Upgrading to Windows 8 from XP

[MacB]

Has anyone done this and if so how smoothly?

Oh and I don't want to switch to another operating system with a cool name. Windows does what I need and I can generally find my way round it ok.

 

[Matt1705]

There's windows 8 now!?!?

 

[smokeysmoo]

My basic understanding is that unless you have a touchscreen monitor/laptop, leave windows 8 alone as it's been primarily designed for use with touchscreens.

 

[MacB]

My basic understanding is that unless you have a touchscreen monitor/laptop, leave windows 8 alone as it's been primarily designed for use with touchscreens.

Ah, and that I most definitely don't have, is it worth going Windows 7 then? I like XP and all that but some recent purchases have shown drivers are getting scarcer etc.

 

[Norm]

I love 7 and didn't accept a free upgrade to 8 a couple of weeks ago because I have a desktop and two laptops and none of them will show much benefit.

 

[PaulSB]

Ah, and that I most definitely don't have, is it worth going Windows 7 then? I like XP and all that but some recent purchases have shown drivers are getting scarcer etc.

Windows 7 is very good in my opinion. Big improvement on XP

 

[MrJamie]

I think Windows 8 has generally got bad press but is actually okay, you don't need to use the touchscreen metro part at all if you're on a non touchscreen, just use the normal desktop mode.

You can upgrade XP to win8 pro for £25 on digital download, im probably going to do that to my 2nd pc when I can be bothered with the hassle of a reinstall.

 

[smokeysmoo]

I've been on 7 for a long time and have no complaints TBH

 

[sidevalve]

I've heard a few complaints about 8 and a lot of praise for 7, [mostly from my geek friends, I'm happy with xp].
From their reports I'd think long and hard about going to 8 and just upgrade to 7 untill 8 has a better track record.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

I wouldn't call that an upgrade!

FWIW I lament the demise of XP Pro - very stable and did the job for me.

Currently using Windows 7 and I am happy with this.

I am a Microsoft cynic and detest the way they market absolute garbage features to a gullible customer base and every time I see those ridiculous adverts for Windows 8 I am just amazed that anyone can fall hook. line and sinker for their marketing spiel.

However, I am not part of the 24/7 connected generation (thank christ) and all I want is a computer that is bug free, runs the full suite of MS basic programs, stuff like Sage for our business, email and web access. Maybe I am just too old to see the point of Windows 8 with its 'everything at once' features.

 

[ianrauk]

My MIL recently bought a new laptop with Windows 8.
Of course I had to set up her network and printer.

Compared to XP & W7 I found the interface very messy and confusing.
Unless you have a touch screen I really wouldn't bother.

 

[MacB]

ah well, I'm typing this from my new Windows 8 Pro machine

I had a play last night with Windows 7 and Windows 8 and 8 seemed easier to me. I think it's because I recently got a new mobile, my first in nearly 10 years, and that's a Windows phone. I found that quite a learning curve and figured I'd be comfier installing something similar to what I'd just had to work out.

I took the £24.99 offer, downloaded it and then ran the setup this morning, all seemed straight forward and am just gradually reloading my bits and pieces now.

Gosh, I almost feel ahead of, or at least up with, the curve for a change

 

[machew]

Friends don't let friends use window 8. Windows 8 = Windows Vista

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

XP to W8 is not an upgrade. It's a categorical failure of a downgrade.

ps: It works just fine on touchless laptops(sister has one),but I wouldn't have it anywhere near me.

 

[MontyVeda]

i love all this anti MS garbage.... XP got loads of bad press when it came out, but now it's so stable i don't want to upgrade. When i first got XP, the interface wasn't straightforward in the least, but it was a new interface... one has to learn their way around it... of course something new isn't going to be straightforward... it's a new operating system, not a new bike.

I considered the £25 upgrade... but didn't bother in the end. XP works for me, it runs all my software, it's not broke, why fix it? ... it's not the OS, it the software we run on it that matters.

ps... has anybody tried downgrading?