Windows 8 revisited: was it really that bad?

The author reinstalled Windows 8.1 from an archived ISO and found it installed in about five minutes; he reports the interface mixes Windows 7 visuals with the Metro UI, creating an incohesive experience and locking many Metro apps behind a Microsoft account.

The author reinstalled Windows 8.1 from an archived ISO to reassess a version of Windows that divided users when it first shipped. He compared the experience to modern Windows installers and walked through the interface, system apps, and browsing options. The piece aims to explain why Windows 8 left a lasting impression for some users while failing to become a daily driver for others. Key findings: - The installer for Windows 8.1 (sourced from an archive) completed in about five minutes on the tested machine, contrasted with a reported roughly 50-minute installation and online onboarding for Windows 11. - The interface blends visual elements from Windows 7 with the Metro UI, producing an incohesive feel and multiple places to access Start-like controls. - Many Metro-style apps were tied to a Microsoft account, and the author found the Microsoft Store for Windows 8 unresponsive because support has been discontinued. - The Settings app introduced with Windows 8 duplicated legacy Control Panel functions and contained many nested menus, making some system options hard to find without search. - Internet Explorer did not function as expected on the aging system, and the author installed an alternative browser (Pale Moon) to browse the web. Summary: The revisit highlights a fast, offline installation experience alongside an interface that feels like two design eras forced together, with several Metro apps now unusable without account support. Undetermined at this time.