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

Why should I have to purchase anything in addition to this already expensive operating system to make it more like an older version? I mean, shouldn't the large number of dissatisfied users tell you that you've done something wrong. I haven't spent much time on Windows 8, and I'm honestly posting this out of frustration...after searching online and finding a hilarious amount of similar frustration and ranting ha ha ha....but anyway... Yea this seems like a failure for anything other than a smartphone or tablet. Why should a happy user of Windows OS for years feel like he is now trying to operate his computer in a delusional state... Thumbs down.  

Purchase anything?  Most of the Start Menu crutches are free.

http://www.eightforums.com/customization/12971-list-start-menu-replacements-windows-8-a.html

Expensive - in relation to what (including previous versions of the same)?

Large number of dissatisfied users?  What is this large number in percentage terms and where do those numbers come from?  Are they dissatisfied to a point where they are returning the product to actually show their dislike - or are they learning the new interface and keeping it anyway - which would be the opposite in my book of sticking to your conviction of being dissatisfied.  This, "Your product stinks.  Here's my money.  But next time... you better believe I'll go elsewhere..." attitude is doing nothing.

As far as finding frustrated posts - really?  You haven't realized that most posts on the Internet will more likely be negative than positive.  Despite all the "feel good movies" that everyone may have seen over the years - it is those who are unhappy that let their feelings be known more readily - not those that are happy with whatever.  Very few people will go out of their way to praise something just because it is how they actually feel vs. the number that will readily post something (especially the faceless way the Internet allows for) about their dislike.  Finding unhappy posts about a product in a product support forum and deciding that because there are more unhappy ones than happy ones - there must be more people unhappy than happy in the entire world - that's like walking into your nearest emergency room and thinking everyone must be breaking their legs/arms or getting sick - pandemic!  ;-)

I only currently use Windows 8.1 on two systems that have no touch capabilities and were originally shipped with other operating systems and upgraded from Windows 7 to Windows 8.1.  One was shipped with Windows Vista and the other Windows 7.  I am using them just fine - traveling to three different locations on a regular basis with one of them (laptop - three different docking situations with a different number of monitors attached to each of the three docks.)

• Do I *like* the modern UI start screen?  Not really.  It's more of a, "Huh.  Look at that...  Weird, but functional."
• Do I usually see the modern UI start screen?  Nope.
• Do I like the "charms bar"?  Not really.  It's just another way (of which there are many) to do a certain set of tasks for me.
• Do I normally see or use the "charms bar"?  Nope.
• Can I find everything I need as quickly or more quickly than before?  Yes.
• Is the system performing better or the same as it was with Windows 7?  Better.  Faster boot time, quicker loading applications.
• Did I have to change any applications I was using or install anything to change the look/feel of Windows 8/8.1 to use it?  Nope.  I considered it, since I had recommended the list so many times and 'tried' many of them in virtual machines - but the fact was that I just had no need for a Start Menu or Modern UI Start Screen.
• Can I understand why others might want to customize their interface where they have the look/feel of what they grew accustomed to with Windows 95 thru Windows 7? Sure.  People don't like change - especially 'immediate' and 'obvious' - which most changes are.
• Do I feel that Microsoft should make it a built-in option to choose between the Classic Start Menu and the Modern UI Start Screen?  Indifferent.  I didn't use the Start Menu all that much and I don't use the Start Screen that much and as many customers as I deal with on a daily basis - I see the same trend really - they had a very few centralized things they used and they can still do that without ever seeing the Modern UI Start Screen.
• Do I feel that Microsoft should make it a built-in option to disable *all* "charm bars" and one be able to go back to the classic look/feel/methods of getting to certain things?  Again - indifferent.  I don't have these things randomly popping up on me and interrupting anything.
• Do I think that Windows 8 leans more towards touch-screen vs. mouse usage?  Not really - I am using it daily without touch-screens... Although I have played with the Leap controller and like the idea of touch-less, but it definitely takes some getting used to and the precision is not quite where it needs to be...

On Tue, 26 Nov 2013 14:05:30 +0000, Joe-923 wrote:

Why should I have to purchase anything in addition to this already

Have to? You don't have to do anything at all. It's entirely up to
you.

expensive operating system to make it more like an older version? I mean, shouldn't the large number of dissatisfied users tell you that you've done something wrong.

*I*'ve done something wrong? I've done nothing here at all. I've had
nothing to with creating Windows 8, and if I had, it wouldn't be
exactly like what it is. Despite what you may think, MVPs never work
for Microsoft. We are all volunteers.

And there are many programs that put back the start orb with all its
features. Some are free, some are a few dollars. And among the free
ones, Classic Shell is perhaps the best. It's very good, but I
personally like Start8 better, and I don't mind paying $4.99 for it.

I haven't spent much time on Windows 8, and I'm honestly posting this out of frustration...after searching online and finding a hilarious amount of similar frustration and ranting ha ha ha....but anyway... Yea this seems like a failure for anything other than a smartphone or tablet. Why should a happy user of Windows OS for years feel like he is now trying to operate his computer in a delusional state... Thumbs down.  

I'm not as strong about this as you are, but although I like some
things about Windows 8, I also don't like everything, and I think
Microsoft made a mistake by removing the start orb and all its
features (they put the orb back in 8.1, but not with all its
features). 
And as far as I'm concerned, no version of Windows has ever been
perfect (and no version of any other piece of software either, whether
made by Microsoft or anyone else). Any time I can take a piece
software that I want to use and bring it closer to my view of
perfection (even if still not completely perfect) by adding something
to it (whether third-party or Microsoft)--whether its free or only a
few dollars--I do it. I've done that with every version of Windows
And one more point: we all have different tastes, and what I think
brings something closer to perfection may not be the same as what you
think. Obviously there are people at Microsoft who don't agree with me
here. So add whatever you want, and don't add what you don't want. Or
don't run Windows 8 at all. It's entirely up to you.

Ken Blake

Actually its like knowing how to fly an airplane that works almost perfectly and then checking out the competition that's taking away your customers temporarily because what they do is hip. No one GIVES a **** about having that **** on their personal non portable computer. Just in case nobody at **** Microsoft noticed the personal computer is now for business and 10% for looking at **** on a larger screen than a phone

**** it...I had more. It was amusing. Then I reread that **** you wrote lol.

Anybody that signs their name Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP is a **** dick taker. I bet you drive exactly the speed limit too because that's what the signs say.

You should stop being a pussy and learn to stand up for yourself. This operating is a useless piece of **** and you are a dingleberry hanging from that piece of ****.

Also get your head out of your **** and and stop working for others. Set up your own company and get the rest of the wage you've been giving to others for the last how many years.

Add anything positive/productive you can here:

Modifying Windows 8.1 for those who want to ease into the new stuff... (and extra tips)

Maybe it will help condense some of these methods/tips together for other people?

Learning to use windows 8 is one thing, but watching it go at a snails pace is another. Brand new computer. I have updated and it works so different than windows 7. I was so glad to skip Vista. Windows 7 worked so well and was fast and no crashes.  Never had to do a recovery. I have already had to do a recovery and have had my computer about 2 months. It would not work after i did an update. Same thing happened to some of my friends. For the ones that like windows 8 , good for you. I use my ipad and iPhone now more than my computer, as it is just too frustrating to use. Takes forever to download a site, and no it's not my internet connection. Did not want to go to an apple computer, but wish I had.