classic shell vs open shell and cortana

[Added: alt.comp.os.windows-8]

freddygolightly wrote:
First big Thanks to all the responders to my previous post.

In considering reinstalling win8.1, I did a search on classic shell and
also on open shell. Apparently open shell is just a new name for classic
shell.

I found a number of complaints about bugs but most seemed more happy
with classic shell. The other problem is how the programs are partially
disabled if you disable Cortana-a major vector for win10 spying (isn't
this the one MS uses for keylogging?)

I don't understand this part. What does Cortana have to do with
Windows 8.1? Cortana is not supplied/supported on Windows 8.1.

I guess I am wondering how close these programs will mimic the windows 7
experience. I want to be able to search from the taskbar for programs on
disk mostly. Also in the brief time I used 8.1 a number of
administrative win program were listed nowhere that I could see. For
example I used to enter add and get the add/remove menu to get rid of
programs I did not want.

With Classic/Open Start Menu, you will have full access to all menus
which you're used to in Windows 7, including Control Panel (which has
'Programs and Features' with the 'Uninstall or change a program' menu
you want (and 'Turn Windows features on or off', if that's what you mean
by 'add'). Classic Start Menu even has a specific 'Windows 7 style' for
the start menu (I assume Open Start Menu ahas that as well).

I really hate the large tiles and will delete most of the crapware that
comes with 8.1. I don't like using MS products. I am forced to use their
OS until I learn linux. I want nothing to do with MS, I consider them an
evil company.

With Classic/Open Start Menu you won't see the 'large tiles', i.e. the
Metro/Modern/UWP/whatever apps, unless you want to.

FWIW, I never see any 'large tiles', except for one exception, which
is the 'Add a Bluetooth Device' and 'Show Bluetooth Devices' choices in
the 'Bluetooth Devices' Taskbar item. For some reason, in 8.1 these two
choices are no longer handled by the normal Control Panel. But even
that, I only see when I want to add/delete a Bluetooth device.

So to me, 8.1 looks the same as (NT, 2000,) XP and Vista and for you
it would look the same as 7.

Thanks for your input.

Frank Slootweg wrote in news:rmcfoo.7qg.1@ID-
201911.user.individual.net:

[Added: alt.comp.os.windows-8]

freddygolightly wrote:
First big Thanks to all the responders to my previous post.

In considering reinstalling win8.1, I did a search on classic shell
and
also on open shell. Apparently open shell is just a new name for
classic
shell.

I found a number of complaints about bugs but most seemed more happy
with classic shell. The other problem is how the programs are
partially
disabled if you disable Cortana-a major vector for win10 spying
(isn't
this the one MS uses for keylogging?)

I don't understand this part. What does Cortana have to do with
Windows 8.1? Cortana is not supplied/supported on Windows 8.1.

Sorry for the confusion. I meant to say I am thinking about installing
win10 ALSO. I may run dual boot 8.1 and win10. For win10 Cortana should
be disabled to reduce MS spying.


I guess I am wondering how close these programs will mimic the
windows 7
experience. I want to be able to search from the taskbar for programs
on
disk mostly. Also in the brief time I used 8.1 a number of
administrative win program were listed nowhere that I could see. For
example I used to enter add and get the add/remove menu to get rid of
programs I did not want.

With Classic/Open Start Menu, you will have full access to all menus
which you're used to in Windows 7, including Control Panel (which has
'Programs and Features' with the 'Uninstall or change a program' menu
you want (and 'Turn Windows features on or off', if that's what you
mean
by 'add'). Classic Start Menu even has a specific 'Windows 7 style'
for
the start menu (I assume Open Start Menu ahas that as well).

I really hate the large tiles and will delete most of the crapware
that
comes with 8.1. I don't like using MS products. I am forced to use
their
OS until I learn linux. I want nothing to do with MS, I consider them
an
evil company.

With Classic/Open Start Menu you won't see the 'large tiles', i.e.
the
Metro/Modern/UWP/whatever apps, unless you want to.

FWIW, I never see any 'large tiles', except for one exception, which
is the 'Add a Bluetooth Device' and 'Show Bluetooth Devices' choices
in
the 'Bluetooth Devices' Taskbar item. For some reason, in 8.1 these
two
choices are no longer handled by the normal Control Panel. But even
that, I only see when I want to add/delete a Bluetooth device.

So to me, 8.1 looks the same as (NT, 2000,) XP and Vista and for you
it would look the same as 7.

Thanks for your input.