Getting used to the Windows 8 system


Recommended Posts

I am older now, maybe not necessarily wiser but, I like moving my mouse to the upper left corner and going to the Bing search, the one that takes up the entire screen but I love how it lays out all the news right there in front of me by search topic. I'm still finding new things out about this OS but it's working for me.

I'm set in my ways but it seems to me that this os is quite intuitive and the two interfaces ( Modern UI and Desktop) are nice. I did however buy and install Stardocks Start8 app that puts a start menu on my desktop. Still works for me over all but Windows 8 or this windows in particular is setup just as I like it.

Good man. I mean that's the good thing about Windows. You can generally find third party apps that'll modify things to do exactly what you want.

I'm enjoying it to. I'm going vanilla with the start screen but choices are what makes a good OS.

I am older now, maybe not necessarily wiser but, I like moving my mouse to the upper left corner and going to the Bing search, the one that takes up the entire screen but I love how it lays out all the news right there in front of me by search topic. I'm still finding new things out about this OS but it's working for me.

I'm set in my ways but it seems to me that this os is quite intuitive and the two interfaces ( Modern UI and Desktop) are nice. I did however buy and install Stardocks Start8 app that puts a start menu on my desktop. Still works for me over all but Windows 8 or this windows in particular is setup just as I like it.

Unlike a lot of folks, I never found the lack of Start menu a deal-breaker, largely for the simple reason that I had begun migrating away from relying on it with Windows 7.

What helps is that basically, other than that (and the presence of the StartScreen), Windows 8 *is* Windows 7 + tweaks and improvements - said tweaks and improvements are, in fact, nice to monstrous.

Nice - QuickTask power user's menu, the addition of the ribbon to File Explorer (along with separate Command and PowerShell prompts, each with elevation options).

Huge - Task Manager improvements (and a finer-grained Process Manager for us x64 process inspectors, programmers/developers, and debuggers/bug hunters) along with disc-image mounting as part of the OS core.

Monstrous - Windows Defender (due to full commonality between WD, MSE, and Forefront, third-party AV is moot) and Disk Optimizer (the Diskeeper killer; includes features that even Diskeeper 12 lacks, and it's part of the OS).

The only third-party utility I am using is Decor8 from Stardock. (Still waiting for a version of Fences for the StartScreen.)

I honestly thought I couldn't live without the start menu, but when I installed 8 I decided to give the start screen a good try. I have to admit I love it. Now I wish they had done this a long time ago. I also thought I would never like live tiles, but now I am seriously considering a Windows 8 phone.They really grow on you.

I just installed (upgraded) it yesterday from Win7 Ultimate to Win8 Pro, and so far it seems to be a pretty decent OS. I do miss the 'Recent Items' on the start menu I had in Win7, but everything else is working just fine.

Unlike a lot of folks, I never found the lack of Start menu a deal-breaker, largely for the simple reason that I had begun migrating away from relying on it with Windows 7.

Lack of? Just move your mouse to the bottom left corner and left click.. viola, Start menu.

Lack of? Just move your mouse to the bottom left corner and left click.. viola, Start menu.

I got that much - I was referring to all the angst and nerdrage from the anti-8 crowd (which I was never part of - I moved to 8 full-time back with the Consumer Preview, and I'm running RTM 8 Pro with Media Center today).

Windows 8 has made a mess of Bluetooth -- my Big Jambox is now a $300 paperweight.

maybe you should bitch at the maker of your Big Jambox Bluetooth and get them to update the drivers for Windows 8. Microsoft do a very good job with including as many drivers as they do with each release of Windows

and its not there problem if they did not include something you need.

So at the end of the day, Windows 8 did not make a mess of your Bluetooth, you need to get on the company that does your Bluetooth for updated drivers.

I just installed (upgraded) it yesterday from Win7 Ultimate to Win8 Pro, and so far it seems to be a pretty decent OS. I do miss the 'Recent Items' on the start menu I had in Win7, but everything else is working just fine.

For recent items open file manager "C:\Users\"your user name"\Recent" then just make a shortcut to your desktop.

For recent items open file manager "C:\Users\"your user name"\Recent" then just make a shortcut to your desktop.

Yep, I've seen that work-around posted before. Instead I just pinned Word and Excel to my task bar and I use the jump lists to get to the recent documents that way. Still not as convenient as the recent items list on the start menu, but it works.

This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Posts

    • Making US citizens pay is a prominent tool? Joke of the week…
    • Price Drop: Save 86% on Microsoft Office 2021 Professional Plus lifetime digital license by Steven Parker Today's highlighted deal comes via our Apps + Software section of the Neowin Deals store, where you can save 86% on a lifetime license to Microsoft Office 2021 for Windows. This bundle is for families and small businesses who want classic Office apps and email. It includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and OneNote. A one-time purchase installed on 1 Windows PC for use at home or work. Lifetime license for MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, & OneNote One-time purchase installed on 1 Windows PC for use at home or work Instant Delivery & Download – access your software license keys and download links instantly Free customer service – only the best support! Microsoft Office Professional 2021 (for Windows) includes: Microsoft Office Word Microsoft Office Excel Microsoft Office PowerPoint Microsoft Office Outlook Microsoft Office Teams Microsoft Office OneNote Microsoft Office Publisher Microsoft Office Access No faffing about with subscriptions, just classic apps that don't expire. Good to Know ONE-TIME PURCHASE INSTALLED ON 1 DEVICE Redemption deadline: redeem your code within 30 days of purchase Access options: desktop Full versions No subscriptions – no monthly/annual fees Version: 2021 Updates included* *Support for this version of Office ends on Oct 13, 2026 A lifetime subscription to Microsoft Office 2021 Professional normally costs $219.99, but this deal can be yours for just $29.97, that's a saving of $190. For full terms, specifications, and license info, click the link below. Get Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for just $29.97, or learn more Although priced in U.S. dollars, this deal is available for digital purchase worldwide. Support queries If you have queries or need support for any of the Neowin Deals, please use the contact form here. Neowin Deals are managed and sold by StackCommerce who represent Neowin on an affiliate basis. Why we post these deals We post these because we earn commission on each sale so as not to rely solely on advertising, which many of our readers block. It all helps toward paying staff reporters, servers and hosting costs. So for those that keep moaning and complaining, be thankful we're still online for you to even do that. Other ways to support Neowin Whitelist Neowin by not blocking our ads Create a free member account to see fewer ads Make a donation to support our day to day running costs Subscribe to Neowin - for $14 a year, or $28 a year for an ad-free experience Disclosure: Neowin benefits from revenue of each sale made through our branded deals site powered by StackCommerce.
    • The only reason I want to know where you from is because if you are not from the U.K, then why should you care what we in the U.K do or don't do? Racist I am not, I am fed up with the amount coming over here and feel they can come over here and think we need to support them. Do you know how much it costs this country to support these people coming over here? Even when we give them a place to live it is not good enough. We had a barge that was being used to house immigrants, oh but that was not good enough. A mate said to me at the time, when he was homeless, he would have been happy to live on the barge, instead of ending up sleeping on a bench on the beach. I am not scared to say what my family heritage is, unlike you who is scared to say where they are from or where they live. Father side U.S, mother side Wales, still have family living in the U.S. A mate who sadly died a few years ago, had a load of people from different races recording in his studio, I got on with all of them. Skin colour don't bother me, where they are from don't bother me. Religion don't bother me as long as they don't push it onto me and it is not crazy stuff. I am not religious. But if you are not living in the U.K, then why should you care if we are in the E.U or not? This the problem, too many people poking their noses into where it don't belong. But you believe what you believe, if you think I am racist, then be it, I really do not care. Just grow a pair
    • If he hasn't been able to figure that out, then why is he obsessed with tariffs? Because that's one of the most prominent tools to level the playing field when you have high cost of labor.
  • Recent Achievements

    • Conversation Starter
      jessse3334 earned a badge
      Conversation Starter
    • Reacting Well
      JuvenileDelinquent earned a badge
      Reacting Well
    • One Month Later
      Excellence2025 earned a badge
      One Month Later
    • Week One Done
      Excellence2025 earned a badge
      Week One Done
    • Week One Done
      flexorcist earned a badge
      Week One Done
  • Popular Contributors

    1. 1
      +primortal
      506
    2. 2
      +Edouard
      203
    3. 3
      PsYcHoKiLLa
      151
    4. 4
      Steven P.
      73
    5. 5
      macoman
      62
  • Tell a friend

    Love Neowin? Tell a friend!