pslewis

Windows 8 ...

Bought a new laptop and it has Win8 and I hate it ....... just cannot get on with it at all.

Can I revert to an older 'useable' version? I have just the home edition - I thnk the pro version will allow regression.

It's truly awful .......

andy97

iTrader: (1)

Well you've joined a significant group of dissatisfied W8 users. Take it back and see if you can get W7 installed or refund and get a rare preloaded W7 laptop.

pslewis

I bought it from TESCO - I doubt they would refund because I changed my mind?

I absolutely HATE it! Every swipe of the 'mouse' brings unwanted screens coming in from the right - how did this pass into the marketplace?

NEVER get Win8 if you want to remain sane!

Don Clark

Is it running running 8 or 8.1 - big difference

pslewis

Ermmmmmmmmmm .............. 8 I thnk - will it update itself to 8.1 or am I stuck with a pile of crap?

53

iTrader: (41)

I hated it to start with but you get used to it Got Windows XP on the other PC which is better for how my brain works lol

I know a good few people who have retro installed Win7 which is a happy medium between old and new OS

pslewis

I'm just downloading 8.1 now, I'll see how that changes things ...... it really is the most horrible OS I have ever used (and I go back to the first computers!).

Fonzey

iTrader: (5)

Force it down for a few days and you'll learn to love it.

I went from hating it to loving it over about 3 months total, they should have marketed it better or maybe made the transition a little more subtle.

Just find peace knowing your new laptop will perform better with w8 than it would be with w7, it's a better optimised OS.

hodgy0_2

Download this

http://www.classicshell.net/ it is very good, quick download and easy install

It turns windows 8 to windows 7 (ish) I.e you get the old start menus etc back

Or I believe this (the windows 7 functionality) was retro fitted to windows 8.1

dpb

You're too old

pslewis

I am too old ...... it's true

ScoobyWon't

I've had Win 8/8.1 on my laptop since new (both laptop and Windows), circa mid Feb this year.

It's not crashed once.

And it's a Dell.

That's either a miracle or Windows isn't as bad as everyone thinks.

DemonDave

iTrader: (13)

Windows 8.1 is fine - it is the same as most major changes to windows OS you have to get used to it - I have mine optimised the way I like it now and it is fine.

pslewis

I've now got 8.1 .......

How do I get the annoying things which sweep in from the side to turn off?

Puff The Magic Wagon!

iTrader: (2)

Well, there's hope for you Pete. I bought my 85 yo mum a Win8 PC back in the summer and she hated it as it was soooooo different to her Win98 one. I was hoping things would be easier as the mail client was on the main screen along with IE and the other apps but how wrong could I be?

I've just come back from visiting her where one of my main tasks (other than gardening, wood-chopping, DIY etc) was to sort this out. She wanted Win7 but there was a chance that the drivers wouldn't work, so I upgraded her to 8.1, had it autologon to Desktop, installed Outlook 2013 with an icon on the desktop/taskbar and a shortcut to IE likewise. I also removed mail client, IE and various others from the "Windows Screen" and enlarged the Desktop icon. Idea is that she goes straight to desktop and uses the programs she wants (Outlook/IE) which look like her old Win98 versions (more or less) and if she gets onto the Windows Screen, she won't get confused and there's a big button to bring her back the desktop.

I hope that works as even with Teamviewer/Logmein type remote control available to me, its still a nightmare to support from 500 miles away!

pslewis

Hi Puff ...... I've done pretty much the same as you have for your Mum.

Win 8.1 seems to address some of the issues - but those damned sides keep coming in, and I'm about to throw the damned thing right in the bin!!

When you open up a 'window' I still don't know how to just get back to the desktop .... there is no obvious 'close' button. I have to hit the Windows button and go back to the tile screen.

It's the most annoying thing I've ever had the misfortune to use ........ it's even more annoying than my Zimmer Frame!!

Galifrey

iTrader: (3)

Alt-F4?

ScoobyWon't

No red square with a white 'X' in the corner?

Or are you in one of the tiles, such as weather etc? If so, put the cursor to the top of the screen, it should turn in to a hand. Hold down the left mouse button and drag it down off the screen to close.

pslewis

It's the tiles which are complete rubbish ...... all I want is Windows as it always was.

bioforger

iTrader: (1)

You have to move with the times old man

Simes777

You can turn of the swipes from the touchpad by editing the mouse settings in the Control Panel.

There should be a Gestures option where you can remove various swipes.

LSherratt

iTrader: (1)

This is why I have a Macbook Pro, with retina screen. It's a joy to use and work on.

Puff The Magic Wagon!

iTrader: (2)

Windows button + "D" should always get you to Desktop

Don Clark

Clicking the bottom left hand corner of the screen (red window icon) will alternate between startpage and current open window.

If the desktop is open just go to top left hand corner of screen and swipe downwards and you can select any apps that are open including desktop.

And I'd classify myself as nearly an OAP

G4rfo

iTrader: (1)

it is good when u use it for a while hated it at 1st

pslewis

Nah, still can't get on with it .......... it's the way the right hand side menu keeps coming in - it's damned annoying.

I HATE IT!

dpb

Go back to windows 7!