Hisbeauty, I am in exactly the same position as you. Windows 8 is a real nightmare! I am sorry that I purchased it. Constant problems. A suggestion! I downloaded two free software programs (Very Small) on filehippo.com which I think may be helpful to you. 1. CCleaner and 2. Auslogic. The are both extremely simple to run. Ccleaner: On the start up screen there is an "Analyse" button in the lower left hand corner. Click on it and it automatically analyses your computer for several things including temporary files, Cache ( An possible contributor to your streaming problems which I also experienced, Recycle Bin garbage etc.
When it has finished analysing click on "Clean" it will remove all of the listed garbage that definitely contributes to your computer running slower and may address other problems as well. There is in the list of options on the left a box which says Registry. For the moment I would suggest that you not use it. It cleans up errors in your registry such as commands related to uninstalled or nonexistent programs. Also a contributor to your computer not running smoothly. One must be VERY cautious about anything which alter your registry as that can increase your problems. Do the clean up for the time being and the next item and see how it goes. Next Item: Auslogic: This is a very simple and fast "System Defragmenter" On the start page click on "Analyse" ( Sorry for the misspelling of that word. Having one of those momentary blocks.) Auslogic will analyse your computer and after it is completed it will show you by percentage (%) how defragmented your files are. ( It goes from 0 upwards). The higher the percentage shown the more defragmented your file system is. When it is finished click on "Defragment" and it will do that taking a few minutes depending on how fragmented your files are. But it is generally much faster than the windows defragment option. I would suggest that you always do the Ccleaner cleanup first and run Auslogic second. Simply because the Ccleaner is clearing out garbage and so naturally there will be some degree of defragmentation left behind. See if these two procedures help. AS A LAST RESORT.....you can run the Registry option in CCLEANER and at take a look at the results. It may say "No Problems" or it may show a list of problems each with an explanation such as "The application to which this entry is associated is not available" or words to that effect.
I tend to avoid using this feature "UNLESS" the computer is really acting up to the point where I consider it to be worth doing. I've done it several times without any problem and in fact it has helped solve problems. IT DOES GIVE YOU THE OPTION TO BACKUP YOUR REGISTRY BEFORE YOU RUN IT! So there is some insurance. Just make sure you note the name and location of the backup file should you need to reinstate it.
Unfortunately Windows 8 is a really HORRIBLY BAD Version of windows. As bad as VISTA. All of the added commercial "Bells and Whistles" are not only intrusive and unnecessary, but they cause a tremendous amount of interference with programs that ran perfectly with Windows XP. Windows 8 couldn't be less "User Friendly" epescially for those who are not really knowledgeable about computers. Even my Video Card which worked fine with XP was removed by the technician because it would not work with windows 8. I should have known something was up when the price of Windows 8 was only about $67.00 at Best Buy (Worst Buy!) and Target. Now I am stuck with this horrible software which I purchased less than a month ago and cannot return or exchange except for the same program. What I wouldn't give for a copy of XP that I could install and rid myself of the "HELL" windows 8 has me in. Just in case my problems are the same as some of yours, here are a few of the NEW problems Windows 8 creates.
1. Constant "Cannot Find the server" in both Explorer and my chosen default browser "Firefox".
2. Freeze Ups.
3. Computer is slower than with xp.
4. New Video card no longer useable.
5. Movie Player Classic having a lot of problems. Won't play Music CDs except for the first tune. Error messages that it cannot find the dvd directory,
6. There is nothing wrong with my modem or connection but getting constant cannot find the server error messages BUT ONLY ON SOME RANDOM WEBSITES.
7.The Windows 8 "Start" page is totally unnecessary and a Royal Pain in the .... Processes easily done in XP require more steps. You have to searching for that which was easily found before ie. files etc.
8. It will try to funnel whatever process you are trying to do with "Independent" software to a Microsoft program and seemingly interferes with the operation of those independent programs "BIG TIME".
9. Sometimes I google click on website and suddenly find the address has an added prefix website address which takes me to a commercial website totally unrelated. Checked it out. Not a Virus or anything like it. A Windows 8 created problem I finally fixed after hunting down it's origin and blocking the prefix.
I could go on and on and on. But I just wanted to let you know about all of this so that if you are experiencing such problems you will know that you are not alone and that your computer may have less to or nothing to do with them.
My computer is is a current system, 4000Mgs of Ram, 1 Terabyte brand new hard drive etc.
Windows 8 is a VERY NASTY TRICK for Microsoft to play on people.
I hope this info is in some way helpful. All the BEST!
