Microsoft has certainly stirred things up with the latest versions of its many software varieties, and often not for the better.

Those who have been forced to accept the new Windows 8 operating system on a new computer because you couldn't get Windows 7, or who have purchased the new Office 2013, will have already felt the pain.

Those who haven't been through the aggravation of just getting Microsoft's new offerings set up, I'll give you some advance warning.

The 'Top Secret' Operating System

For both Windows 8 and Office 2013, you now have to practically divulge State Secrets to set them up. So many questions -- including your birthdate -- new accounts to set up, emails to click verification links in, the list goes on and on to the point you think you'll never be able to use your computer or software.

I had one client sign up for a Microsoft Account as instructed by Windows 8, only to find out that Microsoft's system cancelled her account shortly thereafter. That locked her out of her computer and, at Microsoft's instruction, we had to reinstall the Windows 8 operating system -- before she even had a chance to use the computer!

The new "Metro" interface, designed to work like a cell phone or tablet instead of a traditional computer, offers its share of hidden surprises too.

For one, there is no Start button, at least not a visible one. And the 'Charms' you are supposed to use to change settings, they're invisible. You have to hover your cursor in the upper or lower corner of your screen to bring up the 'Charms' that allow you to change and personalize settings.

Want to search for something using the Metro interface? Just click somewhere on the Metro screen and start typing and a search box appears -- not exactly intuitive when you're used to seeing the search box first and then typing in it.

Of course, if you want the traditional desktop interface, you can get to that by clicking on the Desktop tile on the Metro interface. That gets you the traditional desktop, but still no Start button or Start menu, and you have to find common functions like the Control Panel on your own.

Oh, did I mention shutting the machine down? The easiest way, since there's no Start button now, is to press the ALT and F4 keys at the same time to get the Shut Down menu.

The whole operating system seems to have been designed with secrecy in mind. Want to do something? Well, you'll have to find where Microsoft has hidden it first.

The Games Microsoft Plays

More fun from Microsoft. No longer can you just click on the Games folder and start playing Solitaire, Spider Solitaire, etc. Now you have to sign up for a Microsoft Account if you don't already have one to download Game 'Apps'.

Want to play Solitaire? Log into your Microsoft Account and then you can play. The same holds true for Music and Videos.

As you can imagine, this has been a little more than frustrating for the clients who like to pass time by playing a simple card game.

Office 2013 ... Hurry Up and Wait

Another major headache for most users will be the new Office 2013, which is no longer available on disk. You heard that right. You now only buy a Product Key. You then have to use that to go download the monstrous Office suite from Microsoft's web site.

If you have a slow DSL connection, like many in this area, plan on allowing an hour or more for the download. And that's after you've answered more questions, perhaps signed up for a Microsoft account, verified your email address ...

You can also no longer install the same copy of Office on multiple computers, like a desktop and a laptop. You have to buy a separate copy. And if you have to reinstall Office on the same computer? You have to download it all over again. Argh.

I could go on and on about my frustrations with the changes Microsoft has made, not just to its software, but to its business practices. These changes have added an average of a half-hour to the setup of every new computer I've dealt with.

Rumor has it that Microsoft has received enough complaints and had to deal with enough technical support issues that it plans to start addressing them in an update in August. Let's hope so.