Your Experience with Windows 10

[GObonzo]

the tech preview so far has gone okay.

the new 10013? build has been slightly better than the previous but having problems with the tile views and start menu showing up correctly. doesn't appear that when programs install their shortcuts in the start menu they actually show up either.
seems to be a bit quicker responding than Windows 7 or 8 even though explorer responds fairly well in both previous versions.

wasn't all that hyped about the final release coming up but after getting my new GWX process and the Windows 10 icon in my system tray i'm a little more exited for some reason. dying to see what the actual release of DX12 brings to the table. the tech preview states it is running DX12 in dxdiag but doesn't gain any significant improvement in game so far.

 

[GObonzo]

Windows 10 has the same font rendering problems as 8.1.
Both 10 and 8.1 allow other applications to override the font rendering specified by operating system.
For example, both IE 11 and Office 2013/2016 use a horrible grayscale font rendering API that results in shockingly blurry fonts on screen.
Despite many threads on answers.microsoft.com about this, not once has Microsoft even acknowledged the problem, let alone fix it.
This attitude of denial really has resulted in a great many really p**sed off Windows users, some of whom have already abandoned Windows for Linux.
All Microsoft's stuffing around with the user interface in Win 8 and 10 counts for nothing if zero effort is made to meet the basic fundamental user expectation of clear text on screen.
At this rate, it looks like I will use Windows 7 for a while longer and then ditch Microsoft for Linux and Libre Office.

i wouldn't exactly call it denial. i believe it's more of a "not bothering enough users to matter" situation. sounds like it may be a problem with your display rather than Windows. have no problems with fonts in Windows 8 or 10. after setting ClearType options it looks even better than default, which is fine.

 

[grumpigeek]

Windows 10 has the same font rendering problems as 8.1.
Both 10 and 8.1 allow other applications to override the font rendering specified by operating system.
For example, both IE 11 and Office 2013/2016 use a horrible grayscale font rendering API that results in shockingly blurry fonts on screen.
Despite many threads on answers.microsoft.com about this, not once has Microsoft even acknowledged the problem, let alone fix it.
This attitude of denial really has resulted in a great many really p**sed off Windows users, some of whom have already abandoned Windows for Linux.
All Microsoft's stuffing around with the user interface in Win 8 and 10 counts for nothing if zero effort is made to meet the basic fundamental user expectation of clear text on screen.
At this rate, it looks like I will use Windows 7 for a while longer and then ditch Microsoft for Linux and Libre Office.

i wouldn't exactly call it denial. i believe it's more of a "not bothering enough users to matter" situation. sounds like it may be a problem with your display rather than Windows. have no problems with fonts in Windows 8 or 10. after setting ClearType options it looks even better than default, which is fine.

Initially I thought it was my old monitor or graphics card. I built a new PC including a new monitor and the problem is still there.

The Microsoft forums indicate people are having the same problem on all manner of hardware - desktops with various brand monitors, Intel/Nvidia/AMD graphics and laptops.

This particular thread is up to 5,091 votes:
https://windows.uservoice.com/forums/265757-windows-feature-suggestions/suggestions/6526119-return-subpixel-antialiasing-to-ie-and-modernui-ap?tracking_code=a6c0fb727d7c021a049c8715efc978b9

Admittedly 5,091 is not a large number so MS probably don't care. I suspect it is the tip of the iceberg as most people are simply too busy doing their jobs to complain.

 

[GObonzo]

Windows 10 has the same font rendering problems as 8.1.
Both 10 and 8.1 allow other applications to override the font rendering specified by operating system.
For example, both IE 11 and Office 2013/2016 use a horrible grayscale font rendering API that results in shockingly blurry fonts on screen.
Despite many threads on answers.microsoft.com about this, not once has Microsoft even acknowledged the problem, let alone fix it.
This attitude of denial really has resulted in a great many really p**sed off Windows users, some of whom have already abandoned Windows for Linux.
All Microsoft's stuffing around with the user interface in Win 8 and 10 counts for nothing if zero effort is made to meet the basic fundamental user expectation of clear text on screen.
At this rate, it looks like I will use Windows 7 for a while longer and then ditch Microsoft for Linux and Libre Office.

i wouldn't exactly call it denial. i believe it's more of a "not bothering enough users to matter" situation. sounds like it may be a problem with your display rather than Windows. have no problems with fonts in Windows 8 or 10. after setting ClearType options it looks even better than default, which is fine.

Initially I thought it was my old monitor or graphics card. I built a new PC including a new monitor and the problem is still there.

The Microsoft forums indicate people are having the same problem on all manner of hardware - desktops with various brand monitors, Intel/Nvidia/AMD graphics and laptops.

This particular thread is up to 5,091 votes:
https://windows.uservoice.com/forums/265757-windows-feature-suggestions/suggestions/6526119-return-subpixel-antialiasing-to-ie-and-modernui-ap?tracking_code=a6c0fb727d7c021a049c8715efc978b9

Admittedly 5,091 is not a large number so MS probably don't care. I suspect it is the tip of the iceberg as most people are simply too busy doing their jobs to complain.

or most could just not be experiencing it like me, or any of the systems i've installed 8.1 on, or the few different versions of the 10 tech preview that i've run so far.
if you've experienced it on multiple displays through multiple installations of both OS then i have no idea. it is a strange bug to be following you. i'd really like to see screenshots of it happening.

 

[James Mason]

Yeah, I really don't know what this guys talking about. I just opened a couple windows 8 apps, and the text looked fine. I even ran the Cleartype tuner and it still doesn't look much better than it did before. I saw there were some bad options in the cleartype tuner as well, but didn't choose them.

 

[junkeymonkey]

I miss pinball also. notice how Microsoft removes things you want and liked to use for stuff you don't want or care about ? or how programs may not work when you upgrade to a newer windows that works well on previous ones ? stuff that worked on xp- vista - may not on 7 so I keep thinking what more of my stuff will I loose if I moved up to 8 -8.1 -10 ??
then it like they want to push all that cloud based stuff on you so your files and info can be ''out there'' then I guess folks today like to put there whole life on facebook anyway..

 

[Eggz]

No more Windows Media Player? For people who plug cable TV directly into their computers, that's a serious issue!

Anyone interested incoming up with a new program that can access CableCards?

 

[junkeymonkey]

well that's microsofts goal .. less practical os and more fluffware .. its like they want to treat there os's like a novelty item

 

[orlbuckeye]

No more Windows Media Player? For people who plug cable TV directly into their computers, that's a serious issue!

Anyone interested incoming up with a new program that can access CableCards?

No a new Media Player coming before end of the year. So options are upgrade and use 3rd party tool or wait and upgrade later in year.

 

[Eggz]

No more Windows Media Player? For people who plug cable TV directly into their computers, that's a serious issue!

Anyone interested incoming up with a new program that can access CableCards?

No a new Media Player coming before end of the year. So options are upgrade and use 3rd party tool or wait and upgrade later in year.

Link?

If there's another replacement program that will allow live TV and replace your cable box, please share. I don't know of anything else that will do it natively (without days of screwing around), and I've looked a lot. If you know of something, please share!

 

[orlbuckeye]

Goto download.com it's part of CNET. I use GOM and also have VLC. VLC had both a desktop and modern app.

 

[Eggz]

Goto download.com it's part of CNET. I use GOM and also have VLC. VLC had both a desktop and modern app.

I don't think either of those support CableCard, which allows your computer to function as a cable box. That specific functionality lets you stop paying rental fees with the cable company.

I think there may be a market for that, which Ceton company might buy up if a startup does something functional and simple like Windows Media Player did.

Take a look at the second table in this link. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_PVR_software_packages

It shows that Windows Media Player is the only one supporting CableCard natively.

 

[turkey3_scratch]

I miss pinball also. notice how Microsoft removes things you want and liked to use for stuff you don't want or care about ? or how programs may not work when you upgrade to a newer windows that works well on previous ones ? stuff that worked on xp- vista - may not on 7 so I keep thinking what more of my stuff will I loose if I moved up to 8 -8.1 -10 ??
then it like they want to push all that cloud based stuff on you so your files and info can be ''out there'' then I guess folks today like to put there whole life on facebook anyway..

Pinball - good times. Here's actually why pinball was never brought back after XP: http://blogs.msdn.com/b/oldnewthing/archive/2012/12/18/10378851.aspx

 

[amdphenomkde]

Hi everybody-I agree with turkey3_scratch regarding the need for Windows 10 to add more features. I know Apple isn't popular with everybody on this forum, and that's ok, but I feel that Microsoft has a lot of catching up to do with usability features, not just changes to the UI. It seems like most of the improvements in Windows 10 are to the UI, which is good, but there should be more innovation across the board. Take some features that Mac OS X has, like AirDrop for one. It makes sharing files between computers a lot easier because, not only is a flash drive not required, but it could also be done with two computers off the grid where there's no router, since it uses Wi-Fi Direct. I think Microsoft is adding support for Wi-Fi Direct at the kernel level, if it hasn't already in Windows 8.1, but I'd like to see an implementation of it in File Explorer, as well as more innovation to the file sharing feature by Microsoft. One may argue that HomeGroup does the same thing, but for that you need a central router. Another feature I'd like to see on Windows is the ability to open the windows from the previous session like Macs can with the "Resume" feature. It's integrated into most of the Mac's built-in programs very well, and has been for 4 years, since Lion was launched. Windows 10's Task View functionality is incomplete without the ability to have the workspaces still there upon restarting the computer. Windows has hibernation, but OS X allows for a full restart (such as after updates) while keeping the previous windows open. The built-in programs on Windows are comical when compared to what Apple offers with OS X. Text messaging like Apple's iMessage and Messages program for OS X must be offered on Windows if it's going to be integrated so well with phones. The ability to make calls from a desktop through a phone is very convenient and should be offered on Windows as well. Skype on Windows needs numerous improvements. The lack of spell-check is glaring and the ads are out-of-place in what's essentially a paid product, given that Microsoft owns it and Windows isn't free, at least arguably until now.

I really hope Microsoft can catch up to Apple and make Windows an exciting product. They need to implement these features well for me to be convinced.

 

[orlbuckeye]

Well I prefer 3rd party apps for utilities you've mentioned. I don't want Windows to be like Apple. Windows is the first OS that runs bot Modern apps and desktop Win32 apps. Microsoft is giving the developers tools to migrate apps from every platform out there. I was wondering when Apple was going to catch up. I would rather have a choice of tools I want and go get them myself. I would rather ahve a tool made by a company that specializes in a tool then one thrown in as an addon of an OS.

 

[Eggz]

Um, do you guys realize that the distinction between "having a Mac" and "having a PC" exists only if you have exactly one boot drive?

You can just buy two SSDs and have both "computers" in a dual boot option. Just load Windows normally on one SSD, and then load OSX on the other SSD according to the instructions on http://www.tonymacx86.com/.

Boom!

Now there's no such thing as "Mac vs PC" because you have one computer capable of doing either OS.

The hardware is the same either way. You can even get a third SSD if you want triple boot options to allow Linux. Setting all that up might eat a weekend, but you'd essentially get three "computers" without having to spend significantly more money.

 

[amdphenomkde]

orlbuckeye, that's a reasonable point. I've heard about a program called SHAREit that supposedly uses Wi-Fi Direct, and that matches AirDrop, at least on paper. However, going back to the example of the Resume feature, this can't be adequately implemented by a program, let alone a third-party one. Third-party programs often go too long without being updated. Sure, this may be an isolated example, but take the program called Cache My Work. It roughly matches the functionality of Resume, and came out before the latter. But, the reason I know this is because it hasn't been updated since 2007, according to its website: https://cachemywork.codeplex.com. I agree with you on the importance of the WinRT platform, and it's good to see Microsoft starting to move on from Win32. I hope that this is just a bumpy transition, though, because it seems like there has been too much focus on the Start menu and the lack thereof without any substantial improvements to the user experience. Microsoft has a noble goal in trying to have one ecosystem, but executing this goal has really diverted its attention away from ease of use. Here's another gripe--admittedly small: Renaming a file in File Explorer shouldn't require the user to close the file in question. OS X allows the user to rename the file in the title bar very easily. Eggz, that's definitely true, but I want these features to be present on all operating systems. The user shouldn't have to switch operating systems to get these features.

 

[orlbuckeye]

Well the start button was added as a way to launch Modern Apps. I'm a person that never used the start button/menu in previous versions of windows. The best OS's are the ones you don't know they are even there. The key to the OS is the applications that run in them and how they talk to the devices you have (printers, routers,external drives and so on). When I get a new OS I do all the cosmetics once and they are set for good. I leave my pc on 99% of the time. I don't need an email client, a video player, a music player as I get them from a third party. What you talking about is called file locking which is a feature used in relational databases so a file doesn't get updated by 2 people at the same time. One opens it and takes control. It depends on what type of file you open. If you open a Word document or an adobe file it locks everything but if the open with Notepad and you can rename the file. Its not WIndows doing that it the associated app.

 

[orlbuckeye]

Also the feature I love best about Windows that's missing from Apple is the Aero Snap. It's especially great at work where you drag the app to the corner and it snaps top half the screen then you can snap another app view both without maximizing and minimizing windows. Also the ability to maximize windows with a click is missing from Apple's OS. Also Windows allows copying, cutting and pasting while Apple only allows copying and pasting. How about the Cntrl-C and Cntrl-V on windows and the keyboard shortcuts.

 

[GObonzo]

Hi everybody-I agree with turkey3_scratch regarding the need for Windows 10 to add more features. I know Apple isn't popular with everybody on this forum, and that's ok, but I feel that Microsoft has a lot of catching up to do with usability features, not just changes to the UI. It seems like most of the improvements in Windows 10 are to the UI, which is good, but there should be more innovation across the board. Take some features that Mac OS X has, like AirDrop for one. It makes sharing files between computers a lot easier because, not only is a flash drive not required, but it could also be done with two computers off the grid where there's no router, since it uses Wi-Fi Direct. I think Microsoft is adding support for Wi-Fi Direct at the kernel level, if it hasn't already in Windows 8.1, but I'd like to see an implementation of it in File Explorer, as well as more innovation to the file sharing feature by Microsoft. One may argue that HomeGroup does the same thing, but for that you need a central router. Another feature I'd like to see on Windows is the ability to open the windows from the previous session like Macs can with the "Resume" feature. It's integrated into most of the Mac's built-in programs very well, and has been for 4 years, since Lion was launched. Windows 10's Task View functionality is incomplete without the ability to have the workspaces still there upon restarting the computer. Windows has hibernation, but OS X allows for a full restart (such as after updates) while keeping the previous windows open. The built-in programs on Windows are comical when compared to what Apple offers with OS X. Text messaging like Apple's iMessage and Messages program for OS X must be offered on Windows if it's going to be integrated so well with phones. The ability to make calls from a desktop through a phone is very convenient and should be offered on Windows as well. Skype on Windows needs numerous improvements. The lack of spell-check is glaring and the ads are out-of-place in what's essentially a paid product, given that Microsoft owns it and Windows isn't free, at least arguably until now.
I really hope Microsoft can catch up to Apple and make Windows an exciting product. They need to implement these features well for me to be convinced.

i could see them offering a "Smart" version that comes with those options for people like you. but my main problem with 8\8.1 & 10 is that they are adding too many of these types of mobile services and file sharing and cloud junk. if i want those options i would go strictly Android or Apple. having them available for people is a good idea but i don't want anything added into my OS installation that i don't need to run Windows and Windows software. sucks that it is too late for that though, even their "N" versions have tons of crapware like you are suggesting.
networking with Windows has been very simple. all my Smart devices are detected and available from within Windows for video feed, file transfers, etc. all running off of Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. still need special software to use direct phone soervices but that's what my phone is for so i wouldn't be installing it onto my PC anyway.
i would like the idea of having more versions of Windows for particular users or devices that would offer the services you are looking for. touch screen versions, smart versions, baseline versions, etc. just shouldn't be shoved down everyone's throat with every version.

 

[James Mason]

I'm actually really liking Microsoft's OneDrive (Cloud storage that comes with your OS) as I have 3 computers and one of them at work and this makes it easy for me to work on my game Mod without having to copy files every day as I can put the code files on the OneDrive and it's always updated to the latest changes whether I'm at home or work without me having to reupload and redownload the files every day manually.

 

[orlbuckeye]

Hi everybody-I agree with turkey3_scratch regarding the need for Windows 10 to add more features. I know Apple isn't popular with everybody on this forum, and that's ok, but I feel that Microsoft has a lot of catching up to do with usability features, not just changes to the UI. It seems like most of the improvements in Windows 10 are to the UI, which is good, but there should be more innovation across the board. Take some features that Mac OS X has, like AirDrop for one. It makes sharing files between computers a lot easier because, not only is a flash drive not required, but it could also be done with two computers off the grid where there's no router, since it uses Wi-Fi Direct. I think Microsoft is adding support for Wi-Fi Direct at the kernel level, if it hasn't already in Windows 8.1, but I'd like to see an implementation of it in File Explorer, as well as more innovation to the file sharing feature by Microsoft. One may argue that HomeGroup does the same thing, but for that you need a central router. Another feature I'd like to see on Windows is the ability to open the windows from the previous session like Macs can with the "Resume" feature. It's integrated into most of the Mac's built-in programs very well, and has been for 4 years, since Lion was launched. Windows 10's Task View functionality is incomplete without the ability to have the workspaces still there upon restarting the computer. Windows has hibernation, but OS X allows for a full restart (such as after updates) while keeping the previous windows open. The built-in programs on Windows are comical when compared to what Apple offers with OS X. Text messaging like Apple's iMessage and Messages program for OS X must be offered on Windows if it's going to be integrated so well with phones. The ability to make calls from a desktop through a phone is very convenient and should be offered on Windows as well. Skype on Windows needs numerous improvements. The lack of spell-check is glaring and the ads are out-of-place in what's essentially a paid product, given that Microsoft owns it and Windows isn't free, at least arguably until now.
I really hope Microsoft can catch up to Apple and make Windows an exciting product. They need to implement these features well for me to be convinced.

i could see them offering a "Smart" version that comes with those options for people like you. but my main problem with 8\8.1 & 10 is that they are adding too many of these types of mobile services and file sharing and cloud junk. if i want those options i would go strictly Android or Apple. having them available for people is a good idea but i don't want anything added into my OS installation that i don't need to run Windows and Windows software. sucks that it is too late for that though, even their "N" versions have tons of crapware like you are suggesting.
networking with Windows has been very simple. all my Smart devices are detected and available from within Windows for video feed, file transfers, etc. all running off of Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. still need special software to use direct phone soervices but that's what my phone is for so i wouldn't be installing it onto my PC anyway.
i would like the idea of having more versions of Windows for particular users or devices that would offer the services you are looking for. touch screen versions, smart versions, baseline versions, etc. just shouldn't be shoved down everyone's throat with every version.

MS wants to have access the same on all devices. They are using Onedrive as a library for pictures, video and music. SO you create a playlist in the cloud you can listen to on any device. They are releasing software to organizes album and playlist that can use on any device. They aren't shoving touch screen down your throats and they are making available to Software and hardware companies if they want to use it. Chrome and FF both are touch and you can only use it if you have a touch screen. If you don't want touch you don't buy and the app acts the same.

 

[GObonzo]

MS wants to have access the same on all devices. They are using Onedrive as a library for pictures, video and music. SO you create a playlist in the cloud you can listen to on any device. They are releasing software to organizes album and playlist that can use on any device. They aren't shoving touch screen down your throats and they are making available to Software and hardware companies if they want to use it. Chrome and FF both are touch and you can only use it if you have a touch screen. If you don't want touch you don't buy and the app acts the same.

i stated we should have different versions of Windows 10 with different options, not that these services shouldn't be available to those who want them. this crap should be an option, not bound into the OS architecture. Windows Store, OneDrive, and all the "touch" options Windows offers are already included, the point is they shouldn't be. they should either be offering versions with and without or the option to uninstall\disable.

 

[USAFRet]

i stated we should have different versions of Windows 10 with different options, not that these services shouldn't be available to those who want them.

Which was one of the problems with earlier versions. Win 7, etc.
Win Starter, Home Basic, Home Premium, Pro, Enterprise, Ultimate...
Too many versions, too confusing.

So they simplified it.

 

[orlbuckeye]

Well starter and home basic were on less powerful hardware. Most people have Home. Enterprise is only used to license multiple PC's and you have to go to specialty store to get.