That's not what backward compatibility means at all.

Of course new versions of Windows introduce new features! If you want to use those new features, you need the new version.

Backward compatibility means that once they introduce a feature in one version of Windows, they go to great lengths to keep that feature working in subsequent versions.

It doesn't mean they have to backport every new feature into old versions of the OS.

Also, Windows 8.1 doesn't have to be a terrible experience. Just get Start8 for $5, or whatever Start menu replacement you like, and you essentially have a much-improved Windows 7.

Win8.1 even with ClassicShell is just okay. Windows XP and 7 were great. I understand for lite users Win8 is fine. But Win8 have like 5 different system settings dialogs and pages and it's a total mess. It feels like Microsoft either really doesn't get it or simply doesn't care that ModernUI doesn't work & look that great on desktop. I will definitely wait how the Win10 launch unfolds and how mature it is. If everything's goes wrong Win7 will last until 2022 when the official update-support ends.

Well, they've obviously heavily revising their approach with Windows 10. But Win 8's primary failing is it's learning curve. Once you know how to deal with it, it's pretty massively superior to Windows 7. A lot of the easy ways to get around in it are kinda hidden though.

My issue is with the stupid charms menu that pops up. Windows allows you to disable it for the top-right corner, but you need to purchase Start8 to remove it from the bottom-right corner.

I shouldn't be required to purchase a 3rd party application to tweak a stupid setting easily. Having to code a solution and work with the Windows Registry is hell and something that most people won't bother doing.

If your business strategy is "there's a cheap $5 3rd party app that fixes that!" - you deserve to go out of business.

ClassicShell is free. I have to try really hard to get into any of the Win8 garbage using it - except on my laptop, which has an awful touchscreen for some reason that I have only used on purpose once or twice; there I end up bumping the screen right and it interprets it as some kind of gesture.

They're not "shoving Windows 8 down people's throats". They're just developing software for the Windows 8 and more importantly Windows 10 platforms. And they're giving Windows 10 upgrades out for free to get everyone up to their modern software without costing an arm and a leg.

Whether you like Windows 8 or not, doesn't change the fact that Windows 7 is six years old, and you can't run off an old operating system forever.