[Virtual Geezer]

Here is a link to s site that has a video of some of the new features in Windows 8.1 that is to be released on June 26. This is said to be a few upgrade to all those that have upgraded to Windows 8. It is interesting to note that nothing is mentioned about the rumored new desktop screen with the start button that has been in Windows since day one. It also looks like Microsoft is expanding the nice search feature that they created in the Metro view to other segments of the O/S.

Here is the link and just scroll down and watch the video. Now if only they corrected the no sound found on a line of HP lap tops that I just happen to own as well as a few others in TV.

Watch Microsoft

VG

[chuckinca]

Spent about a half hour tonight trying to find Windows Media Player in System 8.

Turned out it had a link on the bottom taskbar that I didn't recognize.

.

[Computer Corner]

Thanks for the informative post.. Microsoft just doesn't get it. PC users everywhere were hoping that the terrible sales of Windows 8 and public outcry would've slapped the folks at Microsoft in the face and cause an about face when it comes to desktop computing... but instead, all we get is simply more of the same...

They meant to make one operating system to rule them all... instead they've created one operating system that ended up ruining all PC usability!

If anyone is interested in getting back their productivity and usability from their PC, we have had people knocking down our doors to help them fix it. So we've recently started offering the "Windows 8 Repair" Service. We can bring back your legacy desktop as your starting point, and bring back the familiar and highly reliable start button/menu that your used to. We can do that in office, at your home, or remotely. Hope that helps.

#Eddie

[Buckeyephan]

I'm ready for a new laptop but am holding off until Windows 8 is fixed/gone. Husband has the distinction of having suffered through both Millenium and Vista. I've escaped those failures so will deal with what I have a bit longer.

[Virtual Geezer]

There is no problems with Windows 8 that cannot be corrected for FREE. Most people dislike not having the Start Button on the bottom left corner of the screen. Well that is a very easy free fix. Just go to Ninite.com and look for Classic Start. Check the box before it and then click on Get Installer. This will load the Start Button back onto your Windows 8 computer. If you right click on it you will get a setup window that will allow you to make it look and feel like either XP or Windows 7 plus a lot of other settings for you to play around with.

One thing about the Ninite site is they take out all the bloat ware and garbage that sometimes get installed on your computer when you are not careful. Now many times have you loaded something and now you have a new menu bar at the top of the screen. Or how about loading Google Earth and you did not read the fine print on the screen and Chrome was also installed and made your default browser. You do not have to worry about that when using Ninite.com.

Let's face it folks the computer industry is changing. A few years ago everyone had a desktop and then came along lap tops and now pads. The vast majority of people today do not need a desktop or a lap top as all they do is check e-mails, social media and surf the internet. To do those things a pad will work out nicely. Microsoft has seen that and is moving in that direction. With Windows 8 you can do the same things on a pad, phone, lap top and desktop without having to reinvent the wheel by learning new systems. The sign of the times.

VG

[Schaumburger]

I got a new laptop in March with Windows 8. As occasionally I use my personal laptop for work purposes, an iPad alone for me just is not practical, although I enjoy using my iPad. I guess I am the one of the few people who doesn't hate Windows 8. I admit the first few weeks using Window 8 were somewhat of a learning curve, but I am able to get to my desktop easily. Just my 2 cents.

[Polar Bear]

Originally Posted by Schaumburger

...I guess I am the one of the few people who doesn't hate Windows 8. I admit the first few weeks using Window 8 were somewhat of a learning curve, but I am able to get to my desktop easily. Just my 2 cents.

Same here. There's a learning curve, but IMHO it's not the disaster that many make it out to be.

[PennBF]

We have a PC that has a window pop up saying "Windows Installer" and it cannot be by passed and appears to impact the PC. As an example it will not let us reinstall HP D110 printer which was removed when fixing the system.
Does anyone know (a) what the hack Window Installer is and (b) how the heck to remove it??

[Schaumburger]

Originally Posted by PennBF

We have a PC that has a window pop up saying "Windows Installer" and it cannot be by passed and appears to impact the PC. As an example it will not let us reinstall HP D110 printer which was removed when fixing the system.
Does anyone know (a) what the hack Window Installer is and (b) how the heck to remove it??

Could it be some type of malware or spyware trying to disguise itself as a legitimate Microsoft Windows product?

[Computer Corner]

Great comments on this thread so far!!!

The problem with saying that Windows 8 isn't as bad as the majority of people make it out to be, is that such a statement puts the shame in the wrong place... the end user.. basically many I.T. enthusiast(especially Windows 'fan-boys') dismiss many of criticisms that people make as simple 'user error' or 'learning curves'.. There seems to be this belief in a minority of our society, especially at Microsoft, that people are simply resistant to change, and as a result the problem is not in the change, but in the people... This idea that people need to "Just get over it" seems to me ridiculous, and insulting..

Don't get me wrong.. I do agree on one part.. people are indeed resistant to change.. But generally speaking people are most resistant to change when it makes their life harder.. As an example; most reasonable people in Africa will not complain if you build a well for their village, even though this is new technology... But imagine if someone(even with the best intentions) tears down a village well, and builds a 'newer', 'better' well miles away from the village.. Most reasonable villagers would be well within their rights to be frustrated by this.. Now, some people may say 'their just resistant to change'.. but I think we all realize what is really going on. The people aren't the problem.. it's the change that is problem.. It's change that makes life harder.

Another great example this principle is the iPhone. I think we can all agree that the iPhone was completely revolutionary.. I mean sure, there were small computer phones before.. but nothing that the mass market could ever embrace. Yet out of the ashes of many of these failures Apple stood up with a Bold, NEW concept. One that would require people to radically change their interaction with communication.. Did people reject it? Did people have a 'learning curve'? Did people need to 'get used to it'? Absolutely not! Apple was able to create a brand new concept, that made sense. They delivered change that made people's life easier.. not harder. Case in point; I can remember the first time my grandmother used an iPhone... Within seconds she was able to make calls, and even send picture messages!! Without a manual! This is the kind of change that makes sense.. because it's change that makes life easier.. not harder. In contrast, I have known people who have spent hours trying to 'learn' windows 8, only to give up out of shear frustration.. many of which could not even figure out how to print a email from the mail app.

The same is true with Windows 8. People who don't like Windows 8, can take solice in knowing that they are not the problem. They can also know that they are not alone. Every functionality study that has been done on usability, and functionality of Windows 8, has agreed.. it's down-right horrible... especially when compared to Windows 7. Most tasks take 2, if not 3 times as long to perform(with, or without intimate knowledge of hotkeys), and has been proven to cause great amounts of confusion amoungst users. The majority of individuals tested, from all age groups, and demographics, simply cannot use it. It's riddled with hidden menu's and productivity killing features.

No.. Change that doesn't improve things should be called out for what it is... failure. Change, just for the sake of change is not anything that should be desired. Until Microsoft learns to accept what the marketplace is saying to them, and learns to respect it's users, and the market research, they will continue to flounder, as they have. Unfortunately, Windows 8.1 is more of the same. It's almost as if Microsoft believes the old mantra; If you say a lie enough times, and an loud enough, people will begin to believe it.

My personal biggest problem with this whole thing, is that I meet people all the time that are so discouraged by Windows 8, and comments of it's followers. They simply feel inadequate, and sometimes, downright stupid. Many of these people simply give up on using a computer altogether! But I'd like to encourage people to not give up. It isn't your fault, in this case, it is indeed the changes fault. Don't give up.. and don't quit learning.. If you need help with Windows 8, we understand, and we won't make you feel stupid, or inadequate about it. We realize the failures of Microsoft, and have ways to help you navigate through them.. It is true that Windows 8 is here to stay... but you don't have to give up your computer during this time, we can help you get your functionality back, and help you enjoy your new computer.. Then hopefully sometime soon, Windows 9 is coming.. and hopefully Microsoft will learn from it's mistakes.. If not... well, there's always Apple.. :-/

Once again, great comments so far.. and many props to Virtual Geezer for the great ideas for FREE ways to improve the usefulness of Windows 8!!!

#Eddie B. CEO of CflGeek.com llc.