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As a regular user of Microsoft products, I was genuinely excited to try out Windows 8.1, hoping it would fix some of the issues I had experienced with Windows 8.
Unfortunately, I was disappointed to find that many of the updates didn't appeal to me, and some things remained unchanged from the previous version.

This made me quickly consider going back to Windows 8, especially since Windows 8.1 didn't really offer anything new or valuable for me as a user who’s deeply invested in Microsoft’s ecosystem.

If the failure of Windows 8 was mostly due to poor marketing, then Windows 8.1 failed on a technical level, as many of the issues from the previous version were left unresolved.

In this post, I’d like to share some of the points that really disappointed me in Windows 8.1. I’m sure there are other issues I may not have mentioned, so feel free to share your own experience in the comments below.

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1. The Start Menu

The first thing that bothered me was the Start Menu. In Windows 8.1, it looks almost ridiculous — like something straight out of Windows 98! Just take a look at the screenshot, and you’ll see exactly what I mean.

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2. The App Layout

The second issue is the way apps are displayed. One of the major flaws in Windows 8 was the disorganized and cluttered layout of installed apps, and sadly, this wasn’t fixed in Windows 8.1.

When you open the “All Apps” view from the Metro interface, you’re presented with every single app installed, including many files and utilities that you rarely — if ever — use. This makes finding a specific app a frustrating and time-consuming task, especially if you have a large number of programs installed.

Honestly, I found the experience so frustrating that I’d say even Windows 98, Windows 95, or Windows XP did a better job at managing apps than Windows 8.1.

3. Compatibility Issues — The Final Straw

The third issue that ultimately drove me back to Windows 8 was compatibility problems. Right after installing Windows 8.1 and trying to run my security software, I encountered serious issues — system crashes, boot failures, and complete freezes.

And it wasn't just antivirus programs. Even everyday applications that I use regularly didn’t run smoothly. Gamers, in particular, will likely face difficulties with Windows 8.1 due to performance hiccups and poor driver support.

But perhaps the biggest issue was with drivers. Many drivers simply don’t play nice with Windows 8.1, and this led to frequent Blue Screens of Death (BSOD). In my case, it only took a few hours after installation before these problems started appearing. A quick online search revealed that many users were experiencing the same headaches.

This made me wonder:

Why should I leave a stable and functional OS like Windows 8 just to upgrade to a buggy system with no real improvements?

To be honest, I didn’t find any meaningful updates or real fixes — only empty marketing promises from Microsoft. That’s why I truly believe Windows 8.1 failed technically, not just in terms of marketing.

I sincerely hope Microsoft rolls out real updates to address these issues, especially regarding software and driver compatibility.

Until then, Windows 8.1 simply isn’t a viable option for daily use in my opinion.

If you've noticed other flaws or have thoughts about your own experience with Windows 8.1, feel free to share them in the comments — it could help others too.

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