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Microsoft Reacts To Feedback But Did They Get Windows 8.1 Right?
MojoKid writes "Microsoft's Windows "Blue" 8.1 update has been long-awaited. Those who've been using the base OS since launch have no doubt been anticipating some of the enhancements that are coming. At the moment, Windows 8.1 is available only as a preview, and if you are looking to give it a try, there are a couple of things to be aware of. The most important is the fact that once you upgrade, you can't easily downgrade — so you may wish to try the update in a virtual machine or on a test machine if possible. In addition, your current product keys will not work, so you'll effectively be turning your activated OS into an evaluation (it's assumed that once 8.1 goes final, we'll be able to update using our original keys). That said, Microsoft's free update offers a slew of enhancements like a new Start Screen, the return of the Start Button, even quicker shutdown and restart, boot to desktop, quicker integrated search and Skydrive enhancements. All told, Microsoft's new OS release is a more than worthy successor for end users but now Microsoft really needs to work on getting developers on board."
In short, I want Windows 7.
Then you have the product you want and you're happy with it. Enjoy. Windows 8 can be easily configured to work the same exact way, now without any third party software in 8.1. Your use of bold and italic emphasis makes you seem very indignant about an issue which is at best, a minor issue of system configuration.
I don't want charms that are huge stealing my screen real estate
What charms that are huge stealing my screen real estate? How is that better than say a modal dialog box that pops up?
or windows that force full screen or any arbitrary size
Don't buy a metro app, a little leprechaun isn't going to come to your house and put a gun to your head to install metro apps on your desktop.
I want windows that ** I ** can resize to any size I want and have multiples on the screen at one time.
There is no problem doing that in Windows 8 with any of the desktop applications that you are ran in Windows 7.
I DON'T want an app store that thinks it controls what I can and can't install on my own devices. I shouldn't have to be on a domain to bypass app store crippling of my machine.
Huh? You don't have to use the app store EVER, nor does it attempt to control what you can and can't install. Installing programs is the same as it ever was. What does a domain have to do with it at all?
For my users on the network, hierarchical menus for apps based on purpose is still superior when you are building systems for people so unsavvy they don't even know the name of an app to search for.
Most unsavvy users only use a very few programs, why aren't they pinned to the taskbar or put an icon on their desktop -- same as Windows 7.
I don't want cloud integrated into everything by default. As an add-on its just fine, but I don't trust other people and companies with most of my stuff and I surely didn't trust Microsoft even BEFORE this NSA mess.
So don't use it? You don't have to use skydrive, ever.
If I click on an icon I want it to start a new instance. Every. Time.
Wow, finally an argument that actually is based on some kind of fact. Of course... Well, this also applies to Windows 7, so I guess it really isn't based on a reason to not like Windows 8. I guess you also dislike Windows 7, and OS/X. Oh well, buy an add-on if you want.
I don't want Windows trying to decide when I want to maximize a window by getting too close to the top. If I want it maximized, I'll click a button to do so and so on and so on and so on......
So disable it. Not rocket science, although I love the left/right.