Cheap windows 8 upgrade

[SKOONJar]

I am currently running Windows 7 pro and I want to upgrade to windows 8 where is the cheapest place to get the upgrade from?

[WhatARoaster]

Are you a student?

[Mattie432]

Dont do it! I did it and lasted <24 hours before reinstalling win7...
You have been warned xD

[Bleedman0xx]

I am currently running Windows 7 pro and I want to upgrade to windows 8 where is the cheapest place to get the upgrade from?

The only reason someone should upgrade to Windows 8 is if you have a touchscreen enabled monitor. Otherwise, it's more trouble than it's worth, IMO.

[SKOONJar]

nevermind then

[GoodBytes]

The only reason someone should upgrade to Windows 8 is if you have a touchscreen enabled monitor. Otherwise, it's more trouble than it's worth, IMO.

Wait what? NO!

 

Dont do it! I did it and lasted <24 hours before reinstalling win7...

You have been warned xD

So you look at a screen shot and decided to remove it. Nice.

 

Windows 8 is a very nice and solid OS. People that actually use it, loves it and never wants to go back.

The Start Screen, once you know how to use it, is quiet powerful, and Microsoft has a bunch of resources for you to get started as it is true that the learning curve is quiet steeper than previous version of Windows. Already  background color change freaks people out.. now the Stat Menu has change a bit, and it's chaos for them.

 

To get Windows 8 for cheap, they are a variety of ways. It's a shame you miss the 40$ special. But, you have other options:

 

-> If you are a student in a school where they are registered through MSDNAA, you have Windows 8 Pro ready to be downloaded for free. Contact your school IT department to know if they are registered, your account info, and where to go.

 

-> Microsoft has Windows 8 Pro student pricing on their online Microsoft Store, but it's the Upgrade edition, so you need a genuine Windows 7, Vista or XP to start with.

U.S: http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/pdp/productID.264954100?WT.mc_id=WOL_Win8ProStudent

Canada: http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msca/en_CA/list/ThemeID.27659600/categoryID.57607500

They are more regions, Just go on the Microsoft store web site of your region, and click on Student.

 

-> You can get Windows 8 and the Pro OEM license for cheap as well. Unlike previous version of Windows. Windows 8 OEM can be used by you. All you have to do is, once installed, just agree at this license agreement, and you are good to go for personal usage. This means you can transfer your license (phone activation will still be required, but you can do it).

http://www.microsoft.com/oem/en/licensing/sblicensing/Pages/personal-use-license.aspx#fbid=PMVchXR4bIJ'

 

Hope this helps.

[Mattie432]

So you look at a screen shot and decided to remove it. Nice.

 

No, i gave it a try. It is not well optimized for a desktop pc, the security features would not shut off fully, its very annoying to have sidebars on all windows (multi monitor setup), metro is clunky, skype + twitter apps are very bad.

[Bleedman0xx]

Wait what? NO!

Yes.

[GoodBytes]

Yes.

Windows 7 doesn't have:

 -> Fast Boot

 -> File History with external/internal but separate storage/network drive, which can do hourly backup (or what time delay you want).

 -> Updated Task Manager, which give you more information

 -> Greatly improved multi-monitor support

 -> Free music streaming of 30 million songs and goring each week via XBox Music app

 -> No new and improve file collision system.

 -> No super fast disk check system

 -> Improve file transfer/copy system

 -> Ability to pause a transfer

 -> Auto switch from wireless to wired as one is connected (aimed for laptops), and from a metered/paid network to a free one, as soon as one is detected.

 -> No Storage Space feature

 -> Each account can have it's own system language

 -> Improved power efficiency.

 -> Full UEFI support

 -> Ability to load ISO files without additional software

 -> Large capacity disk support

 -> and of course Fast Boot, and the Start Screen.

[ClutchHunter]

Windows 8 is a good improvement over Windows 7, but many people like myself hate the default implementation of the new start screen. In-case that becomes a problem for you, look into Start8 (my favourite), Start is Back or any of the other alternatives. 

[Mattie432]

 -> Greatly improved multi-monitor support

Highly disagree, i saw no improvements at all over windows 7 and many features hindered.

[GoodBytes]

Highly disagree, i saw no improvements at all over windows 7 and many features hindered.

As new features, you have the task bar that spread on your multiple screens, and you can have the running applications on the task bar be duplicated on each screen, or only show the items of the current screen of where the task bar is.

Like so:

 

Hot corners lock your mouse to avoid jumping on the other screen.

 

Each monitor can have it's background picture, and can follow multi-monitor themes.

 

Windows 7 has none of that.

[Mattie432]

As new features, you have the task bar that spread on your multiple screens, and you can have the running applications on the task bar be duplicated on each screen, or only show the items of the current screen of where the task bar is.

Like so:

 

Hot corners lock your mouse to avoid jumping on the other screen.

 

Each monitor can have it's background picture, and can follow multi-monitor themes.

 

Windows 7 has none of that.

 

By default true,

i have one taskbar on the middle screen (i would not use multiple taskbars)

The "hot corners" i found very irritating when dragging programs around screens. I would have to drag it in an arc to stop my mouse being halted.

 

However, there are so many applications that can do all of these things with win7 without the other irritating things of windows 8. DisplayFusion is what i have been using for years and it does all of these things you have described.

[GoodBytes]

I don't find it irritating. Who move a window at the top most from one screen to another?

[Mattie432]

I don't find it irritating. Who move a window at the top most from one screen to another?

Me, i often drag windows around and use to 'snap' feature to maximise it to that monitor.

[Bleedman0xx]

Windows 7 doesn't have:

 -> Fast Boot

     -> Modern Motherboards can do the same thing for Windows 7

 

 -> Greatly improved multi-monitor support

     -> Each monitor can have it's own background image, yayyy! 

 

 -> Free music streaming of 30 million songs and goring each week via XBox Music app

     -> Don't include crap like this... This is just customer pandering.

 

 -> Improve file transfer/copy system

     -> Improve it how? The time to completion is improved? Lol

 

 -> Ability to pause a transfer

     -> Meh.

 

 -> Improved power efficiency.

     -> Hardly.

 

 -> Full UEFI support

     -> Lol

 

 -> Ability to load ISO files without additional software

     -> I doubt if Windows 8 gives you anything near the same amount of options as that "additional software."

 

 -> and of course Fast Boot, and the Start Screen.

     -> Liking the Start Screen is subjective.

 

Everything else you stated (mediocre list really...) is to be expected when they slap on a new version number on a Windows update. The personal experience should really be the only thing that stipulates your satisfaction to a new update and/or platform. Windows 8 was made for touchscreen enabled devices, that is clear as day.

[godlikegohan]

i think some people will love windows 8. .if you never used a real os. ( new users will LOVE it  )especially if they have a touch screen monitor

 

..all windows 8 seems to be, to me  .. is a big cell phone  os. (if you love cell phone .you will love windows 8 )

older users will have a hard time. switching to the ( cell phone os )

 

but for ME  , i don't like playing games on my cell phone.  windows 7 is better. for me.. for now.

maybe Microsoft .. will upgrade windows 8 to a(  full PC DESKTOP OS.). and cut out all the cell phone

junk

 

if you love windows 8.. great. i am glad to here it ! .. . there is no shame in loving the cell phone os

millions  and millions  of people love cell phones.

There is no PRO OR CONS  for the os. . ( windows 8 is aimed at cell phone users. )

Microsoft is just trying to cash in. and pull all those cell phone users over to buy a desktop. and sell more operating systems

windows 8 is aimed at people who love the  cell phone os.. and windows 7 is for people who want the normal os.

 

Just My Opinion

[GoodBytes]

You have a desktop in Windows 8, you know that, right?

All it is, is that the Start Menu is full screen. That is all. That's the big change

 

I guess you are the crowed going XP for ever, Win7 new task bar is identical to MacOS. if you wanted to use MacOS you would, claims.

[Mattie432]

Did you buy win8 and regret it?

[GoodBytes]

I have for free from MSDNAA. There is also a bunch of WIn7 licenses for free. So I have no problem from going back.

I like Win8 very much. I prefer it over Win7. And no I don't have a touch screen, nor tablet input device.

 

I have it installed on my laptop and desktop. My friends also like it, without exceptions.

 

Took me about 2 weeks to get used to it, and pass the learning curve, in a month I became super comfortable with it.

 

Here is an old picture of my Start Screen (it's the same, just have more games installed, and Visual Studio 2012 instead of 2010)

 

It follow Microsoft guide lines.

Everything is sorted from the most used at the bottom left corner of the screen, and the least used at the far top right.

 

So I can quickly access my folders, which is what I was using the Start Menu for. But unlike the Start Menu, I am not stuck with the pre-defined folders, I can pin any folder I want.

For my most used applications they are pin on my task-bar, and usually use search, hence why my Apps section is on the far right..

 

 

Here is my MSDNAA section, if you don't believe me:

[Mattie432]

Okay, each to their own.