Tom's Guide: 15 Windows 7 Programs For Windows 8

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Check out Tom's Guide's latest story on Windows 7 programs for Windows 8!

Windows 8 is visually pretty different from any other version of Windows that we've seen before. Microsoft is pushing its new Modern UI in an attempt to reinvent the desktop landscape. Sure, there's also a more traditional 'desktop mode' but even that features some pretty big changes for the average user (no Start button, to name just one). Still, not everything has to change, and there's a good chance your favorite programs will work just fine with the upcoming version of Windows. Check out Tom's Guide's '15 of the Best Windows 7 Programs for Windows 8' for a round up of applications that will still work seamlessly with Windows 8.

In many ways, Windows 8 is just a reskinning of its older counterpart, dropping the Start Menu orientation in favor of the tile-based "Start screen" similar to that of Windows Phone 7. It takes a little getting used to, but, once you get past Windows 8's new interface quirks, you'll enjoy the relative zippiness compared to Windows 7, which itself is no slouch (provided it's run on a properly-equipped PC).Yes, there are some programs that do crash on Windows 8. Again, it's just a matter of slight adjustments to accommodate this—tweaking the settings on the program's Compatibility Tab should solve most issues. However, certain programs stand out for their seamless operation on Microsoft's newest operating system (at least based on our experience with the Windows 8 Consumer Preview).15 of the Best Windows 7 Programs for Windows 8

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Jane McEntegart
10 Comments Comment from the forums
  • cousman95
    Doesn't Windows 8 have to work before you can have programs working for it? Tried the Consumer Preview last week, and crashed every time I opened IE. Glad to see Microsoft products failing to support Microsoft products XD
    Reply
  • cats_Paw
    There is a reason laptops keep having win 7 OS installed instead of win8...
    Reply
  • memadmax
    "In many ways, Windows 8 is just a reskinning of its older counterpart, dropping the Start Menu orientation in favor of the tile-based "Start screen" similar to that of Windows Phone 7. "

    That pretty much means my gut feeling was right.

    I'll stick with 7... My desktop is not a tablet...
    Reply
  • thecolorblue
    microsoft's 1.5 billion dollar marketing campaign in action right here on toms
    Reply
  • damianrobertjones
    cousman95Doesn't Windows 8 have to work before you can have programs working for it? Tried the Consumer Preview last week, and crashed every time I opened IE. Glad to see Microsoft products failing to support Microsoft products XD
    Maybe... just maybe, it might have been your machine? We've got the CP running on five test machines, 4 internal machines are on the Technet full release and mine is also running pro. None of them have crashed yet.
    Reply
  • damianrobertjones
    memadmax"In many ways, Windows 8 is just a reskinning of its older counterpart, dropping the Start Menu orientation in favor of the tile-based "Start screen" similar to that of Windows Phone 7. "That pretty much means my gut feeling was right.I'll stick with 7... My desktop is not a tablet...
    Neither is my desktop a tablet and I'm running Windows 8 just fine.
    Reply
  • deepblue08
    memadmax"In many ways, Windows 8 is just a reskinning of its older counterpart, dropping the Start Menu orientation in favor of the tile-based "Start screen" similar to that of Windows Phone 7. "That pretty much means my gut feeling was right.I'll stick with 7... My desktop is not a tablet...
    Being a bit more programming knowledgeable than the author, I can tell you that this statement is a load of rubbish. Windows 8 was build from the ground up, the performance (especially application loading, cpu/memory management) was improved significantly, so while a learning curve is required for Win8, there is surely something to gain from it. Have been running Win 2012 Server (Win8 flavor) for over a week now and still stunned from how much faster it is than Windows 7 (which was damn fast on my 1 year old rig already).
    Reply
  • back_by_demand
    A lot of people are missing the point of this article, based on forums posts over the last few months there are a few different people that have issue with Windows 8, firstly are the big trolls, the major assholes that spread active counter-intelligence and use bully tactics to stop any real information getting out, then there are the bandwagoners, "Winz8 is teh fail" and such without offering any real input and only post because they want to be one of the cool kids and these are still a minority - the vast majority are the ones that are obviously confused and are either swallowing the active counter-intelligence or have made honest incorrect assumptions and no-one has corrected them
    ...
    The other day I read one post which the user seemed to think that all his existing software might not work because he didn't have a touchscreen and it wasn't written for Metro
    ...
    This article, despite the limited number of programs, highlights that your standard x86 software that you have had for years and paid good money for (maybe) will still work in a classic desktop manner without a touchscreen and in some cases even faster than before, I am glad that Steam was the first item on the list as that will hopefully convince the gamer crowd that Microsoft is not trying to steal their service and force you to buy their games, you will still be able to buy games via Steam
    ...
    You will still be able to use iTunes, XBMC, VLC, Winamp, Realplayer, MPC
    You will still be able to use older versions of Microsoft Office, Star Office, Lotus Notes, Open Office
    You will still be able to use Adobe Photoshop, Corel Paintshop Pro, Serif Photoplus
    You will still be able to use you old printer, scanner, monitor, mouse, keyboard, most drivers included automatically or via Windows Update or manufacturers website
    ...
    Very quickly you start to see the whole arguement against Windows 8 revolves around not having a start button and booting automatically into Metro, both of which are bypassable with ClassicShell which still works and other software that you can find by spending a few seconds on Google, or Bing, or AltaVista, or Dogpile
    ...
    Don't let misinformed fanbois wreck what is likely the most secure, feature rich and fastest Windows yet - better still don't take my word for it either, find out for yourself
    Reply
  • irh_1974
    Cats_PawThere is a reason laptops keep having win 7 OS installed instead of win8...Because Windows 8 isn't commercially available for another week? Maybe? Just a hunch
    Reply
  • pjmelect
    You forgot to include the two most important programs for Windows 8, which are classic shell and ribbon disabler.
    Reply