Coming this October 18 is Microsoft’s new version of Windows – version 8.1.
Many see this update as Microsoft’s chance to address and remedy the complaints about their latest operating system.

It’s no secret that heads have rolled, stocks have dropped, sales of computers have plummeted over Windows 8. The thing that Windows 8 is really meant for – their Surface tablet – has not done well.

And what are these complaints? Here are the two most  popular ones:

1. The Start Screen (sometimes called “Metro”) looks like an electronic cash register for people who can’t read. None of your usual programs are there and it’s ridiculously hard to find them, or find anything.
Maybe it’s called “Metro” after the grocery store chain?

2. No Start Button. This is a deal breaker for a lot of people.
Recognize these?

 

Chances are that’s how you get to most things on your computer.
Forget about it. It’s not coming back.

Oh, and yeah, just try shutting it down without being shown how.

There are loads of other gripes and Microsoft has heard them all. But have they listened to their customers? Have they managed to make good with this quickly released new version of their operating system?

Not that you’d notice.
In fact, several changes to Windows 8 make it worse (in my and other’s opinions: e.g..1 and e.g..2).

This October 18th, then, you may find yourself with the choice of updating to Windows 8.1

If you already have the original Windows 8 on your computer, the new version will be offered to you as a free update. It will come as an “optional” update via your regular Windows Update.

While the offer of a free update may sound irresistible, there are some serious things to consider”

• No real new Start Button. It looks like it’s there but just takes you to the old Win 8 “Metro” screen. Why did they bother?
• There is a thing called “Smart Search”. It keeps track not only of your web browsing history, but any searches that you make on your own hard drive. Then it sends those search results to advertisers. Not so long ago, Microsoft was accusing Google of doing the same thing.
  Needless to say, you don’t get paid for being spied upon,
• By default you have to create a Microsoft Account (it’s almost impossible to install Win 8.1 without one)
  – the above is a way to keep you in Microsoft’s “Cloud” as much as possible and to take you to their Apps Store – to be avoided
• The File Explorer (former Windows Explorer) now hides your “Libraries” such as My Documents and My Pictures.
  – they really want you to use their online Sky Drive which means all your personal files will get synchronized to their server. No thanks.
• The Backup and Restore is all different. Good luck even finding it.

  

There’s more but you get the idea.

I’ve prepare a little Windows 8.1 questionnaire to make it easier for you.

Ask yourself these questions:

1. Do I want to do things easier and faster?

2. Do I want to find my stuff easier and faster? Or at all?

3. Do I want to let Microsoft spy on my computer and send what they find to advertisers?

4. Do I want to hang onto what sanity I have left? (in this world of mortality and confusion?)

5. Have I been bad and need to be taught a lesson by fashion designers posing as computer programmers? (think Office Ribbon)?

(Good grief! Does it come in pink?)

The correct answers are:

1. Yes, but they won’t be.

2. Yes, but I won’t be able to.

3. No, I’m already red with rage about telemarketers and about the NSA reading my emails.

4. Yes. Please!

5. No. Maybe. After all, I need to use Office. And I will if I can ever figure out the Fisher Price Office Ribbon.

 

Here’s my advice:

1. Stick with Windows 7 if possible, especially if you’re buying a new computer.
2. If you’ve already got Windows 8, think hard, twice or three times, about upgrading.

Major computer manufacturers aren’t so taken with Microsoft’s arrogance, either.

Lenovo, the world’s largest computer maker, is adding a “real Start button” to their Windows 8 computers.
But it is a “work around” shell program called “Pokki”, one of the many applications that make Windows 8 work and look like Windows 7. The trouble is that Pokki will also “nag” you to install apps for games, and utilities galore. Meh.

What will I be doing? Well, I have to be my own guinea pig – so I may load it up. But  only because I’ll be helping others with it down the road. Much like the original Windows 8.
Whatever I do, I’ll continue to use Classic Shell to add back the familiar Start Button.

I actually have to get work done – not be a sheep to Microsoft’s focus groups.