The Official Windows 8 User Thread

[Dulanic]

I have to say so far I am not a fan. I have been running the technet release version for a few weeks and I can see this being much worse for the average user. We will forget the whole metro thing... once you are used to it, it isn't THAT bad. However, I find many other "quirks" and issues that will make me stick with Win7.

#1 No Aero, just big bulky bland boxes. The UI doesn't "blend" together at all.. it just contrasts other parts of the UI and makes it look.. ugly.

#2 No shadow volumes. I use backups, but shadow volumes were automatic and helps with the average dumb user who has no backups. Oh you didn't back that file up before you changed it? Here let me restore that with a few clicks... I used to use it all the time with things like game mods if I needed to do a quick restore to a few days ago. Backup works... but large majority of people don't use it.

#3 WTF is with all the full screen metro UI apps? I don't need a full screen used to play music. Which BTW, all my MP3's are under the "Music Library" but don't show in the Music app unless I manually open.

#4 Dual screen implementation sucks. It makes it easy to "miss" the corner menu.

#5 Metro and Desktop flow. They just feel COMPLETELY separated and on their own. Desktop feels like Win7, Metro feels like a tablet. It is almost as separate as a window is from the desktop since they contrast so horribly.

 

[Dahak]

Long shot, but anyone have dell xps 14 laptop? I rarely use this machine, decided to throw a copy of windows 8 on it, and the install actually fails and errors out. I don't think there is a problem with the machine, it runs 7 just fine, but even after multiple tries it fails on windows 8 installation every time.

I dont have that machine but just a guess, is that the original dell media might have the sata drivers integrated and when setup tries to install it load the win7 sata drivers and that could cause it to error

May have to download the sata drivers to a usb stick manually point to it at the drive selection screen

again this is a guess, unless you can provide more details about the error

 

[Dahak]

#1 No Aero, just big bulky bland boxes. The UI doesn't "blend" together at all.. it just contrasts other parts of the UI and makes it look.. ugly.

Yep hate that.

#2 No shadow volumes. I use backups, but shadow volumes were automatic and helps with the average dumb user who has no backups. Oh you didn't back that file up before you changed it? Here let me restore that with a few clicks... I used to use it all the time with things like game mods if I needed to do a quick restore to a few days ago. Backup works... but large majority of people don't use it.

True, but from what I have seen, unless the user knows about it and turns it on most people have not used it anyway, except in businesses where they are domain joined.

#3 WTF is with all the full screen metro UI apps? I don't need a full screen used to play music. Which BTW, all my MP3's are under the "Music Library" but don't show in the Music app unless I manually open.

I recall something like this from one of the betas if you added another folder to a library it does not correctly index it. Have to either set you music folder(if say d:\music) the default for the library or copy them into the c : \users\username\music

 

[Dulanic]

I recall something like this from one of the betas if you added another folder to a library it does not correctly index it. Have to either set you music folder(if say d:\music) the default for the library or copy them into the c : \users\username\music

It's a bug of some kind... it just keeps saying unresponsive folder? Fail. I tried loading it into WMP... Unresponsive windows? Really? Oh and I can't even extend the window to see exactly what it says. It sure has no problem showing me the xbox music store though lol

 

[joutlaw]

I put Windows 8 Enterprise on my company laptop. Joined it to our domain and it activated correctly on our KMS.

I am on a Dell Latitude 5410 with a Samsung 830 SSD. Everything is pretty snappy.

I installed classic shell and I still can't get used to 8. So many of my typical tasks feel convoluted. I am giving this a couple more days, but will more than likely be going back to 7.

 

[amdhunter]

I hate not knowing what time it is when I use my computer. I'm really giving this a chance but everything being full screen or side by side is killing me.

 

[cboath]

There is an live tile clock now.

But even if there wasn't, how often are you at the start screen? I agree it's a glaring omission on MS's part to not have one there, but I find i spend 99% of my time on the desktop which does have a clock.

The only task that seems a bit convoluted to me is having to switch to the start screen to load something i don't have on my desktop - that's about it. Though the start button may be gone, everything except 'all programs' seems to be available by right clicking in the botton left corner of the screen.

 

[happysmiles]

I've been using RTM and I'm really enjoying it, games are around 2fps faster but the best part is that the gameplay is smoother regardless.

 

[Mem]

I have to say so far I am not a fan. I have been running the technet release version for a few weeks and I can see this being much worse for the average user. We will forget the whole metro thing... once you are used to it, it isn't THAT bad. However, I find many other "quirks" and issues that will make me stick with Win7.

#1 No Aero, just big bulky bland boxes. The UI doesn't "blend" together at all.. it just contrasts other parts of the UI and makes it look.. ugly.

#2 No shadow volumes. I use backups, but shadow volumes were automatic and helps with the average dumb user who has no backups. Oh you didn't back that file up before you changed it? Here let me restore that with a few clicks... I used to use it all the time with things like game mods if I needed to do a quick restore to a few days ago. Backup works... but large majority of people don't use it.

#3 WTF is with all the full screen metro UI apps? I don't need a full screen used to play music. Which BTW, all my MP3's are under the "Music Library" but don't show in the Music app unless I manually open.

#4 Dual screen implementation sucks. It makes it easy to "miss" the corner menu.

#5 Metro and Desktop flow. They just feel COMPLETELY separated and on their own. Desktop feels like Win7, Metro feels like a tablet. It is almost as separate as a window is from the desktop since they contrast so horribly.

Preference thing I guess,I'm getting use to Win8 Pro RTM on one of my PCs and with Start8 installed find it ok,Win7 users will probably find it hard to upgrade unless they need certain features Win8 has,gamers also may find it not worth the upgrade.

Personally I'm going to upgrade my newest laptop from Win7 to 8 for £15,however probably keep my main desktop gaming PC on Win7.

Win8 is a change from XP/Vista/7 etc and more towards tablet users,however I find you can make it more desktop friendly ie with Start8 installed so not bad IMHO.

Feedback next month will be interesting from "average Joe " on the street.
Its a change from Microsoft but overall its not a bad OS especially since stability/speed is excellent etc...

 

[Rio Rebel]

I hope the drivers come out fast and stable. Catalyst is ahead of the curve, but I'm having to sacrifice my hard drive performance until the controller drivers are out. Really disappointed to learn that my core I3 (first generation) may not be getting any drivers that allow HD audio bitstreaming - Intel has a new Win8 driver for Sandy and Ivy, but nothing for the first generation core I3/I5 HTPC enthusiasts.

 

[Mem]

I hope the drivers come out fast and stable. Catalyst is ahead of the curve, but I'm having to sacrifice my hard drive performance until the controller drivers are out. Really disappointed to learn that my core I3 (first generation) may not be getting any drivers that allow HD audio bitstreaming - Intel has a new Win8 driver for Sandy and Ivy, but nothing for the first generation core I3/I5 HTPC enthusiasts.

I hope AMD release drivers and Control panel for my 4780 video card soon or next month,Win8 default ones work fine but I'm sick of the border around my screen like this problem http://support.amd.com/us/kbarticles/Pages/GPU72ResDoesNotMatchDesktop.aspx ,nothing I can do until then.

 

[ViRGE]

I hope AMD release drivers and Control panel for my 4780 video card soon or next month,Win8 default ones work fine but I'm sick of the border around my screen like this problem http://support.amd.com/us/kbarticles/Pages/GPU72ResDoesNotMatchDesktop.aspx ,nothing I can do until then.

Officially, they won't. The HD 4000 series has been demoted to Legacy status, which means it only gets periodic updates and won't officially support Win8. You should be able to force Win8 to take the legacy drivers, but there's no guarantee it will fix your issue if it's a Win8 problem.

 

[Mem]

Officially, they won't. The HD 4000 series has been demoted to Legacy status, which means it only gets periodic updates and won't officially support Win8. You should be able to force Win8 to take the legacy drivers, but there's no guarantee it will fix your issue if it's a Win8 problem.

Finally fixed the overscan issue with black borders,found some info here http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_cp-hardware/no-overscanscaling-options-for-amdati-drivers/420ee84a-07df-47a1-9128-876734df2884 ,basically you just need to install 11.12 AMD Control Centre only in CCC driver package,then you have all options to adjust overscan to get rid of the black border.

Anybody else with overscan issues in Win8 with old AMD video hardware try the above solution,worked for me.

 

[Remobz]

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/windows-8-being-pushed-prematurely-152627952.html

Personally, I would wait until sp3 for Windows 8.

Heck, Windows 7 is only sp1 and needs time to mature as well.

 

[ViRGE]

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/windows-8-being-pushed-prematurely-152627952.html

Personally, I would wait until sp3 for Windows 8.

Heck, Windows 7 is only sp1 and needs time to mature as well.

Intel is just mad because x86 tablets won't be out this year. As near as I can tell, there's nothing wrong with Windows 8 that would qualify it as premature.

 

[Remobz]

Intel is just mad because x86 tablets won't be out this year. As near as I can tell, there's nothing wrong with Windows 8 that would qualify it as premature.

Well, I just upgraded to Windows 7 this week from Windows XP. Had Windows Xp for almost 10 years. Maybe I will use Windows 7 for another 5 years or more. No rush for me

 

[happysmiles]

the biggest thing that pisses me off is that
In Australia its $14.99

which is 9.6 British pounds

yet in the UK its 14.99 for the same upgrade.

for the same download.

such crass

either way I'm simply going to get a Win 8 PC or wait until I'm back down under, despite the annoyances I can live with it and it visually syncs well with my Windows Phone

 

[Remobz]

the biggest thing that pisses me off is that
In Australia its $14.99

which is 9.6 British pounds

yet in the UK its 14.99 for the same upgrade.

for the same download.

such crass

either way I'm simply going to get a Win 8 PC or wait until I'm back down under, despite the annoyances I can live with it and it visually syncs well with my Windows Phone

But, are not most programs and software written for Windows 7? Games?

That is part of the reason I am waiting as well. Compatibility issues and such.

 

[Rio Rebel]

I would prefer Windows 7 myself. But the deck is stacked for Windows 8, for me - a fraction of the price, and one generation longer support.

If it were utter crap like Windows ME, I would pass..but it's not substantively different from Windows 7, and it's 40 bucks (15 if you bought a recent computer with W7)

 

[hclarkjr]

looks like us "few" people that like windows 8 will be getting some updates in the near future before the official launch at the end of the month http://news.softpedia.com/news/Windows-8-to-Taste-a-Host-of-Updates-Before-Release-295188.shtml

 

[Albatross]

I think that Win 8 biggest problem is Win 7`s quality.

 

[Mem]

I think that Win 8 biggest problem is Win 7`s quality.

Nothing to worry about there http://www.techspot.com/review/561-windows8-vs-windows7/ .

From a performance standpoint Windows 8 appears to offer a solid foundation from the get-go. Although there are only a few select areas where it is faster than Windows 7, we are pleased that it's able to match it everywhere else.

Looking beyond benchmarks, Windows 8 appears more polished than Windows 7, even if you plan to live on the desktop and aren't too fond of the Start screen, general usage is smoother and appears to be faster on Windows 8, which I found most noticeable on our somewhat underpowered Athlon II X4 system. If anything, it's a great start, now the Metro/Modern style will have to prove itself as a cross-platform OS that marries desktop, laptop and tablet PCs.

 

[Makaveli]

Nothing to worry about there http://www.techspot.com/review/561-windows8-vs-windows7/ .

Quality is more than just performance.

Metro still equals a fail on a desktop computer and Multitasking is also a step backwards on multiple monitors.

 

[Mem]

Quality is more than just performance.

Metro still equals a fail on a desktop computer and Multitasking is also a step backwards on multiple monitors.

I use Start8,no issues with running it as a desktop PC,I can swap between desktop and metro when I like,best of both worlds.

 

[Makaveli]

I use Start8,no issues with running it as a desktop PC,I can swap between desktop and metro when I like,best of both worlds.

I have start 8 installled also and its the only way win8 is useable for me.