Windows
8 is here and the response seems to be mixed in terms of how
Microsoft’s new operating system is being received by consumers, both
residential and business. As Windows 8 is new, in terms of computer
repair we have not had to work with this operating system too much. All
of us have taken the time to learn the operating system during the open
beta, and we have had a few customers in for a Windows 8 downgrade or
minor bug fixes. So far the majority has been setting up new computers
with a Windows 8 upgrade, transferring data from old computers, adding
user accounts, and of course tutorials on how to use this new Windows 8
interface.
Windows 8 Start Screen Tiles and Windows Phone 7 S…—Filip Skakun (Flickr.com)
As usual when Microsoft releases a new operating system, we get asked
about upgrading. Our experiences are mixed in terms of how Windows 8
benefits users. I see where Microsoft is going with this. They have the
only operating system which is nearly seamless across the smartphone,
tablet, and PC market. This is where Microsoft is hedging it’s future;
that customers don’t want to have to learn one operating system to run
their desktop, another to play with their tablet, and another to use
their phone. By making an operating system which works across all these
main devices, it simplifies the learning curve and makes buying future
products which run Microsoft’s software much less of a blind jump into
new waters.
Windows 8 store, Windows Store—Filip Skakun (Flickr.com)
On top of this, Microsoft is going the way of Apple’s App Store and
giving customers a Microsoft Store which allows them to locate new
software and buy online directly from within the operating system.
Finally even PCs can get new software without having to go to the big
box stores. Also, the sync features of Windows 8 allow you to perform
personalizations on one device and have them sync to other devices, so
software settings on multiple devices can be the same. The Windows 8
Store is a huge step in the right direction for PCs in general.
Downloadable software is critical to the future of all things PC. It is
actually surprising that it has taken so long for a software store to
come to Windows, but now that it is there, developers have direct access
to reach their target audience at the exact location the customer is
needing the software – right in front of their computer. In turn,
customers now have a way to vet out good and bad software, and find what
they are looking for from a store which also vets its list of products.
In other words, Microsoft will make sure the software works on your PC,
and the users will make sure you know if its worth it or not to buy.
This feature is not readily apparent in the new Windows 8 operating
system – Windows users haven’t had this kind of access to software yet –
however once you find a single software title that solves a problem or
enhances Windows for you, you will forever think about checking the
Microsoft Store before purchasing software in a box, and that bodes well
for Microsoft.
Windows 8 desktop, Windows 8 on Desktop—Filip Skakun (Flickr.com)
Oh the Windows 8 Desktop, how could you abandon the Start button?
This is where the mixed feelings of Windows 8 really hits home. A few
days ago, I reclined in my chair at home. My hand on my mouse, elbow on
my armrest, and legs stretched out – my Hulu.com position, in most
cases. You’re probably in a similar position right now. From this
position, you have little to think about. Move the mouse down to the
bottom left, click, and viola, access to all your programs. Don’t like
this page and want to close it? A quick flick of the wrist to the far
top right, click, and you’ve closed the window. It’s natural and feels
right. Bottom right time and date, top left window icon;
Windows 7 makes sense. It’s really good, and after a few Windows 8 setups, I am happy to go home to a less stressful Windows 7.
The Windows 8 Desktop is kind of like a ‘behind the scenes’ window.
You have the nice looking tiles of the Windows 8 Start Screen, in which
the tiles update very nicely with new emails, news, weather, and a large
assortment of other information being a click away. Then you can access
the desktop itself, either by moving the mouse to a corner and then
clicking – or by tapping the Windows key on your keyboard. The Windows 8
desktop looks just like the Windows 7 desktop except for one key
feature – the
Windows 7 Start Button. It’s no longer
there. The intuitive button on which to begin your journey into
computing is just not there anymore. Want to get back to the Start
Screen? Fiddle around with the corners to find either a side-pop-out
Charms menu or an application menu, and click on the Start Screen.
Frustrated at this and want to just shut the computer off? Multiple
clicks will get you there, but the first time you’ll be searching for it
without someone showing you how. I have to touch further on shutting
down – its very annoying for people who have multiple monitors, as you
have to place the mouse precisely at the right edge of the first screen
to access the first series of clicks to shut down. Here is a short video
on how to shut down Windows 8:
There is quite a bit of rage over this feature. It feels like a step
back. Thankfully there is a solution – you can download and install a
Windows Start Button and have it show on the desktop on the bottom left.
According to this article,
a single company has had over 500,000 downloads of a Windows 8 Start
Menu. Upon reading this for the first time, I rolled my eyes – how does
Microsoft let a third party come in and add a feature to their new
operating system – a feature which has been a staple and a synonym for
‘Microsoft’ for over 10 years? How did they not realize there would be
such a demand for this one feature, and why did no one add it as an
official feature? I am baffled.
Windows 8 fast, The new Windows 8 is incredibly slick fast I\’m mor…—yakobusan Jakob Montrasio (Flickr.com)
Overall, Windows 8 is going to be a good step forward for PCs. It
will just take a long while to get there. Usually it will require our
customers a year of proven success before they will perk up and adopt a
new operating system. When they do, it has been around long enough that
its not scary to jump into anymore. Since so many devices will share the
same user interface, it will become more natural to see Windows 8 on
touch screen information kiosks, a phone, a tablet, and many other
devices. Because Windows 8 is modular, it is fast on all its current
platforms.
Windows 8 won’t speed up your games
by any account, but the average user will notice a good performance
increase in their computer usage in everything from starting the machine
to opening multiple apps. The tiles in the Start Screen make new
information readily available, so you might find yourself a little more
productive too.
If you are looking to upgrade to Windows 8, we would hope that you
are an above average computer user who can learn new ways of doing the
same old thing. Windows 8 has its little hassles and bugs, but if you
can endure a little pain I’m sure the long term experience will end up
being a good one. The added features are desirable, as is the
application speed. Gamers will likely stick with Windows 7, as will I
for a while. If you have Windows 7 and are thinking to upgrade, you’re
probably good to stay with 7 for a while – that is unless you have a
Surface and a Windows Phone too. In those cases, why not make your life
easier by syncing your operating system across devices? In the end,
Windows 8 makes sense; it will just take some time for everyone to see
it.
Here at A Plus Computer Tech we can help you with your Windows 8 upgrade,
or a Windows 8 downgrade should that be more appealing to you. Some
users who purchased new computers and laptops over the holidays are
looking to get Windows 7 installed on that new hardware. Upgrade or
downgrade, we can help with the process. For upgrades, we will make sure
you have enough memory and processing power to handle Windows 8, and
will make sure to backup all your data and transfer it to the correct
locations on the Windows 8 installation. For downgrades, we can cleanly
format the hard drive and get Windows 7 installed so you can preserve
your familiar desktop. If you have any questions regarding Windows 8, or
run into any computer repair
problems, please give us a call and we will be glad to help. We are
open every day from 10am – 6pm including weekends. If you enjoyed this
article, please leave a comment below. Thank you!
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