It seems that it usually takes Microsoft two tries to get things right with O/S's (operating systems) nowadays!  Windows 7 righted the fiasco of Vista and hopefully by October of 2013 "Windows Blue" aka Windows 8.1 will right Windows 8 or Metro without additional charge.

What is good about Windows 8:

In one word: fast.

What is not so good about Windows 8:  (oh boy...)

1.  The Metro interface is a mess for use on a desktop! Touch screen and the Metro interface is fine for tablets and phones, but for a desktop, most people want ease of use and they just want it to work.  Perhaps for a touch screen all in one computer, it might be ok.  For a desktop with a keyboard, mouse, and monitor - Windows 8 is a nuisance.  For many users who are upgrading, it is unfriendly and downright unusable.  Unless you are a power user or someone who embraces new ideas quickly, Windows 8 in it's present format is probably not for you.

2.  Microsoft doesn't seem to understand the basics of customer loyalty.  It is a big mistake to take away something you gave in a previous O/S.  Microsoft's ill conceived plan to leave out Windows Media Center and try to charge extra for it in Windows 8 (after the initial limited time give-away) is a huge mistake.  There are indications this will be corrected in Windows 8.1 as well.  Let's hope so!

Now for the big question:  HOW CAN YOU FIX IT?

One way to overcome the Metro interface is to use a free and relatively simple program which restores the desktop interface.  You can research these products by reviews on PCWORLD magazine online.  (Like any other program, you use it at your own risk!)  I chose a program called CLASSIC SHELL by the open source people at Sourceforge.  I am not affiliated with them and I cannot make any statement as to its suitability for you or your computer.  However, they are the people who have developed the popular open source programs VLC and 7-Zip.  The program is working very well for me.

Anyway, if you upgraded or bought a new pc with Windows 8, don't panic!  Once you get the desktop interface back, it is a reasonably good and stable O/S. Hopefully Microsoft has heard the outcry of their customers and have seen the plummeting sales of Windows 8 and new computers and will restore the ability to boot to the desktop interface and restore Windows Media Center as part of the O/S as well.

Happy computing!

Update:  July 14, 2013.  Although the Windows 8.1 update will be free, I still cannot recommend Windows 8 or 8.1 for the following reasons.

First, let the user decide whether they want to have a desktop or a mobile pc experience.  This means fully restoring the desktop menu system rather than providing a semi-functional start button.

Second, Windows Media Center needs to be part of the operating system and not some very expensive extra cost add-on.  Home theater computers are very popular and a great way to enjoy movies and music.  Windows Media Center must be restored as a standard feature to Windows 8.

Unless Microsoft wakes up, the rate of adoption of Windows 8 will remain very low.  It is much easier to migrate your Windows 7 operating system to the new computer rather than put up with the cumbersome mess that is Windows 8.
It seems that it usually takes Microsoft two tries to get things right with O/S's (operating systems) nowadays! Windows 7 righted the fiasco of Vista and hopefully by October of 2013 "Windows Blue" aka Windows 8. 1 will right Windows 8 or Metro without additional charge. What is good about Windows 8:

In one word: fast. What is not so good about Windows 8:  (oh boy... )

1. The Metro interface is a mess for use on a desktop! Touch screen and the Metro interface is fine for tablets and phones, but for a desktop, most people want ease of use and they just want it to work. Perhaps for a touch screen all in one computer, it might be ok. For a desktop with a keyboard, mouse, and monitor - Windows 8 is a nuisance. For many users who are upgrading, it is unfriendly and downright unusable. Unless you are a power user or someone who embraces new ideas quickly, Windows 8 in it's present format is probably not for you. 2. Microsoft doesn't seem to understand the basics of customer loyalty. It is a big mistake to take away something you gave in a previous O/S. Microsoft's ill conceived plan to leave out Windows Media Center and try to charge extra for it in Windows 8 (after the initial limited time give-away) is a huge mistake. There are indications this will be corrected in Windows 8. 1 as well. Let's hope so! Now for the big question:  HOW CAN YOU FIX IT? One way to overcome the Metro interface is to use a free and relatively simple program which restores the desktop interface. You can research these products by reviews on PCWORLD magazine online. (Like any other program, you use it at your own risk! )  I chose a program called CLASSIC SHELL by the open source people at Sourceforge. I am not affiliated with them and I cannot make any statement as to its suitability for you or your computer. However, they are the people who have developed the popular open source programs VLC and 7-Zip. The program is working very well for me. Anyway, if you upgraded or bought a new pc with Windows 8, don't panic! Once you get the desktop interface back, it is a reasonably good and stable O/S. Hopefully Microsoft has heard the outcry of their customers and have seen the plummeting sales of Windows 8 and new computers and will restore the ability to boot to the desktop interface and restore Windows Media Center as part of the O/S as well. Happy computing! Update:  July 14, 2013. Although the Windows 8. 1 update will be free, I still cannot recommend Windows 8 or 8. 1 for the following reasons. First, let the user decide whether they want to have a desktop or a mobile pc experience. This means fully restoring the desktop menu system rather than providing a semi-functional start button. Second, Windows Media Center needs to be part of the operating system and not some very expensive extra cost add-on. Home theater computers are very popular and a great way to enjoy movies and music. Windows Media Center must be restored as a standard feature to Windows 8. Unless Microsoft wakes up, the rate of adoption of Windows 8 will remain very low. It is much easier to migrate your Windows 7 operating system to the new computer rather than put up with the cumbersome mess that is Windows 8.