Posted on 09/08/2013 1:00:33 PM PDT by Kevin in California
First of all, I HATE Windows.
Anyway, just bought a laptop with Windows 8 installed and I hate it as it's quite confusing.
My question, I know you're able to upgrade your operating system to a current version but are you able to downgrade your operating system? I would like to install Windows 7 which I know how to use and is less confusing. Can I do it and if so, would it be a free download from the MS site?
Thank you in advance:-)
Microsoft allows downgrading if you have the pro version of windows, not home.
You can also switch it to “classic” view.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-vista/change-windows-to-classic-view
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-33642_7-57496506-292/how-to-get-the-start-menu-back-in-windows-8/
Windows 8.1 is coming out soon.
You will be able to upgrade to it. It addresses a lot of the issues that people hate.
Windows 8 is a disaster for Microsoft.
Go to the store where you bought the ‘puter - if they have tech support, they may have a universal MS license and install Win 7 for you for free [or just for tech’s time spent upgrading].
If you bought the ‘puter online - you may be SOL, if the e-store will not help you. You would have to buy Win 7 and install yourself.
FYI:
MS Operating Systems [OS] ALWAYS have bugs in them when they first come out. I NEVER upgrade to the latest OS. I currently run Win XP, which is losing MS support in April 2014. Have already bought Win 7 and will upgrade this winter.
Win ME, Vista, Win8
But Win7 is a winner!
Yeah, W8 blows. Haven’t tried 8.1 yet.
Also, Win 7 is confusing - there is a program called ClassicShell which emulates Win XP look and feel. Free online ...
Got a new laptop this week, too. I hated 8, too. I have figured it out for the most part, but still don’t care for it. Sure hope 8.1 is better. My senior brain is a lot slower at learning new stuff.
Then there are the inevitable patches culminating in a x.1 release which is more usable. Then again, I'm running Linux Mint 14 w/ KDE typing this on an 8 year old cast-off computer... ;-) I only use MS products, any version, when I have to.
I find very little about Win7 that I like more than the XP OS. In fact, on my netbook, Win7 is a memory hog.
I have windows 8 on my laptop..I just install the startisback app to put in the start button and I use it from the desktop just like windows 7..now I need a new desktop because my old one went to desktop heaven just dont know which brand to get
Google, download, and install StartMenuX.
It creates a start button and from there on out is similar to Win 7.
There are some pretty decent, inexpensive laptops out there, and they require a lot less wattage.
I am considering replacing my desktop with another laptop when the time comes.
I tried Win8 at a Best Buy. It’s feels like horrible tablet OS that I am forced to use with a mouse.
Is that a big deal? What does that mean for those of us who are still running XP at home?
The free program ‘Classic Shell” solves most of the Windows 8 problems. It ditches that stupid Windows 8 non-desktop screen and replaces it with a fully functional Windows 7 desktop, with a start button and everything else Windows 8 is missing.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.