Final conclusion on windows 8.1

Hey guys ,

I just wanted to know the final conclusion that Microsoft Windows 8.1 is good ??? or bad to install

What are the downsides that you have faced ???

I saw some new features and it makes me install it. But im really scared that my pc will become slow or something would happen .

Please help me on this then you ll get a reward from santa this time :thumbsup:

 

Oh boy... Here we go again... (see previous thread)

I would just strongly suggest you to try it out for yourself.
When in comes to Windows 8 there is no easy answer.

 

Hey but if there is anything wrong . How can i roll back to previous windows ?? Is this a one way journey ???

 

Pretty much a one way journey. Need to do a clean install to go back to win 7.

Beamed from my G2 Tricorder

 

No no im having windows 8 already. is this still a one way journey ??

 

It sucks just a little bit less than Windows 8, which was the worst disaster in the history of Windows operating systems, ever. In my opinion. Whether or not you like it is an entirely different question.

 

Yes, it's a one-way journey. So back up beforehand so you can restore to Windows 8.0 if you don't like it. It's got a much nicer UI than Windows 8.0, but some hardware designed for Windows 8.0 has driver issues with it (mouse issues on a limited number of PC games; a number of issues with Samsung laptops; etc). So if you fall into the latter camp, you need to make sure you have a way to go back to Windows 8.0.

 

I still prefer Windows 7. How do I back up an OS if I want to go back to Windows 7?

 

Use Windows backup unless that was removed from win 8 too? Or make an image using one of the billion free programs out there. I like macrium reflect free.

Beamed from my G2 Tricorder

 

HTWingNut,

I have no idea about Windows 8 has back up tool. I am new to Windows 8 as well. That is a cool phone you got there.

 

Nah, G2 means he's two generations behind. We're all at G4, now...

 

Pirx my old friend, I thought you are going to school me on Windows 8 like old time. I am kind of dumb when it comes to smartphone. Thank you for your information.

 

I just went from windows 7 to windows 8.1 yesterday

For now, I don't love it, but I do not hate it either.

I had a hard time finding the restart and shutdown button, so I created them and pinned it the start menu

Control panel was hard to find, so I put it on the desktop and disabled the charms bar

The start menu is not so bad for me because I pinned up programs I use once in a while and its easier to click on it because of the pictures



Take revo uninstaller for example

In windows 7, Click "start", scroll down to find the "R" section, click on folder, then click on revo uninstaller application

In windows 8.1, I Click "start", I see revo uninstaller picture and it opens up the program

For now, I am just playing with the OS and determining if windows 8 is worth paying for or go back to windows 7

 

im enjoying windows 8.1. it took me a few days of getting used to it, but now, i am loving it and i probably wont go back to windows 7.

few things to note:

backed up files on windows 7 will not work on windows 8.1 and vice-versa.
i could never get system restore to work on windows 8.1 and restoring a backup image on windows 8.1 is tricky to find.
standalone applications (doesn't require installation) can not be set to start with windows.

those are not deal breakers, but it is something to keep in mind if you use any of the aforementioned features. ultimately, you will have to decide whether or not you develop a likeness to windows 8.1. try it for 30 days.

 

These driver issues are really frustrating me. 8.1 is a nice UI but the slowness I'm experiencing with even low level graphics type games (e.g. Civ V) is really unacceptable. I don't understand why these driver issues have not been sorted yet. We're a full 2 months after the official release.

 

Didn't REvo make a shortcut to it's program last I recall some time back it did make a shortcut on the desktop to run its program. And what you did for Control panel and restart and shutdown is easy found on the Start Button Menu on Windows 7 I can find those quicker then having to make icon to do what should be a straight forward task to do from Windows GUI. Along that line I also can create Control panel, Restart and Shutdown button on the desktop but then that would be redundant in Windows 7 when I can flick the power button it goes to automatically shutdown.

 

It's very game-specific. I had no slowdown with either Borderlands 2 or Starcraft 2 when I upgraded my Vaio F23 from Win7 to Win 8.1. I'm not sure what the incompatibility is, why it's there, or whether to blame the game developers or Microsoft, but it's certainly not across-the-board with all games.

 

I am still new to windows 8.1, so I am approaching it like I would with windows 7. So I have to learn a few new things.

 

haha, lol. Man tech does roll fast considering this just came out end of October.

 

Hey i have those restore disks with me for my whole system. So if i install windows 8.1 and then again i want to change to window 8 (my current operating system) , can't i do that with those restore disks ???

 

Yes, if you restore to factory state with restore disks, and the device shipped with 8.0, then restoring will take you from 8.1 to 8.0. It will also delete all your data, so copy anything you want to save to external media.

 

Ok there is two updates regarding windows 8.1.

Windows 8.1 and windows 8.1 RT What is the different between them ??. Am i missing something ??

 

Those are two entirely different operating systems. Windows RT is exclusively for (small) tablets powered by ARM GPUs, the other one runs on x86-powered hardware, such as desktops, laptops, and some tablets.

 

What Pirx said. If you have a tablet with an ARM processor (a Snapdragon 800 or something like that), it'll be running Windows RT. If you have a computer with an x86 processor (an Intel Atom processor or an Intel Core-something processor or the AMD equivalents), you're not going to need to worry about Windows RT. You'll never have to choose whether or not to install RT. Just put it out of your mind unless you have a tablet with an ARM processor.

 

So ARM processor is RISC and x86 is CISC? Can I run assembly code run on RISC?

 

I wish the updates that come with 8.1 were delivered via regular Windows Update as optional.

8 and 8.1 are too bad, it's just takes some frustrating moments to get used to it. It's seems to run more reliably that previous versions of Windows. I also haven't seen and Win 8 malware in the wild yet.

 

Too each their own, the majority of users just do not like Windows 8.x. While it is not contributing directly to sales declines of PC's it is not sustaining their sales either as there are no must haves for the features of new hardware. As a recent closed thread links too the market is becoming mostly a replacement one for PC hardware. Now most will say though Windows 8 does not make getting a replacement an exciting option. We will see where market share ends up to debate that.

Final conclusion on 8.1 is it is not enough. This is evident by the fact Windows 8.2 talk has started up so rapidly and all the excitement about the return of a start menu. Again I will reserve my opinion once I see it.........................

 

Windows 7 also wasn't sustaining PC sales. The collapse of PC sales began in the Win7 era.

Win8 has effectively introduced three form factors to the mass-market (all of these either didn't exist before or were tiny niche products): the convertible tablet, the convertible all-in-one (the Vaio Tap 21 and such; battery-equipped all-in-ones that can fold down and become tabletop tablets), and the 8"-10" slate running full Windows (Dell Venue 8 Pro gathering the most interest at this point). All of these are feasible because of the touchscreen emphasis of Win8. What new features or new form factors would have existed if Microsoft kept the emphasis fully on the traditional desktop and keyboard and mouse interface.

Tablet PC slates have been around for a decade, but when is the last time people were lined up to buy one like they were with the Dell Venue 8 Pro? Never. Win8 made this possible. Lenovo has had so much success with their original Yoga convertible that they've made it into an entire family of models and it's become their flagship consumer model. Sony has all-but abandoned the traditional laptop; three out of their four model lines are convertible tablets. Once again, Win8 made this possible. We would not be seeing this sort of new hardware form factors if Win8 was just Win7 with under-the-skin incremental improvements in speed and security.

Don't you think this would be progressing even faster if Windows had stayed solely focused on keyboard-and-mouse input and the traditional desktop instead of delving into new mobile form factors? The general public and road-warrior business users are less and less interested in traditional PC form factors...wouldn't focusing the Windows UI design solely on desktop power users and gamers just guarantee that the PC market was just a replacement one?

 

You missed the "MUST HAVES" part of the statement. TBH with the convertible Win7 machines with a decent touch screen I would have been interested then too. The issues were expense and performance. Performance is a hardware issue that over time will fade away. The extra cost will probably always be there. I should note I include too low a resolution too on performance as the hardware could not push the pixels.

Windows RT, 8.0 or 8.1, is a niche market so far. Windows, 8.0 or 8.1, with its low market saturation is beyond a niche market but only slightly. This is thanks only to it being forced on consumers with new machine purchases. Most will not pay the premiums needed to get a Win7 machine and soon that option will die too. I have still yet to meet a casual user that likes Win 8.x, YMMV. Now 8.2 may stand a chance but again we shall see.

Agreed, Win7 too is just a replacement OS for Vista. Just about all the same hardware works. I do think they were a bit more tablet friendly but not centric. If you read even my older posts I state this as well that since Vista the OS is no longer driving us to purchase a new PC but maybe just upgrade some hardware.

The point of other devices eating into PC usage, this is absolutely true. While I still require a PC I also use my tablet a lot, lowering my PC time. My kids both love using their smart phones on the net, personal they are too small and my fingers just too big and clumsy. Again though this has lowered their at home PC time.

The problem for work is IO. Without a kb&m it is tough to get productivity done. The convertibles address this somewhat but the problem is in kb&m mode the OS needs to loose most of the touch centric UI. No one is arguing lose touch centric all together just when it is applicable to have it and when it is not.....................

 

Ok i have updated to windows 8.1 . I was already a windows 8 fan and now its soooooo awesome. I like the new look of windows. And most of all windows app store is introducing new apps to windows 8.1.

So far it runs soooooooo smoothly and i like the new features specially the applications.

So final conclusion is its awesome for me

 

Glad you like it, Lahi.

 

We are all glad to hear that Modern UI and apps make the experience awesome for you.................

 

Leak hints Microsoft will recant 'make-them-eat-Metro' strategy for Windows 8 - Computerworld

 

Their biggest issue is getting the trust of IT's back that helped them all along and were snubbed. IMHO too little too late............

 

That's a understate to be short...also

 

Problem with this is:

Poor excuse....

And this kinds reply to interview shows lack of thinking outside of the box...

Got Served but act like a Bully...

.
More underlying story to come....

What apps is he talking about??? Apple Itunes or Android apps???

 

I like this article, too:

Couldn't have said it any better.

 

Really they learned their lesson I think not if they came out and public admitted it that would renew alot of users confidence in M$ as well as make their stock most likely go up as shareholder will know people will buy the O/S product that is how you generate revenue not shoveling it down the throat of users and making them say "Uncle".

 

The problem with Windows 8 is that Metro is the default even when there's no touchscreen. If it had only been the default on devices that had the touchscreen, and they had included a Start menu on the desktop, I think Windows 8 would've gone over much better. It'll be interesting to see if 8.1 Update 1 makes Desktop the default everywhere, or only where there's no touchscreen - if the former, Microsoft may be over-correcting.

And I think Windows 8 is contributing to declining PC sales. It's another barrier to buying a new computer, even if it is to replace an old one. People will be considering buying a new PC, see that Windows 8 is what's available on a lot of models, and decide maybe they can get some more use out of their older computer after all. Sure, Windows 8 may have sold some convertible laptops and such, but it's probably resulted in at least as many older XP, Vista, and 7 machines being used longer where, had 8 been more like 7 in terms of UI, an upgrade would have been made.

 

Many people I've talked to have told me they didn't want to get a PC with Windows 8 because they'd have to buy a touch screen. Being right or not, the general public thinks you need or will be better off with a touchscreen, and people still use desktops believe it or not, and don't want to have to buy a new monitor too, even though they don't have to. Win 8 was just a confusing release for everyone. Now that things have settled a bit, I'm surely surprised sales haven't gone up. But I think the damage has been done, time to reboot the OS and go back to its roots.

 

There's an assembly language for pretty much every type and model of CPU out there. However, iirc RT doesn't allow you to do anything outside of what you can do with the Windows Store and basic navigation through the file system.

Anyway, my two cents on which Windows version to use: Use what works for you. Personally, after playing around with an 8.0 (and now 8.1) virtual machine, I haven't found any compelling reason to upgrade to 8/8.1 yet, and I'm far from a big fan of the new UI. Though I mostly use Linux, so what do I know?

 

To use a winter analogy... Windows 7 is like a comfy old cardigan that keeps me reliably warm. Windows 8.1 is like a trendy new cardigan that's a bit scratchy and tight in places, but which ultimately keeps me a bit warmer.

In other words, I actually like some of the new Windows 8/8.1 features, but the overall redesign of the OS makes these new features more of a hassle to use that they should be. It feels like a typical MS product -- designed by a bunch of engineers with barely a UI expert in site. Lots of stuff and ideas that are not very seamlessly tied together. In some ways it feels like two entirely separate operating systems shoddily stuck together.

Definitely not the worst MS operating system IMO -- remember Windows ME, Windows 2000, and even Vista? I'd rank Win8 above Vista in the snafu stakes, but only just.

Hopefully the next update will fix things further. I'm not holding by breath on Windows 9, not least because MS has a terrible history of delivering an OS on schedule. As the tech media cheerfully reports Win9 will be released in spring 2015, I see spring 2016 as more likely.

My GF and I recently bought new laptops. She got a Macbook Air. I got a Thinkpad. She had a few minor glitches with Time Machine setting her Air up, but was up and running in less than half a day. I was still faffing around updating and configuring Windows and drivers and hardware days later. That, in a nutshell, is the Apple vs. the MS way

 

Really W8 is warmer...that is a tough sell there... Windows 8 is already being called the next ME already even some have said Vista was even better then Windows 8 so your story here is off a bit here. Your comparing Apples to Oranges...two different O/S different source codes that does the same when we look at it but the underhood is so very different neither can really be compared to each other.

That is the problem with Windows 8 they have to spend money for something that the hardware should've come with in the first place you release a Tablet touch screen software and fail to have the hardware at the time of release for users to have both at the same time and not only that have the gall to charge more for touchscreen laptop which if you think rationally about it when you release the O/S the hardware should already be there to accommodate the software....this is call poor planning and release... all makes for disastrous release...and worse a PR nightmare....

 

My experience is that after days of tweaking I can make Win8.1 do everything I did on Win7 with the added bonus of a few nice new features (I like the more visual application lists, for example). Obviously YMMV. I also find Win8 just as fast as Win7. I'm not a coding expert by any means, but I've heard fewer gripes about Win8's underlying code than I did about the bloated Vista code years ago.

My impression has always been that Win8 is a poor attempt at merging touch and desktop UIs, but it's hard to blame either MS or WinPC makers for not jumping on the touchscreen bandwagon because IMO no-one knows if that bandwagon even has wheels. WinPC makers are desperately trying to find or create the next big trend to keep their sales alive and MS is perhaps simply hedging its bets as it sees the turmoil in the PC market. I know plenty of people who are not interested in touchscreen laptops (me included) and the fact that Apple has not released a touchscreen Macbook or yet merged iOS and OSX speaks volumes. It'll be years IMO before we get a clearer picture of how touchscreens will be integrated into the wider computing market, but for now I see the status quo continuing -- PCs and tablets co-existing, even as WinPC makers invent all sort of weird and wonderful hybrid machines.

 

:laugh::laugh::laugh:..........

I see Microsoft's marketing department has been extremely successful in marketing Windows 8/8.1 as a touch OS.

Using Windows 8.1 on a tablet/touchscreen interface is a terrible experience compared to Android or iOS even if we're only talking about Metro/Modern UI - the only reason you don't hear much about it is because touch complaints are greatly overshadowed by desktop complaints.

 

Completely disagree with this. IME, 8.1 is infinitely better than Android on touch screens.

Although I haven't compared two touch screens with the same hardware, I also suspect that 8.1 will be far less laggy than android. It just seems to be far more streamlined.

 

Come again? Windows 2000, for its time, was clearly one of the best operating systems Microsoft has ever produced, bar none. Sure, it ultimately did not hold up to the security challenges of the time, but that's a case of that 20-20 hindsight. Vista's main issue was that it came out at a time when prices for memory just happened to skyrocket, which prompted PC OEMs to foist under-spec'd machines on their customers. Windows 8, on the other hand, simply represents a screw-up on a scale that is unprecedented in the computing world.

I hear you, but Microsoft is under enormous pressure to replace Windows 8 by something else as soon as they possibly can. At this point in time, "Windows 8" has become a swearword, and is simply not viable, and an untenable proposition. As a little aside, have you seen Microsoft's Superbowl ads? Noticed the complete lack of any tiles, or any reference to Windows 8? Sure, that's a Surface in those ads, but they're hiding the fact that it's running Windows 8 as much as humanly possible: No tiles, no "fast and fluid" BS, nothing of that sort.

Anyway, it's clear that Microsoft has to try and make the world forget that there ever was such a thing called Windows 8, and they have to do so sooner rather than later.

 

Try tapping on things while the system is at 100% CPU load, and see how many taps it takes for one to register. And if that's not bad enough, try opening something that requires a double tap next.

 

I have used the touch interface with my 11.6" Acer, but problem is there are so few native Metro UI apps that I keep going back to the desktop for 90% of the stuff I want and need to do.

Makes one wonder if they will call the next Windows, Windows 9 or leave the numbering system behind to cleanse themselves. Skip the number 9 exclusively and call the next Windows OSX! Oh wait...

 

Biggest disadvantage to this "My experience" is the mass are not tweakers they like to power on the PC and start using so your analogy is rooted in false storyhood-this is the general population not the tweaker society. Also why use more unsecured 3rd party software to make W8 look like W7 to start with this is a "none starter" discussion to start with. Either you fully use Touch W8 or W7 you can't cherry pick W8 3rd party fixes and claim is best O/S.

Really poor how about even more dumfounded idea you make a O/S Touch and have no hardware to use it? That is what I call stupid management and will hurt more then it help. Jumping on the band wagon has proven time and time again...never to be good idea it's about "INNOVATIONS" that what Apples does no bandwagoning form Apple. Oh really iOS and OSx doesn't communicate...here's a surprise for you iTunes. Apple has already going down that road and for one to dismiss Apple "INNOVATIONS" is asking for trouble. And actually the touch is already here...how one can miss is hard to imagine. They got iPad, iPod, Macbook Pro touchscreens what part did you miss and last iTunes...apps store that is already in the market.