Windows 8 & Windows 8.1

[trt]

Whats the difference please?

[Buenchico]

Windows 8 was heavily criticised for apparently being designed to rival Android (and Apple's iOS) for use on mobile devices with touch-screens (such as tablets and phones) rather than being easy to use with a mouse and keyboard. Instead of a Start button, users found their screen full of apps. The most popular download for Windows 8 very quickly became an app which made Windows 8 look more like Windows 7 and reintroduced the Start button.

Windows 8.1 seeks to address some of the complaints by, for example, reintroducing the Start button for users who want to have it available. It also trys to iron out some ofthe (many) problems that were experiencedwith Windows 8.

This might be of interest:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rECCcxirMMc

[garfield]

I'm pretty sure the difference is .1 LoL sry it had to be said.

[bibblebub]

In 8.1 there is a start button, but not the old button that some people want, it merely takes one back to the start screen - same as using the Windows key. Personally I was glad to see the back of the start button and hope that when it is re-introduced in Windows 9 (as the rumours currently would have you believe) that it is optional.

[Mick-the-Miller]

You can install free software like 'Start 8' and make it work like Vista, XP or Windows 7 - it's very easy to do!

Strange thinking by Microsoft though!

[hc4361]

bibblebub, try right clicking on the start button.

[trt]

Thanks Buenchico, a bit confusing for me, and as I ordered a new laptop yesterday with windows 8, I might look into buying W7.

## You can install free software like 'Start 8' and make it work like Vista, XP or Windows 7 - it's very easy to do! ##

Mick, Isn't there a chance of 3rd party/freeware causing problems, I am only repeating what a friend told me yesterday.

[trt]

Here is the one I ordered.

http://www.askvg.com/download-classic-shell-skin-to-get-windows-7-look-like-start-menu-and-start-button-in-windows-8/

[trt]

Oops, wrong link above, here it is.

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/1443879.ht

[bibblebub]

hc4361 - i am well aware of right-clicking on the current start button and have been using that since 8.1 first became available, but i suspect that people who still complain about "lack" of a start button want the old-style with recently used/favourite programs etc. displayed and that is the one i can happily do without.