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steve2470

(37,481 posts)

63. If you have Win8 already, you can upgrade to Win8.1 for free

Tue Feb 4, 2014, 09:52 PM

Feb 2014

To upgrade, you have to go to the Microsoft Store link on your Metro screen and do a search for Windows 8.1. This M$ link further explains it: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/update-from-windows-8-tutorial

Once you upgrade to Win8.1, you can enable auto-boot-to-desktop-mode by right clicking on the Taskbar, click Properties, click Navigation tab, then go to the Start Screen section, and check the box marked "When I sign in....go to the Desktop instead of Start". Reboot and that change is in place.

The other major change people want (the Win7 style classic Start button) can be achieved by going to http://www.classicshell.net/ and downloading their app which will give you the classic Start button again. With these two changes, you can avoid the hassles of that dreadful Metro screen from now on.

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Microsoft reportedly planning to go back to Windows desktop default [View all] KoKo Feb 2014 OP

Another bandaid on a gaping wound. hobbit709 Feb 2014 #1

Most likely. Windows 8.1 did not address anything that was irritating most conventional users. The lostincalifornia Feb 2014 #6

"Especially" compared to Microsoft Office... jmowreader Feb 2014 #38

I know lostincalifornia Feb 2014 #55

It was obvious that business was not upgrading to it. They had better fix issues such as reading a lostincalifornia Feb 2014 #2

I was hoping this article meant they would be going back to a Win 7 or XP KoKo Feb 2014 #11

you are right, that should be the way they should go lostincalifornia Feb 2014 #12

Wait till you try to get rid of their SkyDrive cloud crap jsr Feb 2014 #21

Well...that does it for me...I'll hang on to my XP on desktop until KoKo Feb 2014 #23

XP and Office 2003 are stable and will do the job. jsr Feb 2014 #25

That doesn't mean much for most users. Xithras Feb 2014 #3

You are absolutely right, it is stupid that they don't realize that. They should either implement lostincalifornia Feb 2014 #7

I already have Windows 8.1 and I can already do that. Vashta Nerada Feb 2014 #4

If you are doing that, you are not getting the old Windows 7 Start, unless you have third party lostincalifornia Feb 2014 #8

Yep, all you have to do is check a box. DesMoinesDem Feb 2014 #15

The Start Tiles are only useful if you have a touch screen. Vashta Nerada Feb 2014 #16

What about when Windows takes you into Metro and you don't want to be there? randome Feb 2014 #18

I boot straight to desktop and use classic shell for my start button DesMoinesDem Feb 2014 #20

Only Microsoft could survive after the debacles of Windows ME and Vista. last1standing Feb 2014 #5

Windows 7 is Vista. Problem was they released Vista too soon. They "felt" pressured by Wall Street lostincalifornia Feb 2014 #10

Apple's greatest marketing advantage is that so few businesses use it. last1standing Feb 2014 #13

I agree, and their model would need to change if the want business to use them. As you alluded they lostincalifornia Feb 2014 #31

Agree in general with what you say about 7. randome Feb 2014 #14

At least you get a task bar, with windows 8 you do not. Bandit Feb 2014 #24

When you say "place folders at the bottom of the stack" what do you mean?......... wandy Feb 2014 #26

I mean the Start Button menu system, not Explorer. randome Feb 2014 #29

Sorry, can't help there. So far my experience with Win 8 has been limited to........... wandy Feb 2014 #30

M$ exits and has always existed because it is protected and subsidized by the government. Egalitarian Thug Feb 2014 #60

8 is a disaster in general LittleBlue Feb 2014 #9

Linux is so much better madokie Feb 2014 #17

Which version do you prefer? nt Grey Feb 2014 #27

Ubuntu or Mint madokie Feb 2014 #28

Many non-technical people struggle with it. n-t Logical Feb 2014 #33

I'm as none technical as any one and I don't madokie Feb 2014 #37

Ubuntu, but I disagree with you about the ease compared to OSx or Windows for non-techs. n-t Logical Feb 2014 #40

Whats difficult with ubuntu madokie Feb 2014 #41

Driver issues can be a nightmare. And drivers lag for many devices. n-t Logical Feb 2014 #42

Thats bullshit madokie Feb 2014 #43

LOL, OK, you are correct. Linux is perfect. Drunk? Or just mad bro? nt Logical Feb 2014 #44

Well then, you're special. Chan790 Feb 2014 #45

I imagine this person has no real experience except for his little plain home desktop PC. Don't.... Logical Feb 2014 #46

I'm not dissing Linux here but.... steve2470 Feb 2014 #64

Sounds like you have no idea what you're talking about Hutzpa Feb 2014 #65

I've been part of, encouraged others too madokie Feb 2014 #67

What's the easist way to install and dual boot on a mac? grahamhgreen Feb 2014 #61

Microsoft is to computers what RepubliBaggers are to politics Berlum Feb 2014 #19

Ahhh, Apple fanboy whining? n-t Logical Feb 2014 #35

Nah. Just a stark realist. Berlum Feb 2014 #48

No, I doubt it. n-t Logical Feb 2014 #49

Doubt is healthy Berlum Feb 2014 #50

Berlum doesn't use scientific materialist computers... SidDithers Feb 2014 #56

Win8 was a bad mistake. lpbk2713 Feb 2014 #22

OMG, I hope so! Le Taz Hot Feb 2014 #32

It would be so simple to give you the option of whether to use the 'new' system or not. randome Feb 2014 #34

My windows 7 interface is as much like XP/98/95 as I can make it. X_Digger Feb 2014 #36

How fu@#$ hard could it be... TroglodyteScholar Feb 2014 #39

I was wondering that too. nt MH1 Feb 2014 #47

Thank god. Fuck apps and app stores. Initech Feb 2014 #51

I liked XP. bravenak Feb 2014 #52

Me too. The only reason I went to Win7 was DX11.. SomethingFishy Feb 2014 #53

It was stupid. They thought it was cool. I just wanted things to work the way they were supposed to. bravenak Feb 2014 #54

My most recenbt purchase of my Toshiba was a Win7 machine, but they offered to SoCalDem Feb 2014 #58

Where did you buy it...and if it offered 7 or XP...that would be something KoKo Feb 2014 #59

Yes.. I ordered it online and on the phone SoCalDem Feb 2014 #66

Ubuntu ...the choice of Obama. See info link below. L0oniX Feb 2014 #57

For some reason, I'm not shocked by this. WillowTree Feb 2014 #62

If you have Win8 already, you can upgrade to Win8.1 for free steve2470 Feb 2014 #63

My high end laptop came with 8 on it. hobbit709 Feb 2014 #68