Windows 8? What in the fuck.. HELP!

[Diomed]

So I jumped on a Black Friday deal and FINALLY bought a new computer.. something more up to date than my 3 year old Sams Special.

I am now typing from Windows 8, and I feel like an alien here.. I'm trying to ask myself.. who in the fuck could possibly enjoy this?

Maybe I am too close minded to change.. but this seems more like a giant leap than a gradual shift in an Operating System.. none of my known functions are there anymore? I feel like a total retard.. took me five fucking minutes just to shut down an app windows?

My question is.. who actually enjoys this OS? and, other than installing say a more familiar windows 7, (I was still working with vista btw, yes.. my tech was ancient, but comfy) how the fuck do I make this windows 8 stop for christ sakes?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.. My brain feels just wrong.. Granted I've only played on it for 30 minutes or so, deleting all the shit programs that came with this computer.. but fuck me.. I feel like there is almost no chance of me fully absorbing this version of windows right now.

[geedub]

There is a way to display a normal desktop, I forget how I did it though.. And then I was also able to change the way the start menu is displayed, so it's more tolerable for me I think. Application list view or something like that.. Took some getting used to but it's not the end of the world I guess lol.

[JockoHomo]

I would NEVER install Win8 on a machine used for any sort of production or real work.

I suggest you "upgrade" to Win7 which is stable, quick, and very usable.

[ErectMedia]

Went to windows 8 with http://www.stardock.com/products/start8/ and no problems, just upgraded to a new more powerful computer so running 8.1 now

[Diomed]

There is a way to display a normal desktop, I forget how I did it though.. And then I was also able to change the way the start menu is displayed, so it's more tolerable for me I think. Application list view or something like that.. Took some getting used to but it's not the end of the world I guess lol.

I would love to know how to do this..

There are so many things I'm unsure about now.. like for one, are all of these fucking apps constantly running now? Hell, I can't even tell what's running or what's not..

I'm not that big on getting my content shoved down my throat, being that I'm extremely selective about what I like and do not.. and how I want things set up.. I purchased this computer for Production, and my own media purposes like HD Editing, photography, etc..


Other than those things.. I don't have a lot of need for extra shit.. call me old fashion.

[EddyTheDog]

Just go to the normal desktop - There is no need to use apps at all - You may need to change a few default progs so things open on the desktop and not apps.....

I have been on Win8 since the beta versions and never see an app, ever...

[EddyTheDog]

Another option is http://sourceforge.net/projects/classicshell/ - I haven't used it, but I have heard it is good - It basically makes Win8 look and work like Win7...

[Diomed]

Thanks for all the helpful advice folks, this is stressing me out atm.

I guess what I want is just a way to have the normal start menu on the desktop and get rid of all these apps.. I especially don't want these fuckers running all the time.

Looking into all the solutions offered up.. and again, THANK YOU. I am truly appreciative.. because as of right now.. I feel as if I couldn't navigate my way out of a paper bag with this thing..

[KillerK]

Hit the Windows Key on your keyboard.

Then you can type any program you want to load

On the Tile screen, there is a tile called Desktop, click that.


How fast does Windows 8 boot for you?

[pornomatxxx]

I NEVER get myself the newest version of some windows stuff when it just came out. Mostly it doesn't work correctly and the forums are quite empty because noone else bought it I wait for first updates and when people spammed the forums with their experiences.

[Zeiss]

I suggest start using linux... Make sure you try the distro of your choice before you install it.

[JockoHomo]

The clusterfuck of an operating system that is Win 8 is Microsoft's way a trying to get into the tablet market by making the frankensystem of a mobile os and desktop os into one.

As you have found out, it strongly favors the mobile/touch device user experience much better than the desktop one. Sure, it is usable in both but at a compromise.

Windows should be about functionality and work which usually involves moving files and folders around, copying them, and other things that a mouse is best suited for.

Touch screens are great for flipling the pages of virtual books and web pages however, that is usually not work and more pleasure activities that one would do on a portable tablet device with touchscreen.

Microsoft is tying to get everyone used to this new OS that you will use it on the desktop, tablet, and then they hope...Windows phones as well with the live tiles of metro that everyone will already be used to (or rather forced to get used to since all new computers come with Win 8 installed)!

The dirty rotten bastards! Damn them to hell!

[nexcom28]

I have been using it for a few months now and, like you I found it awful. Now I am used to it it's actually ok. I don't think it's better than win 7 etc but it's not a lot worse.

When you first boot the PC you will be on the start menu, it's just one click and you are back on the familiar desktop.
From here if you right click the little start icon in the bottom left you will find it brings up a lot of shortcuts to familiar places. On my PC (HP) I also got something called Quickstart which is like your familiar start menu (except is takes a few seconds to load). You can also download programs that will do the same thing.

As for apps, I don't use them either. I just use the start for storing shortcuts to programs I use regularly. For applications like Skype I just download the desktop verion which works much better anyway.

It takes a week or so to get used to but you will get the hand of it.

[iwantchixx]

1. Do the upgrade to 8.1
2. Do ALL updates.
3. Set to boot to desktop mode.
4. Buy and install Modern-Mix.

[EonBlue]

Problem solved:

http://www.iobit.com/iobitstartmenu8.php

[Va2k]

I love this OS now at first I was like you WTF, stardock really helped and once I fig this OS out I can NOT live without it, it is much much faster with coding and editing videos, java html etc.. hope you fig it out and if you do hope you feel the same when all is said and done!

[MediumPimpin]

I use stardock also, works like a charm if you are used to XP, Vista, Win 7, etc.

[SlammedMedia]

StartMenu8

This will bypass the tile interface when you first login and with a little tweaking you'll think you're using Windows 7.

Everyone acts like Windows 8 is the end of the world, take an hour and play with it -- it's not much of a jump at all, once you ignore the new startup page-tile-bullshit.

[MaDalton]

Another option is http://sourceforge.net/projects/classicshell/ - I haven't used it, but I have heard it is good - It basically makes Win8 look and work like Win7...

this - and only this - made me stop screaming at my computer

[Klen]

this - and only this - made me stop screaming at my computer

Do you scream in german or english ?

[2MuchMark]

### AHEM ### !!



/Drops Mic.

[MPGdevil]

A) Upgrade free to Windows 8.1 and choose boot to desktop.

B) Spend $2500 on a Mac if you have more money than sense.

[icymelon]

I'm in the same boat. But at least someone showed me how to turn it off.

[jigg]

Windows 8 is fine, it's normal as with any change to have to re-map your brain.

The desktop is the same the only thing that changes is the menu.

I pissed gas at first but got used to it. Now I don't like using Windows 7 all that much, or miss it. I hardly ever see the tiles

You don't shut apps down, just like you don't shut apps down on iOS or Android.

- mouse to lower left corner
- mouse cursor to top of monitor edge click and drag all the way down
- press Win key on keyboard

By the way Mac OSX is heading into the mobile OS on desktop too, app store and all

[MaDalton]

### AHEM ### !!



/Drops Mic.

yeah, well, with Win 8 after installing classic shell my frustration was over - when i tried using Mac OS for my work, my frustration was ongoing

[venus]

grab start 8, you will be back to normal...if you have win 8, you need start 8

So I jumped on a Black Friday deal and FINALLY bought a new computer.. something more up to date than my 3 year old Sams Special.

I am now typing from Windows 8, and I feel like an alien here.. I'm trying to ask myself.. who in the fuck could possibly enjoy this?

Maybe I am too close minded to change.. but this seems more like a giant leap than a gradual shift in an Operating System.. none of my known functions are there anymore? I feel like a total retard.. took me five fucking minutes just to shut down an app windows?

My question is.. who actually enjoys this OS? and, other than installing say a more familiar windows 7, (I was still working with vista btw, yes.. my tech was ancient, but comfy) how the fuck do I make this windows 8 stop for christ sakes?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.. My brain feels just wrong.. Granted I've only played on it for 30 minutes or so, deleting all the shit programs that came with this computer.. but fuck me.. I feel like there is almost no chance of me fully absorbing this version of windows right now.

[onwebcam]

I usually stay a few years behind windows and wait for all the kinks to be worked out..

[FlowerKid]

Windows 8 works like a charm, many people are just too dumb to use it and to learn some new stuff.

[nexcom28]

Why would you get a program like start 8 or classis she'll? Can't see the point.

[RandyRandy]

I love this OS now at first I was like you WTF, stardock really helped and once I fig this OS out I can NOT live without it, it is much much faster with coding and editing videos, java html etc.. hope you fig it out and if you do hope you feel the same when all is said and done!

Same here. I hated it at first, and that was because I was lazy. I dedicated one day to setting it up and learning the system and now I couldn't be happier.

[Osiris654]

I thought it was the most stupid microsoft release yet, until i tried it out for myself, not i cant imagine going back to 7

[HomerSimpson]

Install http://www.filehorse.com/download-classic-shell/ or http://www.filehorse.com/download-start-menu-8/

case /closed

[inabon]

is it really that hard for everyone to just hit the windows button on your keyboard and then hit the desktop icon??????

[Tofu]

Windows 8 does suck. I do not enjoy hunting for the simplest files when trying to be productive. Seems windows has never quite got that search thing down.

What I love about OSX is that there are 2 different types of search (finder and spotlight) and they are both user friendly. I don't have to specify WHICH folder I want to search in, because she'll search the entire computer or the net, if it doesn't exist.

[eipstudios]

[JockoHomo]

Question:

I ran the Windows 8 upgrade adviser program from Microsoft and it listed a ton of programs (Stuff like Frontpage, MS Word, Dreamweaver) and said that they were NOT compatible with Windows 8...Now my question is...I have had those programs forever and they have always worked fine with Windows XP, Vista, and Win7...now they will not work?? Sound wrong...can someone explain why I got these results.

I am actually thinking of upgrading after hearing some of your comments but not if I have to replace hundreds of dollars of programs!

[clickhappy]

I would NEVER install Win8 on a machine used for any sort of production or real work.

I suggest you "upgrade" to Win7 which is stable, quick, and very usable.

Agreed 1000%. I finally bought a new laptop and it had Windows 8. It was very painful and after a few hours I returned it.
I would only buy a refurbished machine with windows 7. I wont go near win8

[RandyRandy]

Question:

I ran the Windows 8 upgrade adviser program from Microsoft and it listed a ton of programs (Stuff like Frontpage, MS Word, Dreamweaver) and said that they were NOT compatible with Windows 8...Now my question is...I have had those programs forever and they have always worked fine with Windows XP, Vista, and Win7...now they will not work?? Sound wrong...can someone explain why I got these results.

I am actually thinking of upgrading after hearing some of your comments but not if I have to replace hundreds of dollars of programs!

I don't use Front page or Dreamweaver, but I use Word all the time and just finished a big presentation in PowerPoint, so MS Office is no problem with Windows 8. And Adobe CS 6 runs like a dream, I have it installed on an SSD and with the Mercury Playback engine in Premiere, I'm rendering in real time with no lag. Final Cut Pro (x and 7) were fine, but I'm happier with Premiere.

[rowan]

Microsoft is officially withdrawing support for XP in a few months. Seriously considering upgrading to 7, then waiting for whatever is released after 8.