I think Microsoft is going in the WRONG direction with Windows 8

Apr 26,2012 - by Onuora Amobi 102

This page is not about me. God knows you’ve all heard what I have to say.

I’m trying to do something a little different. Read this post for more details.

This is about you, the reader.

I think it would be cool to have a thoughtful, objective discussion about the things you don’t like about Windows 8 from what you know so far.

I need the comments to be substantive and thoughtful. Think about what you don’t like and what you can’t stand and simply say why.

Pretend that the folks at Microsoft are reading this (which they probably will), what would you like them to know that they have done right or wrong?

You can also say what you think they got right here.

Thanks for your time.

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Tags: analysis, Survey, User Opinion, user perception, Windows 8

Sparrow

Bring back the start button, its very hard to switch by sliding mouse off the screen.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_5WJGC7242GFDP2QXANKF5WTMEA Rex

Ok, Here it goes. I really hate Metro IE. If it is not changed, I will replace it straight away. I have usually around 100 favorites and there is no way I am going to clutter the Metro page with them. MS, if you dont create a way to organize them and link them to desktop favorites, your plan to tie Metro and Desktop web surfing will backfire and you will loose all the gains in marketshare you have made over the last couple years.

This then ties with my general complaint. Metro needs a way to organize better. Right now it is not too bad, but in the future when I have hundreds of Metro Apps and Desktop programs, I can see it getting to be a problem. Please take care of it before that happens. You need to keep those of us who like it happy or you will be in real trouble.
Arne Auburn

If you have a tablet or a “Windows phone I think it is great but the rest of us with laptops/desktops I don’t think that is that great
I see reason to change from my Win 7 to Win 8
Arne
Emanuel Ciuca

Microsoft, please don’t leave the Hibernate option disabled by default because it will be hard to find for many unexperienced laptop users.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Amy-Green/1626817050 Amy Green

the only problem i found with windows 8 like many others did was the lack of a start menu but me being a programmer i just made my own and my windows 8 experience has been fantastic since then and i genuinely cant think of anything else i hate about it.
R7 Zufferey

The two interfaces (metro and seven) are totally different. Why not take the metro style in the desktop? I believe the taskbar and basically everything else that is all “shiny and transparent” should become clean and simple.

I mean, either you make the move to a new interface or you don’t! You can’t just do half half in my opinion.

Also, why do we (on a PC) need applications? We already have them, they are called programs!! And I simply don’t see how making a program fullscreen and getting rid of the close button is an improvement.

Why on earth would I need 2 internet explorers, however great they may be?

Expand the metro interface to the whole system and get rid of the apps.

Last thing, clear the multimedia mess up! Media center is awesome but then again, why do I have Media Player and now the Music and Viedo App? Improve media center so that everything fits into that program.
- SIRKEEN75
  
  R7
  
  I like your insight- especially the one about the “many media options”. There are a gamut of choices for your multi-media needs. However, I don’t think that MS planned for us to have all that in the RTM- not unless they plan on releasing a Media Edition extra package like in XP or some new Ultimate OS for metro. I think we’ll see all of that in the RTM. I do want to comment on your statement about the “half and half” OS; this was a tactic by MS to allow the end-user to compare the regular desktop experience to the new metro experience to see which one you would find more effective. Also, it was also a heads up for Windows 8 Phone junkies who might want to know what to expect in the new phones close to release- and tablets as well. So you see, it was quite like a “three birds with one stone” attempt by MS. You gotta admit though- it’s alot more exciting than the average run-of-the-mill desktop usual wouldn’t you say? o(._.)o
Aqmapa

The problem was the activitation program. After I bought the program then the activitation program ask me for the product key and after I put it always wrong. Why? Because I format the Hardisk? Why? That is the same hardisk and the same program that I bought with my money. Or to pay for another product key number.
http://profiles.google.com/brookfieldfreecycle Brookfield Freecycle™

I’m the one who couldn’t get W8 to run well, I’m on pentium D 2.8, 3G
memory and Geforce 6600. The altered NT engine already taxes
resources. Substituting a shell alternate to Metro made W8 run
just-acceptably; unless the actual release pares down the demand of
Metro, W8 will probably fail — especially the retail box segment. The
majority of people are not power users. They just want something that
runs and gets the job done. Most demonstrable is the startup screen.
Why is a sweep gesture needed to login? If my Mom saw that she would
just put new computer back in the box and return it to the store. I
know enough to just hit the escape key, but beginners and novices
generally don’t understand the various key commands etc.

Steve
Indrajit

In my mind what windows 8 should focus on is – better file management – things like cleaning temporoary files, installing & uninstallation, defragging etc. From the very beginning I have taken a dislike to the Windows 8 interface – I may be a minority out here, but seeing that interface makes me want to switch to Linux. God, why can’t Microsoft create something which is visually appealing?
Damianmcnasty

I hate it that you can’t close apps and apps add up while swiping with your left thumb.
Damianmcnasty

Metro tiles are not easily configured. Too much thinking
Nicolo

Windows 8 will probably going to be good to some users but fpr the others idk. For me it is a good os for many tablets and probably even for PC’s. I’m actually running W8 as a main os on my pc for 3 mos. It’s not bad actually. It’s like actually having two OS in one OS in other words you’re like using a tablet os and a pc os. Once you click start menu you’re like having a tablet on you’re pc especially if you’re running on an metro app but when you switch to your desktop you’re like using a windows 7 with no start button. That is actually good for me cause I seldom use start button on my windows 7 as for others it is bad. Metro UI is a better and new way to manipulate your pc.
Don Mckenzie

Desktops and most currant laptops do not have touch screens. Therefore having an OS set up for touch screen is not beneficial. It must be able to be optioned out of.
Don
Pabloaust

The optimised operating system features of Win8 should be incorporated into Win7. The Metro interface should just be tablet based UNLESS we can see some of those ultra notebooks with a touch screen interface to demonstrate how the heck this is going to really work!
Egidio Pimentel

it’s more dificult to use than i thought. why did they finished with the Start botton? it’s an stupid idea. And did they check if all already have toutch screen on desktop? Microsoft, think about it…!!!
fbsduser

Right now I don’t use Windows. I switched from Win2k on an ancient compaq desktop PC to OSX 10.2 in a PowerBook G4, then I decided to try slackintosh (slackware linux for powerpc macs) on it. Then I upgraded to OSX 10.3, 10.4 and 10.5 and every new slackintosh release until I replaced the PowerBook with a Toshiba and then finally a HP laptop. In the toshiba I went with Linux as the only OS. And now in the HP I have OSX86 10.6.8 and Gentoo Linux.
But although I don’t use it I had to try windows 8 out (in a vm) to learn how to deal with problems in other people’s windows 8-based PC’s (the moment OEM’s start preinstalling windows 8) And all I can say is that windows 8 sucks and blows. Metro is ugly, Windows 8 is more crippled and restricted than the previous versions were and is only suitable for MS fanboys and children.
Ltdumbear

If windows-8 installs and works on my six-yr old Inspiron 1501, I’ll be impressed. If it does’nt, I probably won’t ever buy another Microsoft O/S ever again. I’m tired of ‘keeping up with having to keep-up. Build an O/S that works, and stick with it, via updates that the user can choose to download, or refuse to download. Tired of having to upgrade the hardware to keep up with the damn software, and vice-versa…that’s a KIDS game.
Duraid

Microsoft needs to change and or adjust the following:

- Enable windows mode when running apps via Metro, especially IE and with full features turned on.
- In Desktop mode give us back the Start button and access to all apps via the start button.
- In Metro mode must have the option to logoff and shutdown the PC options on the same window/screen.
- Enable easier scrolling with mouse when in Metro, as an example; by holding down the mouse button and drag, this would be great if you don’t have a touch screen.
- PC enthusiasts need to have the option to run either Metro or Desktop if they choose, this is a must, this is the deal breaker right here! Otherwise people will just stay on Windows 7 or they will find an allernative to Windows – a version Linux or they might even buy a Mac – my goodness!
- On the positive though – Windows 8 has a fresh new look, and i especially like the sharp edged Windows instead of the rounded Windows 7 look. I like the fact Windows 8 starts up with Metro on, I kind of like the fact it hides the desktop from preying eyes. It’s quicker to startup and shutdown. I like the new Office style button’s buid into Windows Explorer, the graphics when moving or copying files, the new Windows Task manager. Looks great!
Sp

I do like Windows 8. I like that MS took a refreshing new perspective of *unifying* the OS across devices.

I like Metro.

I will buy a touch screen Desktop PC to take advantage of its design. I have a no touch screen laptop and already like it anyway.

With respect to the Start Menu, I think that we sometimes miss something that we are used to use, but is not necessarily indispensable Even Apple is (slowly) trying to merge (or at least shorten the distance between) iPhone/iPad and Mac. Look at those gestures, notification center and … Launchpad that is like Metro, but without the widgets.

I think that usually we begin complaining about something even without giving it a trial. Come on, it is easier to just “throw” the mouse to the corner to get the “start” menu, just in a Metro style.

Any way, what I normally use, in Win 7 or in Win 8, is to press the Windows key and type the first letters of the app or document that I want and get it.
http://www.facebook.com/unethical.hacker Adie Bhatt

Microsoft is going a good job to make a uniform experience on PCs, Laptops and Tablets with Windows 8.
Jubas

I do not particularly dislike the Metro UI (which it will not be called for long anymore – patent trolls…) – I could get used to it. I could also get used to not having the start button.

What I could NOT get used to is the fullscreen apps – what would the point of having my three screens for productivity and games then be? It feels like MS just left a huge turd in my front yard.
I also dislike the “general tendency” of things NEEDING to be simple nowadays. Simplifying things is not good.
Win8 now offers integrated .zip’ing with greater speeds than before and mounting/unmounting – effectively putting a lot of programs in the same category out of the question (7zip/Daemon tools and the like.) – many users would simply not install these programs since they are already there. The average Joe would simply view other programs to solve the same problem as bloatware.
It might be simpler for the user experience, OK.
And the new Windows Store, where MS would start gaining their profits from; selling all sorts of apps, games and the like would probably also be a “good” thing for the average Joe.
But it would obviously hurt already established programs and companies (and also independent devs), who would not want to pay 20 to 30 % of their profits to MS for having their programs and apps in the store. If you do not pay, you are out. Business, yeah?
But MS is going down the Apple app store way of things and is gradually closing the open platform of Windows.
And that is what I dislike. The monopolistic route, which I see MS walking down, slowly, but surely.
I like the current Windows for the openness; the “pay-once” OS, which allows me to “install the fuck ever i want and do the fuck ever i want with it”.

Now before somebody goes go: “If you revert to the desktop version, everthing that worked on pre-win8 will work on win8.”
Oh, but for how long? What about the next OS, will it also be so nice to me? I do not like the way Windows went from Win7 to Win8; from open to semi-closing so quickly.
The day Windows closes, is the day I go Linux-based.
Since it seemingly is the only open option left.
Stela

Whoever thought of merging tablet surface with computer desktop has no clue.
Switching between leisure metro applications and desktop for serious work/gaming is a pain.
Metro applications are simple. Most of them don’t work when not connected or behind a restrictive firewall.
Do people see no issues with logging on with microsoft account and storing all sorts of data with them?
Do MS really think they will get that many new users they are willing to risk current user base?
Awe

Windows8 really, but really sucks, they wonted to make awesome GUI but in that they failed as hell…
http://www.keelstech.com/ Lee Keels

Sorry, no such option in the release version.
http://www.keelstech.com/ Lee Keels

GUI
http://www.keelstech.com/ Lee Keels

This is by design. They don’t think you should turn it off…they just want you to allow it to sleep or hibernate on it’s own.
Bill

Modern (Metro) UI apps don’t seem to do dual screen monitors very well, but it works great in desktop. Fix that, and I’m 100% sold. It would also be nice to be able to “snap” applications with smaller screen resolutions. Other than that i’m already 99% sold. I love windows 8, and happily applaud the death of the desktop & start menu. It’s a great OS, very stable, smooth, and fast. Windows 8 rocks!
Robert Trance

Cannot comment here, nothing to dislike!
john goodsell

moving your hand across the screen of laptop to control its functions may prove a need for an improvement to the soft surface. we need a Microsoft press windows 8 book to find all the turf we are used to in windows 7. jg
ThomasM195

I’ve FORCED myself to use it for months. I still completely hate it. It is awful… I can’t just make a list… EVERYTHING about it is stupid & horrible. Windows is supposed to be a multitasking OS but they are making it into one “APP” at a time… This is one fault in a list of at least a million. It is the worst release of WIndows that I have ever used… and I’ve used them all. Windows 7 is a trillion times better than Windows 8. I still have a new laptop with Windows 7 Professional 64-bit but I just bought a new Mac with Mac OS X Mountain Lion (10.8). Don’t sit there and say that I’m a Mac user hating on Microsoft. I’m a diehard Microsoft Windows user hating on Windows 8. Back to this mac… this is the first Mac that I’ve ever used, the first Mac that I’ve ever touched, and the first Mac that I’ve ever seen in person. There are things missing on a Mac that Windows machines always have had but I can certainly adjust to this much easier than I could ever adjust to the stupidity of Windows 8. That is a poor statement… I could never adjust to something as bad as Windows 8.

I’m very happy with both my Windows 7 laptop and my Mac Mini with OS X. I am very disappointed in the money that I threw away on my Windows 8 upgrade. My Windows laptop is what I used 8 on since the upgrade was released. This week, I finally restored this laptop back to WIndows 7 Pro. What a relief to get back to a usuable version of Windows.
Paqul

Just got a new win 8 pro desktop (could not get a Win 7 Pro version) & Installed Win 7 Pro UPGRADE right out of the box.Conventional desktop for me w/o that metro crap.
Orlbuckeye

Well all you have to do is set the Control panel shortcut to display on the desktop or if in Metro Interface just start typing “control”
Rob355 – Lanzarotte

There is nothing wrong with Windows 8 it works its fast. OK you have to get used to a different format but it is not rocket science to learn. SO to all you people out there that are complaining get a life and move on with the times !!!
http://www.facebook.com/SheldonMThomas Sheldon Thomas

This move to force the “hand held” Metro interface onto corporate business customers is going to be devastating, that interface and it’s RT flavor should be a separate product line in my opinion, for example iOS versus MacOS for two different types of devices. It would seem to me that Microsoft is trying to have a “one size fits all” approach and has gutted WIndows 7 and created yet another Windows 3.1(RT) and have it running on top of DOS (Windows 7) in this example…
http://www.facebook.com/kd7kip Scott E. Roemhildt

Here’s my attempt at thoughtful feedback, since you asked. Background first: I use a desktop PC with conventional mouse & keyboard. I have a 24″ monitor, and generally run several applications (as opposed to “apps”) at once: multiple instances of MS Word, Excel, frequently one or two instances of Access, PowerPoint, Visio & sometimes Project. Outlook is always running in the background, too, and finally I have 3-4 proprietary applications running (Citrix, Oracle or Thin Client based). Finally toss in IE with a few tabs tracking dynamic reports. This is typical for me at home when I’m connected to work (at work we still use XP). I have used Win8 for a little over two months, since it came with my most recent PC.

Metro is of no use whatsoever. I use none of the “apps” and have uninstalled all that Win8 will permit. I do not have a tablet, nor a touchscreen and have no intention of buying either as they are of little use for content creation. The full screen apps of Metro look ridiculous on a large monitor. Therefore I’ve completely bypassed Metro by using one of the 3rd party applications (currently IOBit’s Start Menu 8). This has the advantage of disabling the Charms Bar (a truly useless feature) and all the corners that are so annoying when grabbing the scroll bar or hitting the X to close a program.

Most of my common applications are pinned to the taskbar. Less commonly used applications are accessed via the Start Button which I have customized to meet my needs and enhance my productivity. I’m constantly tabbing from application to application through the day, or as I cut and paste data from reports. Often I have my windows tiled or cascaded so I can keep an eye on them easily. Metro doesn’t allow this. Since the original idea behind Windows (which I’ve used since 3.0) was to allow multitasking and easy sharing of data between applications, I see Metro as a step backward.

Those who claim that rejecting Metro is rejecting the future are mistaken. Companies introduce poor products all the time (remember ME, Bob, Clippy, etc) which they later amend, patch or discontinue. Just because its newer does not mean it is inherently better. What matters to Microsoft will be meeting their customers needs– all their customers, not just home consumers but corporate consumers as well.

There are several things I like about Win8, but that’s for another post…
http://twitter.com/kpranav Pranav Kandula

One shortcut to remember Win+X.

One other thing that you want to remember is you would exactly do the same thing you used to do in Windows 7. On Windows 7 you would push Start button and then you will be typing ‘control’ to find it. Just do the same on Windows 8. If you are already on metro start screen, just type ‘control’ and if you are somewhere else, push START and type ‘control’.
Sergio

Yea, lets stop progress. If we followed you, why try something different. Hell, this horse is great, why do I need to switch to a motorized machine, like a car.
Colonel Conner

I’m no programmer, but I quickly found out that I didn’t need the traditional start menu. The metro, once explored and configured, does it all for me in less time. I have truly been enjoying this Window8 preview edition. I won’t hesitate to get the full version when it finally come available.

I think Microsoft is going in the WRONG direction with Windows 8

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I think Microsoft is going in the WRONG direction with Windows 8

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