I made the Jump to Windows 8

[FukenGruven]

I know i was firm in my hatred for Windows 8.

But just got an HP Pavilion w/Windows 8.

I was going to reformat w/Windows 7 but after researching the specs.

I've concluded Windows 8 is better for Quad Core.

Thus, im making the jump to Windows 8.1.

I backed up the activation, saved the OEM key, and now up and running.

However.. i would appreciate any tips from Windows 8 users.

It is a pain to navigate, but 8.1 atleast added a start button. (not menu).

WRonce .. be patient.. i was in the middle of your project.

i'll continue development once im settled in.

Happy Holidays Everyone :)

[Sonar]

I know i was firm in my hatred for Windows 8.

But just got an HP Pavilion w/Windows 8.

I was going to reformat w/Windows 7 but after researching the specs.

I've concluded Windows 8 is better for Quad Core.

Thus, im making the jump to Windows 8.1.

I backed up the activation, saved the OEM key, and now up and running.

However.. i would appreciate any tips from Windows 8 users.

It is a pain to navigate, but 8.1 atleast added a start button. (not menu).

WRonce .. be patient.. i was in the middle of your project.

i'll continue development once im settled in.

Happy Holidays Everyone :)

Nsane front page <-- start menu :)

[FukenGruven]

Nsane front page <-- start menu :)

i was using Start8 w/Win8.0 in VMware.

but with 8.1.. the start button seems to be sufficient.

i try to avoid installation unless absolutely necessary.

but thank you :)

[sirri]

right jump... ;) . With SIB+, navigate easily and you feel like W7 and no difference

[tezza]

Here is just a few i use to make my life easier

StartisBack+ the best start menu for Win8.1 (check it out here)
http://www.msfn.org/board/topic/163489-startisback-15-final/

Precracked
http://www.nsaneforums.com/topic/193366-startisback-105/?p=701528

I am a big fan of the talented Sergey Tkachenko (winaero) progs and 8.1 tweaks (on his blog), too many to mention, but for example

Close Threshold for Windows 8.1
Boot UI Tuner
More free portables
http://winaero.com/

How to restore the Last Known Good Configuration feature in Windows 8.1
http://winaero.com/blog/how-to-restore-the-last-known-good-configuration-feature-in-windows-8-1/

How to add the “Pin to Start Screen” menu item to all files in Windows 8.1
http://winaero.com/blog/how-to-add-the-pin-to-start-screen-menu-item-to-all-files-in-windows-8/

You may also want to check out OldNewExplorer

http://www.msfn.org/board/topic/170375-oldnewexplorer-make-your-81-explorer-work-like-win78-one/

Windows 8.1 Registry Tweaks
http://forums.mydigitallife.info/threads/46105-Windows-8-1-Registry-Tweaks

Black Viper
http://www.blackviper.com/service-configurations/black-vipers-windows-8-1-service-configurations/

But @Fuken, it really all depends on how you want to use 8.1 , desktop or metro (or kill off metro) or switch between both.

Edit

Does this mean there may be a portable Win8 manager in the near future :tehe:

Edited December 24, 2013 by tezza

[nanoman]

Happy Holidays To You and All , You made The right Discession ,Only Needs Your Touch To disable and Tweak All The Necessary Stuff "You Know If You Wanna Freeze It And Use For Repackaging Purposes"To Take The Full Advantage , Enjoy :lol:

Edited December 24, 2013 by nanoman

[SnakeMasteR]

Feels new because of Start Screen and Ribbon, took me some days and it wasn't a problem anymore, only Ribbon still feels a bit misplaced and bloated, i will never like it. :lol:

I don't have any customizations, no additional themes, no replaced icons or explorer stuff, only StartIsBack and a custom QuickStart menu for fast navigation (and a custom wallpaper). ;)

[mosaji]

Once you have startisback 1.5, it is far better than windows 7

[Punktoe]

First thing i would do is go to "Winareo.com" and get some of the apps they have for modding it...

I use "Win+R Alias Manager" this will alow you to make custom "Run" shortcuts for everthing

u will be on Fire!......happy new year.

also when it's time to Mod ...no place better than ...Virtural Custums...

[GRiM]

Classic Shell with Windows 8 skin enabled.

I also enable the control panel link as a link instead of menu.

[demoneye]

i made also a jump from win 8.1 to LinuX ... hope i wont break :D

[ande]

I might be alone on this, but for me Windows 8 is much better than Windows 8.1.

[demoneye]

I might be alone on this, but for me Windows 8 is much better than Windows 8.1.

IMO its overturned use them booth :)

[Sonar]

I might be alone on this, but for me Windows 8 is much better than Windows 8.1.

I don't see much of a difference between them - 8.1 is only a like service pack which shouldn't cause any problems.

[jackieo]

Im still in Win 7 land ( on my laptop) my 2005 tower runs XP SP3- so im not in Win8 land yet,

nice to know you guys are all trudging thru it. and i'lll have good support here when i get there :)

I am watching, and reading all this win 8 stuff :) good going, everyone !

[Ashish]

I had made the jump from win 8 to 7 last year :P

[cruelsister]

If you need to get into Safe Mode when you can't get into normal Windows to force this mode with Win8 you need to use shift-F8. If your computer is fast there is little chance this will succeed. You can go back to the old F8 way easily by typing:

bcdedit /set {default} bootmenupolicy legacy

at an elevated command prompt.

Edited December 24, 2013 by cruelsister

[ande]

I don't see much of a difference between them - 8.1 is only a like service pack which shouldn't cause any problems.

For start they messed up very reliable and intuitive File Explorer.

They added nonfunctional Start button (which that isn't and which pleases no one).

They further integrated Store/Meto so it not possible to completely remove it.

Store itself is a potential backdoor and without ability to remove it completely it remains threat, especially if we add the fact that Windows Firewall under certain conditions leaks Store even though all traffic is restricted.

IMO its overturned use them booth :)

MS will slowly force users towards their latest OS.

Outdated Windows will lack new and/or improved features such as security/performance/stability features, Office, Visual Studio, games, software, driver support.

Since OSX is nonfunctional crap, the only option would be *nix OS which will never be good in entertainment area.

So at the end to have alternative you will need to pay for it either with time, energy and knowledge, or pay someone to do it for you.

[Blackchildcx]

I´m using Winstep Extreme so I use docks with metro apps, for me thats the perfect solution.

Start menu from Iobit is also a good thing.Start is back the ultimate solution. Merry Christmas and a happy new year to everyone ;-)

[demoneye]

I don't see much of a difference between them - 8.1 is only a like service pack which shouldn't cause any problems.

For start they messed up very reliable and intuitive File Explorer.

They added nonfunctional Start button (which that isn't and which pleases no one).

They further integrated Store/Meto so it not possible to completely remove it.

Store itself is a potential backdoor and without ability to remove it completely it remains threat, especially if we add the fact that Windows Firewall under certain conditions leaks Store even though all traffic is restricted.

IMO its overturned use them booth :)

MS will slowly force users towards their latest OS.

Outdated Windows will lack new and/or improved features such as security/performance/stability features, Office, Visual Studio, games, software, driver support.

Since OSX is nonfunctional crap, the only option would be *nix OS which will never be good in entertainment area.

So at the end to have alternative you will need to pay for it either with time, energy and knowledge, or pay someone to do it for you.

seriously , its not so hard to switch to linux (ubuntu in my case) ... you can always run Virtual box to use what not working in linux (mostly vide editing stuff) or u can install multi booth (dont like that).

in my case i use 2 hds ... 1 boot to linux and 1 for win8.1..

so simple :)

[FukenGruven]

Im still in Win 7 land ( on my laptop) my 2005 tower runs XP SP3- so im not in Win8 land yet,

nice to know you guys are all trudging thru it. and i'lll have good support here when i get there :)

I am watching, and reading all this win 8 stuff :) good going, everyone !

believe me.. i had the same sentiments..

and if it wasn't for my Christmas present.. i would still be using Windows 7.

new machines come with UEFI and w/out SLIC 2.1..

thus impossible to activate Win7 w/OEM activation.. (a cherished feature)

If i had to use KMS..

i wouldn't touch Win8...

Unfortunately.. my OEM key is only valid for Win8 Core (Home)..

i tried activating Win8 Pro.. but no go..

im content w/Win8 Core though.. it lacks GPEdit.msc.. which i use often in Win7..

and i found a script that can add that back. :)

other than that.. it also lacks some of the Pro bloat.. which i never use..

i know it's sexy to want "WMC" ..

but i despised & uninstalled WMC in Win7.. i have no need for it..

the morning i realized i got a new laptop..

i must've read 20 or so benchmarks, reviews.. concerning AMD Quad-Core..

and hardcore tech geeks really rave about Windows 8 multi-threading capabilities..

that's what caught my attention..

so far in my journey.. here's what i've discovered:

- disconnect Internet if you plan to reformat, reinstall Windows 8.. this way you're not forced to use an Online account as your Local account.

- a big black banner will pop up stating "Swipe to switch apps" or something and will not disappear .. you have to move your mouse to the top left hand corner for a few seconds to remove this app.

- the "Start Menu" has been moved to a screen .. which can be completely ignored with the wonderful 3rd party apps. listed above.

- Windows 8.1 is not just a "Service Pack".. M$ knew it made a mistake .. and they tried to make things right.. which is why their CFO was fired.. with 8.1 .. major improvements were made.. not just for appearance or the Start Button.. but functionality.. read Online reviews. As for the store app.. anything can be removed if one tries hard enough.. all OSes has it's vulnerabilities.. you just gotta be smart..

- Reformatting: Windows 8 expects UEFI .. so keep this in mind when partitioning.. UEFI is different.. it requires 3 additional partitions otherwise Windows 8 will not install. Gone are the days of 2 partitions .. :( If you plan to wipe Windows 8.. i suggest you let Windows 8 create it's 3 partitions.

Safe Mode

- Option 1: go into the BIOS.. you have to set the amount of time the BIOS gives before turning over.. mine was set to 0 thus was impossible to boot into safe mode. After setting to 5 seconds.. i can now boot into it just like Windows 7.

- Option 2: Click Start > Run > type "msconfig" > click "Boot" tab > select "Safe Mode: Minimal" > press OK and reboot.

(once you're done in Safe Mode, reset the msconfig setting in Safe Mode to "Normal Mode".

UEFI also adds an additional validation during boot for malware. (i forget the exact name)

- Do not disable this.. otherwise the watermark will appear on your Desktop.

thanks to everyone above. .. i've downloaded Start8 (Pre-cracked by painter), and OldNewExplorer.. and both are wonderful.. with both apps.. you'll never have to look at the Metro UI :) but im still undecided if i want to use 3rd party apps.. i truly hate installation :)

I'll document more as i go through this process.

Edited December 25, 2013 by FukenGruven

[LOQUILLO]

believe me.. i had the same sentiments..

and if it wasn't for my Christmas present.. i would still be using Windows 7.

new machines come with UEFI and w/out SLIC 2.1..

thus impossible to activate Win7 w/OEM activation.. (a cherished feature)

It isn't true, for active windows 7 you can disable UEFI boot and voila, active win7 like you wanna do it.

[FukenGruven]

believe me.. i had the same sentiments..

and if it wasn't for my Christmas present.. i would still be using Windows 7.

new machines come with UEFI and w/out SLIC 2.1..

thus impossible to activate Win7 w/OEM activation.. (a cherished feature)

It isn't true, for active windows 7 you can disable UEFI boot and voila, active win7 like you wanna do it.

it has to be enabled..

which requires BIOS modding.. which im not adept at doing..

and the BIOS is something that can brick your computer..

something that can ruin my holidays :P

there is a switch for "Legacy" support.. which enables support for Windows 7 (Non-UEFI).

but there's still no SLIC 2.1 .. which has to be added for OEM activation.

unless im wrong.. as far as i can tell.. HP UEFI BIOSes are difficult to mod because it uses RSA algorithm..

i posted a request in MDL but no one has touched it..

the modders there are good with Acer, and other Non-HP brands.

i've been trying to enable the Advanced Menu myself..

- which will then allow me to OC the CPU, and enable SLIC 2.1.

i have the tool but i have to get a Pen Drive ...

are you good with BIOSes?

Edited December 25, 2013 by FukenGruven

[LOQUILLO]

I have computers working with win7 and oem activation, it's very strange that you cann't do it, or maybe you are scared for change some options in BIOS setup.

The other option is active win7 with daz loader and add oem data using 7brander (a old tool by Orbit30) and voila, all very well.

Edited December 25, 2013 by LOQUILLO

[FukenGruven]

I have computers working with win7 and oem activation, it's very strange that you cann't do it, or maybe you are scared for change some options in BIOS setup.

no.. im not scared..

i tried it .. then ran SLIC Toolkit & Rw.. both showed no SLIC 2.1.

what did your computer come with ?

I prefer not to use Loaders/activators.. strictly OEM Activations :)

EDIT: just to confirm.. i installed Win7 w/Legacy turned on and tried OEM activation..

- did not activate..

Edited December 25, 2013 by FukenGruven