Using Windows 8

• Darkboy132 wrote on 2014-10-29 06:15
  Recently my mom received a Windows 8 laptop. However, she's not tech savvy, so she frequently comes to me for help.
  
  Unfortunately, I have no idea how to use a Windows 8; I've only used Windows XP, Vista, and 7. The start button looks very different a little more complex. Can someone give me pointers on utilizing Windows 8 so I can help my mom? Specifically on what separates it differs from Windows 7.
• Calistin wrote on 2014-10-29 12:34
  I am by no means an expert, before I started using my windows 8 laptop I was using a windows xp desktop so the changes were pretty stark. I think the biggest thing you have to learn to work with is the page like functionality of some programs. For example, if you insist on using the desktop area to keep the computer more familiar and you open Skype, you are moved into a space that is exclusively Skype. It is easy to switch between area by mousing to the upper left hand corner you can check out what areas you have open. Overall the functions are similar enough it just takes getting used to, I'm told that it was designed for touch screen devices and added to traditional computers as an afterthought I'm not sure of the truth of that though.
  
  I cannot speak of any specific differences from windows 7, though I remember asking someone who was familiar with windows 7 to help me figure it out but they got lost.
• Campylobacter jejuni wrote on 2014-10-29 13:37
  Upgrade to 8.1 then ignore Metro.
  
  There's also a way to make it start with the regular desktop, but I forgot what you had to do.
  
  You can install regular Skype on Windows 8 so you don't get switched to the app. I think it's called Skype for Desktop on the website or something. Windows 8 apps are cringeworthy, at least Hotmail is. The UI is barely existent, and so is the functionality. The search field isn't even a field, who the fuck was presonsible for that.
• Mentosftw wrote on 2014-10-29 21:40
  Upgrade to windows 10
• Kelvas wrote on 2014-10-30 02:52
  I hate everything about windows 8. It's like the vista of 2014, but so much worse. If you want to make it seem like windows 7, there's a program called Classic Shell which does a number of things including the addition of a smart menu. I'm pretty sure you have the option to bypass the metro screen, but don't quote me on that.
  
  As for the dumb apps, just go into default programs and change the defaults to what you normally use in windows xp/vista/7, like windows media player, windows photo viewer, google chrome for desktop, ect.
  
  I forgot what else I did with my laptop, but now I completely avoid all the crap they added to 8 that wasn't on 7 with third party problems.
  
  Oh and one more thing. You know how you have to mimic a tablet gesture to lift a screen prior to entering your password? You can remove that with a registry edit.
• Yoorah wrote on 2014-10-30 03:26
  Saying that Windows 8 is "the Vista of 2014" is hilariously inaccurate, when it's an optimized, cleaned up back-end of Windows 7 with some new UI features and apps. It may not suit your taste, but it's technically good code. Vista's issues at launch were completely different, some of which included underspecced PCs which were certified for it, a completely redesigned driver architecture (which meant a lot of bad bugs at the time), etc.
• Osayidan wrote on 2014-11-01 16:21
  You can't even buy windows 8 anymore, technically it's 8.1 \o/
  There's really not much to get used to in regards to every day use, just your start menu is very different. The rest is basically a more efficient Windows 7.
  
  You also have windows 10 coming out supposedly mid 2015 to the general public, from what I've seen it pretty much combines the good stuff of windows 8 with a more familiar interface (win7-ish), and improves performance and more advanced features even further (love the new command prompt).