{"id":43293,"date":"2013-05-07T13:27:10","date_gmt":"2013-05-07T13:27:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pcmatic.com\/blog\/?p=43293"},"modified":"2013-05-07T13:27:10","modified_gmt":"2013-05-07T13:27:10","slug":"so-i-have-windows-8-now-what","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pcmatic.com\/blog\/so-i-have-windows-8-now-what\/","title":{"rendered":"So I Have Windows 8, Now What?"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/br>By Bill Pytlovany<\/p>\n

So I Have Windows 8, Now What?<\/h3>\n

While everyone has been focusing their attention on smart phones and tablets, there are people still buying new computers and in the process getting Windows 8. I have received many questions asking what makes Windows 8 better and some wanting to know if they can go back to Windows 7. <\/p>\n

Let\u2019s first address the question about installing Windows 7.<\/strong> Unless the agreement included in your purchase specifically provided the ability to install Windows 7 you\u2019ll need to purchase a new Windows license. That means you can\u2019t get an upgrade version, you\u2019ll need a complete version of Windows 7. Since you\u2019re doing a full install it\u2019s also reasonable to obtain a less expensive \u201cOEM\u201d or \u201cSystem Builder\u201d version of Windows 7. Unfortunately as noted by award-winning author Ed Bott, there is some debate if this version provides a valid license for an individual.<\/p>\n

You\u2019ll want to check with your computer maker before downgrading to make sure a traditional BIOS is supported. If your new computer is Windows 8 Logo approved hardware it won\u2019t have the familiar BIOS that is accessible before you boot into Windows. New Windows 8 hardware has something called \u201cUnified Extensible Firmware Interface\u201d. UEFI provides enhanced security called \u201cEarly Launch Anti-Malware\u201d preventing malware from taking over your computer immediately as it boots. If you visit some Linux forums you\u2019ll hear many complaints about these changes that prevent the installation of Linux. UEFI has many advantages including fast boot times and remote repairs but since it replaces your BIOS it will need to be disabled.<\/p>\n

My general recommendation is Don\u2019t Panic. The new \u201cmodern\u201d tile interface in Windows 8 isn\u2019t something to fear. While it may not be intuitive and lacks documentation just knowing some basic tricks can help you work around it. If you do downgrade make sure you keep everything you may need to restore Windows 8 including your Microsoft Windows product key. <\/p>\n

Article continued here<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

This post is excerpted with Bill’s permission from his blog<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\"win8hate\"<\/p>\n

I have received many questions asking what makes Windows 8 better and some wanting to know if they can go back to Windows 7. 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