How can I change my computer and not lose use of my favorite software

[qpal]

There seems to be little option when replacing an old computer than to settle for Win8. However, for me this would entail replacement, at unacceptable cost, of much of my somewhat ‘antiquated’ but adequate software running on Win XP - WordPerfect 12, Lotus 1-2-3 9.6, Excel 2000 9.0, Adobe Photo Deluxe 1.0 & Word 2000 9.0. Would it be a viable strategy to buy a Win8 computer, then buy Win7 off ebay and load that, rather than be saddled with Win8? And which version of Win7 would be suitable?

 

[maxie]

Hi Welcome to Seven Forums .. There are still some Windows 7 Desktops available in the UK .. Just need to shop around for them ...

 

[Ztruker]

My unsolicited opinion: Bite the bullet and find other software that does what you want and works with Windows 8. Libre Office is a good, free choice to replace Wordperfect, Lotus and Excel. Gimp is a possible free replacement for Photoshop.

Otherwise stay with the XP you have, keep your anti-virus up to date and be careful what you click on.

Windows 8 can be a bit difficult to use compared to Windows 7. It can be tamed though.

Start Button:
If you install Classic Shell (free) or Stardock's Start8 ($4.99) or similar software then you can have the Start button as it was in Windows 7 and boot directly to the Desktop. You can still play with Metro stuff but it's not forced on you.

Windows 7 Gadgets:
Windows 7 Gadgets are also available if you want them: 8GadgetPack - Gadgets for Windows 8

UAC:
I find UAC extremely annoying. If you do too then to (mostly) disable UAC, Press Windows key + R to open the Run window.
Type msconfig and press Enter.
Click on the Tools tab.
Select Change UAC settings and click Launch.
Move the slider all the way to the bottom then click OK.
Some parts of UAC will still be alive, so to completely disable it you need to change a registry key.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
Key: EnableLUA
Set the value to 0

You cannot use any Metro Apps or the App Store when UAC is disabled. If you've gone this far, you can also disable all hot corners so you will not get any of the Windows Charms popups. Just check the Classic Shell and Start8 options to do this.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Would it be a viable strategy to buy a Win8 computer, then buy Win7 off ebay and load that, rather than be saddled with Win8? And which version of Win7 would be suitable?

Very few people have a legitimate need for anything more expensive than Windows 7 Home Premium.

BUT, I would caution you about Ebay. The chances of fraud there are higher than I'd like.

If I had to get a new computer and did not have access to a known good Windows 7 installation disk and product key, I'd probably go with Windows 8 and immediately install one of several programs known to make desktop access similar to Windows 7. I think some of those programs are free and others very cheap--$5 or so.

I'd do that before I'd trust a random Ebay seller of Windows 7.

If you have a more reliable source for Windows 7, of course pursue it.

 

[qpal]

My unsolicited opinion: Bite the bullet and find other software that does what you want and works with Windows 8. Libre Office is a good, free choice to replace Wordperfect, Lotus and Excel. Gimp is a possible free replacement for Photoshop.

Otherwise stay with the XP you have, keep your anti-virus up to date and be careful what you click on.

Windows 8 can be a bit difficult to use compared to Windows 7. It can be tamed though.

Start Button:
If you install Classic Shell (free) or Stardock's Start8 ($4.99) or similar software then you can have the Start button as it was in Windows 7 and boot directly to the Desktop. You can still play with Metro stuff but it's not forced on you.

Windows 7 Gadgets:
Windows 7 Gadgets are also available if you want them: 8GadgetPack - Gadgets for Windows 8

UAC:
I find UAC extremely annoying. If you do too then to (mostly) disable UAC, Press Windows key + R to open the Run window.
Type msconfig and press Enter.
Click on the Tools tab.
Select Change UAC settings and click Launch.
Move the slider all the way to the bottom then click OK.
Some parts of UAC will still be alive, so to completely disable it you need to change a registry key.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
Key: EnableLUA
Set the value to 0

You cannot use any Metro Apps or the App Store when UAC is disabled. If you've gone this far, you can also disable all hot corners so you will not get any of the Windows Charms popups. Just check the Classic Shell and Start8 options to do this.

Thanks for your help. I think I have to look a bit more closely into what the alternative software programs have to offer.

 

[qpal]

Hi Welcome to Seven Forums .. There are still some Windows 7 Desktops available in the UK .. Just need to shop around for them ...

Thanks for your advice. I don't have that many shops close to hand so perhaps I have to look further afield.

 

[Mark Phelps]

Originally you said:

However, for me this would entail replacement, at unacceptable cost, of much of my somewhat ‘antiquated’ but adequate software running on Win XP - WordPerfect 12, Lotus 1-2-3 9.6, Excel 2000 9.0, Adobe Photo Deluxe 1.0 & Word 2000 9.0.

Buying a Win7 machine would still have the same problems "migrating" apps as would Win 8.

So, have you decided that you are willing to spend money to replace all these with newer versions?

If not, you should look into PCMover from LapLink. And yeah, I know that folks here will tell you (1) a clean install is the best approach and (2) this app won't actually migrate your apps, and (3) you'll end up with a PC that won't work ...

But ... I have done this with a PC and it DID work, and there have been no problems in over a year.

But, as they say, "your mileage may vary" but the cost of PCMover is certainly a lot less than buying new versions/replacements for all your apps.