Windows 8.1 Start Review

[RichardsD]

 

This seems kind of weird to post a review of something that is both old, and not a physical object.  My previous review was a server, a tangible, real server.  

 

But I felt so strongly about the Windows 8/8.1 Start system that I needed to make a review.  Although I suppose at this point it is going to be a lot of reiterated points, as this new start was not well liked.  

 

So, why now, you ask?  Well, I began this review as I had not previously used the Windows 8 Start system.  My custom made PC still runs Win 7 Pro, and may continue to do so for many years.  However, my Lenovo laptop came with Windows 8.  I ignored it completely, and instead immediately installed Start is back.  When I got the free upgrade to Windows 8.1, I decided I would revisit the Start system that was supposedly improved.

 

For all of the tl;dr's out there, here is a one line summary of the review to follow.  I hate the Windows 8 Start System.  Furthermore, I hate the Win 8 apps.  

 

So, now that you know my position, allow me to explain as to why.   Firstly, I was actually not too displeased with the start menu.  I made all of the tiles very small, so that I basically had a full screen, start menu for way more applications.  If that was the case, I would have loved it.  However, this is not what the Win 8 Start is.  

 

So, complaint #1.  I had a very difficult time finding all of my applications.  I use my start menu with all of the applications pinned that I require.  Then, if I need an obscure application like Computer Management, I simply click All Programs, or use the easy to use search.  In Windows 8, the search is so broken that I simply cannot find those applications.  It really is a dual eco system, where Windows 8 Modern UI searches for just unrelated applications and cannot find the applications I want.  

 

Now, onto #2.  Using the Modern UI Start really takes me out of the usage experience, and after using a traditional solution for so long, was absolutely jarring. I have no problem if my start menu took my whole screen.  But the fact that there is no transparency, for me is a really big deal.  It just feels so separate to the desktop environment.

 

And finally, #3.  The bloody modern apps.  I won't rant on these too long.  They're useless, pure and simple.  Absolute form over function, they're the new Macbook of software.  No buttons!  Yes, the fonts are very pretty, the designs are very minimalist and nice.  But for any actual usage they're completely crap.

 

So, how long did I try the UI?  I used it for 2 whole days, before I simply could not tolerate it.  Not having the more effective search as in the Windows 7 Start menu is just terrible, the Windows 8 search on Start just finds irrelevant material, or in most cases, doesn't find anything at all.  I find the experience simply too jarring and I could not continue to use it.  But, regardless I am glad I at least experienced it.

 

That's all, leave some comments if you agree or disagree, I don't think anyone will have questions.

[JefferyD90]

#1 - please explain how search is "broken".  It finds quite LITTERALLY everything I have ever searched for.

 

#2 - You say there is no transparency, Windows 7's start menu didn't have that.

 

#3 - No examples given.  How do you mean no buttons?  What apps did you try?  Even the worst of apps have all the functionality that their desktop counterparts have.

 

I honestly believe you went in with a poor attitude and "OMG DOORS IN MINECRAFT!!!"  kind of view point.  Search is better, finding your programs is easier (nice, large, bold tiles vs. a sea of text), and the Windows 8 apps are quite literally do exactly what they are programed to do.

[Ertman]

Preface: I have been using Windows for a couple if years now.

1. I find the Windows 8 search effective. You shouldn't need to use it, but you do.

2. I agree except the "transparency" part.. Since many of my programs are desktop based the jumping back to the desktop to run the program or jumping back and forth between the two interfaces is a poor experience.

3. The apps are less than developed. It's not easy to use some of them as they are designed for touch screen, lack features, are unintuitive, and some are buggy.

While the interface and presentation of the start menu doesn't look that bad, it's usefulness is fundamentally flawed on a standard computer. I actually have used windows 8 on a tablet at length, and it' works and the experience feels much better there.

[TheMcSame]

Used Windows 8.1 for a good 15 months or so and well... 

 

#1 Can't find your apps? It's not hard, click an arrow and find the category it's under (alphabetical order by default)

Computer management? Sure it doesn't find it but it's just as easy to press Win+X as it is to press Win+S so...

 

#2 Can't argue that really, people like what they like. However, I can say that while I've been using Win 8.1, I've rarely used the start screen.

 

#3 No argument here, the apps are terrible.

 

2 Days isn't anywhere near enough to give a valid opinion on anything that you review.

[mxas6530]

when I started to use the start menu again in place of the start screen I instantly started hating the start menu. I wish I could just go back to Windows 7 on my laptop.

[ShadowCaptain]

I just use Start 8 anyway

 

when I started to use the start menu again in place of the start screen I instantly started hating the start menu. I wish I could just go back to Windows 7 on my laptop.

 

Use start8 or startisback

[mxas6530]

I just use Start 8 anyway

 

 

Use start8 or startisback

I'm using the trial right now...

[ShadowCaptain]

I'm using the trial right now...

 

I havn't seen modern UI since I installed it, not even once!

[mxas6530]

I havn't seen modern UI since I installed it, not even once!

I have. It's really weird on a desktop, not in a bad way, but strangely worse on a touch screen device. Somehow.

[ShadowCaptain]

I have. It's really weird on a desktop, not in a bad way, but strangely worse on a touch screen device. Somehow.

 

yeah modern ui is ok for tablets IMO

[mxas6530]

yeah modern ui is ok for tablets IMO

Somehow I hate it more on a tablet, less on a desktop

[Norman_the_Owl]

I've actually had a lot of issues with the search function too.

 

You're not the only one, brother

[RichardsD]

#1 - please explain how search is "broken".  It finds quite LITTERALLY everything I have ever searched for.

 

#2 - You say there is no transparency, Windows 7's start menu didn't have that.

 

#3 - No examples given.  How do you mean no buttons?  What apps did you try?  Even the worst of apps have all the functionality that their desktop counterparts have.

 

I honestly believe you went in with a poor attitude and "OMG DOORS IN MINECRAFT!!!"  kind of view point.  Search is better, finding your programs is easier (nice, large, bold tiles vs. a sea of text), and the Windows 8 apps are quite literally do exactly what they are programed to do.

 

Well, for example.  When I press Start, and use the Search to locate "settings", it usually brings up a separate, Modern UI settings window with only a few options instead of Control Panel.  This is far too confusing, and frankly un-necessary.  

 

True, there was no transparency, yet the Windows 7 start menu didn't take up my entire screen.  I could still see most of my desktop, and not be taken out of the experience.

 

And finally, no buttons, is indeed not very clear.  Mostly, there are very few actual tools in most of these programs.  One example is the essentially useless Photo app which has almost no features, and besides looking pretty really sacrifices usability.  

 

Jjust my opinions, however.

[JefferyD90]

Well, for example.  When I press Start, and use the Search to locate "settings", it usually brings up a separate, Modern UI settings window with only a few options instead of Control Panel.  This is far too confusing, and frankly un-necessary.  

 

True, there was no transparency, yet the Windows 7 start menu didn't take up my entire screen.  I could still see most of my desktop, and not be taken out of the experience.

 

And finally, no buttons, is indeed not very clear.  Mostly, there are very few actual tools in most of these programs.  One example is the essentially useless Photo app which has almost no features, and besides looking pretty really sacrifices usability.  

 

Jjust my opinions, however.

When you search "Settings" in Windows 7 what do you get? You're not going to get the control panel if that is what you're looking for. When you search "Settings" in Windows 8 you get searches for "Settings". I'm assuming you're referring to searching for "Settings" and then you click on "PC Settings". This is a accurate search result, as you typed "Settings" and it pulled up a very similar term.

Now as far as what I'm going to assume you meant by this, you're upset that "PC Settings" isn't comparable to "Control Panel". Well the problem is you shouldn't be comparing them, they are 2 totally different use cases. Control Panel is meant to do things like add printers, change firewall settings, edit update options, and so on. PC Settings is meant to get to 90% of the things you use quickly and easily so your mother can do it, like add a user, or check for updates, and even change the background.

As far as the Windows 7 Start Menu comment, I'm also going to assume that you just had your start menu open 24/7? Anytime I opened my start menu I knew exactly what I was looking for, made a few clicks and after searching through a sea of text I found it and opened it. With the Windows 8 Start Screen, I do the exact same thing. I know what I want, I go to the start screen and instead of a sea of text I get some color coded icons that are in a organized design that I choose, and I make my choice and open said program. There is no difference. Also, with Windows 8.1 Update 1, transparency is a option on the start menu. So the point is invalid.

The Photo App in Windows 8 has several options. Delete, Open With, Set As, Slide Show, Rotate, Crop, and Edit are all options. Editing lets you "Auto Fix" (whatever the hell that means), Basic Fix (whatever the hell that means), change lighting, change color, and add effects. This app does what 90% of people will want to do. View and lightly edit photos so they can post them on Facebook. Oh by the way, this is also a option through the app as well (to post to social media sites).

On another note with the Photo App, what did Windows 7 come with? And does it really do much more? Cause Photo Viewer is also included in Windows 8 so that really doesn't count.

[othertomperson]

 

So, complaint #1.  I had a very difficult time finding all of my applications.  I use my start menu with all of the applications pinned that I require.  Then, if I need an obscure application like Computer Management, I simply click All Programs, or use the easy to use search.  In Windows 8, the search is so broken that I simply cannot find those applications.  It really is a dual eco system, where Windows 8 Modern UI searches for just unrelated applications and cannot find the applications I want.  

 

Omg this so much. How on EARTH did they manage to break Windows Vista and 7's search function so badly!? Actually that's obvious: the search prioritises results from Bing over my own applications. If I have an esoteric piece of software installed, say SpeedFan or RealTemp, Windows 7 finds it immediately. Windows 8.1 gives me tonnes of results from Bing (which is surprisingly successful of Bing, at least), but finds nothing locally and leaves me to use Windows Explorer to locate and run the application regardless which completely defeats the point of having search functionality.

[Techteen14]

#1 Search is fine, it's found everything I've ever searched for. Do you have it set to search "everywhere"?

 

#2 I personally love the Modern UI, but things in Windows 10 like being able to run modern apps in windows will be great.

 

#3 I'd much rather use the Flipboard app than the Flipboard website. MSN Money is another example. IS there even a Skitch website? OneNote Touch is easier to use/less confusing than OneNote 2013. The Mail, Contacts and Calendar apps are gorgeous and intuitive. Student Planner is a life saver. The Photos app is really nice, as is the Weather app.

[shujin]

for the search function I totally agree with you tried cleaning my dad's pc but it killed me I cannot fin anything and it's loading it's fkin loading each time I do a search. Well maybe I'm not using it right but the way I want to use it is: I type something and it search this thing in EVERYTHING including the text in document

[Victorious Secret]

I'm gonna be honest, if you can't use Windows 8 and especially the Start Menu, you might want to hit up your doctor and have a intelligence test administered...

 

Windows 8 is fairly intuitive, the search is exceptionally powerful (though not quite at the level of OS X one, though Windows 10 gets close)

[The Cat Petter]

IDK why people think Window 8's search sucks. It's extremely time saving and fast! Just press Windows + Q to search for everything. You can narrow it down to search for settings or files by pressing Windows + W or Windows + F, respectively. I use the everything search all the time and get what I want quickly, provided the file is on the C:/ drive.