Windows 7 awkward feel, missing WinXP, need advice

Nick2 said:

Hi,

This is my first post on this forum and I really need your help.

I needed a x64 OS, and up to date multi-processor/hardware optimizations and Win7 seemed to be the only viable choice, since WinXP x64 died long time ago.
So, I've installed the x64 Professional version.

The problem is that I can't get used to it, it feels so much different than XP.
I feel very awkward every time I need to do something that involves the Win7's menus.
I miss the quicklaunch bar, the standard taskbar, the classic start menu, the show desktop button that I had in quicklaunch, My Documents folder, Windows Explorer menus and layouts, the standard icons(for example the ones for folders/JPEG files/etc), the fact that there is no View as Thumbnails option when I set never display as thumbnails, Documents and Settings folder, the text sharpness that XP had(with Standard setting for edges smoothing), and many many other things that I don't remember right now.


What can I do?

Nick, there is definitely a learning curve coming from XP to Windows 7. I made that change in December. I ran into things I could not find or do in Win 7 as I had done in XP. A friend on another forum (not a computer forum) referred me here. Doing searches and reading the tutorials I found most of my answers without having to post a question.

Don't let the learning curve throw you; just be determined to master Win 7 as you mastered XP. Once you get the feel of Win 7, you will really like it and you won't want to go back. Feel free to post any questions. There are so many helpful and knowledgeable folks here.

And welcome to the forum and to the world of Win 7.

Reverting to a Windows XP like experience:

Here's a freshly written tutorial: Convert to Windows XP Style

   Tip

I think we know that the 7 conversion process can be difficult and takes time. However, please let those who wish to stick with the old style do so.

This reminds me of the old adage about the popular kids and their "circle". There's a certain amount and type of people in the World who fit into a perfect little circle. If anyone doesn't fit into the circle they're broken. If they're broken, then they should be beaten, rearranged and reconfigured so that they can be brought into the circle.

If we weren't unique, we'd be boring and stagnant. There would be no revolution due to the outrageous one man's opinion that came along 50 years ahead of its time. Please let the unique survive, don't attempt to convert them.
Please don't take this the wrong way, I'm not attacking anyone.

Most of the responses that I read didn't seem like rude responses like "get used to it, XP is dead". The responses were people either trying to offer advice on how to install some things to make it seem like it used to be, or people who offered examples that they weren't exactly gung-ho at first when they got on Windows 7...but they adjusted and got used to things the way they are. There is absolutely nothing wrong with posting these types of responses..it helps to show that you are not alone and that maybe in due time things will work out well for you.

I've tested pretty heavily at work with a Windows 7 box and a power meter (kill-a-watt), stop watch, etc...and there is only a miniscule effect in my opinion with disabling all of the aero functionality and turning off all of the eye-candy...unless you are running on a completely terrible graphics card. My test box at work has an Nvidia 8600GT with 256MB of RAM and I purchased it for around $40...so certainly not a powerhouse by any means.

To the OP...there have been numerous tips in this thread for getting things back closer to the way that they used to be. Most of them are pretty simple and don't take much effort. I think once you get the visual changes back that you want, you should be off and running.

pparks1 said:

Most of the responses that I read didn't seem like rude responses like "get used to it, XP is dead". The responses were people either trying to offer advice on how to install some things to make it seem like it used to be, or people who offered examples that they weren't exactly gung-ho at first when they got on Windows 7...but they adjusted and got used to things the way they are. There is absolutely nothing wrong with posting these types of responses..it helps to show that you are not alone and that maybe in due time things will work out well for you.

I've tested pretty heavily at work with a Windows 7 box and a power meter (kill-a-watt), stop watch, etc...and there is only a miniscule effect in my opinion with disabling all of the aero functionality and turning off all of the eye-candy...unless you are running on a completely terrible graphics card. My test box at work has an Nvidia 8600GT with 256MB of RAM and I purchased it for around $40...so certainly not a powerhouse by any means.

To the OP...there have been numerous tips in this thread for getting things back closer to the way that they used to be. Most of them are pretty simple and don't take much effort. I think once you get the visual changes back that you want, you should be off and running.

Thank you.

pparks1 said:

Most of the responses that I read didn't seem like rude responses like "get used to it, XP is dead". The responses were people either trying to offer advice on how to install some things to make it seem like it used to be, or people who offered examples that they weren't exactly gung-ho at first when they got on Windows 7...but they adjusted and got used to things the way they are. There is absolutely nothing wrong with posting these types of responses..it helps to show that you are not alone and that maybe in due time things will work out well for you.

I've tested pretty heavily at work with a Windows 7 box and a power meter (kill-a-watt), stop watch, etc...and there is only a miniscule effect in my opinion with disabling all of the aero functionality and turning off all of the eye-candy...unless you are running on a completely terrible graphics card. My test box at work has an Nvidia 8600GT with 256MB of RAM and I purchased it for around $40...so certainly not a powerhouse by any means.

To the OP...there have been numerous tips in this thread for getting things back closer to the way that they used to be. Most of them are pretty simple and don't take much effort. I think once you get the visual changes back that you want, you should be off and running.

My point wasn't that they were rude, it was that they didn't seem to answer his question and a few had the overtone of "Do this, it's the cool way". Thats just me though, who knows.

BTW, Tip wasn't meant as an attack, just a reminder to people that not everyone is the same.