Windows 8: I have finally sort of got Windows 8 into my old brain and it is sort of OK. I keep getting the screen that wants me to convert to the upgraded version. Has anyone done this...

PW4GDF

I have finally sort of got Windows 8 into my old brain and it is sort of OK. I keep getting the screen that wants me to convert to the upgraded version. Has anyone done this and if so what was the result? Is it better? Are you happier?
Thanks,
Wendy
Thank you too to our Veterans today.

Frapha Loc: Tulsa, Oklahoma

I'm hearing a LOT of folks are having issues with the 8.1 upgrade ... I'm still using W7 for now. I have had several folks tell me that they liked W8 better when they added the "Classic Shell" enhancement -- http://www.classicshell.net/

cockney greg Loc: London E17

Hi Wendy, I keep getting the offer come up for 8.1 too. I decided against it as the general consensus here seems to be that it takes forever to download and is more trouble than it's worth.

Rongnongno Loc: FL

Windows 8.0 was so bad I sent back a new laptop. a new version 8,1 is out, it maybe better but I will not be the one messing with it. Note that update is supposed to be substantially better and is free for existing users.

As usual MS has shot itself in the foot.
Windows 3.0 flop. Windows 3.1 Great Windows NT (4.0) flop
Windows 95 great, windows 98 flop, windows 2000 flop, windows XP great, windows vista flop, windows 7 great, windows 8 flop... See, there is pattern that is quite incredible overtime and...

Well, this is about photography here so I'll leave this at that:

Windows 8.0? :thumbdown: :thumbdown: :thumbdown:

Frapha Loc: Tulsa, Oklahoma

Just FYI ... Dell is still selling NEW Laptops and Desktops with Win7 on their website. Appears the variety is slim, but some still available. I just purchased a new Desktop with win7 for my daughter -- figure she can always upgrade to W8 later if she wants to.

OlinBost Loc: Marietta, Ga.

I just installed the Windows 8.1 update on my granddaughter's laptop. The key is to first run the windows update several times to be sure that all updates have been installed before you do the 8.1 update. I had no problems or issues. I also did a defrag just before the update.

banjonut Loc: Southern Michigan

PW4GDF wrote:

I have finally sort of got Windows 8 into my old brain and it is sort of OK. I keep getting the screen that wants me to convert to the upgraded version. Has anyone done this and if so what was the result? Is it better? Are you happier?
Thanks,
Wendy
Thank you too to our Veterans today.

I see nothing wrong with Win 8/8.1. I did the upgrade. No problems. Not much difference that I can tell. I'm just not sure about all the people that hate it/can't live with. With just one mouse click, you've got a Win 7 look alike. I am continually going back and forth between the two views since I find things I like in both and this gives more options. I am always for more options.

bersharbp Loc: Texas

My wife bought 8.0 with a new machine she bought. We both said that we just have to be committed to it since it will be the wave of the future. I sure hope not!!!!

She has adapted to it since she has no choice. I still use 7 on my machine but on occasion use her machine with 8.0. I don't like it and will delay switching to it for as long as possible. Hopefully, M/S will have flushed it like they did Vista and other flops.

I haven't heard any great raves about 8.1.

JCam Loc: MD Eastern Shore

I had to get a new laptop in May, and I could only find one with Win8 which I I didn't want, and disliked it from the first time I turned on the computer. When 8.1 came out, it sounded like it had some improvements--like the old Start button so I downloaded it---BIG MISTAKE.

The first time the computer restarted, it wouldn't recognize my password. To make a long story short after a week of frustration and swearing at all things computer, I took it to a local IT shop, bought a version of Win7 Pro, had them install it and do all the upgrades. I'm happy now :) , have (mostly) stopped swearing at all things digital, and have had Carbonite download all my files--another long story, but it worked. However the Win "glitch" cost me about 2/3's the amount of the original purchase. :thumbdown:

RKraatz Loc: New Castle, DE

Most of the Lenovo computers give you a choice of operating systems. Just bought a 14"laptop from them (PC Mag editors choice) and I'm very pleased. Oh, win 7 by the way.

Lmarc Loc: Ojojona, Honduras

I still think XP was the best they ever came up with.... :thumbup:

jerrylh Loc: Texas

I have a new Dell that came with W 8.0. I've been doing a lot of reading about 8.1. I will get it as it has corrected a number of bugs in w8.0.
You must spend time doing all the updates for w8.0 before you do the download or you may have trouble. It is a very large set of files and if you have the minimum broadband connection it will take hours to download. People that downloaded the first days it was available got a bad download because Microsoft left out an important file. Before you download, go into Microsoft and read all the instructions, print them out. They seem to change frequently.
Here is one article about w8.0 and W8.1.
http://www.pcworld.com/article/2048508/windows-8-1-review-the-great-compromise.html

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

OlinBost wrote:

I just installed the Windows 8.1 update on my granddaughter's laptop. The key is to first run the windows update several times to be sure that all updates have been installed before you do the 8.1 update. I had no problems or issues. I also did a defrag just before the update.

Also make sure all of the manufacturer updates are installed, Toshiba has a bunch of their own to prep the machine, 8.1 is better than 8.0, worth the effort, should be done in 2 hrs in my experience,
Bob.