If you want a Windows 8 Start menu replacement that looks exactly like Windows 7, StartIsBack is for you. You get the same Start button orb icon, the same Start menu search box, the same jump lists, and — for better or worse — even the same Aero transparency! As you can see in the screenshot above, StartIsBack even detects if your system needs to restart to apply some patches; it really is just like the Windows 7 Start menu.
p.4 #3 · Anyone else really hate the Windows 8 interface?
I have to agree the lack of a normal start menu was really annoying. I recently bought a new laptop with Win 8 and had to go back to windows 7 after two days.
p.4 #5 · Anyone else really hate the Windows 8 interface?
I finally got rid of Win 8 for good,
after trying all the other desktops.
Never worked right and finally got a near black screen
after messing with it for months.
If you want a Windows 8 Start menu replacement that looks exactly like Windows 7, StartIsBack is for you. You get the same Start button orb icon, the same Start menu search box, the same jump lists, and — for better or worse — even the same Aero transparency! As you can see in the screenshot above, StartIsBack even detects if your system needs to restart to apply some patches; it really is just like the Windows 7 Start menu.
Win 8.1 is not bringing back the start menu - it is bringing back the start button which will still take you to the new start screen (same as hitting the windows key in win 8).
There are certain aspects of windows 8 that I find to be significant improvements over windows 7 such as the way it natively handles SSD drives and the new task manager. That said, so many basic tasks - such as shutting down the computer - require many more clicks to accomplish than in previous versions of windows. The new start screen is a pain in the ass but can generally be avoided. The biggest adjustment for me was the loss of having the amazing complete search found in the start menu of windows 7. I used that to open programs, files, and access just about everything in windows. Win 8 still allows you to hit the windows key and search but it is limited to only a certain type of file or application rather than a complete search.
That said, for my day to day operation I solely use OSX. I find it to be a better OS for power users but obviously that is a very personalized choice.
p.4 #7 · Anyone else really hate the Windows 8 interface?
I did not like Windows 7 - not intuitive at all, I always had to look for everything etc. And after seeing Windows 8 I just told myself - NO, this is not operating system for the 21st century.
So I have been a happy Mac user now. It was a BIG change. I really struggled for the first two weeks, as many things were different, but I just never look back now. It just works and it is not an obstacle between me and the work to be done anymore.
And by the way I do not miss the Start menu at all, even though I thought I would .
p.4 #8 · Anyone else really hate the Windows 8 interface?
kezeka wrote:
require many more clicks to accomplish than in previous versions of windows.
... and those click sequences can require traveling all the way across the screen and back again (or looking for hidden areas) ... hardly efficient or intuitive.
p.4 #11 · Anyone else really hate the Windows 8 interface?
I went to the new Microsoft Store that just opened here in Indy because I wanted to be on the same platform. I checked out the Surface tablet and windows phones. Then I went to the Apple store and ordered an iMac and MacBook Air, and I'll keep my iPhone and iPad. I just can't get a grip on windows 8.
p.4 #12 · Anyone else really hate the Windows 8 interface?
a123 wrote:
I'll keep my iPhone and iPad. I just can't get a grip on windows 8.
You don't have to use the Metro GUI. Just touch the Desktop tile and you're back to the old Windows interface. I'd rather have Lightroom on my tablet and get some work done than being dependent on some iOS app with less functionality than the ancient Ping Pong video game.
p.4 #13 · Anyone else really hate the Windows 8 interface?
David Baldwin wrote:
To be honest I am not interested in learning keyboard shortcuts to use my operating system. That's why I pay good money, to get a properly designed GUI. If you are interested in computers for their own sake you probably find it a good use of your time learning shortcuts and prompt switches etc -good luck to you. The vast majority of users are not really that interested in the minutiae of their OS software, they just want it to work well, and quickly, out of the box.
There is a convenience element to good GUI design so that if you want to take the path of least resistance you can just start working using a new OS. Its not much to ask, seeing as previous versions of Windows have caused me about 1% of the frustration that Windows 8 has.
p.4 #15 · Anyone else really hate the Windows 8 interface?
PhilPDX wrote:
You don't have to use the Metro GUI. Just touch the Desktop tile and you're back to the old Windows interface. I'd rather have Lightroom on my tablet and get some work done than being dependent on some iOS app with less functionality than the ancient Ping Pong video game.
p.4 #19 · Anyone else really hate the Windows 8 interface?
PhilPDX wrote:
Sorry, I thought we were talking about tablets. That's the only reason why I mentioned the Surface Pro. Beats the heck out of any iPad...
I use the Surface Pro for tethered shooting and quick editing of metadata in the field. PP and all the rest only on my workstation at home.
-Phil
Sorry, I saw the post were someone had gone to try out the Surface and w8 and then promptly went to the Apple store and purchased a Imac and an Air.
My Ipads are media and email consumption devices, a remote control for my camera when shooting tethered and a portfolio display device. I want a real computer for everything else and for on the run stuff the Air is superb.
I spent the last 3 decades or so as a dos/Windows guy Switched every thing to Mac 18 months ago. What a huge upgrade....
p.4 #20 · Anyone else really hate the Windows 8 interface?
When I first received my new laptop I immediately order an oem copy of Win 7 so I could install it on my laptop. I've had it now for about a month and the more I use the Win 8 Metro apps the more I like them. When *.1 hits the street I think it will finally make it a good os. not a great one and im no way a MS follower as I normally use iTunes, safari am a win live mail. but I have had my fair problems with MS and think they got too big at one time and that we should not have to pay for alpha and beta versions of their software. ie vista and me.
But, Win 8 has some great potential and having the same style os on your phone,tablet and computer is a wonderful idea. Myself I prefer Apples iPhone, and Ipad plus I have a Mac Mini that once I learned the os I really enjoyed it since it rarely crashed, or froze up. My Desktop and Lapptop would be Mac OS also if the cost wasn't three to four times the coat of the same power/features of a PC. +
I finally looked at the intro for Win 8 and used the help file for the apps that im using and they have some nice features. I think I might be upgrading my Desktop to Win8 once 8.1 hits the street and the oem version start coming with it so I can try the desktop to laptop sync feature as I was already thinking of doing that with a third party app.
play with the apps some check the help files find the universal +gestures and you will like it much better. At first I was having problems installing Visual Studio on Win 8 over the adaptations require for Win 7 but once loaded it runs faster than 7 and is more stable. I have one more program to check out on 8 and that is Flight Sim X with my ton of addons Ive collected over the years. Good luck and let me know if the more you learn it you don't like it more.
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