Why are we forced to update to 8.1?

Since (I believe) Windows 7, Disk Defragmentation occurs automatically now so as files are loaded and installed, the system is always optimizing the disk space to allow for easier access to files so the system won't get slower. Plus SSDs are faster (though they lack available disk space) so it's not going to affect the system that much when updates are applied.

The MS Store is useful and has a variety of apps that are unavailable on every other operating system that Microsoft has since released but these are optional. I personally found quite a few apps and games that my 4 year old can easily play and I found some great apps for music videos and movies. The tiles themselves are not useless for people who have a touch screen, that's ridiculous. They provide an easy way to sort and organize your most frequently used programs for one-touch/click launching.

And when has Microsoft ever released an update to indicate they can remotely manipulate your PC? Do you have a KB update number for that? I think you have it backwards. Microsoft puts out updates to PREVENT unauthorized access to your PC via backdoor programs.

Plus even though Windows 8 had a push towards tablets and laptops, it's still very functional on desktop PCs. I custom built my own home desktop PC for Windows 8 and there's no restrictions for me - nothing I can't do that requires just touch input. People just misunderstand the operating system.

I'm glad you are a happy man with your Windows 8.1, I guess a cheque from MS is in the mail for your valuable comments.

My SSD has more than enough room thank you. The more dll's etc that have to be loaded and the more files are amended by patches etc, the slower the system gets, that's nothing new. Code is added or improved but rarely removed to provide backward compatibility. Add to that such obnoxious things like the "MS Store" and the various helper programs that by default launch in full screen mode, the tiles that are useless for people who don't have a touch screen, the search that has become an ubiquitous search rather than a local one etc etc. Some of the patches considered "important" refer to stuff that I either don't have like particular programs or hardware or stuff I don't care for like the new sign for the Russian Ruble. Yet they are still "important" apparently. Then there are the dishonest things like the whole WGA topic throwing errors to legitimate customers, the backdoors and particularly the cramming down of an unwanted update which indicates MS can remotely manipulate my PC.

As for the car, there is a difference between upgrade to a radio or tires which still have the same functions and a gearbox swap from manual to auto, or in this case moving a software towards what the seller wants rather than the user.

XP is also not supported and I can tell you if they were to shut down XP that runs underneath in some of the CNC's at my job and other companies for that matter, there would be a class action lawsuit from corporations against MS in no time.

You don't need a recovery disc as Windows 8 has built-in functions to refresh or reset your PC without need of any disc.

Your license key is built into Windows 8.1 if you bought a computer with a pre-installed operating system. Why do you need this? What would you upgrade to?

I should also add that windows live.com mail is just Hotmail/Outlook e-mail. It's still around. Maybe you are thinking of an application to handle that e-mail?

BECAUSE WINDOW'S FEELS, WITH ALL CERTAINTY, THAT THEY CAN DO WHATEVER THEY WANT TO DO TO IT'S LOYAL CUSTOMERS, AND THEY, LIKE NIPPING PUPPY DOGS, WILL FOLLOW SUIT.

I FOR ONE HAVE HAD IT.  I'M LOOKING AT THE APPLE COMPUTERS.  I AM THE MOST IMPORTANT ASSET TO ANY COMPANY I CHOOSE TO DO BUSSINESS WITH, NOT THEM.

CAUTION, BEFORE BLINDLY, AS THEY EXPECT, UPGRADING OR BUYING A NEW COMPUTER WITH WINDOWS 8.1, BEWARE, I CAN'T DESCRIBE THE UNETHICAL CHANGES THEY HAVE FORCED UPON US:

YOUR ALLOWED ONLY 1 LIFETIME CHANCE TO MAKE RECOVERY DISC.

THEY HAVE RANDOMLY ELIMINATED A LOT OF YOUR FAVORITE WINDOWS PRODUCTS, FOR INSTANCE, WINDOW LIVE.COM MAIL IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE.

FURTHERMORE, YOU DO NOT GET A LISCENSE KEY WITH YOUR UPGRADE OR NEW PURCHASE, YOU HAVE TO PURCHASE THAT SEPERATELY IF YOU EVER WANT TO UPGRADE AGAIN.

FINALLY, CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS ARE IN THE WORKS.

DO YOURSELF A FAVOR, BUY APPLE, WHICH WILL BE THE INDUSTRY LEAD WITHIN 2 YEARS.  YOU JUST DONT DO THIS TO LOYAL CUSTOMERS.  AS I AM TYPING THIS, ALL SOFTWARE OF WINDOWS 7 IS BEING REMOVED FROM STORE SHELVES.  YOU CAN'T EVEN BUY IT ANYMORE.

THIS IS EXTREMELY UNETHICAL, DON'T BE A VICTIM.  WINDOW'S HAS ABSOLUTELY GONE CRAZY.

DAVID YOUNG

You are being forced to upgrade to Windows 8.1 because:

1.  Windows is currently removing all Windows 7 Op System downloads from store shelves.

2.  You do not own a product license on Windows 8.1, you can't upgrade to new releases unless you purchase a new computer.

3.  You are only allowed to make 1 lifetime set of recovery disc., if you loose them, you have to repurchase Windows 8.1 to download it.

4.  You have become much less than this companies most valuable assect,  instead, they have precluded you by making their policies and company the most valuable asset.

5.  Windows 8.1 should be in beta testing, it's incomprehensible how messed up this release is.

6.  AND I'M SERIOUS HERE, BUY AN APPLE!  THEY WILL SOON BE THE LEADER IN OP SYS SALES, ESPECIALLY AFTER THIS BS.  FURTHERMORE, YOUR VIRUS AND MALWARE INTRUSIONS AND FATAL INCIDENTS WILL ALMOST DISAPPEAR.  WINDOW'S IS A INFERIOR PRODUCT AT THIS CRITICAL JUNCTURE.