Windows 7... not feeling it.

[Tenbatsuzen]

So I got a new computer with Windows 7 on it, and I'm not feeling it. I like my old XP interface. I like my icons on a desktop.

So here's my problem - I'm afraid to downgrade my computer because I'm afraid of no XP drivers being available and basically crippling my system.

Any suggestions?

[sailor]

Just get used to it.

[Tenbatsuzen]

Just get used to it.

Like rape?

[Devo37]

So I got a new computer with Windows 7 on it, and I'm not feeling it. I like my old XP interface. I like my icons on a desktop.



why wouldn't your icons be on the desktop anymore?? Window 7 isn't that drastically different.

i'm pretty happy with it so far. definitely nicer for networking devices.

one thing i do miss is the old start menu. the new one is pretty weak.

[Tenbatsuzen]

why wouldn't your icons be on the desktop anymore?? Window 7 isn't that drastically different.

i'm pretty happy with it so far. definitely nicer for networking devices.

one thing i do miss is the old start menu. the new one is pretty weak.



It takes FOREVER to boot up and shut down.

[instrument]

It takes FOREVER to boot up and shut down.

its not 1995, sleep mode is there for a reason...sure windows doesnt do it was well as apple, but there's still little reason to shut your computer down.

[Devo37]

i've got it on my laptop and my netbook and haven't noticed longer startup/shutdown times (and no performance issues on either pc).

did you check msconfig to see what extras are starting up when you start the pc?

[Brad_Rush]

one thing i do miss is the old start menu. the new one is pretty weak.


What about the old start menu do you miss? I think it is pretty similar to the old one personally. You just have to do Start>All Programs to get to the old programs list.

My favorite thing is the dock window tool (where you drag a window to one side of the screen or the other and it automatically sizes it to be half the screen. Seems like it isn't much, but I find myself using it a lot. Also it starts up a lot faster for me than xp did, and I have not once had it blue screen on me in several months. Don't have to reboot nearly as often either.

Overall I am a big fan of 7 over XP or Vista!

[Hottub]

Flush and fuck.

[LordJezo]

Fuck you Windows 7 is the best thing ever.

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[Devo37]

What about the old start menu do you miss? I think it is pretty similar to the old one personally. You just have to do Start>All Programs to get to the old programs list.

My favorite thing is the dock window tool (where you drag a window to one side of the screen or the other and it automatically sizes it to be half the screen. Seems like it isn't much, but I find myself using it a lot. Also it starts up a lot faster for me than xp did, and I have not once had it blue screen on me in several months. Don't have to reboot nearly as often either.

Overall I am a big fan of 7 over XP or Vista!

the dock tool is great. i thought it was just a gimmicky little trick when microsoft was running those commercials, but i use it all the time!!! same with dragging a window to the top of the screen to maximize.

as for the start menu, it doesn't expand to the full size of the items in the folder, and then you have to scroll within the menu. definitely more mouse movement to get to anything in a menu with lots of items, or in deep sub-menus.

for little-used apps, i just use the search in the start menu now, which isn't bad.

[Brad_Rush]

as for the start menu, it doesn't expand to the full size of the items in the folder, and then you have to scroll within the menu. definitely more mouse movement to get to anything in a menu with lots of items, or in deep sub-menus.
[/SIZE]

Fair enough. I forgot it used to do that.

[Devo37]

So I got a new computer with Windows 7 on it, and I'm not feeling it. I like my old XP interface. I like my icons on a desktop.

So here's my problem - I'm afraid to downgrade my computer because I'm afraid of no XP drivers being available and basically crippling my system.

Any suggestions?

as for your original post, which got a bit thread-jacked, if you do decide to go back to XP, i would imagine that even with a new pc, all of the hardware would have XP drivers available. software also should not be an issue. it would be strange to put out a product that's Windows7-only compatible, since it's such a new OS.

if you have an XP disc (and an un-used license), you should be able to downgrade without too much of a problem -- there's no 'downgrade install', so you'd pretty-much lose anything you have installed on the pc. not sure if you would lose all the files on the pc (i wiped my partition and started from scratch), but you should definitely backup anything you have on the pc.

if you bought the pc with Windows 7 pre-installed, you already have a Windows 7 license in case XP gives you any issues. most pc's don't come with an actual Windows 7 disc, so you probably have to call Microsoft to request a copy in case you need it.

[STC-Dub]

Keep in mind that Microsoft will stop supporting XP at some point too. I have Windows 7 and have not had any major issues.

[PapaBear]

My comp boots much faster with 7 than it did with XP. And I've got icons all over the place.

[Death Metal Moe]

Keep in mind that Microsoft will stop supporting XP at some point too. I have Windows 7 and have not had any major issues.

This is the main reason I'd say don't downgrade to XP. We're getting on in years with XP and we're 2 OS generations from it. They will eventually discontinue support. Just a thought to consider.

I got Win7 on my desktop and love it. I went from Vista to it and honestly I didn't hate Vista like most people but Win7 is very nice too. I find it boots and shuts down faster actually, as well as updating faster now.

[KC2OSO]

as for your original post, which got a bit thread-jacked, if you do decide to go back to XP, i would imagine that even with a new pc, all of the hardware would have XP drivers available. software also should not be an issue. it would be strange to put out a product that's Windows7-only compatible, since it's such a new OS.

if you have an XP disc (and an un-used license), you should be able to downgrade without too much of a problem -- there's no 'downgrade install', so you'd pretty-much lose anything you have installed on the pc. not sure if you would lose all the files on the pc (i wiped my partition and started from scratch), but you should definitely backup anything you have on the pc.

if you bought the pc with Windows 7 pre-installed, you already have a Windows 7 license in case XP gives you any issues. most pc's don't come with an actual Windows 7 disc, so you probably have to call Microsoft to request a copy in case you need it.


Why would you go from Win 7 to XP? Makes no sense.:blink:

[Goatweed]

It takes FOREVER to boot up and shut down.then youve got a ton of shit running, Im on my desktop within 15 seconds of hitting the power button on my tower, less to shut down.

I like it, it's stable and Ive had zero compatibility issues with hardware and games.

[Willmore]

Like rape?

No, like married sex.

[Charlie_Don't_Surf]

This is the main reason I'd say don't downgrade to XP. We're getting on in years with XP and we're 2 OS generations from it. They will eventually discontinue support. Just a thought to consider.

I got Win7 on my desktop and love it. I went from Vista to it and honestly I didn't hate Vista like most people but Win7 is very nice too. I find it boots and shuts down faster actually, as well as updating faster now.

I had the RC and it would boot up in 30 seconds consistently.

[Tenbatsuzen]

OK, let me ask this -

Is there a skin or some way I can make Win7 look like XP?

[KC2OSO]

OK, let me ask this -

Is there a skin or some way I can make Win7 look like XP?
Not to be a douche but why would someone want to do that? 7 is pretty slick and easy to figure out.

[Tenbatsuzen]

Not to be a douche but why would someone want to do that? 7 is pretty slick and easy to figure out.

Not being adouche. I'm OCD, Win7 is very different, and I don't like change.

[Fallon]

I have my windows 7 looking like windows 95.

I like the gray taskbar.

[KC2OSO]

Not being adouche. I'm OCD, Win7 is very different, and I don't like change.
Gotcha. I had the same problem with Vista which - to me - sucked.
7, for some reason (maybe because I had spent some time getting frustrated with and used to Vista), has been very easy to adapt to. Not sure why, but I really like it.
Do I miss the File/Edit/Insert/View/Etc. menu at the top of things? Sometimes, but fuck it.
If you hang in for a week or so, I'm pretty sure you might end up liking it.

{VENT} What burns my ass and has been really hard to get used to (for me) at times are the updates to Office.

Excel, Access, Visio, Project, Word, and PPT for example have totally new menus. I've been dealing with this now for a year so I've pretty much figured it out but it seems like they (MSFT) just moved things around to fuck with people trying to get shit done. It's frustrating when you're under a deadline trying to get something done and have to spend 30 minutes in Help. Not sure if you've dealt with this yet but its an eye-opener.{/VENT}

Anyway, good luck with the learning curve. Leave XP and 2000 behind. jmho :happy:

[Tenbatsuzen]

I have my windows 7 looking like windows 95.

I like the gray taskbar.

Explain. Or I'll tell the union on you!

[Fallon]

Explain. Or I'll tell the union on you!

Right click desktop>Personalize>Scroll Down>Basic & High Contrast Themes>Windows Classic

[Tenbatsuzen]

Right click desktop>Personalize>Scroll Down>Basic & High Contrast Themes>Windows Classic

thank you. that makes it a little better

[Tenbatsuzen]

I';m in the process of removing all the pre-loaded crap off this thing... ugh

[Devo37]

i found a nice app that restores the xp-style functionality of the win7 start menu:

Classic Shell (freeware) (http://classicshell.sourceforge.net/)

i'm still messing around with it, but it seems like a better alternative to me. here's a screenshot from the site:

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c395/Devo37/screenshot.png

[LordJezo]

i found a nice app that removes the windows 7 added functionality and productivity of the win7 start menu:

Fixed that for you.

[zentraed]

i found a nice app that restores the xp-style functionality of the win7 start menu:

Classic Shell (freeware) (http://classicshell.sourceforge.net/)

i'm still messing around with it, but it seems like a better alternative to me. here's a screenshot from the site:

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c395/Devo37/screenshot.png



The new Start Menu was designed with searching in mind. And it's not just for applications, it's also for files, and even things buried in Control Panel applets (try typing in DPI for example and see what comes up). They've improved it quite a bit since Vista.

I don't even use my mouse on it. I press the Windows Key on the keyboard, type in three letters and press Enter (the app is usually the first in the list). No clicking needed.

[Devo37]

yeah, after a bit of use, the win7 search on the start menu seems a lot more useful. there's definitely some things that could be improved, but Classic Shell is not the solution i thought it was.

still miss the old xp-style start menu, though....

[Tenbatsuzen]

I like CLassicShell. Thank you, Devo.

[Jayw]

One thing I have found really annoying about windows 7, though I have only used it on campus comps is the quick launch area. I don't think of my self as a computer idiot but the quicklaunch feature on Xp is just to great to get me to upgrade. The quick launch is right next to the start button on XP and it allows you to open multiple web browsers and has that show desktop feature which is the shit and anything else you want to open quick like winamp/word whatever.

When I use the Windows 7 on campus when you click on the quick launch area it wont open a new browser which is extremely annoying, it just goes to the browser you got up already and i have to click on my current open browser and then go to file-open new window. Is that just how it is or am i not giving it a shot.

[StanUpshaw]

One thing I have found really annoying about windows 7, though I have only used it on campus comps is the quick launch area. I don't think of my self as a computer idiot but the quicklaunch feature on Xp is just to great to get me to upgrade. The quick launch is right next to the start button on XP and it allows you to open multiple web browsers and has that show desktop feature which is the shit and anything else you want to open quick like winamp/word whatever.

When I use the Windows 7 on campus when you click on the quick launch area it wont open a new browser which is extremely annoying, it just goes to the browser you got up already and i have to click on my current open browser and then go to file-open new window. Is that just how it is or am i not giving it a shot.

That sounds more like a browser preference than a system one.

[Sofa_King]

what is everybody complaining about? I thought Windows 7 was YOUR idea. Sorry for your troubles though. Looks shitty.

[hurlmon]

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[TjM]

No, like married sex.

:laugh:

[hanso]

I';m in the process of removing all the pre-loaded crap off this thing... ugh

Boot/shut down faster after doing so?

[StanUpshaw]

There are various iterations of stripped down XP systems (called Gamer edition, Performance edition, etc) floating around, and I've been really happy with the one I installed on a backup computer. It would be nice if someone got to work on a Win7 version.

[Tenbatsuzen]

Boot/shut down faster after doing so?

Yeah, I found out the reason why the first couple boots/shuts were so slow is because of all the updates that were being loaded on.

So I'm basically using Win7 skinned like XP and can't complain.

[Tenbatsuzen]

I'd like to thank Win7's UAC feature for not allowing PeerBlock never to load up and me not realize it, so I've been going about a month without any protection. Awesome.

[zentraed]

One thing I have found really annoying about windows 7, though I have only used it on campus comps is the quick launch area. I don't think of my self as a computer idiot but the quicklaunch feature on Xp is just to great to get me to upgrade. The quick launch is right next to the start button on XP and it allows you to open multiple web browsers and has that show desktop feature which is the shit and anything else you want to open quick like winamp/word whatever.

When I use the Windows 7 on campus when you click on the quick launch area it wont open a new browser which is extremely annoying, it just goes to the browser you got up already and i have to click on my current open browser and then go to file-open new window. Is that just how it is or am i not giving it a shot.

A little late on this one, but Win7 has replaced the Quick Launch bar with Pinning. Just right click a program and Pin to Taskbar.

Also, if you wheel-click on a pinned icon, it will launch a new instance of that program (or a new browser window).

[PapaBear]

Also, if you wheel-click on a pinned icon, it will launch a new instance of that program (or a new browser window).
Holy shit... THANKS!!! I had no idea you could do that.

I also just realized that the wheel click opens a new tab within a window. Such as... Click on a thread on the message board, and it opens the thread in a new tab. Good to know.