Anyway, an update on W8.1
I have settled into a pattern with 8.1:
I use a PIN rather than a password for login.
I use the Classic Shell to overlay the Windows 8 start button.
I rarely venture into Metro.
I have 3 programs pinned to the task bar: Chrome, Windows Explorer and a shutdown8.
Next to the system tray I have the Pokki menu, but I use that less and less these days. It may go.
I have abandoned Start Menu X as too ugly.
I have installed Samsung Quick Starter, which pops up when needed and includes its own excellent start menu, as well as icons and folders for common programs.
I have no desktop icons.
I have disabled charms appearing on the desktop. In fact, I have disabled edge effects there.
I have downloaded most of the themes from M$, aggregated most of the backgrounds and use those on the desktop as a slow slide show.
So, am I a typical user of Windows 8.1?
PS 8 to 8.1 was a particularly painful transition. I have dual graphics, and that was unsupported at first. Also, the Alps touchpad driver was problematic. The one from Samsung kept popping up Charms when I swiped left, most annoying, even when Charms were supposed to be disabled. After much searching, and emergency use of a bluetooth mouse when things went wrong and the touchpad ceased to work, I eventually found a driver that disables Charms and works on this laptop.