Getting Ready For Windows 8

That is good advice, it seems Microsoft gets every other OS correct, example, Vista, then MS7, now you have MS 8 which is a total different OS than in previous versions.

Downloaded 3 times before got past corrupt download problem. Since it was an UPGRADE it did not give me a chance to install it in a new partition so I could multiboot.

It is a strange to get used to. Even explorer has 2 completely looking views. To have 2 tabs open you have to switch to the desktop view of Iexplore. I don't see how to open 2 windows in the tablet view of Iexplorer.

Over all impression. It seems to be very fast but the new interface is, as advertized, oriented to an on the go tablet. It actually does this pretty well and you still have the ability to do a little work while your on the go. To keep your functionality for some serious computing you will need to download a START button app and stay away from the tablet functions. I haven't done this yet.

Setup found all my Garmin programs except Mapsource but I just has to find the exe in Explorer, right click it and add to the others. All the maps were fine.

There are still a lot of things to discover but I have time since I use my laptop most of the time.

Yep. Microsoft's plan is to leverage the overwhelming advantage they currently have in the desktop area, to allow a more consistent user experience across computers of different configurations, while providing better file interchangeability than when going from Android or iOS to/from Windows. But Microsoft should not have been so quick to forsake and forget their bread-and-butter desktop users, to whom it will very quickly be very (painfully) apparent that a touch-screen interface (which is inherently "coarse" due to the size of the pointing device) is inferior to a traditional mouse-driven interface (which is inherently "fine" due to the size of the pointing device) for most tasks done with a computer while sitting at a desk. I expect the revolt (and low adoption rate) among businesses will force Microsoft to restore the classic interface to greater prominence in Windows 9, while preserving the touch-screen interface for tablet users. In the meantime, those who can will keep using Win7 (which also benefits from Classic Shell).

Upgraded to Win 8 Pro on Sat - It downloaded OK and went pretty smooth all considering for an OS update. I have to admit that I like this OS. I will end up with a Win 8 phone at the end of the year for work. I also like the inline spell correction in the text box I am typing in with the Metro version of the browser. In all I am happy with Win 8 Pro thus far.

Update: So far all my programs work fine and I am liking it so far.

Windows 8 Pro (Upgrade version) can be installed as a dual-boot system with Windows 7. Just create a formatted NTFS partition, choose the 'Custom' option during the Windows 8 installation process, and select that partition for the 'drive' on which to install Win8.

Acronis True Image Home 2010 Bootable Rescue DVDs work with Windows 8. With a dual-boot system, the Windows 8 partition can also be selected to be backed up when running Acronis from the Windows 7 operating system. I haven't tried installing Acronis True Image Home 2010 on the Windows 8 operating system; and I probably won't as I have the above two methods to do the Acronis backup.

Do I like Windows 8? Don't know for sure yet; but as of now, if I didn't get it for $39.99 or couldn't install as dual-boot system, I probably would have passed on it.

RT

We just bought a PC because the old Dell died. It came with Windows 7 but they allow a free upgrade since its a new machine. I don't think I will be taking them up on that offer. I like 7 just fine. I appreciate the posts regarding this. I really have not been keeping up with Windows so much of this is news to me.

From everything I've read so far ... we have seen this movie before. OS hostility towards: active end users, legacy software collections, any performance increments achieved by Intel.

Knowledgeable end users have figured the pattern: it takes MSFT 3 versions to get it right (ie. DOS 3.3; Win95; WinXP; Win7). There is also an approximate analogue w/Intel CPU - associated motherboard infrastructure.

We're lucky. We're running two Core 17 desktops, 2 Core5/Win7 HP laptops (in reserve). This Cyberpower badboy is a Core7/XP combination. Figure Win(7+3)=10 & whatever Intel/Asus is selling then will be about right our next generation computing needs.

Now about the Garmin product lines?

That was my plan but the install never gave me a chance to select Custom Install. I believe I made a mistake earlier in the setup process by selecting Keep Settings and Apps which forced it to install overtop Win 7. That is why you shouldn't do your install while watching Sunday football!

Anyway, downloaded and installed the Stardock Start Menu app and now I have a full start button or the Win 8 start options both available. I can keep on working while learning a little of the Win 8 apps now and then. I can't go back and compare to Win 7 now but Win 8 sure seems faster than Win 7.

No windows 8 for me. Seems like they are rushing this one out just like windows me.

I went to futureshop to try the Windows 8 notebooks. Other than the addition of app like section, not much improvement over Windows 7. Just keep your Windows 7 computer and buy a tablet would be a more smart move. Looks like Microsoft could be the next giant down if they don't do something fast.

we gotta evolve or die

I'm going to wait. Being a tech for several PCs, I don't intend on upgrading until each new OS is stabilized for a bit.

I tested the OS out for several months in anticipation of new tablet running Windows 8. I have installed it on a another hard disk together with MINT OS and created a dual boot or rather trio boot with Windows 7 on another hard disk.

I think Windows 8 is much more difficult to learn and use. I have had disk mapping issues, compatibility issues with phone sync software etc.

I also have the tendency to press the buttons on the screen of my PC which is not a touch screen. Strange but I guess you can consider that as a success on Microsoft standpoint as that's what Windows 8 is all about.

To be fair, I was also positively surprised that compatiblity with most open source apps, like open office etc. was not an issue given that Windows 8 runs on a completely different kernel.

After testing for several months, Windows 8 have been deleted and now I am running Windows 7 and MINT on PCs and Androids on Tablets and mobile phones. There is simply not enough support and apps for now.

Somehow I got the feeling Windows 8 is doomed.

http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/windows-8-sales-well-below...

I have two laptops, one netbook and two desktops running XP Professional, and one laptop running Windows 7. I won't be upgrading anything until I buy my next computer.

HP online is still selling some PCs with Windows 7. I just ordered a HP Pavilion HPE h8-1360t Desktop at a good price. Some discounts still good until 11/18.

lol no start button

There were not a lot of complaints about XP's interface, because XP allowed users to continue using what was called the "Windows Classic" interface, which had been the only interface in its direct predecessor, Windows 2000 (aka Windows NT 5.0). Windows XP is Windows NT 5.1.

The only people who might might not have been familiar with the NT interface were those accustomed to the older versions that ran on top of MS-DOS (and even that was far more similar to NT than Win8 is to Win7), but most business users had been using the Windows NT since version 4+. Some minor changes to XP (compared to 2000) actually made it easier to use, and easier to set up for typical business users, right from the very outset.

In comparison, Vista removed this "Windows Classic" interface altogether. And that was just the first big slap in the face that Vista brought with it; the horrid driver support was the next, and the one that most people remember most vividly.

But there is a parallel here to the situation with Win8 vs. Win7. As is already starting to become more widely apparent, "easier/better for typical business users" will not be the case with Windows 8. That's the other main reason why Sinofsky is gone (the first is his abrasive personality).

Good advice, I stay with Windows7 for now and wait for the first service pack before I would ever even consider upgrading to Win8

Change is good!

To quote another source.

"Based on a number of reports, a quick search of the Microsoft forums, and testing, it's clear that Win8's new gimmick, called Fast Startup (hibernate on shutdown), is causing disk corruption. This occurs when partitions visible to Win8 are modified after shutdown (doesn't affect reboot). It appears that Windows does not clear its cache and remount file systems after resuming from hibernation. This "feature" is enabled in Win8 by default. We highly recommend you disable this new feature to prevent corruption to your partitions."

I've been using Windows 8 Pro since it came out - you really don't need it.

I have had no issues and I am an advanced user. All the detailed functionality is available as in 7 and XP - you just get to it differently.

I am happy to be an early adopter - people just need to give it a chance and quit panicking - especially those doing the complaining without even having used it.