flameout
 
And BTW, you can log onto Windows 8 without setting up a Microsoft account - it's an almost hidden option which I'll bet most users miss.

 
That's how I log in or should I say not log in. 

Hmmm.... although I bought the Win8 upgrade during the initial $49 sale, I still haven't upgraded.  
 
But when I do - is there a secret decoder ring password for this?  My DAW is not by default connected to the internet so an auto sign-in aint happening.
 

There's always a small "risk" if you like upgrading any OS, but that's what backups are for. I didn't see this as a comment about stability myself.
 
Regardless I think "Why risk it" should be rephrased to "Why bother" (going to Windows 8.1) specifically in the content of if you have Windows 7 like the OP.
 
Yes I don't think it's worth the money (specifically upgrading from Win 7) unless you have a specific requirement or need for it or just can't help yourself wanting to be on the latest OS because it turns you on for some reason. It's far cheaper and better to upgrade your OS when you buy new hardware.
 
Both are great OS's and I'm happy using both, they are stable,  I don't find one better over the other. I don't even see any performance or stability improvement although Win8 I'm sure is slightly better over Win7. Just ever so slightly.

BTW all the stability issues I see mentioned in this thread in regards to any version of Windows appear to be 100% driver related.

CakeAlexS
There's always a small "risk" if you like upgrading any OS, but that's what backups are for. I didn't see this as a comment about stability myself.
 
Regardless I think "Why risk it" should be rephrased to "Why bother" (going to Windows 8.1) specifically in the content of if you have Windows 7 like the OP.
 
Yes I don't think it's worth the money (specifically upgrading from Win 7) unless you have a specific requirement or need for it or just can't help yourself wanting to be on the latest OS because it turns you on for some reason. It's far cheaper and better to upgrade your OS when you buy new hardware.
 
Both are great OS's and I'm happy using both, they are stable,  I don't find one better over the other. I don't even see any performance or stability improvement although Win8 I'm sure is slightly better over Win7. Just ever so slightly.

BTW all the stability issues I see mentioned in this thread in regards to any version of Windows appear to be 100% driver related.

I have no problem with someone staying with Windows 7. Remember Alex I did not upgrade to it and stayed with Vista. When CW announced that Vista would no longer be supported I quickly move on to Windows  8 skipping Windows 7. 
 
What I do have a problem with is the admonition not to upgrade because of incorrect reasons, false assertions and general negative comments when the truth is very different.   

John
What I do have a problem with is the admonition not to upgrade because of incorrect reasons, false assertions and general negative comments when the truth is very different.   

Absolutely, I have seen this in other comments expressed in this thread which clearly are baseless. Driver stability issue or not bothering to spend a day getting to know a new OS inside out (which may require a little education) are the actual problems.

StarTekh
Musicroom maby read this : http://forums.m-audio.com...acy-firewire-driver%29

I appreciate your willingness to help ST! I loaded the legacy drivers last evening following the instructions in the link you provided. That part of the process worked great.  However, I'm still having the same problems. Going to load the latest Sonar X3E tonight and see where that leads. Otherwise, I think I may still need to reformat the c-drive and reload windows 8.1 to make sure I'm rid of all the left over vista os. Windows 7 is not out of the question either with a solid track record for firewire interfaces.

Well, I jumped on Win8 very soon after its release and I have been using it for almost every day since. But to tell you the truth, getting Windows 8 made me buy a Mac.
 
Not because there's anything wrong with Windows 8, it's very stable, all my hardware works without a hitch, I haven't run into any incompatible software, it's the perfect system - performance wise.
 
But to me, it just interacting with it, I seriously can't stand it! It has some ways that to me seems not only illogical, but quite ridiculous as well. And the added features like integrated cloud service etc, doesn't work as well as I want it to. I get loads of errors when saving files to sync with OneDrive. The OS over all just feels like a stupid and fat donkey that I have to drag around. But then again, no OS is for everyone.
 
The 8.1 update made Windows 8 a whole lot easier to live with which is why I haven't gotten rid of it already but during my next system clean up, there's a HUGE chance that Windows 7 will find its way back. Unless I sell everything and try living with OSX for a while.
 
Having said that, I have Windows 7 on my Macbook running Sonar, and I am very happy with that. But Windows 8 - I just don't like it. But if you can get Windows 8 for a good price, it is well worth checking it out. Just keep a system image of your current install at hand
 
Good luck!