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Windows 9 is not expected until some time in 2015.
So the latest version of Windows (Windows 8.1) will be around for some time. I'm not sure if you would call that "on the way out", since there is currently nothing to replace Windows 8.1 with.
It's a difficult job to unify a desktop OS with a tablet OS and the general consensus is that Microsoft have much to learn. Hopefully Windows 9 will be a better attempt at it - or Microsoft may abandon the unifying concept altogether. Few outside of Microsoft know much about the direction Windows 9 will take.
Touch screen
I use Windows 8 on all devices now and don't mind it, in fact on a touchscreen laptop it is pretty good. I particularly like being able to type on the home screen and it bringing up all relevant apps and settings.
Has Windows 8 ever come in?
Not one of the organisations that I have visited since Windows 8 was launched have even bothered to look at it and they have no plans to do so.
These are also organisations that never implemented Vista.
It appears that many think that MS manage to get every other operating system usable (I won't say right) and so are going to skip 8 completely.
Cheers
Windows 8.1
If you are using Windows 8.1 on a desktop, you can boot directly to the desktop and bypass the modern interface. This makes it similar to Windows 7 which is very good. I would rate Windows 8.1 as a faster, more stable version of Windows 7 as long as you bypass the modern interface which is only good for touch interfaces and is still underdeveloped.
if not Windows 8?
If a buyer of a new PC today wants to avoid using Windows 8, what do people normally do? Is there another Windows OS that is usually preferred?
I remember buying a pc that ran on Windows 95.
I couldn't believe they'd had 94 goes at gettng it right.
Window 8 experience
For the past year I've used Windows 8 and very recently changed to Windows 8.1, here's my comments on this OS:
Windows Explorer interface is betterTouch screen is NOT a NEW feature unique to Win8 - I had it on my previous Windows 7 computerTouch screen is handy if the wireless keyboard or mouse fail, but not seen any other practical benefitExcessive use of touch screen using finger tips will result in an annoyingly dirty screen, so either use finger nails rather than finger tips or a purpose made touch screen accessory (? "stylus" ?) (as used on my wife's Hudl) - this is rather like a pen with a rubber tipThe start screen after logging in is the Apps screen (yes, MS think that a desktop computer should be used as if it is a mobile phone or Android tablet, perhaps some merit on an 8 inch Hudl screen but "why" with a desktop computer with proper sized screen?)To access "apps" (programmes) from the Apps screen is exceedingly slow and best avoidedThe apps icons can be resized and re-organised (moved around): so make nearly all the icons smaller, never-use items like Sports News and Games get onto the right hand side of the screen; Ensure that the "desktop" icon is large on lower left corner on the Apps screen for quick and easy accessImmediately after logging on click on the Desktop icon and you return to the long established familiarity and useability - a desktop like Windows 7 and beforeThere have been considerable difficulties with scanning and printing with a modern Canon printer - I don't know if this is a Win8 defect or a Canon compatability issue. Latest news from Canon support is no news after several days so they haven't got a clueSystem restore has not been functioning correctly, ie. despite giving instructions to create store points Win8 has disobeyed these instructions and NOT created restore points - therefore it is necessary to draw up a schedule / diary note to manually create restore pointsLogging off / closing down starts out being a challenge at first use - no instructions how to do this, so trial and error find out how to do this, but the long drawn out proceedure becomes familiar quite quickly. Some computer magazines did last year suggest how to create a desktop icon for closedown, but the instructions didn't work on my machineWindows 8.1 appears to have little difference to Windows 8 - most obvious change is an icon on the desktop tool to access the next-useless Apps screen; It would have been most useful to have an instant access one-click shutdown /log off icon added, but this is not what MS want us to haveHave external hard drive and / or cloud back up facilities for when a Win8 machine refuses to boot up - after 6 months mine did fail to boot up and I had to restore Win8 with all docs and installed programmes on the computer lost - however as I have a thorough backing up proceedure it was possible to restore everything but a time time-consuming task. This tip actually applies to all computer OS's (operating systems)
Many of your points are easy to change by using the entirely free Classic Shell http://www.classicshell.net/. Instaling it is almost the first thing I do on any Windows 8 computer.
Spare computer
after 6 months mine did fail to boot up and I had to restore Win8 with all docs and installed programmes on the computer lost - however as I have a thorough backing up proceedure it was possible to restore everything but a time time-consuming task. This tip actually applies to all computer OS's (operating systems)
I had this happen to me and I lost a day re-installing everything. So I now have a spare computer with all my programs installed and set up ready to use so that all I need to do is restore a back up of my documents and accounting data should it happen again. I just boot the spare up every couple of weeks to get the latest updates of windows etc.
I have used Windows 8.1 for a few months now and like it (I am well over 25). The only thing I don't like is how it goes to the metro (?) screen if you open something like a jpg file.
I have not really taken to it.
I must say I don't like a lot of the features and the tile effect it has is very cluttered and confusing. I have recently arranged some IT kit to be installed for a client of mine by an IT company whom I have used for years. They supply Windows 8 Machines downgraded to Windows 7 as for general business use they have less problems from a support point of view with Win 7.
Most of what's 'under the bonnet' in Windows 8 is the same as Windows 7. The disaster is the 'make a monitor look like a phone or a tablet and never mind how most people actually use their computers' interface. Which is EASILY corrected with Classic Shell. See my previous post. I keep seeing people complain about the interface, and I substantially agree, but is is the work of a couple of minutes to make Windows 8 on a laptop or desktop computer a lot more familiar to Windows 7 users.
Love Windows 8 (and 8.1)
I use Windows 7 in my part-time employment and Windows 8 in my practice and don't really find much difference at all. Much prefer the apps screen of Windows 8 though and never find it slow - only have the apps I use on there (you can unpin all the others). Downloaded a couple of user guides before I started and was up and running within 30 minutes.
I investigated Classic Shell but didn't bother in the end. I don't find the absence of a start button particularly distressing and once you are in the desktop you feel like you are in Windows 7 anyway.
Interestingly, at work, just about everyone under 25 loves Windows 8 and so I don't see Windows 9 being anything other than a natural progression forward. Love them or hate them touch screens and apps look like they are here to stay.
It Should Be.............
I understand the HP have decided to stick with Windows 7 as an operating system on their products.
I was in London yesterday at the offices of a big international construction company. They are steering clear of W8 and all their new computers arriving in March will have W7 preinstalled.
My understanding is that 9 is due sooner than expected
the comnflict of mobile / tablet V desktop remains unresolved. I have 8 on my phone and its fine ish! all new operating upgrades seem to have some conflicts , whose fault that is is a different matter
It's just unfamiliar to start with
I must admit I really like it now that the 8.1 upgrade is there
You get a start type button in the bottom LH corner of the desktop - a left click takes you to the start screen - easy to use and find stuff - if no touch screen get a decent wheel mouse as the wheel scrolls you left and right and everything is easy to find - click the little arrow and everything on the machine is accessible.
Closing down right click on the new start button it's right there in the list
It's stable and quick (being based on Win 7) and well worth the effort to learn. I can't see Win 9 going back to look like XP sorry folks!!