Please go back to the drawing board

I have never been so angry in my life. I usually take pride in my calm composure and ability to deal pressure with grace. But today, I have lost it. My immediate goal is to dump my windows 8.1, and invest in a Mac OS because today Windows has pushed my patience to handle unusable things too far.

OK, before anyone makes a comment I belong to the older generation and just learning computers, let me give you a brief background abt myself. I work with computers all day. I have been a usability specialist for the last decade. So please dont tell me I need to learn to use technology. And if you do, let's discuss some human centered design.

So am not ranting baselessly.

1. I am not able to find where I installed my new programs. I have to remember the drive and the path where I did my installation
2. All hidden menus ! Darn, I cant seem to locate my settings on Skype
3. My windows command button is useless... All icons docked on my desktop and I dont know where to look at.
4. Mouse hover and mouse click functions are different. It took me a while to figure that when I hover on the - icon, I see the search function, but I click on it and I see all the huge icons fit to my screen (what purpose does it serve anyways? )

All the above points in the last hour where am trying to help my mom with her skype settings.
Please keep it simple.

 

1. On the new tile start screen, click the arrow, this is the same as all programs. There you should see all your newly downloaded software. Other wise the default folder is the download folder which you can find in explorer. The folder icon in the task bar in desktop mode.

2. Are you using the Skype app..if so...while using the skype app, move your mouse to the bottom right to bring up the charms bar. Then select settings and there you'll find your Skype settings. Most of use prefer to use the desktop version of Skype...it's a separate download.

3 - 4. For the rest of your issues....most people like to use Classic Shell (free) or Start8 from Stardock (trial period then only $4.99). I've used both and both will give you the look and feel of windows 7 but with all the benefits of windows 8. On my desktop I just use the new windows start screen but on my laptop I use Start8 as the rest of the family hasn't taken a liking to the new windows 8/8.1 look yet.

Note: Youtube has some very good videos on the in/outs of using windows 8/8.1. Some are very good and others, well frankly just suck...but you get the idea.