Windows 8 beta (Consumer Preview)

[RealClifford]

So just under a week now is the expected release of the Windows 8 Beta or what they are calling the 'Consumer Preview'.

I'm not sure if any of you guys have seen the 'Develpoers Preview' that was released in the middle of last year, but Windows 8 has been flying around now for around a year in a pretty solid state. The Dev Preview allowed most IT businesses and IT savvy people to get a hold of it pretty easily. There were many many torrents of it, as it was leaked quite early and was just basically given out in the end by Microsoft.

I was wodnering how many of you have played around with it? As I now work in the IT industry I will be getting my hands on the Consumer Preview as it is officially released. So will be posting my thoughts ont hat as I begin trying to break it. aha

Any thoughts on Windows 8?
Make sure to leave your comments and I welcome open discussion on any topic Windows orientated on this thread.
Personally I think it is a nice improvement, but I will let you guys discuss it a bit before I provide my deeper thoughts on the actual Operating System itself.

Cheers, Clifford

[xxMATTGxx]

I did download the developer preview and used it for a couple of days but due to it still being early days back then I didn't use it that much and didn't really have a view on it. I will be getting the consumer preview/beta and would be using it a lot more and using it on a regular basis to see what Windows 8 is all about, how it runs/performs and basically trying the new features and also seeing what improvements they have brought over. I would say I'm excited but also worried because of how Microsoft have adapted the two UI's into one operating system sort of speak.

I don't have a real view about Windows 8 until I can try it fully, I'm excited to see where Microsoft are going and is probably a good decision to start thinking about touch in this way. The metro interface is fantastic for touch devices and I think the tablets with this installed on would be great to use.

So I guess I will be back in a few weeks time to share my real views! :P

[RealClifford]

Ahh awesome!
I only used the Dev Preview very sparingly as it wasn't extremely solid when released. Now that the OS is a bit more stable and up for a larger official 'beta' release. I will be running it in a virtual environment to play it safe.

I am quite excited about the changes they have made but am a bit sceptical the fact that seem to eb aiming primarily at tablet's and touch devices which currently is not practical to the majority of the general consumer population which are still adapting to faster computers and normal desktop PC's...

Although I do enjoy using some of the new touch screen laptops that are popping up. I do agree with you in the fact that the metro UI is incredible for the new touch generation Operating Systems but I'm not sure how it will go on older styled desktops.
I am interested to see how all the 'improvement' speculationt hat has been flying around will be integrated into the OS and how it runs. Hopefully not a flop like Vista. Vista had some great concepts but wasn't practical.
Shall be interesting to see.

[HotelUser]

Hopefully an illegal release of the ARM varient of Windows 8 will be kicking around soon and someone manages to get it running on the Touchpad. Aside from that I'm not really going to use the preview much because I don't really have any uses for it really. The metro apps in Javascript looks cool, it will be cooler if Microsoft frequents the updates to Internet Explorer from now on though. If not we will end up in a place where everyone is using terrifyingly old and horrible releases of IE like we see now where people use < IE 9 still.

[RealClifford]

Yeah, but IE is quite terrible in comparison to the likes of the new Chrome and Firefox. Firefox is lagging behind a bit at the moment, but since Chrome updates it looks quite sexy and runs incredibly better than any other Internet Browser out there that I have seen.

[Chippiewill]

Yeah, thankfully both IE and FF have been bleeding market share, for the first time in many many years IE only has a 10% share over any single other browser (It bled out 6% over the past ~8months so in around a year and a half Chrome could be ahead), also Chrome has just started beating FF in usage shares.

[RealClifford]

Yeah, thankfully both IE and FF have been bleeding market share, for the first time in many many years IE only has a 10% share over any single other browser (It bled out 6% over the past ~8months so in around a year and a half Chrome could be ahead), also Chrome has just started beating FF in usage shares.

Yeah, I like this a lot. Never was a huge fan of IE. Chrome has been taking browsers to a new level for quite a while now, but was never quite as stable until it's recent update. Now it's solid, fast, and efficient in what it offers. My prediction is that within a year Chrome will be the top dog unless IE and FF can pull something big out of their bums and compete.

[Chippiewill]

Windows 8 will probably boost IE a little as many people won't see a need to install another browser since they'll stick to Metro UI and never know. But Firefox as far as I am concerned has just devolved into trying to gain back market share by releasing new version every month. The rate at which they're losing market share is increasing though so they're basically stuffed.

[Recursion]

I don't see IE losing the majority share anytime soon, too many corporates use it.

[Chippiewill]

I don't see IE losing the majority share anytime soon, too many corporates use it.
In the past seven months IE dropped 6 percentage points, Chrome gained 6.5 percentage points. IE is currently 8 percentage points ahead of Chrome. Do the math.

[HotelUser]

In the past seven months IE dropped 6 percentage points, Chrome gained 6.5 percentage points. IE is currently 8 percentage points ahead of Chrome. Do the math.

IE 8 just needs to die, sooner the better!

[Chippiewill]

Let's focus on IE6 first mmmk?
http://www.ie6countdown.com (http://www.ie6countdown.com/)

[peteyt]

Let's focus on IE6 first mmmk?
http://www.ie6countdown.com (http://www.ie6countdown.com/)

Exactly. We need to get rid of ie6 and make our way upwards. Isn't microsoft going to attempt to force people to change soon?

[Recursion]

Exactly. We need to get rid of ie6 and make our way upwards. Isn't microsoft going to attempt to force people to change soon?

They did, IE6 only runs on XP and below. XP is about to become EOL for security updates.

[peteyt]

They did, IE6 only runs on XP and below. XP is about to become EOL for security updates.

I just think they have danced around stuff for too long. People won't change until they are forced to. Its funny but I bet the people who refuse to move to something more secure and up to date are the ones who would then complain when the thing they where told to leave due to security reasons causes them harm. From what I heard support will be around till 2014. Why? Why not basically say we are now removing xp, ie6, people where warned. It is interesting that 3 years later Vista's support ends - xp has had the biggest run.

[Recursion]

I just think they have danced around stuff for too long. People won't change until they are forced to. Its funny but I bet the people who refuse to move to something more secure and up to date are the ones who would then complain when the thing they where told to leave due to security reasons causes them harm. From what I heard support will be around till 2014. Why? Why not basically say we are now removing xp, ie6, people where warned. It is interesting that 3 years later Vista's support ends - xp has had the biggest run.

Because enterprise users don't want to upgrade yet, it might cost Enterprise users ££££££ to upgrade or rewrite their software to be compatible with W7, so this gave them more time to get it done.

[xxMATTGxx]

Tomorrow is the day!

[Chippiewill]

I just think they have danced around stuff for too long. People won't change until they are forced to. Its funny but I bet the people who refuse to move to something more secure and up to date are the ones who would then complain when the thing they where told to leave due to security reasons causes them harm. From what I heard support will be around till 2014. Why? Why not basically say we are now removing xp, ie6, people where warned. It is interesting that 3 years later Vista's support ends - xp has had the biggest run.
Microsoft is so popular in enterprise in comparison to Mac etc. due to their tremendous long term support and backwards compatibility.

Tomorrow is the day!
:D

[Stephen!]

2PM GMT Tomorrow lads!

[Catchy]

I used the developer preview for a few days, it was really buggy as you can imagine. I liked it but I don't think I'll be rushing to upgrade when it comes out due to the fact all I really use on my laptop is Google Chrome and VLC so I don't see the point in me upgrading once it's out.

I love the metro design though and I think Windows should be really proud that they've managed to actually make it look half presentable.

[Stephen!]

The day many have been waiting for has finally arrived. The Windows 8 consumer preview is now available for download at the following links below. We'll add direct links once they become available.

The consumer preview represents the first look in to Windows 8 that is, as the name denotes, intended to let consumers try out the new OS. The previously released version, the Windows Developers Preview, was locked down and only provided a limited look at what the new OS has to offer.

32-Bit Download (http://iso.esd.microsoft.com/WCPDL/BD1B8A49393E30CC9C4E5C88457D73E964F1F3B18/Windows8-ConsumerPreview-32bit-English.iso)
64-Bit Download (http://iso.esd.microsoft.com/WCPDL/BD1B8A49393E30CC9C4E5C88457D73E964F1F3B18/Windows8-ConsumerPreview-64bit-English.iso)

Source (http://www.neowin.net/news/windows-8-consumer-preview-download-links)

[Recursion]

Installing as we speak. Was getting 3MB/s on the x64 ISO, only getting 1MB/s on the Server ISO though :(

[Stephen!]

Lol at this. Don't enjoy using it at all. The start button has vanished!

[xxMATTGxx]

Lol at this. Don't enjoy using it at all. The start button has vanished!

The True Story Behind the Missing Start Button:

http://www.winsupersite.com/article/windows8/true-story-missing-start-button-142338

[peteyt]

Microsoft is so popular in enterprise in comparison to Mac etc. due to their tremendous long term support and backwards compatibility.

:D

But I'd of thought a company using a buggy program with many security holes would look bad?

[Chippiewill]

But I'd of thought a company using a buggy program with many security holes would look bad?
What the hell are you talking about?

The True Story Behind the Missing Start Button:

http://www.winsupersite.com/article/windows8/true-story-missing-start-button-142338

Have to wait till tomorrow for the audio version of his musings :(

[JoeyK.]

Honestly, not a whole lot changes between versions of Windows. You get a few bonuses that slow your computer down a bit if you choose to use them. Look at Aero. In all honestly, you're better off being a version behind - Look how many people had issues playing their games on Vista when it first came out. Same with 7, it'll be the same with 8. Early adopters pay more and get screwed in the software department just so their computers can look pretty and get 'oohs' and 'ahhs' from their friends.

Trust me, I paid the $ for W7 Ultimate - never used any feature that is not included in Home Premium. Bought Vista earlier, wished I'd stuck with XP.

Sure, you have 'XP compatibility mode,' but really, it's more of an inconvenience to run a brand-new OS than anything. No one develops anything exclusively for an OS in the first year it comes out... Windows 8 is not the PS4 / NeXtBox / etc... Even a first-year console usually has a crap lineup, so wait until it's cheap.

Source - I have worked in IT for 3 years.

[Recursion]

Honestly, not a whole lot changes between versions of Windows. You get a few bonuses that slow your computer down a bit if you choose to use them. Look at Aero. In all honestly, you're better off being a version behind - Look how many people had issues playing their games on Vista when it first came out. Same with 7, it'll be the same with 8. Early adopters pay more and get screwed in the software department just so their computers can look pretty and get 'oohs' and 'ahhs' from their friends.

Trust me, I paid the $ for W7 Ultimate - never used any feature that is not included in Home Premium. Bought Vista earlier, wished I'd stuck with XP.

Sure, you have 'XP compatibility mode,' but really, it's more of an inconvenience to run a brand-new OS than anything. No one develops anything exclusively for an OS in the first year it comes out... Windows 8 is not the PS4 / NeXtBox / etc... Even a first-year console usually has a crap lineup, so wait until it's cheap.

Source - I have worked in IT for 3 years.

Are you a complete and utter fool? If you worked in IT for 3 years I am extremely worried about the IT at the place you work for.

No one had issues when 7 came out, because that's what Vista was for. Microsoft changed key elements of the kernel and hardware manufacturers got lazy and didn't bother rewriting their drivers to Microsoft's new spec, hence the problems Vista had in the first run.

Firstly, hardware has gotten stupidly fast compared to the hardware we were using back when XP was released and superceeded, secondly, the critical backend functions have been rewritten with performance in mind in Vista and 7, to say they run slowly is a stupid thing to do, the fact is, even with all the bells and whistles, 7 will run a ton faster than XP... even when we're not taking this into account, it still would because it's optimised for today's hardware, whilst XP is not.

I'm just about to finish rolling out Windows 7 at my place of work, some of the hardware is back from when XP was still around. The machines run faster and more reliably than ever before. I even have the end users on board! I updated the first few machines and as soon as staff had seen these they were asking when I was able to update their machines for them!

EDIT: I think you'll also find that OS price drops occur extremely rarely, generally, they're taken off the shelves as soon as a new OS is announced.

[JoeyK.]

Are you a complete and utter fool?

Sorry, I didn't read past your first line. If you have a valid argument, please post it without being a complete ass.

Well, maybe I did read a bit more. I guess MS had every right to test an OS on the public and charge them for it before releasing a half-decent successor to XP.

[Recursion]

But I'd of thought a company using a buggy program with many security holes would look bad?

Microsoft provide far superior "Enterprise" type support for networked machines, Apple will never touch that fact.


Sorry, I didn't read past your first line. If you have a valid argument, please post it without being a complete ass.

Oh, so you've agreed you've been a bit of an eejit? Thanks.


On topic, got the client installed on my MacBook, love it so far... and I'm not missing the start menu as much as I did in the DP :O Now to get Server installed in VMWare :P

[JoeyK.]

Microsoft provide far superior "Enterprise" type support for networked machines, Apple will never touch that fact.



Oh, so you've agreed you've been a bit of an eejit? Thanks.


On topic, got the client installed on my MacBook, love it so far... and I'm not missing the start menu as much as I did in the DP :O Now to get Server installed in VMWare :P

O.o Did I really just find someone who supports MS on a MacBook? Everyone hide, the machines are taking over...

[Recursion]

O.o Did I really just find someone who supports MS on a MacBook? Everyone hide, the machines are taking over...

I'm a Windows man through and through, I just like to be able to sample the 'fruit' of other companies labours ;)

[JoeyK.]

I'm a Windows man through and through, I just like to be able to sample the 'fruit' of other companies labours ;)

But... You own a Macbook... You couldn't just deal with a Hackintosh? Sampling is different from paying double for what a machine is worth.

[iAdam]

I agree with Recursion. Of course there will be teething problems but why always be a version behind? That's just silly and non sensical to do out of choice.

It drives me crazy that my college is still on XP. No reason for it at all. Especially when all the computers were replaced in the last 2 years and some are now running very recent hardware. XP is 11 years old for god sake, like travelling into the past.

[Recursion]

But... You own a Macbook... You couldn't just deal with a Hackintosh? Sampling is different from paying double for what a machine is worth.

What can I say? They make nice machines, the OS on the other hand.....

[JoeyK.]

I know the feeling. The first computers I dealt with in school were Macintosh, and we were only taught how to deal with them (Around 2nd grade, I was born in 1990) - Made it difficult to re-adjust to Windows afterwards, especially considering I never used a Mac again.

---------- Post added 29-02-2012 at 12:35 PM ----------

I'm really not trying to hurt Windows' reputation or anything. I'm simply saying that for the average user, it is better to stick to an operating system that is a generation behind because there are more compatible programs and it is easier to use than whatever the current Windows OS is.

[Agnostic Bear]

I installed it as soon as I heard it was out over my main OS. Currently running Win 8 as my main OS.

[Recursion]

I installed it as soon as I heard it was out over my main OS. Currently running Win 8 as my main OS.

You brave, brave man.

[xxMATTGxx]

Sort of using it as my main OS but still have Windows 7 on the other hard drive.

[xxMATTGxx]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aebfjzdLxJA&feature=colike

[xxMATTGxx]

I posted this on a other forum:


I've been using it for a couple of hours now and will be using it as my Main OS for the rest of the week and maybe even longer If I don't come across any major problems. In regards of Metro, I haven't been annoyed by it and if you are a desktop user then you really don't spend time in the metro interface and you don't have to unless you really want to search for something. Even so, searching on it is easy and is done within seconds. I love how you can just start typing and it will start looking for you, it's great that you can separate the results between apps and files.

Metro really does not get in your way if your a desktop user. The only time that it may annoy you is for search but the search is great because you can separate the apps and the files and are able to find what you are looking for more efficiently.



Keyboard Tip:

Windows Key + X and it brings up a nice small menu of things you may want to open:

http://mattgarner.net/upload/images/SQ1PW.png

Windows Key + F = Search for files
Windows Key + Q = Search for Apps/Programs

Just makes it a tiny bit quicker :P

[Chippiewill]

Ultimately I suspect the way this is going to end up is if you're not a tablet don't bother with Windows 8 until you need to because for the desktop experience it doesn't really add anything yet.

[Recursion]

Ultimately I suspect the way this is going to end up is if you're not a tablet don't bother with Windows 8 until you need to because for the desktop experience it doesn't really add anything yet.

This, I'll probably hold out 'till SP1 or something this time round.

[Chippiewill]

This, I'll probably hold out 'till SP1 or something this time round.
I'll wait until launch day and get a Tablet so that I can justify having windows 8. I wonder if they'll have launch parties again?

[peteyt]

What the hell are you talking about?


Have to wait till tomorrow for the audio version of his musings :(

What I mean is lets say internet explorer 6 is really buggy with many security flaws which in truth it is. Abusiness that is still using it and might be handling sensitive data surely could be putting people's data at risk then? There's a reason Microsoft are trying to make people more from Internet Explorer 6, it isn't safe.

[Chippiewill]

They tend to use things like UTMs which scrub all in coming data so they can kinda be safe using IE6 (I use the word "kinda" in the loosest sense of the word), not brilliant and certainly not recommendable but possible.

Of course XP has shipped with IE7 since SP3 anyway.

[xxMATTGxx]

http://live.twit.tv/

Windows Weekly will be on soon - It's a good watch if you are interested in Microsoft news etc and I'm sure Windows 8 CP will be a big topic this week.

[Chippiewill]

http://live.twit.tv/

Windows Weekly will be on soon - It's a good watch if you are interested in Microsoft news etc and I'm sure Windows 8 CP will be a big topic this week.
Damn, I was going to post that. Watching now any-ways.

[Chippiewill]

News flash! You can use a pencil on a non-touch screen with Windows 8 to access touch functionality.

-

Apparently there are a TON of new keyboard short-cuts, mouse gestures and touch gestures - I don't even know the current shortcuts yet :S

[xxMATTGxx]

News flash! You can use a pencil on a non-touch screen with Windows 8 to access touch functionality.

-

Apparently there are a TON of new keyboard short-cuts, mouse gestures and touch gestures - I don't even know the current shortcuts yet :S


Yeah there is a lot of new keyboard shout cuts, I've been learning and finding new ones and they are quite handy!


Windows Key → [Search Term] → Enter will allow you to launch an application very quickly. Pressing the Windows key launches the Start Screen, but immediately typing a search term for an application and pressing Enter will launch the application you desire very quickly

Windows Key + F will bring up the Metro interface to search for files. Selecting a file will open a Metro app first, but if there is no Metro app to open the file it will choose a Desktop app instead

Windows Key + W allows you to search for settings in a similar way to files. A lot of the time the selections will open the Control Panel

Esc (when on the Start Screen) or Windows Key + D immediately ditches the Start Screen for the Desktop

Windows Key + E opens Windows Explorer in case you need to browse files and either don't have it pinned to the taskbar or don't want to search for it

Windows Key + C shows the Charm Bar, which can be hard to get to display with a mouse (especially with multiple monitors)

Windows Key + I shows the information pane that usually only appears once you mouse to the Charm Bar and click Settings. This panel has handy buttons to control volume, networks and power

Windows Key + P shows multi-display options

Windows Key + H brings up sharing options for the application you are using

Windows Key + X shows a context menu filled with links to Windows related settings, such as Command Prompt, Event Viewer, Task Manager, Programs & Features, and more

Windows Key + . chucks the program you're using into either one of Windows 8's multi-tasking sidebars

Windows Key + [1-9] activates one of the programs pinned to your taskbar, with the number you enter corresponding to the location on the taskbar

Windows Key + Tab displays the new Windows 8 Metro multi-tasking sidebar

[Chippiewill]

I just saw metro on a very large screen and it looks so good on that and nice to control. It really does seem like it works 30x better with Touch.

[Stephen!]

Microsoft releases Windows Server 8 beta

http://www.itworld.com/operating-systems/254908/microsoft-releases-windows-server-8-beta

It's pretty much Windows 8 without the metro UI and a start menu! Might run this instead.

[Recursion]

Microsoft releases Windows Server 8 beta

http://www.itworld.com/operating-systems/254908/microsoft-releases-windows-server-8-beta

It's pretty much Windows 8 without the metro UI and a start menu! Might run this instead.

It has the Metro UI, think I'll be sticking with 7/2k8r2 for a while.

http://arstechnica.com/business/news/2012/02/hands-on-with-windows-8-server-beta-a-quick-start-to-domain-domination.ars

[xxMATTGxx]

Metro won't be going anywhere any time soon - Although MS did once actually say to two bloggers there would be a way to disable the start screen for businesses but when asked again they claimed they never actually said that.

Been using the CP since the day it was released and I'm actually not complaining for once! Maybe I'm the only one.

[Stephen!]

Oh god. WHY????????????????????????

Why is it needed on a server OS?

[xxMATTGxx]

I'll post here for the people who like start buttons:

These guys did this in 24 hours but they'll spend more time on it once they are sure there is no "official" way of going back to that sort of way: http://frogboy.joeuser.com/article/418946/Windows_8_Start_button_returns

[Recursion]

I'll post here for the people who like start buttons:

These guys did this in 24 hours but they'll spend more time on it once they are sure there is no "official" way of going back to that sort of way: http://frogboy.joeuser.com/article/418946/Windows_8_Start_button_returns

I actually wouldn't mind that at all :P

[Stephen!]

When using the desktop in Windows 8 I feel like I've been placed in a sandbox and can't really get to anything easily without going through metro unless I place icons for every program I have on my desktop.

Anyone else get the same feeling?

[xxMATTGxx]

When using the desktop in Windows 8 I feel like I've been placed in a sandbox and can't really get to anything easily without going through metro unless I place icons for every program I have on my desktop.

Anyone else get the same feeling?

Not any more, I realised in Windows 7 after reading an article in regards of the "Start Menu" not being the same that I actually searched nearly most of the time for the stuff I wanted to open. So now in Windows 8 I just press the Windows Key > Start typing for what I want straight away and pressing enter again.

I also have applications pinned to the task bar that I use every day.

There is also Windows Key + X for some places you may want to visit now and then.

[Recursion]

When using the desktop in Windows 8 I feel like I've been placed in a sandbox and can't really get to anything easily without going through metro unless I place icons for every program I have on my desktop.

Anyone else get the same feeling?

Unfortunately, yes.

I realise on Windows 7 a lot of the apps I launch are pinned to my taskbar or on the desktop anyway, but I do feel like everything is in totally the wrong place, for example, the Shutdown/Reboot/Sleep is buried somewhere in the so called "Charms" menu.

I dunno... I think one of the problems is there are too many menus and everything takes double the amount of clicks to do than in earlier versions of Windows. It's definitely a tablet OS, mice and keyboards certainly seem like an afterthought. As for Metro UI replacing the start menu, it doesn't really work, I don't want my "start menu" to take up the whole screen whilst I'm trying to do something like, like watch a movie.

[RealClifford]

Also, after using it on a dual screen it doesn't seem to flow like previous windows...
I can't seem to drag apps across to the second screen and it just isn't very nice to use on more than one screen.
When minimizing an app the second screen sometimes goes to the home screen sometime just doesn't do anything and is really quite randomised it seems. I don't think they have built this with dual screens in mind at all.
Another flaw is that if you are using a laptop without an external USB mouse scrolling is terrible and it takes three times the amount of time to do something than it normally would
Bit dissapointing.

Amazing for tabs, phones and single screen devices. But anything more than that is a bit disgusting at the current time.

[Stephen]

downloaded it and I like it

but it doesnt like my keyboard, keeps freezing it :@

[Richie]

I keep getting promoted for an activation code?



never mind if anyone else needs it:
6RH4V-HNTWC-JQKG8-RFR3R-36498

[xxMATTGxx]

Also, after using it on a dual screen it doesn't seem to flow like previous windows...
I can't seem to drag apps across to the second screen and it just isn't very nice to use on more than one screen.
When minimizing an app the second screen sometimes goes to the home screen sometime just doesn't do anything and is really quite randomised it seems. I don't think they have built this with dual screens in mind at all.
Another flaw is that if you are using a laptop without an external USB mouse scrolling is terrible and it takes three times the amount of time to do something than it normally would
Bit dissapointing.

Amazing for tabs, phones and single screen devices. But anything more than that is a bit disgusting at the current time.

I use two screens on Windows 8 just fine. There are settings for multi-monitor displays and one of them is so the applications you have on the other screen, minimise to the taskbar on that screen.

Right Click taskbar > Properties and use the following:

http://mattgarner.net/upload/images/BgYJp.png

Or of course set them to the way you want them to be set but multi-screen support has been thought about and it does work better than previous Window versions without any need for 3rd party programs.

[Markeh]

It's too touch-focused.

As a tablet OS, it's great, but as anything else.... Just no.

And WHY do they use Metro on a SERVER? OK on WHS I could possibly understand but on anything else, there is simply no need.

[Damoz]

The days of windows xp are over, now its just about design then speed

[Recursion]

The days of windows xp are over, now its just about design then speed

Not another one.

7 is far 'faster' than XP, get over it.

[Damoz]

Not another one.

7 is far 'faster' than XP, get over it.

Oh sorry babe, did I "tiggle" a nerve.

[xxMATTGxx]

Its a fact that Windows 7 is better than XP. In terms of performance and even features.

Sent from my 7 Mozart using Board Express

[Stephen]

k it likes my keyboard now

kl

[Chris]

I'm gonna give it a go on virtual box, since I wont be sticking with it and isnt worth doing it properly. :P

[xxMATTGxx]

I thought this was a good read: http://mymicrosoftlife.com/2012/03/02/windows-8-after-24-hours/

[Stephen!]

My metro is beginning to look like this

http://cdn.overclock.net/8/84/84f0fc20_Untitled.jpeg

[Stephen]

I hate the metro bit it looks so unorganised

I installed tuneup utilities and it's added like 20+ shortcuts to it :@

[Recursion]

My metro is beginning to look like this

http://cdn.overclock.net/8/84/84f0fc20_Untitled.jpeg

LibreOffice :|

[xxMATTGxx]

My metro is beginning to look like this

http://cdn.overclock.net/8/84/84f0fc20_Untitled.jpeg


I hate the metro bit it looks so unorganised

I installed tuneup utilities and it's added like 20+ shortcuts to it :@



You could if you wanted to, started grouping them under certain headings or even unpinning them from the start screen and then just using search or whatever.

[Stephen!]

LibreOffice :|

Not my screenshot ;D

[Chippiewill]

I'm be more surprised that someone would think they'd even need Google Earth installed.

[xxMATTGxx]

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/bott/shortcuts-and-surprises-in-the-windows-8-consumer-preview/4587?tag=mantle_skin;content

Some hidden tricks in the OS. Such as: Windows Key + Print Screen at the same time will take a screenshot of your desktop and save it automatically in your Pictures folder.

[Recursion]

Totally agree with this tbh...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlD0VbMM4M0

[Chris]

Ive tried it out on virtualbox. It's quite good, I like the apps but the one thing I miss is the start menu. :(

[Michael-]

Downloading it now, is it possible to run this and my current windows 7?

[GommeInc]

Totally agree with this tbh...

*snip*
His flip out in the middle was amazing :P

I do agree with him though. Metro and Aero both serve different computers and people. The problem with Windows in general is that they can serve different people and they are trying to fuse them together under one OS and interface, but to seperate the two interfaces for the different systems could be a waste of resources.

They need to have it so you can enter an option somewhere which disables Aero and ops for Metro and vice versa, rather than have both which would be problematic. From what I've seen so far Metro does look good, but it wouldn't fit the purposes I use my PC for. It makes you wonder why they didn't keep the taskbar, and have it fade out when not in use e.g. you put your mouse down to the bottom and it appears - and you can opt to keep it there permanently or not at all and use Metro which appears above. Just a thought :P

Either way, it's going to cause Windows users to have problems adjusting.

[Chippiewill]

The problem with Win8 is that when going between Metro and Aero it's a massively jarring experience either they need to fix that or stop forcing people to use the start screen on Aero. Once they do that it's actually fine.

[xxMATTGxx]

http://www.theverge.com/2012/3/6/2848443/windows-8-start-button-start-menu-how-to

[Stephen]

I want them to put that start button that was in dev preview back into it i liked that

[Mikey]

Does anyone have screenshots of this preview by any chance? :)

[xxMATTGxx]

Does anyone have screenshots of this preview by any chance? :)


Start Screen:
http://mattgarner.net/upload/images/Cq3MD.png

Metro App downloaded from the Store (Cut the Rope):

http://mattgarner.net/upload/images/eyE2A.png

Desktop:

http://mattgarner.net/upload/images/M5ic8.png

Example of Searching on Windows 8:

http://mattgarner.net/upload/images/TBEW.png

New Task Manager Design:

http://mattgarner.net/upload/images/k93Q.png

New Copy & Paste:

http://mattgarner.net/upload/images/29mTE.png

[Chippiewill]

I love how one of the biggest changes they've made to the desktop side is better copy and paste. Oh Microsoft, you silly oh you.

[peteyt]

Sorry to open an old post but wondered if Microsoft still takes feature requests or is Windows 8 locked.

I'm not sure if this is related to applications, but certainly there's an issue with some older games on pc's with more than 1 core as they weren't designed to work on multiple cores - setting the affinity to just one core usually fixes this but this has to be done every time.

With an updated design to the task manager I wonder if Microsoft would consider an option to allow some kind of remember function to make it easier when loading older programs, games etc.

[FiftyCal]

What is this, Windows Phone for PC?

[Recursion]

Sorry to open an old post but wondered if Microsoft still takes feature requests or is Windows 8 locked.

I'm not sure if this is related to applications, but certainly there's an issue with some older games on pc's with more than 1 core as they weren't designed to work on multiple cores - setting the affinity to just one core usually fixes this but this has to be done every time.

With an updated design to the task manager I wonder if Microsoft would consider an option to allow some kind of remember function to make it easier when loading older programs, games etc.

Why, what happens? I don't see any problems with them? :S

If a program can only use one core, it will only use one core lol

[peteyt]

Why, what happens? I don't see any problems with them? :S

If a program can only use one core, it will only use one core lol

I've played a few games where there are big speed issues - Unreal Tournament being one - basically the game either runs too fast or too slow and I heard this is basically due to the fact it was designed for older hardware and not modern stuff - running it off one core seems to fix this but you have to manually do this each time.

[Chippiewill]

You know, what some people are forgetting is that Windows 8 is touch-first - and whilst Microsoft has made a jarring experience on the desktop side the tablet experience looks awesome:
http://www.theverge.com/2012/3/1/2835346/windows-8-vs-ipad-feature-comparison

It looks a lot like those concept videos which Microsoft has done a ton of, there are like 500 touch gestures. It's just a shame they didn't add more of the mouse gestures like Aero snap in W7.