Upgrading from Windows 7 to Windows 8

Why would anyone want to upgrade to 8?  It's an awful O/S.  You need to think long and hard before making that switch, Mick.  

Hi Mick,

Dell Studio 1747 is not supported for Windows 8 therefore I would not suggest you to upgrade as the compatible drivers may not be available.

Secure Boot, also referred to as Trusted Boot, a new security feature in Windows 8 that leverages the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) to block the loading and operation of any program or driver that has not been signed by an OS-provided key, and thus protects the integrity of the kernel, system files, boot-critical drivers, and even antimalware software.

You may install the antivirus and you would not need that feature.

ATI Catalyst Control Center is a driver package for the video card installed on the system. The driver is available online.

http://bit.ly/17SstR

Thanks & Regards
Manshu S
#iworkfordell

The user interface of Windows 8 is different and many essentials have been removed. Many people hate the new user interface (I for one) so I would not recommend upgrading.

The ATI Catalyst Driver means you have to uninstall your graphics driver before running the upgrade advisor and the secure boot is a BIOS based feature which is meant to make the system less prone to Malware infections during the system BIOS before Windows is booting. Windows 8 will run fine without the secure boot.

I recommend you try the new user interface I recommend you to install VirtualBox and install the 32 bit Windows 8 enterprise trial in it. Run it maximised and see how you like it. if you like it upgrade and if you hate it then don't upgrade to it.

Should you wish to continue with the Window's 8 Upgrade follow my wiki A Clean install of Windows 8 for best results: http://philipyip.wordpress.com/dell-community-forums/

Thanks to all of you for replying to my question but I am certainly getting the feeling that upgrading to Windows 8 is not a great idea.  Again, thanks for that.  You may well have saved me from a disaster!!

Mick

what does that mean?? windows 8 is far better than windows 7...how can you make a comment like that on the user interface?? I like the user interface...it is cool!

what does that mean?? windows 8 is far better than windows 7...how can you make a comment like that on the user interface?? I like the user interface...it is cool!

Look at user reviews for popular Dell systems such as the XPS 8500 and Inspiron 660:

http://www.dell.com/uk/p/xps-8500/pd#!stoneId=ratingsAndReviewsTab

http://www.dell.com/uk/p/inspiron-660/pd#!stoneId=ratingsAndReviewsTab 

Note the biggest con mentioned by users is Windows 8. You can also check out the user reviews on CNET and Amazon. Many users hate it. Moreover many users that like it use 3rd party addins to restore functionality lost from Windows 7.

http://www.zdnet.com/five-reasons-why-windows-8-has-failed-7000012104/ 

http://reviews.cnet.co.uk/software-and-web-apps/windows-8-review-50005313/user-reviews/ 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/product-reviews/B008GRKGXK/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

http://www.amazon.com/Windows-System-Builder-OEM-64-Bit/dp/B0094NY3R0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1366042517&sr=8-1&keywords=windows+8

http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Windows-8-Pro-Upgrade/dp/B008H3SW4I/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1366042535&sr=8-2&keywords=windows+8

I'm not a fan especially on a non-touchscreen Desktop or Laptop and I prefer Windows 7 to 8 on such systems and from the reviews so do many others.

If the new user interface suits you great, than you should upgrade but if not I don't advise upgrading.

I would certainly agree with others.. having upgraded several months ago and since going back to 7, It is not an update you really want... and a lot of work to uninstall and go back to 7.