Okay, I will admit that I was one of those who eagerly followed the development of Windows 8 since the start. Having said that, I was probably also the biggest hater of this operating system when the developer preview launched a couple years back. Since the onset, simply nothing of Windows 8 worked for me. I never liked the Metro interface, the lack of driver support, the fact that the start button disappeared, constant switching between Metro and desktop interfaces, using the operating system on a desktop or even laptop – as the development continued I simply installed and then removed the OS time and again, even so with the consumer retail release of Windows 8. I had many more gripes with Windows 8, as did many other consumers, which I do not think I will discuss at this time.
However, with the release of Windows 8.1 on Thursday, I will admit that Microsoft did address a number of my gripes. Here are some improvements I have noticed in Windows 8.1, although not all of them were exactly what I’d hoped they would be.
1. The Return of the Start Button
I was relieved when I booted up and noticed the start button, however, disappointed when I clicked on it. Clicking on the Start Menu simply switch you between desktop mode or Metro mode. It does not offer the old functions the Start button did in previous versions of Windows. However, by right-clicking on the start menu, you do get a useful menu of links to useful functions, such as Task Manager, Control Panel, Search, Run, Shut Down – just to mention a few. I suppose I will still make use of my Start8 software in order to ensure a proper Start Button I am used to.
2. Improved Internet Explorer Browser
On the previous version of Windows 8 in tile mode, I was only able to open 10 web pages in IE. Once you reached your limit, pages will close automatically and in no random order. You had no choice of which pages were closed. Now, with Windows 8.1, there is no limit as to the number of pages you want to have opened.
The browser in Windows 8 only allowed me to view one page at a time. Sure, we could open more pages in tabs, but you could still view only one at a time. With Windows 8.1 I can now open more than one page by opening in a new window using a right click to have the second page visible.
3. Improved Mail App
The same limitations, as above, was present in Windows 8, where I could not have two messages opened at once. With Windows 8.1 I can now open more than one message at a time. When opening an attachment, it will now open on the side, instead of replacing the message as it did in Windows 8.
4. Improved Search
With Windows 8.1 I can now make use of the universal search function. With only one search command I have access to all files stored on my PC, as well as web content.
5. Improved Customization
With Windows 8.1 I can rearrange tiles and rename groups of apps easily. With an upward swipe on the home screen, I can view all my apps and arrange them by name, category, install date or frequency of use.
I can also set my computer to always boot directly to desktop mode, which allows me to limit my interactions with the Metro interface.
6. Improved Boot Time
From start to desktop takes around 6 seconds for me on Windows 8.1 – a great improvement over Windows 8.
7. Improved Primary Interface
With the old version of Windows 8 I had to go to various different sections in order to access various settings. With Windows 8.1 I can adjust the majority of my PC settings directly from the primary interface, without the need to switching between different modes.
Unfortunately, there are still a number of things that bothers me about Windows 8.1. Here are some more gripes:
1. Still Working on ‘Different Platforms’
Firstly, it still feels as if I am working between two different environments, instead of on one single operating system. The two different modes still have their own versions of Internet Explorer and if pages are opened in one mode, they are not displayed in the other.
2. Some Programs Still Working in Desktop Mode Only
Programs such as Microsoft Office still only works in Desktop mode.
3. Apps
Although I can adjust how much screen space each visible app takes up, the slider still moves from left to right. So, with a few open apps, all of the apps are vertical, making things awkward. Another problem is that Windows 8.1 only allows me to have 4 apps side by side, and this number was unlimited in the normal Windows 8.
If you want to open apps, there is no easy way to do this in Windows 8.1. You still need to go the full-page start screen. In the previous version there was a small Start button on the lower left corner that would do just this.
4. Checking Battery Life
There is still no way to check your battery life without going to the desktop of Windows 8.1.
5. Driver Availability
I noticed a number of people complaining about programs not functioning due to a lack of designated drivers for Windows 8.1. This is a huge turn-off for me – upgrading to a new operating system only to find that the manufacturer of certain hardware equipment still did not release correct drivers for the new system.
6. Display Issues
On my new version of Windows 8.1, my normal PC display is perfect. However, when I open certain software programs, such as Internet Download Manager, my 3G software or whatever, the interfaces appear horrendous. It is almost unreadable and very distorted. They appear lager than before. Although I am not sure if this is driver related, opening these programs make my 20K laptop just looks ugly!
My Conclusion:
Am I ready to take the plunge to Windows 8.1? Well, to be quite honest, NO. I think my Windows 7 Ultimate disc is about to start doing its work again.
I still have no reason to make use of Windows 8.1 on my laptop or desktop. Hopefully, Microsoft will review their future plans they had for this operating system. I just think that they may be too many light years ahead of me...
However, with the release of Windows 8.1 on Thursday, I will admit that Microsoft did address a number of my gripes. Here are some improvements I have noticed in Windows 8.1, although not all of them were exactly what I’d hoped they would be.
1. The Return of the Start Button
I was relieved when I booted up and noticed the start button, however, disappointed when I clicked on it. Clicking on the Start Menu simply switch you between desktop mode or Metro mode. It does not offer the old functions the Start button did in previous versions of Windows. However, by right-clicking on the start menu, you do get a useful menu of links to useful functions, such as Task Manager, Control Panel, Search, Run, Shut Down – just to mention a few. I suppose I will still make use of my Start8 software in order to ensure a proper Start Button I am used to.
2. Improved Internet Explorer Browser
On the previous version of Windows 8 in tile mode, I was only able to open 10 web pages in IE. Once you reached your limit, pages will close automatically and in no random order. You had no choice of which pages were closed. Now, with Windows 8.1, there is no limit as to the number of pages you want to have opened.
The browser in Windows 8 only allowed me to view one page at a time. Sure, we could open more pages in tabs, but you could still view only one at a time. With Windows 8.1 I can now open more than one page by opening in a new window using a right click to have the second page visible.
3. Improved Mail App
The same limitations, as above, was present in Windows 8, where I could not have two messages opened at once. With Windows 8.1 I can now open more than one message at a time. When opening an attachment, it will now open on the side, instead of replacing the message as it did in Windows 8.
4. Improved Search
With Windows 8.1 I can now make use of the universal search function. With only one search command I have access to all files stored on my PC, as well as web content.
5. Improved Customization
With Windows 8.1 I can rearrange tiles and rename groups of apps easily. With an upward swipe on the home screen, I can view all my apps and arrange them by name, category, install date or frequency of use.
I can also set my computer to always boot directly to desktop mode, which allows me to limit my interactions with the Metro interface.
6. Improved Boot Time
From start to desktop takes around 6 seconds for me on Windows 8.1 – a great improvement over Windows 8.
7. Improved Primary Interface
With the old version of Windows 8 I had to go to various different sections in order to access various settings. With Windows 8.1 I can adjust the majority of my PC settings directly from the primary interface, without the need to switching between different modes.
Unfortunately, there are still a number of things that bothers me about Windows 8.1. Here are some more gripes:
1. Still Working on ‘Different Platforms’
Firstly, it still feels as if I am working between two different environments, instead of on one single operating system. The two different modes still have their own versions of Internet Explorer and if pages are opened in one mode, they are not displayed in the other.
2. Some Programs Still Working in Desktop Mode Only
Programs such as Microsoft Office still only works in Desktop mode.
3. Apps
Although I can adjust how much screen space each visible app takes up, the slider still moves from left to right. So, with a few open apps, all of the apps are vertical, making things awkward. Another problem is that Windows 8.1 only allows me to have 4 apps side by side, and this number was unlimited in the normal Windows 8.
If you want to open apps, there is no easy way to do this in Windows 8.1. You still need to go the full-page start screen. In the previous version there was a small Start button on the lower left corner that would do just this.
4. Checking Battery Life
There is still no way to check your battery life without going to the desktop of Windows 8.1.
5. Driver Availability
I noticed a number of people complaining about programs not functioning due to a lack of designated drivers for Windows 8.1. This is a huge turn-off for me – upgrading to a new operating system only to find that the manufacturer of certain hardware equipment still did not release correct drivers for the new system.
6. Display Issues
On my new version of Windows 8.1, my normal PC display is perfect. However, when I open certain software programs, such as Internet Download Manager, my 3G software or whatever, the interfaces appear horrendous. It is almost unreadable and very distorted. They appear lager than before. Although I am not sure if this is driver related, opening these programs make my 20K laptop just looks ugly!
My Conclusion:
Am I ready to take the plunge to Windows 8.1? Well, to be quite honest, NO. I think my Windows 7 Ultimate disc is about to start doing its work again.
I still have no reason to make use of Windows 8.1 on my laptop or desktop. Hopefully, Microsoft will review their future plans they had for this operating system. I just think that they may be too many light years ahead of me...
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