I think there is a good chance Windows 8.1 will break those applications yes, but they will no doubt release updates in no time and fix the bugs. It will not be intentional by Microsoft, but the start screen is a pretty core part of the Windows OS (some may even call it part of the kernel) and when you have applications which alter that then you have to be prepared for unintended effects at any time.

Style XP anyone?

StyleXP was killed by an otherwise unnecessary update to MSGina.dll.

I think Microsoft had to do something about the GINA, too many modifications were being made to it by organizations etc which had loads of unintended side effects. In most cases it was a case of reinventing the wheel for no apparent reason.

At the bank a few months ago I noticed they had a heavily customized GINA, totally pointless it was too.

I believe applying a different boot screen using Style XP could cause some serious problems with patching etc.

Edited by Pipexer (Sat 04-May-13 12:11:22)

In reply to a post by Pipexer:

........ I believe applying a different boot screen using Style XP could cause some serious problems with patching etc.

I've never seen any detrimental effects and StyleXP was very popular across loads of my clients.

Use Start8 or Startisback.

If suitable, HP business laptops come with Windows 8 Pro, so have downgrade rights to Win 7 and the drivers can be found by searching the HP SKU under "Drivers and Software" here

This includes all these notebooks on cashback promotion.

If your dad prefers burgundy laptops and a screen he can do his lippy in though, then I agree with others that once out of Metro, Win 8 is pretty much identical to Win 7 so I actually don't think it's any biggie. You can use those tools, or really, in this day and age, sleep/resume works a lot better for the average user than shutting down/booting up any way.

In reply to a post by aquilla:

In terms of Windows 7 licensing, I would buy a W7 license.

Presumably those are only available in the "grey market" ?

Try Amazon.

In reply to a post by Deadbeat:

Try Amazon.

oh yes, surprised to see it "Dispatched from and sold by Amazon" I expected MS to kill this like they kill supply of PCs with Win7 in retail.

Given the dreadful retail sales of Win8, I would have expected some sort of recall conditions to be enforced but obviously not. And starting at around £70 the prices aren't bad either.

Edited by Deadbeat (Sat 04-May-13 20:40:28)