Windows 8 downgrade

Simon_B_2

Hi,

My folks have bought a new computer and are struggling with windows 8.

Can anybody recommend the cheapest (legal) way of downgrading to windows 7.

Many Thanks

Simon

abibee

Install ClassicShell, it'll make 8 look like 7 and boot to desktop, restore the Start button and the functionality. And it's free, though if you like it you can leave a small donation as thanks.

http://www.classicshell.net/

Coveredinbees!!!!

Don't bother just install custom shell and get the start button back.

TonyMMM

Another vote for Classic Shell .... once installed you hardly notice you have Windows 8 anymore

RumRat

What are they struggling with?

patman99

The 8.1 upgrade adds these features I believe (well, my son's PC had the 8.1 upgrade and has the classic start button & screen).

abibee

Yes 8.1 restored a Start button, and an option to boot to desktop, but the Start button was limited I believe, not what we're used to in XP or Win 7 ( I don't know about Vista). Don't quote me, I'm not certain or an expert.

All I know for sure is that ClassicShell restores more functionality and a full working Start button. And it changes Windows Explorer to look like in 7 too. This being from what I've see and read-up about it.

The first thing I installed after I installed Windows 8.1 was ClassicShell, from doing my homework before upgrading.

Gloomendoom

Just adding a start menu will help but it certainly won't bring back all the functionality of Win7.

For example, I've been using 8.1 for a couple of days and have just discovered that in order to manage wireless networks, it is no longer a simple right click to open a GUI as in Win7, now I have to open a command prompt and type in a load of DOS commands. !!!!!!?

retiredin2011

I never needed a DOS prompt and I have 2 computers, a Kindle, a printer and my Sky box all connected wirelessly and when my grandkids visits with all their devices they all connect without my doing anything.

And my wife's WII.

I think people just like to moan about it.


And I am a 67 soon to be 68 year old doddering OAP

Gloomendoom

retiredin2011 wrote: »

I never needed a DOS prompt and I have 2 computers, a Kindle, a printer and my Sky box all connected wirelessly and when my grandkids visits with all their devices they all connect without my doing anything.

And my wife's WII.

I think people just like to moan about it.


And I am a 67 soon to be 68 year old doddering OAP

And how many of those devices are running Win 8.1?

Unfortunately, there is more to managing wifi network profiles than just connecting.

This...



Has been replaced by this...

Managing wireless network profiles

Applies to Windows 8.1, Windows RT 8.1
If you need to change a wireless connection profile, you can usually do it by following these steps:

Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, tap Settings, then tap Change PC settings.
(If you're using a mouse, point to the top-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, click Settings, then click Change PC settings.)

Tap or click Network, tap or click Connections, then tap or click the connection you want to change.

On the page that appears, make the changes you want.

Some tasks, such as deleting a profile, must be done at the command prompt. To do these tasks, open Command Prompt, then type the appropriate command from the following table.

Open Command Prompt by swiping in from the right edge of the screen, tapping Search (or if you're using a mouse, pointing to the upper-right corner of the screen, moving the mouse pointer down, and then clicking Search), entering Command Prompt in the search box, and then tapping or clicking Command Prompt.

Task
Instructions
Delete a profile
At the command prompt, type:
netsh wlan delete profile name="ProfileName"
Show all wireless profiles on the PC
At the command prompt, type:
netsh wlan show profiles
Show a security key
At the command prompt, type:
netsh wlan show profile name=“ProfileName” key=clear
Move a network up in the priority list
Connecting to a new network and choosing Connect automatically will place it at the top of the list.
Stop automatically connecting to a network within range
Tap or click the network in the network list, then click Disconnect.
Stop automatically connecting to a network that's out of range
At the command prompt, type:
netsh wlan set profileparameter name=”ProfileName” connectionmode=manual

Source

RumRat

That's not something that the average user would worry about. Agreed, it needs addressing in the upcoming updates, either 8.1.1 or 9(8.1.2?), for those that do, but it's not a deal breaker for most.