What was your initial reaction to Windows 8?

[Dashel]

A lot of people don't seem to realise you can section off your shortcuts and label them. Here's a section of mine:

Not quite sure how sectioning off solves anything. I also find it interesting that people think common Desktop apps should be pinned to SS. (Chrome, Dropbox, Skype...)

[Elessar]

Hated it. Now that I'm using on a regular basis I can appreciate the under-the-hood improvements (speed), however, Metro should ONLY be an option on devices with a touchscreen, IMO. But I still boot right into desktop so it doesn't bother me much anymore.

[Neowinuser1991]

For me it was like Windows 7. Tried all the betas and previews of both versions of windows. I had used Ubuntu for the longest time but it just got annoying after a while. Fiance likes Windows 8 as well. So does father in law and sister in law. So in total upgraded 3 computers. Only one is left with Windows 7...because she doesn't like changes.

[+Gary7 Subscriber²]

The same as it is now, I thought it sucked.

[Jim K Global Moderator]

Like the preview at first, with the start menu. Didn't dig the metro. Thought overall Win8 was ok...though it was (at the time) still nothing much more than Win7 with metro.

Another version came out without the start menu but could be re-added with the registry tweak. Was satisfied but growing worried with the thought that Microsoft may remove the start menu and not provide a method of re-enabling it.

Ran the CP for a few months and decided it wasn't for me...put Win7 back on.

[Order_66]

"what is this ugly abomination?"

[Gnieus]

Microsoft, up until Win8, was very choice-friendly with the UI, so when they released 8 and wanted to herd everybody in one direction, it got my immediate disapproval.

I've never been fussy when it comes to the UI of Windows, as with all previous versions I just kept the same theme, just changed the wallpaper. So Microsoft herding everyone with something 'they' want isn't really an issue for me.

[Astra.Xtreme]

I've never been fussy when it comes to the UI of Windows, as with all previous versions I just kept the same theme, just changed the wallpaper. So Microsoft herding everyone with something 'they' want isn't really an issue for me.

I guess I was more referring to the people that always preferred the classic Windows UI and were able to choose that style throughout all the new versions. Microsoft kept that option in there and was considerate of what people preferred.

I just don't see any good reason why Microsoft would take away the start button and force startup to the Modern UI without giving the user options. What they did caused an insane uproar which is looking like it will lose them a considerable amount of money, all because they refused to give the user a choice.

[firey]

Is it fun living in the past?

Dunno haven't decided yet. From the videos I've seen online I do think living in the past would be fun. I mean no technology, go out work, have a good time. If I could live in the past it would most definitely be medieval times, like game of thrones style. However the 1800s would be fun too.

What do you think?

[cork1958]

"This is retarded, where is the start button, why is this a tablet UI on a desktop?"

I still feel this way.

Did then and still do feel this way, but I've learned to live with it.

Have done several downgrades to Windows 7, just because they didn't want to deal with that shock of Windows 8, for other people already though.

[MFH]

I was excited - until they announced that Metro will be the default interface on every form factor...

[Dot Matrix]

The DP was very rough around the edges, and I never ran that outside of VM.

The CP and RPs were better, but I was initially let down that nothing much changed from those to the final product. Hopefully, Windows Blue helps let Metro shine - more colors, more background options, and better apps.

I love the Start Screen, and Live Tiles, even on my desktop PC, they're amazing, and the concept is sound. But Metro needs more work to it. I, for one, am glad the Start Menu is gone, and am thrilled it'll never be coming back.

[Noir Angel]

My first thought was "What the hell is this ugly mess, and how do I disable it". My thought hasn't changed significantly apart from the fact that I find the theme in the RTM even more revolting. At least the DP, CP, and RP had glass.

[Riggers]

My initial reaction. This has been tailored to suit touch screen systems, and Microsoft want a piece of the app store pie!

[10thmandown]

Initial reaction : ######

But after using it for a couple of months I cannot return to 7 anymore.

[Fraud OS 11]

OH **** NOT AGAIN I thought.

[remixedcat]

DP was pleh. CP was better.

I initially hated it... but it grew on me.... and I'm using it in server 2012 form and I love it.

[johnporter29]

My thoughts was "Cool, a new version of Windows, great" - Been using it since release at home and haven't looked back.

[tim_s]

Hi Everyone,

So interestingly today I built myself a Windows 8 machine as I was curious to personally see how our products faired on the new MS OS, until now I have just been believing the developers.

(Who trust developers though --- right RIGHT?, I am kidding)

So - I launch MS Explorer which right out of the box was made available to me and installed a few items.

Outside of the tiles acting like a gigantic task bar, nothing really is mind blowing outrageous.

I mean "YES" Skype is a little awkward but it functions and switching back and forth is easy enough.

In terms of speed, Windows 7 is still number 1 for me but I would not describe the Windows 8 experience as horrendous.

[mrp04]

Finally, a good touch UI for my tablet PC! And by a good touch UI I mean a UI that works well with Touch, not a UI that ONLY works with touch. I have zero issues with Windows 8 on my tablet in laptop mode and on my desktop with a large 30" 2560x1600 monitor. I just use the start screen as I did the start menu on those (winkey, few letters, enter button).

[paxa]

my first thoughts were, hum...ok the name of the ui is kind of strange but ok. hum...layout unification, that's good. tablet in the works, so transition will be almost seamless. can work with a tablet and with a desktop version, but where's the good old desktop?

[Growled Member]

Since this is a family site I can't post my exact thoughts without getting banned.

[Hum]

:woot: AAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH !!!!!!!!!

[siah1214]

Paxa likes you, hum, you were in all his thoughts about 8.

My first reaction is "WTF is this ****" honestly

I hated the dev preview, however by the time the CP rolled around the metro Modern interface had grown on me. I got my Windows phone around the same time as the Dev preview was released so I didn't really understand tiles and how awesome they could be.

[+Warwagon MVC]

Since this is a family site I can't post my exact thoughts without getting banned.

I know how you feel.

When I first saw them Demo Metro I thought it looked pretty good. But once all of the info started to become finalized, how the start menu was being removed and metro was going to be the default. I all of the sudden started to get more and more scared of new computer setups with this peice of **** on it and how lost people will be. How it would be a phone support nightmare.

Over all i've been correct people are pretty lost. When I left an old womans house a few days ago I showed her the basics of The modern UI and the titles, but when I left I felt sorry for this poor old lady. She was going to be totally lost. Though to help her out I did pin a few of her things to the taskbar.

Her all in 1 computer also happened to have a touch screen. While as i'm showing her different things with the touch screen, she had a very hard time touching her computer screen.

I'm not sure what makes Dot Matrix think that will catch on. I know I don't want to be reaching my arms out for everything I do on the pc.