I don't want Windows 8 and prefer WIndows 7

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.

wrote on 5/29/2015 6:24 PM:
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.

Now this is coming from a person who is using Win8 for 2+ years. I love it and see very little with it and 7. As a
matter of fact I like it somewhat better..... That given:

There is a program by MS that checks all your software to see if it runs on windows 8 and tells you what may or may not.

And as for some of your other concerns, you can disable those Metro apps that you hear such negative comments about,
install 'classic start menu' and it looks just like 7. Boots to a desktop, you can work in Explorer, create folders
and moving files. Screensavers and wallpaper, and I have no issues running graphics and sounds, like VLC media player
or Audacity sound editor.

Granted out of the box, 8 is a bitch for the first day! But you can easily go to the desktop manually once, launch IE,
download your favorite browser, and download classic start menu and once that is done, you're close to done. But
again, I'd run that upgrade adviser from MS.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/w...oad-online-faq

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

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.

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.

Just install Classic Shell in W8, and set it for the W7 "look." As fas
as your W7 apps, if it runs in W7 (not in XP mode), it should run on 8.
Check Microsoft's Application Compatibility page for W8 to be sure.

Stef

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

To expect to upgrade and NOT have to reinstall at least a few programs
is naive to say the least.


[the very least..why do your replies almost *always* include a shot at
the original poster?? just sayin']

The upgrade to 7 from XP required NO new installations. None. That's for
dozens of apps. I hope I can be so lucky in the future

Jason wrote:
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

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.



--
...winston
msft mvp consumer apps

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.


Not sure what you read.
Windows 7 SP1 will be supported until 2020.
- Support is in the Extended phase (fee based), Mainstream support
(free) ended
- Windows 7 SP1 will continue to receive updates via Windows update
until 2020

Windows 7 retail media availability ceased some time ago (what's left is
inventory for sale by third party providers or replacement media for
qualified OEM System Builder and Windows 7 retail purchasers)

Windows 7 preinstalled on machines by OEM is still available, though it
is expected that once Windows 10 is released, OEM preinstalled Win7 will
cease in October of this year.



--
...winston
msft mvp consumer apps

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

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.

Which is what discourages me, for one, from upgrading, and why I'm
still running XP on my desktop computer.

I'm sure it discourages a lot of other people too.

I'm sure it discourages some other people as well.




--
Steve Hayes from Tshwane, South Africa
Web: http://www.khanya.org.za/stevesig.htm
Blog: http://khanya.wordpress.com
E-mail - see web page, or parse: shayes at dunelm full stop org full stop uk

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

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.

Which is what discourages me, for one, from upgrading, and why I'm
still running XP on my desktop computer.

I'm sure it discourages a lot of other people too.

I'm sure it discourages some other people as well.

I find it hard to identify with that feeling - to me it's a good thing
to clear out all the rubbish and start again from time to time. I fully
accept that things are different for you, but I wonder if you've thought
through what would happen if your hard disk crashed? I ask because
reinstallation from scratch is a whole lot easier if you have a new
machine *and* the old system to refer to.

--
Mike Barnes
Cheshire, England

In message , Mike Barnes
writes:
Steve Hayes wrote:
On Fri, 29 May 2015 22:15:24 -0300, pjp
wrote:

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.

Which is what discourages me, for one, from upgrading, and why I'm
still running XP on my desktop computer.

I'm sure it discourages a lot of other people too.

I'm sure it discourages some other people as well.

I find it hard to identify with that feeling - to me it's a good thing
to clear out all the rubbish and start again from time to time. I fully

Any sort of tidying like that is a good thing - be it your closet,
garage, computer, or (_on_ the computer) emails, file/directory (folder)
structures, or whatever. But few people _like_ doing it, and you
certainly will make few friends saying it (-:!

Changing to a new computer is quite stressful for a lot of people, even
(to some extent especially) to those with long experience. Having to
reinstall (and learn the slight changes in the operation of) lots of
softwares _at the same time_ just increases the stress. (And yes, I
_know_ that having a new computer is in theory one of the best times to
do it.) 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).

accept that things are different for you, but I wonder if you've
thought through what would happen if your hard disk crashed? I ask

I'd buy a(nother) new hard disc and restore from my backup ... (-:

because reinstallation from scratch is a whole lot easier if you have a
new machine *and* the old system to refer to.

Indeed. That's my "new computer gradually" scenario.
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/1985 MB++G()AL-IS-Ch++(p)Ar@T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

Anybody who thinks there can be unlimited growth in a static, limited
environment, is either mad or an economist. - Sir David Attenborough, in
Radio Times 10-16 November 2012

On 30/05/2015 12:25:55, J. P. Gilliver (John) wrote:
In message , Mike Barnes
writes:
Steve Hayes wrote:
On Fri, 29 May 2015 22:15:24 -0300, pjp
wrote:

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.

Which is what discourages me, for one, from upgrading, and why I'm
still running XP on my desktop computer.

I'm sure it discourages a lot of other people too.

I'm sure it discourages some other people as well.

I find it hard to identify with that feeling - to me it's a good thing to
clear out all the rubbish and start again from time to time. I fully

Any sort of tidying like that is a good thing - be it your closet, garage,
computer, or (_on_ the computer) emails, file/directory (folder) structures,
or whatever. But few people _like_ doing it, and you certainly will make few
friends saying it (-:!

Changing to a new computer is quite stressful for a lot of people, even (to
some extent especially) to those with long experience. Having to reinstall
(and learn the slight changes in the operation of) lots of softwares _at the
same time_ just increases the stress. (And yes, I _know_ that having a new
computer is in theory one of the best times to do it.

Been there in the past, but as time moves on you learn the easier
options for yourself. Still hard work and stressful when some friend
or relative turns up and wants their new machine setting up like their
old one but haven't got a backup or worse still haven't got the
original disks and expect you to jump through hoops to solve their
problem.

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

accept that things are different for you, but I wonder if you've thought
through what would happen if your hard disk crashed? I ask

I'd buy a(nother) new hard disc and restore from my backup ... (-:

Yes, same thing I would do.

because reinstallation from scratch is a whole lot easier if you have a new
machine *and* the old system to refer to.

Indeed. That's my "new computer gradually" scenario.

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.
Perhaps it is the time you just tweak it by using a different font or
a different colour here and there to make it look newer.

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

--
mick

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


Microsoft discontinues support for all versions of Windows sooner or
later. The only question is when. Windows 7 support doesn't end soon;
extended support for it doesn't end until January 14, 2010. See
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/lifecycle



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.


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.

That traditional Desktop Interface is almost identical to Windows 7's
interface; the biggest difference is that there is no Start Orb to
click to bring up the Start menu. But note that you can get the Start
Orb back by using one of several third-party programs, either free or
very inexpensive (Classic Shell at
http://classicshell.sourceforge.net/ and Start8 at
http://www.stardock.com/products/start8/; my personal preference is
Start8, but they are both very good). And going from one interface to
the other is very easy; there are several ways, but simply pressing
the Windows key is perhaps the easiest.


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.

mick wrote on 5/30/2015 10:00 AM:
On 30/05/2015 12:25:55, J. P. Gilliver (John) wrote:
In message , Mike Barnes writes:
Steve Hayes wrote:
On Fri, 29 May 2015 22:15:24 -0300, pjp
wrote:

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.

Which is what discourages me, for one, from upgrading, and why I'm
still running XP on my desktop computer.

I'm sure it discourages a lot of other people too.

I'm sure it discourages some other people as well.

I find it hard to identify with that feeling - to me it's a good thing to clear out all the rubbish and start again
from time to time. I fully

Any sort of tidying like that is a good thing - be it your closet, garage, computer, or (_on_ the computer) emails,
file/directory (folder) structures, or whatever. But few people _like_ doing it, and you certainly will make few
friends saying it (-:!

Changing to a new computer is quite stressful for a lot of people, even (to some extent especially) to those with long
experience. Having to reinstall (and learn the slight changes in the operation of) lots of softwares _at the same
time_ just increases the stress. (And yes, I _know_ that having a new computer is in theory one of the best times to
do it.

Been there in the past, but as time moves on you learn the easier options for yourself. Still hard work and stressful
when some friend or relative turns up and wants their new machine setting up like their old one but haven't got a backup
or worse still haven't got the original disks and expect you to jump through hoops to solve their problem.

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

accept that things are different for you, but I wonder if you've thought through what would happen if your hard disk
crashed? I ask

I'd buy a(nother) new hard disc and restore from my backup ... (-:

Yes, same thing I would do.

because reinstallation from scratch is a whole lot easier if you have a new machine *and* the old system to refer to.

Indeed. That's my "new computer gradually" scenario.

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. Perhaps it is the time you just tweak it by using a different font or a different colour here
and there to make it look newer.

Beginning to think I have got too much time on my han

If you have room on the XP machine you could shrink the volume and make a new windows 7/8 partitiion and load it there,
then dual boot and you could slowly make windows 7 look like XP. That's what I did when windows 8 came out and I had
windows 7. I wasn't sure I could make windows 8 do what I wanted so I dual booted. When I finally got it all fixed
and was only using 8, I blew away 7 and expanded 8, dropped the dual boot loader.

You always have that warm fuzzy feeling to go back to the old system when you "need" to.

On Sat, 30 May 2015 07:22:36 -0700, Ken Blake
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


Microsoft discontinues support for all versions of Windows sooner or
later. The only question is when. Windows 7 support doesn't end soon;
extended support for it doesn't end until January 14, 2010.


Sorry, typo. That's 2020, not 2010.