Windows 8

[bednobs]

have just got a new laptop, and my god, isn't it complicated?

[bibblebub]

no (have been using W8 on my PC from day 1 of its release and similarly for W8.1)

[Buenchico]

Yes and you've chosen to get it in the same week that Microsoft has announced that Windows 10 is on its way which, surprise surprise, will largely go back to the old ways of doing things!

In the meantime, the most popular download (by far) with Windows 8 users is Classic Shell, which can help you get back to what you're used to:
http://www.classicshell.net/

[Hopkirk]

It's like learning to us a computer all over again.

You should have Windows 8.1 which is a slight improvement ove 8.
I got an automatic free upgrade.

[bednobs]

*** - have i bought the modern day equivalent of vista?

[bednobs]

yes, it's 8.1
How the hell do i get to the control panel????

[bibblebub]

move the mouse cursor to the bottom left corner of the screen and right click to bring up a menu of various system programs

[237SJ]

Point curser to top right hand corner, click Settings, click Control Panel

[bednobs]

i also have a touchscreen. However, i don't bother to touch it

[ll_billym]

I use classic shell posted by Buenchico, it has a minor glitch every now and then but this is far outweighed by the fact that I can now be productive on my PC again.

[Mick-the-Miller]

I installed Start 8 which is a free program that allows Windows 8 to run in the same way as Vista, XP and Windows 7 - what was Microsoft thinking of?

I suppose that got the wind-up following Apple's success with their Ipad and other touch screen providers, and tried to compete but got it totally wrong and managed to alienate (and confuse) their captive audience. I know the next time I go for a Laptop I'm going for a Mac.

[silliemillie]

I found it very confusing, so much so I hardly ever use the PC now, favouring the iPad.

[Ann]

I desperately need a new desktop PC (mine is ancient!) but the fact that I have to change from XP fills me with absolute horrors - I'm still learning how to use this!!! So I'm sitting tight and gritting my teeth for the moment.

[hc4361]

I used W8 since it's release in beta and upgraded to 8.1 when it became available. I use a desktop with mouse and keyboard and much prefer it to W7 and XP.

I did expect it to be different before I installed W8 and took a bit of time to read hints and tips such as this page:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows/tutorial

[janbee]

Bedknobs, I got a new laptop last month with the dreaded 8. My neighbour, who is a genius with all techie things, set it all up for me and got rid of those stupid tiles for starters. He set it all up to run as XP/vista. I'm still having one or two teething problems with it but, in the main, it's now ok. Do you know a techie person who can do the same for you? I've yet to come across ANYBODY, including all at PC world, who have anything good to say about 8.