Alright, haters. Judging by many of the comments left on this week’s “Week of Windows 8” posts, a number of you aren’t huge fans of Windows 8. In fact, some of you hate it so much, the very mention of the words “Windows” and “eight” in the same sentence – unless it’s a story about “Eight ways to not install Windows 8” or something like that — sets you into a frenzy.
Before you fire up your comment box and give us an earful about yet another story about that “horrible” operating system, let’s talk productive for a moment. Specifically, what can Microsoft do to enrich the operating system’s experience enough so that you’re no longer tempted to throw a brick through the company’s Windows.
When is Windows 8 SP1 coming out? If it follows the timelines set by previous iterations of the operating system, we're expecting sometime in 2014. What might Microsoft include/need to include in order to make Windows 8 a satisfying experience for early adopters and uncommitted upgraders alike?
One caveat, before we get into it: Given that Windows 8 just launched, it’s way too premature to make significant predictions about speed improvements and the lot that Microsoft might bake into a major update to the OS. These kinds of things will iron themselves out over time, and it would be a waste of space for us to just pontificate that “Windows 8 SP1 will totally be faster and such.” And yes, we know that SP1 will contain driver updates and increased compatibility geared toward OEMs. No-brainer there.
Instead, we’re going to concentrate on some of the core improvements that Microsoft could – and should – make to improve the Windows 8 experience and maybe, just maybe, get one or two of you to convert over to the “dark side.” Spoiler: It’s time to fix Metro.
Let’s face it. The Windows 8 user interface is a complete disaster. I realize that some of you – my tech-savvy colleagues, included – are perfectly willing to write off Microsoft’ inclusion of Metro/the “Modern UI”/the “new Windows user interface”/whatever the heck Microsoft’s calling it nowadays. I respect that opinion as a tech-savvy individual myself. But even though Metro is just a big, out of control search tool that you can theoretically ignore if you just want that classic Windows 7 look and feel, it’s just not good enough.
It’s not good enough because average people – and don’t take my word for it, consider the surveys – are being overly confused by Microsoft’s decision to slap a tablet (or smartphone) OS onto Windows 8 for desktops and laptops. So much so, that they can’t even perform normal tasks on their desktops.
The solution? Microsoft needs to refine the user interface, period. And this can take a number of forms. The most obvious solution is treating Metro the way it was meant to be designed: as a supplement to the “core” Windows 7 operating system rather than a botched attempt at a primary UI. Let users boot into the desktop if they want. Give them their Start button back. Give them the option of restricting Metro’s interface to Metro apps only, which also solves the irritating issue of installed apps filling Windows 8’s new user interface full of crappy tiles.
I don’t really have any good suggestions for dealing with the “bars” found in Windows 8, nor do I think Microsoft would be all that willing to abandon its Charms. It’s unfortunate that Windows 8 comes with two disparate settings menus – at the very least, a link from PC Settings to the Control Panel, and vice versa, would be a pleasant touch. As for Share, well, that’s still fussy depending on the kind of content you’re actually trying to show off to others. Caveat emptor.
Why Metro doesn’t talk to Windows 8’s Desktop Mode, and why Windows 8’s Desktop Mode doesn’t talk to Metro, we’ll never know. Or, rather, we’ll never know the reason why Microsoft didn’t do everything in its power to break down the wall between the two halves of Windows 8 – for apps, that is.
Windows 8 currently makes you run two browsers (one for the normal desktop and the other for Metro).
Here’s the confusing bit. If you go to load Internet Explorer, the Metro app, it doesn’t match up with the desktop-based version of Internet Explorer in the slightest. The same holds true for Google’s Chrome, or just about any other app that happens to have both Metro and Desktop versions on Windows 8. What you end up getting are two completely different experiences within – arguably – identical applications: Your tabs in one don’t match your tabs in the other, among other synchronization problems.
Whether this is a Windows issue or a development issue, Microsoft needs to make it easier for apps found on the two parts of its operating system to get along. And while we’re at it, let’s get a fix for the “Can’t load Metro-based browser unless it’s set to be your default browser” issue. I’m not a huge Internet Explorer fan, but there’s absolutely no way I’m going to even be able to use Internet Explorer in Metro the minute I set another browser as my default. In some cases, maybe I’d like to – or need to – use IE. Why send me off to the desktop if you don’t need to, Microsoft?
Comments are closed on this article
sasquatch1955
November 09, 2012 at 2:31pm
How sad is it that we're discussing SP1 on a OS that has been out for what, 5 weeks?
whiznot
November 06, 2012 at 4:26pm
It seems the Windows OS has been intentionally crippled. Someone high up must either have sold short or be a double agent working for Apple.
Teh_tourist
November 06, 2012 at 7:47am
I have a Microsoft Surface RT, I live in metro. And It's by far my favorite touch focused OS, everything is so simple (once you know all the gestures).
I find myself not wanting to use my HTX One X or iPhone/iPad because swiping down to close apps just makes so much sense to me, being able to see all my running apps by swiping in and out on the left is so simple and obvious. Being able to swipe in from the right while playing videos and throw them up to my tv (without any configuration from me) is amazing.
I also use Windows 8 on my desktop, and there I only use Metro to get live tile information on weather, calendar, mail, social networks, etc for when I wake the computer from sleep. Metro is the best interface I have ever used for touch computing, and the live tiles really help me get lots of information without having to go to sites/open applications.
Navyspook
November 05, 2012 at 6:27pm
I've been working with Windows ever since version 3.1 and Windows 8 has got to be the absolute worst. I downloaded the trial and played with it for a couple of days. On a positive note it installed quickly, responded quickly but the Metro interface has got to go. I would go back to using Vista over this piece of garbage. Operating systems are supposed to be transparent; not get in your way; well, Windows 8 has killed that. I can see it as being good for tablets and touch screen monitors. I'm not upgrading my two monitors to touch screens for Windows 8. If $Microsoft$ plans on force feeding us this in future issues, I can see me going to Ubuntu or "gulp" Apple. Windows 8 gets a "F" in my book.
greek_m43
November 05, 2012 at 2:51pm
I would love to see some changes, but I like Windows 8. I'm a cinematographer and use my Asus G74sx to edit, color correct, and play Blizzard games every so often. I did a clean install with a brand new Samsung SSD. I like "Metro". It's a quick and easy way to get to different programs. The only problem I had was with drivers. Asus doesn't have official G74 support, but all G75 drivers worked, except for my Touch Pad. I've even overclocked my GPU and love the up in the speed.
Hilarity
November 05, 2012 at 1:38pm
Clean installed Win 8 Pro for $15 on all three of my Win 7 systems. Win 7 is dead. I'm satisfied. Microsoft should end Win 7/Vista within two years and end XP next year. Fuck all old shit. Its 2012, not 1995.
pratikrawankar
November 05, 2012 at 7:44am
Win 8 Metro is just like a Windows 1.0 !!!!!!!!!
Soon Windows 8 will call as ""Vista Revirth""Analyst: Windows 8 Heading For Massive Fail!
http://www.legitreviews.com/news/14317/MS forces all those engineerings who spend 10s,20s years learning c++,,vs,.net, java and world to learn their own programming language to build app on Win RT for fucking Metro
in Metro we have no freedomit cant play Medal of Honor Warfighter nor its MOH 2010 and many upcoming games from Bethsdasoft and Valve will have problem with bloody win 8
die win 8 die
davelray
November 05, 2012 at 2:30pm
Cregan89 is correct, and also, though I could barely understand from the terrible grammar, you are incorrect on the games. You can install any of those games to Windows 8 and run them just fine. Now I think you may be slightly confused. There is a big difference between Windows 8, and Windows RT. Windows RT cannot play those games. Because those games were not written to run on the ARM processor platform for which Windows RT runs on. I think you are buying way too much into the anti Windows anti Microsoft propaganda that's been going on. Because none of what you said is true.
Cregan89
November 05, 2012 at 11:22am
Ummm... At my company we are currently working on Windows RT/8 applications right now and you can write them in C++,C#,VB using both the .NET and Win32 libraries, and you still design them in VS... The exact same way you write applications for Windows XP/Vista/7, the libraries have just been expanded (.NET4.5). We literally are able to copy and paste our old code written for Windows 7 and Windows CE and run it in Windows RT.
In addition to those languages Windows RT/8 also added HTML5/JavaScript support for building native applications. The first mainstream OS to do so.
You're just flat out lying! That or you are severely misinformed.
Embarrassingggggg!
kris79
November 05, 2012 at 6:31am
Bought Win8 on Friday.
Took all day to install on Saturday due to the many errors it generated.
Used it on Sunday to see if I liked it.
Dumped it on Monday like the garishly face-painted cheap hooker it is.
Anyone remember how that statement goes about lipstick and pigs?
glarry
November 05, 2012 at 6:25am
Finally...a sane, rational, logical critique of the horrible UI. Spot on!!!
R_U_Q_R_U
November 05, 2012 at 3:40am
I might have an opinion if I could install it...
Many 64 bit custom built machines cannot install Windows 8 64 bit. It hangs on first reboot. So my experience with it is running in VMWare. Weirdly, it installs as a virtual machine without any problems on the machine it fails to install. I am using Start* to get the start menu back. I don't seen any human factor benefits to 8, so I guess all the goodness is in the code.
Staying with Windows 7. That's it.
CerealKyll3r
November 04, 2012 at 2:33pm
When the first preview release came out and I wrote about my likes and dislikes about the new OS I was pretty much flooded with hate and flame mail from individuals who thought I was either a Mac fan boy or an old man who was unable or unwilling to learn a new interface like Metro. Well, now that I have used the full release for over a week I have come to the realization that I pretty much have the same gripes and same complaints as I did before, but the primary one is that Windows 8 feels like they, Microsoft, took Metro and slapped in on top of Windows 7. Windows 8 feels rushed and incomplete with some nice idea's that were poorly executed. For starts more than 90% of the web sites I try to go to will not function with the Metro version of IE. Most insist that Flash is not installed, even though I know it is. In fact one of the only sites that does function is Adobe's site which tries to troubleshoot the issue. At first this seems like a minor issue, but constantly shifting between Metro and the desktop to view sites in compatibility view becomes rather irritating after a while. After a while you notice you have sites open in the Metro version and on the desktop. Then there are sites like Intel which have java tools which just refuse to function in either version of IE and continually throw up "installation failed". So you are left with no choice but to install another browser. Second is what seems like a kludge of mismatched interfaces and versions of applications which again cause you to flip back and fourth between Metro and the Desktop. In the end you spend more time flipping back and fourth between Metro and the Desktop than anything else. Lastly while the new simplified interface looks neat and clean after a while you grow to miss the nice look and feel of the Windows 7 Aero interface. The transparencies and 3D bliss is now replaced with something so block y and simply it not only screams at you to open up any application to just get away form it, but it reminds you of the old Windows 3.1 interface and leaves you wondering "What the heck were they thinking?" (Yes, I know what they were thinking. But still, "What the hell were they thinking?") In the end I am left wanting to go back to Windows 7 and I would, except for the fact that Windows 8 supports most of my new hardware while Windows 7 does not. My SSD drive and USB ports not only function better, but faster and it's this and this that keep me on Windows 8. I hope Microsoft doesn't walk away thinking that these early sales of Windows 8 point to success and that people like myself are some how pleased with the changes made so far. I hope instead that Microsoft listens to people like me and that Windows 8 is just an interim step to something better.
Slugbait
November 05, 2012 at 9:39pm
"For starts more than 90% of the web sites I try to go to will not function with the Metro version of IE. Most insist that Flash is not installed, even though I know it is."
Sounds like you're only going to Flash websites. Flash is not supported on WinPhone 7 or 8, either. To utilize Flash on the desktop OS, you must use Desktop IE.
HTML5 websites will work fine on Metro IE, regardless of the platform.
Neufeldt2002
November 04, 2012 at 4:02pm
"I hope Microsoft doesn't walk away thinking that these early sales of Windows 8 point to success and that people like myself are some how pleased with the changes made so far."
Sadly, that is exactly what MS is going to think. It is extremely rare for MS to back track on anything once they have made up their minds.
renodude18
November 04, 2012 at 1:43pm
Great way to put it. We need our powertools and old windows back! I believe microsoft may add some sort of you download if you want pack to include all the knobs and sliders for turning things off or on. not so much a SP1 pack as they want people to convert to their "Metro" System and by forcing it on basic users they might get their way. Sadly. I upgraded my work laptop to windows 8 to get a jump on it the third day it was out and have been using it since. aside from chrome sync issues its been fine and absolutely no driver issues like on the preview/ DEV builds. I'll admit I don't mind the Metro menu for some stuff like social network stuff but other than that 90% of the time I'm on the desktop portion wishing I had my regular start menu and games folder rather than this custom shell or whatever to take its place. Give me my damn start menu back microsoft and I'll be happy. Also does anyone buy into the fact that you don't need a AV system in 8 because MS security essentials is built in?
John Pombrio
November 04, 2012 at 6:58am
Nice article. I agree that its a shame that Stardock wrote the only decent "app" for Win8 in is Start8 program.
Right now I completely, I mean COMPLETELY ignore Metro, haven't seen it in weeks. That is a very poor commentary for MS to get for such an essential part of the release.
If MS does not fix Metro, others certainly will. MS will LOSE their "walled garden".
kixofmyg0t
November 04, 2012 at 6:00am
OMG WINDOWS 8 IS SO MUCH FAIL!.......
Err....I just can't do it. I can't in good conscious be a tool and hate on Windows 8. I went in knowing it was gonna be different... expecting to have to learn new things(that's everyone's problem, they would have to learn something). Took me a couple minutes to figure out the work flow but it wasn't hard.
I'm never going back to 7. Even as good and solid as 7 is, I like 8 better.
kixofmyg0t
November 05, 2012 at 1:12pm
Probably until Linux becomes something other than a novelty OS.
ocnier
November 04, 2012 at 5:18am
Is it me or does this feel like the next windows Vista (ya know a sort of grand beta product to produce the real OS win 7). I think I will sit this one out, however, the need for conversion to tablet-esque OS convergence can't be denied. I just feel like this is one grand beta.... Sad
Eagle70ss
November 04, 2012 at 5:19pm
Except you forgot Windows 2000...but yeah the pattern is almost there.
Neufeldt2002
November 04, 2012 at 6:54pm
2000 wasn't meant to be a consumer OS, it was only meant for businesses.
Eagle70ss
November 04, 2012 at 9:29pm
yeah, that is a bit of a difference. However, you could walk into any compusa and get a copy of 2000 Pro and slap it on your desktop machine. I always forget it was more intended for business and power users. I used for many,many years as a home/desktop OS(as many people did).
lordfirefox
November 05, 2012 at 2:38am
2000 and XP used the same NT Kernel. Therefore including Windows 2000 is valid. It also came out BEFORE Windows ME. ME was just a rework of 98SE with some system tools that existed in 98SE brought to the desktop that were hidden away before. ME was also the same dos32 kernel in 95/98.
In other words the pattern doesn't hold.
R_U_Q_R_U
November 05, 2012 at 3:47am
Windows 8 is a fail for me...it is the FIRST version that flat out does not install. I am running an ASUS P9X79 PRO with Windows 7 PRO 64 bit.
This is not an uncommon experience. Check the threads on MS Tech Net. If it will not upgrade then it will not be popular.
abowlofsoda
November 05, 2012 at 1:18pm
That has been a Windows problem for the last few versions at least. Take out the CD/DVD or USB key your using to install after first boot so its not booting back onto it and you will succeed (it worked for me at least).
pixelpopper
November 03, 2012 at 11:27pm
OH BOY.. thank god I installed 8 on a separate harddisk, I am NOT IMPRESSED AT ALL! I may forgive M$ and use Windows 8 when the LEAP motion control device comes out in the next few months (if it works as well as it looks to), but until then, it will be sitting lonely on that extra drive while I continue to use Windows 7. I would use the desktop hack but its ridiculous to have to use a 3rd party tool to make a MICROSOFT OS usable..
savage4naves
November 03, 2012 at 10:38pm
Windows 8 is great!
Running it on my desktop and every PC in my home. If you don't like Metro you don't have to use it.
Leaving Windows 7 for good!
CerealKyll3r
November 04, 2012 at 2:56pm
Windows 8 may work for you, but it's not the Cat's Meow and to simply say that if people don't like Metro they don't have to use Windows 8 is not fair. Anyone who has newer hardware has no choice but to move to Windows 8 in order to get full support for things like USB3 and SSD Drives. And while Metro is nice it has it's share of issues, none of which are related to the Charms Bar or gestures and learning a new interface. I am glad that Windows 8 works well for you, but don't chastise people who have issues with it.
davelray
November 05, 2012 at 2:40pm
I've not come across a single bit of hardware that is restricted to Windows 8. If they are currently using Windows 7 and everything works fine, and they don't like Windows 8, then let them keep using 7. It will still be supported for the next five years or so. That is a perfectly fair opinion to have.
savage4naves
November 04, 2012 at 7:00pm
Like I said, if you don't like Metro you don't have to use it. You aren't forced to run Windows either.
USraging
November 03, 2012 at 10:19pm
I have thought they should have given the user a choice on install and from what you selected determined if win8 interface got installed with it or not. The interface should be a feature that can be easily disabled or enabled depending on your tastes. I do miss the start button always overlaying in the left hand bottom corner of my screen rather than completely distracting me by taking up my whole monitor. i used win 8 on my laptop for about 3months because i wanted to give it a shot and its alright. It seems to be just win7 smashed together with a tablet interface. At first it didnt bother me tell i started doing some work on it for long periods of time i just could not get used to every time i needed to open a new app or find a doc the tiles popping up in my face full screen. ended up reverting back to win7 and dont really see a point in upgrading tell like win 9.
wrldqueeek
November 03, 2012 at 8:14pm
There is a way to get the start menu back. It's a third party app called Classic Shell (classicshell.sourceforge.net/)
This info may not help the average user, but we techies can install it for our "normal" friends :P
riopato
November 03, 2012 at 7:58pm
I lost a 3 paragraph comment to this article due to an advertisement break on this site even though I'm logged in. How about fixing your own commenting section first before writing another article whining about fixing a whole operating system!
riopato
November 05, 2012 at 2:16am
It was a point for point rebuttal to everything in the article. 3 paragraphs was pretty short. Your sarcastic reply suggests the most you'd read is what written on the back of cereal boxes.
savage4naves
November 05, 2012 at 2:31am
Better not be dissing the word search on the back of my Honey Nut Cheerios.
riopato
November 05, 2012 at 2:16am
It was a point for point rebuttal to everything in the article. 3 paragraphs was pretty short. Your sarcastic reply suggests the most you'd read is what written on the back of cereal boxes.
FascistNation
November 03, 2012 at 7:23pm
I agree Metro should be optional as it was in the beta versions of Win8. Sheer arrogance to compel the interface and one of two reason I decided not to adopt Win8, even though it supposedly is reasonably defeatable via Stardock.
But if this is really hurting Win8 sales significantly MS can't wait until 2014 before issuing a fix. After the Vista debacle and their hits lately in the market they had better get the fix a lot sooner than the 9 months it took to release the saving Vista SP1.
Win8 is a pretty impressive improvement over Win7 but a lot of functionality is hidden from power user's tweaking. That is unwise. They really need a desktop theme that restores some of the items they have removed for mobile device and tablet use assuming they want desktop users to switch.
Bring back the included WMP and Win Media Center. It was the other reason I finally said screw it.
The closed nature of the Windows Store troubles me...and I wonder if MS can disable/delete products acquired from their store that they later wish they had not made available.
No DVD Maker...that was handy. I can live without the gadgets but I must admit a few of them were pretty useful on the edge of a widescreen.
bittertruth
November 03, 2012 at 5:33pm
Treat it as totally new OS, learn and adapt, instead of whining like a lil gurl. If we think that MS has spoiled us decades with same UI, then don't dig in for same old UI when they obviously have announced that it's totally different looking user experience. Keyword is learn and adapt.
TrackBallGT
November 04, 2012 at 1:15pm
Adapters? You means slaves? Oh I am sorry you are so right it must be something wrong with me! How could I be so blind!!!!! Of course I will adapt to the more limited and featureless routine. Here take mai monies!! You are right its not like 90% of the market has more diverse needs beyond photo editing and film production!
Budman_NC
November 03, 2012 at 9:00pm
How about: If it ain't broke, don't fix it! I am perfectly willing to adapt to an OS that makes sense...a touch screen interface for a mouse and keyboard makes no sense. What makes sense is letting the user decide what interface they want to use. What kind of person just accepts things the way they are?
lindethier
November 03, 2012 at 5:05pm
I still don't know how I feel about Windows 8. I've played around with the preview and I like the performance gains, but it is just funky dealing with Metro.
I'll eventually upgrade, but just don't see any real reason for upgrading from 7.
angryrocker4
November 03, 2012 at 4:45pm
So YOUR personal preferences not being met means the win8 is bad? The author really doesn't need to be writing reviews if he can't figure out how to use the damn product.
Look if you're too stupid to understand what the new interface is about, and worse yet you upgraded without having a touchscreen, you need to kill yourself. Do you bitch because your wireless mouse doesn't work without batteries too?
The metro UI is designed to cut down the time you spend at the computer screen, ie ALL YOUR SHIT IS RIGHT THERE.
No start button...really? Shut the fuck up...
Hard to figure out? 2-3 year old kids pick it up in seconds, kill yourself, you're holding the human race back.
Cant customize things? Just die, customizing both the Desktop and Metro interface is quick and easy, takes minutes. You want customization, make your own linux distro.
Can't sell regular desktop apps in the metro store? Dumbass that's not what it's for!!!!
I don't hear about any bluescreens of death, lack of real usability, lack of hardware or software support or anything else that matters.
kixofmyg0t
November 04, 2012 at 5:52am
But but but they CHANGED it! My desktop is GONEEEEEE!
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
gatorXXX
November 03, 2012 at 5:28pm
Dude, lay off the crack. Mixing that with LowT will stunt your brain growth. Wait.....that happened at birth.....nevermind....
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