Windows 8 for gaming

I recently obtained a free Windows 8 license from my company, and I'd like to try it out. I'm currently using Windows 7. I have heard that there are several games which have compatibility issues with Windows 8, and I also know that Steam doesn't even officially support Windows 8. I have a huge library of games on Steam, and I also play very old games, released even as far back as early 90s. So I just wanted to know, will all the games which run well on Windows 7, also work fine on Windows 8? I'm asking this question both with respect to Steam and the other games. If you have played games on Windows 8, please help me out with this. Thank you.

P.S. There is a reason why I need to install Windows 8. Apart from gaming, I also develop apps for Windows Phone 8. This can be done only with Visual Studio 2012 on Windows 8. All these days I used to work only on my office PC which had Windows 8 installed, but now, due to some change in our company policy, I may sometimes be required to work from home on my desktop. This is the reason why all employees of my company who develop apps for Windows Phone 8 were provided with free lincensed copies of Windows 8. I have only used Windows 8 for asp.net and Windows Phone 8 development, but never for games. Right now I dual boot my desktop with Windows XP and Windows 7. I can't let go of XP because some important legacy software work only on it. And I don't think its possible to triple boot 3 Windows OSes (even if its possible, I wouldn't do it). So the only option left for me is to remove Windows 7 and dual boot Windows 8 with Windows XP.

I havent ran into any problems with games specifically being Windows 8. If it works in 7, it should work in Windows 8. There may be a few exceptions here and there, but they are likely pretty rare.

If you're rolling with Windows 7 and everything is fine and the majority of gaming industry doesn't like Windows 8 and therefor is highly unlikely to develop games for that operative system, then just stick with Windows 7.

Only reasons, as far as I'm concerned, to get Windows 8 is if you either just want it cause it's the newest OS or you want your machine to be a large Ipad that's more of a hassle to bring along then an actually Ipad.

There is not a single reason to upgrade to 8 other than its "new". Arthas045

Faster boot times and shut down times. Vastly improved task manager. Battery life savings for laptops. Sleep/hybrid mode so you get the best of both rather than picking between one or the other. Settings can synchronize between multiple computers. File History options to for file backups and file versioning. Much more convenient File Explorer with more features exposed than Win 7. Built in Microsoft Security Essentials at the OS level so it performs better and extends a few IE only features to the entire OS. Storage Spaces feature allows to dynamically resize RAID-like arrays. Reset and Refresh features make it much nicer to reformat (reformating without a disk completely, or reformat and maintain personal settings and files). Better multimonitor support (has lots of features that required stuff like Multimon to take advantage of). Native USB 3.0, printer driver, 2TB+, and sensors support. Copy/pasting dialog is much better, especially for handling overwriting files.

Theres more. But im forgetting. Theres a lot more to Windows 8 than most people realize. Its better than Windows 7 in practically every single way.

If you're rolling with Windows 7 and everything is fine and the majority of gaming industry doesn't like Windows 8 and therefor is highly unlikely to develop games for that operative system, then just stick with Windows 7.

Only reasons, as far as I'm concerned, to get Windows 8 is if you either just want it cause it's the newest OS or you want your machine to be a large Ipad that's more of a hassle to bring along then an actually Ipad.

Treflis

There is a reason why I need to install Windows 8. Apart from gaming, I also develop apps for Windows Phone 8. This can be done only with Visual Studio 2012 on Windows 8. All these days I used to work only on my office PC which had Windows 8 installed, but now, due to some change in our company policy, I may sometimes be required to work from home on my desktop. This is the reason why all employees of my company who develop apps for Windows Phone 8 were provided with free lincensed copies of Windows 8. I have only used Windows 8 for asp.net and Windows Phone 8 development, but never for games. Right now I dual boot my desktop with Windows XP and Windows 7. I can't let go of XP because some important legacy software work only on it. And I don't think its possible to triple boot 3 Windows OSes (even if its possible, I wouldn't do it). So the only option left for me is to remove Windows 7 and dual boot Windows 8 with Windows XP.

[QUOTE="Arthas045"]There is not a single reason to upgrade to 8 other than its "new". XaosII

Faster boot times and shut down times. Vastly improved task manager. Battery life savings for laptops. Sleep/hybrid mode so you get the best of both rather than picking between one or the other. Settings can synchronize between multiple computers. File History options to for file backups and file versioning. Much more convenient File Explorer with more features exposed than Win 7. Built in Microsoft Security Essentials at the OS level so it performs better and extends a few IE only features to the entire OS. Storage Spaces feature allows to dynamically resize RAID-like arrays. Reset and Refresh features make it much nicer to reformat (reformating without a disk completely, or reformat and maintain personal settings and files). Better multimonitor support (has lots of features that required stuff like Multimon to take advantage of). Native USB 3.0, printer driver, 2TB+, and sensors support. Copy/pasting dialog is much better, especially for handling overwriting files.

Theres more. But im forgetting. Theres a lot more to Windows 8 than most people realize. Its better than Windows 7 in practically every single way.

Of course Windows 8 is better than Windows 7 in almost every way, except for that stupid Metro UI which is pretty much a deal breaker for people who use a keyboard and moue rather than a touch screen.

[QUOTE="Treflis"]

If you're rolling with Windows 7 and everything is fine and the majority of gaming industry doesn't like Windows 8 and therefor is highly unlikely to develop games for that operative system, then just stick with Windows 7.

Only reasons, as far as I'm concerned, to get Windows 8 is if you either just want it cause it's the newest OS or you want your machine to be a large Ipad that's more of a hassle to bring along then an actually Ipad.

funkyzoom

There is a reason why I need to install Windows 8. Apart from gaming, I also develop apps for Windows Phone 8. This can be done only with Visual Studio 2012 on Windows 8. All these days I used to work only on my office PC which had Windows 8 installed, but now, due to some change in our company policy, I may sometimes be required to work from home on my desktop. This is the reason why all employees of my company who develop apps for Windows Phone 8 were provided with free lincensed copies of Windows 8. I have only used Windows 8 for asp.net and Windows Phone 8 development, but never for games. Right now I dual boot my desktop with Windows XP and Windows 7. I can't let go of XP because some important legacy software work only on it. And I don't think its possible to triple boot 3 Windows OSes (even if its possible, I wouldn't do it). So the only option left for me is to remove Windows 7 and dual boot Windows 8 with Windows XP.

There is a reason why I need to install Windows 8. Apart from gaming, I also develop apps for Windows Phone 8. This can be done only with Visual Studio 2012 on Windows 8. All these days I used to work only on my office PC which had Windows 8 installed, but now, due to some change in our company policy, I may sometimes be required to work from home on my desktop. This is the reason why all employees of my company who develop apps for Windows Phone 8 were provided with free lincensed copies of Windows 8. I have only used Windows 8 for asp.net and Windows Phone 8 development, but never for games. Right now I dual boot my desktop with Windows XP and Windows 7. I can't let go of XP because some important legacy software work only on it. And I don't think its possible to triple boot 3 Windows OSes (even if its possible, I wouldn't do it). So the only option left for me is to remove Windows 7 and dual boot Windows 8 with Windows XP.funkyzoom

Of course Windows 8 is better than Windows 7 in almost every way, except for that stupid Metro UI which is pretty much a deal breaker for people who use a keyboard and moue rather than a touch screen.

funkyzoom

No, Metro UI is still much better regardless of your input controls.

At its worse, i can guarantee you that it is functionally equivalent to Windows 7 (takes the same number of clicks or steps), or is much faster.

By far, the fastest way is Windows key + the first three or four letters of the application and the enter key. Usually takes less than 2 seconds. And this feature works just as well in Vista or Windows 7.

You can still rearrange programs in metro to be upfront or closer to the left. You can largely avoid it by using the same techniques as before with shortcuts, jump lists, or pinning to the taskbar.

The only thing that is wrong with windows 8 at the moment is its desktop and layout like how to get to windows update and the start menu has gone. Ive just put windows 8 on tonight and not just saying that and just tried FarCry 3 which runs alot smoother imo. The Desk top and internet runs alot faster too. There is an update coming very soon which why i put it on called windows 8.1 or windows blue ive heard which i think is bringing back the start menu and other changes..

[QUOTE="funkyzoom"]

Of course Windows 8 is better than Windows 7 in almost every way, except for that stupid Metro UI which is pretty much a deal breaker for people who use a keyboard and moue rather than a touch screen.

XaosII

No, Metro UI is still much better regardless of your input controls.

At its worse, i can guarantee you that it is functionally equivalent to Windows 7 (takes the same number of clicks or steps), or is much faster.

By far, the fastest way is Windows key + the first three or four letters of the application and the enter key. Usually takes less than 2 seconds. And this feature works just as well in Vista or Windows 7.

You can still rearrange programs in metro to be upfront or closer to the left. You can largely avoid it by using the same techniques as before with shortcuts, jump lists, or pinning to the taskbar.

[QUOTE="funkyzoom"]There is a reason why I need to install Windows 8. Apart from gaming, I also develop apps for Windows Phone 8. This can be done only with Visual Studio 2012 on Windows 8. All these days I used to work only on my office PC which had Windows 8 installed, but now, due to some change in our company policy, I may sometimes be required to work from home on my desktop. This is the reason why all employees of my company who develop apps for Windows Phone 8 were provided with free lincensed copies of Windows 8. I have only used Windows 8 for asp.net and Windows Phone 8 development, but never for games. Right now I dual boot my desktop with Windows XP and Windows 7. I can't let go of XP because some important legacy software work only on it. And I don't think its possible to triple boot 3 Windows OSes (even if its possible, I wouldn't do it). So the only option left for me is to remove Windows 7 and dual boot Windows 8 with Windows XP.madrocketeer

Yeah, I can never let go of XP because there are a couple of software which work only on XP, and refuse to run on Windows 7 or Windows 8 even with compatibility settings applied.

no it's not it's worse maybe if you have terribad mosuing, windows 8 ui is better i'm, on windows 8 atm though works fineJigglyWiggly_

Well, if your spelling is this bad, then yeah, i can see how you'd never be able to search for anything using a keyboard.

But no, everything takes the same, if not less, than the number of clicks it did in Windows 7. Things are arranged differently.

I wonder what people like you do if you ever encounter a different OS. Do you give up in frustration because things arent exactly arranged as you remembered them?

[QUOTE="funkyzoom"]

Of course Windows 8 is better than Windows 7 in almost every way, except for that stupid Metro UI which is pretty much a deal breaker for people who use a keyboard and moue rather than a touch screen.

XaosII

No, Metro UI is still much better regardless of your input controls.

At its worse, i can guarantee you that it is functionally equivalent to Windows 7 (takes the same number of clicks or steps), or is much faster.

By far, the fastest way is Windows key + the first three or four letters of the application and the enter key. Usually takes less than 2 seconds. And this feature works just as well in Vista or Windows 7.

You can still rearrange programs in metro to be upfront or closer to the left. You can largely avoid it by using the same techniques as before with shortcuts, jump lists, or pinning to the taskbar.

Metro UI may be more efficient, but it still has a steep learning curve. This is is the reason why its mandatory to use Start8 in my office, to ensure that the company's productivity doesn't come down. WIth Metro, people actually need to more time figuring out the way of doing some work, than the time required to actually do that work.

Yeah, I can never let go of XP because there are a couple of software which work only on XP, and refuse to run on Windows 7 or Windows 8 even with compatibility settings applied.funkyzoom

Yeah, I can never let go of XP because there are a couple of software which work only on XP, and refuse to run on Windows 7 or Windows 8 even with compatibility settings applied.

funkyzoom

Why not consider virtualizing a Windows XP?

[QUOTE="JigglyWiggly_"]no it's not it's worse maybe if you have terribad mosuing, windows 8 ui is better i'm, on windows 8 atm though works fineXaosII

Well, if your spelling is this bad, then yeah, i can see how you'd never be able to search for anything using a keyboard.

But no, everything takes the same, if not less, than the number of clicks it did in Windows 7. Things are arranged differently.

I wonder what people like you do if you ever encounter a different OS. Do you give up in frustration because things arent exactly arranged as you remembered them?

Why not consider virtualizing a Windows XP?

XaosII

lol no i type 140 wpm on general text and my mousing is a lot better than yours i use type for search for everythingJigglyWiggly_

140 WPM and you can't write an uppercase letter or a punctuation mark? And then brag about better "mousing"?

I thought this website says you have to be over the age of 13 to be a member?

So, do tell, how the same exact functionality between Vista, 7, and 8 happens to be slower than 8 when its the same?

[QUOTE="JigglyWiggly_"]lol no i type 140 wpm on general text and my mousing is a lot better than yours i use type for search for everythingXaosII

140 WPM and you can't write an uppercase letter or a punctuation mark? And then brag about better "mousing"?

I thought this website says you have to be over the age of 13 to be a member?

So, do tell, how the same exact functionality between Vista, 7, and 8 happens to be slower than 8 when its the same?

The only thing that is wrong with windows 8 at the moment is its desktop and layout like how to get to windows update and the start menu has gone. Ive just put windows 8 on tonight and not just saying that and just tried FarCry 3 which runs alot smoother imo. The Desk top and internet runs alot faster too. There is an update coming very soon which why i put it on called windows 8.1 or windows blue ive heard which i think is bringing back the start menu and other changes..

skipper847

I can't believe there are still people trying to defend 8 It's basically an ugly , clunky , inefficient 7. Also . . if 8 is so fantastic, why is it failing to sell, why do almost 80% of those polled not like it, and why is Microsoft planning a MAJOR overhaul for it over the next year? You guys are trying to ride a dead horse - let it go.Born_Lucky

Why is PC gaming not as popular as console games? Why would anyone defend PC gaming, then?

Because many people have the incorrect perception about the platform. Bad perception isn't entirely the platform's fault. Its the same case with Windows 8. Its the same, if not better than Windows 7 in every single way - including its UI.

Windows 8.1 isn't a "major overhaul." To its UI, all its adding is that start button.... that takes you to the Metro UI. That start menu is gone, and good riddance. Theres nothing the start menu does better than metro does.

I can't believe there are still people trying to defend 8

It's basically an ugly , clunky , inefficient 7.

Also . . if 8 is so fantastic, why is it failing to sell, why do almost 80% of those polled not like it, and why is Microsoft planning a MAJOR overhaul for it over the next year?

You guys are trying to ride a dead horse - let it go.Born_Lucky

It's a faster, prettier(subjective), more efficient Windows7

Appeal to popularity.

[QUOTE="Born_Lucky"]I can't believe there are still people trying to defend 8 It's basically an ugly , clunky , inefficient 7. Also . . if 8 is so fantastic, why is it failing to sell, why do almost 80% of those polled not like it, and why is Microsoft planning a MAJOR overhaul for it over the next year? You guys are trying to ride a dead horse - let it go.XaosII

Why is PC gaming not as popular as console games? Why would anyone defend PC gaming, then?

Because many people have the incorrect perception about the platform. Bad perception isn't entirely the platform's fault. Its the same case with Windows 8. Its the same, if not better than Windows 7 in every single way - including its UI.

Windows 8.1 isn't a "major overhaul." To its UI, all its adding is that start button.... that takes you to the Metro UI. That start menu is gone, and good riddance. Theres nothing the start menu does better that metro does.

I've been using Windows 8 for about 6 months now. No problems so far, all the games I used to play on Win 7 work flawlessly on Win 8. It's pretty much the same OS with a few minor tweaks and a new start menu.

You can't overclock your mouse's polling rate in windows 8, that's anoyying.JigglyWiggly_

:roll:

What a dealbreaker.

[QUOTE="XaosII"]

Why not consider virtualizing a Windows XP?

madrocketeer

Virtualization is not an option for me, because Windows XP running on a virtual machine cannot make use of my sound card and video card. Some of the legacy applications which I run are old games, so I really need to utilize my sound and video cards. I agree that GOG.com offers compatible versions of old games at very low prices, but somehow I can't bring myself to pay again for games which I already own.

I can't believe there are still people trying to defend 8 It's basically an ugly , clunky , inefficient 7. Also . . if 8 is so fantastic, why is it failing to sell, why do almost 80% of those polled not like it, and why is Microsoft planning a MAJOR overhaul for it over the next year? You guys are trying to ride a dead horse - let it go.Born_Lucky

I'm not defending Windows 8. If you read my posts in this forum, you'll understand why its absolutely essential for me to use Windows 8. Its actually a necessity for me rather than a preference.

Faster boot times and shut down times. Vastly improved task manager. Battery life savings for laptops. Sleep/hybrid mode so you get the best of both rather than picking between one or the other. Settings can synchronize between multiple computers. File History options to for file backups and file versioning. Much more convenient File Explorer with more features exposed than Win 7. Built in Microsoft Security Essentials at the OS level so it performs better and extends a few IE only features to the entire OS. Storage Spaces feature allows to dynamically resize RAID-like arrays. Reset and Refresh features make it much nicer to reformat (reformating without a disk completely, or reformat and maintain personal settings and files). Better multimonitor support (has lots of features that required stuff like Multimon to take advantage of). Native USB 3.0, printer driver, 2TB+, and sensors support. Copy/pasting dialog is much better, especially for handling overwriting files.

Theres more. But im forgetting. Theres a lot more to Windows 8 than most people realize. Its better than Windows 7 in practically every single way.

XaosII

A lot of that stuff is something that is specific to certain hardware or I'll use maybe once every couple of years. The rest is pretty basic tune ups that aren't worth buying a new OS unless it comes with a new computer.

Plus I get to keep my Start button on 7.

Virtualization is not an option for me, because Windows XP running on a virtual machine cannot make use of my sound card and video card. Some of the legacy applications which I run are old games, so I really need to utilize my sound and video cards. I agree that GOG.com offers compatible versions of old games at very low prices, but somehow I can't bring myself to pay again for games which I already own.funkyzoom

[QUOTE="JigglyWiggly_"] You can't overclock your mouse's polling rate in windows 8, that's anoyying.XaosII

:roll:

What a dealbreaker.

[QUOTE="funkyzoom"]Virtualization is not an option for me, because Windows XP running on a virtual machine cannot make use of my sound card and video card. Some of the legacy applications which I run are old games, so I really need to utilize my sound and video cards. I agree that GOG.com offers compatible versions of old games at very low prices, but somehow I can't bring myself to pay again for games which I already own.madrocketeer

Come on, you don't have to apologize! You were only trying to help! I only use 64 bit versions of Windows 7 or Windows 8 because I have 8 GB of RAM. Although 32 bit applications work on 64 bit OS, 16 bit apps work only in 32 bit OS. The problem is that although most old games and software are 32 bit, their installers are 16 bit. Hence, these applications refuse to install on 64 bit OS. And obviously, its not possible to run any game or application without installing it first. This is the reason why I'm using a 32 bit Windows XP along with a more modern 64 bit OS.

[QUOTE="Arthas045"]There is not a single reason to upgrade to 8 other than its "new". XaosII

Faster boot times and shut down times. Vastly improved task manager. Battery life savings for laptops. Sleep/hybrid mode so you get the best of both rather than picking between one or the other. Settings can synchronize between multiple computers. File History options to for file backups and file versioning. Much more convenient File Explorer with more features exposed than Win 7. Built in Microsoft Security Essentials at the OS level so it performs better and extends a few IE only features to the entire OS. Storage Spaces feature allows to dynamically resize RAID-like arrays. Reset and Refresh features make it much nicer to reformat (reformating without a disk completely, or reformat and maintain personal settings and files). Better multimonitor support (has lots of features that required stuff like Multimon to take advantage of). Native USB 3.0, printer driver, 2TB+, and sensors support. Copy/pasting dialog is much better, especially for handling overwriting files.

Theres more. But im forgetting. Theres a lot more to Windows 8 than most people realize. Its better than Windows 7 in practically every single way.

Every thing in that list even put together is not worth paying the price to upgrade to 8.  Faster boot time of a few seconds is not a big deal.  Battery life is ok if (and that's a big 'if' since you should be using a desktop to game) you have a laptop.  Still not worth upgrading even with a laptop.  Windows backup, software raid and anti-virus are better done by free software or built in hardware.  Win 8 task manager can be installed in windows 7.  Windows 7 does support drives greater than 2 TB, they just can't boot from them.  USB 3.0 can be installed.  Nothing ground breaking enough to push an upgrade.

Windows Metro on the other hand makes it worth it to downgrade.

[QUOTE="JigglyWiggly_"] You can't overclock your mouse's polling rate in windows 8, that's anoyying.XaosII

:roll:

What a dealbreaker.

I can do it on my logitech with the software they provide.

Runs pretty much exactly the same as W7, in regards to gaming.

Edit:

And honestly, I enjoy the new UI....

The start button was never the important one, it was the FOLDER BUTTON; which is still there.

[QUOTE="XaosII"]

[QUOTE="JigglyWiggly_"] You can't overclock your mouse's polling rate in windows 8, that's anoyying.jer_1

:roll:

What a dealbreaker.

I can do it on my logitech with the software they provide.

Windows 7 >> Windows 8 for gaming.

Have windwos 8 on a labtop that is around the house for random stuff, but for my desktop computer for games and audio editing I have windows 7.
Use what ever you MUST use. If you need windows 8 to develop games then use windows 8 or get a cheap labtop and put windwos 8 on it for your development.

[QUOTE="Born_Lucky"]I can't believe there are still people trying to defend 8 It's basically an ugly , clunky , inefficient 7. Also . . if 8 is so fantastic, why is it failing to sell, why do almost 80% of those polled not like it, and why is Microsoft planning a MAJOR overhaul for it over the next year? You guys are trying to ride a dead horse - let it go.XaosII

Why is PC gaming not as popular as console games? Why would anyone defend PC gaming, then?

Because many people have the incorrect perception about the platform. Bad perception isn't entirely the platform's fault. Its the same case with Windows 8. Its the same, if not better than Windows 7 in every single way - including its UI.

Windows 8.1 isn't a "major overhaul." To its UI, all its adding is that start button.... that takes you to the Metro UI. That start menu is gone, and good riddance. Theres nothing the start menu does better than metro does.

Everyone has different opinion, I dont think its better than Windows 7 in every way at all. Have em both on dif systems and I much prefer windows 7 atm. That might change down the road, but as of now prefer W7 by a mile. Don't hate Windows 8, I think its good for things like phones, tablets,etc.. I just don't like it much for my uses.

[QUOTE="XaosII"]

[QUOTE="Born_Lucky"]I can't believe there are still people trying to defend 8 It's basically an ugly , clunky , inefficient 7. Also . . if 8 is so fantastic, why is it failing to sell, why do almost 80% of those polled not like it, and why is Microsoft planning a MAJOR overhaul for it over the next year? You guys are trying to ride a dead horse - let it go.kozzy1234

Why is PC gaming not as popular as console games? Why would anyone defend PC gaming, then?

Because many people have the incorrect perception about the platform. Bad perception isn't entirely the platform's fault. Its the same case with Windows 8. Its the same, if not better than Windows 7 in every single way - including its UI.

Windows 8.1 isn't a "major overhaul." To its UI, all its adding is that start button.... that takes you to the Metro UI. That start menu is gone, and good riddance. Theres nothing the start menu does better than metro does.

Everyone has different opinion, I dont think its better than Windows 7 in every way at all. Have em both on dif systems and I much prefer windows 7 atm. That might change down the road, but as of now prefer W7 by a mile. Don't hate Windows 8, I think its good for things like phones, tablets,etc.. I just don't like it much for my uses.

Windows 7 >> Windows 8 for gaming.

Have windwos 8 on a labtop that is around the house for random stuff, but for my desktop computer for games and audio editing I have windows 7.
Use what ever you MUST use. If you need windows 8 to develop games then use windows 8 or get a cheap labtop and put windwos 8 on it for your development.

kozzy1234

More like Windows 7 = Windows 8 for gaming.

I've been gaming on it for 2 months now and no issues whatsoever. It's Win7 with improvement on the OS side (the games have basically the same performance).

You would be best using Windows 7 for gaming and general use.

Windows 8 is such a torture to use. Very confusing and you get lost easily.

[QUOTE="kozzy1234"]

Windows 7 >> Windows 8 for gaming.

Have windwos 8 on a labtop that is around the house for random stuff, but for my desktop computer for games and audio editing I have windows 7.
Use what ever you MUST use. If you need windows 8 to develop games then use windows 8 or get a cheap labtop and put windwos 8 on it for your development.

FelipeInside

More like Windows 7 = Windows 8 for gaming.

I've been gaming on it for 2 months now and no issues whatsoever. It's Win7 with improvement on the OS side (the games have basically the same performance).

I installed Windows 8, and like you said, its exactly the same as Windows 7 in terms of performance, both for games and other applications. Of course, I'm using Start8 to bypass the horrid Metro UI and restore the start button, hence there are no benefits as well as no drawbacks while using Windows 8. It feels like I'm just using Windows 7. Most people say that boot time of Windows 8 is much lesser than Windows 7, but for me its exactly the same. Only improvement I'm noticing in Windows 8 is faster file transfer between different partitions of my hard disk.

You would be best using Windows 7 for gaming and general use.

Windows 8 is such a torture to use. Very confusing and you get lost easily.

Cyberdot

How could you possibly find Win8 to be confusing?

[QUOTE="XaosII"]

[QUOTE="Born_Lucky"]I can't believe there are still people trying to defend 8 It's basically an ugly , clunky , inefficient 7. Also . . if 8 is so fantastic, why is it failing to sell, why do almost 80% of those polled not like it, and why is Microsoft planning a MAJOR overhaul for it over the next year? You guys are trying to ride a dead horse - let it go.kozzy1234

Why is PC gaming not as popular as console games? Why would anyone defend PC gaming, then?

Because many people have the incorrect perception about the platform. Bad perception isn't entirely the platform's fault. Its the same case with Windows 8. Its the same, if not better than Windows 7 in every single way - including its UI.

Windows 8.1 isn't a "major overhaul." To its UI, all its adding is that start button.... that takes you to the Metro UI. That start menu is gone, and good riddance. Theres nothing the start menu does better than metro does.

Everyone has different opinion, I dont think its better than Windows 7 in every way at all. Have em both on dif systems and I much prefer windows 7 atm. That might change down the road, but as of now prefer W7 by a mile. Don't hate Windows 8, I think its good for things like phones, tablets,etc.. I just don't like it much for my uses.