Windows 8.1 - worth a free DreamSpark install?

Cyber Ghost

Hi,
I've Windows 7 at home but can install Windows 8.1 for free cause I'm doing a course with the Dreamspark thing.

Is it worth the bother or should I just stick to 7?

Monotype

8 is a bit snappier and fine when you get classicshell.net
A good advantage is the improved copying system.
I kind of like 7 more myself just on looks.

I wouldn't be mad about upgrading for the sake of it as it's a lot of effort reinstalling drivers and programs. Wait till you find your system getting clogged up or when you buy a new SSD.

Altheus

Much prefer Windows 8.1 to be honest. I'm a big fan of starting fresh, so usually just copy my saves games, and use Ninite to keep things going. Personally I just use the Start Menu

andy1249

It's probably worth doing simply because w10 will be free to anyone on w8. They are skipping the 9 for some reason.

Also since 8.1 all the usual start options are back, not that it was really that much of a problem as all metro is is the start menu with touch options, something a lot of people simply didn't get!

I've been using 8 since release and wouldn't go back. The boot times alone make it worth it.

Serephucus

I've used 8 and 8.1, and I'm not hugely fond of either of them. The task manager and file operations are nice, but it can be a pain to get little things done. All my machines are still on 7, for what that's worth to you.

macjohn

andy1249 wrote: »

It's probably worth doing simply because w10 will be free to anyone on w8. They are skipping the 9 for some reason.

Also since 8.1 all the usual start options are back, not that it was really that much of a problem as all metro is is the start menu with touch options, something a lot of people simply didn't get!

I've been using 8 since release and wouldn't go back. The boot times alone make it worth it.

+1

Never saw why all the fuss, I have never once missed the start menu and ....
have to admit I like windows 8.1. There I said it!

Ya, its a tiny bit new but how many new technologies do we adopt to. After about 20mins using 8.1 totally happy with it and I would be considered a late adapter to technology. There was a lot of jumping on the negative bandwagon with it.
I think if microsoft had marketed the new layout a little better explaining options via tv/utube/social media it would have been a big hit.

I would say if you get it then give it a week or so before using classicshell or the like and see how you find 8.1 on its own

Occono

As I wasn't doing programming, I could only get Server and Embedded from Dreamspark....I suppose they wouldn't be usable for general purposes no? :P

Monotype

Yeah, you can mod Server for desktop use.

Occono

Monotype wrote: »

Yeah, you can mod Server for desktop use.

How?

Monotype

http://www.win2008r2workstation.com/
http://www.zdnet.com/photos/converting-free-windows-7-server-into-a-workstation/444308

ED E

8/8.1 doesnt have Shadow Copy. Wait for 10 IMO (as it seems Shadowcopy is back and everything is generally better).

frozenfrozen

I've dreamspark available to me in LIT but AFAIK, there's no windows 8.1. Only server 2008, 2012, and 8.1 embedded

Cyber Ghost

frozenfrozen wrote: »

I've dreamspark available to me in LIT but AFAIK, there's no windows 8.1. Only server 2008, 2012, and 8.1 embedded

Everything is on UCC dreamspark apparently, save for word and excel. You can even install a technical preview of Windows 10

frozenfrozen

Cyber Ghost wrote: »

Everything is on UCC dreamspark apparently, save for word and excel. You can even install a technical preview of Windows 10

I was browsing the free version when LIT actually do have premium dreamspark, although I haven't had an account made for me yet, so it's probably there for me too. I might move to 8.1 just as a chance of scenery.

ED E

frozenfrozen wrote: »

I've dreamspark available to me in LIT but AFAIK, there's no windows 8.1. Only server 2008, 2012, and 8.1 embedded

They havent renewed their subscription, when they do you'll get a rake more stuff available to order.

tipp2k12

frozenfrozen wrote: »

I've dreamspark available to me in LIT but AFAIK, there's no windows 8.1. Only server 2008, 2012, and 8.1 embedded

Did you go through the more software through school option? I am in LIT and have downloaded windows 8 and you can download any windows for that matter.

frozenfrozen

tipp2k12 wrote: »

Did you go through the more software through school option? I am in LIT and have downloaded windows 8 and you can download any windows for that matter.

"To access the WebStore, an administrator must first have created an account for you and you must complete the registration in order to activate the account." is what I'm getting at the moment. I'll ask a few of the lecturers tomorrow and see what the story is. Said it to one of them today and he had never heard of dreamspark so I didn't get very far there

tipp2k12

frozenfrozen wrote: »

"To access the WebStore, an administrator must first have created an account for you and you must complete the registration in order to activate the account." is what I'm getting at the moment. I'll ask a few of the lecturers tomorrow and see what the story is. Said it to one of them today and he had never heard of dreamspark so I didn't get very far there

I would email the helpdesk or give a shout into them. They should be able to set you up.

frozenfrozen

tipp2k12 wrote: »

I would email the helpdesk or give a shout into them. They should be able to set you up.

took about 15 seconds to get sorted out!

Cyber Ghost

OP here.
Installed it on my net top (Acer Aspire Revo) and must say it's WAY faster than Windows 7.

Ps: anyone know how to disable password log in at boot?
I seem to have exhausted all options

smacl

ED E wrote: »

They havent renewed their subscription, when they do you'll get a rake more stuff available to order.

Interesting, wonder will it be the same for MSDN. My current license bought for C++ dev also gives my 50x Windows 7 enterprise along with a bunch of server stuff (and XP and Vista), but no Windows 8 or 8.1.

ChoppersX

Cyber Ghost wrote: »

Ps: anyone know how to disable password log in at boot?
I seem to have exhausted all options

This should work

technet.microsoft.com/en-ie/sysinternals/bb963905.aspx