Thread: Is Windows 8/10 actually usable anymore?

Windows 8/ 8.1/ 10 are fine if you are prepared to think of them differently to the Windows operating systems that came before.

8 was a pain, always going to the start screen (tiles). 8.1 and 10 are better, booting to a desktop on a PC.

In some ways its like the introduction of the Microsoft Fluent Ribbon (aka the ribbon) in the mid naughties. Everyone hated it, probably more because it was different, than any inherent problems. And most people complain now if they go to a menu driven interface.

There are 2 things you need to remember with Windows Operating systems post Windows 8:

1. Don't bother trying to navigate through the start screens or menus to open a program, just type its name in the windows search box.
2. Right click the start button to open a context menu to get to behind the scenes dialogs, such as control panel.

Once you get over the fact it is different you will find it easier. My wife, a ludite who hates change, is now using 10 with Office 2016 without complaint.

I find that the user 'paradigm' of windows 8 and 10 is focused towards touch based interactions. Yes you can use a mouse etc but there are many gestures etc that took me a while to figure out. Personally it is a huge step backwards for my productivity.

Here is a link for a Google search that may help. https://www.google.com.au/search?q=W...HZebB28QvwUICg