Windows 8 forum: Should I upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 8?

We got Windows 8 but my suggestion is you at least try it in a store before you buy it.

We're unhappy in some ways that there isn't a start button.
I am unhappy that I have to use a Windows account to do business instead of my own email account.
Windows 8 makes the computer feel like some iPad or tablet which we could care less about.
The features we want aren't in a central location and having to learn a whole new operating system is not what we want.

I think everyone is being too nice to Microsoft. I've actually complained to Microsoft and they hung up on me and they don't care because they are all millionares and don't care what this customer thinks.

We're actually asking the opposite question as to whether we should get rid of Windows 8 and go with 7.

If you are happy with Windows 7 there is no good reason to upgrade.

I have Windows 7 on my laptop and Vista on my desktop. I am happy with both but I considered upgrading Vista to Windows 8. I thought before I did I would install Windows 8 Release Preview.

I discovered that I do not like Windows 8. I considered myself an intermediate user of all the other Windows releases but for Windows 8 I am lost. I too don't like the fact that you have to use a MSN email account to log into Windows 8. I can stumble around Windows but setting it up for everyday use will take an Windows 8 for Dummies book.

As a matter of fact I switch to desktop whenever I use Windows 8. I can live without a start button but I hate Metro.

Find someone who has it and try it. It requires a big learning curve.

I was told by a friend that this could be done. On initial startup, you can choose between Windows 7 and 8 as the os. Is this true? Also, would this slow down my computer?

I wish I had not upgraded my new desktop to 8 - it requires alot of extra steps if you are using a mouse. I think it was designed with tablets or touchscreens in mind.

I bought a netbook with Win8 after giving an Android tablet that I absolutely hated to my 16-year-old son, who loved it. I discovered that I'd merely traded a tablet for a false tablet.

Win8 was not designed for the traditional desktop PC user. It's probably wonderful for the Surface tablet with Win8RT, but, frankly, I hate touch screens and don't want to be connected to the Net 24/7. I use my desktop for work: editing. I used to use a netbook with WinXP Pro to edit a few years ago. No problem. Trying to use my new netbook to edit is a major problem. It's just a big smartphone with a usable keyboard and mouse but without the phone function.

The biggest problem is that it takes more mouse clicks than it takes to do the simplest things on Win7. I've tried all the OSs for personal PCs since 1987 and I like Win7 best of all, so I'm not anti-Microsoft, but I'm not happy with Win8. I'm also unhappy that I can't use MS Office 2003 with Win8: I seriously dislike the ribbon that comes with Office 2007, 2010, & 2013. I have MS Office 2007 but won't use it, so that's another reason to stick with Win7.

I downloaded windows 8 and experienced a nightmare of a time. It would not open I contacted Microsoft on numerous occasions even letting them have access to my laptop(not advisable) I then lost W7. Bottom line it took me 3 days to sort out eventually getting a refund from Microsoft. My advice stay clear until it is tried and tested for about a year.

I needed to purchase a new computer and jumped on a deal this past Cyber Monday. I tried to get Windows 7 on it, but it only came with Windows 8. So in the interest of saving money I went ahead and got it, thinking maybe I'd have one of our IT guys install Windows 7 on it. They said it couldn't be done. (Is that true?) I hate it, there are few useful apps, either free or to purchase, and I don't really have the time for a learning curve, but that's what I'm doing right now - still using my old computer for work while poking around on my new one trying to learn to navigate. That also what I'm hearing from others, too - they don't appreciate having to learn a new system while trying to get their work done. I'll probably get used to it eventually, but I don't think Microsoft is going to score on this one.

Windows 8 seems faster in most things, particularly bootup, and the "Legacy" desktop is accessible from the Metro UI with a single click on any desktop application.

There IS a learning curve, but advice is readily available online. The worst thing about it I have found so far is that they eliminated the Freecell, Spider Solitaire and the other games they've included since old Win 3. BAD Microsoft! And, as they did up until the final beta release, they really should let you default to opening in the legacy desktop. Most of us desktop computer users (and others without touchscreens) would probably do so if they allowed it.

It's the easiest O/S install I ever did. It's easier than installing MS Office Pro or Adobe CS -- BY FAR AND AWAY!

But it is quite new and quite different, and it takes a little bit of getting accustomed to. It is a MUCH more radical change to Windows even than Windows XP was over Windows 98. This is NOT a WinXP UI, even though the "Desktop" may appear similar. You do almost everything differently, including shutting the computer down (the LOGICAL way, with the power switch).

And contrary to what some are saying, you do NOT have to use a Windows account except to use the store. I don't, but it does let me use my account to login to the store automatically.

It does everything Windows 7 did, but it does many things differently, and it does ALL of them faster.

Windows 8 is very user friendly it has too many quirks that you have to find your way past. It is typical Microsoft hype with not a lot of substance & don't expect to get any help from Microsoft if you have any problems

As others have mentioned, dual boot is the way to go if you have the space. It has been very handy when windows 8 encounters an issue. If need the task done quickly I can just switch back to W7.

I have WIN 7 Home Edition, fortunately for me, I had to items to get rid of WIN8 Pro. I have 4 recovery disks for WIN7, but they don't work. I had to use www.killdisk.com to clean out everything. Fortunately, most items I had were on a flash drive. Also, the only way I would install WIN 8 is with a DVD to do a clean install using www.killdisk.com or DBAN. There is no Start button AND you will need a touch screen. I have yet to see my money come back since I put in a debit card defective mechandis on 12/11/12 - I made that purchase on 12/04/12. I will be going after three companies to get my my money; one has six outlets in the United States even though there main office is overseas.

I tried Windwos 8 and hated it. It is just too buggy to pay good money for. It was rushed to market by desparate greedy people who care only about money. It is a premature pile of junk. This is my opinion and I am sticking with it.