My new toy, no Hal, it's not what you're thinking!

[Pony]

I've been trying to get the old start menu back which I'm told I can do with update 1 but I still can't do it.

You wont get the classic start menu back yet. You do have a shutdown feature bottom left if you right click. All the other programs the easiest thing I've found to do is just start typing anywhere on the tiles screen and it will pop up the search box.
Also there is an option to boot right to desktop now. Personally I just added all my desktop icons to the tiles page trying to get everything in one place.

1. After booting Windows 8.1 (here's how to get the preview if you don't already have it), click the Desktop tile to enter Desktop mode.

2. Right-click any open area in the taskbar, then click Properties.

3. Click the Navigation tab, then check the box next to Go to the desktop instead of Start when I sign in.

4. Click OK, then reboot. Windows should plunk you right into Desktop.

[PorkChopSandwiches]

One problem with going back to Win 7 is finding the drivers, we have been sticking with Dell because they still supply windows 7 drivers. So we remove 8 that comes with it and reload with 7

[Hal-9000]

One problem with going back to Win 7 is finding the drivers, we have been sticking with Dell because they still supply windows 7 drivers. So we remove 8 that comes with it and reload with 7

I use the mobo disc drivers for the chipset, realtek's for the sound and network adaptor and use Nvidia's latest for my vidcard...I've saved my Realtek stuff because their site is a royal pain in the ass for finding/explaining what drivers to use. All under Win7

[Pony]

One problem with going back to Win 7 is finding the drivers, we have been sticking with Dell because they still supply windows 7 drivers. So we remove 8 that comes with it and reload with 7

Yep, I doubt it would be an option with HP. They use all proprietary drivers, You won't find them for 7.

[Hal-9000]

That's why I select my hardware, get my place to throw it together (40 bucks) and I get a PC that I can install any OS on without a bunch of preloaded crap on it

[PorkChopSandwiches]

Thats why I reload shit from dell, takes about the same amount of time to uninstall all the bloatware

[Hal-9000]

I've never bought a preloaded computer in my life

one day I'll probably get lazy and pick one up complete with 500 dollars of software installed that I'll never use but I'm sure the programs will have an associated boot process and slow my computer down accordingly