Making the transition to Windows 8.1

AfricanTech

AfricanTech

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Windows 8.1 really is a better Windows 7 with a couple of incredible annoyances:

1. The Metro User Interface is so different, that it chases people away because it is so hard to get used to
2. The removal of the Gadgets functionality [this applies to Windows 7 as well]
3. The removal of the Quick Launch Toolbar and Show Desktop Icon (a Win 7 annoyance as well)


Fortunately, there are easy, free solutions to all of these.

1. Install Classic Shell (a free application that restores your familiar Win7 start button and allows you to disable the pesky windows 8 Metro UI and those irritating 'charm' thingy's. [http://www.classicshell.net/]. You won't look back.

2. Install the 8GadgetPack [http://8gadgetpack.net/]. Put your desktop clock, calendar and other widgets back where they belong.

3. This one is paraphrased from an excellent EightForum Tutorial [http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/5069-quick-launch-add-taskbar-windows-8-a.html]

Here’s a paraphrased how-to:

1. Right-click on the Taskbar and select Toolbars→New Toolbar…
2. Paste %userprofile%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch into the Folder input and click Select Folder. The Quick Launch toolbar will appear, next we will change it’s appearence and reposition it.
3. Unlock the Taskbar (right-click Taskbar and untick Lock the taskbar).
4. Right-click on Quick Launch toolbar and untick Show Text and Show Title.
5. Right-click on Quick Launch toolbar and select View… to set the desired Quick Launch toolbar icon size.
6. Reposition and resize the Quick Launch toolbar next to the Start Menu.
7. Finally lock the Taskbar (right-click Taskbar and tick Lock the taskbar).​
 
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Better yet, allow metro apps to be docked like widgets. (The live tile would be the widget part, clicking on it would open the app itself)

I don't think the Show Desktop button was ever removed? Mine is located next to the clock (Desktop Mode)

The biggest issue is app development, its incredibly tedious (no datagrids, effects etc), pretty bland tbh. Yeah yeah, I know thats how its suppose to be, but I'm not satisfied with Metro UI, its boring : /

I would love the taskbar to be somehow visible (Metro side), and show which metro apps are currently open.
 
Nether said:
Better yet, allow metro apps to be docked like widgets. (The live tile would be the widget part, clicking on it would open the app itself)

I don't think the Show Desktop button was ever removed? Mine is located next to the clock (Desktop Mode)

The biggest issue is app development, its incredibly tedious (no datagrids, effects etc), pretty bland tbh. Yeah yeah, I know thats how its suppose to be, but I'm not satisfied with Metro UI, its boring : /

I would love the taskbar to be somehow visible (Metro side), and show which metro apps are currently open.
Click to expand...

Yeah, they moved it to the far right hand side and changed it into a transparent rectangle. My muscle memory keeps moving the cursor down to the left next to the start button (where it's been for about 10 years or so).

Also, they did remove the Quick Launch Toolbar, once again, something that put my most used app icons onto.

When you say Metro apps to be docked like widgets, is there a 3rd party app that does it or is it a 'wishlist' item for you :D
 
Tip: When lost, press Windows key. That's all the advice I have on that front.
 
AfricanTech said:
Windows 8 really is a better Windows 7 with a couple of incredible annoyances:

1. The Metro User Interface is so different, that it chases people away because it is so hard to get used to
2. The removal of the Gadgets functionality [this applies to Windows 7 as well]
3. The removal of the Quick Launch Toolbar and Show Desktop Icon (a Win 7 annoyance as well)


Fortunately, there are easy, free solutions to all of these.

1. Install Classic Shell (a free application that restores your familiar Win7 start button and allows you to disable the pesky windows 8 Metro UI and those irritating 'charm' thingy's. [http://www.classicshell.net/]. You won't look back.

2. Install the 8GadgetPack [http://8gadgetpack.net/]. Put your desktop clock, calendar and other widgets back where they belong.

3. This one is paraphrased from an excellent EightForum Tutorial [http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/5069-quick-launch-add-taskbar-windows-8-a.html]

Here’s a paraphrased how-to:

1. Right-click on the Taskbar and select Toolbars→New Toolbar…
2. Paste %userprofile%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch into the Folder input and click Select Folder. The Quick Launch toolbar will appear, next we will change it’s appearence and reposition it.
3. Unlock the Taskbar (right-click Taskbar and untick Lock the taskbar).
4. Right-click on Quick Launch toolbar and untick Show Text and Show Title.
5. Right-click on Quick Launch toolbar and select View… to set the desired Quick Launch toolbar icon size.
6. Reposition and resize the Quick Launch toolbar next to the Start Menu.
7. Finally lock the Taskbar (right-click Taskbar and tick Lock the taskbar).​
Click to expand...

So you've listed the ways where Windows 8 is inferior to Windows7. Let's have a list of where 7 is inferior to 8.

I'm not seeing any reason to upgrade atm, and now apparently Win 9 (or nein) will be on the scene within 18 months as well.
 
Wyzak said:
So you've listed the ways where Windows 8 is inferior to Windows7. Let's have a list of where 7 is inferior to 8.

I'm not seeing any reason to upgrade atm, and now apparently Win 9 (or nein) will be on the scene within 18 months as well.
Click to expand...

You don't have to upgrade. However here's some reasons:

1) Improved Windows Explorer (especially the file copying dialog is vastly improved)
2) Vastly improved networking abilities
3) DirectX 11.1 is Win8.1 exclusive I believe
4) Improved Task Manager with greater granularity of processes.
5) Windows 8.1 is generally a lot better than Windows 8 - snapping apps works nicely now, the Start button is back (sort of), there's more sizes of squares available, etc.
 
cerebus said:
You don't have to upgrade. However here's some reasons:

1) Improved Windows Explorer (especially the file copying dialog is vastly improved)
2) Vastly improved networking abilities
3) DirectX 11.1 is Win8.1 exclusive I believe
4) Improved Task Manager with greater granularity of processes.
5) Windows 8.1 is generally a lot better than Windows 8 - snapping apps works nicely now, the Start button is back (sort of), there's more sizes of squares available, etc.
Click to expand...

Who still uses Windows Explorer?
In what way has the networking been vastly improved?
The exclusivity of DirectX 11.1 is extortion, to try and force people to upgrade

I don't distinguish between Windows 8 and 8.1. 8.1 is just the service packed version of 8 (when you look at previous versions).
 
Wyzak said:
Who still uses Windows Explorer?
Click to expand...
Tards like me :(
But being able to pause/resume file copying is a pretty big deal.

In what way has the networking been vastly improved?
Click to expand...
Well making a sharing group seems to actually work this time vs Windows 7.
The exclusivity of DirectX 11.1 is extortion, to try and force people to upgrade
Click to expand...
No argument here but it's what they've always done. And it is an improvement.
I don't distinguish between Windows 8 and 8.1. 8.1 is just the service packed version of 8 (when you look at previous versions).
Click to expand...
It's a pretty major service pack though. Just as XP made some huge jumps from SP1 - 3 where it went from basically okay to really very good, it's the same picture with 8 - 8.1 (except more like horrendous -> acceptable).

Oh lest I forget: Multimonitoring is definitely improved in Windows 8, and even further in Windows 8.1. That's a pretty big plus actually.

Also backup/restore of individual files is better.
 
cerebus said:
Tards like me :(
But being able to pause/resume file copying is a pretty big deal.


Well making a sharing group seems to actually work this time vs Windows 7.

No argument here but it's what they've always done. And it is an improvement.

It's a pretty major service pack though. Just as XP made some huge jumps from SP1 - 3 where it went from basically okay to really very good, it's the same picture with 8 - 8.1 (except more like horrendous -> acceptable).

Oh lest I forget: Multimonitoring is definitely improved in Windows 8, and even further in Windows 8.1. That's a pretty big plus actually.

Also backup/restore of individual files is better.
Click to expand...

That's a better list, thank you for the update. But still not anything really that I feel that I need to have. Will stick to Win 7 until it becomes obsolete, or I see something that I really need.
 
Wyzak said:
That's a better list, thank you for the update. But still not anything really that I feel that I need to have. Will stick to Win 7 until it becomes obsolete, or I see something that I really need.
Click to expand...

Why do you think I'm still on Windows 7? I'm not at all sold on Windows 8. It's just that it's unfair to say there's nothing new in there besides the ugly Metro interface. It's got some very intelligent ideas in there.
 
Windows9 is here soon, which is apparently turning back to the Win7 roots! thus I will hold of till then!
 
Seriously said:
Windows9 is here soon, which is apparently turning back to the Win7 roots! thus I will hold of till then!
Click to expand...

No it's not, it's targeting mobile and tablet applications which is exactly what got us into the Win8 mess.
 
Wyzak said:
No it's not, it's targeting mobile and tablet applications which is exactly what got us into the Win8 mess.
Click to expand...

Ag forks fugs sakes!

Windows 9 unveiled in April: report
Microsoft is to unveil Windows 9 in April in an effort to step up its game in the increasingly competitive market for tablet and laptop computers, according to a report Monday by prominent Microsoft blogger Paul Thurrott.

The report said that the software giant was pushing through the upgrade to mitigate the poor reception of Windows 8.

That operating system, first release in 2012, attempts to bridge the gap between traditional Windows laptops and tablets powered by Apple‘s iOS and Google‘s Android.

But it has been largely shunned by consumers unsure of how to use the hybrid software.

According to Thurrott the new OS would address the biggest criticism of Windows 8, the absence of the traditional start menu.

It would also reintroduce the old-style desktop which was ditched in favour of Microsoft’s confusing Metro design, the report said.

The new design, codenamed “Threshold”, will be unveiled at Microsoft’s BUILD developer conference in April, with plans to release the software to market a year later, the report said.

The company is searching for a replacement for outgoing CEO Steve Ballmer.

He announced his departure last year following widespread criticism for failing to prepare the PC-reliant company for the switch to smartphones and tablet computers.
Click to expand...

Big enough to read?
 
Wyzak said:
So you've listed the ways where Windows 8 is inferior to Windows7. Let's have a list of where 7 is inferior to 8.

I'm not seeing any reason to upgrade atm, and now apparently Win 9 (or nein) will be on the scene within 18 months as well.
Click to expand...

Um, no I havent. I've made a list that makes it easier to transition if you don't feel like wrassling with Metro :wtf:
 
Personally I would say, save yourself a headache, skip Windows 8 and go straight to Windows 8.1. If you're upgrading from Windows 7 or earlier that is.
 
Wyzak said:
That's a better list, thank you for the update. But still not anything really that I feel that I need to have. Will stick to Win 7 until it becomes obsolete, or I see something that I really need.
Click to expand...

Yeah - this thread isn't for you.

It's not a Windows 8.1 advocacy thread, it's a help thread for those who want to move but need help with the transition. If you don't need the help move on to another thread.
 
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