Windows 8.1 is tolerable if you install a start menu replacement, like Classic Shell. But even Win10 requires such hacks. The new Start menu is not quite there yet.
One issue I have with the new menu is that it's not possible to move the "Metro" apps to sub-folders in the All Apps section. Classic Win32 apps can be moved around and tucked neatly in sub-categories just like in Windows 7 and before. This is a pain in the ass, because the only categorization for "Metro" apps is alphabetical, with separators by letter. Each entry is this list takes more space than they did in Win7. A flat list like this makes the scrolling annoying.
Classic Shell solves this neatly by separating "Metro" and Win32 apps in different sub-menus, and if I never want to see the "Metro" stuff, I can simply remove that part.
If Classic Shell is still needed, there's no reason for me to upgrade, so I'll stick with Win8.1 on my gaming rig, at least until I really, really need Directx 12.
Why do you say 'tolerable'? That implies that you wouldn't be able to use it without that? I've never understood that because windows 8 is not the worst windows to come out and it isn't hard to use at all. I'm glad stuff has been changing around in it and not stayed exactly the same as it had been for 10 years, that would be boring.
Exactly. I wanted Win8.1 for my gaming rig because it has better handling of SSDs and dual monitors, but the start screen is a hassle I'm not willing to put up with, specially on a 27" non-touch display.
I could tolerate it if it was possible to pin it to a specific monitor (my secondary is a smaller 24" that sits on the side) BUT have the applications open on the main display, but Windows 8 doesn't do that, applications open on the same display of the start screen, requiring them to be moved around.
I've run windows 8 since release and 8.1 since release and I spend almost no time in those menus? I just don't understand how it is that big of a hassle. You literally click one button and you are on the desktop and don't have to worry about it at all.
Windows 8.1 is tolerable if you install a start menu replacement, like Classic Shell. But even Win10 requires such hacks. The new Start menu is not quite there yet.
One issue I have with the new menu is that it's not possible to move the "Metro" apps to sub-folders in the All Apps section. Classic Win32 apps can be moved around and tucked neatly in sub-categories just like in Windows 7 and before. This is a pain in the ass, because the only categorization for "Metro" apps is alphabetical, with separators by letter. Each entry is this list takes more space than they did in Win7. A flat list like this makes the scrolling annoying.
Classic Shell solves this neatly by separating "Metro" and Win32 apps in different sub-menus, and if I never want to see the "Metro" stuff, I can simply remove that part.
If Classic Shell is still needed, there's no reason for me to upgrade, so I'll stick with Win8.1 on my gaming rig, at least until I really, really need Directx 12.
Why do you say 'tolerable'? That implies that you wouldn't be able to use it without that? I've never understood that because windows 8 is not the worst windows to come out and it isn't hard to use at all. I'm glad stuff has been changing around in it and not stayed exactly the same as it had been for 10 years, that would be boring.
Exactly. I wanted Win8.1 for my gaming rig because it has better handling of SSDs and dual monitors, but the start screen is a hassle I'm not willing to put up with, specially on a 27" non-touch display.
I could tolerate it if it was possible to pin it to a specific monitor (my secondary is a smaller 24" that sits on the side) BUT have the applications open on the main display, but Windows 8 doesn't do that, applications open on the same display of the start screen, requiring them to be moved around.
I've run windows 8 since release and 8.1 since release and I spend almost no time in those menus? I just don't understand how it is that big of a hassle. You literally click one button and you are on the desktop and don't have to worry about it at all.