The unofficial: Things that bug you about windows thread

[mjz_5]

windows xp: ever find it funny that you can burn 6000 100k files to a CD in 3minutes - but to copy a CD with 6000 files onto your hard drive it takes like 20 minutes.

or when you stick in a CD, the computer pretty much becomes unresponsive for 30 seconds

windows xp: when you run\type in the \\wrong_server_name, it takes forever to say, i can't not find it..

internet explorer (use to be integrated ).. When you download a file, first it copies it to some temporary location on your system drive, then it copies to your selected location. Why can't it just copy it where i want it right away!!! This is super annoying when you download a large file.

this may be fun

 

[eeyrjmr]

when you stick a USB memory stick in and it goes "found new hardware...installing driver..."

then you stick another mem stick in (even same make) and it does it again!!!!

in fact for every mem stick - even tho uses the same driver!!!

really effs me off esp since I use linux and you dont have this crap

 

[Josh_B]

1) The fact that you have to reboot for everything. Install an application.. please reboot. Install the (non-kernel) windows updates, reboot. In Linux, I only ever reboot for a kernel update!
2) The fact that by default pretty much all of the services are enabled. Why enable services most people will never use? Network Location Awareness? When have I ever used that? UPnP - don't use it - why is it enabled? RedHat has been pissing me off with this now, too!
3) Have to reiterate what another poster said RE: Explorer pauses following CD or other media insertion. Is Explorer really not multithreaded yet? WTF?
4) Internet Explorer. Enough said. Alright fine:

http://channel9.msdn.com/ShowPost.aspx?PageIndex=2&PostID=262007
http://forums.microsoft.com/MSDN/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=998678&SiteID=1

Two versions of IE, and still no proper PNG support.

5) Pretty graphics are resource hogs. Give me my classic shell with quicklaunch and I'll be fine.

 

[drizzt81]

2) The fact that by default pretty much all of the services are enabled. Why enable services most people will never use? Network Location Awareness? When have I ever used that? UPnP - don't use it - why is it enabled? RedHat has been pissing me off with this now, too!

Because Joe Schmoe (MS's main customer) does not want to have to learn that he needs UPNP to have his UPNP router automagically map ports.

I am a big fan of the whole "less is more" attitude, but without good documentation, it is hardly workable.

 

[Josh_B]

Because Joe Schmoe (MS's main customer) does not want to have to learn that he needs UPNP to have his UPNP router automagically map ports.

I am a big fan of the whole "less is more" attitude, but without good documentation, it is hardly workable.

I will create static maps or open ports as req'd, thanks. I don't think it's a good idea to let my apps automagically open ports.

Why does an OS have to be so brain-dead easy for people to use? A PC is even more complex than your car, but you wouldn't just expect you can change the way your car operates without being a mechanic!

 

[contig]

After using the floppy or CD/DVD drives the OS keeps asking you to put the disk in the drive! Only cure is to reboot.

 

[brucedeluxe169]

changing network settings or trying to find/connect to an unavailable network resource causes windows to just freeze up for a loong while before it says it cant do it.... wtf?? How hard is it to fix that shit?

Services, as said above

sloppy registry/DLL system that makes it pretty much impossible to manually uninstall all traces of a program

windows update... god awful implementation


other than that, XP/2000 is a fairly good operating system...

I'm sure Vista, with its tons of bloat will introduce tons of new problems though.... Vista SP2 can't come soon enough i'm sure...

 

[bbz_Ghost]

My god man, this thread has the possibility to end up being longer than the original Babe Thread from yarens ago...

What bugs me about Windows... oh lord, I'll have to do some thinking for a bit and put it all together in some well crafted post. Amazing how I'm sitting here trying to think of just one thing to contribute at this moment and...

Still nothing, even with a re-read of the current postings above. hehe I'm hopeless, but I shant be swayed.

 

[JohnleMVP]

XP always shows a floppy drive even though I haven't had one since 2001.

 

[Gorankar]

That some people still do NOT have Sp2 installed... I suppose that is really a pebkac issue, but thought I would mention it..

 

[Oline61]

- Drive letters.
- Windows rot. No matter what you do, it will slow down over time.
- The registry. Worst. Idea. Ever.
- You can't do everything from the commandline. There are some things that you can only do from the GUI.
- Defragging hard drives.
- Costs money .

 

[mjz_5]

- Drive letters.
- Windows rot. No matter what you do, it will slow down over time.
- The registry. Worst. Idea. Ever.
- You can't do everything from the commandline. There are some things that you can only do from the GUI.
- Defragging hard drives.
- Costs money .

true, wouldn't that be nice if you could just write scripts too do all your work. I had setting up my machine after reinstall windows.

 

[nessus]

Why does an OS have to be so brain-dead easy for people to use?

So normal people who don't support them for a living or tinker with them for a hobby can actually use them to do what they want to do.

A PC is even more complex than your car,

How exactly is a PC more complex than a car? Modern cars have complete computing systems that regulate all aspects of their performance, automatically in real time in such an automated mode that the driver is completely unaware of their operation. Try convincing the guys designing the new automated parking systems and distance regulators tied to cruise control in the top of the line luxury cars that their systems are much less complicated than a PC.

A modern car automatically adjusts its timing and fuel flow rates based on external barometric pressure in real time. In the early days of cars, adjusting any of those things to a level providing operation over a wide swath of conditions required a knowledgeable mechanic. You couldn't optimize them second by second.

but you wouldn't just expect you can change the way your car operates without being a mechanic!

Sure I would. People make major adjustments to how their car operates every day that were undreamed of in the early days of car manufacture. Changing the tilt of the steering wheel? Cars had been around over 50 years before you could do that without a mechanic.

Just because items like that are common place today doesn't mean that it would not have required major rework in the early days of automotives by a highly skilled mechanic.

Why shouldn't adjusting the firewall on your Mom's computer to allow her to transfer files safely using am IM client be just as easy for her as adjusting the mirrors on her car using the remote mirror control?

A well designed item does all the things you need it to without you needing to deal with the details that someone else can foresee. Why shouldn't a computer handle its equivalents of those items automatically to the point to where the user is completely unaware of them, just like it is in a modern car?

My job supporting network infrastructure is to make my users as unaware of all the complex underpinnings of the systems they use as possible. It needs to do what they need it to, when they need it to do it, without them having to waste any of their time dealing with the details of the system so they can do their jobs.

It takes 30 years for technologies to mature and reach full penetration. The Internet is barely half-way through that cycle. Just because today's products are barely formed, barely functional, and incomplete is no reason for them to stay that way to satisfy your technical elitism.

Don't get me wrong, I love computers and the wonderful things we can do with them even in their current primitive state, but in the comparison of technological development and ease of use of computers to cars, we're somewhere between the Model A and the Model T.

 

[nessus]

-- You can't do everything from the commandline. There are some things that you can only do from the GUI.

Specific example please.

 

[Unknown-One]

XP always shows a floppy drive even though I haven't had one since 2001.

Thats not Windows XP's fault. You need to disable your floppy drive in your motherboards BIOS so that Windows isn't being told that one is installed.

 

[mikeblas]

How exactly is a PC more complex than a car?

Modern cars have plenty of firmware it 'em for the ECU. Maybe the alarm system, too. A navigation system and entertainment system, if they're installed.

How many lines of code do you think are in all the firmware of all the systems of a car?

How many lines of code do you think are in Windows XP? The BIOS? The firmware on your hard drive? The firmware on your optical drive? The drivers installed for your third-party peripherals?

Would you rather go by transistor count in the hardware? I still think a PC would be much higher, even if we discounted memory.

A PC is a general-purpose computer with a multithreaded operating system. The systems in a car, even the impressive auto-park and auto-follow systems you mention, aren't even multi-user.

- The registry. Worst. Idea. Ever.

I've never seen someone say this without suggesting a better, viable alternative. Many people who say it don't remember INI files.

 

[SuperSubZero]

The Print Spooler service.

WHY is this always on? It takes memory to sit there and do nothing 99.99% of the time. In fact even if you don't have a printer, it's on. XP "knows" how to start services when it needs them and stop them when they are not needed. Why doesn't the print spooler do this?

---

Related: All those apps that insist on leaving pieces of themselves running all the time. Every app now wants a "quick load" thing, so it leaves a piece of itself in memory ALL the time. Do I really need 50 apps starting every boot because I *might* want to load one of them slightly faster? Quicktime, Adobe Reader, etc... GET THE HELL OUT OF MY STARTUP! IF I WANT YOU I'LL CALL YOU!

---

I can't find a way to install the wireless networking component of my laptop and tell it "yes, I know you found an unprotected network since my neighbors are stupid. I don't have a wireless network, I don't want to use you. Stop reminding me every 20 seconds that there's a network I can use. I don't want to use it!" I have to leave the device in an uninstalled state or it just will not shut up about the available wireless network.

 

[Vette5885]

windows update... god awful implementation

Please explain.

I see that every time MS has an update, your computer will automatically see it, download it, and install it, sometimes without you having to lift a finger. Don't want it to be automatic? Fine, tell it to download (using BITS by the way, which I find is one of the better bandwidth managers out there, for example its much better than Adobe's) and check with you before installing. Or tell it to simplty tell you when there's updates. Or even shut the whole thing off. Its great.

 

[thespymaster]

1. Defaults to "My Documents" everytime you open windows explorer. If I wanted to go to "My Documents" there's a desktop Icon.

2. Ugly assed "Indianapolis Colts Blue", "Baby Shit Green", and "Cheap Ass Hooker Silver" color schemes...GIMME A BREAK...I shouldn't have to download window blinds just to get an acceptable interface.

3. The "Links" folder in IE...I thought that is what I'm doing when I save to "My Favorites"

4. "Balloon Tips" when hovering the cursor over an Icon or program...if you don't know what that thingy does...you prolly shouldn't click it.

5. "Digitally Signed Drivers" warning...what Joe Blow that doesn't know actually updates drivers? Generally, driver updates are performed by those who actually know what they are and what they do and therefore are installing them on purpose...it's not an accident...I don't need to know Microsoft hasn't waved their magic wand of approval over the driver package...

6. ".net" 'nuff said...

 

[eeyrjmr]

Thats not Windows XP's fault. You need to disable your floppy drive in your motherboards BIOS so that Windows isn't being told that one is installed.

err he says he doesn't have one installed, ie BIOS will not be detecting something that isn't there...

 

[mikeblas]

so it leaves a piece of itself in memory ALL the time.

Well, no. It's not in memory ALL the time. First, if you're not using the memory, why does it matter? Use it for something else that makes a likely event better. Next, if you're using the memory for something else, the application you're worried about can be swapped-out because Windows has virtual memory and demand paging.

err he says he doesn't have one installed, ie BIOS will not be detecting something that isn't there...

I've never used a machine that will detect the floppy in this way. What machines (or, what BIOSes) do that?

 

[videomasterz]

or when you stick in a CD, the computer pretty much becomes unresponsive for 30 seconds

this is the most annoying thing i hate about xp... stick in a blank dvdr... takes some time for me to open up nero or any other burning program before windows is done checking the blank dvd-r

 

[TheRapture]

THOU SHALT NOT STEAL FOCUS!!!!!!!!!


Hate it when I am doing something and another app running in the background steals my focus right as I click or hit a key and it does the wrong thing......grrr....


And the floppy thing? Gosh people, windows won't see a floppy if you DISABLE the floppy controller entirely in the BIOS...I have done this for years....

 

[mjz_5]

THOU SHALT NOT STEAL FOCUS!!!!!!!!!

And the floppy thing? Gosh people, windows won't see a floppy if you DISABLE the floppy controller entirely in the BIOS...I have done this for years....

Correct-toe-mondo

 

[IanG]

Quicktime, Adobe Reader, etc... GET THE HELL OUT OF MY STARTUP! IF I WANT YOU I'LL CALL YOU!

This is one of my biggest beefs, though it's not reallys windows. What I hate most is that the damn quicktime icon comes back every time I upgrade itunes. And Apple are supposed to be the 'good guys.'

I can't find a way to install the wireless networking component of my laptop and tell it "yes, I know you found an unprotected network since my neighbors are stupid. I don't have a wireless network, I don't want to use you. Stop reminding me every 20 seconds that there's a network I can use. I don't want to use it!" I have to leave the device in an uninstalled state or it just will not shut up about the available wireless network.

Can't you just right-click the connection in network connections and disable, or is that what you were meaning? You should also be able to shut off the radio on most wifi cards to save power.

I guess this thread should have happened 6 months ago so that MS could have implemented some of them in Vista

 

[Puterguru]

I have a few little gripes but will mention only one:

1. The fact that you cannot change the color of the taskbar to Exactly what I want. Gorgeous red desktop, nice looking red fonts on my Desktop Icons, BLUE TASK BAR. And to this day there is no simple way to do this.

 

[drizzt81]

How many lines of code do you think are in all the firmware of all the systems of a car?

Quite a lot. About 90% of which is likely going to handle exceptions and make sure that if stuff goes wrong the car doesn't kill the driver.

But yes, cars are much simpler than PCs, but also much less versatile when it comes to information processing, while PCs generally have a hard time with traversing long distances 'automatically'.

Why does an OS have to be so brain-dead easy for people to use? A PC is even more complex than your car, but you wouldn't just expect you can change the way your car operates without being a mechanic!

While a PC if certainly more complex, do you think that it people should have to be auto mechanics in order to turn on their headlights? Computer users do not need to get a license to operate a car. Some countries even require car operators to take classes that teaching them how to drive physically, as well as giving them some theoretical insight into vehicle operation as well as a basic understanding of the legal aspects involved in operating a motor vehicle.

That works fine for a car, whose usage pattern is very clearly defined: "move people and objects from one location to another". The usage pattern for a computer is defined as "process information". Even if we were to require people to take "computer usage" lessons, what should we teach them? The possibilities are virtually endless. Therefore, we have the following options for making the end user experience better: provide a natural interface or improve the way things are documented.

Better documentation should be proactive, telling the user that "<Evil P2P app> cannot download <dirty porn> because we cannot establish a connection. There are a few reasons that could cause this... "

 

[Hornswoggler]

This one bugs me the most:

THOU SHALT NOT STEAL FOCUS!!!!!!!!!

There used to be an option in TweakUI to prevent apps from stealing focus, but it never seemed to work (especially with Lotus/IBM software).

I also dislike all the wizards, "take a tour", and unused icons pop-ups, but those go away shortly after install.

Another thing that bugs me is all the work and effort required to read dump files. This should be easier... and while they are at it, make error messages more descriptive or intuitive.

Hot patching would be a nice feature. While it doesnt bug me at home, having to reboot everything once a month at work is really troublesome.

 

[FalseGod]

I have a few little gripes but will mention only one:

1. The fact that you cannot change the color of the taskbar to Exactly what I want. Gorgeous red desktop, nice looking red fonts on my Desktop Icons, BLUE TASK BAR. And to this day there is no simple way to do this.

You can change Taskbar color in Vista by the way.

 

[the lone gunman]

each time i reinstall XP and go to hide some icons on the taskbar it takes about 4 reboots before it stops saying "click this arrow to see your hidden icons" Grrrr=]

 

[Puterguru]

You can change Taskbar color in Vista by the way.

Yeah I noticed that which is Niiiiiice! I think there were only a few colors though, no custom, have to double check.

 

[mjz_5]

why wont windows have an option to turn off the computer after a task is finished.. For example, when copying 40 gigs, why can't their be a check box to turn of machines when complete..

why wont windows have an option to load the whole game files/folder into RAM when executed.. this would be sweet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[drizzt81]

why wont windows have an option to load the whole game files/folder into RAM when executed.. this would be sweet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If we are to believe the Vista designers, the "super smart premium accelerator cache special optimizer" (or whatever the correct marketing term is) should preload applications in a manner more space efficient than brute-force loading the folder.

 

[roz1281]

the fact that while user friendly and easy to use, windows does not have nearly enough customization options without installing 3rd party apps.

like all the options in tweakUI for instance.

on the same subject I wish there was one app in windows that could be in the control panel somewhere where you could have just a huge text list of options where you can tweak everything. You know, the hour or more you spend hunting around windows doing all your optimization tweaks and personalization. It could be all in one listbox.

Another thing I hate is that 3rd party themes aren't allowed without a mod. If someone is able to hunt down a user made theme and click to install it, they can certainly accept responsability for the risks if anything goes wrong.

 

[MScrip]

Defaults to "My Documents" everytime you open windows explorer. If I wanted to go to "My Documents" there's a desktop Icon.

This is an easy fix. I've been using this since the '98 days.

Set the shortcut target to:

%windir%\explorer.exe /e,c:\whatever

 

[DragonMasterAlex]

You know what a lot of you fine folks need? NLITE. You can customize your Windows installation *source*, and have it install only exactly what you want from the outset. Very handy, and *free*.

nLite Windows source reduction/tweaking/optomizing.

 

[Josh_B]

THOU SHALT NOT STEAL FOCUS!!!!!!!!!


Hate it when I am doing something and another app running in the background steals my focus right as I click or hit a key and it does the wrong thing......grrr....

The worst one(s) are when the print spooler notifies you something printed, (who cares?), and Skype!

Skype even launches a new web browser to ask you if your call went well. WTF??? Did I need help? So irritating!!!

 

[Josh_B]

This one bugs me the most:



There used to be an option in TweakUI to prevent apps from stealing focus, but it never seemed to work (especially with Lotus/IBM software).

I also dislike all the wizards, "take a tour", and unused icons pop-ups, but those go away shortly after install.

Lotus, IBM software are coded in Java, hence they do not use the MFC or whatever. Would that be the issue? I am not sure, but it seems like a good guess.

Wizards suck. Let me do what I need without help!

 

[Kaos]

I've never seen someone say this without suggesting a better, viable alternative. Many people who say it don't remember INI files.

/etc

to each it's own, if one breaks then one breaks, the others are generally left alone.

I think it would extra geeky if the registry was more something to the tune of an msde style db where each app had its own table for configuration settings...I understand the registry is similar in a sense...but it's just too cryptic, I can generally go into a .conf file in /etc and find a very well documented file that will give me all the details I need to change a setting that needs to be changed....the same cannot be said of the current windows registry.

If it were db style you could create scripts that could change the configuration not only of built in apps but apps that come down the road. If an end user called you and gave you a scenario where an app needed to have all of its settings re arragned would you rather walk him through it, or give him a script that you have control over?

I could see something like this being useful for isp's walking granny through setting up outlook so she can send and receive email. Anyone who has done support for seniors know that it can easily become a challenge to figure out the pc isnt even on...

 

[bbz_Ghost]

How to create Explorer shortcuts that go where you want

That JSI site is like the absolute motherlode of all Windows tweak sites, but it's pretty disorganized for most people, even with the search feature.