An0n0m0us

And how are you finding it? I have the option to upgrade for £14.99 but having seen the beta I really wasn't impressed.

Is the final product actually any good over Windows 7?

Saint AAI

I like it, had the preview versions installed alongside Windows 7. Paid for the upgrade, got my key and downloaded the upgrade package. Then booted into my Windows 8 preview and ran the upgrade on that so still have Windows 7. Works so far, not sure if the Windows 7 will one day say it's not activated anymore though as that's the product key I gave for the upgrade.

I really like Windows 8, although I've only had 7 for a few months so other than the start menu, I'm not sure what the changes are. Boots really quick though, even after I've installed all my programs.

boxst

I have and it is okay, it boots quickly and hasn't crashed.

I jump straight from the tiles to the desktop and generally stay in there ....

windyboy

I have the comsumer preview dual booting with 7 on my laptop, it looks nice and the new IE takes a while to get used to but haven't really used it that much. IE doesn't display some sites properly as it tells me that I need ti install the current version of Flash even though I had installed it several times already

DJ Dunk

iTrader: (5)

I quite like it too. I loved 7, so was dubious about upgrading. I did an 'upgrade' for the first time since Win 3.1 and it did a great job. I still use the desktop as my main working area - but expect that'll change as the apps improve. It's not a massive improvement over 7 without a touchscreen but lots of nice little tweaks which I'm enjoying uncovering. Pretty, speedy, stable and just works.

Ant

How do you lot manage without a start button?

DJ Dunk

iTrader: (5)

I never really use the old Start menu that much anyway - didn't realise it until I moved to Win 8 though. Frequently used programs are either on my desktop or pinned to the Taskbar.

The Start menu is still there really of course, just not a button and redesigned.

jaytc2003

iTrader: (1)

I upgraded through Microsoft, don't forget you can get a free media centre upgrade as well.

Anyway, to me it is win 7 with the start menu screen thing. I don't use that, I just go straight to the desktop. Seems stable, possibly quicker (but I did a fresh install so that helps). Cost me £24.99 so good enough value I suppose considering win 7 home cost about £70+ quid a few years back

An0n0m0us

So can you get rid of the tiles and boot straight to desktop? If not then i'm not 'upgrading' to it as can't stand those tiles.

mike1210

FYI

for anyone who wants the old start menu back while getting used to Windows 8

http://classicshell.sourceforge.net/index.html

ScoobyJawa

My mate works for MS and he told me to stick with 7!

Its like they are following Intel:

Tock = 95
Tick = 98/ME
Tock = XP
Tick = Vista
Tock = 7
Tick = 8
Tock = 9

I found Start8 by Stardock pretty good for start menu with the RC of 8. But for now I'm staying with 7.

DJ Dunk

iTrader: (5)

Possibly, but it's one click to the desktop anyway.

boxst

I don't really use the start button either, most of the things I want are pinned to the task bar and they are now too.

So the computer boots to the tiles, I click on the program I want to execute (such as VMware) which automatically takes me to the desktop and away I go.

Some of the full-screen applications are okay, it isn't very intuitive on a computer though. For example, if I want to close an application I have to go to the top of the screen, grab it and throw it off of the bottom of the screen. And, yes, I had to google that!

bioforger

iTrader: (1)

Don't see the point unless u have a touchscreen. From what I've seen the only thing that is slightly better is bootup. With hibernation and SSD's it doesn't really matter much anymore.

I'll be stickin with 7.

Brun

Keep your fancy OS's - Win XP FTW

An0n0m0us

I still like XP, I virtualised an old XP desktop I had before selling it and still have it now to boot up occasionally. They are going to have to go a long way though to beat Win7, it really is the best OS i've used since starting out on Win 3.11, using various Linux desktops over the years and OSX.

benno22

iTrader: (12)

crap. have a touch screen laptop which is where the start menu is pitched at IMO which makes it bearable but basically find myself reverting to the old format.

LeeMac

iTrader: (1)

Been using it a few weeks and bought it on the 27th, a bargain at £25

I have a touch screen all in one but don't use the touch screen much

Quite like W8
yeah, pretty much like any other windows except for metro bit which is good
windows mail is better
any metro app is good also
syncs really well with a windows phone

depends what you use the PC for

Ant

I had the beta running on parallels and just couldn't get on with it, I'll be sticking to W7 on my Pc

StevieL81

I can't stand it! I've even went back to using my old W7 laptop while my brand spanking new shiney W8 laptop is sat in the corner!

Might need to knock it on and try that link above though!

There's no top right close buttons when watching movies either, and lots of things want you to log in with a 'Microsoft account'!?

(I am a computer gimp so it's probably me just being ****)

StevieL81

That works awesome!!! Thank you!

Changed a few settings and I like it now, it's very fast!

trails

iTrader: (41)

running it in a classic shell is the way to go unless you have a touch screen...seems pretty quick and I've not been able to crash it yet. £15 download upgrade was well worth it.

jonc

You can get you free Windows 8 Pro license key here!!
http://www.extremetech.com/computing...ro-license-key

Ant

Cheers ill try it this evening

An0n0m0us

Did you get a code? I think I found this too late as requested a serial but not had one sent through.

Ant

yeh i received mine this evening not tried it yet though, took a few days

Ant

Well i just tried it and it work


nice one jonc

An0n0m0us

Ah ok so I might still get one then, or 3 as I tried 3 different emails.

An0n0m0us

Hmm might have spoken too early about refusing to use Windows 8, now i've got it installed i'm starting to like it. Will keep it in a vm for a while before deciding to upgrade my actual laptop.

Cannon Fodder

iTrader: (100)

I've been using Windows 8 Pro for a while and tried tonight to play a Blu Ray via the Media Centre and Media Player, and guess what Microsoft do not provide you with a plugin/codec to enable playback.

Has anyone else come across this and did you find a solution?