Windows 8 has been disparaged up one side of the internet and down the other. Combine an unpopular operating system with an economic downturn and computer buyers have sent the PC business into a tail spin.
So it was interesting to hear a remark from an IT guy today. He said people are bringing new PCs into the store's repair shop and asking them to be downgraded from Windows 8 to Windows 7. Can't be done, he says, because the manufacturers haven't produced drivers to accommodate that change.
Maybe that's true for the PCs they sell. However, a little bit of search engine research tells us there is an exception. Most of the off-the-shelf computers probably came preloaded with the everyday Windows 8 system. However, those with Windows 8 Pro can be downgraded. See this item at the Microsoft Support page: How to downgrade from Windows 8.
Of course, there's the upgrade to Windows 8.1, which for my old laptop was a half measure. I ended up installing Classic Shell again to get the superior look of Windows 7. Then there's the possibility of another upgrade, and maybe Windows 8.2 will finally give users the control they once had. But who knows?
But if the gentle reader will tolerate a slight detour, now would be a good time to point out an obvious analogy. There's a parallel here between Windows 8 and Obamacare. Both were promised to be super awesome. Both disappointed. Maybe Obamacare can take a cue from Microsoft and offer a downgrade program to allow people to go back to the insurance plans they had before. New Democrat bumper sticker: "If you liked your health care plan, you can go back to your health care plan. This time we mean it."
I can't help thinking of this jab on SNL recently, "Either way, happened on your watch:"
http://youtu.be/bnTSxONpO4o?t=3m11s
But yeah, Windows 8 stinks. However, you can still buy business-grade (a.k.a. not found at Best Buy) computers with Windows 7 loaded.
Posted by: Rob O. | December 30, 2013 at 06:04 PM
You're right, R.O.
Dell.com has some Win 7s left.
Posted by: Geo | December 31, 2013 at 03:00 PM
I purchased a brand new ASUS G75vx high-end gaming laptop which came pre-loaded with Windows 8. I immediately took it to a computer store to have W8 replaced with W7. Why? Not only is W8 incompatible with the games I play, it's look and functionality are totally mismatched for keyboard/mouse configurations. Plus the laptop isn't touch enabled.
To make matters worse, it wasn't loaded with Windows 8 Pro, so a "supported" downgrade wasn't allowed. Good greif. There are loads of third party software providers out there that help transform W8 into some version of W7, but that doesn't address the compatibility issues. Besides, if I have to resort to third party software to get my OS to look (and hopefully behave) like I want, why not just stick with the real thing? Anyway, the clever technicians found drivers that are compatible and voila! I have Windows 7 running smoothly on my new laptop and I couldn't be happier. For me, it was well worth the extra $$$.
There are other reasons I'm not keen on embracing Microsoft's brave new vision: forced online integration, subscription based everything, monthly fees, mandatory online check-ins, mandatory ads, pre-approved programs only and cloud computing that requires more service fees and questionable security for your personal information. I do not Facebook, own a smartphone, tablet or any other device that requires "one OS to rule them all." And I hate apps. I use programs. To do work. I don't care about having a app for everything I do or uploading pictures of myself to the internet from the crapper. Oh, and they got rid of Windows Media Player.
Regardless of my personal, tinfoil hat wearing suspicions, if W8/8.1 work for you that's great. But for the majority (yeah, go ahead and check the adoption stats, they're terrible) W8/8.1 is the OS nobody asked for or wants. Microsoft ignores that at it's own peril.
Posted by: Tim | January 05, 2014 at 01:55 PM
Thanks for that, Tim.
It's good to know it is possible to get the necessary drivers to run W7. If manufacturers have wised up then good for them.
Posted by: Geo | January 05, 2014 at 05:21 PM
Your mode of explaining all in this post is genuinely pleasant, every one be capable of
without difficulty understand it, Thanks a lot.
Posted by: Payday 2 Hack | January 07, 2014 at 04:00 AM