[pizzazboy]

I heard Windows 8 is absolute garbage without a touch screen. I'm getting a new laptop and I've found it to be perfect, but it has Windows 8 installed, and no touch screen. It will be my first Windows computer, so after these years of OSX, it seems to me Windows 8 would be a smooth transition, right? If it is as bad as people say it is, could I be able to downgrade to windows 7? Thanks!

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I would also like to know if it a good OS without a touch screen as I did not state that earlier.

[pizzazboy]

I would also like to know if it a good OS without a touch screen as I did not state that earlier.

[Eyilo]

I did not try the touch screen function but I am running Windows 7 and upgraded my computer to Windows 8 Pro...I downgraded my OS three days later.

[pizzazboy]

Does downgrading cost anything? Is it easy to do if I were to follow instructions off a forum or something?

[Ztruker]

I'm running Windows 8 and I like it (now). I have it setup so it looks and feels just like Windows 7. Yes, I could have stayed with Windows 7 but now I can use my retail copy of Windows 7 to upgrade my Vista laptop.

I have a fully functional Start button and it boots to the Desktop. I also have working Gadgests. The only thing I don't have and miss is the Aero interface. I liked the transparent look of Windows 7 and the solid, no Aero look is not as attractive.

It's been rock solid for me though so I'm happy.

Running off my SSD it boots in about 25 seconds, 10 faster than Windows 7 did.

I don't use the Metro interface at all except when forced to. I don't like it, find it cumbersome and difficult to multi-task with.

If you need some pointers to how to set it up so it's more like Windows 7, let me know and I can post some links.

Forgot to mention, to downgrade to Windows 7 you need to purchase a key. Best deal I've seen recently is $99.

[pizzazboy]

I went to Best Buy today and tested out Windows 8 on some non-touch screen laptops, and I have a feeling if I just read up on some shortcuts and use it for a couple hours I will be very pleased with it. To me it is very smooth and looks nice, I just don't know the shortcuts.

Ztruker, your OS still has all of he features of windows 8 right? It is still faster, and still has a longer battery life? And can you please post some links on making it look like Win 7 just in case?

[Essexboy]

To get the classic start menu on Windows 8

[attachment=61429:Untitled.png]

I use Classic shell

[Ztruker]

Classic Shell is also what I'm using. It's one drawback is it does not have the excellent search capability Win 7 had. If I can ever find a Windows 7 Start button I'll be real happy. I just wish MS would stop the BS and make it available for those of us who dislike Metro and what the Start button and Desktop.

I'm using 8GadgetPackto get the Windows 7 gadgets back.

You can also get a free Windows 8 for Dummies E-book from Dell. All you have to do is fill in some basic info then download it. It's a pretty good high level look at Win 8.

Also, if you upgrade via download from MS and forget to burn a DVD or flash, see here: ESD-TO-ISO.EXE from SIW2

[Ztruker]

Just switched to Stardock's Start8 ($4.99). I like it better than the Classic Shell as it has a full, Windows 7 style search.

[Gswiss]

To pizzaboy:

If your Windows 8 came pre-installed with your laptop, it's probably not a Windows 8 Pro. Only Windows 8 Pro allows aou to downgrade to Windows 7. But you do have a sort of more or less Windows 7 imitation under Windows 8. Go and have a look in various tutorials on the web. Otherwise, if you have A W7 DVD, you can install a dual boot but you'll need help from a competent IT person. There are two or three things to do in order to prevent Microsoft from blocking you in the process.

Anyhow, it's too late now, but you shouild have purchased a laptop preinstalled with Windows 7. These are available till 2014. W8 is already a flop and will end up like Vista, but not necessarily for the same reasons. Gartner predicts that only 20 to 25% of users worldwide will move to W8, mostly people who buy new machines. Companies will either switch sooner or later from XP to W7 and those with W7 will wait and see what W9 looks like. Besides the gurus who want to test it and people who also have tablets would be interested by it.

Edited by Gswiss, 30 November 2012 - 09:36 AM.

[Gswiss]

I heard Windows 8 is absolute garbage without a touch screen. I'm getting a new laptop and I've found it to be perfect, but it has Windows 8 installed, and no touch screen. It will be my first Windows computer, so after these years of OSX, it seems to me Windows 8 would be a smooth transition, right? If it is as bad as people say it is, could I be able to downgrade to windows 7? Thanks!

You have the answer down below in Gswiss' message (#10)