New
#41
If you use the built in AeroLite theme you don't have to install anything. I use it as I prefer the look. Enable Hidden Aero Lite Theme In Windows 8 For (Slightly) Improved Performance | Redmond Pie
I have mixed feelings about Win10 TP. One one hand, since I did a test "upgrade" from Win 8.1, I was astounded by how well that went. Nearly everything carried over without problems. There was no learning curve at all, and the experience was so close to Win8.1 that I had to change the Theme in order to know for sure which Windows version I was running.
But, on the other hand, because it was indistinguishable from Win8.1, there was nothing really compelling about it -- that would make me rush out and PURCHASE an upgrade (presuming such a thing was available).
And therein lies the dilemma facing MS -- if they make it too different (as they did forcing the Start Screen on desktop users switching from Win7 to Win8), they face a backlash from lots of their community of Windows users. But on the other hand, if they make it too similar, they get backlash about it not being "compelling" and the result of lower sales (in buying upgrades) than they had expected.
I was already running in Desktop mode all the time (since I can't stand using the Tiles on a non-touch machine), and I was also using Start8 (because I actually LIKE menus), so Win10 TP didn't change the UI experience hardly at all. Perhaps more interesting changes will come later with the Consumer Preview.
I suspect that MS would like W8 series users to upgrade but that isn't the main priority.
The W8 series has a tiny market share compared to W7; even XP has about double the market share (according to NetMarketShare).
If the figures are to be believed, the W8 series actually lost market share last month.
They are trying to make W10 appealing to XP and W7 users, so that they will upgrade.
That said, aren't the touchscreen changes supposed to appear in an upcoming preview?
Finally someone who gets it here! Windows 8 is a huge failure! Why it sucked as far as user experience for a PC, what most of use in at work.
There were a ton of articles saying that by 2015 most laptops would be replaced by Tablets back in 2011 and 2012............ Well its the last quarter of 2014 and I still see people wanting laptops.
MS was thinking "Ahead" in 8 that we would all be using tablets really soon and not PC's. It failed, the people fortune telling the future failed. I will never replace my Laptop with a tablet, I have used android and Apple tablets and typing document is PAINFUL, photo editing limited, and games limited. LOL Try building a web site site with a tablet LOL
Just the way the Tech Preview installs and you are greeted with a Desktop and a start button with menu is the way to go and everyone I have talked to at Scout Base in MS this weekend who has tried the Tech Preview loves it. This is both Win 7 and win 8 users.
Honestly I'm tired of tech writers making excuses for 8 haters as they do not like change, its not the changes its the usability of of the OS, 10 is better than 8 so far
Hi there
Not wishing to decry the previous poster but a whole slew of us said exactly the same thing - W10's primary target are desktop W7 and XP users (or even VISTA if there are any left). It's fairly obvious since as far as Touch is concerned the W10 tech preview still has a lot missing which we know will be completed before final roll out.
W10 quite clearly shows that W7 / XP users can carry on using their computers just like they've always done -- and for businesses this is a 100% requirement. Particularly at the present time businesses don't want to spend a lot of unnecessary time and money training users over again on how to use their machines.
W10 is actually what W8 SHOULD have been - many people have commented on that already.
The most REDICULOUS thing I ever saw on a computer though was W2008 SERVER - with the original W8 tiles - if you enabled desktop effects on it it would look just like a W8 desktop (original W8 not W8.1 where you could boot to desktop).
Now whoever thought that a SERVER would benefit by having a MOBILE PHONE interface - well I'm not going to ask. !!!
Cheers
jimbo
Therein lies the problem Jimbo. If businesses perceive W10 to be really pretty much the same as XP/7 then again, there is no incentive to upgrade. The only way to force their hand is to make sure W7 support doesn't carry on in the way it did for XP.
MS had to extend support for XP, because businesses "spat the dummy" over Vista, and refused to move.
MS couldn't risk provoking a mass defection from Windows.
Currently businesses don't seem to be moving to the W8 series.
MS' mission is to convince businesses that there won't be any shocks if they update to W10.
To help achieve this, MS has to convince IT Administrators that it has listened (and is listening) to their concerns.
If the IT Administrators like it, that is going to go a long way towards generating demand for W10.
The reason for businesses to swap to W10 is as jimbo45 said:
- Minimum expense (minimal retraining, lost productivity, etc.)
- Maximum MS support duration
- Hardware may not need to be upgraded at all (since W10 seems to use fewer resources than W7)
- Includes Security fixes (and design changes) created as a result of W7 & the W8 series
- It probably also has support for new technology standards (wireless, monitors, etc.)
Based on how well this current preview works, IT sections will probably recommend upgrading to W10 (once they have completed their own internal testing).
OTOH, if in-house testing reveals that it will break special business software, MS could be in trouble.