Run Windows 8.1 For 90 Days Free

Advil said:
I was seriously expecting MS to re-open the $40 upgrade system for a week or two as hype for the 8.1 launch.

They should have... all digital distribution = plenty of cash for MS and massive incentive for people to just get the switch done now.

They need adoption numbers, especially with the interface change. Got to get enough people using the new interface that it becomes the norm rather than the oddity.
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I am glad they did not do it. In my opinion, a lot of FUD would have flown around about how "MICROSOFT IS CHARGING FOR A SERVICE PACK" crap and stuff like that.
 
ManofGod said:
I am glad they did not do it. In my opinion, a lot of FUD would have flown around about how "MICROSOFT IS CHARGING FOR A SERVICE PACK" crap and stuff like that.
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All the while, people would believe that Microsoft is charging for an 8.0 to 8.1 upgrade which they would not be.
 
AceGoober said:
Why would I want to mess-up a perfectly running Windows 7 Ultimate x64 install? :confused:
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Windows 7 is bad enough. Every install I have to go through the normal routine:
1) Quit combining Windows. Only complete morons would think combining windows into 1 single icon is useful. It's excellent if you're not good at multitasking. If you can't right click and hit close on a particular window you're doing it wrong.
2) Show file extensions. Nuff' said.
3) Quit highlighting new programs
4) Turn off UAC.
 
I honestly installed it on a spare laptop here at work just to mess around.

I hate it. I truly hate it. I feel I can't get any work done. I need to have about 4-5 things open just to be working, and as my day goes, it usually streches to about 12-15 things open, between various excel files, RDP windows, emails, IE windows, blah blah.

Anyways. I hate that this syncs with a microsoft account. I hate that everything on it is full screen still....I thought they fixed that???!?!? I can only resize by snapping something in next to it? That's wierd. I don't have any easy way to switch back and forth between apps quickly and easily. I don't have my jumplists that I need and use on a constant basis. Its kills my productivity completely.
Also - WHERE the hell are all the buttons??? I can't figure out how to close anything, or minimize anything?? I go into the control panel to look for something, and there's no easy way to get details. Microsoft took all of the detail out of everything and simplified it to the point that its built for a 5 year old!! I hate how simple it is, I need the detail and complexity of Win7. I could care less what the weather is, or stock prices, or what the current TMZ BS news is. I'll keep trying to use it, but so far, I'm hating it.

DSR
 
lol are you stuck in metro?
click on the huge "desktop" icon and you'll be in Windows 7+
 
I am now personally running 8.1 everywhere (except when I'm running Apple or Linux stuff).

However, my business is XP and Win7 Pro and DOS.

It's too non-professional for business uses.

It does have some bugs. But the Metro isn't one of them. You really don't go there.

Want to fix Metro for Free? Delete all the tiles but Desktop, and max out Desktop. Done.

However, upgrading to 8.x doesn't seem to improve normal uses. Hence, work computers will not go there.
 
Off-Topic: I know comments weren't directed at me yet let me add my 2 cents, if you will. See the red highlights.

Cyraxx said:
Windows 7 is bad enough. Every install I have to go through the normal routine:
1) Quit combining Windows. Only complete morons would think combining windows into 1 single icon is useful. It's excellent if you're not good at multitasking. If you can't right click and hit close on a particular window you're doing it wrong. Agreed.

2) Show file extensions. Nuff' said. Agreed. Simple adjustment. Default action as part of any new install for me.

3) Quit highlighting new programs. Agreed; see 2).

4) Turn off UAC. Disagreed. UAC, in conjunction with anti-virus and other software, has prevented some malware/spamware from automatically installing on client's machines. Reduction of service calls from user stupidity is reason enough for me to leave it on.
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On-topic: A good friend purchased my Dell Windows 8 laptop a couple of months ago. He's going to be bringing the laptop to me and I'm going to clone the hard drive then install Windows 8.1 Trial. We'll see how it goes.
 
Cyraxx said:
Windows 7 is bad enough. Every install I have to go through the normal routine:
1) Quit combining Windows. Only complete morons would think combining windows into 1 single icon is useful. It's excellent if you're not good at multitasking. If you can't right click and hit close on a particular window you're doing it wrong.
2) Show file extensions. Nuff' said.
3) Quit highlighting new programs
4) Turn off UAC.
Click to expand...

Exactly what I do on new installs for myself. Every time. It's just part of the install process. I really don't think about it anymore. I forget that there are people out there that don't do that, and I get weirded out when I see them still enabled when working on other machines. :)
 
Cyraxx said:
Windows 7 is bad enough. Every install I have to go through the normal routine:
1) Quit combining Windows. Only complete morons would think combining windows into 1 single icon is useful. It's excellent if you're not good at multitasking. If you can't right click and hit close on a particular window you're doing it wrong.
2) Show file extensions. Nuff' said.
3) Quit highlighting new programs
4) Turn off UAC.
Click to expand...

Glad I'm not the only one doing this. And yea, it's freaking annoying that I gotta do that.
 
I got sucked in, had to try it. I think it is a little better that 8.0, but still I like 7 better. I can say that IE11 is a POS. Lots of incompatibilities, software and websites. M$ broke protocols and there is no way to get it out of Win8.1. Leave it to them to drop their meat in the dirt and throw out some track shoes so users can stomp all over it.
 
whiz187 said:
I got sucked in, had to try it. I think it is a little better that 8.0, but still I like 7 better. I can say that IE11 is a POS. Lots of incompatibilities, software and websites. M$ broke protocols and there is no way to get it out of Win8.1. Leave it to them to drop their meat in the dirt and throw out some track shoes so users can stomp all over it.
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That's unsurprising, Chrome and Firefox continue to dominate for a reason. Are you saying they don't allow you to uninstall Internet Explorer 11 from Windows 8.1? In 8.0 anyway, uninstalling IE10 and replacing it with Firefox+Adblock Edge was the first thing I did.
 
whiz187 said:
I can say that IE11 is a POS. Lots of incompatibilities, software and websites. M$ broke protocols and there is no way to get it out of Win8.1. Leave it to them to drop their meat in the dirt and throw out some track shoes so users can stomp all over it.
Click to expand...

MS released a Windows Update patch today which "improves the reliability of Internet Explorer 11 on Windows 8.1"
 
So like every other Windows OS for a while now .. you can get the same trial.

Got it.
 
natos said:
I honestly installed it on a spare laptop here at work just to mess around.

I hate it. I truly hate it. I feel I can't get any work done. I need to have about 4-5 things open just to be working, and as my day goes, it usually streches to about 12-15 things open, between various excel files, RDP windows, emails, IE windows, blah blah.

Anyways. I hate that this syncs with a microsoft account. I hate that everything on it is full screen still....I thought they fixed that???!?!? I can only resize by snapping something in next to it? That's wierd. I don't have any easy way to switch back and forth between apps quickly and easily. I don't have my jumplists that I need and use on a constant basis. Its kills my productivity completely.
Also - WHERE the hell are all the buttons??? I can't figure out how to close anything, or minimize anything?? I go into the control panel to look for something, and there's no easy way to get details. Microsoft took all of the detail out of everything and simplified it to the point that its built for a 5 year old!! I hate how simple it is, I need the detail and complexity of Win7. I could care less what the weather is, or stock prices, or what the current TMZ BS news is. I'll keep trying to use it, but so far, I'm hating it.

DSR
Click to expand...

Dude, just get rid of Metro. Install Classic Shell and it essentially becomes Windows 7 with uglier window borders. I tried to like it be eventually I had to relent. First time I've modified the shell of a Windows OS, but at least my hair grew back.
 
c0re said:
I tell everyone to wait 90-days before upgrading to Windows 8.1 from 8.0, Microsoft is notorious for releasing an update too early without allowing hardware vendors to catch up on there drivers to make sure your hardware will work properly under the new os.
Click to expand...

you didnt tell me that. :confused:
 
Not news really, they have had 90 day evals on Windows OS since XP.

Sticking with 7 until I see a reason to move. I might grab 8.1 to play with in VM but I did that with 8 and hated it.
 
Windows 8 free for 90 days?
Sounds like a jail sentence for a minor crime like shoplifting less than $50 worth of items.
 
Fooshnik said:
Dude, just get rid of Metro. Install Classic Shell and it essentially becomes Windows 7 with uglier window borders. I tried to like it be eventually I had to relent. First time I've modified the shell of a Windows OS, but at least my hair grew back.
Click to expand...

I did. I still hate it. lol

Its more usable after I installed classic shell, and enabled the boot to desktop feature. However, it still bugs me that alot of stuff doesn't seem to function correctly.
1. Java
3. Intel's chipset drivers
3. Lenovo's System update, installs, but finds no updates/programs available. lol
4. Webcam doesn't work.
5. and yes those ugly as hell boxy plain borders. Yuck! I even downloaded new themes, and ugly borders are still there. These aren't themes, they are just wallpaper packs!
 
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