Confusion over going from Win7 to Win8/8.1

solarblast · 12 Mar 2014

I use Win 7 on a desktop PC, and recently purchased 8.1 as the way to move up to Win 8.1. I have not yet attempted to install it. In a non-Windows forum, I asked about this, and found that to get to 8.1 I would either need to replace 7 entirely with a 8.1 install, or save programs, Word, Office, images, ... to a backup drive. The store I purchased 8.1 says the same. However, on the box for 8.1, it says "If you are running Win 7 your files will easily transfer. Some features such as touch screen will require a new PC". What is correct?

Brink · 12 Mar 2014

Hello Solarblast,

You would need to have a touch screen monitor for it to be available of course.

When upgrading from Windows 7 to Windows 8.1, you would only keep your personal files.

Upgrade Install to Windows 8 or Windows 8.1

Because of that, I would recommend to back up your personal files, and do a clean install of Windows 8.1 instead. This way you wouldn't have to worry about any possible upgrade issues.

Clean Install - Windows 8

Hope this helps, :)
Shawn

whs · 12 Mar 2014

Do not install Windows 8 before you have not tried it. Most people coming from 7 don't like it. Do this first:

VMware Player - Install Windows 8

I have done that and it runs beautifully. See here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYapSD6ttQ4

This is the best of all worlds and you do not have the usual fuzz with drivers, secure boot and all those other new things that you have to deal with in Windows 8. Nor do you have to save any of your files because you can get easily at them from Windows 8.

solarblast · 12 Mar 2014

Thanks, I think I'll just sell the product, and stick with 7.

So which way is MS going with 7 and 8/8.1? Is the future 7 or is it 8/8.1?

whs · 12 Mar 2014

Who knows, confusion reigns. But I still think you should hang on to the license and run it as I have suggested. It is a lot of fun.

solarblast · 12 Mar 2014

Way too much trouble.

I just placed an ad for it our local small town radio station's (15K pop) swap station website. If it doesn't fly in a few days, I'll take it back to the store I bought it at, 25 miles from here, and argue my case. They had a 15 day return. I set it aside 40 days ago. I would have never guessed this mess might be waiting for me.

Hmmm, I just recalled that I had bought an OS some time ago, and went to look. It's an upgrade to Win 7 Pro!!! The box was never opened. It's an upgrade to XP and Vista. Well, I might be able to sell it too. I have one XP, but it sure doesn't need Win 7.

solarblast · 12 Mar 2014

In the System rqmts in the link above, I see this.
Windows 8

If you want to run Windows 8 on your PC, here's what it takes:

hardware -- immaterial

...

Additional requirements to use certain features:

To use touch, you need a tablet or a monitor that supports multitouch (more info)
To access the Windows Store and to download and run apps, you need an active Internet connection and a screen resolution of at least 1024 x 768
To snap apps, you need a screen resolution of at least 1366 x 768

... etc.

I really don't need this, so 8.1 really isn't helping me one bit.

whs · 12 Mar 2014

You are not adventurous, LOL. Discovering new things is fun.

Brink · 12 Mar 2014

Windows 8.1 isn't a touch only OS. It's a step towards having mobile (modern/touch) and desktop together on one OS.

Windows 8.1 is basically still the same as Windows 7 (minus Start Menu that can be added if you like), but with the modern/touch added.

If you like, you should give it a play with to see how you like it. :)

Mark Phelps · 12 Mar 2014

Is the future 7 or is it 8/8.1?

With MS, the future is always <current OS Version>+1 ... even when they use silly names (like "Vista").

The situation is confusing right now because MS is modifying Win8+ to restore features that they initially removed with the deployment of Win 8.

Some would say this is trying to make it more like Win7. But others, including me, will say that in using the Desktop Mode, the Win7 "look and feel" was there all along. All MS is doing is making the Desktop Mode easier to get to, and more of a default.

Personally, I continue to be astounded by folks who rant on about "Hating" Win8, when in fact, all they really dislike is the tiles-UI. That takes only a few minutes to change, and with the every changing landscape of Win8+, it's going to be easier to do with each "upgrade".

It's very unlikely the store will take it back. Every place I buy software from has a strict "open-the-box-and-you-bought-it" approach in denying returns. And, if as you imply, you've had this for over 40 days, that's even more reason for them to refuse to take it back.

I would go along with others and suggest you give it a try. You can use Desktop Mode as your default, if that is more familiar to you, but you should also try the tiles-UI. You might grow to like it -- they are making it "better" (IMHO) with each "upgrade".