The Definitive Windows 8 Review And User Guide

[xenon2000]

In win8 everything seems one or two more clicks away now (Yeah I know of win+q, win+r etc). Can't close programs without pressing ALT F4. Search is now categorised so, when you type WIN + seachphrase, you need to click system or programs instead of just selecting what you need like in 7. Not sure how is this better.

I agree. I do a lot with photos and videos from my camera. And in XP, Vista, and Win 7; it was super easy for me to switch between list and detail view. And when an image or video was selected, I could see a tiny preview in the status bar.

Now with Windows 8, I get no preview in the status bar, less info than before, and the keyboard shortcuts for changing views has switched to a hard to remember system using numbers! I used to do ALT+V and then (L = list, D = details, etc). But now if I do ALT+V, it brings up the ribbon and there are no shortcuts to the individual views. I have to then use my mouse to select one. Or press V, then arrow around, and press Enter. OR, I have to remember the new number based system. Which is CTRL+SHIFT+(1 - 8), so now I have to remember that 2 is for medium icons, 5 is for list, 6 is for details. The CTRL+Mouse Wheel could be useful, but it scrolls through ALL the size options for several view types. So it takes way to long to switch that way between the 3 views I use most often.

And the Details Pane pinned to the right is too large as a good alternative to the previous Windows 7 mini preview that I used in the status bar area. I like the Details Pane. But it's too large for me to leave enabled all the time. The only things I really like about Windows 8, is the new Task Manager and File Copy screen with the graph.

 

[StrelokS]

I have recently switched from Win 7 to Win 8 and I must say Win 8 Is much faster and more responsive to me.
Only thing I don't like is Metro UI and the lack of programs and applications that are compatible with this OS.
Anyway performance wise Win 8 is a 5/5 by StrelokS

 

[N Nandu]

I think windows 8 is useful to users who wants to try new things and it is useless to users who don't want to try new things.<a href="http://www.alltechmanuals.com">Alltechmanuals</a>

 

[xenon2000]

I have recently switched from Win 7 to Win 8 and I must say Win 8 Is much faster and more responsive to me.
Only thing I don't like is Metro UI and the lack of programs and applications that are compatible with this OS.
Anyway performance wise Win 8 is a 5/5 by StrelokS

Do you have any programs to mention specifically? I test tons of software and I haven't run into anything that worked in Windows 7 x64 that didn't also work in Windows 8 x64. So just curious what didn't work in Windows 8 that did work in Windows 7? I have tested tons of games and apps and haven't run into anything that didn't work in Windows 8 that was working in Windows 7.

I don't use the Metro UI or the Windows store. That may change for me once 8.1 rolls out in October. Well for the start button/menu. I still don't plan on using the Store.

 

[xenon2000]

I think windows 8 is useful to users who wants to try new things and it is useless to users who don't want to try new things.<a href="http://www.alltechmanuals.com">Alltechmanuals</a>

Not sure what that means. You could say the same thing of XP, Vista, Windows 7, any OS that people are "used" to.

I do agree that for the average user, if you have a computer with Windows 7 on it already, no point in paying to upgrade to Windows 8. And if you have XP or Vista, the average user will have a higher chance of having a poor experience with upgrading to Windows 8 (or 7) due to potential software and hardware support lacking. Even if they use the wizard to see what may stop working after the upgrade.

In general I don't recommend that the typical user ever upgrade the OS. Generally better overall to just buy a new system with the current OS of the day on it, and then migrate files, apps, and hardware over to the new system and re-purpose or get rid of the old system.

And for the typical power user, well.... staying up to date is common. So moving to Windows 8 will be pretty common as well. Especially now that it has been out for about a year in retail form. Other than the few changes I mentioned earlier, I like Windows 8 when configured more like Windows 7. And with 8.1 coming, I will likely enjoy the stock solution so I can ditch 3rd party Start Buttons.

 

[Deborah Zamponi]

Hi Adam, sorry if I borrow you, but I spent a lot of time searching the "black with gears" image you used within the "Bring Back Desktop Icons" paragraph of your article and I don't find it on the net. Can you give me some advice where to search?
Thanks in advance,
Deborah

 

[adamovera]

Hi Adam, sorry if I borrow you, but I spent a lot of time searching the "black with gears" image you used within the "Bring Back Desktop Icons" paragraph of your article and I don't find it on the net. Can you give me some advice where to search?
Thanks in advance,
Deborah

http://www.tomshardware.com/gallery/Win8THTweakedStart,0101-358566-0-2-3-1-png-.html

 

[gr3g0ree]

1st how can something this controversial get a best buy award??? Or any award???? There's a Dell laptop lying under the Xmas tree for my mum, and no way will I want to look at Win8 at all.

tpi2007 <- that. u r spot on mate.