5 Reasons NOT to switch to Windows 8

The much-hyped Windows 8 from Microsoft is here. A metro-styled touch screen interface synced across different platforms and offering better performance in a more stable set-up; Sounds great, doesn’t it? But before you rush to upgrade your PC to the latest Windows operating system, you might want to take a look at why you should NOT upgrade to Windows 8 and what to do if you have already made the switch. All the hype and excitement of the Windows 8 release coupled with the predictions of a new era of computers might be convincing, but many experts remain skeptical and do not recommend a change to Windows 8 – at least not yet.

Several experts have expressed their disappointment with the Windows 8 operating system and some have even gone as far as calling it an “unfinished product”. While such criticism is nothing new when it comes to the Microsoft operating systems, here are five reasons why switching to Windows 8 now is not a good idea.

1. Inconsistent dual interface

What has been claimed to be one of Windows 8’s strengths is what seems to be annoying novice and experienced users alike. Microsoft’s attempt to integrate the traditional desktop and touch-screen interfaces into a single operating system isn’t really working the way it should be. Not all features are accessible from a single interface which makes for an annoying experience for a user, at least for the first few hundred times while you get used to it. Users need to remember where to go for which feature and then also keep switching between interfaces – not exactly what I would call smooth.

2. Switching between interfaces

If it’s your first time with Windows 8, try figuring out how to switch between the new-look start screen and the desktop interface by yourself without pulling all your hair out. Firstly, there is no start button we are so used to seeing since Windows 95. Agreed, a missing start button is hardly catastrophic. But if you’re in the desktop interface you can’t find your way out with the mouse without hovering around into corners looking for menus you never knew existed. And with the keyboard, you need to press the Windows key on the keyboard to switch between the interfaces. Hardly obvious for a new user.

3. The incomplete touch experience

The new look start menu and the ribbon introduced in several Microsoft applications are a giant step forward towards a touch-screen based operating system. But despite all the developments, the touch screen interface of Windows 8 still feels like a work in progress. For instance, many links and options in desktop menus are too small to be touch-screen friendly; you need to use the keyboard and mouse to switch between interfaces and then, even with many applications it is still infeasible to use touch. All in all, despite enabling the touch, Windows 8 does not offer a complete touch interface.

4. Windows 8 app store

This one is not exactly Microsoft’s fault but there are not many apps as yet for Windows 8 so it might be a little premature to make the switch to Windows 8. In a few months however, this should be resolved with more apps being designed for the latest Windows operating system.

5. Wait!

Whether or not you agree with the critics of Windows 8, waiting is only going to make things better for several reasons. Firstly, there is the hardware aspect. Installing Windows 8 on the older systems which do not support touch input is not recommended as Windows 8 pretty much revolves around its touch interface. Anyway, over the next few months, a release of several systems supporting Windows 8 is likely which would make it more comfortable to switch to and use.

As with earlier Windows operating systems such as Vista, many of the problems are addressed by Microsoft over the year following the release of that OS. The difficulties, including some of the ones pointed out above, are expected to be fixed by Microsoft in say, about six months to one year and hopefully by the time the second or third service pack of Windows 8 comes out, we won’t have to deal with the issues that make adapting to Windows 8 a nuisance.

Faiz Darvesh

Posted By
Faiz Darvesh

20 November, 2012

18

0

NotaFanBoy

Whatever you have mentioned is not a difficulty. Just you dont know how to use Win 8
- Faiz
  
  Well, my article was for people in general. And an average computer user doesn’t want to have to spend hours just having to learn an interface – and an inconvenient one at that! One instant you are priviliged to a touch screen interface and the very next you are relegated back to the good old keyboard and mouse to navigate menus and settings too difficult for a touch… which is why i said the touch experience is incomplete.
  
  Then there were also some other points I left out of this list for the sole reason that it is meant for the average user in general.For instance, if you are running a web browser in both interfaces, at any instant you cannot access all the pages from a single interface.
  
  In addition there seems to be some difficulty in opening multiple windows of the same application.
  
  You may be a geek or a “fanboy” – – for whom it is no big deal to learn and adapt to all these changes and the little inconvenience may not matter. But most users are 40 and 50 year olds who just want a computer that makes their work easy, not one that makes it more difficult.
  
  That said, i would like to point out that i never ask anyone not to upgrade to Windows 8. It seems to be a more stable and better in some respects but I am just asking you to give it time to fix itself. That’s how it was with Vista and 8 seems to be going down the same road..
  - AmithK
    
    Well said Faiz. These are the minus points on the Windows which even i Hate. You struck the right chords. These are really the most bugging bugs/feature failures.
    - Faiz
      
      Thanks!
Gadget Freak

I agree. Too complicated.