Posted on 10/21/2013 12:41:19 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
I doubt I was alone in rolling my eyes when I first used Windows 8 a year ago. I found its touch controls and gestures awkward, and I was troubled by how little its primary, tile-based interface could do on its own.
For many basic tasks, I had to return to the system’s traditional desktop mode, the one that resembles older versions of Windows. It felt as though I was working on two computers at once.
Since then, I’ve warmed up to many of those touch controls and gestures, such that I’ve even tried to use them absentmindedly out of habit on my touch-less MacBook laptop. And the free Windows 8.1 update released last week addresses many of my remaining gripes.
Windows is still far from perfect. It continues to come across as a work in progress. But Windows 8.1 shows Microsoft is listening. People who already have Windows 8 will find digital life more pleasant with the update.
(Excerpt) Read more at newsobserver.com ...
As for all the touch stuff, I'm sure it's swell, but I don't want a touch monitor on my desktop and my money for tablets has been spent on iPads.
Some issues I have had w/8.1, did the upgrade from the store. Went smooth, BUT setup my desktop with a sign on password and never asked if I wanted it. Found the fix at Microsoft. com. And I just discovered in the last hour that it upgraded my video drivers without asking, my video card doesn’t like the newer drivers. I am ticked about that right now. Multiple windows no problem as long as I don’t get my video glitch.
RE: Multiple windows no problem as long as I don’t get my video glitch.
There’s the Obama word — ‘glitch’ again. I don’t think Windows 8.1 will be anything like the Healthcare.gov “glitch” :)
I updated to 8.1 from 8.0 and lost a file from my desktop. Simply gone.
This is after a hard disk death that led to buying a new computer, so Windows 8 is only partially responsible for the urge to slit my wrists.
Just like O care.....maybe these are the saviors O is bringing in
If you did an Operating System upgrade and didn't do a backup prior to beginning, anything that happened to your files is your own fault.
I’ve been using 8 and now 8.1 on my laptop and have no problem working in multiple windows. I do development work and typically have 5-8 apps open at any time.
Great - thanks for the info. I was confused by the reviews of 8.0 which only allowed one window, apparently in tablet mode. I was further confused by the 8.1 Snap Window business which allows more but in preformatted sizes. I guess that is tablet mode too.
Definitely a reference to tablet mode. Windows desktop apps work just like they did in 7.
With 8.1, I find video and photo processing at least 3 times as efficient...everything opens much faster, and I had no complaints before with windows 8. I open directly to the desk top and put all my app short cuts there. I like though when I go to the tile screen, there is a circle with a down arrow and when I click it all my apps and sub apps come up neatly and efficiently laid out...I can take any app and make a short cut on my desk top.
What I hate are the millennial whining techno utopians who whine and moan about perfectly functional software not having this feature or literally not syncing telepathically with their pseudo intellectually superior mommy coddled egos.
Their so called opinions get into blogs and facebook pages and thus regular folks who may need to upgrade to a superior product are made afraid to do so.
There are attempts being made,(some of which may be being fueled by alarmed progressives who fear what computers have done in disseminating conservative points of view) to talk down home computers, to introduce the notions of storing private info on “cloud platforms” with access only thru “smart phones” whose access to the web could be easily terminated at the cell towers...where as local systems of PC’s (even if regional terminal hubs are jammed) can be shared and connected via local hubs or wirelessly as necessary. Always keep a local back up of one’s important data!
Opening multiple windows is basically the same in 8.1 that it was with windows 8..there are bugs though, not every program is compatible..on my laptop I had avast antivirus, it was removed automatically when I upgraded..on my Desktop McAfee that came with my Dell was fine, but my legit Microsoft Office became deactivated and I had to go through the whole activation process again..you have to see if the particular programs you use are compatible with 8.1 or not because you will end up having a lot of issues if you dont check beforehand
Yeah, I saw that password thingy too. Had to switch windows to local control and then tell it not to ask for a local password. I’m sure Microsoft would just love it if everyone had to sign in to their servers all the time but not all computers will be operated in a constant online environment...like if they’re in the desert monitoring a irrigation system or something like that...or if a highly secured internet connection is needed.
Thanks very much. I also agree about the cloud. My working copies and first backup copies are always local. I was sad to see Windows Home Server bite the dust - had to make other arrangements.
Thanks very much for the advice.
No problem..in fact, I think they even removed the 8.1 update from the microsoft store because of issues..but even if they didnt, double check every program that you want to update, even if you have to call the company, because I was surprised when I updated my laptop and saw the anti virus was gone
They removed the Windows RT for small devices/tablets and phones...it was bricking them. The regular 8.1 is available and it works great!
So far I have used 8.1 since thursday. Not bad....could be better and still don’t like the “start page” as opposed to a menu.
I have been running Siemens NX 8, and AutoCAD on this laptop, simultaneously and find it to be quite capable and fast with memory hogs like these.
Overall 8.1 is a marginal improvement over 8, but it is minor tweeks, not a major change.
Download and install it. It works just fine for me and it will for you too.
8.1 has “bricked” a few RT types devices, but if you have a standard laptop or even workstation it is just fine on standard architecture.
So bottom line is upgrade to 8.1, I guess.
Far better.
You can still access the Metro via the top right corner, and i had to use it to download the 8.1 update, but which i could not do and still use programs on my Desktop, as i could not switch back.
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