765 11-Apr-2013 13:33

CruciasNZ: You can bring back the Windows 7 stuff by changing a 1 to a 0 in Registry. Alternatively you can use aftermarket products.

Start8 (Start Menu) - http://www.stardock.com/products/start8/
ModernMix (Run Metro apps in a window instead of fullscreen) - http://www.stardock.com/products/modernmix/

Most peoples gripe about 8 is Metro, but it's really easy to neuter. Most of these media articles are just looking to make a quick buck of peoples ignorance and stupidity, but nothing new there either. Personally I prefer 8, Metro Start does what I need and I love both the boot time and new copy/paste notification windows.

EDIT: Forgot this website doesn't auto-establish http as a link, corrected :)

the registry key discussed earlier will not work

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CruciasNZ

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Ultimate Geek
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#797767 11-Apr-2013 13:43

nathan:

the registry key discussed earlier will not work

Fair call, was unaware of it's removal

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Lizard1977

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#797796 11-Apr-2013 14:33

I'm really happy with Win8. It was the first time I ever paid for an OS upgrade without replacing the entire computer. When my wife built her first computer in January, she installed Win8. She originally wanted Win7, and didn't seem too impressed when I showed her Win8 on my computer, but she's now a convert as well.

I bought Start8 (another rarity for me, paying for software instead of making do with a free version), and it's fantastic. I haven't used it to bring back a Win7-style menu, but I do use it to boot straight to desktop. Most days, I hardly ever see the Start Page, but it's there if I need it. I enjoyed Win7, and use it at work, but I'm very happy to stick with Win8, and when touchscreens come down in price, will probably add one of those to my desktop. I'd quite like a smaller (13-15in) touchscreen that could lay down at about 30 degrees, between my keyboard and main monitor, defaulting to the Start Page, to be my touch interface and complement the other interfaces (KB/M).

nathan

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#797826 11-Apr-2013 15:34

CruciasNZ:
nathan:

the registry key discussed earlier will not work

Fair call, was unaware of it's removal

Al good, it's been a while

If I recall correctly this was in the developer preview build and didn't work in the consumer preview build

networkn

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#797827 11-Apr-2013 15:36

nathan:
CruciasNZ:
nathan:

the registry key discussed earlier will not work

Fair call, was unaware of it's removal

Al good, it's been a while

If I recall correctly this was in the developer preview build and didn't work in the consumer preview build

Caused considerable outrage.

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