Windows 8: Hands-on experiences

I strongly suspect that if those Adobe apps did not work under Vista then they probably won't work under Windows_8 either. My very old copy of Photoshop 5.0 Limited Edition (which came bundled with my Olympus digital camera) worked fine under XP but simply would not run under Vista. To be honest, I haven't tried to install it on Windows_8, I just switched to using GIMP instead.

Been using 8 since October. Only reason for moving to 8 from 7 was to help my grandson who received a laptop with W 8 installed for his birthday.

See no reason (unless you have a situation like mine) why one would do so. I found several add-ons for 8 that make it more like 7, much happier now. Still looking for something to like about 8. Maybe if I had a touch screen it might be better.

I bought a windows 7 laptop with the $15 upgrade to windows 8. The upgrade was the easiest operating system upgrade I've done but getting all the drivers and vendor supplied programs updated took much tinkering.

The system seems faster and more stable than any version of windows I have used in the past.

I would not recommend anyone upgrade from windows 7 to 8 if they are happy with what they have now. I would recommend that anyone shopping for a computer with windows 8 to go ahead and buy it.

I just use the desktop and did not install a start button program. I found that I quickly learned how to live without it and now prefer to not have it. The search function is powerful, if I start typing "mapsource" the program quickly comes up. It takes a bit of getting used to but it's quicker than using the start button.

There is a system update in the works that addresses some of the complaints about using tiles and more windows 8 oriented programs are becoming available. I'll likely use the new interface after it's matured a bit but agree with those that conclude that a touchscreen is needed to get the best benefit.

I went from XP to Windows 8 and it is a lot faster.The start up is a big improvement. I use both the desktop and the tiles. Did install the start up tab http://www.classicshell.net/ .The search is nice for a lot of things from the start screen but the start button comes in handy some times. Depending on what you are looking for.Try the old add and remove programs in control panel now known as programs and features.Believe the start button is faster in cases like that.But I agree with you the start tab is not a needed feature.Once you use Windows 8 a while things do get simpler.

Did you try running (or setting up) PS 5.0 in "Compatibility mode"? It might work although I don't see any reason why someone would want to use a 13 year old software

A touch screen would probably help but one thing I found that I like about Win8 is that it boots up much faster than it did under Win 7. In my case at least, that was worth the price of admission.

Another vote for classicshell. I get the start button plus it automatically opens the desktop when I boot up, so I never have to deals with tiles.

If you are the only user and would like to elimate the sign in screen every time you turn on the computer. See http://www.ghacks.net/2011/09/16/windows-8-how-to-automatica...

That's because Windows 8 never shuts down completely. Windows 8 uses hybrid shutdown (a hibernation). Waking up from hibernation is of course much faster than cold boot. The trade off is laptop battery runs out quicker than usual when your laptop is turned off.

Something I ran across that you may find a use for. http://www.groovypost.com/howto/make-windows-8-laptop-wifi-h... .Something else you may want to look at http://www.pressbyte.com/9941/manually-create-personal-hotsp...

Actually, no, that's not how hibernation works. After the information in memory has been written to non-volatile storage the computer completely shuts down. That is different from "sleep" mode where the computer remains "on" (but in a low-power state) until it "wakes up".

Microsoft's definition of hibernation:
"Of all the power-saving states in Windows, hibernation uses the least amount of power."

Here's another:
Hibernation, ACPI State S4:
"Power consumption is reduced to the lowest level."

Windows 8 closes user session but hibernates kernel session (saves system state and memory contents to disk).

So had to buy a new laptop, I purchased a Toshiba L850, i7 processor, 1 terabyte HD, 4G ram, very nice, I could have any OS so long as it was Windows 8.

I hated it, it's the worst system upgrade I had encountered since Win3.1

I've had it about 2 weeks now and I think it's OK.

The only things I have changed is to add a Shutdown button to the start menu which I searched the net for, and it was FREE!! and very easy to install. After lots of bad words, lots of right & left clicks in the corners to find hidden menus I find it runs almost like win7. I just had to remember that the start menu is the same as the old menu in win7 but just looks different, right click the start menu and you have all your programs. When you are in the start menu just click the bottom left corner and you're back at the desktop. I just had to get over the look of the start menu. I have added all the programs that I normally need to the task bar.

I now think windows 8 is OK, we get along just fine.

Okay, thanks. I stand corrected.

When I go to Power Options settings on Windows 8 there are two settings. Energy Star and Power Saver.The default is at Energy Star.You can click on change plan settings on right to make the changes as needed.I have all of mine set to never.

+1 to your comments. Like you my Windows 7 machine was on it's way out and I was forced into purchasing a new unit with Windows 8 as the OS. In fact, I bought the exact same Toshiba unit you have only with 8Gb of ram.

Again like you, after a slow start and a couple of addon's I have no problems with Windows 8. The one thing that I think has made the biggest difference for me is adding the FREE program "Start Menu 8" (http://www.iobit.com/iobitstartmenu8.php ) to my machine. With this program running I can boot the computer to the normal windows desktop, completely bypassing the Start Screen, while still having the ability to get to it by placing the mouse in the bottom left corner of the desktop. Most days I don't even think about having Windows 8 installed instead of Windows 7.

Between this addon and placing a Shutdown and Restart icon on the desktop, I'm good to go.

This start button has the shutdown and start listed just like XP and you can select the classic version as well as others . http://www.classicshell.net/

I bought a new large screen all-in-one pc. This is an upgrade from my Win XP computers. In other words I never did have Vista or Win 7, so I am comparing to old technology.I find some things extremely useful such as downloading Zip files and the automatic unzip feature. I am using FSX in Win 7 compatibility and unzipping add on files is a breeze.

IMHO, StartIsBack and 8GadgetPack are both necessary to restore the functionality removed from Windows 8. With both installed I get the benefits of Windows 8 and the interface I am used to.

http://startisback.com/#home-tab

http://8gadgetpack.bplaced.net/

Has any one tried the Power2Go Virtual drive on Windows 8?It came with my computer and was hoping to get some feedback.

Go the start menu --- right click on an empty space--- left click on all apps in the right bottom corner --- right click on the program which you need a desktop icon for --- left click on open file location --- right click on the program and then click send to --- then click desktop.

In windows Explore you can right click on any folder and do this.

It wasn't that hard. I'm find that everything that we had in XP Vista or window 7 is all there, but so much of it is in different places (hidden, do lots of right and left clicks, surprising what you find), they should have made a good manual in a PDF format. But I find just search the problem on Google.

[Windows key] then [any text] = Search your computer

Alt + Tab = Cycle through open non-desktop apps

Many old short cuts still work

I installed Win8 along with Win7 as a dual-boot system. I have Win8 setup to look like Win7 since I have no use for the touch-screen options. I hardly ever boot to Win8 any more as, for my use, I have found no real advantage w/Win8. I bought Win8 when Microsoft had special pricing on it, but still consider it a waste of money.

RT

I very seldom use the start menu, so I don't really miss it, but the start button I did. Have a look at ---

http://howto.cnet.com/8301-11310_39-57392988-285/how-to-crea...

or

http://www.howtogeek.com/77061/how-to-add-shutdown-restart-s...

Also have a look at this site for some tips ---

http://www.computerhope.com/tips/tip200.htm

There are many more FREE(my favorite word)options, just search

http://mynorthwest.com/?nid=11&sid=2268783&page=0

Also article located in business section of today's paper.

Expand My entire company switched to Windows 8 last month, and everyone loves it! Our productivity quadrupled! I also bought a Windows 8 tablet for my newborn infant, and he learned how to use it immediately. My mother, who is 103 yo, blind and almost deaf, was able to use her Windows 8 laptop with NO problems at all. I bought 12 of them, one for every member of my family, and we couldn't be happier. My wife keeps one in every room! Microsoft is great!

Microsoft provides a free download of Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant, described at http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/upgrade-to-wind....

When I recently upgraded from Windows XP Professional to Windows 7 Professional, I first ran a similar Microsoft program called Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor. It was invaluable. It checked my system to see if my currently installed hardware AND software would work under Windows 7. If something was not compatible, it often gave links to the upgrade.

The report was a ~10-page document that prepared me well for the upgrade; I got most of the nettlesome stuff out of the way beforehand, rather than in the middle of the upgrade.

Start Menu 8 beats Start Is Back by virtue of being free.

Gadgets? Never used them.

I've heard Win8 is to computing as "New Coke" was to carbonated beverages...

Just ran across this for doing the screen shots on the computer.Snipping Tool.You will find it when you click programs,accessories then scroll down to Snipping Tool. I put the shortcut at the bottom of the screen in the toolbar area.So I can just activate it for the page that I have selected.Just click on down arrow by new.You can select Rectangular so you can put box around area you want saved.Window snip and full screen also there.

FYI snipping tool was introduced years ago when Windows 7 was released. Vista may have snipping tool too but I never used Vista so I don't know.

I went from XP straight to Windows 8. Was use to using keyboard shortcut for screen shot. Sure others in the same boat.

The 8.1 preview is out for any one brave enough to try it. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/preview-downloa...

The snipping tool is so great. I use it a lot. Have a xp and vista and think I used it on both.
I am now using it on windows 7.
If I want a coupon on my Nexus 7 I just snip it and put it in dropbox. It's with me if I need it and don't have to cut out paper ones.

Downloading it right now.

Please give us some feedback. Understand the new Internet Explorer 11 comes with it.

Thing here, I use the desktop 99% of the time, so far I like Win 8

My wife didn't think that she would like Windows 8, but, after playing around with it on her new lap top, she fell in love with. She say that she can do more with it than Windows 7.

I'm sure XP doesn't have snipping tool. Vista... maybe.

Thanks for the link. I'll give 8.1 a try when I have time.

Only got Windows 8 because they were almost giving it away at first. I do not have a touch screen on my computer so I did not like windows 8 at all. Actually took it off and put it back on several times to try to like it more than Windows 7.

I built a new computer and put Windows 7 on it. Using my old computer as a spare for family and friends and now using Windows 8 on it. I put on the Start8 Start Button for about $5 and now it acts almost exactly like a Windows 7 machine, and so I like it.

Thanks for the tip on snippet tool. I switched from Windows 7 to 8 as soon as I could and have never looked back.

It must be the Vista, which is now the grandkids computer upstairs so they will leave mine alone some of the time.
I definitely had it on one and the Vista was the last one before my Windows 7 so it must have been Vista.

Windows 8 came with the new laptop... and I don't like it. The new layout is fine for tablets, but doesn't really work on desktops/laptops. It is an added "layer" that doesn't IMHO provide any useful functionality.

Keep working with it. My wife bought a new laptop last week and now know how Window 8 works. She love it. Of course she is the type of individual that if you tell her she can't do it, she will.

Just download the start button listed in this thread and it will default to the desktop on start up. Don't even worry about the tiles. But like others once you get use to everything you may like it. I was negative at first but now go back and forth from desktop and start page(tiles). Some good features in Windows 8 once you discover them .

Windows 8 is supposedly the most stable and secure version of windows ever released. I bought a Windows 7 laptop that was Windows 8 ready and upgraded as soon as I could. It's the first time I've been an early adopter of a new operating system and been happy with the result.

I only use the traditional desktop but will likely start using the new interface after it's matured a bit.

I just finished installing Windows 8.1 preview an hour ago. I'm reviewing Windows 8.1 right now (typing this on IE11). I don't see any significant difference between this and Windows 8. I was hoping to see the good old Start Menu being enabled by default. It's either not available or I can't find a way to enable it (without 3rd party add-on).