How to Refresh or Reset Your Windows 8 PC

One of the best features of Windows 8 for sure. Pre-ordered my Windows 8 Pro from Newegg with a $10 promo code for $59.99.

I've decided on a better solution - I'm going back to Windows 7

Probably the best way to "reset" Windows 8.

Oh, I'm definitely hanging on to my Windows 7 too!

Yeah, I've given it all I can give for months. First as a VM and then as a real OS. There's just nothing in it for me.

You should peruse the TechNet forums, it's really depressing -

Here's my favorite quote (Pay attention to the last statement, and hang on the those Windows 7 discs).

I know that you are singing this tune for ever, but this is not what Microsoft and Sinofski are preaching. Maybe you should consult with Microsoft. Sinofski clearly states that all development from now on should be in WinRT (because programs written to it would run in all of Microsoft's "modern" platforms - just not all the previous Windows versions). Microsoft has termed the desktop as "legacy" (and we all know what happens to "legacy". You should not attempt to deceive here. You know pretty well that if WindowsRT takes off and Win8 is a success, the desktop mode would be dropped like a dead carcass because Microsoft would like to enhance its income by selling (a) apps through its Windows Marketplace and (b) subscriptions for more demanding computing (see Office 365); Microsoft has a strong bias against the desktop for all the "right" (lots of money) reasons. It may survive with restrictions in Win9 but my guess is that it would be gone for good by Win10 (about 6 years from now).

I've heard all the doom and gloom about the desktop. I do agree that at some point it will no longer be profitable for Microsoft to support us and 6 years doesn't seem too far a stretch for them to totally ditch us. I will go with Windows 8 on a separate disk and embrace it as much as possible. But, something tells me Windows 7 will remain my main "go-to" OS for a very long time. I even picked up a spare Windows 7 at Newegg for $79 some time ago and stashed it away! Heck, I still have 2 legitimate 98SE disks I'm not parting with.

If we're lucky, it could be that win8 will be like Windows Vista.

And why is it that Microsoft has decided to release an operating system every 3 years or so?

I still use WINXP - it still works perfectly fine....

Does anyone know, btw, if one can buy a copy of WIN7 after the release of WIN8? Knowing Microsoft, probably not...

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As for the desktop solution what happens to our games? Most games still uses a mouse for input, do we know have to use a stylus? And if we insist on using a desktop computer with a separate screen do we need to buy a new screen?

Yes, you can, but they may be harder to find. Microsoft will be supporting Windows 7 until 2020. I would grab a copy if you don't already have one. I will be installing Windows 8 on a separate hard drive, but keeping my Windows 7 and even my old XP computer. Remember that your XP will no longer be supported after 2014.

I was reading what someone named "ADRz" wrote ***here on the technet forums***

What he says makes it sound like the WinRT under Win8 is a completely different operating system than previous versions of Windows --> Programs made for Windows 8 won't run on earlier versions of Windows. So does this mean that games made for Windows 7 and earlier are incompatible with Windows 8? Or would Windows 8 use some form of emulation for games and other programs made for older versions of Windows?

From what I understand, Windows RT is a completely different animal from Windows 8. It is not meant for gaming and the things we normally do on a desktop. It will not even run on a desktop - it will strictly run on ARM tablets.

As far as Windows 8 itself, it appears to run games extremely well. I'm installing and playing games from 2002 right now without a hitch on my Windows 8. I've also installed Big Fish games and newer games and all have played flawlessly. I'm anticipating Windows 8 to have the same ability to play games, including older ones, as Windows 7.

They're incompatible with WinRT (which is why the Desktop component of Windows 8 is needed). I haven't seen the API yet, but I imagine it's quite different.

So does that mean Windows 8 would be useless for playing our games? That's what it sounds like.

Once the Desktop component is eliminated, yes - so hang on to those discs.