OldSmoke said, "I personally prefer to buy a product and then use it when and where ever I like; after all it is mine isn't it?"

Actually when it comes to Windows the answer is NO!

You are paying for a license to use it on your computer according to Microsoft's terms that you click on the little button to agree to.

You never own it, it never belongs to you.

Same with Vegas and other software's.

"Nobody complains about having to have an Apple account to use iStuff, why complain about MS?"

Many people have never purchased any iStuff and therefore have never needed an Apple account. Many of these same people have used Microsoft products for decades and don't understand why now the rules are changing, and are unhappy about it.

I think Microsoft is too afraid of Apple.

It is like an elephant being afraid of a mouse.

Many of these same people have used Microsoft products for decades and don't understand why now the rules are changing

The simple answer is that majority of people out there don't mind. They don't mind always signing in to use their iStuff. They don't mind to sign in to rent movies. Watch television shows. Type up a document (google doc's).

The difference between MS & everybody else is that they still have options that don't require you to make any accounts with them. Nobody else does any more.

But, after installing Win 8.1 (and updating all the Hardware BIOS), got snappy response. But... Can't install update for Movie Studio Platinum 12.0 to new update 13.0. As if SONY never ever tested this update on Windows.
What is up with SONY?

Rx,
This is not the forum for Movie Studio questions. Issue your post there, thanks.

It seems that many who upgrade to WIN 8, quickly convert the settings so that it acts like WIN 7. If that is the case, what is the purpose to upgrade to WIN 8? Am I missing something?

Seems like Windows has that "every other release is not good" issue..

winXP - great

Vista- (not good)

Win7 - great

win8 - (not good)

so i'll sit out win8 and wait til whatever comes next, using win7pro in the meantime

There is nothing wrong with Windows 8.1, it works fine and has some interesting features, it's my favorite Microsoft OS since Windows 2000. With the possible exception of Vista, every Microsoft OS since Win NT has been very reliable. Vista's problems were mainly driver related as it took third-party hardware manufacturers a while to get the hang of the new Microsoft driver model.

What features do you like? I was put off by the additional Microsoft spying of 8.1 and don't appreciate the constant attempts to force me to run with a Microsoft account with 8. We have at least two unused upgrades from Windows 7. Didn't find any features to be worth the extra hassle.

There is nothing wrong with Windows 8.1, it works fine and has some interesting features, it's my favorite Microsoft OS since Windows 2000.

ditto.

I was put off by the additional Microsoft spying of 8.1 and don't appreciate the constant attempts to force me to run with a Microsoft account with 8

Not sure what you mean by "spying". You don't need an account. It's optional. Just like using an account for an Apple or Android device is optional, except you can still do anything you want with Windows 8, EXCEPT use the app store, with no account. Not having a account for an Apple or Android devices renders them near useless.

What are the features that you prefer over Windows 7? I do run Windows 8 without a Microsoft account but there are regular popups to try and convince me to switch. I can do without all that. Unless you change the settings then 8.1 sends all the results of your searches to Microsoft., even if you are just looking for something on your own machine.

"Many people have never purchased any iStuff and therefore have never needed an Apple account. Many of these same people have used Microsoft products for decades and don't understand why now the rules are changing, and are unhappy about it."

This version of office is a cloud version and is a cheaper version that is non cloud. You can buy the regular version if you choose. No need to log on to anything.

Sometimes it pays to read about what one is buying before you buy it.

When I installed 8.1 (retail) it asked me if I wanted to let it send info to MS. I checked no. No different then Apple or Google.

I haven't used 7 as much as 8.1 so I can't come up with a huge list of reasons I prefer it more, but here's some:
*price (Win 8.1 retail on e-bay is ~$85, Win 7 is ~$110.
*UI is nicer in the "old" start menu (I hate the way it works in 7).
*Tile interface is easier to use then the "old" UI imho.
*Apps can be integrated in to the login screen so you can see update w/o logging in (like calendar updates, RSS updates, etc).
*runs & boots a lot faster (from cold start to in to my account in ~39 seconds).

There are things I don't like about it but there's always stuff I don't like.

You must have a lot of stuff on your system - my Windows 7 will boot in half that time. I haven't found Windows 8 to be faster from cold boot. For my main machine I use keyboard shortcuts. The new UI does nothing for me. So you disconnected Bing from your search options?

Actually, I think I've reached the end of the line with Windows. I can't see myself spending any more money on it. There seems to be less and less choice and more and more hoops.

From the sounds of it I do have more on my system. It's my editing system.

I don't use Bing. I don't use IE. Never bothered disconnecting anything from Bing.

you could always switch to Linux or OSX... which have less choice then windows. :)

Linux, perhaps, apple - never!

bring back the amiga....

bring back the amiga....

Yes please!! My Toaster rig sits on a back room shelf patiently waiting to be resurrected :)

Mike