Windows 8 System Builder OEM DVD 64-Bit [Old Packaging]

3.8 | 747 ratings

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Last update: 08-10-2024

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Top reviews from the United States

Joe

Finally upgraded

Reviewed in the United States on July 25, 2013

First, I was "that one guy" that still had Windows XP installed until yesterday (July 24, 2013). I'm of the "if it isn't broke, don't fix it" mindset and XP worked fine for me. Unfortunately, I'm a gamer and a couple of games that I bought wont work on XP, which really was just laziness/cheapness by the developers because these are not "top of the line" games.

Anyway, I did have experience with Windows 7 on my laptop and work computers and thought it worked fine. I was deciding which to upgrade to (Windows 7 or 8) for my main machine and was hesitant to upgrade to 8 as I hadn't used it and I heard a lot of negative things about it. Well, coming from a guy that just upgraded from XP all I have to say is, stop whining! I had no problems adapting to Windows 8. Even on XP, I stopped using the START menu long ago. When I install programs I create a shortcut on my desktop and then sort those into folders. Windows 8 just puts them on an "active desktop" screen which is just fine to use, even on a PC with a mouse and keyboard. I've heard there are third-party programs out there that bring back the START menu. I have no desire to install any of them even though I was researching them because I was prepared to be frustrated with the new START screen.

This version of Windows loaded drviers for all my peripherals. I still had to install video drivers from my video card manufacturer, only due to an overscan problem. If I didn't have the overscan problem, I would not have had to find any drivers at all. That is a huge boon for casual users. Of course, Windows 8 has a built-in firewall, which elimantes yet another third-party application.

So far, Windows 8 is fast and stable. I can't comment too much on the speed as part of my upgrade was a solid state drive (SSD) for the windows installation. Obviously on the SSD it boots up and runs fast, but I can't make a real comparison as I was using a regular hard drive before.

I did have a problem with XP where it would "stutter" periodically. I'm not sure what was causing this, but its gone with the Windows 8 install.

I've heard there are third-party programs out there that bring back the START menu. I have no desire to install any of them even though I was researching them because I was prepared to be frustrated with the new START screen.

Overall, I'm very satisfied. I was preparing to hate the new interface, but I found it to be unobtrusive. I think all of the hate is just from people that hate any kind of change. While I'm sympathetic, computers aren't really the place where one should be resistant to change, and this is coming from a guy that had XP for over 10 years.

The one problem I have is that I can't access my old hard drive due to some kind of security issue. So I'm going to have to spend some time figuring that out. But, that is only because I did a fresh install onto a new harddrive. If you upgrade your old Windows install, you should be fine.

Harper Rue Tivoli

Learn to do it, because it's not going away

Reviewed in the United States on April 5, 2013

I bought a new computer with Windows 8 installed, and installed this on an older system at the same time. I also bought a Windows 8 how-to manual, which is extremely important if you intend on getting the most from your computer.

Also, it's a marketing opportunity for Microsoft, and if you have that mindset, it helps. They're going to push their products (like, I dunno, tablets), so they make more money from people who are now familiarized with the idea, and all of their other products. Everyone wants to make money. If you think they're doing upgrades for the good of mankind...well, they're not. However, buying older software packages because they're cheaper, and then being mad because they're not supported on newer computers is unrealistic. Get used to Windows 8.

To those who say the older way was better- it was different. Learn how to do it a new way, because some things are actually better if you get beyond the mindset that it's too different to learn. Just as a smartphone is different than an older one, this is different than older Windows. Learn it... unless you want to be the only one who doesn't know what they're doing when your job starts upgrading systems to 8, or your computer bombs it and you have to buy a new PC with 8 installed. There are ways to view the old format on many screens; it's not that different. Some things LOOK different, and some things may not be where you used to find them, but this is not THAT different, if you are using it for normal consumer tasks especially (BUY A BOOK, FOR GOODNESS' SAKE!).
Nobody is going back to the 'old' Windows on new systems; you should probably learn how to do it. Once you're high on the learning curve, it's fine. I haven't found any problems with it, other than the usual complaint that it's hard to figure out at first if you don't have help. Stick with it; it's fine.

My biggest complaint was that I expected a shiny package, and instead got a cardboard envelope with a CD inside. I was expecting more. The CD, however, did its job, so my complaint was unfounded.

If your computer is too old, check it online first. If you're too old, do some tutorials online first. If you're stuck in a rut and don't want to change, you might want to check Craigslist for someone's cast-off computer so you never have to upgrade. That is always an option, too. If that's what you decide to go with, don't post your complaint-review here just because you don't want to change. Life is change. Get over it.

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