Misunderstanding Windows 8: An Introduction, Orientation, and How-to for Windows 8

135 Pages·2013·5.33 MB·English

by  Jack Dunning

Table of Contents
Fair Use Copyright
“You should be able to read your e-books when you want and where you
want.”
Foreword by Digital Dave
“Questions and negative reactions abound. Is it Microsoft's cunning plan or
pure foolishness?”
With almost half the Windows community still using Windows XP, users wonder why Microsoft is
replacing Windows 7 so soon. Dave highlights a couple of letters from readers with real Windows 8
concerns. (Updated August 2013)
Chapter One: Misunderstanding Windows 8
“Deciphering the madness of Windows 8.”
Whether you're an old-line Windows user or merely curious about what Microsoft is up to, here are
some thoughts to help you understand the Windows 8 operating system. (Updated October 2012)
Chapter Two: Stop! Before You Download
Windows 8 to Upgrade a PC (Fourth Edition, Nov
2012)
“Using Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant: Even though it's only $39.99, the
Windows 8 Upgrade may be a waste of money for your old Windows
computer.”
The Windows 8 Upgrade download is here. You may have installed Windows 8 Consumer Preview on
that old machine, but that doesn't guarantee that the final released upgrade will install. Plus, you
may not find out it won't work until after you've paid for it. (New in Fourth Edition - November 2012,
updated December 2012)
Chapter Three: The First Look at Windows 8
“Windows 8 is here!”
Now that Windows 8 is here, Jack gives a framework for looking at the new operating system and
some initial thoughts. (Updated October 2012)
Chapter Four: Understanding Windows 8 Modern
Start Screen
“How to do your favorite old Windows Start Menu tricks with the new
Windows 8 Start screen.”
With the Start Menu now missing from Windows 8, there are new ways to find programs and search
files with the Modern Start Charm. (Updated October 2012)
Chapter Five: Organizing the Start Screen
“The Windows 8 Modern Start charm (screen) can organize apps by groups
for easier location.”
Jack examines using the Modern Start screen in Windows 8 and how to reorganize the tiles in a
manner that best suits you. (Updated October 2012)
Chapter Six: The Windows 8 File Explorer Ribbon
Menu
“The new look of Windows 8 File Explorer offers more in view plus
additional features.”
If you don't like the new Modern Start screen in Windows 8, you may find the ribbon menu in
Windows Explorer equally distasteful. However, some useful Windows features are easier than ever to
find and use. Let's have a look. (Updated October 2012)
Chapter Seven: The Virtual Touch Keyboard,
Plus, a Tip for Quick Access to Windows Tools
“Although designed for use with touchscreens and tablet computers, the
Windows 8 pop-up keyboard also works with the Windows Desktop.”
The onscreen keyboard for Windows 8 will be used with Windows 8 tablet computers. It's not as
useful for desktop computers. Jack explores the features and capabilities of the touch keyboard, as
well as other ways to navigate Windows 8. Plus, a tip for quick access to Windows tools.
Chapter Eight: Windows 8 for both the Desktop
Computer and the Tablet. Really? Some Final
Thoughts.
“Designing the new Microsoft OS for desktop and tablet computers is a bold
move. Will it work?”
Jack's exploration of Windows 8 focuses on what's changed from Windows 7 and the usefulness (or
not) of those changes for daily computing. He looks at Windows 8 taking on Apple iPad in the tablet
market and the size of the Windows 8 learning curve. Can Windows 8 compete with Apple iOS? Will
the changes in Windows 8 be too mystifying for users to overcome? (Updated October 2012)
Chapter Nine: The Microsoft Surface Tablet
(Third Edition, July 2012, Updated Dec 2012)
“Microsoft doesn't wait for computer manufacturers to take the lead with
new Windows 8 tablets.”
Defying conventional wisdom, Microsoft has released their new Surface tablet computer. Is this a
good move or another Microsoft hardware mistake? Microsoft releases the Surface Pro in January
2012. Is it a tablet or is it a laptop? Jack reports, you decide. (New in Third Edition - July 2012)
Chapter Ten: The Surface with Windows RT
Tablet Computer, (Fifth Edition, Dec 2012)
“Pretending to be "Real" Windows: What You Need to Know about
Microsoft's Surface with Windows RT Tablet Computer.”
"I'm not saying that the Surface RT isn't a good tablet computer. Just don't be fooled into thinking
that you're getting full functioning Windows with it."
Chapter Eleven: Windows 8 and Free Stuff, (Sixth
Edition, Feb 2013)
“Windows 8 Modern Start Interface includes more free software.”
While Windows 8 confuses many people, the new Start Screen offers more free apps than earlier
versions of Windows. Many help with learning Windows 8.
Chapter Twelve: Is the Surface with Windows 8
Pro Right for You? (Sixth Edition, Feb 2013)
“What you need to know before you buy Microsoft's Surface Pro tablet with
"real" Windows.”
The Surface RT tablet (without "real" Windows) has caused a great deal of confusion for tablet
buyers. Even though it looks the same, the Surface Pro (with "real" Windows) is not the same device.
Make an informed decision on what you should, or should not, buy.
Chapter Thirteen: Fixing Windows 8 with
Windows 8.1 (Seventh Edition, August 2013)
“Can the Return of a Start Button and Direct Booting to the Desktop Revive
Windows 8?”
Microsoft is trying to recover from its Windows 8 weak start with a new Desktop Start button and a
few other improvements. Now you can try Windows 8.1 Preview free.
About the Author
“Jack Dunning, Publisher, ComputorEdge Magazine.”
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Foreword by Digital Dave
“Questions and negative reactions abound. Is it Microsoft's cunning plan or
pure foolishness?”
With almost half the Windows community still using Windows XP, users wonder why Microsoft is
replacing Windows 7 so soon. Dave highlights a couple of letters from readers with real Windows 8
concerns. (Updated August 2013)
When Jack asked me to write the foreword for this e-book I was a little
perplexed about what I should say. Every time he would publish one of his
articles, he would get comments from readers about how ridiculous it was for
Microsoft to release a brand new operating system so soon after Windows 7—
and they hated it sight unseen. I was playing around with it on one of my PCs,
but Jack was really digging into it. (He gets that way.) As we exchanged e-mails
about various reactions we had encountered, I suggested the title
Misunderstanding Windows 8 because people were jumping to all kinds of
conclusions about Windows 8 and what Microsoft was trying to accomplish.
That's where Jack's book helps. It clears up many of the misconceptions that
come with a changed product and a new look.
Windows 8.1 will be out in October 2013 with some of the fixes the users want.
There is a fake Start button on the Taskbar and now you can boot directly to the
Desktop by passing the Modern Start Screen. Jack reviews the changes in the all
new chapter "Fixing Windows 8 with Windows 8.1" based upon an intensive
review by Jim Lipke of the free Windows 8.1 Preview.
Jack doesn't tell you the way you should think about Windows 8, but he takes
you along on his explorations. He comes to conclusions of his own, yet you're
free to develop your own, even if totally opposed to his. The truth is that while at
first Windows 8 may look totally foreign, it isn't really all that different from
earlier versions—especially Windows 7. Jack highlights the similarities and
differences between Windows 8 and Windows 7. Once you see these laid out,
you will know whether Windows 8 may someday be right for you—or not. Plus,
as an added benefit, you will know exactly how to get started if the day ever
comes when you sit down to a Windows 8 computer or pick up a Windows 8
tablet.
Early on I received a couple of letters from ComputorEdge readers concerning
Windows 8. Although Jack addresses these issues in the book, I wanted to put in
my two cents. I updated the answers for the final Windows 8 release.
Thoughts on Windows 8
Dear Digital Dave,
I don't know how many of your readers have tried the Windows 8 Consumer
Preview, but I do suggest that they back up everything on their computer before
they try it. I could not get out of the program. I had to reload Windows 7 and
then all of the other "small but important" items back on the computer.
As for the "Consumer Preview," I personally thought it was a nightmare. I have
used all of the Windows products and have always been able to feel my way
through them on the first try. Not this madness. I guess the software engineers
never tried it on someone who did not have the education level that they have.
How about keeping Windows 7 available for the ones that just can't count on
Windows 8? This thought probably belongs in the letters to the editor section,
but I feel a small survey on your part would be interesting.
John
Highlands Ranch, CO
Dear John,
I think it is likely that Microsoft has learned a little from past mistakes. They
have extended support for Windows XP into 2014 based on the demands of
users. My guess is that Windows 7 will remain an option for desktop and laptop
computers for quite a while. Most likely anyone who buys a Windows 7
computer after the release of Windows 8 will qualify for a free upgrade—if they
want it.
Now that Windows 8 is released, most new off-the-shelf computers will come
with it pre-installed. Why? Because, in spite of any misgivings from early
lookers, Windows 8 is just plain good enough. In benchmark tests by PCWorld,
Windows 8 outperformed Windows 7 overall by 14 percent. This may not seem
like much, but it tells us that Windows 8 is not merely Windows 7 with a bulky
Modern interface slapped on top. To actually improve upon Windows 7
performance requires streamlining—which apparently Windows 8 has. Plus,
these tests have been run on beta versions which were not yet been optimized.
There are certainly issues with Windows 8. This is one of the reasons that
Microsoft made the Consumer Preview and Release Preview available prior to
the final release. They planned to fix any "real" issues found. Yet, most of the
negative reactions to Windows 8 seem to be based upon misunderstandings
about how to work with the Metro UI (the main screen now called Modern
interface). I can see how it can be confusing the first time someone sees it, but a
short instruction book would be more than sufficient for most people to become
comfortable. This type of poor reception happens anytime there is change to any
software product. The success or failure of Windows 8 will depend upon how
well Microsoft addresses the concerns of users and the developers.
With Windows 8.1 Preview now available some of the initial concerns about
Windows 8 are addresses. However, the dual interface still forces old time
Windows users into new territory. Many people are uncomfortable with any type
of change—especially if the benefits are not obvious.
Digital Dave
Windows 8 Consumer Preview Installation
Dear Digital Dave,
My neighbor, Lee, a true novice, decided he wanted to "try" out the new
Windows 8 Beta. He downloaded it before researching all the possible
ramifications of all the things that could/would happen. He first told me he did it
and now his burner won't play a DVD. I showed him how to find the tray
manufacturer and contact them to see if that tray driver would work with
Windows 8. This got me to thinking.
I read ComputorEdge (on Windows 8) and then Googled it. After 3-4 hours of
reading I found I had just one question: If I right-click my Windows 7 Desktop, I
can find Personalize. There, I can choose from over 200 photo folders for the
Desktop Background Slide Show, set at five minutes. There are no icons on my
Desktop except Recycle Bin. That Slide Show is necessary to me and my
lifestyle. Is it in Windows 8? If not, I'll wait on Windows 8 until someone writes
a Slide Show program for Windows 8.
Chuck
San Diego, CA
Dear Chuck,
Now that Windows 8 is released (Windows 8.1 Preview is available) many of the
same problems still exist with installation. The problem with Consumer Preview
is that it would install on many computers which will not take the final release.
See Chapter Two of this book. I wouldn't rush to upgrade any machine unless the
computer was not vital to my daily work and I knew the computer would take
the upgrade.
While I applaud Microsoft for its early release of its Windows 8.1 Preview,
inexperienced users needed to be cautious when deciding where and how to
install it. As is true for the final release, it must be noted that Windows 8 is first
an operating system and if installed directly to your current computer, it will
overwrite your current version of Windows. If you want to go back, you will