win8 Poll: Windows 8 Experience (How do you like it?)

[Kalint]

It's going to take getting used too...

[Jose_49]

Guys would you cut it with the metro start screen crap? I'm not too fond of it either, but I maneuver with it regardless.

If there wasn't anything "facial" or any change at all you would complain on why would you need to spend more money to get "the same looking OS" with just some goodies inside it.

[ThePitt]

3/3/1

No big changes compared to 7. No speed improvements other than boot-up. Basically is 7 with a really annoything interface. So, the option is pretty clear, back to 7. If aint broke dont fix it. Only a fanboy would find this fascinating. Force me to use my desktop like a tablet is simple a slap across the face.

[TrickyDickie]

Installation was really quick, absolutely no conflicts for hardware or apps, and it has everything I need - except for bloody DVD playback, but then I installed MPC-HD and all is once again well on the Western front..

Love it, love it, love it!

Don't love Android or Apple rubbish.

[Melfster]

I have to say after using it for about 2 hours Its not as bad as everyone says it is. It's much better then preview that came out just awhile ago. Metro apps are still not poslished but run better then I thought they would. It does seem a bit more snappier then Windows 7 on the desktop.

[BoDEAN]

My auzentech prelude soundcard drivers do not work, which sucks. So I am back to using onboard audio.....

[+Frank B. Subscriber²]

I'm in the process of setting it up. First impressions:

• The installation process went ok. For some reason it failed to use the native resolution of my ThinkPad display; I had to install a driver via Windows Update first. Speaking of which, it shows me four additional driver updates - which then fail to install.
  
• I installed the English version, with the regional settings including keyboard layout set to German. For some reason this leads to a hybrid of English desktop and German locale for 'Modern UI' apps. Any hints how to force the Modern UI apps to be in English are welcome.
  
• The 'hack' of exporting the window metrics registry key from a 7 installation and importing it into 8 still works. Yay, no fat title bars:
  
  
• The aforementioned 'hack' consists of exporting HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\WindowMetrics from the registry of a Windows 7 install, then importing it into Windows 8. Works like a charm.
  
• What's with the ugly scrollbar arrows and the gap above/below them in desktop IE 10? Why doesn't it use the standard scrollbars?
  
  

More impressions to follow once I've set up the OS.

Oh yeah. Minesweeper is a 100 MB download from the Windows Store? Errrrr...

[neo1911]

Installation: Completed in 4 minutes. Source hard disk and destination SSD.

But it could have been better if Microsoft employed a part timer to remove the faux aero install window and replace it with something current.

Compatibility: Atheros Bluetooth driver does not work and remains as an unknown "Bluetooth Peripheral Device" in device manager.

Some steam games like Max Payne 3 and Train Simulator randomly crash.

The Features:

Liked ALL new features added in desktop (Except the theme). Disliked every default ModernUI based apps and related features. I find myself sliding mouse frantically and stressing myself a bit.

[Jez74]

1 - 5/5 Raid0 SSD worked a charm, amazingly fast install

2 - 5/5 Compared to CP and RP, everything works now, even crisis 2 DX11 and MSI afterburner (used to hang ie10)

3 - 4/5 Themes need some improvement, like the start menu but needs some tweaking (grey squares around apps). Hyper-v was easy to setup and install xp again but need a product key now compared to windows 7 pro

Overall, gaming wise its great, work wise is more productive with fast switching (remote desktop and connecting to hyper-v os's)

[ZakO]

I avoided using it because all the screenshots over the last 6 months looked awful, however, after installing the RTM a few days ago and using it as my primary OS, I like it, won't be going back to 7. There are quite a few nice enhancements on the desktop UI, I don't particularly like 'metro' apps, but apart from the few seconds you spend on the start screen (win [+ w] + type -> enter) I rarely see them.

5/5, 5/5, 4/5.

[TrickyDickie]

I avoided using it because all the screenshots over the last 6 months looked awful, however, after installing the RTM a few days ago and using it as my primary OS, I like it, won't be going back to 7. There are quite a few nice enhancements on the desktop UI, I don't particularly like 'metro' apps, but apart from the few seconds you spend on the start screen (win [+ w] + type -> enter) I rarely see them.

5/5, 5/5, 4/5.

Here, here!

I was exactly the same when I first tried it - Now I wouldn't go back, and I absolutely loved Windows 7!

I'm getting used to the Metro apps too - I use the Music / Video players more often now (Rather than changing the file associations to Media Player).

The only real thing I was ever ****ed off about was the lack of DVD support - It took a few seconds to sink in when I first tried that it isn't supported in Windows 8. A quick install of K-LITE (and MPC) and all was good again.

[xankazo]

My auzentech prelude soundcard drivers do not work, which sucks. So I am back to using onboard audio.....

Did you try compatibility mode when installing or disabling driver check (or something like that) at boot? I'm gonna try the Enterprise Evaluation tomorrow and it would really suck having to use onboard sound instead of the Prelude.

[devHead]

I have to say I'm enjoying it; I have nearly all my apps working except for BeJeweled 3 for some odd reason. Still waiting for the knuckleheads at Asus to release Windows 8 drivers for the Xonar Essence STX sound card, but installing it in compatibility mode for Windows 7 worked fine. I'm kind of rediscovering how to organize my shortcuts to exploit the Start screen more than in the past. It actually enables me to keep an even cleaner Desktop since stuff I used to keep there I can pin to Start now.

[Quillz]

Installation was fine, everything that worked under Win7 is working for me on Win8 and overall, I like it. I have no issues using it whatsoever.

[.Neo]

Get rid of start screen and metro and this would be the best OS MS has released.

If you strip Metro from Windows 8 you have a release with virtually no new end-user features.

[Thingol]

5- Very fast, no problem.

3- Some compatibility problems, but I think it will be okay in a few months.

1- I hate it. Too much click. Jump to metro, back to desktop. Again and again. There is no reason for me to swich to Windows 8. Windows 7 does the job well right now. Maybe Windows 9.

[contextfree]

• What's with the ugly scrollbar arrows and the gap above/below them in desktop IE 10? Why doesn't it use the standard scrollbars?
  
  

More impressions to follow once I've set up the OS.

Oh yeah. Minesweeper is a 100 MB download from the Windows Store? Errrrr...

IE10 desktop is just IE10 Metro with some chrome around it, so it's using the same scrollbars as the Start screen for example, instead of the standard desktop ones. The gap is to make the buttons bigger I guess, which is especially important if the button is near one of the "hot corners" (like the scrollbar buttons on the Start screen are).

[Arceles]

Ha, lost my windows 8 activation due an USB 3.0 driver upgrade, thank god exists system restore... rolled back and good as new.

[Tal Greywolf]

Downloaded the evaluation version of the OS, just for testing purposes.

Installation: 4/5 (yes, it was quick.)

Compatability: 3/5 (will need a lot of updated drivers and soon)

Features: 2/5 (and I'm being generous here)

After two hours of working with the OS, rebooted back into Windows 7 and wiped the test drive clean. Personal opinion is that this was clearly not ready for release to the general public, and that it may be fine for a tablet OS but it fails in nearly every usability respect for a desktop OS. For productivity, you want one desktop to work from, not have to switch from ModernUI to the desktop constantly if you're trying to do real work. As for corporate adoption, I think this will be just like Vista, companies will refuse to adopt it until there are massive fixes to the desktop UI put in place.

[PGHammer]

I have to say I'm enjoying it; I have nearly all my apps working except for BeJeweled 3 for some odd reason. Still waiting for the knuckleheads at Asus to release Windows 8 drivers for the Xonar Essence STX sound card, but installing it in compatibility mode for Windows 7 worked fine. I'm kind of rediscovering how to organize my shortcuts to exploit the Start screen more than in the past. It actually enables me to keep an even cleaner Desktop since stuff I used to keep there I can pin to Start now.

Was Bejeweled 3 installed already (and you upgraded) or did you install clean? I did a clean install, and Bejeweled 3 (and Bejeweled Blitz) work just fine.

[thomastmc]

W8 has been my main OS at home since Build in Sept. (desktop kb/m).

It's just a better Windows 7, with a new Start.

Love it.

[myxomatosis]

I?m back on Windows 7 + Mountain Lion. Enough said

[Sebass]

Ease of install, compatiblity 5 they are all excelent. But worst UI ever for a desktop. I think it sucks.

[ambiance]

I couldn't get the CP off my computer fast enough, but gave it a second chance with the RTM trial. This time around I actually gave it a chance, can say I'll be upgrading and no I'm not getting paid for this. However, if Microsoft feels like compensating me I wouldn't reject it and would definitely disclose it. Also, here's a list. With bullets!

Likes:

• Search. (I love how you can just start typing)
  
• Boot time. (Negligible as I have SSD)
  
• Multi-monitor refinements. (Could still use more.)
  
• New desktop interface/explorer options. (Can keep it simple or complex)
  
• Mail/Messenger/Calendar.
  
• Native ISO mounting.
  
• Start screen. (I hated it when I tried the CP and uninstalled it within 24 hours of using it. Now after using the RTM trial over the weekend, I actually find it far superior to the old start menu. Still needs some refining. More mouse options would be nice.)
  

Dislikes:

• Cannot specify which monitor the Video app plays on. (I want it to play on my TV, but then I lose the start screen on my main monitor. Will not be replacing VLC. Yet.)
  
• Mail app does not support IMAP.
  
• Cannot add custom emoticons to Messenger. (They seem to be removing features instead of adding them. Not a big deal because as I only have one contact who still uses it. Facebook, etc. has replaced it. Not to mention the fact I?m over 30 and shouldn?t need to communicate with childish nonsense. It?s hard to resist one of my favourites, though. NSFW.)
  
• Not enough quality third party apps. (Hopefully that changes once it retails. Waiting for you, Apple/Google/Mozilla.)
  
• The ?Safely Remove Hardware and Eject Media? icon. (I know I can hide it, but then I can?t hide the arrow.)
  
• Default programs behaviour. (For some reason they don't seem to stick and have to be set again after install.)
  

[DpwOX545]

I like everyone MS did with Windows 8 except for removing the Start Button and Start Menu in favor of Metro. My media pc for example doesn't have a keyboard and my remote doesn't have a windows key mapped to it and considering my wife just gave birth to twins I don't have any time to try and mess with it.

I just hate Metro as it dumbs down the desktop/workstation experience. A few easy things MS could have done to make it better would have been utilize the Win 7 taskbar with Metro UI, they also really shipped a 1.0 product as Metro is missing a lot of functionality such as a completely built out control panel, a metro file explorer, etc...

I will use Windows 7 until MS fixes Windows 8.