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Windows 8 - worst thing since Adam - discuss
Please forgive jovial heading and discussion probably done already. Just frustrated. Whoever designed the Windows 8 user interface needs readmitting to the insane asylum. Just bought another Dell tablet, which is great, to replace my faithful XT2 and its brought to its knees by extremely badly designed and thought out user interoperability. What the [ADMIN NOTE: profanity removed per TOU] were they thinking. I'll read through all the forums to see if I can fix to suit my lame brain and give it a chance but I'm not hopeful. I'll likely install Windows 7 and suffer a cash loss but at least I'll easily cover this by increased productivity..
Philip_Yip
7 Technologist
7 Technologist
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16K Posts
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February 18th, 2014 19:00
First make sure you have Windows 8.1 and not Windows 8.0 which has fixed some issues with the dreadful Windows 8.0 interface. Unfortunately Dell are preinstalling Windows 8.0 for some reason still so even if your system is new it likely won't have Windows 8.1. Microsoft unfortunately have made deployment of Windows 8.1 extremely awful. its not done via Windows Update and there is no standalone installer as usual. Instead its been forced through the Microsoft Store; you must use the Store unless you have got a Windows 8.1 installation .iso from a separate retail license to hand. Instructions including resolutions for some common problems (from the buggy Store) in upgrading to Windows 8.1 are found here:
http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/download-microsoft-windows-and-office/download-microsoft-windows/upgrading-to-windows-8-1-from-windows-8-0-via-the-microsoft-store/
Note Dell backup and Recovery is not the most reliable program and so I would advise using it to create recovery media and contacting Dell Technical Support for a Windows 8.0 Reinstallation DVD/USB in advance of installing the Windows 8.1 service pack. If in the US or CA you can fill out this form:
http://www.dell.com/recoverymedia
Unfortunately Dell haven't extended this media request form to non US/CA regions and you must call technical support in these regions to get the Reinstallation DVD.
Once you have the Windows 8.1 update installed follow the steps here and attempt to customise Windows 8.1:
http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/a-clean-install-of-windows-8-1/customising-windows-8-1/
Its a guide I've been writing on customising Windows 8.1, its still a bit incomplete but its getting there.
Finally after trying it in this configuration for a few days, if you still hate the modern Start Screen and Modern Apps then install Start8 and ModernMix:
http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/a-clean-install-of-windows-8-1/customising-windows-8-1/stardock-start8-and-modernmix/
This is a much cheaper solution than purchasing a full Windows 7 license and you don't want to pay Microsoft for 2 Windows license as they made a mistake by omitting some desired customisation options.
BugsUK
7 Posts
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February 20th, 2014 11:00
Many thanks, you are a star, much appreciated.
pcmeiners
4 Operator
4 Operator
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1.8K Posts
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February 24th, 2014 13:00
Do not wipe it, download Classicshell, install and you pretty much have Win 7 ease of use.
http://www.classicshell.net/
rdunnill
6 Professor
6 Professor
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February 24th, 2014 19:00