can I downgrade from Windows 8 64 bit or any window 8 back to windows 7

kala85

can I downgrade from Windows 8 64 bit or any window 8 back to windows 7?

Torqay

Only if you have Windows 8 Pro, then you're eligible for a downgrade to either Windows 7 Professional or Windows Vista Business.

kala85

Is there much difference between windows 8 and windows 7

kala85

could i use one of those window 7 shells- are they save to use?

kala85

kala85 wrote: »

could i use one of those window 7 shells- are they save to use?

Classic Shell or Start8 are fine. I wouldn't recommend ViStart because it tries to install crapware during the install (Babylon toolbar).

kala85

Are there any security issues with them?

Kristopherus

Karsini wrote: »

Classic Shell or Start8 are fine. I wouldn't recommend ViStart because it tries to install crapware during the install (Babylon toolbar).

Where does that Babylon sh1te come from anyway. I've had 2 infections of the damn thing in the past year.

Kristopherus

kala85 wrote: »

could i use one of those window 7 shells- are they save to use?

I'm using Classic Shell and it replicates the Windows 7 shut-down fine. But windows 8 is far faster than W 7.

Kristopherus

Kristopherus wrote: »

Where does that Babylon sh1te come from anyway. I've had 2 infections of the damn thing in the past year.

Most of the time it's bundled with software as an extra, but enabled in the installer by default. You usually have to opt out of installing it.

Overheal

kala85 wrote: »

can I downgrade from Windows 8 64 bit or any window 8 back to windows 7?

+D

Ladies and Gentlemen: Windows 7

kala85 wrote: »

Is there much difference between windows 8 and windows 7

Truthfully no. They changed how the start menu works, and made a huge round of other improvements in the background. But how you interact with windows on a daily basis remains largely unaltered.

Kiith

At first, i absolutely hated Windows 8. I mean properly despised it. Now, after around a month of using it, i just about tolerate it. Definitely some improvements, but by christ i hate the Metro look.

Torqay

Overheal wrote: »

Truthfully no.

Truthfully, yes.

Apart from the obvious changes, users are now required to register a MSN account in order to have a fully functional operating system, namely to gain access to Windows Store, Microsoft's new way of digitally distributing software and content. Furthermore does Microsoft reserve the right to trawl your computer and disable/delete apps or content remotely "in cases where your security is at risk, or where they are legally required to do so", while they do not accept any responsibility regarding data loss as a result of the application/content removal (for more details, read the Windows Store Terms of Use).

unkel

Torqay wrote: »

Only if you have Windows 8 Pro, then you're eligible for a downgrade to either Windows 7 Professional or Windows Vista Business.

I'm pretty sure that if you bought the online upgrade to Windows 8 pro (as millions of people did), that you are not eligible for a downgrade to Windows 7 pro or Vista Business

unkel

unkel wrote: »

I'm pretty sure that if you bought the online upgrade to Windows 8 pro (as millions of people did), that you are not eligible for a downgrade to Windows 7 pro or Vista Business

Generally the downgrade rights apply to OEM and volume licence only. Retail copies aren't eligible for downgrade.

Overheal

Apart from the obvious changes, users are now required to register a MSN account in order to have a fully functional operating system, namely to gain access to Windows Store, Microsoft's new way of digitally distributing software and content.

If you opt to use the store. You can operate the PC without it. Not really a fair accusation given the store isn't present in any other operating system, so it's not like you're being forced into anything.

Torqay

Overheal wrote: »

If you opt to use the store. You can operate the PC without it. Not really a fair accusation given the store isn't present in any other operating system, so it's not like you're being forced into anything.

Well, you are forced to use it if you want get any software offered in Windows Store.

And while it is possible to disable Windows Store if you know your way around the Group Policy Editor, there is little or no parental control to prevent kiddies from going on a mad shopping spree with daddy's credit card.

cookie1977

Torqay wrote: »

Well, you are forced to use it if you want get any software offered in Windows Store.

And while it is possible to disable Windows Store if you know your way around the Group Policy Editor, there is little or no parental control to prevent kiddies from going on a mad shopping spree with daddy's credit card.

Yes but only if you add your credit card details. You dont need a cc to get free software.

johneire31

Generally, if you buy a new computer with win 8 on then changing the OS is somewhat different, your serial number for the OS is hard coded into the bios and technically it will only accept the version of windows or indeed any OS including Linux that was installed at birth.

I don't no if any workaround exists for this yet

Torqay

johneire31 wrote: »

Generally, if you buy a new computer with win 8 on then changing the OS is somewhat different, your serial number for the OS is hard coded into the bios and technically it will only accept the version of windows or indeed any OS including Linux that was installed at birth.

I don't no if any workaround exists for this yet

Just disable secure boot and enable legacy boot and install whatever you want.

Torqay

cookie1977 wrote: »

Yes but only if you add your credit card details. You dont need a cc to get free software.

We all love free, unfortunately, not everything is. And there is always a risk with retail platforms such as Windows 8 or iOS or Android.

cookie1977

Torqay wrote: »

We all love free, unfortunately, not everything is. And there is always a risk with retail platforms such as Windows 8 or iOS or Android.

In iOS and Android you can disable in app purchases under parental controls. I haven't used the win 8 store much but you can enable "ask for password" when purchasing.

Torqay

cookie1977 wrote: »

you can enable "ask for password" when purchasing.

Yeah, and we all know how that goes on "family computers"...

Now, don't get me wrong, I don't blame these things on Google, Apple or Microsoft, but they do happen and you can't ignore the facts of life.

Microsoft wanting a slice of the action (they are a revenue generating outfit after all and not the welfare) is a major change over previous operating systems and the impact on privacy and security should not be underestimated.

When I was using Windows 8 I didn't bother tying my Microsoft account to the OS. I have no interest in the Windows Store, if I wanted phone apps I'd get them for my phone.

I'm not using 8 now though, doesn't seem to like my video card. Windows 7 is fine on the same hardware.

Overheal

cookie1977 wrote: »

In iOS and Android you can disable in app purchases under parental controls. I haven't used the win 8 store much but you can enable "ask for password" when purchasing.

Windows 8 unlike Android or iOS also allows for User Accounts. You can set up a Child Account and place numerous restrictions on what they can and can't do, what times theyre allowed to be logged in under, what sites they can visit, what programs they can run, what purchases they can make, etc.

Yeah, and we all know how that goes on "family computers"...

/whinge

Companies give users the tools. They aren't trying to sucker anyone into $10,000 in-app purchases of smurfberries.

When I was using Windows 8 I didn't bother tying my Microsoft account to the OS. I have no interest in the Windows Store, if I wanted phone apps I'd get them for my phone.

I do like a couple apps but its mostly on my tablet that I play with them. The Desktop I cannot be bothered. However the other cool feature of the Live Account was the ability to sync between my 3 active computers pretty effortlessly (Desktop Laptop and Tablet) so it was a given.

Sorry about the Graphics Card woes. My Crossfire 5770 seems to like it fine, but I will admit the GPU score has mysteriously dropped a couple experience index points somewhere along the way, while CPU and RAM scores both went up (http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=83626376&postcount=279). I haven't noticed any slump in performance however, and since installing an SSD I have fewer framerate spikes on account of asset-loading issues in games.