Upgrade Windows

Currently I am using MS Windows 7 Home Premium (x64) Service Pack 1 on a desktop PC: Hewlett-Packard s5770uk-m. I am considering whether to upgrade it to MS Windows 8.

What do you think of Windows 8? Do you like it or would you advise keeping well away from it?

If I were to download Windows 8 and install it do you anticipate that I would have any problems, issues, conficts, etc?

Any suggestions, ideas, experiences you would care to share that would make the process easier?

 

I prefer windows 8 to windows 7.

Takes a little getting used to though, but after initial teething, it really is fabulous. A step or leap away from traditional windows.

If you're planing a clean installs, I know there would be no issues, for an upgrade, I can't say.

 

I have 8.1 on this laptop I'm posting from and 7 pro on the 'main' PC and tbh I can't say which is best or which I prefer. Fact is that under the skin, under the user interface, there is huge commonality, but the way it's all presented to the user could hardly be more different. I think it's significant though that MS were forced to make 8 a lot more familiar by issuing 8.1, though still stopping short of providing a full Start menu. But it was an admission that 8 was simply not working with the punters, mainly because touch screens hadn't caught on in the way they expected. For those with a keyboard and mouse 8.1 offers nothing but frustration initially, though you do learn to live with it.

Not much of a case for 'upgrading' is it?

 

No it's not. I think I'll carry on with Win 7.

 

Interesting article here about 8 v 7

http://********.com/2014/06/01/norm...-once-again-comfortably-outpaces-windows-8-x/

 

I started using Windows 8 two times (8.1 in a later case) but both attempts persuade me returning to Windows 7 Pro 64 I had before. I do not object on Win8 but it's not for me completely, I can say. And I run away from Win8 with skin on my teeth, risking losing all my data (Handy Backup saves me from a lot of problems). Now I am waiting for next generation of Windows, remembering odd versions of this OS are somewhat unstable and even versions are excellent.

 

I noticed a poll online the other day. They'd surveyed 4000 people who had Win 8 and then got Win 8.1. 59% of those polled said that Win 8.1 hadn't improved Win 8.

 

Why've you replaced the website's name with asterisks? It means no one can access the link.

 

@Earthling: I'd like to read the article that you posted. Could you please PM the URL to me, thanks!

 

My question is "Why waste time learning a new way to get the same results?". For sure Win 8 in its original form took a while to learn. After a month I was almost as fast at 8 as I am with 7. I decided then that learning 8 was fun but totally unnecessary.
If you can point to something in Win 8 you actually need or want to do then by all means upgrade. Most proponents of Win8 "like it" or have some obscure reason. I am not trading my BMW in on a Honda because someone else "likes it".

Remember, this is an OS, not a program and as such any time you spend there is not productive. Your OS is a file management system and program starter, nothing more.

 

I didn't make a separate note of the url Mark so I can't access it now either, but if I come across it I will try to PM you.

 

Thanks!

 

:majorI have been 'playing' with Windows 8, and 8.1, for somw time. I was the same as most, at first- I did not really get on with it!
But, after finding the odd tweak, like 'startisback', I got myself interested.
Windows 8.1 has a start button, now, and makes a difference. That sliding over to the right to show the bar to find things is annoying.
The trouble is that Microsoft have little videos and snippets to help, but they are not easy for the novice to find.
They don't explain enough in layman terms .
If you right click enough , you will find a lot of help, but for novices , its painful.
I quite like it now, as I have tweaked how I want it, and having ahown a few people the tweaks, they now, like it, too.
I advise people to look at Microsoft's tutorials-before upgrading.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/tutorial
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/start-screen-tutorial
One that helps--Slide the mouse pointer to the top left corner, to go back to last visited page, or, desktop.Also right click that item that shows if you wish to close it.
Right click things like computer, etc; (once you find it.)
Right click the start button.......etc:
Go into a pc store and see if they will let you try it....they might if you are considering buying... (consider...)
Use a program for geeks , like Rocket dock (works in windows 8, ok), then you can have plent of shortcuts, if you want.You can drag that anywhere you want, too(I have mine on left side, as it is out of the way there.
I still use Windows 7, Ultimate, and although more familiar with it- WINDOWS 8.1 is winning my acclaim, now.
Good luck -why not try a preview version?
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/hh699156.aspx?ocid=wc-tn-wctc
How to try- I would advise a separate hard drive- 60 gb will do.
Otherwise , if you have a large hard drive, you can partition it, and shrink the main partition to accommodate it. DO NOT DO THAT IF YOU HAVE A LAPTOP WITH A RECOVERY PARTITION, BECAUSE IT COULD MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO RECOVER, UNLESS YOU ARE WELL UP IN PARTITIONING--I found that all it does is give you the choice to start up in windows 7, or, 8/8.1 when starting up.
(USE the free partition wizard software if doing this) http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/minitool_partition_wizard_home_edition.html
Please come back if wanting a fuller explanation in how to multi-boot, if you want to know more, and try it.
bBe sure you know exactly what you are doing, if adding to your present system- if I am not about, ther are some brilliant technitions on majorgeeks.
I hope this little rundown helps some to decide.
Good luck:cool