I HATE Windows 8. This is the worst OS ever invented.

Things that should be so simple should not have to be explained.

Lindakremer,

I share the pain of things being different, and I would also suggest, not as efficient or productive, however Ken has some words of truth.  And please don't attach people personally, instead take time to explain clearly why and where Windows 8 is causing you issues.  Microsoft cannot fix you sentiment about Ken, but they can reintroduce a Start button, if enough people can explain why we find it so useful.

The other day someone was complaining to me how difficult it was to use Windows 8, then they added, just like the iPad.  The issue for them was that they knew how to use Windows 95, 98, 2000, XP, Vista and 7 and their interfaces were basically the same, the differences being mainly "window dressing". However Windows 8 and the iPad were totally new interfaces to them, requiring them to learn a UI all over again. This is not to dissimilar to learning a new language in adult life, it is usually considered to be hard, why? because as adults we don't have the spare time to learn like we did when we were young children. 

The Modern UI in Windows 8, is a totally new way to do things.  It will take a time to learn. For example it took me some time to learn just how to log out of the computer to allow someone else to log in.

The hard part is finding the time (and patience) to sit down with Windows 8.x and to go through the Windows 8 Help and the Microsoft web site's tutorials.  If you do this though you might not learn to love it, but you can learn how to use Windows 8.

You said "can't figure out how to close any windows unless I log off", if you have not learned how to do this as yet then the below link might help you.

http://www.microsoft.com/Surface/en-AU/support/apps-and-windows-store/start-and-close-apps

• Use touch. While you are in the app, drag the app from the top of the screen to the bottom. To do this press and hold just above the screen image, and then slide your finger all the way down the screen (until the app is off the screen).
• Use a mouse. While you're in the app, click the top of the app and when the pointer changes to a hand, drag the app down off the screen. Or, from the Start screen, move the pointer into the upper-left corner, move the pointer straight down to show the open apps, then right-click the app and click Close.

Mike you suck!!! So does windows 8!!!!! I can't figure out how to close any windows unless I log off.It wasn't advertised that I would be a complete dumb ****. Things that should be so simple should not have to be explained.

Shenan, thanks for the correction.  I am just too keen.

 I am also waiting for Bay Trail devices, most likely Ultrabooks, with 8GB RAM, Quad Core, 2.4 GHz, 256 or 512 GB HD, fanless, with 4G/LTE Mobile Broardband (effective and free WiFi is hard to find in Australia), but from my research, I may be waiting until 2014/2015 which is very sad.  Maybe if the Haswell can be fanless? 

Staff have been indicating that what they are looking for is a device that has more than 128 GB HD (already have had people changing their ultrabooks from 128GB to 256GB), and some go away for two day meetings and do not want to take power chargers, they want their device to survive for more than two days of 10 hours each. I know, they all want too much. We have to get real, that is we need to realise the limits of technology and make the best use of what we have now and then upgrade later when technology does improve.

Really looking forward to the improvements in Windows 8.1, especially in SkyDrive and hope many more improvements come along in the years ahead (sooner the better).  As a techie, I have so much to learn, beyond the visible changes they have been some amazing advancements in security, etc.

<snipped>... lets see what people make of Windows 8.1 (does it become available tonight? </snipped>

No.  October 18, not September 18.  :-)

All supposed RTMs are available on MSDN that I have seen, but general release is this time next month.

DaBoomer,

In another thread I it was suggested to me that I should view the Modern apps as quick, simple applications that can be used in Tablet mode, where as the Desktop and its more powerful applications is for your Tablet when it is docked to a large monitor with normal desktop keyboard and mouse.  When using a laptop, you can decide which works best for you at the time Desktop mode or Tablet mode.

When I look at how to use Windows 8, this makes much more sense than anything I could work out previously.

The main issue for Desktop users like me then, is the missing start menu. But that should not be too difficult to get used to ?

What do you think, does the above idea help?  Does having this mindset help make Windows 8 usable for you?

Windows 8.1 will soon be released which we expect will give us a Start Tool tip to the full screen start menu.  

I still would like to see a few more changes to help Desktop users feel more at home, like a Charms tool tip, more ability to change/create/customise the Start Menu Tiles, etc, but lets see what people make of Windows 8.1 (does it become available tonight?.

I have yet to work out how to manage SkyDrive and the need of a Microsoft Account for small companies. We sure do not want staff to have to use their personal Microsoft Accounts or access their personal SkyDrive from company computers.  I think the answer is Office 365 accounts.