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windows 7 or 8.1

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October 5, 2014 4:11:17 PM

I have all my parts picked out, but the OS. Should i be getting windows 7 or 8.1 for a late 2014 build? Honestly, i hate the windows 8 start menu, i really like 7. But is windows 8.1 a lot faster and stuff than windows 7? Please let me know . thanks.

ARE PC's EASY TO BUILD ?? I'm nervous lol

More about : windows

October 5, 2014 4:17:41 PM

I have both,, and for me .. it comes down to simple..
If you will be using with traditional Key/mouse and non touch screen.. i.e. traditional "desktop" machine.. go Win 7
If you have newer tablet type device.. or touch screen.. consider WIn8

Other opinions available..
HTH
Cheers
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October 5, 2014 4:19:25 PM

Windows 8.1 64-bit OEM:

*You can make it look and feel EXACTLY like Windows 7 by using a $5 program called Start8. I've been using it for almost 2.5 years and have been very happy with Windows 8.
http://www.stardock.com/products/start8/

And yes, Windows 8 has a LOT of advantages.

Other:
Are PC's easy to build?

You'll run into a few problems but that's part of the fun. With luck you'll have very few issues. Ask for more help as you need it.
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October 5, 2014 4:19:56 PM

I'm no fan of Windows 8, but under the hood it's definitely a better OS than Windows 7. I wouldn't recommend going win 7 for a new build now.

There's a few programs you can get which make Windows 8 more 7ish. I've found Start8 to be the best. It does cost a bit of money ($5) I think, but I've built a few computers for a small office with very non-tech staff who would not have coped at all with Windows 8. They've managed it fine with Start8.

You'll have a great time building your PC. Watch some youtube videos, take your time. It's not difficult.
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October 5, 2014 4:21:24 PM

Windows 10 is coming next year, and if you're runnign 8/8.1, it's free, so that's reason enough to get 8.1 for now, since 10 fixes about 95% of the major gripes.
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October 5, 2014 4:22:30 PM

If i plug in wrong power supply cords to wrong things or don't plug in a cord where it should be when i turn it on, will it be very bad, like ruin parts when i try to turn it on??
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October 5, 2014 4:24:43 PM

I ALWAYS recommend 8.1. I run it on all my machines and quite like it.

Also, it is not possible to plug stuff in the wrong place. NOTHING fits in the wrong socket. It is all idiot-proof.
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October 5, 2014 4:25:02 PM

WOW really, if i get Windows 8.1 now i can get 10 for FREE when it comes out? how??

What if i forgot to plug in a cord where it's supposed to go and try to turn the thing on will it ruin parts or no?
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October 5, 2014 4:28:50 PM

No, you won;t forget anything. You don;t sound like a moron. Just take your time and follow a guide like this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_56kyib-Ls

Even if you forgot something, nothing will happen.
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October 5, 2014 4:32:20 PM

Yeah that is perfectly fine.
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October 5, 2014 4:34:54 PM

photonboy said:

*You can make it look and feel EXACTLY like Windows 7 by using a $5 program called Start8..


Call me old fashioned.. but when I buy something.. I expect it to work well with my intended use.
If I buy a car which comes with square wheels.. I don't consider it satisfactory to say "its OK.. you can buy round wheels"
Fortunately, through people like me.. saying Win 8 is not good enough for Desktops.. so not going for it.... you are going to get a decent Win 10.
Be thankful ;) 

Cheers

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October 5, 2014 4:35:19 PM

That's what we are here for :) 

There are plenty of guides here to help you and you can ask questions and post photos as you do your build.

I hadn't built a computer in 20 years. My 12 - 14 year old students are good with it (although they need to read instructions a little better)
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October 5, 2014 4:36:15 PM

Is it true i get a free Windows 10 when it comes out if i buy the 8.1?
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October 5, 2014 4:37:57 PM

Claims have been made, but I await the stone tablets.
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October 5, 2014 4:44:52 PM

I personally prefer 8.1 to 7 for desktop use. it is SO MUCH FASTER its actually noticeable and certainly measurable. Plus you don;t have to use the tile menu. You can tell Windows to boot start to the desktop and make the file explorer an icon on the taskbar. It is actually faster than using the start menu in my experience.
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October 5, 2014 4:47:48 PM

Yeah i undestand it's faster i'm going to get it but do you really get windows 10 for free when it comes, and how? Some guy said you get 10 for free
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October 5, 2014 4:50:38 PM

No one known for sure, but it is a very common rumor and some trusted websites have even jumped on board. But the real 100% truth is that no one knows.
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October 5, 2014 4:50:48 PM

I know what he said, and that has been the rumor, although I've heard the same for Windows 7 as well (free upgrade).

I await a very official announcement from Microsoft.
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Best solution

October 5, 2014 4:54:24 PM

That will be months and months off. Just get 8.1 its better and faster.
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October 5, 2014 4:54:45 PM

I have also "upgraded" my two machines from 7 to 8.1. I'm pretty happy I made the switch. All of my apps/programs work 100% and as tiny stated, it feels faster.
-Bruce
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October 5, 2014 5:08:28 PM

Alright cool guys, THANKS EVERYONE for the help, i'm going to go ahead and get the 8.1, and you're a pretty good mod Tiny, Cheers.
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October 5, 2014 5:09:07 PM

Thanks. Always glad to help!
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October 5, 2014 5:13:10 PM

OH hey wait, i noticed you got the Pro version and it's like 30 bucks more tha original, is it worth it to get the pro version or naa
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October 5, 2014 5:16:58 PM

I only got PRO because it was the same price with my student discount. No there is no reason to get pro at all. get home.
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October 5, 2014 5:36:07 PM

Do they offer student discounts when buying parts? prob not haha
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October 5, 2014 5:40:05 PM

No not on parts. You can get a copy of Windows cheap through most Colleges if you are a student.
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October 5, 2014 5:41:33 PM

Ok cool man thanks
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October 5, 2014 5:44:42 PM

my neighbor said:
WOW really, if i get Windows 8.1 now i can get 10 for FREE when it comes out? how??



Probably. That is not set in stone.
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October 5, 2014 5:56:34 PM

USAFRet said:
my neighbor said:
WOW really, if i get Windows 8.1 now i can get 10 for FREE when it comes out? how??



Probably. That is not set in stone.


I've seen nothing official.

Usually, this is only for a limited time on pre-built's to prevent people waiting.
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October 5, 2014 6:00:53 PM

Well i can get the regular start menu in Windows 8.1 if i wanted to, so there's no reason i guess to get windows 7 (:

Before you know it, it will be outdated (7)
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October 5, 2014 7:32:01 PM

if i buy windows 8.1 or even windows 7 can i install it on another computer too?

If i did buy windows 7 though, when would it be unsupported, will it be support for a long time?
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October 5, 2014 7:34:01 PM

An OEM copy? NO. You can only use it on one computer at a time.

Don't buy win7. Get 8.1 for sure.

with 7 you have to reinstall if you change motherboards, but with 8.1 usually it works without a reinstall. Also when you change boards with 7 you have to call Microsoft and fight for a new CD key, but with 8.1 you can simple call a robot and it will give you a new key.
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October 5, 2014 7:40:29 PM

LOL call a robot. um, so with a OEM (idk what the means) i can like.. put 8.1 on my new pc build, and then put it on my moms all in one pc for example, or only on my computer, and when i update hardware in the future i can use 8.1 again, but with 7 i cannot?
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October 5, 2014 7:43:01 PM

No you cannot install it on 2 computers at the same time. This goes for any version

ONLY when you change motherboard do you need to reactivate windows and 8.1 has the built in too while 7 requires you to call microsoft and often times they will not give you a new key and tell you buy one. 8.1 can be reactivated easily with the built in too and the call to the robot.
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October 5, 2014 7:52:24 PM

Dang you're smart. I just really hate thinking about that start menu in windows 8 though haha. Are you using the start default windows 8 start menu, that comes up on the whole screen with apps and stuff?
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October 5, 2014 7:55:09 PM

I never use that ever. You don't ever have to use that. I have it set to boot Windows to the desktop. I have probably used the 8.1 start page thing like twice in the last month. I NEVER use it.
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October 5, 2014 8:43:26 PM

Then what do you use for a start menu.. i don't get it lol.Does yours look like Windows 7 or what? And i thought when you install a OS it goes to the hard drive not the motherboard. So i could have 2 hard drives, 1 with 7 and 1 with 8.1 is that possible?
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October 5, 2014 9:03:07 PM

You use the little side panel thing on the right for control panel, and everything else is easily found in the explorer.

Yes you can dual boot OS's but to dual boot 2 different versions of Windows is pointless.
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October 5, 2014 9:05:57 PM

ah cool, is there any way to make the 'show desktop' icon bigger like windows 7? you can barely see it in 8
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October 5, 2014 9:23:52 PM

I don't think so. I never use that button. Lol
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October 5, 2014 10:02:42 PM

Windows 10 Technical Preview is another option. And it's free for several more months. No idea of costs but I upgraded my dad's PC to Windows 8 for $40 when it first launched so may be a limited deal.

I'm testing it in a few minutes but it sounds pretty stable. Will have a few program issues such as Avast though they may provide a fix. The K-Lite video codec has a beta version available already.
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October 6, 2014 12:23:31 PM

is 8.1 better on newer hardware or same as 7? does 8.1 use less memory and stuff?
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October 6, 2014 12:46:53 PM

8.1 uses a bit less memory. hardware doesn't have much to do with it.
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October 7, 2014 11:02:40 AM

SUMMARY of my experiences:

Windows 8.1 64-bit:
a) overall BETTER than Windows 7 slightly

b) reliability and security features like Secureboot (prevent boot-time infection which is the worst kind). Automated disc scans, and more.

c) is almost IDENTICAL to most people for look and usage once you add Start8 (my dad didn't even know I'd installed Windows 8 on his new PC. He thought it was Windows 7 like his old one)

d) Windows 7 will also be left behind for compatibility in some areas


2) WINDOWS 10 Technical Preview:

NOT STABLE ENOUGH!!

A few programs didn't work as expected including Avast antivirus, but when I rebooted I lost my NETWORK connection. Much troubleshooting to discover an issue with assigning my computer an IP address despite it having worked initially.

Tried Wi-Fi instead of Ethernet. Same issue. Rebooted MODEM and Router. Reinstalled Windows 10 and again it worked until reboot.

(It's possible a FRESH INSTALL would work much better though so perhaps that's worth trying for some people. I was updating Windows 8.1, however I'm not going to test a fresh install myself.

It's worth noting that an "upgrade" is in many ways a fresh install because the core software should be completely brand new code with only files and compatible programs added. Not sure why anything I had would impact the network connection so I suspect I'd have the same issue on fresh install.)
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October 7, 2014 4:07:04 PM

I'm getting windows 7, windows 8.1 is for tablets and touch screens :p 
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October 7, 2014 4:12:43 PM

No its not. We all have given reasons to get 8.1. Have fin with an outdated OS. There is NO reason to get 7 at all. You also lose support for easily reinstalling on new hardware which we went over. In no way shape or form is it a good idea to buy 7.
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October 7, 2014 4:18:28 PM

my neighbor said:
I'm getting windows 7, windows 8.1 is for tablets and touch screens :p 


Seeing as I've used 8 and 8.1 on various systems in here, and none of them are tablets not touch....you might be wrong.
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