Windows 8 Flack

[thereact]

Hello, I am new to the forums and well, I have input.

 

I have had windows 8 on my computer for 7 months, I have encountered countless problems including:

Disgusting Themes

When you patch files to install new themes, upon reboot, Windows hates it.

Slow operation

Horrid loading time on the Task Manager (Like seriously wtf)

 

Also, the only UI app I have used is Netflix. I have 8.1 preview and well....

New PC in month or two will have Windows 7.

 

You can't talk about Win8 without hating, ITS A FACT.

[kajan]

Only thing I don't like about 8.1 is the need for a lockscreen even on a desktop system. Seems like an extra click for no reason just to enter my password

[matto97]

I love windows 8 aslong as i have the 5mb download for the start menu its just like a better looking win 7

[Mattheus]

I love Windows 8, I love the start menu. Search function needs improvement and I want a bigger array of tile sizes which are coming in 8.1 anyway. If I want anything, it's in my start menu which is just a windows key away and then click, it's brilliant.

[P1X3]

I have tried Windows 8 on multiple occasions. 

I had few minor issues which at the end of day seemed like a major flaw. Things looked not finished.

 

Now onto Windows 8.1. I have been using this for about a week now and I like it much more than Windows 8.

Start menu is back and it provides that comforting feeling. Metro UI or start menu is now much better. More customization and such.

Charms in 8.1 seem to work better, somehow.

 

I am liking Windows 8.1 so far, but shame on Windows 8!

[SpenceSouth]

WIndows 8 definitely has some great features, many of which I have grown to love, but the biggest take back for me is that the Modern UI really doesn't play well with a mouse.  The actions are fluid on a touchscreen, but when using a mouse they just seem excessive and time consuming.  Also, I think that Microsoft took a step in the wrong direction with the hidden options (swiping up from the bottom, top, and side).  It's really unintuitive for users, especially those who are not very computer savvy.

Ultimately, I like a lot of the steps that Microsoft has taken and it'll just be some time before people learn to like it. 

[JefferyD90]

My main 3 -

 

Slower experience through more clicks in some situations

Losing monitoring ability of windows while utilizing new start menu features

Permissions issues

 

I see no major benefit to changing - I am very comfortable in windows 7 and see no reason to fight with windows 8

I agree with the permissions issues.  Although I think this does go back onto the apps not be developed right.  Microsoft origonally said that permissions should not be a issue simply because they want you to use apps to manage things.  You can create a default setup with only specific apps to help manage permissions of different things.  They used schools as a example.  They could create a teacher profile that has access to IE, the student attendance, and the grading software.  And all of those apps can talk to eachother and the kernal via the Windows 8 interface.  Although that has not cought on, and I assume this is mostly to people not understanding how to program. 

 

But I can agree with it.  Good post, thanks for the points.

[JefferyD90]

The one thing that has personally bugged me about Windows 8 is how little the colors contrast on the scroll bar. Who's idea was it to make it light grey/white? On a larger screen it's hard to tell where the scroll bar is without specifically looking for the handle on the bar.

 

Seriously, what is this shit: 

I have some decient monitors and never noticed this as the contrast and colors are awesome.  But I do see what your talking about.  Maybe if we made them a tad bit bigger?  I think that would also help out with the "tablet/touch" expierence too.  This is a wonderful point!

[JefferyD90]

I would use windows 8 if i could get a good start menu and have an option to totally disable this so called "modern ui"

I can get the start menu but im unsure off the ui any help/ideas

Give us some reasons why you dont like the new start screen?

[JefferyD90]

windows 8 just feels wrong. and fyi I bought one. tried it. really gave it a chance but after a few weeks I just can't stand it and went back to windows 7

What exactly didnt you like?  Give us some specific examples?!?!

[JefferyD90]

WIndows 8 definitely has some great features, many of which I have grown to love, but the biggest take back for me is that the Modern UI really doesn't play well with a mouse.  The actions are fluid on a touchscreen, but when using a mouse they just seem excessive and time consuming.  Also, I think that Microsoft took a step in the wrong direction with the hidden options (swiping up from the bottom, top, and side).  It's really unintuitive for users, especially those who are not very computer savvy.

Ultimately, I like a lot of the steps that Microsoft has taken and it'll just be some time before people learn to like it. 

Let me ask you what exactly makes the Windows 8 Start Screen not play well with a mouse?  The icon are roughly only 10% larger than a icon was, and they work just like icons did.  So what really makes it not work with a mouse?

 

Great point on the hidden options (first time someone has mentioned this).  Do you think this maybe could be resolved by a small 5 minute video/app, or something show what is there and how to use it?

 

One of the best post yet!!!

[JefferyD90]

I disagree. I face with less click using Modern UI. Shorter distance to travel, and while I do sometimes have longer travels, I would spend less time search for what I am looking for.

No one monitors something so critical when you navigate the Start Menu. I would argue that even if you operate a Nuclear Power Plant, you have can 'not look' at the measurements of what you are monitoring.

GREAT POST!!!

 

I agree too, if you noticed I said the same thing in my OP.  Microsoft said that most people have half their screen taken up by the Windows 7 Start Menu anyways, so yea that is a great point to say that nothing cant go without a few seconds of attention!

[JaeDee884]

My only issue with it is how responsive charms is. Charms menu is laggy and unresponsive with a mouse.

Other than that the only issue is the stubbornness of consumers who're unwilling to adjust.

[JefferyD90]

I do not appreciate being ripped away from my work when I wish to switch programs. I also prefer a list of programs to a grid of random icons as it makes it much faster and easier to quickly ascertain what is what.

 

Even Samsung understood the necessity for the app-switching interface to not get in the way so as to make multitasking a smooth experience on their Galaxy Note devices. If I am working in S-Note and need the calculator all I need to do is press a button at the bottom of my screen which provides me with a small and unobtrusive interface to quickly switch between or open up another application. On Windows 8 I'm suddenly and violently thrown into a completely different world when I wish to switch apps.

 

It would be improved if they would at least provide us with a small pop-up Start Menu with the Modern UI style which suggests possibly relevant programs for what we are doing, or even displays our top 10 or so most frequently used programs. It would be more efficient, less interruptive and just.. better.

This was a great post with specific examples, but I am going to play a little devils advoicate.

 

Notice in my post where we talked about this.  All of your issues were touched on.  The "random gird" is only random if you let it be, and if you didnt customize your start menu in Windows 7 it would be just as random.  You can (as you see in my OP's pictures) move your tiles around where you want them and assign them to groups.  Like you can see where my Office programs are in the second group, I always know that they are right there.  But if I was using the WIndows 7 Start Menu I would have to instantly click on Start>All Programs>Microsoft Office/%program% of which when you click on All Programs it is just a sea of the same "folder" icons in a small and lossless menu.

 

Now the suggestion of the "quick list" is a fair suggestion.  This has been implimented in Windows Vista and 7 on the taskbar, where you simply right click on the icon and see those options.  But this is defentally something I think we can build upon!

 

Great post with wonderful examples!

[JefferyD90]

I would use windows 8 if i could get a good start menu and have an option to totally disable this so called "modern ui"

I can get the start menu but im unsure off the ui any help/ideas

Why exactly?  Give us some reason to not like it?  The Start Screen in Windows 8 has a lot of the same (if not virtually all the same) features of Windows 7's Start Menu.

[JefferyD90]

My only issue with it is how responsive charms is. Charms menu is laggy and unresponsive with a mouse.

Other than that the only issue is the stubbornness of consumers who're unwilling to adjust.

Do you mean that when you mouse down (or up) in the right hand side it takes too long for the ribbion to open up?  Or do you mean that its touchy where if you slide too far to the left again it goes away?

 

I can agree with the second point, to a point.  I have learned to just go straight up the side of the monitor instead of comming back into the middle of the screen.

[JefferyD90]

I'm going to tell you guys my personal experience with Windows 8.

 

I got Windows 8 Enterprise December of last year. When I first installed everything, it worked fine for the most part. The problems I had with Windows 8 was game compatibility, the games were Crysis 2 and GTA IV/Episodes. After some updates and looking into the problem I have managed to fix Crysis 2. GTA IV/Episodes still have problems even to this day with my system. What happens is that I would play sometimes and it would randomly crash. Other times this would not happen so I really have no clue whats going on with that game. Besides those little hiccups with game support. Windows 8 has been a great experience for me. Programs work well with Windows 8 and Windows 8 has improved my performance with most of my games. The interface is just fine, the Modern UI hasn't bothered me. I still like Windows 8 and can recommend it. 

 

Thanks for reading my opinion on Windows 8 if you guys want to ask me about something please feel free to do so.

I wonder if your drivers are Windows 8 compatiable?  Or did you go to your manufacture's website and download them at all?  If you let Windows just find the generic drivers then this could very quickly be the solution to all of your issues.  Blue Screens or program crashes are always compatiablity or hardware related.  And I know for a fact both Crysis 2 and GTA IV are Windows 8 compatiable.

 

This is a good point that I wanted to bring up for people but once again my OP was a tad bit long to begin with.  When it comes to hardware go on your manufactures website (lets use a motherboard as a example by ASUS), lets use the Sabertooth 990FX as a example.  You will notice that their are 2 revisions of the board.  One is just called the 990FX the other is 990FXR2.0.  If you look at the difference between the two, one has the Windows 8 logo, and the other one has a Windows 7 logo.  I would dare say that the difference, physically, between the two is very minium and the major differences is where they made the software and drivers more compatiable with Windows 8.  The bottom line here is most people that expierence stability issues are probably using hardware that was approved for Windows 7 only, or havent got all of the latest drivers.

[JefferyD90]

I have tried Windows 8 on multiple occasions. 

I had few minor issues which at the end of day seemed like a major flaw. Things looked not finished.

 

Now onto Windows 8.1. I have been using this for about a week now and I like it much more than Windows 8.

Start menu is back and it provides that comforting feeling. Metro UI or start menu is now much better. More customization and such.

Charms in 8.1 seem to work better, somehow.

 

I am liking Windows 8.1 so far, but shame on Windows 8!

Okay, this is once again a post with some thought behind it (great job everyone)

 

But I do want to know what you mean by the start menu being back?  Windows 8.1 did not introduce a Start Menu.  And the only thing that has changed with the Start Screen is the additional tile sizes and (I think) naming your groups is a little more forthcomming.

 

As far as the charms go, the only major change is more support for the devices charms (so that 20 year old printer now finally shows up) and a completly redone search charm (which Im not decided if I like better or not it defentally is different).

 

Please elaborate a little more if you would!!!

[Lamb]

I would use windows 8 if i could get a good start menu and have an option to totally disable this so called "modern ui"

I can get the start menu but im unsure off the ui any help/ideas

 

http://www.startisback.com/

 

I use this, and it is awesome. If you want to try it out first, there is a 30 day trial. (Definitely worth the money imo)

[JefferyD90]

I really like all of the post guys!!!  This has turned out better than expected and I think I have some great ideas flowing from you guys to help it all out!!!

[JefferyD90]

http://www.startisback.com/

 

I use this, and it is awesome. If you want to try it out first, there is a 30 day trial. (Definitely worth the money imo)

Why dont you tell us why you feel the need to use a Start Menu?  The Start Screen has a lot of (if not all of) the same features that the Start Menu had.  Let us know?!?!

[Lamb]

Why dont you tell us why you feel the need to use a Start Menu?  The Start Screen has a lot of (if not all of) the same features that the Start Menu had.  Let us know?!?!

 

I don't like metro because I find it is harder to multitask. On my desktop, I can have as many windows as I want, all opened and on the screen a the same time. When you open up metro, it seems like I am limited to be doing one thing at a time. That is just my opinion though, I might be crazy.

[Giddyguy]

I like Windows 8 and support your argument. I think the start menu is more effective in accessing my programs than windows 7. And for those that do not like the search functionality in windows 8, 8.1 is changing it. I also believe that people are stubborn and unwilling to change. Currently the reason Microsoft is doing poorly in Windows 8 (and also RT and Phone 8) is support. Not many people are updating their programs to fully utilize the new features as u suggested.

 

As for Slick's complaints; I'm not a very big 'power user' (nor are most people) and so i don't have an issue with permissions (or know what is wrong with them).

 

For the other two complaints I also agree. My only issue with windows 8 is how the start menu (while good) feels separate from the desktop. Whenever i switch to it I feel as if i am going into some app that controls all my things because the two are so different. I think MIcrosoft needs to bridge the gap between the start menu and desktop. One suggestion would be to make the menu have a transparent background (BRING BACK AERO!) or as i believe it will be in 8.1, have the same background. Another thing would be to make the gestures different for the mouse, for example not having to drag down an app to close it - why not have the 3 boxes like on desktop? On the flip side, also make the desktop more touch friendly so it can be used with touch enabled devices. Whenever i am in the start menu or an app, i feel compelled to use touch gestures and when i am in the desktop i feel compelled to use the mouse+keyboard. Fix this and windows 8 will be great.

[GoodBytes]

windows 8 just feels wrong. and fyi I bought one. tried it. really gave it a chance but after a few weeks I just can't stand it and went back to windows 7

 

Did you read what Microsoft recommends:

http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2011/10/11/reflecting-on-your-comments-on-the-start-screen.aspx

 

As an example of it being applied, here is my start screen:

Why my apps are on the far right... because the ones I use the most are pinned on the Task Bar, much like my setup in Win7.

 

 

The one thing that has personally bugged me about Windows 8 is how little the colors contrast on the scroll bar. Who's idea was it to make it light grey/white? On a larger screen it's hard to tell where the scroll bar is without specifically looking for the handle on the bar.

 

Seriously, what is this shit: 

- snip snip-

 

I am sorry, but I PERFECTLY see the scroll bars. I think you should invest in a better monitor, my good man. Have you looked into IPS panels?

I have a monitor guide here: http://forums.bit-tech.net/showthread.php?t=218867

 

 

Hello, I am new to the forums and well, I have input.

 

I have had windows 8 on my computer for 7 months, I have encountered countless problems including:

Disgusting Themes

When you patch files to install new themes, upon reboot, Windows hates it.

Slow operation

Horrid loading time on the Task Manager (Like seriously wtf)

 

Also, the only UI app I have used is Netflix. I have 8.1 preview and well....

New PC in month or two will have Windows 7.

 

You can't talk about Win8 without hating, ITS A FACT.

 

It's funny, because this was Windows 8 in development:

 

As you can see, transparency was there. But people complained about how it was not fitting the desktop. And the internet blasted Microsoft with many concept on what to adopt.

While Microsoft was impressed with many designed, the best they could do, is what we have now, because it would break software compatibility (also, it was a bit of a last minute change for Microsoft. I am sure it COULD be done, but it was only a few month before RTM deadline. So they could not take the chance, let alone time)

 

So if you don't like it, next time, participate ion the beta, and provide constructive feedback, like people that didn't like it.

As for the problem you are facing, I am puzzled by it. You are replacing system files, with hacked up files, and complain why it causes issues... well obviously!

 

Only thing I don't like about 8.1 is the need for a lockscreen even on a desktop system. Seems like an extra click for no reason just to enter my password

 1- Open Group Policy (Start > type: gpedit.msc > Enter)

 2- Go to: Configuration > Administrative Templates > Control Panel > Personalization

 3- Set Do not display the lock screen, to Enabled. You may require to restart your computer, if you don't see the changes now.

 

If you don't have Windows 8 Pro, you don't have group policy, you need to figure out the registry hack for it. I don't know what it is from the top of my head, but I am sure you can Google it.

 

Enjoy!

 

 

WIndows 8 definitely has some great features, many of which I have grown to love, but the biggest take back for me is that the Modern UI really doesn't play well with a mouse.  The actions are fluid on a touchscreen, but when using a mouse they just seem excessive and time consuming.  Also, I think that Microsoft took a step in the wrong direction with the hidden options (swiping up from the bottom, top, and side).  It's really unintuitive for users, especially those who are not very computer savvy.

Ultimately, I like a lot of the steps that Microsoft has taken and it'll just be some time before people learn to like it. 

How do you know that non tech savvy people have problem. I already build 3 PCs to non-teck savy people, and before I even showed them Windows 8 at first boot up, they figured out. I asked, and they were like: "Oh yea, you right, the button isn't there. I just did it instinctively." Or something along those line. The 2 people I build are in the 50's, and third one was 67 years old.

Don't underestimate non tech savvy people, they aren't idiots.

[JefferyD90]

I don't like metro because I find it is harder to multitask. On my desktop, I can have as many windows as I want, all opened and on the screen a the same time. When you open up metro, it seems like I am limited to be doing one thing at a time. That is just my opinion though, I might be crazy.

This is a wonderful example, and thanks for pointing it out.  First off I want to ask (dont take this as a insult, a lot of people just dont know) did you know that you can have 2 Windows 8 Apps open at the same time?  Check the attacked photo.  And then you can also use the quick access (point your curser to top left hand corner) to pull up another application that you got running in the background!  And as far as doing 3 things at once (even tho I dont know how you plan on paying attention to 3 things at once) Windows 8.1 fixes that.

 

But it is a totally valid example.  Once again do you think showing a tutorial video or app or something might help with this adjustment?