going back to Windows 7

[sqjaw]

I am told that I must do the following in order to get a windows 7 64 OS on this computer from Dell
it is not possible to downgrade from Windows 8 to Windows 7, you would need to upgrade to Windows 8 pro then you will be able to downgrade to Windows 7 pro.

at present it is a Dell inspiron 660 with 3.0 MHz core 4 processor
running win 8 which drives me crazy .
I have many reason's for no liking win 8,

[camerongray]

What Dell are saying is correct, you only get the "downgrade rights" if you have the professional edition of Windows so you would have to upgrade to Windows 8 Pro then downgrade to Windows 7 Professional.

You may also want to look online as there are several programs designed to make Windows 8 behave a lot more like Windows 7 including start menu replacements.

I also recommend just putting up with Windows 8 for a while, you may get used to it - I hated Windows 8 the first couple of weeks that I use it but I now much prefer it to Windows 7.

[soybean]

running win 8 which drives me crazy

It can do that to new users.  Spending some time watching some tutorials on youtube could be very helpful.  Doing a Google search on windows 8 tutorial will yield many and some are quite good.  Here's one I will recommend: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wAlVz3tJvw

[SuperDave]

I hated Windows 8 when I first looked at it and I didn't have the option of downgrading to Windows 7 at no cost. I did some research and now I have my regular desktop back with the start button and I never go to the app's section. If you want, we can help you configure your computer to look and act like Windows 7. Here's a screenshot of my desktop.

[Roguebantha]

Does this void your warranty? The only way I can imagine being able to screw with the OS like this is through the registry...?

[soybean]

Folks, keep in mind getting to the Desktop is one click from the Windows 8 Start screen.  You click on the Desktop tile on the Start screen and you're at the Desktop. 

I gather the modification SuperDave made to his Windows 8 system puts a Programs menu on the Start button he now has on this Desktop.  But, barring a Programs menu and barring any modification to Windows 8, you can still put shortcuts (to Programs, not apps) on the Desktop and pin icons to the taskbar, same as with Windows 7.

[SuperDave]

The Start button can be obtained free of charge by downloading Classis shell seen here.

[Allan]

Does this void your warranty? The only way I can imagine being able to screw with the OS like this is through the registry...?

no

[Computer_Commando]

The Start button can be obtained free of charge by downloading Classis shell seen here.

I told you it was a good one.
http://www.classicshell.net/

[SuperDave]

I told you it was a good one.
http://www.classicshell.net/

When you're right, you're right!

[Computer_Commando]

Windows 8.1 will bring back the "Start" button (sort of).
The big headline news is that the Start button has returned to Windows 8 with Windows 8.1, although it still goes to the Start screen rather than the Start menu. There is also more integration between the desktop and Start screen to stop the jarring of the two interfaces.

There will also be a boot-to-desktop feature in the final build - news which attracted massive applause from the gathered Microsoft developers and fans when it was announced at the Build conference today.

http://www.techradar.com/us/news/software/operating-systems/windows-blue-update-to-build-on-and-improve-windows-8-1131737

[BC_Programmer]

Off-topic: Earlier, I gave Classic Shell a whirl. In all honestly, I hated it. It had that strong "aftermarket" flavour. Search results, for example, were shown in a drop-down that was 'dropped' instantly. That Search tool didn't appear to use the same Search Service that the Win7/Vista Start->Search did.  It would make a good stopgap if somebody couldn't live without the start menu, though.


As for 8.1, It has a few other features as well, mostly in relation to customizing the start screen.

[SuperDave]

Yes, I had an email from MS today about this. It sort of makes you wonder if they do any beta testing before official release?

[BC_Programmer]

Yes, I had an email from MS today about this. It sort of makes you wonder if they do any beta testing before official release?

What makes you wonder?
First they release a new version of Windows and then they have to make all those changes because not too many people like it the way it is.

[Computer_Commando]

Yes, I had an email from MS today about this. It sort of makes you wonder if they do any beta testing before official release?

If they do, it's obviously a flawed sample.  Unless you have a touchscreen, boot to desktop would seem preferable.  If boot to desktop, Start button would seem to be a good thing to have.  Navigating without it is just more trouble than necessary.