I've heard all Windows 8 is, is Windows 7 with a layer on top of it???

[pessimistic]

Okay, maybe the wrong forum.. But I don't have Win8, so it's just one question.
Anyhow, I'm completely baffled as to how Windows 8 works under the hood. Every single app in Metro isn't even in the program files folder. This leads me to believe that the desktop is just windows 7, Metro is a whole different OS, and the two work harmoniously together. Is this about right?

 

[ICIT2LOL]

No expert mate but yes and no the principles about the same but the way they function are different.

I found this and posted it earlier on another thread but instead of you having to read through the lot The Windows 8 Start Menu reimagined and reinvigorated | TechRepublic=

It is a matter of taste really I like so many others like the 7 as an easy OS to work with.

 

[whs]

Windows 8 is an OS designed for tablets - not suitable for traditional PCs without a touchscreen.

 

[sdadamo]

This OS is more tablet-based than Desktop-based which is pretty much destroying their market. I don't appreciate how they use licenses for everything and all. I did like snapping apps which enabled a lot of multitasking but I disliked it so much with the way it was structured. They claim it was made for productivity but only if you have the materials to make it productive. I've seen people say they can't snap apps even on dual-monitors on account of the individual screens being too small.

I'm not a big fan of Windows 8 but once you get comfortable with it, it's manageable. I still prefer XP and Windows 7 over it. They should have made a tablet version AND a desktop version. Not everybody wants to switch to touch screens or tablets (imagine how many times a week you'd have to clean those).

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Yes I agree that it is more tablet and touch screen orientated but as I said in another thread my brother who has a rudimentary understanding of computing (just started) and often asks me how and what with 7 made me look like a slouch with an 8 install he had put on a laptop before I visited him in the UK recently.

He seemed to have an instant understanding of it where I find it hard with that first screen that it pulls up. His laptop is for the record an old Celeron 2 GB driven machine that is really what I would use for XP or spares.

 

[whs]

They should have made a tablet version AND a desktop version.

Exactly - and that would have been easy. But they are just stubburn. I wonder how much of a price they are willing to pay for that.

 

[sdadamo]

They should have made a tablet version AND a desktop version.

Exactly - and that would have been easy. But they are just stubburn. I wonder how much of a price they are willing to pay for that.

I'm wondering how much longer they'll last before something really bad happens to them. It's pretty obvious that the new Xbox will get bad profits as well as people will stop buying their Office because I think it's ridiculous to put a price on something that a lot of people only use for typing papers or making power points; especially when there are already programs that are free and open-source to replace them.

Next year is going to be really ugly for them.

 

[pparks1]

I've come around to Windows 8. It has some performance benefits over 7. Boots faster, reconnects to networks faster, reconnects to wireless a lot faster, can natively mount ISO files, has Hyper-V built it, more useful task manager, and has event tracking within Device Manager...just to name a few.

I'm not into the new UI, so I ran Stardock Start8 and boot straight to the desktop. I have none of the new "apps" set as default apps. So, it really looks like my Windows 8 box really is a Windows 7 host. It works for me.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Yeah well I am going to try a dual boot on a spare laptop and use that app I found yesterday to give me a 7 style start panel.

 

[z3r010]

I've been using Window 8 for about 6 months and I don't think I've seen the metro interface since the day I installed the system, after adding a start button and setting the program defaults to use the desktop version of programs, I'm left with a nice updated version of Windows 7.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

I've been using Window 8 for about 6 months and I don't think I've seen the metro interface since the day I installed the system, after adding a start button and setting the program defaults to use the desktop version of programs, I'm left with a nice updated version of Windows 7.

Yes Z I was thinking of doing a dual boot and using that app I found yesterday here

The Windows 8 Start Menu reimagined and reinvigorated | TechRepublic

for the start UI

 

[z3r010]

That looks very nice, I know the guys at Reviversoft and they do great work so I may have to give it a go.

Edit - I've just tried it out and it's a little to Metro for my taste (it does look very good though) I think I'll stick with my Start8.

 

[Mark Phelps]

I've moved to using Win8 nearly all the time -- but waited until Stardock came out with Windowblinds, so I could make the desktop UI look very similar to Win7. I also run Start8 (because I LIKE having a start menu) and ModernMix (because I like being able to have more than one app open on my desktop).

So for me, Win8 is more like a service pack upgrade to Win7 -- which is OK, from my perspective.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

I've moved to using Win8 nearly all the time -- but waited until Stardock came out with Windowblinds, so I could make the desktop UI look very similar to Win7. I also run Start8 (because I LIKE having a start menu) and ModernMix (because I like being able to have more than one app open on my desktop).

So for me, Win8 is more like a service pack upgrade to Win7 -- which is OK, from my perspective.

Interesting observation Mark it will be different eh?

The only thing is I am left wondering will my Kaspersky ISS still cover the second install??

 

[Mark Phelps]

The only thing is I am left wondering will my Kaspersky ISS still cover the second install??

I may get arguments for saying this, and you should really post in our sister forum (eightforums.com) for Win8-specific questions, but I ran into the same question but with Norton AV, and for now, an using the default MS AV in Win8, and have not had any problems.

I can "migrate" Norton AV from Win7 to Win8, but I still use Win7 and would rather not leave it unprotected. I also don't want to buy another Norton AV subscription right now.

So, what I would do (if I were you) would post a question in the Win8 forums regarding what folks feel about using the default MS AV product versus installing a third-party product.

 

[lehnerus2000]

Depends ...

IMO, W8 is OK if you totally eliminate Metro (i.e. install a replacement Start Menu like Classic Shell).

Significantly faster "boot" only occurs if you use the pseudo-shutdown option and/or your hardware likes W8.
On my PC, the standard boot up sequence was 6s - 9s faster than W7.

Pseudo-shutdown only starts as fast as my PC wakes from Sleep, so no real benefit there (on a desktop).

I've never used Hyper-V (I have VMware Workstation and Player) but it may be of benefit to people who don't have another VM manager available for installation.

I can't say that I noticed any difference in overall speed or network performance.
All I can say about that is that W8 wasn't obviously slower.

 

[pessimistic]

I'm sorry, I don;t believe I made myself totally clear.
As an end user, I perfectly understand (and like) how Windows 8 works. I just can't have it on my machine because it's a shared computer, and my mom is confused by it.
I was really more interested in the structure, and how they managed to completely isolate the desktop from the rest of the OS.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Windows 8 is an OS designed for tablets - not suitable for traditional PCs without a touchscreen.

Or even with a touch screen, especially if one has my shoulders.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

They should have made a tablet version AND a desktop version.

Exactly - and that would have been easy. But they are just stubburn. I wonder how much of a price they are willing to pay for that.

I'm wondering how much longer they'll last before something really bad happens to them. It's pretty obvious that the new Xbox will get bad profits as well as people will stop buying their Office because I think it's ridiculous to put a price on something that a lot of people only use for typing papers or making power points; especially when there are already programs that are free and open-source to replace them.

Next year is going to be really ugly for them.

What's going to kill Office is what is essentially a 300% price increase and the increasing push to the cloud. Office 2010 Family Pack allowed up to three installations at one time on a license and could be moved from one machine to another. Office 2013 allows only one for around the same price. M$ already has had to backpedal on an added restriction that was on Office 2013. Before they gave into public outcry, Office 2013 couldn't even be moved from one machine to another.

If M$ has their way, eventually all Office "installations" will be rented from the cloud.

 

[whs]

Windows 8 is an OS designed for tablets - not suitable for traditional PCs without a touchscreen.

Or even with a touch screen, especially if one has my shoulders.

Yeah right - it is an orthopedic nightmare unless you have one of those convertible Ultrabooks that you can lie flat on the table.