I hate windows 8!

...that would make a good t-shirt [}] nothing but hassles with it from day one, takes 3 steps where windows 7 could do it in 2, the 'new' default programmes are rubbish (have reverted to older default ones for ease of use).

It's all designed for touch screen. Not laptops. Grrrr...

I hear there were so many complaints that windows 8.1 has been released to address the issues, but sounds like that hasn't really made any difference.

Another vista debacle...

I wonder if you can get Windows 8, but adapt it to a Windows 7 "look and feel"? I'm in need of a new laptop, and I'm scared I'm going to be forced in to Windows 8 which will come with the new laptop (which I don't want).

I haven't managed to yet...did try to load Windows 7 as an alternative, but it kept telling me there was a problem...yeah, bet they have put a bug in so you can't do that [!]

I had to update to Office Professional 2013 too as it won't support anything earlier than 2010...

I'm hanging on to my good old XP like a leech. My sister has 8 and it freaks me out - things popping up and whizzing to and fro when all you did is move the mouse a few cm... but she likes it[:0] Yeah, I'm scared too, that we will eventually all be forced into having it in a few years[xx(]

Its not so bad once you get used to it - I still don't know where to find the calculator though, I have to search the computer for it

reggit - you should just have downloaded Open Office. It is free and it works. I have Windows 7 and understand your post. As a person who bought a computer with Vista I have to say despite all the negativety I actually liked it (having been working in a Company who was using a 20 year old Dos system) so not a biggie to go to 7 from Vista. It seems the jump from XP to 7 is a shock for most. 8 - not on your nellie as Windows is too fast to release new programmes that are not fully tested. I'll wait a couple of years at least until they iron out all the bugs and still service laptops and desktops - is that a Tui moment?

I've just been told that I am one of the 5 first people nominated to have Windows 8 installed on my computer at work. Woo hoo!!! (I think). They wanted me to work with it so that we can see if it copes with our clinical programmes and some of the other work that I do. I have a laptop for work now too - brand new - so I will be interested to see how that goes.

Having Vista on my old lappy (despite being warned about it back then), I had absolutely no trouble with it at all. Now it is taking forever to start up and shut down and I have been told that re-installing it will clear the registry or some such and fix that. Can't be bothered as new lappy has W8.

At first I didn't like it but have figured if you go straight to the desktop it is not too much different. I am starting to use the startup screen icons to get where I want to go after re-organising them and deleting a whole pile of useless fluffery that came pre-installed. Have had to adjust from Windows Mail to outlook which has taken a bit of time but like all new things the change has opened up features I didn't know I had!

There have been a few updates on w8 already and I am finding that it is running much better with them installed. Overall it is not the big baddie I thought it might be.

Got to agree powerguy. I went from Vista to W8 also. It was a bit of an effort for this old brain, but with the help of my grandkids I understand it a bit better and am, like you, am finding all sorts of features I didn't know I had.

you can bring back the start menu with Start8 found here

Hmmm, my laptop with Vista takes forever to start and close too. Might have to do something about it.

Do any of you have free CCleaner from Piriform? Keeps your computer as clean as a whistle and also has a Registry Cleaner. If downloading, watch the questions
and UNTICK Yahoo if you don't want it.

I use it about once a month and notice how much quicker my laptop is after deleting the rubbish. Never blinked at using the Registry cleaner either and never had a problem. Just a thought.

Hi DiDi. I use C.Cleaner (free one) from Piriform too and find it very simple to use, very effective and regular updates. Thoroughly recommend this.

KaiapoiKen you are truly unfortunate. No-one I know who had Vista liked it and now you have gone on to Windows 8 which many are saying is just as bad. Roll on the next version.

Igor - wrong! I just said above that I had no problem with Vista. The people who did have a problem with it were those clinging to XP and way past Microsoft support for it. I like 7 but adapted in a heartbeat to it from Vista so I just wish people would get over thinking that anyone who had Vista was an idiot. I am VERY computer literate and am fed up with the misinformation out there. Not perfect but in no way as bad as is touted.