Features removed in Windows 8

[playXray]

One thing they removed is the need to buy this POS on launch day! *Joke*

Seriously though, that's an interesting list, thanks for posting it.

[firey]

C'mon man, seriously? This FUD again? How many times do people have to say "WINDOWS 8 IS METRO, METRO IS WINDOWS 8"? It's not a separate or alternative shell UI, the Metro bits are hardcoded into the OS just like AERO is on Windows Vista/7.

How is this creating Fear Uncertainty and Doubt. It's a known fact that bothers some people. There is no creating fights, there is no creation confusion, it's plain and simple. Proven 100% that it is impossible to boot directly to desktop, an alternative may be adding explorer.exe to startup so it is forced to run, however I don't know.

Either way though, it isn't FUD, it's proven fact.

[xWhiplash]

C'mon man, seriously? This FUD again? How many times do people have to say "WINDOWS 8 IS METRO, METRO IS WINDOWS 8"? It's not a separate or alternative shell UI, the Metro bits are hardcoded into the OS just like AERO is on Windows Vista/7.

Then why is the classic desktop available? We still get aero in Windows 8, we just want to have the option to boot directly to it and maybe (some people) would like to have a smaller "start screen"

Windows 8 is not 100% metro if we can launch desktop mode and spend 99.99% of our time there (once we pin our apps to the superbar). Therefore, I do not get that statement that "Windows 8 is metro, metro is Windows 8".

[soumyasch]

C'mon man, seriously? This FUD again? How many times do people have to say "WINDOWS 8 IS METRO, METRO IS WINDOWS 8"? It's not a separate or alternative shell UI, the Metro bits are hardcoded into the OS just like AERO is on Windows Vista/7.

C'mon man, seriously? This again? How many times do people have to say "WINDOWS 8 IS METRO, METRO IS WINDOWS 8" is not how many of us want Windows 8 do be. We WANT metro to be one possible shell UI, not THE ONE ui forced on us.

[jakem1]

C'mon man, seriously? This again? How many times do people have to say "WINDOWS 8 IS METRO, METRO IS WINDOWS 8" is not how many of us want Windows 8 do be. We WANT metro to be one possible shell UI, not THE ONE ui forced on us.

How many times do you have to post the same complaints? You'd think the Start Screen marked the end of civilisation the way you people grizzle.

The fact is that this list is just a big list of complaints about changes that don't effect 99.999999% of the population. The 0.000001% that are effected are complaining for the sake of complaining. It's telling that xpclient had to recreate this thread with exactly the same list of FUD that he posted a week ago. Most of the points in the list are irrelevant or biased and there's absolutely no reason why a spam post like this should be pinned.

[Dot Matrix]

You guys have to get over this. Microsoft just isn't interested in the 9x way of desktop computing, it's no longer their way forward. Complaining about it isn't going to change that. They have certain goals now to carry Windows forward with the Metro UI. But sufficed to say, Metro UI is integral to Windows 8, all those "Classic" elements you want back so badly are gone - literally - the code for them has been removed. If you guys don't want to use the fullscreen apps, then don't, but the Start Screen is there for your benefit. Is it perfect? No, but it has become such a joy to use on my desktop. It's nice to finally have a Start "menu" that I can fully customize to my liking.

The classic desktop exists only as a compatibility layer, and I could almost guarantee, that in a few years as Metro and WinRT mature, will be completely depreciated. If you still want a 90's era desktop, there's Mac and Linux, but even those are changing too.

[xWhiplash]

You guys have to get over this. Microsoft just isn't interested in the 9x way of desktop computing, it's no longer their way forward. Complaining about it isn't going to change that. They have certain goals now to carry Windows forward with the Metro UI. But sufficed to say, Metro UI is integral to Windows 8, all those "Classic" elements you want back so badly are gone - literally - the code for them has been removed.

The classic desktop exists only as a compatibility layer, and I could almost guarantee, that in a few years as Metro and WinRT mature, will be completely depreciated. If you still want a 90's era desktop, there's Mac and Linux, but even those are changing too.

So if Windows 8 becomes the next Vista (or worse) JUST because of metro, don't you think Microsoft would change it? If enough people complain, Microsoft would have to change back, or be done with the desktop market all together.

There is no proof that Mac and Linux are doing the same thing you are saying. Yes Apple is bringing in SOME iOS elements, but they are not making one UI to rule them all. It will not happen, Jobs said touch interfaces do not work on the desktop.

Until there is proof, you cannot say Mac WILL be changing.

Yes, the classic desktop is for "compatibility only". But this is ONE version from the 17 year old UI interface we have used for so long. It is Windows 8, not Windows 19, give us the option in THIS version to set our default environment.

[Dot Matrix]

So if Windows 8 becomes the next Vista (or worse) JUST because of metro, don't you think Microsoft would change it? If enough people complain, Microsoft would have to change back, or be done with the desktop market all together.

Not a chance. Did they revert back to the XP codebase after people complained about Vista? No. Metro and WinRT will evolve in Windows 9 just like Vista evolved into Windows 7. Windows 8 is the first step towards a new "interactive" era of computing.

Sorry, if you don't like it, but it's fun to not have to dig around small, static, mouse driven, UI elements and drop down menus all day long.

[Nick H. Supervisor]

I'm tired of arguing about Windows 8. Some people like it, some people don't. I don't like it because it doesn't work for me on a laptop or desktop, so I'll continue to use Windows 7. Simple as.

[articuno1au]

With due respect to the mods, how is this NOT troll bait?

I mean seriously, there have been a dozen comments deleted from this thread (one of mine included), it's written by a monumental troll with a history of picking fights on the forums regarding such topics.

It's clearly written in a way to encourage argumentative behaviour; such as noting changes as being detractions.

This thread is a textbook example of troll bait and it shouldn't be alive still.

[firey]

With due respect to the mods, how is this NOT troll bait?

I mean seriously, there have been a dozen comments deleted from this thread (one of mine included), it's written by a monumental troll with a history of picking fights on the forums regarding such topics.

It's clearly written in a way to encourage argumentative behaviour; such as noting changes as being detractions.

This thread is a textbook example of troll bait and it shouldn't be alive still.

But what makes a thread idolizing metro any different? It's troll bait too for anyone who honestly does not like metro or live tiles.

[articuno1au]

So close that topic as well..

And to be quite frank Firey; the author and the way in which the topic is written.

[firey]

So close that topic as well..

And to be quite frank Firey; the author and the way in which the topic is written.

But this is an informative thread. It's to notify about the missing features, or major changes that Windows 8 brings. I agree with all of the "opinion" points in it. So for me it's not troll bait at all. It's a series of bulleted, proven/noted removals / changes it's not an editorial, it's not a Windows 8 bash, it's like a "FAQ" answer to "What was changed or removed in Windows 8"

But say a thread came out with all the new / updated features in Windows 8, and people didn't like it, would you call for it to be closed too? Or would you want it to remain open?

[articuno1au]

It's not a thread of changes, it's a thread of issues which the OP believes are detracted from previous OS's. It's not informative, it's opinionated and inflammatory.

It is, by pure definition, troll bait.

If it wasn't written in such a way as to encourage arguments, I would be happy for it to stay open. As I noted previously, both the author and the way in which the topic is written are rabidly anti-OS after XP.

He is well known for starting and encouraging arguments about this topic, and a precursory glance at the wording of this topic shows that he is trying to do just that again.

[HawkMan]

Then why is the classic desktop available? We still get aero in Windows 8, we just want to have the option to boot directly to it and maybe (some people) would like to have a smaller "start screen"

Windows 8 is not 100% metro if we can launch desktop mode and spend 99.99% of our time there (once we pin our apps to the superbar). Therefore, I do not get that statement that "Windows 8 is metro, metro is Windows 8".

Why would you boot directly to the desktop, before you can use the desktop you need to start an app. The most logical pale to do that is, the start menu/screen. It's not like the split second to open the desktop is going to kill you anyway, but the mos logical is to start at the start screen, and not add extra code bloat for an option to open the desktop on startup.

[Guest xiphi]

Why would you boot directly to the desktop, before you can use the desktop you need to start an app. The most logical pale to do that is, the start menu/screen. It's not like the split second to open the desktop is going to kill you anyway, but the mos logical is to start at the start screen, and not add extra code bloat for an option to open the desktop on startup.

Last I checked, you could still pin apps to the Taskbar and have shortcuts on the desktop.

[playXray]

I see killing off threads that are critical of Windows 8 as tantamount to censorship. By all means delete abusive or off-topic replies, but it seems a bit draconian to just blanket ban threads that are criticising Windows 8.

[HawkMan]

C'mon man, seriously? This again? How many times do people have to say "WINDOWS 8 IS METRO, METRO IS WINDOWS 8" is not how many of us want Windows 8 do be. We WANT metro to be one possible shell UI, not THE ONE ui forced on us.

So, you expect Microsoft to:

- code twice as much to maintain to different shell and start menus

- maintain two different launch paradigms, and provide developers with two different ways to manage their apps on windows, when one does it Bette

- make everhing slower with twice as much code

- four times as much debug as twice as much code results in four times the debug.

- at least four times as much QnA for the same reason as debug.

For what, to have an old start menu for absolutely no reason except making stuff slower and wasting both ms and other devs resources?

[HawkMan]

Last I checked, you could still pin apps to the Taskbar and have shortcuts on the desktop.

What par of "most logical place" did you have a problem with exactly?

[MtnDewCodeRedFreak]

With due respect to the mods, how is this NOT troll bait?

I mean seriously, there have been a dozen comments deleted from this thread (one of mine included), it's written by a monumental troll with a history of picking fights on the forums regarding such topics.

It's clearly written in a way to encourage argumentative behaviour; such as noting changes as being detractions.

This thread is a textbook example of troll bait and it shouldn't be alive still.

Agreed completely. I saw my earlier comment deleted as well - bunch of whiners.

I say this entire THREAD needs to be deleted, for God's sake.

[articuno1au]

I want Windows 8 to succeed as much as you do but you are misunderstanding me completely. Are you of the opinion that we must all drink the MS kool-aid whatever they offer even if it affects our productivity or use of the computer? As users, do we not even have the right to discuss about this in a forum? Calling anyone who doesn't agree with your views is not a troll. Keep an open mind about it.

I am not of the opinion that Microsoft can do no wrong, nor do I think that they offer perfect software and products. I personally have a couple of issues with Windows 8 that I would like to see resolved.

I am not trying to stop the discussion of an operating system on this forum. You might note that out of the hundreds of threads on this topic I chose this one, and that I didn't attack the sentiment of the thread; rather repeatedly pointed out that the issue was the author and the way in which the post was penned.

Clearly this particular argument is going over your head. You are entitled to an opinion. I am not trying to censor conversation. I am trying to stop the posting of esoteric F.U.D. that by the way in which it is written encourages dissent and inflammatory remarks.

I have not attacked your point of views, only your methods. I have not stated my point of views until this post (although, in fairness I have posted in favour of parts of Windows 8 in the past), and have at no time suggested your point of view is wrong.

I shall continue to reiterate: The way in which this thread is written is inflammatory. The views themselves are irrelevant, I am objecting to the way in which you wrote it and the consistent tone of the extrapolation from the facts.

[HawkMan]

I see killing off threads that are critical of Windows 8 as tantamount to censorship. By all means delete abusive or off-topic replies, but it seems a bit draconian to just blanket ban threads that are criticising Windows 8.

Criticizing and trollin are not the same especially since most of the features he's talking about isn't removed just improved/changed, some not even that. Some new features are even listed. How is a new feature in a list of removed features....

[Linkinfamous]

Grrr so no font size adjustment??? That sucks. I need to change the font type for my LCD TV for my HTPC segoeUI does not look good on my TV. It's a 36 in 1366x768 TV... Candara, Tahoma, and trebuche are the only fonts that still look crisp enough on it. MS should have fixed the fonts on TVs like that. At default size for the desktop mode.... I need to make the fonts bigger as well!

That's what the DPI adjustment setting is for. It scales the text and UI elements.

[BajiRav]

Wondes what MS thinks\gains by removing games like Minesweeper.

Because it might come back as an Xbox Live game in the app store, they have Solitaire available in the app store right now.

So if Windows 8 becomes the next Vista (or worse) JUST because of metro, don't you think Microsoft would change it? If enough people complain, Microsoft would have to change back, or be done with the desktop market all together.

There is no proof that Mac and Linux are doing the same thing you are saying. Yes Apple is bringing in SOME iOS elements, but they are not making one UI to rule them all. It will not happen, Jobs said touch interfaces do not work on the desktop.

Until there is proof, you cannot say Mac WILL be changing.

Yes, the classic desktop is for "compatibility only". But this is ONE version from the 17 year old UI interface we have used for so long. It is Windows 8, not Windows 19, give us the option in THIS version to set our default environment.

Tip: If Windows 8 is next Vista, then that means it will be a pretty good OS. Public perception will be a problem because Vista was a perfectly good OS and only vocal dumbasses who didn't understand UAC or driver problems whined about it. Looking at your posts in this thread, I am guessing you will be one of those for Windows 8.

[Dot Matrix]

I think the only thing on this list I'll shed a tear over is Flip 3D.