I don't want Windows 8 and prefer WIndows 7

In message ,
Jason writes:
On Sat, 30 May 2015 02:17:02 -0400 ". . .winston"
wrote in article
Jason you should read this article
https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/.../jj203353.aspx

Windows 7 upgrade direct to 8.1 does not support retaining installed
applications.
Windows 7 to 8.0 does. Once done, 8.0 can then be updated to 8.1
retaining applications.


Thanks for that. I will!

Though snap up the 8.0 while you can, if you're determined to go that
route: I gather it's disappearing fast, as Microsoft rapidly withdrew it
when 8.1 came out.
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/1985 MB++G()AL-IS-Ch++(p)Ar@T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

Personally, I don't like the Senate idea, I don't like the idea of having to
elect another bunch of overpaid incompetents. I don't like the idea of having
wholesale appointments by the PM of the day for domination of the second
chamber. I like anachronism. I like the idea of a bunch of unelected congenital
idiots getting in the way of a bunch of conmen. - Charles F. Hankel, 1998-3-19.

In message , Ken Blake
writes:
[]
Let me point out something that you perhaps don't realize: Windows 8
has two interfaces; the Modern/Metro Interface (which may be all
you've looked at) and the traditional Desktop Interface.

Yes, you are right; a lot of people looked at 8 (and I do mean just
looked), said "ooh, nasty" (by which they meant very different), and
never went near it again if they could avoid doing so.

I think Microsoft did themselves a great disservice by making the Metro
interface the default on all machines (especially those without a touch
screen, which were the majority when 8 first came out [are they
still?]). They should, IMO, have released (including inducing
manufacturers to release) about half the machines with the tiles
interface and half with the desktop one.

(And probably made it a LOT easier to switch between them, or at least
to switch to the desktop one from the tile one - and make the "apps"
work in desktop mode if that was what the user selected.)
[]
I use Windows 8, almost exclusively with the traditional desktop
interface, and with Start 8 installed. If you were to look at and use
my computer, you might have a hard time realizing that it's not
Windows 7.

So why did you bother (moving away from 7 I mean): did you have to buy a
new machine (and thus for practical purposes were forced into 8), or did
you perceive some genuine advantage to it? (To 8-with-stardate over 7, I
mean.)



--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/1985 MB++G()AL-IS-Ch++(p)Ar@T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

Personally, I don't like the Senate idea, I don't like the idea of having to
elect another bunch of overpaid incompetents. I don't like the idea of having
wholesale appointments by the PM of the day for domination of the second
chamber. I like anachronism. I like the idea of a bunch of unelected congenital
idiots getting in the way of a bunch of conmen. - Charles F. Hankel, 1998-3-19.

On 31/05/2015 08:44:58, J. P. Gilliver (John) wrote:
In message , mick
writes:
On 30/05/2015 12:25:55, J. P. Gilliver (John) wrote:
[]
It largely depends on _why_ someone is switching to a new computer: if
it's a new one they've had made (or bought) because they like playing
with computers, and they intend (and have time) to transfer everything
gradually, then the stress involved is quite low (though not zero);
however, for many people, a change of computer is forced by either the
old one dying suddenly, or at least having to switch because some new
functionality (such as software) won't run on the old one, or not run
properly (relative moves to Australia and user suddenly needs Skype to
work better than it used to, for example).

Although I take images and do backups regularly one of the best assets is to
have another computer set up with virtually the same software.

That's because you have the time (and money) to do it that way, and you like
playing with computers as an activity for its own sake (which probably
applies to a certain extent to everybody here, and probably most people on
newsnet at all). To some playing with, as opposed to using, computers is a
chore, or even something they just don't have the mindset to do and they pay
someone else (or find someone like one of us) to do it for them.

It is so much easier to then do a fresh install of the software on a new
computer in stages. First thing I like to do on a new computer is get rid
of all the pre-installed rubbish, update the OS then do an

Yes, it's changed over the last decade or two such that prebuilt computers
are so much cheaper, unfortunately, so you do indeed get lots of stuff you
don't need.

image to keep as a clean system. Then I start to install other

Ideally, computer shops/stores ought to be doing that (the updating). But
that's not going to happen, of course.

software in stages, making adjustments to personal and global settings as
compared to the other machine, then take a couple of separate images along
the way. Once it is all done then the regular images start from there.

Indeed. That's how I would do it (other than that I'd not take as many images
as I should; I'm bad at that. Though I'd use ERUNT and its descendants, and
restore points and their descendant. But images are best of course).
[]
There is something I find rather satisfying when gradually loading up a new
computer with my old software rather than restoring an image to it.

Yes, I share your enjoyment - but we enjoy tweaking, in which I am pretty
sure we're in the minority.

I expect we are in the minority but there is some satisfaction in
knowing you may be able to help solve someone else's problem.

Beginning to think I have got too much time on my hands :-)

Are you retired? (Though retired folk usually seem to say they're very busy!)

Yes, but unfortunately time goes quicker for some reason :-)

--
mick

J. P. Gilliver (John) wrote on 5/31/2015 3:57 AM:
In message , Steve Hayes writes:
[]
When my XP laptop was nicked, however, I replaced it with one with Win
7 already installed (which is why I read this ng), and it took me a
week to be able to use it at all for anything except try to fiddle
with it and install software with no documentation to tell me where it
put stuff, and 6 weeks before I spent more time each day working with
it rather than on it, and 6 months before it was more or less up to
speed.

The next time something like that happens, my first call will be he

http://www.zinstall.com/products/zin...o-new-computer
-to-windows-7-with-all-your-programs-and-files-no-reinstalls?rf=twttr


Hmm. Anyone have any experience of this? If I was going to shell out $119 or $159, I'd want a LOT more information than
is on that website; I couldn't even find a FAQ - the most obvious question I wanted to ask was what does it NOT do. And,
I suspect, the answer is, make prog.s that won't work under the new Windows work - either that, or it sets up a VM (or
even several!) on the new one, which I think is not the way to do things really.

I'm afraid my perception is of snake oil - though I'd actually like to be wrong.
A friend of mine tried a migration program. Did a horrible job of moving programs. He wound up doing a full reload.

I'm a real minority I'm afraid, but I have all my ducks in a row. I can reload windows (on a USB stick) and load a lot
of apps via ninite and a huge # of settings I can change via a .reg file or .cfg files/folders I've backed up. And I'm
working in maybe 2-3 hours. Data and all. It's not perfect and I might tweak a few things for the next days, but I
could stop there and be happy.
But like I said, I'm a part of a really small minority. Or suspect I am.

On Fri, 29 May 2015 22:15:24 -0300, pjp
wrote:

In article ,
says...

On Fri, 29 May 2015 19:13:33 -0400 "Big_Al" wrote in
article
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/w...oad-online-faq


For fun, I ran the upgrade advisor and was pleasantly surprised. I have a
very complex xp system with a great many applications for photography,
audio production, design, etc etc. The Advisor found problems with just a
small handful.

That said, an upgrade amounts to clean install, doesn't it? The thought
of re-installing all those applications is daunting.

I read that one can upgrade from 7 to 8.1 without having to reinstall all
the apps: https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...rum/windows_7-
windows_install/can-you-upgrade-from-windows-7-to-windows-8/7ad17060-
3bbe-473c-a795-6f2b13c6d3a9

If this is really true, it's great news. I've migrated to new versions
before using a 3rd party tool. It took hours and hours but it worked.
I've never understood why MS couldn't do the same trick. Maybe now it's
possible.

Jason

To expect to upgrade and NOT have to reinstall at least a few programs
is naive to say the least. Have to be a very basic system (e.g. new
install) to hope for that.

Trying to "downgrade" to an earlier version of Windows can be a proboem
with new hardware. Possibility exists there might not be a suitable
driver given why should hardware manufacturer spend resources for
something out of date before even being for sale, e.g. maybe no network
driver exists for XP when machine was made and sold mid Vista era.

Uh, I'm not looking to upgrade but to build a whole new machine from scratch. So
yeah, I guess I WOULD have to install programs. Guess I'm not that naive.

J. P. Gilliver (John) wrote:
In message ,
Jason writes:
On Sat, 30 May 2015 02:17:02 -0400 ". . .winston"
wrote in article
Jason you should read this article
https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/.../jj203353.aspx

Windows 7 upgrade direct to 8.1 does not support retaining installed
applications.
Windows 7 to 8.0 does. Once done, 8.0 can then be updated to 8.1
retaining applications.


Thanks for that. I will!

Though snap up the 8.0 while you can, if you're determined to go that
route: I gather it's disappearing fast, as Microsoft rapidly withdrew it
when 8.1 came out.

Microsoft, once 8.1 came out 8.0 was then termed end-of-life:
qp
customers on Windows 8 have 2 years, until January 12, 2016, to move to
Windows 8.1 in order to remain supported.
/qp

Windows 8.1 now also requires 8.1 Update.

Thus to 'snap up' 8.0 seems a very short term solution since updates for
8.0 will cease in about 7 month. Updates for 8.1 RTM have already
ceased, thus it would be wise to move to 8.1. It's also wise to move to
8.1 when considering the free Win10 upgrade since 8.0 does not qualify
for the Win10 free upgrade.

For those with 8.0 or 8.1 and desiring to reinstall clean the option
download the free 8.1 Media Creation Tool (MCT) to create a dvd or usb
stick for installing Windows. The MCT supports both retail and OEM
Windows 8 or 8.0 systems. The tool can be used in at at least two ways
for clean reinstalls.
1. Install by running setup.exe from within Windows 8/8.1, wipe existing
and clean install without the need to enter a product key.
2. Install by booting media and install clean with 8.0 or 8.1 Product key

The tool can also be used to refresh or reset Windows 8.1.

Imo, at this stage any efforts to obtain (or retain) 8.0 is bad decision
and should be dismissed in favor of moving to 8.1 and obtaining the free
8.1 Media creation tool.

--
...winston
msft mvp consumer apps

J. P. Gilliver (John) wrote:
In message , mick
d.

image to keep as a clean system. Then I start to install other

Ideally, computer shops/stores ought to be doing that (the updating).
But that's not going to happen, of course.

Afiacs, updating isn't the same as mick's quoted content about image.
I suspect your comment was more about as-built units being cleaned, but
ideally not all shops/stores should be doing any cleaning (or updating)
on i on a new inbox machine and most likely their contract with the
provider of the OEM hardware prevents them from doing so. If the
shop/store is installing OEM System Builder then it's usually already
clean and updated.


--
...winston
msft mvp consumer apps

On Sun, 31 May 2015 09:12:05 -0400 "Big_Al" wrote in
article
A friend of mine tried a migration program. Did a horrible job of moving programs. He wound up doing a full reload.


I used Laplink to migrate from XP to 7. It took hours and hours but
eventually finished and nearly everything was fine. It creates "items"
for migration and then applies them. In my case, it created 700,000
"items". It took about six hours to apply all the changes. I had to tweak
a handful of settings.

Jason

On 5/29/2015 9:40 PM, Ken1943 wrote:
On Fri, 29 May 2015 18:24:23 -0400, wrote:

That being said, I'm looking to get a new system built and seeing as how
Microsoft is discontinuing support of Windows 7 (or so I've heard) can I really
get Windows 8 then use it in a Windows 7 mode of some kind? I just don't want to
get rid of all those apps, I want to be able to work within Windows Explorer the
way I'm used to, creating new folders and moving files around etc. Also I want
to be able to change my screensavers and wallpaper, and use graphics and sounds
and all my Windows 7 programs and software without any headaches. Can I do this?
I want to boot up and see what looks to me just like Windows 7. Like I said, I'm
not at all interested in Windows 8 but at least I'll hopefully be able to have
tech support from MS if I get it on the new machine. Thanks.

I have two desktops built that I had 7 installed and I installed all my
programs with no problems. The upgrade to 8 went without any problems
except Paint Shop Pro 9 will not work. I didn't pay for it soooo.
Win 8 was easy to "fix" Start8 made it look like 7. Many complained about
7 after XP, but was easy to adjust to.

You have some people that will bitch about anything new and post those
objections. Many, like me. will just adjust to changes. Every new Windows
versions was bitched about.


KenW

PSP 9 can be made to run on win 7. It's been years, but I faintly
remember that the install process was the problem, not the program itself.

En el artículo ,
Jason escribió:

The upgrade to 7 from XP required NO new installations. None.

You could not (officially at least) upgrade direct from XP to 7. A
clean install was required.

I achieved it by upgrading XP to Vista, then to 7, but here be dragons.
Not for the unwary or inexperienced.

--
(\_/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")

Why do people who want to say travel from NY to Washington travel via
Okinawa?

Why not copy all your perwonal files to an external HD using something
like xxcopy and then do a clean install before putting all your user
files back onto the drive with the new OS?

Or is that too simple for simpletons?

PS. They do sometimes say that I am rude at times! :-(
--
choro
*****
Politics is the art of dealing with the repercussions
of yesteryear's policies.-- Quoted from choro's sayings.

On 02/06/2015 12:59, Mike Tomlinson wrote:
En el artículo ,
Jason escribió:

The upgrade to 7 from XP required NO new installations. None.

You could not (officially at least) upgrade direct from XP to 7. A
clean install was required.

I achieved it by upgrading XP to Vista, then to 7, but here be dragons.
Not for the unwary or inexperienced.

En el artículo , choro
escribió:

Or is that too simple for simpletons?

Because, simpleton, doing it that way preserved all the applications I
had installed without having to reinstall them*, plus the huge multitude
of little tweaks and customisations I'd made over the years.

I also didn't like being told by M$ that there was no way to upgrade
direct from XP to 7, when it is in fact perfectly possible.

* even assuming I could find the install media and licence keys, which
is doubtful.

ps. I can be rude too :-)

--
(\_/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")

On Tue, 2 Jun 2015 12:59:24 +0100, Mike Tomlinson
wrote:

En el artículo ,
Jason escribió:

The upgrade to 7 from XP required NO new installations. None.

You could not (officially at least) upgrade direct from XP to 7. A
clean install was required.

I achieved it by upgrading XP to Vista, then to 7, but here be dragons.
Not for the unwary or inexperienced.


Even for the experienced, it's not a great choice. There's no
guarantee it will work.

However I did the same thing on my laptop. But I was well aware of the
risk of failure, and was prepared to do a clean installation if it
failed.

On Tue, 02 Jun 2015 14:13:21 +0100, choro wrote:

Why do people who want to say travel from NY to Washington travel via
Okinawa?

Why not copy all your perwonal files to an external HD using something
like xxcopy and then do a clean install before putting all your user
files back onto the drive with the new OS?



Because, although that takes care of personal files, it does nothing
for installed program and configuration settings. Putting all of
those back can be a lot of work,

En el artículo , Ken Blake
escribió:

Even for the experienced, it's not a great choice. There's no
guarantee it will work.

Agreed. I've done it on about a dozen XP installs. Most of them worked
ok. The secret is in the preparation. Clear out all the cruft,
uninstall programs you no longer use, run a cleaner that clears out
temporary files etc (CCleaner from Piriform is good), defrag the hard
diac, run the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor to find out which programs and
hardware are incompatible and uninstall them or find compatible
replacements.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/down...ils.aspx?id=20

However I did the same thing on my laptop. But I was well aware of the
risk of failure, and was prepared to do a clean installation if it
failed

Same here. I was most concerned about my main home PC, which after many
years I'd tweaked just the way I liked and really didn't want to have to
do a fresh install. Fortunately, with the prep above it all went well,
just took quite a long time.

Once bit of advice I would add is to take a disk image of the XP system
before starting, then you can go back and start again if something goes
wrong (and it did, though can't remember what.)

Also, you need 'upgrade compatible' versions of the OSes. In my case, I
upgraded XP Pro to Vista Business to W7 Pro. Vista Ultimate would not
work as the intermediate stage. You then have to run Windows Update to
bring everything up to date.

You also need to preserve the 'bitness' - you can only upgrade 32-bit XP
to 32-bit W7 via 32-bit Vista.

You don't need a licence to use the intermediate Vista as it is
immediately replaced by the licensed W7. W7 Pro cost me £12/$20
supplied on DVD with a licence key. Both 32 and 64 bit versions were
provided, though as I was coming from a 32-bit XP I used the 32-bit W7.

Although time consuming, it was satisfying seeing my machine come up in
7 with all my installed apps, data and tweaks preserved. Even things
like my printer, webcam and scanner, which I'd expected to have problems
with, worked straight off.

I accept, though, that this route is not for everybody. But it worked
for me.

--
(\_/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")