Windows 8 is the first OS that made me downgrade

[Boz]

Once it has proper full driver support I'm sure alot of people will go to it.

The problem is not driver support so I highly doubt it. The OS is butt ugly and completely unusable. That's the problem. This is probably the worst thing Microsoft has done. Ever.

As I had said before, the OS is a testament to the fact that Microsoft is so behind on the next generation that they wanted to try to to catch up by trying to force everyone to use this half baked new Metro style that is completely unsuitable for desktops and have made UI elements bigger for desktop making them absolutely disgusting because they needed to make it easier to touch so they could try to catch up to tablet and smartphone markets. In the process they really didn't think about users as all and everyone who depends on their OS. They thought about how to use their monopoly to try to make themselves relevant in this new age where they are so late it's not even funny.

And you know what, it's not going to work. Because you can't sit on your ass for 5 years and then try to make an OS that is a hybrid that doesn't do any one thing great.

To be perfectly honest, Apple's approach is FAR smarter and better. They are slowly but surely introducing mobile features into their OS without alienating the main thing. Their users. And this is coming from someone like me who is a huge critic of Apple and their business practices overall. Some things they do right and this is one of them.

Microsoft deserves to crash and burn. I don't think anyone in their sane mind (except for the biggest fans) will use Windows 8. It's infuriatingly stupid. And I'm talking for people who used Windows from the very beginning. I can't even imagine how someone who is in their 60s will find their way in this abomination of an OS.

[theyarecomingforyou]

The problem is not driver support so I highly doubt it. The OS is butt ugly and completely unusable. That's the problem. This is probably the worst thing Microsoft has done. Ever.

Completely unusable? The desktop experience is virtually the same Windows 7, only with hot-corners and a new start screen - neither of which are "unusable". WinRT apps are a different matter but they are completely optional. Cut back on the hyperbole.

[.Neo]

Not to mention all the default wallpapers are still only 1920 x 1200 (or 1920 x 1200 dual). My god Microsoft, it's 2012 for crying out loud. Is it really that hard to take into account some of us have displays with higher resolutions that that?

[+Fahim S. MVC]

snip...

Wow - does everything you write have to be full of such hyperbole?

[CG-88]

Not to mention all the default wallpapers are still only 1920 x 1200 (or 1920 x 1200 dual). My god Microsoft, it's 2012 crying out loud. Is it really that hard to take into account some of us have displays with higher resolutions that that?

"some" being the operative word so they don't focus on it, but I agree that they should include default wallpapers for higher resolutions just to cover all bases. :)

[Bulldozer]

I've yet to get round to trying it, it seems ok.

[c.grz]

My mother is close to her 60's and up until last year; never used a computer in her life. I bought a used Thinkpad and installed Windows 7. After a few weeks of "How do I..." phone calls she figured most it out.

Last week; I showed her my laptop running Windows 8 and now that she had some experience under her belt; and giving her a brief explanation on how to maneuver in Windows 8 she says "So besides this new screen; it looks the same". (I'm paraphrasing because she's not too technical and English isn't her first language)

I think it's harder to adjust for us because we've been so used to doing things a certain way. I don't really miss the old start menu but it is a shift in thinking. I'm still adjusting but before I know it; it will become second nature to me.

[Boz]

Completely unusable? The desktop experience is virtually the same Windows 7, only with hot-corners and a new start screen - neither of which are "unusable".

IT is absolutely unusable. For every OS function like control panels and other things i have to aim for the corner to get a charm menu and then from there I need to open a control panel and then I have to hunt down things. Where is the run menu (oh, you've hidden it by having me hover the corner and wait and then I have to get another screen and then type the command)? How is removing all this functionality from easy access and replacing it with corner hotspots that I have to wait a second to show up more intuitive?

They basically replaced almost all instantly accessible things with hotspots and 3 click access. It's an example of total lack of usability. Makes you wonder, who sat there and sad "Oh yeah, this is MUCH better than what we had before". I just don't get it.

It's completely ridiculous. And I'm not even going into the actual appearance of the OS. That thing is absolutely atrocious.

[puma1]

Sounds like a disgruntled windows user. I heard 2013 will be the year of the Linux. See you there!

It's never going to be the year of linux. Ever. Not for users anyways.

[c.grz]

IT is absolutely unusable. For every OS function like control panels and other things i have to aim for the corner to get a charm menu and then from there I need to open a control panel and then I have to hunt down things. Where is the run menu (oh, you've hidden it by having me hover the corner and wait and then I have to get another screen and then type the command)? How is removing all this functionality from easy access and replacing it with corner hotspots that I have to wait a second to show up more intuitive?

It's completely ridiculous. And I'm not even going into the actual appearance of the OS. That thing is absolutely atrocious.

Getting to the control panel:

Windows 7 (Move mouse to lower left-hand corner, click orb, click control panel)

Windows 8 (Move mouse to lower left-hand corner, click control panel)

Getting "Run" command:

Windows 7 (Windows Key + R)

Windows 8 (Windows Key + R)

[CG-88]

Getting to the control panel:

Windows 7 (Move mouse to lower left-hand corner, click orb, click control panel)

Windows 8 (Move mouse to lower left-hand corner, click control panel)

Getting "Run" command:

Windows 7 (Windows Key + R)

Windows 8 (Windows Key + R)

This!

Clearly it is just way too difficult to understand the difference between windows 7 and 8 lol /sarcasm

[Boz]

This is a a great post on Windows 8 awfulness.

http://draginol.joeuser.com/article/418854/Windows_8_Beta_is_a_UI_nightmare

I can't agree more.

[ahhell]

It's completely ridiculous. And I'm not even going into the actual appearance of the OS. That thing is absolutely atrocious.

Something in this thread certainly is ridiculous.

[BajiRav]

IT is absolutely unusable. For every OS function like control panels and other things i have to aim for the corner to get a charm menu and then from there I need to open a control panel and then I have to hunt down things. Where is the run menu (oh, you've hidden it by having me hover the corner and wait and then I have to get another screen and then type the command)? How is removing all this functionality from easy access and replacing it with corner hotspots that I have to wait a second to show up more intuitive?

They basically replaced almost all instantly accessible things with hotspots and 3 click access. It's an example of total lack of usability. Makes you wonder, who sat there and sad "Oh yeah, this is MUCH better than what we had before". I just don't get it.

It's completely ridiculous. And I'm not even going into the actual appearance of the OS. That thing is absolutely atrocious.

Run and Control panel are one right-click in the lower left corner away. You don't need to aim for corners for anything unless they are shared corners. I just lazily throw my cursor in the corners and get it to trigger whatever I want.

This is a a great post on Windows 8 awfulness.

http://draginol.joeu..._a_UI_nightmare

I can't agree more.

Most of his points (if not all) are stupid.

[siah1214]

IT is absolutely unusable. For every OS function like control panels and other things i have to aim for the corner to get a charm menu and then from there I need to open a control panel and then I have to hunt down things. Where is the run menu (oh, you've hidden it by having me hover the corner and wait and then I have to get another screen and then type the command)? How is removing all this functionality from easy access and replacing it with corner hotspots that I have to wait a second to show up more intuitive?

They basically replaced almost all instantly accessible things with hotspots and 3 click access. It's an example of total lack of usability. Makes you wonder, who sat there and sad "Oh yeah, this is MUCH better than what we had before". I just don't get it.

It's completely ridiculous. And I'm not even going into the actual appearance of the OS. That thing is absolutely atrocious.

Have you ever heard of the Windows key? This page might help you:

http://www.thewindowsclub.com/windows-8-keyboard-shortcuts-global-list

Honestly there's nothing wrong with Windows 8, the users are just too dumb/stubborn/ignorant to figure it out.

[TruckWEB]

Well, I wont be downgrading because I'm never gonna install Win8 on my PC. I've been using it on my laptop since the first preview (YES, I've been using it for more than 5 mins thank you), and I don't like it. I can understand the many improvement inside, I know it feels faster than Win7, boot quicker, shutdown faster, it's just more snappy than Win7 overall.

But, all in all, my laptop is going back to Win7 and my main PC will never be upgraded. I simply don't like the start screen, I don't like the "simplicity" of the built-in Metro apps, they seem unfinished. I don't like the 25%/75% split screen, and I don't like how it handle multi-display.

I don't enjoy the "Tablet" experience on my desktop and even on a tablet, it's going to be a hard sell because many features or settings throws you back to the desktop or a window setting where it's far from touch friendly. Even the "tablet" part of Win8 is unfinished and will enrage some users.

And, it's just MY OPINION. I know some of you LOVE Win8, but not everybody has to like it.

[vacs]

I agree, Windows 8 is a big mess and that's coming from someone who has been using Windows since version 3.1.

I understand that some people are happy with the Metro interface and want to use it. That's fine, especially if one is planing to buy one of those Win8 tablets. Cool with me but why force this gimmick UI one people who want to use Windows efficiently. The Metro UI is completely unusable for business oriented or professional users who need to do serious work on their PCs. Metro is purely for the normal consumer who needs basic applications and functions... or tablet users.

Since I'm not a tablet user and actually do some work on my PC, I will not and cannot upgrade to Win8.

What MS needs to do and I hope by all means, that they will be forced to do this with Win9 after Win8 fails epically, start the Windows experience with the classic Windows desktop and offer the Metro interface or whatever they will call it, as an option. NOT they other way around. If they had done this already with Win8, they would have only gotten half the hatred they get now.

and please bring back the start button in Win9, thanks

[Stoffel]

Who else thinks it's funny how the Metro haters like to tell everybody they have been using Windows or DOS since year blabla and somehow this is proof that they know for a fact that Win8 is bad and will fail to no extend. The others must just be fanboys!

It makes me giggle

[Active.]

there's nothing wrong with Windows 8,

users are just too dumb

So the users are the real problem here? And the OS is perfect? You're obviously just as biased as the people calling it an unmitigated disaster.

[c.grz]

I agree, Windows 8 is a big mess and that's coming from someone who has been using Windows since version 3.1.

...

Since I'm not a tablet user and actually do some work on my PC, I will not and cannot upgrade to Win8.

...

I've used Windows since 3.1 as well and I don't think Windows 8 is a big mess.

I too am not a tablet user and actually do work on my PC and that's not preventing me from upgrading to Windows 8.

[fix-this!]

Have you ever heard of the Windows key? This page might help you:

http://www.thewindow...uts-global-list

Honestly there's nothing wrong with Windows 8, the users are just too dumb/stubborn/ignorant to figure it out.

boy are you ignorant. did it ever occur to you that some people just think it's plain ugly and the fact they made it worse?

[dogmatix]

I have been using MS since the early versions of MSDOS. I try thinking about it this way:

Many people are still using Windows XP very happily and it works for them. The OS is 10 years old. There have been two new Operating Systems since XP, but XP users prefer what they are already using. No doubt they will continue to use XP for years to come.

Those who have found equal satisfaction using Windows 7 will likewise be able to continue using it for perhaps a decade, until some revolutionary new hardware comes along, that they have just gotta have, that won't run on Windows 7.

And in a decade, who knows what great new OS might come along? When we look back ten years from now we may well see Windows 8 bracketed with Me as one of the less successful revisions, and we won't care because we will be using such a great new OS that does everything we dreamed.

[xWhiplash]

Getting to the control panel:

Windows 7 (Move mouse to lower left-hand corner, click orb, click control panel)

Windows 8 (Move mouse to lower left-hand corner, click control panel)

Getting "Run" command:

Windows 7 (Windows Key + R)

Windows 8 (Windows Key + R)

No. Back when I tried WIndows 8 you had to RIGHT CLICK at the bottom left. Not Left Click - Control Panel. Who (besides us from experience) will try to right click?

Why are there two control panels?

Why is the volume mini window aero, but the network view takes 100% of my vertical view to just display one connection?

This OS is completely horrible on the desktop. It is so inconsistent it is not even funny.

Back when I tried it, I had to basically have my mouse at the very bottom left corner in order for the little start screen icon to appear. What happened to the same clickable area as in Windows 7? If you are going to make invisible menus, you need to make it a large hover/click area instead of just 10 pixels. Also, if my mouse moves just outside the charms bar, it would disappear. Is there a way to make it stay there until I close it? If I am not used to a mouse sensitivity setting, it takes me several tries to click an icon in the charms bar because it disappears when I accidentally move my mouse over too far.

Microsoft should have enabled a check when windows first starts up. Is it a touch-enabled computer? Metro is enabled by default. Is it a desktop computer with keyboard and mouse? Desktop starts by default.

THIS makes BOTH groups happy. If you want to use the new UI in a desktop environment, you still have a choice.

I honestly hope this version of Windows fails ON THE DESKTOP. I have said it numerous times. Windows 8 is awesome on tablets. I hate it on the destop. And no it is not just because "I hate change". I have always upgraded to the latest OS of Windows, OS X, AND Ubuntu. Not only that, I almost ALWAYS upgraded the WEEK it was available in stores/online. I NEVER waited for a patch or a service pack to upgrade. Every upgrade I welcomed the changes the brought in. They were changes for the better.

I do not want all of these live tiles. It drives me crazy having dozens of different things moving around on the screen at once. There is absolutely NO advantage to live tiles. Email? Outlook as provided me with instant notifications for YEARS at the bottom right hand corner of the screen. Facebook/social media instant notifications? I am sorry, I use my computers mostly for work and gaming. I do not need instant notifications that somebody liked my photo. Weather? We have a widget in Windows Vista and 7 that did just that. Or if I want to have instant weather, there is a thing called a window in my house and I can see if it is raining or not.

So there were technical reasons why the start menu had to be removed? Then fix them, not completely remove the feature. I absolutely do not need my entire 30" display FILLED up when I want to open an application that is not on my taskbar. I have said it before, I have too many applications that I use to pin everything on my taskbar. I cannot make the taskbar bigger because I lose vertical screen estate. As a heavy photoshop and after effects user, I need every pixel as I can to make my job a lot easier.

I can delete the metro stuff? That is great, but why am I still thrown into it when I need to open a program?

These are valid complaints. And again, read what I said above. I ALWAYS keep an open mind when a OS changes. But when it makes life harder for me, I do not blindly accept it just because it is the latest.

Also, Microsoft is expecting people to learn the new UI and the new way of doing things, while STILL knowing the old way of doing things for when they are at work. That will just confuse a lot of people.

[hagjohn]

I agree, Windows 8 is a big mess and that's coming from someone who has been using Windows since version 3.1.

I understand that some people are happy with the Metro interface and want to use it. That's fine, especially if one is planing to buy one of those Win8 tablets. Cool with me but why force this gimmick UI one people who want to use Windows efficiently. The Metro UI is completely unusable for business oriented or professional users who need to do serious work on their PCs. Metro is purely for the normal consumer who needs basic applications and functions... or tablet users.

Since I'm not a tablet user and actually do some work on my PC, I will not and cannot upgrade to Win8.

What MS needs to do and I hope by all means, that they will be forced to do this with Win9 after Win8 fails epically, start the Windows experience with the classic Windows desktop and offer the Metro interface or whatever they will call it, as an option. NOT they other way around. If they had done this already with Win8, they would have only gotten half the hatred they get now.

and please bring back the start button in Win9, thanks

What can't you do on Windows 8 that you can do now?

[George P Global Moderator]

Windows 8 is the first OS that made me think about buying a tablet/convertible ultrabook. Also Windows 8 is the first OS that made me think about using multiple monitors. I've also been using Windows since 3.11 and I don't think it's a mess, it's different and rough around the edges.... but It doesn't impact my desktop experience and work. Not everyone is the same, if you don't like it fine, if you like it fine as well, but there's no need to think your way is correct and everyone else is just a hater or a fanboy who doesn't agree.