If you could add one more feature to Windows 8, what would it be?

[slugg]

Just as the title states, what single feature would you add to Windows 8 if it were your choice?

 

[Jaskalas]

How do we even begin?

Aside from slamming it based on what Win7 has that Win8 does not have... and we've other topics for that. I'm curious to see if anyone comes up with something, probably taken from Mac or Linux though I sure don't have the experience with them to question Window's features.

:hmm:

Not really a feature, but they could make use of a different pricing scheme, more like modern MMOs be it F2P, B2P, or monthly sub. They don't need an up front $300 buy-in. The OS itself could be free, but we'd authenticate with a login... then we wouldn't have to get screwed over when switching hardware.

 

[hhhd1]

A desktop friendly interface.

 

[lxskllr]

Central package manager.

 

[happysmiles]

auto internet & resource optimizer!

 

[hans007]

A desktop friendly interface.

+1

 

[AnitaPeterson]

+1

Seconded!


A "Start" orb, a proper (and quickly accessible) list of installed programs, and many other stuff mentioned here:

http://xpwasmyidea.blogspot.ca/2011/09/features-removed-in-windows-8.html

 

[dguy6789]

I can't believe there are still people who think you can't use Windows 8 just like you used 7 almost identically out of the box. There's a handful of minor differences that take all of 5 seconds to figure out and then you're in business.

 

[arod]

Port office to metro using that radial menu.... then I could live in metro 99% of the time.

 

[MontyAC]

Give me a regular PC desktop. Make metro an option for desktop users.

 

[Zaap]

Get rid of the childish, poorly designed interface. Implement touch functionality by making clickable objects grow or have overlays when activated by touch (plenty of well executed examples of this exist). Expand the same concept to the ribbon elements that actually do work nicely- it's not impossible contrary to myth to have both mouse-friendly and touch friendly.

It would require developers with a top notch 2012 skill level, not 1998, which would mean bye bye Metro hacks.

 

[lamedude]

ReFS

 

[slugg]

Sheesh. Is Microsoft not listening? It seems like the world agrees that Metro is horrible on the desktop. It's insane to think that if people could pick ANY one feature to add to Windows, most say they want to mitigate the effects Metro has on the desktop users.

Most pick nixing Metro over, say, a true virtual desktop implementation (Spaces from OS X Leopard/Snow Leopard, what Linux has had since the 90's). Or what about better RDP that takes advantage of all available bandwidth? Or what about some kind of guarantee that there won't be any bloatware on the computer? Not even the fact that Windows still continues to have an annoying versioning scheme (Home, Professional, Business, Home Business, Family Business, Enterprise, Starship Enterprise, Federation Edition, Chipotle Edition, John Deere Edition, Millennium Edition, Special Edition.... okay, I'm exaggerating, but how many versions of Mac OS X are there?) is even mentioned by anyone in this thread so far...

All the crap that people tend to complain about is relatively unimportant compared to the "forced" Metro feel of Windows 8. Come on Microsoft, really? I can't help but think that if Bill Gates were still running the show, Windows 8 would have been a lot better. Bill's main goal is to empower people with software, and I believe Ballmer's goal is to yell at the top of his lungs. Obviously, Windows 8's general hindrance to productivity isn't empowering. If I were Bill Gates, I'd be pissed at this perversion of my legacy.

 

[thewhat]

Native low latency audio.

I know low latency audio is very much possible in various ways, but I'd like to see it 'mandatory' on every Windows PC, like CoreAudio in OSX.
Force manufacturers into producing compatible hardware, if necessary.

 

[Dominato3r]

Most pick nixing Metro over, say, a true virtual desktop implementation (Spaces from OS X Leopard/Snow Leopard, what Linux has had since the 90's). Or what about better RDP that takes advantage of all available bandwidth? Or what about some kind of guarantee that there won't be any bloatware on the computer? Not even the fact that Windows still continues to have an annoying versioning scheme (Home, Professional, Business, Home Business, Family Business, Enterprise, Starship Enterprise, Federation Edition, Chipotle Edition, John Deere Edition, Millennium Edition, Special Edition.... okay, I'm exaggerating, but how many versions of Mac OS X are there?) is even mentioned by anyone in this thread so far...

Honestly there are nice UI elements on both sides that are not found in the other. Aero shake, aero peak, aero snap. Even small things like volume control, does OSX allow you to adjust the volume of each application separately yet?

There are only 2 versions of Windows 8.

Bloat is easy to remove now for most users because you don't have to enter any obscure area in the control panel. They also added a reset functionality (like most phones have) into the OS, which should reduce the need to help any technologically challenged people.

All the crap that people tend to complain about is relatively unimportant compared to the "forced" Metro feel of Windows 8. Come on Microsoft, really? I can't help but think that if Bill Gates were still running the show, Windows 8 would have been a lot better. Bill's main goal is to empower people with software, and I believe Ballmer's goal is to yell at the top of his lungs. Obviously, Windows 8's general hindrance to productivity isn't empowering. If I were Bill Gates, I'd be pissed at this perversion of my legacy.

Little do people forget that Bill Gates is the one that started the "great chase of Google" at MS. The investment in Bing is literally his push, including the Aquantive deal that was much talked about. To Ballmers credit, he's increasing revenue, investing in home entertainment and unifying the UI. He's not doing a bad job by any means.

 

[ninaholic37]

support for full screen Dos Games (with music)

 

[corkyg]

An Install checkbox Option - Tablet or Desktop. Tablet would default to the Metro GUI (what it is designed for) and Desktop would defualt to the Win 7 GUI.

Of course, the user could change them either way post install, but this would eliminate a step snd help those of a less geekish bent.

 

[Emulex]

remove the connection limit or raise it greatly. compared to osx/linux it is way too low

 

[jhansman]

A native email app that's not some variant of Outlook or Hotmail. I know MS wants us all on the cloud, but I like my email local on the desktop. Phone/tablet is another story.

 

[Cogman]

Central package manager.

TBH, that is pretty much what microsoft is creating with their metro app store. They can't force everything into it (because windows has WAY to much legacy) but it is at least a start.

 

[postmortemIA]

Downgrade to windows 7 utility.

 

[Zaap]

^ I'd call it Upgrade.

 

[Cerb]

remove the connection limit or raise it greatly. compared to osx/linux it is way too low

No, it is not. It exists to make people buy more expensive versions of Windows.

My want? A relational document organization and search layer, with persistent query folders, drag&drop flow-chart-style query generation (for less techie users), and metadata that can be readily user-defined and extended. We have the RAM, we have the CPUs, and MS offers a "free" SQL Server version. I want to see this really get done.

An Install checkbox Option - Tablet or Desktop. Tablet would default to the Metro GUI (what it is designed for) and Desktop would defualt to the Win 7 GUI.

Of course, the user could change them either way post install, but this would eliminate a step snd help those of a less geekish bent.

Better yet, make it dynamically toggleable. Even better, allow a tablet to have it toggled upon plugging in a mouse or keyboard.

 

[MrColin]

This is kind of like wishing for more wishes but I would add the GPL to windows. In other words, open source it.

 

[Cogman]

This is kind of like wishing for more wishes but I would add the GPL to windows. In other words, open source it.

I would be more happy with a BSD style license. Let people do whatever they want with it.