Papa Joe Loc: Midwest U.S.

Spitfire, I have '8' on both my computers, and very much appreciate it. You may be aware - it can be set-up so that it even looks like your old favorite, (XP). I downloaded the 8.1 upgrade and enjoy the 'start/programs' arrangement on the lower left just like my XP and Win. 7 appeared. I simply ignore the 'App's display and immediately hit the 'Win Key + D', which takes me to my familiar old world and Desktop.
Windows 8 is much more secure than any previous Windows OS, and unlike XP, you're at the beginning of the 'update' world with '8', and out in limbo with XP. Stick with it, it's worth the effort in my opinion. Keep us posted.

UP-2-IT Loc: RED STICK, LA

Be patient with it, a lot of the folks here have had great success with it, personally not myself. Ask of the other members help is at hand.

Picdude Loc: Ohio

Usually about twice a week someone starts a post about the horrors of Windows 8 and how Bill Gates and his boys ought to be tried and executed as terrorists for inflicting this Evil Scourge upon the masses.

I can still remember when Windows 98 was cursed and reviled until Windows 98 Second Edition came out, which later became the most praised system since DOS...

Until XP came out. But yes, it was also cursed and dragged through the mud until Service Pack 2 was released.

The simple fact is, the operating system HAS to evolve with the advance in technology. Touch screens and increasing memory sizes (both hard drive and RAM) are becoming more and more prevalent with each and every. single. passing. day. They aren't a passing fad, and they aren't going to go away.

And for those who are jumping to your feet to chant 'MAC, MAC, MAC' there are detractors, even on this site, of that OS also - Too proprietary, Not all software works on it, etc., etc.

My 19yo son just went out and bought a new touch-screen laptop with Windows 8 and loves it. My father, who is almost 80 and gets confused with the remote controls for his cable and VCR/DVD player made the switch from XP to Windows 8 and decided he really liked it after a couple weeks of use. I have been using Windows 8 for over a year now and frankly I find it a lot more functional and user friendly than other OS's that have been released in the past (ME and Vista come immediately to mind).

And oddly enough, I still have my first laptop with Windows 98 installed, as well as my 2nd laptop with Windows XP. Both of them still fire up and function as well as they ever did. I keep threatening to turn the 98 machine into the Juke Box that was mentioned on here previously. One of these days I'll get around to it.....if I can still remember how to drive Windows 98 that is.

viscountdriver Loc: East Kent UK

Well it's being sold without an OS and the blurb says it will not work below W8. I don't know enough to comment but there is no salesman, it's online. It's a fairly high tech machine.

4ellen4 Loc: GTA--Ontario

we got a laptop last summer with this o/s on it and after a month of trying out the windows 8 we installed windows 7 again

the person that thought it was a good idea ot put a tablet o/s on a computer needs a good swift kick that is for sure

singleviking Loc: Lake Sebu Eco Park, Philippines

I still think something sound fishy in that offering. I would like to know more about this machine and why it is limited in OS choices.

wilikioti Loc: Deep South, USA

The compatibility feature of Win 8/8.1 seems to be much better than it was with Win 7. I was able to load programs and older equipment drivers in Win 8 that Win 7 wouldn't load.

GPappy Loc: Finally decided to plop down, Clover, S.C.

I'm curious that nobody seems to ever complain when they purchase a new camera that has twice the control buttons a super duper menu with way more sub menu topics and adjustments that they will never use or even look at, requires new computer software or patches to even open a raw file, but every time Microsoft comes out with a 'different' OS they say it is junk, trash or too complicated for their feeble brains to comprehend?
I also disliked W8 when I got it on a new laptop. Once I started using it I came to the realization that it is actually way easier to use than any of the previous Windows versions. Just so you know I started with MS DOS, 5 1/4" floppie drives and NO hard drive on my first PC, and have had every version of Windows since that time.
How about we take away that automatic transmission, power windows and seats, night vision rear view mirror, electronic ignition and fuel injection from your vehicle and while we're at it remove the central air conditioning and heat and those useless wall switches to control the lights in your home and go back to opening the windows in the summer and chopping wood all summer as well as walking to the middle of the room to pull a string for the lights.
Just asking and curious.

Papa Joe Loc: Midwest U.S.

GPappy, you are so right, and have hit the nail directly on the head. From one 'old timer' to another, I too have been around since Lincoln's innaugeration, (well, almost!), and have seen many, many changes. Sometimes they are hard to accept because we get 'comfortable'. It's much the same with life itself, isn't it? Sometimes we can get too comfortable and just don't want to rock the boat, but when we finally do, we often find it's a pretty exciting world out there.

I think it's some people's 'hobby' to bad-mouth something, and in this case it just happens to be Windows 8. Most (not all, but most), who bash it are doing so because they heard someone else knocking it down and complaining about it, rather than their own personal experience. I have to admit, there are some changes in several 'fields' or activities that I'd rather not have had to adjust to, but I guess the old saying really proves true here, and that's:
"The only constant is change". I'm not anxious to revert to the horse & buggy days, even though it was more peaceful and probably much safer

:) Oh, did I mention I like Windows 8?

bertloomis Loc: Fort Worth, Texas

I really don't understand why so many people struggle with Windows 8.0 or 8.1. After a day or two, it is automatic!

bunuweld Loc: Arizona

A wise decision as long as you use XP for other than the Internet. As you probably know, Greed Gates is withholding support for XP, which will make it vulnerable to all kinds of Internet hacking and malware.

GPappy Loc: Finally decided to plop down, Clover, S.C.

Thanks Papa Joe.

mtcoothaman Loc: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

I share your pain as I recently bought a DELL with W8 Pro. I did upgrade to W8.1 which does help. My older machines have Vista and W7 which I still find much easier. Microsoft are saying that W8 is many times less vulnerable to viruses etc than XP ( just taken off support ) and Vista etc.

Having said that we had a system crash/attack which required me to do the total reinstall of W8, Office, drivers- the full catastrophe!! I now know a lot more about computers but DEll support and MS were helpful but it took me weeks to get it all sorted. Lost only a few files as I had some backup.

Yooper 2 Loc: Ironwood, MI

Buy a copy of Win 7 Professional. It will delete Win 8 and install itself. I did it and never regretted it.

countryman60951 Loc: Bourbonnais, Il

When I 1st saw Windows 8 I thought this would be great and purchased a new laptop using it. At the same time I thought I would purchase 8pro for my 7 desktop. Long story short I HATE 8!! I never installed 8 pro. Should never have purchased until I had used the new laptop for awhile. I fought with the new laptop for a few months and finally decided I need to take a long term cure for my on going computer issues with Win 8. I parted with it for a fraction of what I had paid for it and purchased a MAC PRO laptop. I have never been happier other than the initial cost. I have not had one problem with it since I got it. People used to complain how poor Windows Vista was but it would be perfect as compared to Windows 8. There has been a learning curve for the MAC but I won't be replacing it anytime soon. All I can say is I should have made the switch sooner.