Windows 8 is Microsoft’s biggest makeover since Windows 95. Well sort of. It still has much of its predecessor, icon-and-mouse user interface, but it also has the innovative graphic UI from tablets and Windows phones.
Am I sounding a bit conflicted? That’s because I am, or better yet, that’s because of how Windows 8 feels to me.
To Use or Not To Use the Modern UI
Microsoft’s rational behind the Modern UI is that the start menu is used a lot less in favor of the quickbar and the search option.
Some want the start menu back, but it makes sense to me as I am one of those who does what Microsoft has described – the Modern UI Start Screen is just a prettier quickbar.
I am actually one of those people who doesn’t mind the look of the Modern UI, so if I can, I am more than happy to use it… only to get thrown back to the Windows 7 UI whenever I want to open things such as the control panel.
And that’s when things start to annoy me.
Dual-System: One OS, Double the Trouble?
If you want to open Wordpad, you will be sent back to the Windows 7 interface.
File Explorer (read Windows Explorer) will also throw you back to the Windows 7 interface.
There are a few more examples like this.
I can guess what Microsoft is thinking – they don’t want to make their OS completely alien to people who were used to the classic interface, and maybe with Windows 9 a lot of this dual interface business will disappear.
However this is all very clunky and there are a lot of things that could be kept in the Modern UI.
How Me and the Desktop Broke Up
I loved my desktop. I can’t even begin to explain just how much it meant to me. It was always there for me and never left me alone.
However, for the sake of backward compatibility, once again I feel Microsoft implemented it in a lazy way. In the Modern UI, if you have two apps running you can place one on the side of your monitor, taking up about ¼ of your screen, and then have the main app take up the rest of the space.
If you however have an app from Modern UI and one from your desktop you can’t do the same. It works if the desktop program is your main app, but not the other way around, making multi-tasking very irritating in some cases.
Why not make it so that each application still runs in the Modern UI container? That’s exactly what Google Chrome did even though they didn’t re-design the application.
I can’t help but think that Microsoft could have done something so that all applications could do that without any extra work from their developers.
As it is now, I don’t see that companies will swap to Windows 8 any time soon so small business IT support will not really need to learn the ins and outs of the new OS just yet.
[Recommended read: Super 7 Apps for Windows 8 to Pump The Performance and Productivity]
But There’s Light…
My computer is snappier since I installed Windows 8 and it starts up a lot faster. Like I said, I do like the look of the Modern UI so I don’t see myself going back to Windows 7 any time soon. Aside from the odd indie game here and there, everything runs just fine on Windows 8.
How about you, are you going to make the swap?
[Read more: 4 Things to Consider when Upgrading to Windows 8]
Exactly why I’m skipping win8.
Why fix what’s not broke? Win7 does the job pretty well.
Microsoft is obsessed with changing stuff just for the sake of changing it, what a pack of idiots.
I swear it’s like they are trying to ruin their products on purpose or something.
Linux is starting to look better and better every day.
You got a point there. However, I’m not convinced Linux is really viable for most people, Darnell.
Peter,
I am with you on what you are stating in the article. It is challenging to people at home; however, once you adapt I think they will find it is an awesome operating system. I think the absence of the Start Menu is the biggest complaint I have seen.
Great Article
Rick
Honestly, I don’t really miss the start menu at all 🙂
Great post. You’re not change Peter I still have a confidence to read your blog that is full of great information that everyone should learn. Windows 8 is quite hard to manage but this post may help.
Thanks!
Thanks for the kind words, Nicholle!
I’m still thinking whether to upgrade from W7 to W8. Thanks for sharing your experience, I guess I’ll give this W8 a try.
If you fancy it, then go for it!
I was so excited when i first heard of Windows 8 and its great benefits. You have mentioned a lot here on your post that is why I was able to gain some information on what and what not to expect in Windows 8. thanks a lot for the information.
You are welcome!
I haven’t tried windows 8 yet. I have read a lot of posts about it, and I think I will be skipping it. I am very happy with windows 7 at the moment. Everything I have seen and read about it I think I would have a tough time with it. I could see it on a tablet or phone maybe, but not on a desktop. Hope they change it up a little more to what I am used to in the next release, and then I would think about upgrading or getting a new computer.
I don’t think Windows 8 is that bad really, but many of my friends don’t like it… hahaha
Another good reason why I need to switch to Win8, hmm, looks like you and your computer are getting that kiss-and-make-up scene eh… how is it going now? 😛
Nhick
We are getting along fine, Nhick! 😉
I think is time for traditional Windows users to switch over to mac now. People scare to learn how to use mac, but now since there is a same learning curve for you to convenience yourself with Win8. Why not just switch over and do a clear cut?
I kinda prefer PC. But I’ve heard that there are actually more people switching from PC to Mac than from Mac to PC. Does Mac really has an edge over Windows PC?
Macbook’s battery can last for longer time on mac os. That’s what I know.
I am sticking with Windows 7 even when Windows 8 was already available. I am used to this one and I am comfortable with it. I’ve been hearing negative feedback with Windows 8 that is why I am still with Windows 7 right now.
Well, most people I know are sticking with W7 too.
Hi Peter,
I am considering about Windows8. This post was of great help, as it highlighted all the crucial aspects of the Win8 which can act as a troubleshooting factor, plus the factors which can make one fall into love with it. Thanks for the share.
You are welcome, Aayna!