I've got Windows 8.1 on my computer and got the supplier, a well-known high street chain, to make it look like the 'older' versions of Windows when it opens.
Desk-top short cuts and it's got the usual start bar on the LHS plus other goodies that only appear when you want them, such a very big time and date and an excellent search facility.
Give it a go and you may surprise yourself.
MP