I'd like to take a different tack. The fact is that many businesses are
not upgrading to Windows 8.1 at this time. Windows 7 is both still
supported for another five years, and is also still being sold to
consumers and businesses who want it. So, do what you want, and don't get
pushed to buy either Windows 7 or Windows 8.1. If you want 7 get it, if
you want 8.1, get it.  By the time Windows 7 is orphaned, Windows no doubt
will have out Windows 9 or 10, so what's the rush.


-----Original Message-----
From: Visually Impaired Computer Users' Group List
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Terri Hedgpeth
Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 2014 10:57 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [VICUG-L] another question about upgrading from windows xp

Hello Lisa,
It does not make sense to take the time to learn Windows 7 at this point
when switching from Windows XP.  You are going to have to learn something
new, so it might as well be the newest OS, since you will have to spend
the time learning something new anyway.

Just my 2 cents worth.
Terri

-----Original Message-----
From: Visually Impaired Computer Users' Group List
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Ana G
Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 2014 5:10 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [VICUG-L] another question about upgrading from windows xp

Lisa,

Windows 8 has two interfaces, the desktop and a cell-phone like metro
area. To switch between the two, just press the Start key. Sighted people
tend to forget the start key is also on the keyboard. In fact, when I told
a friend of mine to hit it, she told me her keyboard was normal, not a
special blind-person keyboard with extra keys. Anyway, you can also get to
the desktop by pressing Windows+m as you can in other versions of the OS.

To tell Windows to go directly to the desktop after booting, tab to the
toolbar, press alt+enter, and go through the items in the dialogs. I think
you want to go into the Navigation tab (ctrl+tab) and check an item that
says something like Go to Desktop After Logging In.

You can still put icons on the desktop though more steps are involved.
I've posted instructions for that on this list. When you get your machine,
I can try to find the link.

The only reason to get a Windows 7 computer at this point is to save money
by buying a clearance item.

Ciao


    VICUG-L is the Visually Impaired Computer User Group List.
Archived on the World Wide Web at
    http://listserv.icors.org/archives/vicug-l.html
    Signoff: [log in to unmask]
    Subscribe: [log in to unmask]


    VICUG-L is the Visually Impaired Computer User Group List.
Archived on the World Wide Web at
    http://listserv.icors.org/archives/vicug-l.html
    Signoff: [log in to unmask]
    Subscribe: [log in to unmask]


    VICUG-L is the Visually Impaired Computer User Group List.
Archived on the World Wide Web at
    http://listserv.icors.org/archives/vicug-l.html
    Signoff: [log in to unmask]
    Subscribe: [log in to unmask]