A number of users are seeking instructions to move back to Windows XP

Apr 24, 2014 06:03 GMT  ·  By

Windows XP no longer receives updates and security patches, but that doesn’t seem to be such a big deal for many users out there.

While Windows XP still has a market share of 28 percent in the desktop world, some of those who have already made the move to Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 are seeking instructions to go back to XP, simply because they do not like the modern version of the operating system.

A discussion thread on Microsoft’s Community forums, focused on the way you can downgrade to Windows XP from Windows 8, shows that plenty of users are actually planning to do this and the reasons are pretty much the same in every single case.

Most users are disappointed with the UI change that Windows 8 brings to the market, so they’re trying to return to a more familiar working environment such as Windows XP.

“I agree - Windows 8 really [expletive] badly. I have no idea why Microsoft ruined a great thing. Windows XP Pro was THE BEST. I am NEVER changing my other office computers to Windows 8. I will sooner go to a MAC. I have yet to talk to anyone who thinks Windows 8 is any good at all... and these are IT people. Microsoft you should do the right thing and give us functionality back!” one user wrote.

Of course, some went so far that they are even threatening to dump all Windows computers and move to Apple devices, as they believe that the Cupertino-based company actually offers better products that are easier to use than Windows 8.

“XP was great. Better than softys next few operating systems. So they finally nuked it, by terminating support. It only took 2days for my computer to crash. I'll buy their new software if they buy me a new computer. Otherwise this lifetime Microsoft supporter will go Apple,” another user explained.

And still, some of those who participated to the talks explained that Windows 8 isn’t such a bad product and, with a few tweaks here and there, you can continue to use it just like Windows XP or Windows 7.

“There is an easy solution, particularly now that 8.1 has been released. Set up the computer to boot to the desktop, then set up your taskbar as you would in 7 or even XP. Install all your programs from the desktop, then set up a desktop toolbar, and you will have a fully functional desktop-based machine.”

If we are to trust third-party market share figures, Windows 8 is yet to gain traction, but both Windows 8.1 and 8.1 Update are supposed to fix this and bring more users to Microsoft’s modern operating systems.