So, her desktop computer died (Windows corrupted? Couldn't be fixed?) and she wound up getting a laptop, that came with (drum roll please...) Windows 8. She's LOST.

I've been looking up tips and articles for her, and it seems she's not alone...lots of folks who know way more are just as confused. I know relaying info like this is a PIA...but any advice on today's questions would be appreciated.

1) The store supposedly moved all of her "stuff" from the old computer to the new one. But she can't find any of the "Saved" messages that were in her e-mail (was Outlook Express, is now some Win8 mail). There are no folders, or she can't find them.

2) There's no toolbar anywhere...is there a way to get one?

3) She still has her WinXP disc....can they load *that* onto her new laptop, and ditch Win8?

She needs to sue Bill Gates for this win8 joke of an operating system.
I believe I right clicked on top right or right edge until there were some icons to click again.
I fixed some kid's laptop so it's at least useable but refuse to touch that stuff again.
WinXP is prbably too old to put on the laptop but win7 might be a good choice.

So it can have Win7 installed? Even if it came with 8 pre-loaded?

Chaos, spend time culling thru the Windows 8 Tips thread in Andrew's OurBoard Support group ~ it was posted by SciFi, which I think he authored when he got his own new computer with Win8 ~ there is a lot of info that might help in that thread ~

Sooz

Dang, I have a link at work about your downgrade right to install Win7. Not all computers will allow that.

Here is a good link from Microsoft explaining downgrade rights (I think this is the one I have bookmarked at work):

http://www.microsoft.com/oem/en/licensi ... 4NwfY_nI_X

Thanks roseanne!

Still no luck on finding her "Saved" e-mails.

I haven't done anything with Windows 8, but it must have a search function. That's worked wonders for finding almost anything I've misplaced, or just didn't know where it was to begin with, in Windows 7.

Can't she return the damn thing?

I just read up a bit about win8's idiotic interface and I can't see a way that a non-techie can use that system.
There is no email program coming with win8. It's now "web-based", meaning the messages are stored on a server and a internet browser is used to read/write emails. What kind of email is she using? Gmail, outlook.com or what?
See if you can get that. There is a way to set up Thunderbird as POP3 program. Of course we'll need to find out where the "kids" moved her stuff to.
Maybe a cloud account?

Holding the power button to shut-down the system is a sure way to sooner or later experience file corruption. Was that a brainiac from the Geek Squad?

Chaos... always remember: You always stand a good chance of being smarter than someone else.