New Windows 8 Update 1 Is Released; NOT What We Expected
Discussion
8 replies
Posted by Paul DeCesare on April 8, 2014 at 11:13 PM
All of the IT industry (at least the tiny spec I deal with, lol) was SURE that the new Win 8.1 Update that was released today would bring back the beloved Start Menu.
WRONG.
The update adds a few icons to the top right of the "dashboard" which is what Microsoft calls a Metro-Style Start Screen, and those icons let you search easier and shutdown your PC quicker. Seriously, that's it. You DO have the option now to have Win 8 now open right to the real Desktop when you boot up/sign in. But no Start Menu, and I think many IT folks were thinking that was a given, myself included.
To be honest, I like 8 with no Start Menu, I've gotten to know where all of the right-click gems are and such, but most people like that Start Menu navigation. Not in this version.
My apologies for drinking the Kool-Aid on that one, that sort of changes the upgrade plan if you want to now stay with Win 7.
FWIW, if you DO want to have Win 8 startup right to the real Desktop, just right-click the Task Bar and choose good ol' Properties. Click the 2nd tab (Navigation), and check the second box in the bottom section. To be honest, if you just hit the Windows Key after the normal startup to the Metro dashboard, you'll be at your real Desktop. Hit it again, and back to the dashboard you go. I actually like perusing a few news and weather and sports apps when I first hop on, but getting to both "desktops" is rather easy. A keyboard key.
Stardock looks great! For 5 bucks it's worth a shot...
Posted by Dennis Plank on April 19, 2014 at 8:57 AM
I wonder if anyone has ever estimated just how much Microsoft's continuous screwing with user interfaces has cost the world economy? It has to be many billions by now.
I got a Puget box with Windows 7 shortly after Windows 8 came out. I still have one running XP. It's old and slow and malfunctions just the way I like it, but it's time to put it out to pasture. I got my wife a low-end laptop with Windows 8 for Christmas 2012. It was awful. On Christmas eve I exchanged it for a tablet. Can you still get a computer with Windows 7? Or are we stuck with 8?
Puget will still build one of their laptops or a PC with Win 7. Give them a call.
Take a look at their Spirit for a lower cost alternative to their more high-powered workstations.
--P
Posted by Paul DeCesare on April 20, 2014 at 1:04 AM
A lot of places still offer 7 as an option. You can also buy a copy from Amazon or Newegg. I just did that for a woman in our church who was still running XP, and she got hit this week with a NASTY root kit virus that stopped her from installing or uninstalling anything. Then when I went to boot in Safe Mode (which was successful), the virus destroyed key Windows files as it logged off, thus rendering it completely shot. This is what I was talking about, the world of hackers was just waiting for XP's date to hit just to unleash their new stuff, knowing there'd be no fixes. People absolutely have to ditch tired old XP ASAP, because it's now a target. So yes, you can still buy Windows 7 to install and you can still buy PCs with 7. The OEM versions are still available so there's no reason why Puget can't offer it, I'm sure they do.
People absolutely have to ditch tired old XP ASAP, because it's now a target.
Absolutely! Either upgrade your old box, assuming you can, or buy new with either Win 7 or 8.
The OEM versions are still available so there's no reason why Puget can't offer it, I'm sure they do.
Windows 7 is not dead, unlike XP. As Paul says, it's readily available at retail or as an option on new builds. I checked Puget's site yesterday before I wrote my above comment to Buck. PS: Puget includes the Win 7 disc when you purchase a machine from them.
Added: I was poking around Puget's Blog and found that they will do a Win 8 'Makeover' in order to make it more like Win 7. It's a free service if you order one of their computers.
Discussion
8 repliesWRONG.
The update adds a few icons to the top right of the "dashboard" which is what Microsoft calls a Metro-Style Start Screen, and those icons let you search easier and shutdown your PC quicker. Seriously, that's it. You DO have the option now to have Win 8 now open right to the real Desktop when you boot up/sign in. But no Start Menu, and I think many IT folks were thinking that was a given, myself included.
To be honest, I like 8 with no Start Menu, I've gotten to know where all of the right-click gems are and such, but most people like that Start Menu navigation. Not in this version.
My apologies for drinking the Kool-Aid on that one, that sort of changes the upgrade plan if you want to now stay with Win 7.
FWIW, if you DO want to have Win 8 startup right to the real Desktop, just right-click the Task Bar and choose good ol' Properties. Click the 2nd tab (Navigation), and check the second box in the bottom section. To be honest, if you just hit the Windows Key after the normal startup to the Metro dashboard, you'll be at your real Desktop. Hit it again, and back to the dashboard you go. I actually like perusing a few news and weather and sports apps when I first hop on, but getting to both "desktops" is rather easy. A keyboard key.
I think that Windows 8 is a stellar OS. Thanks so much for all of your contributions here, Paul!
Puget will still build one of their laptops or a PC with Win 7. Give them a call.
Take a look at their Spirit for a lower cost alternative to their more high-powered workstations.
--P
Absolutely! Either upgrade your old box, assuming you can, or buy new with either Win 7 or 8.
Windows 7 is not dead, unlike XP. As Paul says, it's readily available at retail or as an option on new builds. I checked Puget's site yesterday before I wrote my above comment to Buck. PS: Puget includes the Win 7 disc when you purchase a machine from them.
Added: I was poking around Puget's Blog and found that they will do a Win 8 'Makeover' in order to make it more like Win 7. It's a free service if you order one of their computers.
--P