Windows 8 still causes controversy ahead of Windows 9 launch

Sep 23, 2014 08:08 GMT  ·  By

Windows Vista and Windows 8 are two of the most controversial products ever released by Microsoft, and some say that the latter is even worse due to the fact that it makes working on a PC almost impossible.

While the changes that Microsoft made to the desktop, including the removal of the Start menu, are indeed causing problems for beginners who miss the familiar design that was available in Windows 7, there are lots of users out there who still can’t adapt and look for options to downgrade.

With Windows 9 beta just around the corner, we wanted to see what people believed about Windows, in general, and Windows 8, in particular, as the software giant is now working to make everything better in a completely new release of its flagship desktop platform.

It turns out that many of those who actually gave Windows 8 a try were very disappointed with the way the new operating system looked and felt, so the criticism continues nearly two years after its official launch.

A bit surprising, some would say, especially because Microsoft tried and even managed to fix many of annoyances in Windows 8 with the release of Windows 8.1 and Windows 8.1 Update.

Windows 8 is like a trip to Guantanamo

It’s not too difficult to find people complaining about Windows 8 on Microsoft’s Community forums. There are lots of threads full of posts submitted by Windows 8 adopters who found the new operating system too difficult to use, confusing, or just an unfamiliar working environment that wouldn’t make sense on a PC with a mouse and keyboard.

One of those who published a comment explained that after trying Windows 8 for six months, he decided to go back to Windows 7 and even Windows XP for an older machine. His words, however, are a bit unexpected:

“After using Windows 8 on my private Acer laptop for six month, I re-installed it with Windows 7 and it was like coming home from a long nightmarish one-colored Guantanamo trip, where Microsoft spills rectangle charmed water over your face every time you don't expect it,” he said.

“I recently installed Windows XP on an older single core Pentium and it's great for this machine. I'd pay bucks for extended XP support, but seems like Microsoft does not want that money. I even installed Vista on one of my laptops because it originally came with Vista and I actually do like Vista now after seeing 8 (Media Player controls in the taskbar are great, why did Microsoft remove them from Win 7?).”

Just an unfortunate mix of features

It’s a well-known fact that Microsoft tried to make Windows 8 an operating system that aims at both desktops and tablets, so it comes with features developed for both types of devices.

But as far as some users are concerned, Microsoft failed in its mission to offer the best of the two worlds, and Windows 8 is actually causing more problems than helping people get their stuff done.

“Every few generations of... well, anything invented, grown or thought, ... a mutation springs up. Ford had the Pinto, for instance. Germany had that silly little house painter/corporal with the moustache. It happens. Sadly, Microsoft has had at least two. First there was Windows ME,” one user pointed out.

“Then they gifted us with Windows 8. A hybrid desktop, laptop, touch program. Just like anything else hybrid, that tries to be all things for everybody, all work somewhat but none work as well as they would if separate.”

Microsoft, just a follower and not a leader

Finally, some people believe that Microsoft is no longer an innovator, and many of the changes that it makes to its products are actually inspired from what other companies do on the market.

Paradoxically, it’s a well-known fact that Windows 8 is one of the first products that brought out the flat look on the software market, and many other devices and applications actually copied its look, starting a completely new trend which can now be seen everywhere you look.

But Microsoft still needs to do more if it wants to remain relevant, some say, and with all updates that the company is implementing in its software, it’s actually dumbing down the world.

“To me, it seems that MS has become a follower instead of a leader. Just compare Google Chrome's appearance features to Windows 8, almost like fraternal twins. Apparently, MS wants to go with glitter instead of functionality. Reminds me of when the U.S. Army went to comic book style instruction manuals to teach recruits how to do things,” one user explained.

“People who don't have a clue how their car works end up spending more in repairs over someone who has even minimal knowledge. Same thing with computers. Talk about dumbing down America, MS is dumbing down the world.”

Windows 9 is obviously supposed to make this whole Windows 8 controversy saga history, but it remains to be seen if users actually agree to give it a chance or not.