The main reason I am writing this is because I am updating an older laptop that had windows 7. I decided to do a clean install of windows 8 and do all the updates as needed. In order to actually get to the Windows 8.1 updates a number of updates (98 of them) were required. This being done I then am provided with an error that I could not install windows 8.1 on this machine. Excuse me? I'm running windows 8 ok so what's the problem? Going through numerous microsoft technet support, forums and driver support, it seems the only solution left was to perform a 'refresh'. Yeah, what a joke this is.. this is where Windows 8 truly sucks! Ok I get it, if you aren't technically inclined and do run in to problems and just want your computer to work again, having the ability to 'refresh' does make sense but lets see just what happens when I do this:
- all previous windows updates are wiped out
- all device drivers are wiped out (including wireless network driver) so unless you are plugged in to the ethernet on the device you are screwed!
- all Microsoft programs (office) are wiped out
- and of course all antivirus and other programs installed after you initially installed windows are wiped out.
So what good is this refresh? Nothing whatsoever. In fact in my opinion it was Microsoft saying "we get it that people want to be able to simply 'restore their computer' and the system restore never really worked the way we had intended (they could learn something from Apple Time Machine here), but we really don't have time for this as we are already late in getting Windows 8 out to market so lets just create a REFRESH feature that does a clean install of windows". Unless you have actually backed up your data you shouldn't even think about doing this refresh. I certainly can't see how it is ever going to fix something. The logic behind this is simply not there, since it doesn't actually reformat your hard drive, any "malicious" issues are still going to be an issue. The windows registry, I am sure, is reset and that is because it wipes out everything including its own windows updates! If you are thinking you have a registry issue then sure go for it, but again, in my opinion you are better off reformatting your hard drive and reinstalling windows FRESH!
Now what is good about Windows 8? The speed. The ability to use it on (very) old machines with a minimum amount of memory (1GB will do, especially if you take advantage of the READYBOOST feature with a 2GB SD card, for example). I don't recommend this but if you do have an old XP machine that you really don't want to throw away it is a no-brainer. In fact many of my clients that had VISTA on their machine were obvious candidates for the new Windows 8, especially because if your machine was built for Vista then it likely had 4 GB of memory because Vista was a real memory hog. Anything less than 4GB of RAM on a Vista machine, this is where you heard people complaining the most. So when they came out with the Windows 8 trial period and then the very reasonable $49 upgrade this was perfect for those running XP/Vista. Windows 7, not so much! Windows 7 is still (again, in my opinion) the best operating system Microsoft has ever made, to date!
The good things about Windows 8--the built in BIOS integration with your motherboard upon installing, meaning no more pressing F8 is required to invoke any sort of emergency install features. This happens automatically if there is a problem. Fortunately from my experience this has been a dream as it knows when it needs to boot in to safe mode and usually repairs itself.
With the additional Windows 8.1 upgrade Microsoft has tweaked and trimmed the problems to very few for those that are completely lost with the new Start Menu/Swipe from the side, etc. The ability to have a start button on the desktop as well as that little red X in the upper right of a window means the world for those that are completely lost with full screen apps! Its too bad Microsoft didn't figure this out before pushing windows 8 on the world. What is the point in public release of the beta if you aren't going to take the criticisms seriously?. I guess the growing pains of a new operating system will always be there as most people don't do well with change--it's human nature. Instead of complaining about it, embrace it and once you do, I believe it is just fine. Knowing you don't have to use the Internet Explorer, you have other choices. I stopped using IE during version 6 (current is ver 11) and in doing so, dropped the malware from initially getting installed by close to 80%. At the end of the day it is your choice what you install on your computer but you still have to accept the operating system. A little knowledge can go a long way and as always I can be a key click away if you want, simply contact me and I can help!
