Hate Windows 8 0r 8.1?

[First_N_Last]

This is for all the members who end up getting a new laptop with Windows 8 or 8.1 installed.

 

YOU WILL MOST LIKELY HATE IT!

NO WORRIES - YOU DON'T HAVE TO BUY WINDOWS 7

 

There is a freeware app that can

 

• give you back the START Button
  
• option to have the system start to the desktop with a START button
  
• option the Windows key to launch the desktop instead of the Startup screen
  

The app is called Classic Shell. With just a download & a little effort you can end up with an easy to use Windows 8 system with a usable START Button & normal Windows desktop.

 

 

www classicshell net is the website (don't forget the dots)

 

 

Here is a little blurb:

Classic Shell™ is free software that improves your productivity, enhances the usability of Windows and empowers you to use the computer the way you like it. The main features are:

 

• Highly customizable start menu with multiple styles and skins
  
• Quick access to recent, frequently-used, or pinned programs
  
• Find programs, settings, files and documents
  
• Start button for Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 8.1
  
• Toolbar and status bar for Windows Explorer
  
• Caption and status bar for Internet Explorer
  

Classic Shell has been in active development for 4 years and has over 10 million downloads.

 

The latest version of Classic Shell is 4.0.2

[First_N_Last]

For server users, ClassicShell also works well on Server2008.

[Phoneman1981]

Thanks for sharing. I am still using XP because of the negative things I have heard from Windows 8 users.

[brd7666]

Windows 8 sucks, and Windows 8.1 isn't any better. Windows 7 is the best.

[JohnT]

Has anyone tried just absolutely destroying, I mean removing Win 8 and doing a clean install of Win 7 on current hardware?

If and when I have to replace my hand built box I hope to still be able to use my multi user Win 7. If not, it's Linux or Mac for me.

[Mike G in SC]

Like most, I got no use for W8, but I like XP and W7. (W8 has no place on business machines.)

Retail stores are all W8. (okay,,, except Apple)

So, if you are going to get a new machine and do not want W8, you can still order a W7 machine direct from Dell (and maybe others).

 

(copied from my post the other day on similar subject)

 

[Guest tx2sturgis]

If and when I have to replace my hand built box I hope to still be able to use my multi user Win 7. If not, it's Linux or Mac for me.

 

 

When you come over to the 'darkside' there are several of us here who can help you if need be.

 

 

BTW...the original post is useful, even if it does look like an ad that was copied and pasted.

 

Maybe it should be in the classified!

 

 

 

 

[First_N_Last]

BTW...the original post is useful, even if it does look like an ad that was copied and pasted.

 

Maybe it should be in the classified!

 

you are kidding right?

ARGH! Try to help & get slapped!

 

JohnB

[Guest tx2sturgis]

you are kidding right?

ARGH! Try to help & get slapped!

 

JohnB

 

 

Dont pout. Just razzin ya.

 

It just looked like an advertisement.

 

BTW, thanks for the input over on the other thread.

[Condor]

My SIL aka 'the family hacker' tried 8 when it first came out and got rid of it. I'll take his word for it.... Just up graded to 7. It's got it's quirks, but can live with it....

[RandyR]

This is for all the members who end up getting a new laptop with Windows 8 or 8.1 installed.

 

Classic Shell™

 

 

• Toolbar and status bar for Windows Explorer
  
• Caption and status bar for Internet Explorer
  

 

You might ask yourself why someone has gone to all the work of developing and supporting this software for free. What do they get out of it?

 

Just saying. I've been burned too many times by freeware. Until I see a review that says the sw has been analyzed in a lab and doesn't do things like data collection, tracking, commercial ad manipulation, etc, I'm going to assume it does.

 

 

I will admit to hating Windows 8 intensely for about 6 months. I don't think any Microsoft O/S has been logical or user friendly, well, since DOS. But one can get used to Win 8 just like the previous barf bags. Win 8's big claim to fame is the touch screen interface to make it more like the xxxpads that many are using instead of or in addition to a desktop or full size notebook computer. A more common interface for the devices is a positive step.

Edited December 8, 2013 by RandyR

[Guest tx2sturgis]

A more common interface for the devices is a positive step.

 

I was with you 100% until this last statement.

 

I know a lot of folks like similar features and functions across different platforms and devices...but I'm not one of them. I prefer to learn and enjoy and 'savor' the differences between all of them.

 

Sorta like how a motorcycle is way different from a car, and a snowmobile is way different than a train, and a Coors Light is way different from a shot of Crown.

 

I like each thing I do in life to be different from the other things I do in life.

 

To paraphrase a biker attitude sticker:

 

"You stare at me because I'm different. I stare at you because you're all the same"

 

 

 

[MikeWa]

I purchased a new laptop. It came preloaded with Windows 8. After two days of frustration I boxed it up and sent it back. Then I e-mailed Microsoft and expressed to them my overwhelming desire to never own a Windows 8 product again.

 

Mike

[dna9656]

I'm sure Bill (Gates) and company will either stay up nights OR get right on your objections....I live in The Puget Sound Area... HAHAHA! Bill does what he wants..you can do that when you got most of the money in the whole world but he he's got a product a lot of people liked up till now....anyway...

Edited December 8, 2013 by dna9656

[MikeWa]

Even mighty Microsoft has noticed PC sales have plummeted since the introduction of Windows 8. Now whether they care or not is another issue.

 

Mike

[RandyR]

yep. They did a terrible job of making it easy for normal people who had gotten used to previous versions of Windows to transition. For most people, the computer is a tool, not a game in-and-of itself.

 

Re: standardization. At one point in time I had 3 motorcycles which had controls oriented differently. shift on the left, shift on the right. down for a lower gear vs up for a lower gear. I'm happy that we have standards for that aspect of motorcycling now. Not to mention the time I was left picking rose bush thorns out of my hide for a week after turning the throttle on a Cushman scooter the wrong way (it is opposite all my motorcycles). I do easily become a creature of habit.

[Sylvester]

yep. They did a terrible job of making it easy for normal people who had gotten used to previous versions of Windows to transition. For most people, the computer is a tool, not a game in-and-of itself.

 

Re: standardization. At one point in time I had 3 motorcycles which had controls oriented differently. shift on the left, shift on the right. down for a lower gear vs up for a lower gear. I'm happy that we have standards for that aspect of motorcycling now. Not to mention the time I was left picking rose bush thorns out of my hide for a week after turning the throttle on a Cushman scooter the wrong way (it is opposite all my motorcycles). I do easily become a creature of habit.

 

I don't remember a difference in throttle control on my Cushman Eagle as opposed to later motorcycles, but then again that was fifty plus years ago.

 

Also I have Windows 8 and like it.

 

[JohnT]

I don't remember a difference in throttle control on my Cushman Eagle as opposed to later motorcycles, but then again that was fifty plus years ago.

 

Also I have Windows 8 and like it.

 

 

Win 8 and.like it? So, you're the one.

[Guest tx2sturgis]

Win 8 and.like it? So, you're the one.

 

He was paid to say that.

 

[Sylvester]

He was paid to say that.

 

 

Maybe, but not as much as I asked for.

 

[Guest tx2sturgis]

Has anyone tried just absolutely destroying, I mean removing Win 8 and doing a clean install of Win 7 on current hardware?

If and when I have to replace my hand built box I hope to still be able to use my multi user Win 7. If not, it's Linux or Mac for me.

 

I've done something similar:

 

Buy a Windows laptop, format the factory drive, then install Linux.

 

Also, if that virgin copy of Windows has some value to you, say for a possible return of the entire unit, before you ever boot the unit, you can pull the OEM drive, install a new blank drive, format, and install Linux. Standard laptop harddrives can be had for under $100. An SSD drive will make that laptop a screamer with Linux!

 

This is a 'non-destructive' way of using Linux on a PC. Works great!

 

 

If you are not sure, you can install Linux as a 'dual-boot' alongside Windows...but of course, this will make changes to the factory drive. It will however let you run Windows OR Linux on the same hardware.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 8, 2013 by tx2sturgis

[BuddyRich]

Windows 8 machines will not just let you reformat the drive and re install 7. Its a pain to do dual boot or anything else on the new machines. The bios actually talks to the system for a "Secure Boot" now...

StartisBack is a really cheap fix and makes win 8 very close to the old 7 interface. I have it on several machines or I would have tossed win 8 a long time ago.

Biggest problem is a lot of accounting software and other stuff we use won't run on 8. So we are still buying machinces with 7 pro on them.

Mid April you guys on XP will need to get off of it. MS is dropping it then. NO MORE fixes for any hacks after that..

[Guest tx2sturgis]

Windows 8 machines will not just let you reformat the drive and re install 7. Its a pain to do dual boot or anything else on the new machines. The bios actually talks to the system for a "Secure Boot" now...

 

I have seen some of that with the win7 and dual booting, where the bios and the boot manager had to figure out (and argue about) the hardware drivers during boot. But remember, with Linux, its not 8 guys working in a cubicle farm, its a global effort to figure out whatever Microsoft does. It will happen.

 

Here's a start:

 

http://apcmag.com/how-to-dual-boot-windows-8-and-linux.htm

 

http://www.extremetech.com/computing/144204-linux-slowly-comes-to-windows-8-pcs-with-uefi-secure-boot

 

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/how-do-i-install-ubuntu-on-a-new-windows-8-computer/

 

http://www.linuxfoundation.org/news-media/blogs/browse/2013/09/booting-self-signed-linux-kernel

 

http://mjg59.dreamwidth.org/24869.html

 

http://mjg59.dreamwidth.org/20303.html

Edited December 9, 2013 by tx2sturgis

[CaptainJoe]

I'm going with first and lasts suggestion...

 

windows 8 sucks..

[Guest tx2sturgis]

Here is a list of Asus laptops that are certified to work with Ubuntu Linux:

 

http://www.ubuntu.com/certification/desktop/make/Asus/?category=Desktop&category=Laptop&category=Netbook

 

Here is a ready to go, Laptop with Ubuntu preloaded:

 

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/ASUS-1015E-DS03-10-1-Inch-Laptop-Black/dp/B00COQK8QY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1380718481&sr=8-1&keywords=1015E+ubuntu]Amazon.com: ASUS 1015E-DS03 10.1-Inch Laptop ( Black ) Ubuntu OS: Computers & Accessories@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/413uyTGLlcL.@@AMEPARAM@@413uyTGLlcL[/ame]

 

And here is a Linux Mint mini desktop, preloaded and ready to plug in to your monitor, keyboard, and mouse:

 

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EONR674]Amazon.com: Compulab Mintbox 2: Computers & Accessories@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41khy-6-g3L.@@AMEPARAM@@41khy-6-g3L[/ame]

 

Windows is by no means the only ballgame in town.

 

Of course, Mac computers are always nice, but in todays world of commodity computing, almost no one wants to spend $1500 or more on a Mac, although you can buy a Mac Mini for half of that.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 9, 2013 by tx2sturgis