I Am Thinking Of Buying Windows 8...

[Pedroc1999]

So I am thinking of buying and installing windows 8, thing is this computer serves a family of 5 (including me) and they are all very used to operating windows 7. is there a way to keep its functionality but with the looks from windows 7, ie no metro and all that complicated stuff. even my 3yr old brother can successfuly operate windows 7, open files, work in chrome , write small sentences in word. thats how simple it is, can i keep it that way and still have windows 8

 

[Pauly]

Could always dual boot the machine with W7 as the default OS with a very short time on the OS select screen

7 for them 8 for you

 

[Pedroc1999]

Well yeah i suppose, i could also give them the option to try it out if they want...

i will consider it...

anyone know how to make it look more like windows 7

 

[whs]

Why on earth would you want Windows 8 when the whole family is happy with Windows 7. It would be a big step backwards.

Yes there are a whole number of tweaks to make Windows 8 look like Windows 7 - kind of (check on the Windows 8 forum). But what is the point.

 

[Layback Bear]

You have already got a Corvette that everybody can use and love, Windows 7.

 

[znod]

So I am thinking of buying and installing windows 8, thing is this computer serves a family of 5 (including me) and they are all very used to operating windows 7. is there a way to keep its functionality but with the looks from windows 7, ie no metro and all that complicated stuff. even my 3yr old brother can successfuly operate windows 7, open files, work in chrome , write small sentences in word. thats how simple it is, can i keep it that way and still have windows 8

I wouldn't do it under your circumstances. There are several good ways to make 8 more like 7, but I doubt they will yield the comfort level you need. See, for example, Stardock Start8 and Classic Shell. Even given these programs I think that your family will suffer unless the new Metro start screen is avoided for the most part. Don't be snowed by fanboys. Go to a Best Buy and fool with, or have someone demo, a Win8 machine. Watch out; salespeople know what to do to sell you a machine or a disc, although maybe not at Best Buy.

 

[revmike]

Leave well enough alone.

 

[LittleJay]

I have Windows 8 tweaked to look and run like 7, but it takes quite a bit of time and effort to do it. My advice is to save your money and stay with 7. Maybe at some point in the future, Microsoft will come out with a more desktop user friendly OS and you won't need to tweak it.

 

[edwar]

I agree with most. Don't install and certainly do not buy Win 8. The more people that do not buy it the more MS will realize they made a big mistake.

 

[Lovus]

Desktop is not Tablet . So why MS made windows 8 like a piece of crap ? Its Metro UI is for tablet not for desktop . But Good Aero because it has no aeroglass .

 

[AddRAM]

Windows 8 sucks, don`t buy it, don`t install it.

 

[Pedroc1999]

thank you all for your answers...i will stay here with windows7

 

[DeaconFrost]

These answers make me want to jump out of a window (pun intended). If you want to use Windows 8, there is one and only one thing you need to do with it. Install one of the Start menu apps listed above, or one of the many others. Some are free, some are a few $$. I am using StartIsBack. That will allow the system to boot to a familiar desktop screen.

Now, for the non-tech savvy family members, they may actually prefer the Metro UI. It's bigger tiles go over well with older folks who don't see as well. The Store also keeps their apps updated seamlessly, rather than having to track down each update and install manually. Performance, overall, is faster than Windows 7, and it's been designed to be even more secure. Another big plus for a multiple user system.

Do yourself a favor, and don't listen to any one else's opinion. You can try Windows 8 free for 90 days. Give it a shot for yourself. As most people find out, after using it for a little, they like it quite a bit. I hated it during the beta stages and wrote it off. I convinced myself to give it one more try, and I realized how wrong I was.

Besides, if you plan to buy it, might as well get it while it's cheap.

 

[whs]

These answers make me want to jump out of a window (pun intended). If you want to use Windows 8, there is one and only one thing you need to do with it. Install one of the Start menu apps listed above, or one of the many others. Some are free, some are a few $$. I am using StartIsBack. That will allow the system to boot to a familiar desktop screen.

Now, for the non-tech savvy family members, they may actually prefer the Metro UI. It's bigger tiles go over well with older folks who don't see as well. The Store also keeps their apps updated seamlessly, rather than having to track down each update and install manually. Performance, overall, is faster than Windows 7, and it's been designed to be even more secure. Another big plus for a multiple user system.

Do yourself a favor, and don't listen to any one else's opinion. You can try Windows 8 free for 90 days. Give it a shot for yourself. As most people find out, after using it for a little, they like it quite a bit. I hated it during the beta stages and wrote it off. I convinced myself to give it one more try, and I realized how wrong I was.

Besides, if you plan to buy it, might as well get it while it's cheap.

The lone beacon in the dark. :haha:

 

[DeaconFrost]

It's a damn shame that I am, at least on these boards. Funny thing is, when I read enthusiast forums, those guys are all over Windows 8 because it's testing faster than 7. I choose to sit in the middle, where just a small boost in performance isn't enough to make me switch OSes, either. I'm just appalled at how many people have this "fear" of Windows 8. I know it's common, because people freaked out when Windows 95 came out and the Program Manager was gone, but it was a step in the right direction. All I see are people complaining about Metro, but it's hardly intrusive. I never see it...unless I want to. It took me about a week of using it for several hours a day, before I started to think...oh yeah...that makes sense...I like that.