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General discussion

Poll: Will you be upgrading to Windows 8: Why or why not?

Oct 30, 2012 9:24AM PDT
Will you be upgrading to Windows 8: Why or why not?

-- Yes. (New PC or upgrade from current OS?)
-- Undecided. (Why the hesitation?)
-- No. (Why not?)
-- Not relevant. I don't use Windows.
-- Other (What is it?)

Discussion is locked

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Why Not?
Oct 30, 2012 10:37PM PDT

Just looks like more of a Microsoft "Eye-candy" front end. Let's face it, personal computers as we know them, are turning into smart phones, and Windows 8 will exacerbate that transition.

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Windows 8 upgrade
Oct 31, 2012 12:36AM PDT

Never install new releases unti they've been in market for 3 6 months let others do the debugging!,,,

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Windows 8 Pro upgrade
Oct 31, 2012 2:58AM PDT

I like being first one in the water...So far it has been trouble free, amazing..

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Just another Microsoft Cash Grab
Oct 31, 2012 3:15AM PDT

There is really no need for Microsoft to release a new version of Windows every year or so. It is simply a grab for cash. Instead of putting out a good, reliable, well designed product which will last they continue to pump out these so called radically new issues which, for the most part, are still using the original Windows code with more and more crap glued in.

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Not for now, and here's why.
Oct 31, 2012 3:28AM PDT

Lee, I purposely bought my new computer so it would come with Windows 7 Pro 64 bit pre-installed. I'm a Windows power user, and I needed Win 7 Pro to get the Virtual Windows XP for my latency applications. It turns out that there's a surprisingly lot of them. So I'm not ready to drop Win XP now, and I can't see a way of installing it in Windows 8, without buying an OEM disk, and installing it in a virtual machine. Something Windows 7 lets me do now for free. So I have to stay with my current setup of Win 7 & Win XP in a virtual box. If I get Windows 8 installed in virtual Box on my computer, I'd be willing to give it a try. However, all the deals for Windows 8 right now, are for the upgrade version only, and I would need a full OEM version of it. That will get somewhat pricey. So you see my dilemma, I will have to ether buy an OEM copy of XP, or Win 8 to run in a virtual machine, or just stick with Windows 7. I think for now, I'll stick with Windows 7.

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Do not plan on an upgrade
Oct 31, 2012 3:41AM PDT

I've a circa 2005 Dell 620 laptop. Running older version of MS Office and other XP software.
The comments I read about perhaps needed to re-install software is something I do not want to chance.

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Learning Curve Solution
Oct 31, 2012 5:25AM PDT

For those with a "learning curve" problem (like me) there is a free utility called "Classic Shell" http://classicshell.sourceforge.net/ that allows booting directly into the old familiar desktop and puts our old Start Menu back where it belongs.

Trying to stop Win8 "progress" is like standing on the tracks in front of a moving freight train, but the Classic Shell will ease the transition. There is another good $5 solution (StartCool out there, but for me free is better.

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Why W8?
Nov 2, 2012 10:56PM PDT

To avoid costs isn't it better to stay with the "old familiar desktop" as long as possible?
I assume W9 will follow soon and be better and useful for the normal desktop users too, else lots of people will feel the need to switch to, for instance, linux!
Businesses don't want their administrative people to learn something new at the drop of a hat, especially if it's obviously, I read a lot of posts, so user unfriendly!
And not everyone wants his desktop to look like and behave like a mobile phone; it's a DESKTOP!

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Hopefully will upgrade
Oct 31, 2012 7:34AM PDT

I have 2 laptops a nd one desktop and would like to upgrade them all at once, but I haven't been able to find a multi pc version, did find business upgrade version for many more pc's than I have. Anyone knoe where to find multi pc version of windows 8?

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Re: Windows 8 family pack
Oct 31, 2012 7:57AM PDT
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Windows 8 Download
Nov 4, 2012 12:38PM PST

If the software is downloaded, can it be downloaded to a DVD and installed from that, or does it automatically download to the hard drive and install from there?

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Yes according to website
Nov 5, 2012 1:14AM PST

When I registered for the free upgrade I read that I could download to a dvd (or usb drive) rather than install at the time of download. The faq has a lot of good information. I'm holding off on the download as long as I can (you have until the middle of Feb to download - you might want to double check that) as the longer I wait, the more fixes will be in place. I plan to save it to a dvd & may not even use it but at least I'll have it. You can also buy a dvd from the site although I didn't check how much it would be. It did sound like you have to install it on the computer that the offer came with and neither of my computers are touch screen so at this time don't plan to actually do the upgrade. I'll be watching here to see how folks with desk tops & non touch screen laptops fare when using win 8.

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I did upgrade on one of the HD
Oct 31, 2012 9:21AM PDT

It is a good thing I have three HD on my computer. I got Win 8 at a very good price though Costco, so I upgraded one of my HD.
I am not thrilled with Win 8. I loved Win 7 at the first glance, I cannot say the same about the newst edition, though.
It seems like the new Win8 tries to be intuitive, but it is not always working.
I think I need to upgrade my motherboard, because it freezes with Win 8.
So it is there, on my comp, but I am not eager to use just yet..

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still undecided (Question)
Oct 31, 2012 4:54PM PDT

I use the Seagate Manager application to backup files to my Seagate External Drive, this software didn't work in Windows 8 Release Preview. This is the main reason holding me back from upgrading.
Can anyone suggest any good, easy to use, set and forget backup software that works with Windows 8?

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Re: Seagate Manager
Oct 31, 2012 10:39PM PDT

Did you try the compatibility launch option? Many of my older hardware works with 7 or Vista selected as a launch option. So far I'm loving Windows 8 Pro. I did install IObit free program that adds back the Start menu.. I work mainly on the standard desktop screen. I do use Metro to read the news, play Music and Video's. Glad I made the jump to Win8.

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Windows 8
Nov 1, 2012 1:25AM PDT

One of my PCs has Windows XP, a second has VISTA and third has Windows 7. All are operating well and operationally they are very similar. Why would I want to change to a totally different and complicated operating system?

Ed Friedland

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Win8? Naaaa
Nov 1, 2012 4:39AM PDT

Waiting for DOS 9

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DOS?
Nov 2, 2012 11:17PM PDT

I'm working in DOS nearly all time of the day and I love it, but I don't suppose you to say to wait for DOS9 but for W9 (having a normal desktop view).

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Not right away
Nov 1, 2012 5:59AM PDT

Even though our recently purchased laptop came with the $14.95 win8 option, I'll probably buy the disk & WAIT. I use some specific music writing programs that are usually behind on compatibility with OS upgrades. AND most of what I've read is that Win8 is more beneficial for the touch screen - for that I use my Ipad & Itouch. I do my serious computing on a laptop or desktop with a real keyboard which is WAY faster than the touch screen keyboards. I don't think age has anything to do with it either. If I used my computers for gaming I'd probably have a different mindset BUT I don't - I use them for productivity.

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YES
Nov 1, 2012 3:47PM PDT

i like its interface.

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No to windows 8 upgrade for now
Nov 1, 2012 4:03PM PDT

No. I'm not seeing the big advance over Windows 7. I have the RC of 8 on a laptop. I believe 7 is rock solid. www.techsolutionz.org

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No. (Why not?)
Nov 2, 2012 2:49PM PDT

Simple. As the saying goes...... If it aint broke, dont fix it. Saves a lot of hassles later. Vendors would always like to push new things down your throat whether you like it or not but it is up to you to accept or reject it. Substantial innovations - yes, but innovations just for the heck of it - no. Unfortunately, we have got into a greedy situation of 'I want more' at the every drop of the hat, and the vendors are just too pleased to provide them. The question each of us need to ask is 'Do I really need it?' If yes, why and justify it. If no, just forget it. It is your money they are after. Wink We just need to be practical. Period.

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Tried it & went back to Windows 7
Nov 6, 2012 9:31PM PST

Bought it, had it installed and wow what a cluster. The main issue is and it is a known issue, keyboard malfunctions.
Try typing out your email address and the row with numbers 1-0,@, $, etc, DO NOT WORK! There are others having this same problem, luckily I did a back up on an external hardrive and Office Depot was able to get my Windows 7 functional again. TOO many bugs and issues at the moment, give it 6 months and maybe it will be resolved.

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Will not upgrade until absolutely necessary
Nov 7, 2012 2:47AM PST

I agree--the first version of a new operating system is terrible, and the second is much better. I will not upgrade until absolutely necessary, hopefully after Windows 9 makes an appearance!

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new machine - upgrade to 8
Nov 8, 2012 5:24AM PST

I actually only bought 8 as the upgrade to XP that I have been using to game. XP is getting a little buggy and the nice employee at microcenter suggested 8 as a good gaming system. I figured for $40 why not. my old rig was lagging and glitching on Skyrim and TSW (but I blame Steam for Skyrim - just because I can. )

I dual boot Ubuntu 12.04 for real work and other internet play.