topic Re: Have Windows 8 and dont want 8.1 Need help! in Electronics

Have Windows 8 and dont want 8.1 Need help!

goldengirl — Fri, 05 Sep 2014 23:13:50 GMT

I have Windows 8. All day long I have gotten a pop up to up grade to 8.1 with the options being : upload in one hour, two hours, four hours or remind me later. Only way to get out of the pop up was to answer remind me later. This happened about every half hour. Finally the pop up said I just had an option of 1, 2, or 4 hours until they change it. There was no way to refuse! I just shut down my computer until I can found out if I have to upgrade. I have all my settings the way I want them and don't want anything different. Can anyone give me some ideas on how to keep what I have?

Re: Have Windows 8 and dont want 8.1 Need help!

minkbunny — Fri, 05 Sep 2014 23:34:25 GMT

Why don't you want to upgrade to 8.1 ?

I can see not wanting to go from 7 to 8 but isn't 8.1 just enhancements of 8?

I have 8.1 and have no problems at all with it.

ETA, It would be annoying to get the pop up if I didn't want to upgrade, and not be able to get out of it. That's for sure.

Re: Have Windows 8 and dont want 8.1 Need help!

glb613 — Fri, 05 Sep 2014 23:36:03 GMT

On 9/5/2014 minkbunny said:
Why don't you want to upgrade to 8.1 ?

I can see not wanting to go from 7 to 8 but isn't 8.1 just enhancements of 8?

I have 8.1 and have no problems at all with it.

Same here. In fact, I like 8.1 better.

Re: Have Windows 8 and dont want 8.1 Need help!

minkbunny — Sat, 06 Sep 2014 00:03:00 GMT

Cleaned up my earlier post as the spacing was way off. (and added that I feel the OP's pain if she is being annoyed by unwanted solicitation).

I was a bit worried when I bought my new computer that had 8.1 but I really like it and found it very easy to set up and navigate.

Re: Have Windows 8 and dont want 8.1 Need help!

Sooner — Sat, 06 Sep 2014 00:03:17 GMT

You really should make upgrades. Sometimes it is security issues or other important bugs and fixes. Bugs can really come back to bite you. . .

Re: Have Windows 8 and dont want 8.1 Need help!

Ann52 — Sat, 06 Sep 2014 00:16:55 GMT

I downloaded 8.1 and had nothing but trouble - slow, freezing, too much to name. Finally, I uninstalled 8.1 and reinstalled 8 and no more problems. I still get the popup and just click "ask me later".

Re: Have Windows 8 and dont want 8.1 Need help!

apple1964 — Sat, 06 Sep 2014 00:22:38 GMT

I read that everyone will have to update to 8.1 after 2015 or will have to download hundreds of updates to catch up. I have 8.1 on my tablet and computer and never had any problems.

Re: Have Windows 8 and dont want 8.1 Need help!

apple1964 — Sat, 06 Sep 2014 00:24:37 GMT

On 9/5/2014 minkbunny said:
Why don't you want to upgrade to 8.1 ?

I can see not wanting to go from 7 to 8 but isn't 8.1 just enhancements of 8?

I have 8.1 and have no problems at all with it.

ETA, It would be annoying to get the pop up if I didn't want to upgrade, and not be able to get out of it. That's for sure.

I see no real difference between 8 and 8.1.

Re: Have Windows 8 and dont want 8.1 Need help!

minkbunny — Sat, 06 Sep 2014 00:27:10 GMT

Thanks, Matty. I didn't have 8 so I have no comparison. We have 7 at work I believe (the laptops have 8.1 but I use a desktop. ) I have a new HP laptop at home which replaced one that was at least 7 years old. I think it had XP or something

Re: Have Windows 8 and dont want 8.1 Need help!

goldengirl — Sat, 06 Sep 2014 00:58:47 GMT

Hi....I am back and want to thank each of you for your input.

Minkbunny, to answer your question as to why I don't want the upgrade is because I have very little understanding of computers. I had XP and never had a problem...with Windows 8 I got the tiles which I hate. Dell helped me set up my start page similar to what XP was. I can handle it the way it is with little frustration and don't want it changed. I just got off the phone with Dell. The tech stopped the update and fixed it so I won't get that pop up again. He assures me I will get my automatic updates so I feel better now. I think all you ladies sound like you have a good handle on this computer workings and I envy you your patience and knowledge. I have often thought of just adopting a tech smart kid to help me

Re: Have Windows 8 and dont want 8.1 Need help!

minkbunny — Sat, 06 Sep 2014 03:06:31 GMT

Glad you got everything fixed to your satisfaction I would not doubt that you know more about computers than I do. I have experts in the family but I am not one of them.

I had XP as well and loved it but had no choice but to upgrade when I needed a new laptop. I got the 8.1 with fear and trepidation but so far so good. I just followed the page by page directions to set everything up. (knock on wood).

Re: Have Windows 8 and dont want 8.1 Need help!

mustbuyless — Sat, 06 Sep 2014 03:27:57 GMT

I realize many people love 8.1 and are perfectly ok with automatic upgrades. I'm not one of them- I too had a bad experience when I was forced to upgrade, and was in similar situation as the OP. I hate the way they upgrade to 8.1. It's so misleading when they tell you (during that upgrade which seemed forced, in that I didn't approve it!) that you can continue working while the stupid upload is taking place. Well, everything I was working on during that time got wiped.

So I stopped the upgrade and then I was in bizarroland. Have no idea what happened afterwards but when I went back to 8 I'd lost my desktop and several files. Took tons of time and effort to restore and some I never got back. I'm sure it was my fault one way or another- probably for aborting the upgrade in a panic- but I really hate it that they have no frigging information out there as to what you can expect while the upgrade is taking place, step by step, if/when you are forced to upgrade.

I was briefly tempted to get 8.1 because it restores the Start button which I really miss in 8 version. But getting 8.1 just for that was not worth it to me.

So even if it's my fault, I know that Microsoft's ways are different from mine and I never want to tackle any of their stuff in future. With computers I know I'm a dope and I want (and thought I was paying for) something goofproof.

I did a lot of googling once I realized what a fix I was in and encountered complaint upon complaint regarding the upgrade to 8.1. Apparently even the way they rolled out 8.1 was incredibly stupid- there were glitches from the get go. They even went back to the drawing board at some point because they got so many user complaints. I know it's worked beautifully for many users so I'm sure if a user researches the process carefully the upgrade will be fabulous- and so I'm not suggesting my experience is universal. But speaking for myself, I am done with Microsoft. My next computer will be a MAC. I've resisted MAC for ever (all my many many tech friends have been unanimous in insisting that PC is the way to go) but after 20 odd years of following their advice I am done.

Re: Have Windows 8 and dont want 8.1 Need help!

Nuttmeg — Sat, 06 Sep 2014 03:54:48 GMT

On 9/5/2014 mustbuyless said:
My next computer will be a MAC. I've resisted MAC for ever (all my many many tech friends have been unanimous in insisting that PC is the way to go) but after 20 odd years of following their advice I am done.

You need Windows 8.1 for security reasons Windows updates.

Re: Have Windows 8 and dont want 8.1 Need help!

LilacTree — Sat, 06 Sep 2014 17:39:17 GMT

Re: Have Windows 8 and dont want 8.1 Need help!

apple1964 — Sun, 07 Sep 2014 13:37:11 GMT

My boss reverted back to windows 7 and he has said he has no problems. I would stay with windows8.1 and get the automatic updates. It is easier with windows 8 and 8.1 you can still get the old desktop, if you do not like working with the tiles. Everyone will have to update next year anyway. So, if anyone is buying a new computer or mini tablet computer they will have to update to 8.1 or download hundreds of updates .

Re: Have Windows 8 and dont want 8.1 Need help!

apple1964 — Sun, 07 Sep 2014 13:38:04 GMT

On 9/5/2014 nutmeg3 said:
On 9/5/2014 mustbuyless said:
My next computer will be a MAC. I've resisted MAC for ever (all my many many tech friends have been unanimous in insisting that PC is the way to go) but after 20 odd years of following their advice I am done.

You need Windows 8.1 for security reasons Windows updates.

Yes, indeed .. I agree with that!

Re: Have Windows 8 and dont want 8.1 Need help!

apple1964 — Sun, 07 Sep 2014 13:42:54 GMT

/5/2014 Ann52 said:
I downloaded 8.1 and had nothing but trouble - slow, freezing, too much to name. Finally, I uninstalled 8.1 and reinstalled 8 and no more problems. I still get the popup and just click "ask me later".

Hello, Ann52 If and when you install 8.1 make sure you clear out all your old history and do a virus scan to make sure there are no virus on your computer. Then reinstall you should not have any problems with freezing or your computer running too slow.

Re: Have Windows 8 and dont want 8.1 Need help!

apple1964 — Sun, 07 Sep 2014 13:47:16 GMT

On 9/5/2014 minkbunny said:
Thanks, Matty. I didn't have 8 so I have no comparison. We have 7 at work I believe (the laptops have 8.1 but I use a desktop. ) I have a new HP laptop at home which replaced one that was at least 7 years old. I think it had XP or something

Your welcome! When I brought my new computer I was wondering what the new 8.1 would be like. I saw nothing different except for the automatic updates. Some I still have to update manually. I like the 8.1 and the 8 better then windows vista which I had before. Have a good day !

Re: Have Windows 8 and dont want 8.1 Need help!

Mindy D — Sat, 13 Sep 2014 02:33:44 GMT

Even though you probably should upgrade, I have my doubts that the pop up is coming from the real Microsoft. I have never seen them have hourly pop ups. Do not click on the pop ups. Run your anti virus on a shirt scan or a full scan if you are a masochist. You are vulnerable to attack with 8, because Microsoft will not be supporting it. Go to their official website and see.

Re: Have Windows 8 and dont want 8.1 Need help!

VolvoGirl — Sat, 13 Sep 2014 02:41:05 GMT

I had Windows XP and knew I would have to upgrade eventually and didn't want the tile screen etc. So I waited and got a computer WITH 8.1. It has the desktop just like before or you can go to the Metro Title start screen. But mine boots right into the normal familiar desktop. 8.1 came out for people to put the traditional desktop back.