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

And a [desktop screen] one click shutdown button would be really great !     Please...

Having to "try to find the right top or left corner with my mouse, bring out the charms, try selecting the Power button while trying not to lose the charms* , then select Shut down", is very annoying and not a smooth action for a task we do so frequently. 

* the charms can be a bit finicky as they often hide themselves before you can select a menu item

Some sad news for Windows 8

Windows 8 causes most precipitous PC decline in history

http://www.extremetech.com/computing/153111-windows-8-causes-most-precipitous-pc-decline-in-history

Six months on, Windows 8 sales are a mystery

http://www.theverge.com/2013/4/26/4265182/windows-8-sales-after-six-months-are-a-mystery

Some good news for Windows 8 users

http://www.extremetech.com/computing/150560-microsoft-flips-flash-whitelist-policy-after-windows-8-fails-to-drive-html5-adoption

Microsoft flips Flash whitelist policy after Windows 8 fails to drive HTML5 adoption

(this is good news for our flash based corporate video conferencing system. I just tested that it works, with touch screen devices as well)

Mike,

Thanks for your comment, and I regret that you are correct, Microsoft will not change their direction.

While the "Modern UI will STAY", I would ask, "will the Windows User base stay?".

It seems the Windows User base is STAYing, but is "STAYING AWAY" from Windows 8.

Though to be totally honest, even if there is nothing in the "Windows 8 UI" that I like, and despite that it makes my usage of a computer more difficult, I can still get on with using my computer (making good use of Task bar/Desktop shortcuts, etc), Windows 8 is not broken, just using it is not a pleasant experience.

Without a viable alternative, we will have to use Windows 8. 

A few days ago I assisted in the  purchase of a Windows 8 Tablet (non-touch) Ultrabook, and the only reason it is Windows 8 is that there was no alternative.  The non-touch was at the purchaser's request.  So this purchase increases the Windows 8 sales figures, but it was not by choice.

Currently I see two issues, a) Windows 8 is suboptimal and b) current Windows 8 computers (Tablet and Tablet like devices) are suboptimal. Apologies but my disappointment/frustration levels are high.

I am very much hoping that things turn around when Windows 8 (Blue) and Haswell/Bay Trail chipsets converge.  If devices with the appropriate features as supported by the OS (e.g. Light weight, Instant On, low power, long battery life, ease of use) reach an effective position, then things might be different? 

Just please don't take out the "windows" out of Windows.  Overlaying windows is how I have used Windows since Windows 286, and it greatly helps productivity.

I am also hoping that Pen input will take on, it would be nice to see writing back in vogue.

It would be nice to think that Microsoft would realise that StarDock are selling products to alter Windows 8 so that it acts like a Windows Operating System (Start menu, Windowed Metro Apps), because that is what people want. And it would be nice if Microsoft decided to deliver what people want, than trying to force them to use that which they DON'T WANT.  However I really don't believe they are that humble so as to "listen" to their user base.

I do agree with Microsoft on one point, that whether I am using a Desktop, Laptop, or Tablet, I want to run Windows.  However I want Windows to be smart enough to adapt its User Interface to which ever device I am using, while keeping most UI features the same, but not all.  A Start screen has little use on a Server, a Metro app should not exist on a server (but I guess could be there).  I hate Metro apps, they are so difficult to use, they also break the whole "windows" aspect of what I like about Windows as an Operating system.  So far they also lack any richness, only supplying such a small set of features, it is like going back to DOS (if anyone reading this remembers a time before Windows).

The article (see below) that I read today aptly sums up the situation, Microsoft's leaders are telling people "take it or leave it", and are showing that they are not interested in listening to customers.  So we customers are "leaving it" until both hardware and software (i.e. Windows and it apps) can supply what we need in a personal computer, whether that computer is a Desktop, Laptop, or Tablet.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2013/may/07/microsoft-redesign-windows-8

That's a problem in itself, said Richard Doherty of Envisioneering, a market research company: "they had the Vista misstep in 2007 [when an earlier Windows update alienated users] and this is more of that. They're telling people 'take it or leave it', and consumers have been leaving it."

Even so analysts don't think the Start button will return in exactly that form.

At Gartner, a rival research company, vice-president Michael Silver says Microsoft "didn't listen to customers who were pointing [the start button problem] out in testing. They could have had a middle ground, but chose not to – I think Sinofsky made sure it was pretty difficult to make major changes if he didn't want them."

Sinofsky and Ballmer are understood to have argued over such flexibility – which saw the junior leave quickly. Even so Silver thinks the changes will only offer the chance to start the machine purely in the desktop mode, bypassing the tiles; he doesn't expect the Start button back.

Please Note: there are not just Tablets and PCs, there are Servers, Desktops, Laptops (of various sizes from luggable to ultralight), Tablets (from large screen to phone size) as well as some specific form factors like Kiosks, Transportables, Tables, Wall sized screens, etc.  Each have a particular benefit, they don't all need to look like an oversized phone.

The whole "Windows 8 issue" is now getting so much attention that our local newspapers are reporting how Microsoft's leaders have made a mistake, and seems that Microsoft are the only ones who just cannot realise this, or maybe just don't care what their customers want.

Microsoft has all but admitted that Windows 8 is a failure, hence the major update coming. Why are my pictures hidden?  Why did the designer of Windows 8 abruptly 'leave'?  Windows 7 was awesome, and they decided to come out with VISTA part 2.  and call it windows 8. Microsoft failed miserably.  I will NEVER buy a computer with Windows 8. Ask Dell and HP how their sales are!!!!!!!