Was Windows 8 Really That Bad?

When Windows 8 released back in 2012, it was one of the most polarizing releases Microsoft had ever done. Some adored its space-age aesthetic, while others… well, they just wished they still had their Start Menu. But was it actually that bad, or was it simply much too advanced for its time? Let's find out.

1. The Major Overhaul: An Entire New Look

Microsoft attempted something new with Windows 8. In place of the traditional desktop we were all familiar with in Windows 7, they brought forth the "Metro" interface — bright and colorful tiles plentiful, all intended primarily for touchscreens.

For tablets, it was hip. For desktops? Not really. Users with a mouse and keyboard thought it was confusing and difficult to use. Missing the Start Menu particularly irritated users who had spent decades clicking the small Windows logo in the corner.

2. Touchscreen First, Everything Else Later

Windows 8 was obviously designed with touch laptops and tablets in mind. The catch? Most people at the time didn't have touchscreens. So the OS was clumsy under the mouse — swiping motions just didn't work as well with a cursor.

It wasn't bad technology… it was just designed for a future that hadn't yet come.

3. Performance Was Actually Pretty Good

Here's something everyone seems to forget — Windows 8 was quick. Boot times were quicker, it was more stable than Windows Vista ever managed to be, and it ran better on older computers than many anticipated.

So, while the UI took most of the scorn, the underlying system was good. It was secure, reliable, and consumed fewer resources than Windows 7 in most scenarios.

4. The App Store Era

Microsoft launched the Windows Store, a move to catch up to Apple's App Store and Google Play. Alas, the majority of apps were buggy, unnecessary, or simply not there.

But this was also Microsoft's initial serious foray into cross-platform software — something that would eventually become the current-day Microsoft Store in Windows 11. So, it wasn't completely a loss.

5. The Missing Start Menu Disaster

Come on: getting rid of the Start Menu was a huge error. Microsoft assumed people would adjust to the tile interface, but no, they received criticism from all parties — gamers, office workers, IT administrators, name them.

The backlash was so severe that Microsoft had to launch Windows 8.1, which reinstated the Start button (kind of). By then, however, the damage had been inflicted.

6. Wait.. It Laid the Groundwork for Windows 10

That's the picture — there would be no Windows 10 today if there hadn't been a Windows 8.

Windows 8 made Microsoft reconsider how desktop and touch could coexist. That harmony turned into Windows 10's greatest asset — a hybrid interface that pleased both touchscreen and keyboard users.

So Windows 8 may have fallen short, but it walked so that Windows 10 could run.

7. The Verdict: Not Bad, Just Misunderstood

In hindsight, Windows 8 wasn't actually bad. It just came at a time when it was too radical. Microsoft attempted to close the gap between desktop and mobile when the world wasn't ready yet.

It had some good ideas — quick booting, improved performance, modern UI — but low execution and poor user adaptation made it one of the most polarizing operating systems in history.

So no, Windows 8 wasn't terrible. It was merely a bold experiment that didn't quite resonate with all of us.

Final Thoughts

If you booted up a Windows 8 PC today, you'd likely find it smoother and tidier than you recall. It was a stepping stone — one that paved the way to Windows 10's success and even shaped aspects of Windows 11's design.

And sometimes, being ahead of your time simply means that people won't get you immediately.