Windows 8.1 is interesting, it has a great frame work of operating principles and it performs very well. However it has been made to function in a touch screen world not so much on a desktop. Microsoft tried to made the 8.1 version to rectify the user interface and bring back the tried and proven, not to mention widely appreciated Windows 7 experience, but failed. If you want to change to a new not so interesting user interface you may like Windows 8.1 as it is. However if your a huge fan of Windows 7 and know that system well than get ready for a challenge in customizing Windows 8.1. There’s a lot to investigate and many tweaks you can implement to bring back the Windows 7 feel and comfort. Once you’re completed and get Windows 8.1 where you want it to be you’ll have a really nice system. Why did Microsoft mess with a great OS like Windows 7? To make it better I suppose, but that could have been done under the hood and they could have left the interface mostly alone except for minor tweaks. I read that Microsoft regrets screwing this one up and do they are trying to make up for it in Windows 10. However the 10 is too intrusive into your life. It wants to track your doings and make you passively linked to Microsoft as if you were internet browsing. Like having big brother watch your every move. What’s next, no OS but you log into the cloud for all your software! We may as well give them a camera too so the can see how we live. Don’t laugh, cameras are watching us. Read full review
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I purchased windows 8.1 to replace xp and vista on older machines i own. after finding out this product is plaged with isues, i went back and purchased windows 7 to replace the older versions. i haven't even loaded 8.1 and don't intend to. Still boxed and i don't wish to sell it, because of passing on a problem to someone else. Can't tell you anything about it. I love windows 7.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
I upgraded from XP pro to 8.1 pro. The product has a short learning curve. Overall, it's a reliable upgrade and no problems except with the constant resetting of the network adapter. I'm not positive that the upgrade caused this but there was no resetting the network adapter with XP. I will wait awhile before going to windows 10 since it needs to be operational for at least 3 years to fine tune the coding and eliminate some of the programming bugs.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
Perfect for those serious professionals who wish to have control of their OS. Once you instal Classic Shell, you get your Start Menu which behaves natively & is further customisable & allows to hide all "metro" things. You don't have to interact with it, unless you wish. Most, as in 97 percent of software for DAW music production works beautifully. It has many feature advantages & disadvantages. If you know the Windows OS, you can make it look, perform, play nice & get 3 additional years of support. There is an official Aero Glass 3rd party developer who nailed it, but better. The OS is stable, seemingly reliable, once customised, immediately familiar. You can theme it to your hearts content. Use a 3rd party image backup utility as I'm not sure 8.1 has it, like 7 does. Better to go 3rd party anyways. Shadow Protect is superior to any ptoduct for imaging purposes. Some programs: Sound Forge e.g. needs a registry tweak. All should run as expected as long as you know what you're doing. The All Apps list of the Start Screen could possibly be useful as an alternative way of interacting with & finding your files. Enjoy control -- while you still can 😉Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
I have worked in Information Tech for 20 years. 8 years as technician and the last 12 years as a self employed programmer and engineer. I thought I would never move away from Windows 7 Pro or Enterprise due to the stability and low resource requirements. I finished building my main workstation for my business (Intel i7 3.8GHz, 64GB Ram, Raid 0 SSD hard drives, and 3 NVIDIA GTX 770's, and 3 Ultra High Def 28in Monitors). Anyways, I originally installed Win 7 Pro, but decided to check out windows 8.1 as a learning tool and to review for my small group of residential clients. I AM NOW HOOKED! This operating system uses very little resources and RUNS MUCH FASTER AND STABLE than its predecessors. I found it very easy to get used to, but I worry my clients might get lost between the graphical touch interface and the regular desktop windows interface. Security and system utilities such as virus & malware protection run in the background in addition to system and disk health mentoring ALL using less than 1% of your available hardware/system resources. Its a great operating system for both Touchscreen and non touch systems. If you do decide to upgrade and fall in love like I did, I would recommend looking into a Surface Pro 2. Just make sure that you have at least 128GB of storage, the Intel I5, and 8GB RAM if your a workaholic like me. Nothing like using a tablet for Post Production work on HD video!Read full review
Worth every penny, Windows 10 was released before it was debugged by Microsoft. This is very reliable operating system and my 3 year old laptop now works great. The installation was easy. I formatted the old Windows 10 and installed it as if I had just bought the laptop. Many updates but that was expected. If I get another 3 years out of the laptop I will be happy.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
Installed and worked with no problems once I put the new hard drive in. Had installed it on the original hard drive that I had tried to keep going but it failed even though my scan of it came up with no errors. The motor was what gave out sporadically so sometimes it would work and not work. This Windows installed easy on both hard drives with no problem though and activated. You do have to install the games from microsoft that comes with the computer from factory and stuff like java, adobe, silverlight and other software.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
I like Windows 8.1 Pro. It,s a little bit different from what I was using it will take a little time getting around using it, It is a little hard finding every thing but quite easy to learn using it, Remembering where every thing is what it is all about.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
This item works great. And I had to reinstall it because the original hard drive quit after I installed the program. And I work great. No problems
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
Went right through on the windows 8.1 pro installer, and my system info says windows is activated, so its a good key.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
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