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by nivla 4887 days ago
"which will be the only authorized way to download and install anything on to windows 8+"

No, you can install any windows application on Windows 8. Windows 8 != Windows Store. The desktop is only click away from the Start Screen (which can be completely removed, if needed, using a free application) and remains as flexible as on Windows 7.

ie. Steam will work fine on windows 8 as on Windows 7.
3 comments
novamantis 4887 days ago
Yes, Steam works fine. However, Steam games are patchy. I've got at least half a dozen which no longer work because of W8. I tried all the fixes drummed up by the Steam community all for naught.

Reinstalled Windows 7. BAM everything works exactly how you'd expect. Hell, it's refreshing not having a fullscreen start menu which takes 2 seconds to start using due to the fade in effect and disorientation you get from transitioning to "Metro" from "Aero."

I whole heartily believe Windows 8 is a waste of money and time for desktop. It should've removed Aero and been Tablet only.

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zanny 4887 days ago
Whoa, Microsoft producing a new version of their OS (think Millenium, or 2000, or Vista) that has absolutely no use case and is rubbish, because they make money off per unit sales and having an absurd amount of market dominance?

Windows 8 was not an operating system meant to be better than what came before, it was meant to get Microsoft some of that app store money. The priorities were thusly apparent.

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J_Darnley 4887 days ago
Sure. Windows 8 for x86 allows you to install anything you like but we have all seen the future in Windows 8 for ARM.
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derpmaster 4887 days ago
The CEO of Steam Gabe Newell disagrees with you. They (and Blizzard) are moving away from Windows 8 entirely.

Steam is coming out with it's "steam box" which is a linux run gaming and home entertainment system. You can also run windows on it if you want it's not a proprietary console device apparently.

There are articles everywhere how Windows 8 completely killed the PC gaming scene

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nivla 4887 days ago
Whether he agrees/disagrees won't change the fact, which is, Steam runs on Windows 8 and it runs fine. There are a lot of reasons not to support an OS besides compatibility.

With Steam, it wasn't a compatibility issue, it was more to do with Valve feeling threatened by the Windows Store Model. Giving away X of every purchase to the store does undermine their profit model. The same reason why you won't see subscription based products such as Dropbox/Google Drive/Skydrive with upgrade options on the Apple Store.

However, I can't see how Windows 8 threatens the traditional form of sale, that download to desktop and play.

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novamantis 4887 days ago
The fact the Gabe was attacking W8 is because of Metro, not Windows 8 itself. I blame the sensationalist media from manipulating it into what it became.

The real threat is Metro, not Windows 8. It is the anti-freedom, walled garden that everyone should fear.

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