What is your opinion of the new Windows 8?

[thesilentman]

I'm going to put my opinion up front as I have a lot of responses to some of what you guys said.

I like it.

(Yay, all the people here will now erupt with rage)

It's fast, applications run fine, and it's more stable than Windows 7.

But, it doesn't mean it's good. I have so many issues with Windows 8 that I'd be here all day if I could, but I like it as it works for me.

snip

Image is missing Windows 2000 Professional and neglected to mention that XP was shit at launch and only got better after SP2.

One trend I really hate is the stupidification of computers, especially how files are being actively hidden from the user.

Files are hidden? How? It's the same thing as Windows 7 if you want to see all the files:

Control Panel (desktop) > Folder Options > Uncheck the "Hide OS critical files" and "Show Hidden Files and Folders" > Apply changes

You have to re-learn where everything is, since everything's in a completely different place to where it was in 7.

Citation needed. You'll find everything just fine if you can browse Windows Explorer. Heck, the Start menu has a nice search that appears after you start typing on the Start screen.

does the new windows force use of mydocuments folders?

I think you mean the Libraries, and it does the same thing as 7. Whether its good or bad is up to you.

I hate it when you have one version of windows in the office, and another at home. so you keep getting confused what to do.
i wish they would just update all versions for free so that you dont have to adapt to using many different versions.

Unfortunately, that's what we get when you have a company whose OS teams are one part genii (2000 Pro and 7) and one part monkeys (XP at launch, Vista and Me).

And the fact that we all are dependent on MS Office still boggles my mind. No one in their right mind should pay 200 or so USD for an office suite. I'd understand 50 or 75 USD at a pinch but 200 is fucking ridiculous.

With all the strides Linux makes now, I wish to hell they would pick up a thing or two from Linux, or hell, even mac and quit trying to control peoples use. Allow them to use it freely how THEY see fit. Not how you want them to.

But honestly for me personally. I have ZERO interest in touch enabled windows OS, and once you remove the "metro" trash and get it out of the way, its really just windows 7 jury rigged to be as counter intuitive as Vista.

Just my 2 copper

In case you've noticed, we all have a command line. Forgot that most of us don't like the Command Prompt and PowerShell. And that we don't run Linux.

Citation needed for being a jury rigged as Vista. The only shit thing that Vista had was that the OEMs decided on shit hardware for a new OS. Along with horrible memory management, those are the only issues with Vista

Your image fails, as it calls Windows 7 good.
I have taken dumps that were better than Windows 7. They ran smoother, they ran faster, they crashed less often, and their interface was less crappy.
I have yet to try Windows 8, but based on the direction Microsoft has been going since Bill left, I'm stuck waiting for the google OS to come out and gain some traction.

"Windows 7 is shit." *Head-desking self* Could you explain why?

And if you really don't like MS, just run Ubuntu with KDE. If anything, Google will track our OS installs and pull a nasty trick on us if they go nuts.

 

[SpAc3man]

I strongly dislike the new start screen, right now I'm running ClassicShell which gives me an old start menu otherwise this would be completely intolerable. In an attempt to tap into the tablet market Microsoft have made something that works horribly on desktops and laptops. Case in point without ClassicShell it would take me 9 or so clicks to fucking turn off my computer, when on Windows 7 it takes one. Know where they put the shut down option? Settings. Settings for Christ's sake! That's just one thing wrong with this stupid touchscreen oriented start screen. Other than that though, I don't mind it, now that I've completely eliminated the start screen it's not bad.

Serious? Are you that hopeless? NINE clicks? I count three. Settings, power options, shutdown. It can even be done with no clicks if you hit alt-F4 then hit enter. Stop making crap up.

Would you still agree that settings is a shitty place to put the shutdown option? It's a basic PC function, not a setting. Also I was obviously exaggerating a little. That new start screen is crap IMO, and I don't feel like dealing with it.

No, I have no problem with it. Would you agree that putting a shutdown button in the Start menu was stupid? Counter-intuitive if you think about it. It is just a convenient place to have it. Being different to what you are used to is not a flaw.

 

[RN7]

Windows 8 actually isn't all that bad if you dig around in your computer files and trash the majority of the inane bullshit contained within the system. I mean, sure, you still have to deal with the awkward-ass layout and disjointed navigation, but at least it's not Vista, right?

In all honesty I still use my laptop that runs Vista over the new system with Windows 8, simply because Windows 8 is such a bad OS. Honestly, when Microsoft shifts away from the PC, I'd say the majority of people who use PCs for things that can't be done by smaller systems, like the gamers, will probably have to move to Macs- or more likely, Linux-based systems.

 

[Maxtro]

After a little bit of modifications I love it.

Step 1: Classic shell is mandatory.
http://classicshell.sourceforge.net/

Bring the start button back and make Windows default to the desktop instead of sitting on Metro.

If you don't like Metro, turn it off. Personally I like it on my home computer because I can pin more things to it than I could using the Win 7 startmenu. On my netbook I turned off Metro as the resolution was too small.

While I'm in desktop mode 95% of the time, I do like some of the apps, mainly weather.

It does everything that Win 7 does but better and faster.

When in the metro screen, right click an empty space then choose "all apps."

For quick and easy ways to shutdown and restart

Make a new shortcuts

Shutdown
C:\Windows\System32\shutdown.exe /s /t 0

Restart
C:\Windows\System32\shutdown.exe /r /t 0

Choose the icons you want and pin them to the start menu, viola, you know have Shutdown and Restart buttons.

---------------

IMO, Win 8 is a great OS but it's not user friendly. It's fine for people who understand tech like myself, but I would not recommend it to my parents unless I set it up for them first.

 

[Virgilthepagan]

Howdy, I reactivated my account just to comment on this. "Ahem".

Honestly, my laptop runs on 7, and having come home for the holidays I found my parents setting up Windows 8 on their new machine. It was great to learn that in addition to all of the old preloaded crap that comes on any laptop windows had preloaded an entirely separate set of materials designed to funnel users straight towards their own line of products (skype for windows, games for windows live, especially annoying as a Steam user) pinned onto the now unavoidable start menu. Even finding the menu buttons took a minute of waving the cursor around. Every time the "devices" page appeared it was initially like seeing a glimpse of Bigfoot, mythical, and hard to replicate. Even with Vista I found the odd change or tweak I liked, not with this one. I'm sure it's great fun with a tablet, but foisting that on pc users is just obnoxious.
TL;DR: KILL IT! KILL IT WITH FIRE!!!

 

[Esotera]

One trend I really hate is the stupidification of computers, especially how files are being actively hidden from the user.

Files are hidden? How? It's the same thing as Windows 7 if you want to see all the files:

Control Panel (desktop) > Folder Options > Uncheck the "Hide OS critical files" and "Show Hidden Files and Folders" > Apply changes

It still doesn't give the full filename - it hides the file extension unless you're using the command line. I can't remember how long Windows has been doing this, but I distinctly remember being able to change file extensions through Windows Explorer by default in an older edition. Not of huge importance, just something I find irritating. Apple and Android apps are probably worse offenders for hiding files from their users..

 

[Not G. Ivingname]

I have yet to use it, but I have heard nothing but horrible, horrible things about it.

 

[Freaky Lou]

My own experience/opinion:

Spoiler

Recently my family purchased a laptop for my younger sister to play her games on, browse the internet, and do all the stuff that anyone else would use a laptop for. Unlike my own laptop however, her's came with a pre-installed Windows 8 OS on her system (Mine is Windows 7).

While I was willing to give Windows 8 a chance at first, we quickly discovered that it is a VASTLY different setup compared to the past versions of Windows. First and foremost was the lack of a 'Start' menu, instead replaced by an entire screen that scrolls and seems designed more for tablets then a computer. Which looks nice and all, but makes finding things harder than needed. Mainly by re-organizing where certain files are located or how they're labeled, and using 'hidden tabs/buttons' or 'swipe features' that require moving the mouse to certain parts of the screen in the same manner you might use a tablet/touch-screen.

So overall, what is your own opinion of the new OS?

Windows 95 was awesome tho...

I do not like Windows 8 because it is a drastic layout change, and it feels like something Apple designed. I hate Apple and I hate Windows 8 as well. Will be sticking with 7 for the foreseeable future.

 

[votemarvel]

My first PC ran the first version of Windows 98. I later upgraded to 98SE.

I started building my PCs from then on and the OS I had on that was Windows ME. I've never understood why it is so disliked when it is essentially just 98 3rd Edition. I did use a program called Optional Component Maker to remove stuff such as Movie Maker, so perhaps that did the improvements.

While I tried 2000 and XP, I never felt they offered me anything that would make me want to use them. It took "The Battle for Middle-Earth" being released that made me make the switch to Windows XP.

That's where I stayed for another long period of time. Tried Vista and Windows 7 but they offered me nothing that XP didn't.

Now I'm trying Windows 8, mainly because of the offer price Microsoft were selling at it. I figured for just £24.99 I had nothing to lose but the price of a night at my local pub.

As I said before I'm finding Windows 8 to be schizophrenic in nature. For example creating a new user account can't be done from the desktop control panel under User Accounts but requires you to move to the Metro control panel. Yet the option to delete an account is in the desktop version and not in the Metro version.

Currently Windows 8 is doing nothing that XP couldn't except taking up more hard drive space. Don't get me wrong I'm not exactly hurting for hard drive space but I hate things taking it up for no benefit to me. For example a basic install of Windows 8 takes up almost as much space as an basic install of Windows XP and Mass Effect 1.

I suppose I am a bit OCD about having stuff used when it doesn't need to be. I'm sure that extra space is being used for something great but I'm not seeing the benefit.

 

[ejb626]

I strongly dislike the new start screen, right now I'm running ClassicShell which gives me an old start menu otherwise this would be completely intolerable. In an attempt to tap into the tablet market Microsoft have made something that works horribly on desktops and laptops. Case in point without ClassicShell it would take me 9 or so clicks to fucking turn off my computer, when on Windows 7 it takes one. Know where they put the shut down option? Settings. Settings for Christ's sake! That's just one thing wrong with this stupid touchscreen oriented start screen. Other than that though, I don't mind it, now that I've completely eliminated the start screen it's not bad.

Serious? Are you that hopeless? NINE clicks? I count three. Settings, power options, shutdown. It can even be done with no clicks if you hit alt-F4 then hit enter. Stop making crap up.

Would you still agree that settings is a shitty place to put the shutdown option? It's a basic PC function, not a setting. Also I was obviously exaggerating a little. That new start screen is crap IMO, and I don't feel like dealing with it.

No, I have no problem with it. Would you agree that putting a shutdown button in the Start menu was stupid? Counter-intuitive if you think about it. It is just a convenient place to have it. Being different to what you are used to is not a flaw.

Well yes it's a matter of personal preference but I find the fact that the shutdown button is hidden away in the sidebar to be bullshit. You yourself said having it on the Start menu was convenient, so why move it? But I'm not going to force my personal preferences on you, if you don't mind the start screen then by all means, use it.

 

[viranimus]

With all the strides Linux makes now, I wish to hell they would pick up a thing or two from Linux, or hell, even mac and quit trying to control peoples use. Allow them to use it freely how THEY see fit. Not how you want them to.

But honestly for me personally. I have ZERO interest in touch enabled windows OS, and once you remove the "metro" trash and get it out of the way, its really just windows 7 jury rigged to be as counter intuitive as Vista.

Just my 2 copper

In case you've noticed, we all have a command line. Forgot that most of us don't like the Command Prompt and PowerShell. And that we don't run Linux.

Citation needed for being a jury rigged as Vista. The only shit thing that Vista had was that the OEMs decided on shit hardware for a new OS. Along with horrible memory management, those are the only issues with Vista

The reference to Vista is specifically referring to how counter intuitive Vista was laid out when people had very clearly defined Atypical methods of usage in an XP world

 

[D-Class 198482]

I'm currently on a Windows 8 and I can verify it's actually okay

 

[Joccaren]

If you're a generic user who will do nothing with their computer beyond checking emails, writing word documents, and browsing the internet: Its great.
If you're on a tablet/touchscreen device: Its good.
If you are not either of the above: Its pretty meh at best, terrible at worst. Needs heavy modding to actually be usable, and I'm not paying for something that I'd need to mod to use [Skyrim was an exception]. Its layout is annoying, how you control things in it is annoying, the increased load speed is nice, as are the looks, but all round its just freaking annoying to use, and that's the most important thing.
I gave up on it after my dad encouraged me to use the demo version he had, using his laptop with it for a bit instead of installing it on my own. Hated it then, told him why it was bad, and he was all "Oh, but look at these good features". A few months later, he hates it and has removed it from his laptop. Not a great OS on anything but a tablet - it could have been had it had a PC specific UI and layout, but it didn't, so overall its just shit IMO.

 

[Eggbert]

With all the strides Linux makes now, I wish to hell they would pick up a thing or two from Linux, or hell, even mac and quit trying to control peoples use.

You really don't want them to look at macs these days. The last Mac OS X release is up with Windows 8 as my most-hated OS ever. It tries to control every little thing you do, does a number of impressively stupid things (reopening windows on launch sounds like a good idea... unless one of those windows is what forced the reboot), and also hides the entire folder all of your settings are stored in by default.

Windows 8? It's an abomination.

 

[thesilentman]

More replies...

You have to re-learn where everything is, since everything's in a completely different place to where it was in 7.

Citation needed. You'll find everything just fine if you can browse Windows Explorer. Heck, the Start menu has a nice search that appears after you start typing on the Start screen.

The shutdown function is a good example.

It's buried under, right sidebar > Settings > Power

Why the fuck is "shutdown" under "settings" ??

Ways to shutdown a Windows 8 include:

- Right Sidebar > Settings > Shutdown
- Winkey + L > Power Icon > Shutdown
- Ctrl + Alt + Delete > Power Icon > Shutdown
- Dunno, the Power Button

The middle two were in Windows 7 and Vista and the last one is universal. Shutdown isn't really a good example as there are 4 ways to do it, three of which were already in Vista/7.

One trend I really hate is the stupidification of computers, especially how files are being actively hidden from the user.

Files are hidden? How? It's the same thing as Windows 7 if you want to see all the files:

Control Panel (desktop) > Folder Options > Uncheck the "Hide OS critical files" and "Show Hidden Files and Folders" > Apply changes

It still doesn't give the full filename - it hides the file extension unless you're using the command line. I can't remember how long Windows has been doing this, but I distinctly remember being able to change file extensions through Windows Explorer by default in an older edition. Not of huge importance, just something I find irritating. Apple and Android apps are probably worse offenders for hiding files from their users..

That's also an option. You just need to uncheck "Hide known file extensions" in the setting that I outlined in my original post. Unless they changed it in the final release, it's still there. (Still running the Release Preview; I have a Pro license next to me though)

With all the strides Linux makes now, I wish to hell they would pick up a thing or two from Linux, or hell, even mac and quit trying to control peoples use. Allow them to use it freely how THEY see fit. Not how you want them to.

But honestly for me personally. I have ZERO interest in touch enabled windows OS, and once you remove the "metro" trash and get it out of the way, its really just windows 7 jury rigged to be as counter intuitive as Vista.

Just my 2 copper

In case you've noticed, we all have a command line. Forgot that most of us don't like the Command Prompt and PowerShell. And that we don't run Linux.

Citation needed for being a jury rigged as Vista. The only shit thing that Vista had was that the OEMs decided on shit hardware for a new OS. Along with horrible memory management, those are the only issues with Vista

The reference to Vista is specifically referring to how counter intuitive Vista was laid out when people had very clearly defined Atypical methods of usage in an XP world

But the thing is, Vista wasn't horribly different from XP internally. Look and feel yes, but in most functions are the same as XP. People are just damned resistant to change nowadays...

I strongly dislike the new start screen, right now I'm running ClassicShell which gives me an old start menu otherwise this would be completely intolerable. In an attempt to tap into the tablet market Microsoft have made something that works horribly on desktops and laptops. Case in point without ClassicShell it would take me 9 or so clicks to fucking turn off my computer, when on Windows 7 it takes one. Know where they put the shut down option? Settings. Settings for Christ's sake! That's just one thing wrong with this stupid touchscreen oriented start screen. Other than that though, I don't mind it, now that I've completely eliminated the start screen it's not bad.

Serious? Are you that hopeless? NINE clicks? I count three. Settings, power options, shutdown. It can even be done with no clicks if you hit alt-F4 then hit enter. Stop making crap up.

Would you still agree that settings is a shitty place to put the shutdown option? It's a basic PC function, not a setting. Also I was obviously exaggerating a little. That new start screen is crap IMO, and I don't feel like dealing with it.

No, I have no problem with it. Would you agree that putting a shutdown button in the Start menu was stupid? Counter-intuitive if you think about it. It is just a convenient place to have it. Being different to what you are used to is not a flaw.

Well yes it's a matter of personal preference but I find the fact that the shutdown button is hidden away in the sidebar to be bullshit. You yourself said having it on the Start menu was convenient, so why move it? But I'm not going to force my personal preferences on you, if you don't mind the start screen then by all means, use it.

Are you guys seriously arguing over where a button was placed?

There's four ways to shutdown a Windows 8 PC, outlined above when I was responding to Topaz. All of the are inconvenient as fuck if you look at it a certain way.

If it really bugs you, just make a Shutdown and Restart shortcut (can't remember now, will update if found) and place it on the desktop. Or just download Classic Shell and be happy.

 

[viranimus]

More replies...


But the thing is, Vista wasn't horribly different from XP internally. Look and feel yes, but in most functions are the same as XP. People are just damned resistant to change nowadays...

While your not completely wrong there, there has to be something said for the need of change being meaningful, logical, desired. Change for the sake of change is usually not a good thing. Especially when the change results in either things becoming more complex or in some cases essentially impossible.

Just for a very rudimentary example. Run. Was there any logical reason to remove RUN from the start menu? Why should users have to learn a keyboard shortcut to open Run Or dig 3 steps in to restore its place in the start menu?
http://www.nirmaltv.com/2008/04/04/how-to-restore-run-command-in-vista-start-menu/

This isnt a knock on Vista. This is a knock on the way Microsoft handles their operating systems, and how they seemingly find such inane things that had no reason to change, and change it. Just like the whole control panel configuration in XP (at least they allowed you to revert it to classic mode there) Or complex control over tool bars, "The ribbon" or the vile and disgusting ruination of MSpaint, Or the more recent abandonment of "gadets" (LOL, my mother actually grew to like several gadgets, she can barely operate a computer, but now, something she grew to like was just given up and abandoned on the microsoft alter of We know what is best for you.

THATS what I am getting at.

 

[viranimus]

You really don't want them to look at macs these days. The last Mac OS X release is up with Windows 8 as my most-hated OS ever. It tries to control every little thing you do, does a number of impressively stupid things (reopening windows on launch sounds like a good idea... unless one of those windows is what forced the reboot), and also hides the entire folder all of your settings are stored in by default.

Windows 8? It's an abomination.

Well, ive been an advanced user for a long time and a control freak all my life. So knowing this Ive LONG known to not even bother looking at anything from apple. Its nothing against apple. essentially it is a design choice for their products and it fits a wide berth of their user base. For me at times, I even find certain distros of Linux too restrictive. So if what I originally saw in Dev preview, as well as what you are suggesting, There is no way I could tolerate Win8. Again, that doesnt automatically mean a failing of the OS, just that the design choices specifically go against what I need/want in an OS and as such prevents me from being a part of its targeted audience. If a product offers me no reason to want it, and multiple reasons not to. I simply will not buy it.