5 Reasons To Get Over The Hype And Start Loving Windows 8.1

[Ironman273 1,096]

5 Reasons To Get Over The Hype And Start Loving Windows 8.1

You don?t have to look far to find reports that Windows 8 (and the updated Windows 8.1) is an unmitigated failure. A quick search turns up stories detailing why Windows 8 has failed, why Windows 8 continues to fail, as well as one pondering whether or not Windows 8 is Microsoft?s biggest failure ever (Hint: It?s not).
 
The relative success or failure of Windows 8 has been headline news again this week as reports that HP is bringing Windows 7 ?back by popular demand? went viral. Thankfully, there are also some common sense stories that dig past the hype to reveal the reality behind a simple HP marketing campaign.
 
Since its launch, there have been comparisons made between Windows 8 and Windows Vista (For the purposes of this article I will use ?Windows 8? to refer to both Windows 8 and the updated Windows 8.1 operating systems). Those comparisons are based on the premise that Windows Vista was a complete failure, and attempt to connect the dots to illustrate how Windows 8 is an equal or greater failure.

 

In my opinion, the comparison is valid, but for a completely different reason. Windows Vista was a failure?from a marketing perspective. Microsoft failed to give businesses or consumers any compelling reason to embrace the OS, and it let competitors?namely Apple ?dictate the narrative of Windows Vista as a failure. As an operating system, though, there is nothing wrong with Windows Vista. It had a rough start due to poor driver support out of the gate, but after a few months those issues were addressed and Windows Vista matured into a very capable OS.
 
Similarly, there is really nothing wrong with Windows 8. Ignore the hype and consider these five reasons you should check out Windows 8 for yourself.
 
1. Compatibility
 
Windows 8 will run virtually any software that you?re already running on your older Windows systems. The traditional Windows software runs in Desktop mode?which is basically just Windows 7 hiding behind the new Metro Start screen of Windows 8?but it runs just fine.
 
There are some applications that may not work natively in Windows 8. You can search for ?compatibility? and select the option to ?Run programs made for previous versions of Windows.? This feature lets you install applications in compatibility mode, which emulates previous versions of Windows and should work for most software.
 
2. Performance
 
Windows 8 is less demanding than its predecessor. The operating system requirements are the same as Windows 7?a 1GHz processor, 1GB of RAM, and 16GB of hard drive space. Granted, those specs are substantially more than the base requirements for Windows XP, and you won?t get optimal performance using such a stripped down system.

 

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[Buttus 1,231]

those 5 things don't address that it's it' still clunky switching between desktop and the tiles screen over and over

[Ironman273 1,096]

Lest we forget...

 

those 5 things don't address that it's it' still clunky switching between desktop and the tiles screen over and over

If you're using it on a non-touchscreen computer why would you be switching to the tile screen except to use it as a start menu?  And clunky?  I press the Windows button and it switches back and forth.

[Astra.Xtreme 2,958]

Performance differences are negligible on an SSD.  And 8 is more secure because it has Defender built-in?  Okay...

 

8 isn't worth the aggravation and decrease in efficiency.  Touchscreens aren't taking over, so Metro is a step backwards on a keyboard and mouse.

[Knife Party 629]

"5 reasons to ignore the obvious problems plaguing W8" - For those in denial

[vcfan 2,339]

its too confusing. it looks like someone farted skittles on my screen. don't want dat dere mobile appz on my desktop workstation with 5, 70 inch monitors. this is serious business.

[DConnell 6,585]

Performance differences are negligible on an SSD.  And 8 is more secure because it has Defender built-in?  Okay...

 

8 isn't worth the aggravation and decrease in efficiency.  Touchscreens aren't taking over, so Metro is a step backwards on a keyboard and mouse.

 

I find I'm more efficient with the Start Screen, and a mix of Metro and desktop apps. Killing the Start Menu is the best thing MS ever did IMO.

[Xilo 932]

Unless they get rid of the Metro ######, then I will never use Windows 8.1.

[DConnell 6,585]

"5 reasons to ignore the obvious problems plaguing W8" - For those in denial

 

They're not so obvious to me - I think it works beautifully. Fast, stable, compatible with virtually every program I throw at it. What problems do you see, other than not liking the new design?

[Ironman273 1,096]

Unless they get rid of the Metro bull****, then I will never use Windows 8.1.

So you love Metro and if they get rid of it you would never use Windows again?  Wow, what a great fan of Metro you are! 

[Nagisan 248]

I installed Windows 8 because I wanted a fresh install of Windows and decided to give Win8 a try. While I do not like the metro screen (whatever it's called these days), I got rid of it and returned the start menu by installing a single piece of software (Classic Shell).

 

Since installing Windows 8 + Classic Shell, I have not once thought to myself "Man, I wish I had just reinstalled Windows 7". I'm not saying Windows 8 was a move in the right direction (personally I hate the Metro start screen), but after bringing back the classic start menu I have no qualms at all with Windows 8 compared to Windows 7. I have enjoyed some of the interface refreshes it has received compared to Win7, and while I haven't noticed any specific performance increases, I haven't noticed any decreases to performance or my general productivity since moving to Win8.

 

I do not feel Windows 8 is worth the price if you are already happily running Windows 7, but I do not feel any reason to move back to Windows 7 if you already have a copy of Windows 8.

[+fusi0n 2,134]

No Thanks. Windows 8/8.1 are both horrible for me and my work environment. I don't need someone telling me why or how I need something. Hopefully, they will figure it out. 

[Max Norris 2,265]

Lest we forget...

 

That's just a silly comparison.  But in a similar line...

 

 

Stagnation isn't a great thing either.

[+trag3dy 4,180]

I like windows 7.

[Athernar 611]

GUIs are outdated, command line interfaces are the future and anyone that disagrees is just resistant to change.

[abecedarian paradoxious 326]

Win8/8.1 works fine and the 15+ people I've managed to convince to try it they all read the BS crap posted about it agree it works as well as, if not better than Win7. Some of them even like the start screen, with a mouse.

Who'd have thought you could simply click and drag the scroll bar at the bottom of the screen (GASP) and your "Start Menu" was right there on the desktop?

[Top Qat 195]

I installed Windows 8 because I wanted a fresh install of Windows and decided to give Win8 a try. While I do not like the metro screen (whatever it's called these days), I got rid of it and returned the start menu by installing a single piece of software (Classic Shell).

This!

 

I don't see why people waste so much time ranting about how they hate metro. Win8.1 + Classic shell, job done.

My experience is very good, fast and stable. Never touch the metro screen cos I use mouse+keyboard.

[Astra.Xtreme 2,958]

I find I'm more efficient with the Start Screen, and a mix of Metro and desktop apps. Killing the Start Menu is the best thing MS ever did IMO.

Takes less time and clicks to use the start menu.  Especially if the app you need is in the 10 "most common" list (which it always is for me).

To get efficient with Metro, you have to use the keyboard, and that still takes more time than just using the mouse.

[Romero 93]

Takes less time and clicks to use the start menu.  Especially if the app you need is in the 10 "most common" list (which it always is for me).

 

That's the way you do it but doesn't automatically make it the best. I like to pin frequently used programs so they're always available to me in a predictable location, and that can be done both in Win7 and 8. Can even launch them with my eyes closed. You on the other hand seem to prefer a variable uneditable "most common" list based on some internal hidden statistics.

 

To get efficient with Metro, you have to use the keyboard, and that still takes more time than just using the mouse.

 

I love being a power keyboard user, always have been since TUI days. A combination of KB and mouse makes me far, far more productive and faster compared to using just the mouse, and I've lost count of how many people including co-workers have gasped at the speed at which I get things done. What's the secret, they ask breathlessly. Keyboard shortcuts, I reply. Ever since Win7 came out I launch programs and even Control Panel applets using a few short letters and sometimes a little arrow key or cursor action (on XP I used Launchy). Guess what, exact same with Win8.1.

 

The Start screen and Metro UI in general might not be for everyone and it absolutely does indeed have shortcomings that MS needs to fix urgently, but equally it doesn't automatically imply a loss in productivity or aggravation for everyone. If you don't like Win8, don't buy it and stick to Win7. If you already have it, give it a good honest try and see if you can adjust. If unable to, use Classic Shell or similar.

[MorganX 1,044]

I don't have a problem with anything in the OP comments. I have a problem with what's left out. All the nagging little issues that really justifies taking a pass on Windows 8.x until it gets fixed. The potential is there but depending on your environment, I can see how many feel it's just not worth the headache. It is headed in the right direction and it's own leisurely pace. Sure, it's not easy to fix and apparently not easy to create complex apps for, but that's MS' fault. No one else's.

[firey 4,151]

And as many reasons as there may be to use 8.. I have just as many reasons why I don't need or want to use 8...

[Ironman273 1,096]

Takes less time and clicks to use the start menu.  Especially if the app you need is in the 10 "most common" list (which it always is for me).

To get efficient with Metro, you have to use the keyboard, and that still takes more time than just using the mouse.

Here's just a couple solutions:

PIn them to your task bar.

Pin them to your start menu!  Many more than 10 will fit.

I don't have a problem with anything in the OP comments. I have a problem with what's left out. All the nagging little issues that really justifies taking a pass on Windows 8.x until it gets fixed. The potential is there but depending on your environment, I can see how many feel it's just not worth the headache. It is headed in the right direction and it's own leisurely pace. Sure, it's not easy to fix and apparently not easy to create complex apps for, but that's MS' fault. No one else's.

Which issues might those be?

[zeke009 67]

Takes less time and clicks to use the start menu.  Especially if the app you need is in the 10 "most common" list (which it always is for me).

To get efficient with Metro, you have to use the keyboard, and that still takes more time than just using the mouse.

I get that is your opinion, but I disagree and my experience has been the opposite. I got sick of moving my mouse over 2 or 3 screens to click the Start button and learned to love keyboard shortcuts ages ago. 

 

As for recent apps, I've used a custom jumplist app for a few years and just copied the directory over from Win7 to Win8 and picked up right where I left off. http://lifehacker.com/5302409/jumplist-launcher-consolidates-windows-7-taskbar-launchers

[MorganX 1,044]

Here's just a couple solutions:

PIn them to your task bar.

Pin them to your start menu!  Many more than 10 will fit.

Which issues might those be?

 

The only one I'll mention (read relevant Neowin threads and other online forums for the rest) is the one irritating me the most right now, not enough GPO control.

 

Also the inability to manage MS Accounts in the enterprise or use store apps without them. Particularly Mail w/Exchange.

[Astra.Xtreme 2,958]

Here's just a couple solutions:

PIn them to your task bar.

Pin them to your start menu!  Many more than 10 will fit.

I can do that in 7 too, so no need to upgrade to 8.