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Chris Maunder wrote: I live in hope there's a killer feature that someone will mention that will make
it all good again
What, like the "shutdown" command.... 
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You can make the start menu transparent (in a way)
- right click on start menu
- click properties
- go to navigation tab
- enable show desktop background on start
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And I need to know this why?
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I think you missed the sarcasm in the post. I am fully aware of the shutdown function thank you very much.
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I hear ya.
I find it very frustrating that in the Windows and OSX world, OS == UI. There is no reason for them to be coupled. Yes, there are many start menu workarounds, but it's unreasonable for users, especially in the enterprise to change everything because someone made an arbitrary decision. I so sick of Mac fanboys lining up every time OSX's version is incremented by 0.001 and given a new hat. The thing is, I really liked the Windows 2000 UI and it had a reliable and small kernel to boot. Other than driver and security updates, it was all the OS I need for a desktop. (PS: On modern hardware, Win2K starts up in less time on a magnetic drive than Win8 does on SSD.
Those of us from Un*x land don't face this and I don't think I've ever said, "I wish that this particular UI was the only one available and that I can't change it until someone at Unix Inc. decides I need a new one and then I'll cope". You pick your OS (FreeBSD for me) and you pick your UI from hundreds available.
I use Windows 8 because I need it to build Windows Store and Windows Phone apps. Hell, I actually like it on my Surface Pro.
You could install Windows NT from a stack of floppies. Win2K fully installed was what, 300MB? What on earth is filling 20GB of space on a clean Win8 installation, and how is this considered progress?
I really hope ReactOS goes somewhere. It's an open-source OS that is binary-compatible with Windows.
#GetOffMyLawn
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Ron Beyer wrote: I hate working full screen.
That there is a killer, like CM I use multiple large screens and full screen is bloody ridiculous, I think I'll continue to wait a while before I get a new machine. I certainly won't upgrade my dev box from 7.
Never underestimate the power of human stupidity
RAH
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You don't upgrade based on fear only.
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I've used the demo version of StartX, and it works, but why should I have to pay a 3rd party developer to add something back in that Microsoft took out? If that was the only fall-back of Win8 I could live with paying a couple bucks to a hungry developer, but with so many other "issues" I can't bring myself to whip out the wallet when I don't like a lot of other things.
BTW, DVD support has also been removed in Win8 without a 3rd party codec. Too many issues to whip the wallet out for all of them, turns a $250 OS into a $350 one by the time I buy all the things that I "upgraded" from in Win7.
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They offered the Media Center Pack for windows 8 which featured DVD playback and a few other media goodness a while back sending free keys to your email account, which i took advantage of.
You probably have to pay for it now.
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classicshell[^] Also brings back the start menu, along with other features. For free.
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8.1 so far is not a full release and to complain about bugs is well stupid considering it's not a full release.
The control panel
- Start menu - Type control Panel
- Start menu - All programs - Windows System
- Explorer - This PC - Computer menu - Control panel icon
If you can't find something in 8.1 - type it in the start menu.
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I'm not sure if you understand how Microsoft releases software.
First, once a version hits RC (release candidate) its a feature freeze. RC (or what they call "Preview" now) is given out to the public so that they can get bug and security reports, those are fixed before public release, but no new features are added.
Next, once a version is ready for public release, it is given to MSDN subscribers first, usually about 30 days prior to general public release. I have an MSDN subscription and have been running 8.1 preview since it came out, and 8.1 release since it was available. So yes, 8.1 is full release and I didn't say anything about the system being buggy. I'm simply complaining that the UI choices MS made on Windows 8 do not fit with what I consider to be good choices for a full sized desktop system or even laptops bigger than netbooks.
Not sure why you want to tell everybody they are wrong, you won't find me going into the posts where people said it was the best thing ever and telling them they are wrong... Arguing for arguments sake maybe?
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From the Microsoft website: Windows 8.1 Preview and Windows RT 8.1 Preview are pre-release versions of Windows 8.1.
It is not the full release period.
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I haven't installed that to help you with your issues.
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What if I told you I have use windows 8 and never used a Metro UI app or even used the metru UI/tiles for any reason?
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Ron Beyer wrote: I use my computer for things other than stuff that should be full screen, I hate working full screen. I have to jump through hoops to use my computer like a normal computer.
There's absolutely no reason that you can't use your computer in exactly the same way as you did in Windows 7. If you don't like the full-screen "Windows 8 apps", don't use them. The entire time I've been on Windows 8, the only "Windows 8 apps" I've used at all are Remote Desktop (because I always used the old one full-screen; though you can still use the old desktop version if you don't like the new one), eBay (because it's often faster than their web site), TeamViewer (same note as Remote Desktop), and some games.
This was true about Windows 8 and it still true about Windows 8.1.
My daily workflow includes only the traditional desktop apps, Chrome, Notepad++, PuTTY, Visual Studio, and SmartGit, all of which work exactly the same as they did under Windows 7.
What exactly are these "hoops" you have to jump through?
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The annoying way Windows thinks I want to dock my windows when I get them near an edge...
The BlueTooth stack not operating correctly (BTStack Not Initialized) everytime I start up.
Having to purchase a start menu (I tried the free one, wasn't as good as StartX)
Having to use a Live log-in on the computer.
Not logging into the desktop by default (although this is fixed in 8.1).
The difficulty in finding anything in the start menu (yes, I could type, but I should also be able to get to it by mouse, it just adds time).
I wouldn't find 8 so annoying if they gave me an option to make it like a desktop or a tablet, but they are forcing me into using my computer like a giant hand-held device and I'm not enjoying it. Like Chris, I have 2 giant monitors and the docking thing drives me insane on my laptop, much less if I put it on my desktop.
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Ron Beyer wrote: The annoying way Windows thinks I want to dock my windows when I get them near an edge...
This is actually a feature of Windows 7 as well, and is very easy to turn off if you don't want it. See http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/gg442260.aspx
Ron Beyer wrote: Having to use a Live log-in on the computer.
I don't use one. My live login is only used in the app store (where it is, of course, necessary to have a login - because it's a store), but I log into the computer using a local username and password. This has always been an option, and is still there in 8.1 as far as I can tell.
Ron Beyer wrote: Like Chris, I have 2 giant monitors and the docking thing drives me insane on my laptop, much less if I put it on my desktop.
I have two big monitors on my desktop, and I usually have my laptop plugged in to a second 20 inch monitor. I don't have any trouble with managing windows in this setup at all. In fact, multi-monitor support in Windows 8 is better than any previous version of Windows (e.g. option to have a separate taskbar for each monitor, Winkey+arrows to move programs between monitors, etc.)
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I honestly dont see why people dont like the start screen. Are people that stubborn? It has 100% the functionality of the start menu. Do you not realize you can still click start type a few characters of what you want then click on the app you want from the filtered list? Or do these people suffer from 2yr old problems that when things disappear on screen you think they are gone forever? Or do you have to keep your eyes on your twitter stream why you are opening a new program? My biggest complaint about the start menu in Win7 is it was too small to find something when you didnt know the name. I much prefer the start screen to the old start menu. Most people I know only click on programs on the desktop. If it's not on the desktop I will get support calls asking where an app is. The start screen gives most people what they have always wanted big icons informative on the "Metro Desktop" to click on to start programs. Perhaps all that is needed to appease the start screen hatred is a more customized way to change icons colors or add rounded corners. But now that IOS7 is much more vibrant perhaps more acceptance of the start screen will be seen.
The only thing I hate about Win8 - 8.1 is the Metro File Pickers/Browsers. I felt that Win7+ finally got a good open save dialog on the desktop(it looks just like explorer with your favorites etc..) Now in Metro we are back to Win3.1 file picker. They could easily create the new one in Metro and should (I hope). My hope for Window 9 is they will have Metro floating windows/dialogs.
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I've got it in a virtual machine and I'm loving every moment! 
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