Windows 8 Arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

[zebo]

Just bought a new laptop, couldn't get one without Windows 8 and I find it sooooooooooo annoying.
For starters, does anyone know if I can stop the enormous clock appearing and what am I doing to make the "charms" appear when I don't want them, all I do is move the cursor around and there they are!

[daffy654]

I use this to make it behave and look like Windows 7.

[daffy654]

http://www.stardock.com/products/start8/download.asp

[AB Editor]

You are hovering in the top right or bottom right hand corners to make the charms appear.

You can also make them appear by pressing Windows + C

The clock only appears when you activate the charm bar.

Anything else?

[AB Editor]

also, remember you can search from the start page - just start typing. It's really good for finding things (especially settings which you can only remember the name of - and not all the parent folders!)

[FredPuli43]

Wait until you lightly move the cursor across and the page, or even chrome to IE, changes itself without you pressing anything. That is worth Arggggghhhhh!

[AB Editor]

"Wait until you lightly move the cursor across and the page, or even chrome to IE, changes itself without you pressing anything."

I don't know what you're describing there? If you have more than one app open you can see them on the bar on the left (hover in the top left then move down a bit. You can chuck these by clicking and grabbing (or swiping if you have a touchscreen) into the main display.

[chrissa1]

I'm thinking about geting a new laptop, and all these comments about Windows 8 is slightly worrying. Are there any good things about it?

[bibblebub]

If you start using W8 and have an open mind then you might not have any problems and find that you actually prefer it. Some people seem to have a fixation on the absence of a start button but you can do everything that that lets you do just as easily without one in W8 - and there will be an update in the next few months that will (sort of) bring of it back should you want.

[chrissa1]

I rarely use the Start button so, fingers crossed.

[AB Editor]

"Are there any good things about it?"

Tons really. If you're happy to learn.

I would suggest getting a laptop with a touch-screen because it improves the experience about ten-fold.

The search, mentioned above, is really good for finding documents on your computer, settings and programs.

The "snap" views are really good - so, for example, you can have a "Metro" app running in a strip on the right hand side while you do normal desktop things with the rest of your screen. I usually have twitter, messaging or a mail client open at the side for quick access.

The "share" charm is pretty cool - especially if you like to share web pages with others via email, for example - it's super quick at that.

erm, The live tiles are pretty? Sometimes?

The music player is a bit pants, but then, I've never found one I actually like!

[FredPuli43]

The touchscreen W8 on a laptop is far better, and, methinks, and admission of defeat by microsoft. W8 seems designed for touchscreen. Friends who haven't got it, learn to swear a lot. Those few who have splashed out for it seem to have fewer problems.

[Alston]

Personally I would stay away from anything that is pre-loaded with Windows 8.

Search around and you will find lots of bargain laptops which come with Windows 7.

Furthermore, touch screens are, in my opinion, playthings and Not for serious operators.

Al.

[chrissa1]

Thanks for those points, guys.

[AB Editor]

"Furthermore, touch screens are, in my opinion, playthings and Not for serious operators."

LOL. You know it's an EXTRA input, and not the only one right? It just allows for using a keyboard/mouse while "working" and using a touchscreen while "playing".

Windows 7 is *fine* though - and you're right, there may be bargains to be had!

(It is worth pointing out that Window 8 needs less to run than Windows 7 - so identical laptops running 7 will run slower than those running 8)

[hc4361]

I love windows 8 and I'm going to download the new 8.1 tomorrow.

I use it on my desktop.

[WyeDyed]

Windows 8 on a desk top is great. On a laptop, I would only advise using a mouse as it's not very touch pad friendly imho.
Why the fixation with the start button when you now have a whole screen to choose an application?
If you right click on the start screen you get the option to "show all apps" and you can Unpin from the start menu to tidy things up. Also, you can "Pin to the task bar" any programmes that you use frequently, just right click on the tile for the options.

[zebo]

Thanks everyone, I'll persevere and may even grow to love it, but not the clock!

[hc4361]

What clock?

[hc4361]

Oh! That clock.

[sara3]

I hate it. while I'm typing the charms appear, then flick off the page I was typing on and up pops the start/tiles screen.

hate it. hate it a lot. and the stupid way of closing pages/applications. if injured one hand I'd be stuffed as you need 2 hands to do some things (stop it!), and I still can't find half my photos, but I know they're here somewhere. and the 2 finger scrolling.

hate it!