have microsoft completely lost the plot or is it part of some corporate mistake or what? i've been using a windows 8 machine this evening and i have lost the will to live within 20 seconds of using it

 

how do i switch it off so that it behaves like a normal windows machine? i want a start button and icons.

If you can't see the Power button on your Start screen, here's how to shut down:

Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, then tap Settings.

(If you're using a mouse, point to the bottom-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer up, then click Settings.)

Tap or click Power, then tap or click Shut down.

I strongly dislike it too! I much prefer 7

If you can't see the Power button on your Start screen, here's how to shut down:

Hit with a hammer and install Win 7

FTFY :p

There's a way to remove the Metro theme I think so you get a familiar Start (to stop it :wonder: ) button.

There's a way to remove the Metro theme I think so you get a familiar Start (to stop it :wonder: ) button.

I bought Windows 8 for my self built computer I was recently upgrading! I think it lasted 25 mins before windows 7 came back! Most of that was install time!

windows 8 is awful.

 

that is all  

Upgrade free to 8.1, not perfect but easier to use.

Upgrade free to 8.1, not perfect but easier to use.

 

 

Win8 isn't great on a non-touchscreen.

 

Which is a shame because under the flashy PITA desktop it's actually a very accomplished operating system.

 

As said you can restore much of the older style desktop through the 8.1 upgrade.

I've got 7 on my new machine, as recommended by my very own personal 'pooter geek'.

 

It crashed constantly yesterday afternoon but then eventually came up with a message asking me did I want it to repair itself as it was having 'issues' apparently.

 

It did, and it worked!!

 

Why can't wimmin behave like this? 

Just upgrade it to 8.1 and its fine, has a reduced start menu, no real need for a start menu any more.

 

Amazed at the amount of computer literate people who cant handle any form of change.  :p

I'm on Windows 8.1.

 

Used Classic Shell start menu installed, removed all the unused Metro apps, defaulted to the desktop and use the desktop versions of apps instead.

 

Phil

Been using windows 8 and 8.1 in a corporate environment for a while now, we are rolling out a number of laptops with the OS on. So far, no issues reported and some prefer it to Windows 7.

 

One thing to remember, if you completely remove the standard windows 8 metro apps they are very difficult to reinstate if you want to use one.

I've been using 8 and 8.1 since preview.

Much better than Win 7, and not all that different.

 

The most useful key combo you can have is start button+I

 

This stops the need to move the mouse to the right and hope for the pop up. Gives you the menu with the Power button at the bottom...

I'm on Windows 8.1.

 

Used Classic Shell start menu installed, removed all the unused Metro apps, defaulted to the desktop and use the desktop versions of apps instead.

 

Phil

Ditto- the bits in bold anyway. Didnt Bother removing apps as they can be there in the background (if I ever want to venture in to the "Modern/Metro" world).

 

Works perfectly in desktop mode with no issues at all and has done since the day Classic Shell was installed.

Hang on so you are saying that there is no 'classic' mode built into windows 8 and it has to be hacked using a third party application called classic shell? Shame on you Microsoft, what better way to alienate your customer base and force them to migrate to osx and the fruit company computers. I'm gobsmacked at thier stupidity.

I also like the new update of being able to minimize Metro apps to the taskbar.

 

Phil

Just install Windows 8.1 with the most recent update. You'll get a start button back, plus a power button and various other shortcuts. Oh, and any full screen apps now show on the task bar so you know they are running.

The only real difference then is that instead of a start menu you get a fully customisable start screen so you can have the shortcuts exactly where you want them.

 

It *really* is a better OS at this point than W7

I also like the new update of being able to minimize Metro apps to the taskbar.

 

Phil

Yeah - that does make a lot of difference. Happily been using 8.1 with a touch screen for about six months now.

 

Like a lot of new things it took a while to learn how to drive it, but I'd not go back to Windows 7 (or XP) now.

Just install Windows 8.1 with the most recent update. You'll get a start button back, plus a power button and various other shortcuts. Oh, and any full screen apps now show on the task bar so you know they are running.

The only real difference then is that instead of a start menu you get a fully customisable start screen so you can have the shortcuts exactly where you want them.

It *really* is a better OS at this point than W7

This. I hated windows 8 until the 8.1 update.

I've also turned off the annoying settings pop up showing whenever you touch the right of the mouse pad which drove me bonkers.

Windows 8.1.1 and I just stab the Power Button on my PC and it ****s down nicely for me! or click the Start Button (bottom left) and click the 'Power' button next to your Avatar, this gives you Shutdown, Restart, and Suspend options...

 

It's so easy to use! I spend most of my time in the Desktop!, very seldom venture into the Start Menu!

Never knew there was a 8.1 version of it. Gonna try and upgrade my, errr.... 'special' copy of win8 see if it works

Yup, just with vista and Windows 7 some options like shutting down with the power button or stopping your laptop going to sleep when you close the lid need changing under power options

Windows 8.1.1 and I just stab the Power Button on my PC and it ****s down nicely for me! or click the Start Button (bottom left) and click the 'Power' button next to your Avatar, this gives you Shutdown, Restart, and Suspend options...

 

It's so easy to use! I spend most of my time in the Desktop!, very seldom venture into the Start Menu!

 

Since when is 'Shuts' censored??? 

Since when is 'Shuts' censored??? 

Are you sure you didn't miss hit a key (I)..... which definitely would trigger the filter?

Shuts down