The "Windows 8 is drastically different and what we can do about it" thread

[HFultzjr]

Hmm... maybe he realized how terrible his new product was

"Windows 8 chief quits Microsoft"

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/378232/windows-8-chief-quits-microsoft/

I heard through "reliable" sources that he couldn't get used to no start button.

LOL.

 

[ell]

I can't speak for the start button you linked to I've not tried it. But a friend I helped with a new laptop purchase seems to love classic shell. Installed classic shell and picked the windows 7 style start menu, disable showing metro screen and disable all hot corners. Install a 3rd party photo viewer as well as acrobat reader. He says he almost can't tell it is the newer system. Also set user up as local and no password you don't even have to enter password if boots directly to desktop with start menu.

Kind of hoping Linux comes up in usage as I think Microsoft may try to kill the desktop interface in a few years.

I'd like to write a script that does all that if I knew how! I'm getting requests to roll back to win 7 too, especially from my senior customers.

 

[ell]

What does a start menu replacement have to do with the child not liking to touch the screen? Why not just teach the child to use the trackpad or a mouse? Why does that warrant a start menu replacement? That doesn't make any sense....

----------

Speaking of children and Windows 8. A few weeks ago my 4 year old watched me turn on his new (to him) PC (which btw he has only briefly used my PC before,) login to Windows 8, find the desktop tile, open Chrome from the taskbar, and head to abcmouse.com for him.

Two nights ago the computer was off I forget why. So he asked me if he could play abcmouse.com and I said sure. At first he tripped up on not knowing how to turn on the PC (he just did the monitor) so I showed him the power button on the tower. Next all by himself my son turned on the PC, monitor, waited patiently for Windows to load, logged in, FOUND THE DESKTOP TILE, opened Chrome, and then finally turned to me asking how to get to abcmouse.com from there. I was amazed!

It just blows my mind sometimes about all the people having such a hard time with Windows 8. My 4 year old can use it... no start menu replacement required.

LOL my 4 yr old grandson is the same way! I so wish I had his finger dexterity and eyesight! In my new win 8 set ups I'm putting live tiles tailored for my customers local interest with the win 8 tutorial and the desktop one front and center, then I tell them if they get lost just hit the windows key!

 

[ohio_grad_06]

Just download classic shell google it link comes up. Far as I know it's open source and has all the options in it you just choose what you want and it does it.

 

[nlinecomputers]

Classic shell is ugly. It is bad imitation of the start menu. Startisback is better and cheap. $2 for a single copy $5 for a 5 system copy.

 

[normbarb]

I have been encouraging my customers to buy Windows 7 computers (if they don't want to move to Mac).
I had to remove some malware yesterday and getting Windows 8 to boot in Safe mode is ridiculous, particularly when Windows will start, but immediately lock due to virus.
It usually takes Microsoft two tries to get it right. Millennium edition, Vista and now Windows 8.

 

[ell]

I don't think that will be a problem. Customer comes in last week with a Gateway laptop:

Customer: "I just got this laptop and it has that Windows 8 crap on it. Get it off and put Windows 7 on it if you can."

Me: No problem. Will have it done by tomorrow.



About a month ago. Long time customer/ real estate appraiser

Customer: I got a new computer for the office and can't do a damn thing on it.

Me: What do you mean?

Customer: "I mean I can't do anything on it! I can't install my appraisal software, I cannot install my QuickBooks, nothing works. Right now I have something about mail up but its covering the whole screen and I can't make it go away.."

So what do you charge to down grade? Do they have to buy win 7 then?

 

[gunslinger]

$99 plus labor unless I find a good deal.

 

[brandonkick]

So what do you charge to down grade? Do they have to buy win 7 then?

Legally, yes they do have to buy windows 7. The only exception being that machines shipped with Windows 8 Professional are allowed to be "downgraded" to windows 7. "Most" of the machines that ship with windows 8 professional are business grade machines.

I haven't found a single functionality issue yet with windows 8 after installing startw8. It's running as good if not better then windows 7.

Drivers are usually not a problem unless were talking about add on devices like printers or scanners. Systems that shipped with 8 obviously have the drivers they need. Hopefully and good tech would research driver support before performing an update from 7 to 8.

I like most people griped, ****** and moaned about windows 8 until I actually gave it a fair chance and installed a "windows 7 interface" shell. I see no reason to dislike it now.

 

[nlinecomputers]

I've had to take two clients to Windows 7 after they got a win 8 system and couldn't print. That's hardly a situation unique to any version of Windows in the months after RTM.

 

[ell]

I'm becoming a fan, after loading it on my ancient 2 gb single core laptop, its runs super fast, but I can see the start menu is going to be an issue with my customers, so I'm thinking of loading a free start menu prgm for them, which one do you guys prefer?

 

[gunslinger]

I'm becoming a fan, after loading it on my ancient 2 gb single core laptop, its runs super fast, but I can see the start menu is going to be an issue with my customers, so I'm thinking of loading a free start menu prgm for them, which one do you guys prefer?

Classic Shell is ok, and its free. I prefer Startisback, its cheap and looks much better.

 

[seedubya]

I like most people griped, ****** and moaned about windows 8 until I actually gave it a fair chance and installed a "windows 7 interface" shell. I see no reason to dislike it now.

Really, that's the only thing I'm moaning about! The bloody UI.

 

[brandonh]

I have a Lenovo Twist with 8 Pro.

After really hating it to start with, I am becoming a big fan of 8. I installed classic shell for my wife and also to see if it is worthy of recommendation to customers that dislike the 8 UI.

One thing I really wish 8 did different is when you are in the Metro home screen and start typing, I wish they didn't categorize the results. For example if you start typing printers, you have to click or tap on the "Settings" results to get to Devices and Printers.

That being said I would not recommend 8 for non-touch devices.

 

[Xander]

My beef with it is the time it takes to load the Metro apps. My system isn't very fast but it's speedy enough in the desktop for me. If I try to load a Metro app (e.g. Weather), it takes 5-10 seconds just to tell me the forecast. I can pull up Weather.com faster than that. The other metro apps aren't much different.

 

[nlinecomputers]

TO bring this back on topic.

Here is a issue you need to be aware of.

Just got a Lenovo laptop for a client from D and H. I ordered it with Windows 7 Pro. I pull it out of the box and find a Win 8 Pro Sticker on the bottom and media disks for Windows 8. No Win 7 COA. I'm thinking "oh crap I've got the wrong item I'll have to install Windows 7 and fight with Microsoft Activation to get the proper downgrade done". Downgrade is legal but a major hassle to get it done correctly.

I boot the system and find that it DOES have Windows 7 on it. I'll have to make recovery media. This will be the only way to install Win 7 on this in the future. I can't just use any disk and use the COA key as there isn't one. Lenovo basically did a downgrade for me. And the end user will have to make dang sure they keep the disks I make for them or they will have to install 8 get the serial code, install 7 and then fight with the activation team to get a valid install code.

 

[ell]

Oh wow, so there's no bios key or printed key, perfect, thanks for sharing.

 

[nlinecomputers]

It has a windows 8 bios key but to access it you need to have Windows 8 loaded. And any copy of Windows 8 will install on it without you having to hunt down a code. It is in the bios and Windows 8 looks there to retrieve it. But this system has 7 on it per my request and that is an issue should the end user lose their install disks as many are prone to do.

It's nothing a good tech can't get around it is just a PITA. More then it ought to have been. If I wanted Windows 8 on this laptop I would have ordered it that way.

 

[ell]

If its a customer you'll see again I'd retrieve the key and write it on his workorder for when his Hd crashes

 

[nlinecomputers]

Doesn't work that way. Systems installed via image files use a in house key that does NOT activate using standard install media. That is why they have the COA key on the side to begin with. That key works with standard install media. So for this client they must have the recovery disks.

If they don't I can still get them up and running by Installing Windows 8 getting the bios install key, then installing 7 and calling the Microsoft Activation Center and telling them I am requesting downgrade rights and a new key. And if past experience shows, argue with them demand a supervisor and HIS supervisor before you get someone there in India that knows the frackin rules.