Moments ago in Barcelona, we announced the release of Windows 8 Consumer Preview, available to download now for anyone interested in trying it out. We’ve been hard at work for many months now, and while we still have lots more to do, we’re excited to show you our progress with the latest preview of the new operating system. I’m a writer on the Windows team, and over the next few weeks, I’ll be publishing a series of posts here on the Windows Experience Blog about what you can expect to see in Windows 8, tips for navigating the new operating system, and all the great new ways to have fun and get things done in this preview of a brand new Windows.
With Windows 8, the whole experience of Windows has been reimagined. It’s designed to work on a wide range of devices , from touch-enabled tablets, to laptops, to desktops and all-in-ones. We’ve designed Windows 8 to give you instant access to your apps, your files, and the information you care about most so you can spend less time navigating and more time doing what you actually want to do. You can move between Windows 8 PCs easily and access your files and settings from virtually anywhere. We’ve made touch a first-class experience and navigating with a mouse and keyboard fast and fluid. And just like Windows 7, reliability and security features are built in. It’s the best of Windows 7, made even better.
Before you start the download, there are a few things to keep in mind.
The Windows 8 Consumer Preview is just that: a preview of what’s to come. It represents a work in progress, and some things will change before the final release. This means you’ll encounter some hiccups and bugs. One of the great things about widely releasing a preview like this is that it gives us a chance to get a lot of feedback through telemetry, forums, and blog posts on where we can smooth out some of the rough edges.
If you’re used to running prerelease (beta) software, you’re OK with a little troubleshooting, and you don’t mind doing a few technical tasks here and there, then you’ll probably be OK giving the Windows 8 Consumer Preview a spin. If a list of hardware specs is a little overwhelming for you, or you’re not sure what you’d do if something unexpected happened, this might not be the time to dive in.
As with pre-release software in general, there won’t be official support for the Windows 8 Consumer Preview, but if you have problems, please share them with us. You can post a detailed explanation of any issues you run into at the Windows 8 Consumer Preview forum. We’ll be able to look at your input, and you might find some help from other members of the community who have seen the same issues you’ve found. In addition, the Windows 8 Consumer Preview FAQ on the Windows website has information that could help you out and make the Windows 8 experience more productive and enjoyable.
Windows 8 Consumer Preview should run on the same hardware that powers Windows 7 today. In general, you can expect Windows 8 Consumer Preview to run on a PC with the following:
However, there are some additional requirements to take into consideration in order to use certain features in Windows 8. In order to use the Snap feature, you will need a PC with a 1366x768 resolution or higher. If you want to use touch, you’ll need a multitouch-capable laptop, tablet, or display. Windows 8 supports at least five simultaneous touch points, so if your hardware doesn’t, you may find typing on the onscreen keyboard and using certain controls more of a challenge. You’ll also need an internet connection to try out the Windows Store, to download and install apps, and to take your settings and files with you from one Windows 8 PC to another.
For some more information on hardware requirements, check out this post on the Building Windows 8 blog. Also, the Windows Hardware Team tells me they plan on updating the Microsoft Touch Mouse for Windows 8. You can read their announcement and more info on using Microsoft Hardware mice and keyboards with Windows 8 in this blog post.
If you’ve read all of that, and you’re ready to give it a try, then let’s go!
It starts with the new Start screen.
This is where you’ll first see how we’ve reimagined the Windows experience. If you’ve seen what we’ve done with Windows Phone, this might look familiar. From the Start screen you can launch apps, switch between tasks, share content, and check notifications. The tiles show real-time updates—news, sports, and what your friends are up to. You can check your schedule or get the latest weather forecast without searching for information—no need to open an app to see your next appointment or find out if you have any new email. This design style is great on a phone for getting you to the content you want easily and quickly, and extended to the whole screen of a PC, it’s even better.
You can customize this screen to put all of the information you care about in one place, such as the weather, websites, playlists, and your contacts. Your favorite apps are always front and center. Because you decide how to organize and group things on the Start screen, viewing and interacting with content is faster than ever.
When you use the cloud to store your information, it doesn’t matter where you’re sitting or what device you’re using. Your music, photos, files, contacts, and settings aren’t stored on one device, they’re in one place: the cloud. I like to write, and I’m not always in the same place when I do it. With a Microsoft account, I can start a project on one Windows 8 PC and finish it on another.
When you sign in to a Windows 8 PC with your Microsoft account, you're immediately connected to all of your people, files, and settings, including themes, language preferences, and browser favorites. You can connect your favorite cloud services to your Microsoft account, too—services like Hotmail, SkyDrive, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. And you can immediately get to your photos, docs, and other files, whether they’re on SkyDrive, Facebook, or Flickr. When you sign in, even a brand new Windows 8 PC will have access to your files and settings. And if you share your Windows 8 PC, anyone else can have their own personalized, cloud-connected experience by signing in with their Microsoft account.
With new touch-based PCs, the things you do with a mouse and keyboard are now easy to do with touch, too. If you’ve gotten used to touch with a smartphone or tablet, you’ll feel right at home in Windows 8. You can switch between apps, organize your Start screen, and pan and zoom to really fly through the things you want to do.
Windows 8 is a full-featured PC operating system designed from the start with touch in mind. But if you type long blog posts like this one, do precise work like graphic design, or even play first-person shooter games, you probably want to use a mouse and keyboard as well. When I’m not using touch, I use my keyboard for everything, so I’m happy that Windows 8 has kept mouse and keyboard as first-class citizens. People work in different ways, and Windows 8 adapts accordingly.
In Windows 8, we’ve built new, fast ways to get around the operating system and do common tasks. They’re called charms. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen or move your mouse to the upper-right corner, and the charms bar appears (you can also use the Windows key + C). The charms are the quickest way to navigate to key tasks in Windows 8. You can go to the Start screen, or use the charms for quick shortcuts to common tasks.
Just like in Windows 7, with Windows 8, you can easily search for apps, settings, or files on your PC. And with the Search charm, searching now goes even deeper. You can search within apps and on the web, so you can find a specific email quickly in the Mail app, or see what a friend has put on Facebook using the People app. You can also get search results from within apps right from the Start screen. If the info you need is on the web, just choose Internet Explorer in your search results, and Search brings the results right to you. Apps designed specifically for Windows 8 can use the Search charm easily, so as you install more apps, you can find movie reviews or show times, opinions on restaurants, or even stock prices (just to name a few), without having to hunt around. If you’re using a keyboard, you can also search right from the Start screen – just start typing, and the results will appear. You can filter results to view apps or settings, or to search within individual apps.
When I read something great on the web or see a picture that makes me laugh, I like to pass it on. The Share charm makes it incredibly easy. And just like with Search, apps can hook into Share easily, so you don’t have to jump in and out of an app to share great content. You can quickly send wise words with the Mail app or share a great photo on SkyDrive. The apps you use most often are listed first for quick access, and you can choose whether to share with just one person, or with all of your contacts at once.
The Devices charm lets you get to the devices you want to use so you can do things like getting photos from a digital camera, streaming video to your TV, or sending files to a device, all from one place. For example, if you’re watching a movie in the Video app and want to share it with everyone in room, the Devices charm lets you stream a video right to your Xbox to show it on your TV.
The Settings charm is the place to go for basic tasks like setting the volume or shutting down your PC. When you’re in an app, the Settings charm takes you to settings for that app, so you can set up email accounts, select options for sound and video, or choose a control setup for games. The Settings charm can also take you right to your PC settings so you can change themes, set up sharing with HomeGroup, or use Windows Update.
If you’re using touch, just swipe in from the left edge to go back to your last app, or keep swiping to go back through several apps. If you’re using a mouse, just move it to the upper-left corner to see your last app. You can also move your mouse down from the corner to see more recently used apps. Or you can try one of my favorite features: swipe in from the left, and then slide your last app out to the left or right side of the screen to snap it in place. Perfect for keeping your music controls up while you work, or keeping an eye on Twitter while you play a game.
So where do you go to get all these great apps? With the new Windows Store, you’ll be able to discover a variety of apps, all grouped in easy-to-find categories. We highlight apps we love, provide quick access to frequently downloaded, high-quality apps, and show you how other people have rated apps. This morning, we announced the winners of our Windows 8 First Apps Contest, and you can download all of these in the Store today.
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All of the apps you’ll see in the Store for Windows 8 Consumer Preview are free. Later, there will also be lots of apps that you can buy. You’ll be able to try many apps before you buy, and if you like one you’re trying, you can get the full version without losing your place or reinstalling anything. The Store will also offer available updates for the apps you already have.
When you install the Windows 8 Consumer Preview, you’ll have several great apps already. These app previews also represent work in progress, but they’ll give you a great feel for what you can do with Windows 8 and how well apps can work together. The Weather, Finance, and Maps apps are all powered by Bing. Check out this post from the Bing team about the great work they’re doing for Windows 8. And our friends in Xbox have made a few great apps as well. The Xbox LIVE Games, Video, Music and Xbox LIVE Companion apps are previews of what’s to come. Major Nelson published a blog post today about what the Xbox team is up to. Definitely worth having a look.
With Internet Explorer 10 Consumer Preview, we’ve reimagined what a great web experience can look like. Internet Explorer is designed to dedicate your entire screen, edge to edge, to your websites. Websites extend over your whole screen, and tabs and navigation controls appear only when you need them and then quietly get out of the way when you don’t. Browsing is as easy as using the rest of Windows. With Internet Explorer 10, the web is crazy fast. Everything you want to do on the web is a swipe or tap away, and it uses hardware acceleration, modern browser standards like HTML5, and the quick core of Windows to make browsing fast and fluid.
Internet Explorer is a leader in protection against malware and phishing, and it will help keep you more secure when browsing the web. SmartScreen Filter identifies scams and sites that are known to be malicious and warns you when your security might be threatened. And the privacy controls in Tracking give you choice and better control over where your personal info goes on the web.
No one likes to have computer problems, but sometimes things go wrong. With new options to refresh your PC, Windows 8 makes it simple to go back to a fresh installation of Windows without losing your personal files or settings, or any apps you’ve installed from the Windows Store. You don’t have to get out an installation disc or burn DVDs to back up your photos, videos, or music. Just start the process, and Windows will do all the work and get you back in action.
Windows Defender in Windows 8 provides anti-malware protection to monitor and help protect your PC against viruses and other malware in real time. If your PC becomes infected, Defender will automatically detect and attempt to remove the malware so your PC stays up and running. And if you have other antimalware or antivirus software you want to use, Windows Defender will back off quietly, so you can use the option you like best.
We’ve had a lot of fun reimagining how Windows looks and behaves, but we’ve been careful to stay true to the core features that have made Windows great for decades now. The familiar Windows desktop is still around, and we’ve made improvements to make it better than ever. We’ve added easy access to networking features, file management, and search with the ribbon. We’ve updated Task Manager and improved Control Panel. All the stuff you know is still here.
You can work with your mouse and keyboard, pin apps to the Windows Taskbar, and right-click to get to everything you’re used to. (To get back to the Start screen, just move your mouse to the lower-left corner of the screen, or press the Windows key on your keyboard.) Most importantly, if you install the Windows 8 Consumer Preview on your laptop or home office PC (or any other x86-based PC), you won’t have to retire all of the desktop apps you like to use, so if you have games you like to play, or you use Microsoft Office to get things done, you can still do it all in Windows 8.
Here’s a look at Windows 8 Consumer Preview in action from Jensen Harris, Director of Program Management for User Experience on the Windows Team.
If you’re a developer and your app isn’t in the Store today, now is the time to start building apps. The Windows Dev Center provides you with free developer and design tools, code samples, technical docs, and expert help from the community so you can get started on getting your apps out worldwide with the Windows Store. Once you’re running the Consumer Preview, download Visual Studio 11 Express Beta – your free tool to get started building Metro style apps. It includes the Windows 8 SDK, Metro style templates and easy access to Windows 8 APIs. Also take a look at the Windows 8 Developer guide for an in-depth look at powerful new options for developers.
If you’re an IT pro, visit the Springboard Series for Windows 8 on TechNet learn about Enterprise key features. Start with Explore Windows 8, your one-page guide to technical overviews and frequently asked questions about AppLocker, BitLocker, Client Hyper-V, DirectAccess, hardware device management, the Windows Store, Windows To Go, and more. If you need support to help you test and evaluate Windows 8, make sure to visit the Windows 8 Consumer Preview IT Pro Forums on TechNet.
If I went into detail about every new feature and improvement we’ve put into the Windows 8 Consumer Preview in this post, you’d never actually get around to trying it out yourself. So stay tuned over the next few weeks as I go into more depth about some of the cool things we’ve done. In the meantime, go ahead and give Windows 8 a try, and play with the apps that are included. Remember, the Windows 8 Consumer Preview forum and the Windows 8 Consumer Preview FAQ can give you help, as well as a place to leave feedback. I’d love to hear your thoughts on what you see, too, so you can leave comments here as well. We hope you enjoy the new Windows!
Kent Walter Windows Team
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How to download?
Windows 8 FTW!!!!!
its fast, fluid and beautiful :)
Is there really a point to hide start?
Bring it back and I might consider
adorable
I like how in the second video, they're careful not to demonstrate scrolling the metro UI with a mouse because it's such an awful experience that they clearly haven't fixed. Horizontal scrollbar? Really?
What will the upgrade path be if we install the consumer preview? Will it be like Win7 were there's not a direct path from the beta to the release, or will we be able to update from the consumer preview to the release?
I like MS, i LIKE Windows :)
Download and testing...
Good work. I am currently downloading.
Can someone confirm the score of nontroppo.org/.../Hixie_DOM.html in IE10 with this CP release?
Is there a more complete hardware requirement list available? I am thinking of trying to run this on my HP Touchpad, if possible.
@TDNBondi - Steven Sinofsky posted more detailed information on his blog this morning. Have a look: blogs.msdn.com/.../running-the-consumer-preview-system-recommendations.aspx
Ah, the answer is no, you can't upgrade from preview to release, per the link posted by Kent - just migrate settings.
this is so great! .. i'll definitely buy this! cant wait for the final version! i only have 2 wishes, please bring back the Start Button in the Desktop, and please bring back the circle logo from the previous Windows.. i just don't like the new logo, the square one ..
Using this with mouse is just cumbersome. Try to swipe the app from the top all the way to the bottom with a laptop trackpad, with mouse on a 24" LCD or stop in the corner on a multi-monitor setup without moving to the next one. Plain pain.
At last! Downloading it right now, unfortunately only at 173 KB/sec :'(
Anyway, as soon as I get home I'm installing it :P
I will download it right after closing from work... Can't wait to get hands-on
I have installed windows 8 developer preview in samsung slate. Is it possible to upgrade from Developer preview to consumer preview.
we need torrent link for W8 :P i know MS servers is doing well but not great with all geeks downloading it
@ChrisAverage - I feel you. It took me some getting used to as well. Touch is super natural, of course, but if you're using a mouse, you can use the wheel to go side to side, and Ctrl+wheel zooms out to let you move around more quickly too. Once you get used to it, it really is a pretty snappy way to do things.
@subbiah - From the B8 blog this morning, here are Grant George's comments on upgrading from Developer Preview (short version: yes, you can do it): "For those of you who have already been running the Windows 8 Developer Preview, you can install the Windows 8 Consumer Preview using the migrate option (just keep personal files), but not the upgrade option (keep personal files, apps, and settings)."
heyy guysss... happy a lot as it is released... have been waiting for this since i heard abt it....
well as far as moving on to metro style apps... I am using hp pavillion dv6 have multi touchpad so not a big deal for me to use these apps....
but I have a doubt that is this windows 8 CS compatible with hp apps and softwares came with windows 7 such as hp simple pass tool for fingerprint test, hp on screen utility, hp power manager & lot....
waiting for reply
thanks in advance :)
WINDOWS - AMAZING LIKE EVERYDAY :)
The pictures on Windows 8 look great in this display. But let's see how easy this is on my PC. That's the real test. http://www.geekchoice.com
With Xbox live games, would that mean we can play RDR on pc too...? with the game on demand
Are the United Kingdom going to be added to the Live apps as I cannot use my Zune pass or Xbox etc?
"The apps affected by this issue include Xbox Companion, Xbox LIVE Games, Music, and Video. Note that the Windows 8 Consumer Preview Apps are only available in the following locations:
• United states
• Japan
• Germany
• France"
Metro on tablet=Yes, Metro on Desktop=No, Metro is still default on desktop=Yes, Customer happy=No.
If you are looking for a good installation guide that goes through all the steps and shares the product key required to install the Consumer Preview, check this guide: www.7tutorials.com/how-make-clean-installation-windows-8
Thank u - Kent...
I get a blue screen of death on day 1 testing. Can Microsoft make a better Blue screen for that... it looks boring... make it looks like a broken window(s) will be cool
I am looking forward to trying it out, unfortunately I am 0 for 4 on installs as I keep getting a VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE error and I am not sure what is causing it. This is a fresh install on a blank harddrive.
Maybe I'm missing it, but where is the option to configure a hidden WiFi network? I loaded it on a tablet and my home network is hidden.
Nevermind, it was relocated... sorry about that. I had hunted for awhile and kept missing it, once I posted here it was right in front of me. I hate when that happens!
COOL!!!
"Internet Explorer is the only browser today to dedicate your entire screen, edge to edge, to your websites"
This is just blatantly false.
Wonderful
Just installed as a 2nd OS on another HD (RAID0) and am dual booting.
Works nicely but have yet to explorer all options.It picked up all peripherals nicely and supplied the drivers.
It seems very quick on an Intel 2600K with 4gb of Ram(64bit version) faster than W7 or maybe less programs
running in background...so far.It already updated itself once. Miss the Start button took a minute to find that main screen
@ willisvt - Thanks for pointing this out. That should have been qualified further and wasn't. Fixed it. :)
My favorite tablet OS!
@Windows Team, congrads for //build'ing this new OS.
@Nathan, on IE10 dev preview it talkes some thousands milliseconds (compared to safari which takes 100ms!)... I dont think there would be significant improvement for this kind of micro-benchmarking.. IE team is still just fair enough 8-)
I have a huuuge Problem with this beta at the Moment - the charms don't work on my Desktop PC - if I move my mouse to a hot Corner the whole System will freeze, it seems to be under heavy fire from somewhere, i don't know what causes this… it works perfectly on my Laptop and my Desktop is far more powerfull… could someone give me an idea?
Hi - i have upgrade my windows 8 developer preview to consumer preview. In Developer preview visual studio itself install the necessary registry keys for installing New apps/Packages. But in consumer preview i dint find visual studio and when i tried to install the package developed in developer preview, i cant install the same in consumer preview.
Any idea
Thanks in advance,
Subbiah K
You've got to FIX THE DESKTOP EXERIENCE!! The Metro touch stuff is cool, a little quirky, but forward thinking. #congrats. However, as the manager of 7000 desktops in a corp environment I am freaking out about the direction the desktop with keyboard and mouse is going. It is a complete regression since Win8 developer preview. If you don't get this cleaned up and fixed then Win8 will be another Vista flop in the corporate world. Let me say that again... WIN8 WILL BE ANOTHER VISTA I could write a small book on the issues here.
My users range from tech savy to plant workers and truck drivers. Like all of us, the start button is baked into our DNA. Heck, it evens makes sense to us to click start in order to shutdown. If you don't know where to go, click on "START" and all your problems are solved. What once took one click, now takes some mouse gymnatsics to hover in that weird 1/4 inch area next to the clock that used to be show desktop. (try hovering there with multiple monitors -- talk about extreme dexterity). Once you hover, then the magical charms appear on the right side of the primary screen. Now you see a familiar looking start button, but SURPRISE!!! It doesn't take you to "all programs" -- it takes you to the touch optimized Metro start screen. Talk about poor decision making.
Trying shutting your computer down with a mouse.
Try launching a CMD prompt.
How can I make the desktop the default UI? I'm not going to deploy metro desktop to my users as the default screen. I would rather deploy a slew of ipads and I'm no ipad fan that is for sure.
How do you pin a program to your task bar now?
..and WHY isn't the trashcan on the start bar? Having it as a desktop icon has never made sense because you have to move windows around just to get to it.
Please allow us to disable Metro for desktops and laptops. It's great on my phone but it really doesn't belong on my desktop. The Start Menu was possibly the greatest part of Windows and now it's gone :(
HOW DO YOU DOWNLOAD
Hi!!! Can I install W8 Consumer Preview on Windows Virtual Machine (Win 7) or Windows Virtual PC (Win XP)?
Does anyone know the song used in the consumer release video? Super catchy.
Windows 8 might be an improvement, but the Metro UI is absolutely terrible for PC use.
And, with no way to disable that abomination of a UI, I will not be using Windows 8.
Rethink what you are doing, Microsoft, before it is too late.
Loving it so far!
@shrippen - Please visit the forums on Microsoft Answers here go.microsoft.com/.../p and explain your issue there. Thanks and appreciate your feedback!
I really dislike the separation between "Apps", "Settings", and "Files" with the new search. In Win7, I can just start typing, and use the arrow keys to move between results of any type. In Win8, I have to click the type of result I want before I see any results in anything other than Apps. Even if there are 0 results in Apps.
Great interface for a Tablet or Smart phone. Really stupid interace for desktop or laptop. NOT anything I would use. Not professional or for business use. Give me a way to hide the Metro Interface.
I have used Windows since Windows 286 and this is the first time I feel Microsoft has really let down the business community. Time to consider looking at alternative OS solutions.
Face it MS, your way too late to the Tablet market and this won't help.
I have been running Client and Server developer Preview and it is fantastic for such an early version. I completely disagree with those that say MSFT has let down the business community. If you are so busy looking to the past, you will never see where this new interface can take you and I know because I work directly in the large scale MSFT enterprise world. Great job MSFT
Cross your fingers.... Installing on a HP Slate 500. It's going to be nice to have touch and mouse in one device.
@vinay sen
It's fast , but hideous for a desktop. Pay close attention to the install!!! Microsoft is gathering a lot of personal information by default unless you choose Custom install and turn it all off.
Appears that you have to have a Windows Live account or it won't install. ?? What's up with that?
Every time I changed something simple like Font size , I had to log out????
Can't find a way to see ALL of my installed applications like the old Start Menu. There is NO way I would be scrolling through several hundred apps with the Metro Interface!!!
Metro may look great on a small, limited RAM tablet or Smart phone, but I DO NOT WANT it on my desktop. Really Microsoft? Is this all you could come up with? I've used Windows since V2. I have to say that a Mac is starting to look better now.
Would you mind allowing a combined Fahrenheit / Celsius view in the Weather area? It's helpful for those trying to convert. I'm always surprised when weather apps never allow both to be shown at once.
I love 8 :)
Now, see, @GGRussell, I'm completely opposite you. I start with DOS 1, and I grew up Windows starting with 1. I lived through PocketPC, Windows Mobile and all of it. I cut my teeth as an MCSE on WinNT. And I LOVE this version. I cannot tell you how fast I want the old desktop meme to DIE DIE DIE. It's tired, archaic. If I could force my users to the Metro UI exclusively I would in a heartbeat.
One thing that has me a bit befuddled at the moment is that even after using my Windows Live account to signin to the new install, not all of my settings flowed down to the desktop. In particular, it tried to set my mail up with an Exchange server, which I don't have, but I don't see an obvious reference to my actual Live account. It lets me add my Gmail account. I'm probably missing something way obvious, but it seems more of my configuration that my WP7 device uses should have flowed through.
I'm ultimately looking for that completely ubiquitous settings and information flow.
How many days i can use Windows 8 beta ...Is it expire?
So far very good...very fast and smooth
After testing the Developer Edition and now seeing the BETA - I am still tossed at Windows 8 and sort of peeved by some of its strange user interface (UI) functionality.
- MS fixed the desktop issues like scrolling the desktop tiles left and right without grabbing the scroll bar, just touching the edge of the screen.
- They made closing open apps easier "on most apps".
- I like the Online Profile Integration for computer log-in and my Windows Online Account. It makes for a more Cloud'ish integration and I can see the day when I'm logging into any PC with my "Cloud Profile". This breaks the tether to a single PC and that's cool!
MS did a lot since Dev. Edition but... and this is a big BUT, they are making a radical departure from traditional "familiar" User Interface Windows that has taken many years to get used to for even techs not to mention the average user. Each revision from Win 95 to Windows 7 has been a steady granular increase in speed, security and looks / UI. They could incorporate some of these new features like the Ribbon Bar in Win 8 to Win 7 and really make Windows 7 a lot better while maintaining familiarity. But if we were to place our parents on a Windows 8 machine they would GIVE UP. I even gave up when trying to find my network setting to change my WiFi connection to "connect even if the network is not broadcasting its name (SSID)".
Launching programs vs. apps is lame. I launch a program and I'm back on the traditional desktop. I launch an app and I'm in a new "non-multitasking world" with the whole screen in that app. Why!?
Overall Windows 8 is awesome - on a tablet or a smart phone - but they need one feature on install for laptops and desktops [traditional Windows OS? or Touch Screen?] or even forced into touch screen if technology is detected then the option to depart after install.
Bottom line... this "hybrid" is LAME! MS just created the BETA version of the Chevy Volt OS. Like the Volt this current version will have lots of ideas, exposing the lack of market research and ultimately will discover no demand.
Please add the Start button back to the Window 8 Desktop. We've had the start button since Windows 95. We need it back.
How Do You Get The Apps To Work???
Please add the Start button to the Windows 8 Desktop. We need it.
Love to try it but my Kaspersky Antivirus does not work with it, so did not install it.
Everything looks good other than the background older UI. My parents and any user that is not tech savvy will not be able to use this. I understand its a "beta" version but my parents won't. I guess "apps" are what are about to be the "norm". If this is completely wrong let me know but I'm super excited to have this new version of windows. I've been a devoted customer of windows only because I've grown up poor and couldn't afford apple products.
Since the desktop is now essentially an app with a tile, it would be great if we could create multiple virtual desktops, each with it's own tile. It would also be great if the desktop tiles showed a preview of the windows that are open, or icons of the apps currently open.
And please bring back "Pin to Desktop", even if it's only allowed from within the desktop itself. You arelady have "Pin to Taskbar", so it's can't be dificult.
Please add a notifcation bar at the bottom or top of the screen, so that it shows exactly the same info as the lock screen, including a clock.
I absolutely love this new version! However, along with changing one's meme comes the inevitable learning curve--which I'm FULLY willing to engage (unlike a number of folks whining for the archaic meme). One issue that I think I've discovered, though, is setting up the Hotmail account on Win8. When I established my Windows Live account, hence my default address, I did NOT use an actual Hotmail account. I used my email account that I host on my own server. This works beautifully with Windows Live and my Windows Phone 7 device. However, Windows 8 will NOT let me set it up as my Hotmail account---it says "unable to connect", throwing the cursor to the email address block of the setup.
Anyone else having problems with meeting the requirements? I have a core i7 2600k running at 4.4gig and it is telling me my cpu isn't fast enough.
here is a link to a screen shot I took.
i44.servimg.com/.../wi10.png
What is a security program for windows 8?
Let the excitements begin!
All we need now is a "Windows" branded tablet with a detachable keyboard.
Takes some getting used to. I am comparing things like mail, weather and readers on my Xoom to the Win8 Metro apps. They have a long way to go to reach the same level of convenience as on the Xoom. But, with some more work.
OTOH, I do have Windows desktop - which Xoom doesn't have directly (although Android OneNote, EverNote and QuickOffice provide adequate support for things that can realistically be done on a tablet).
I am using an Asus EP121 tablet, which is a tablet that MS apparently uses for some testing. After install of Windows 8 Bluetooth, HDMI, screen rotation buttons and such don't work. Since MS has used this beast - are Win8-compatible drivers arround somewhere?
No, I don't want to just blindly try the Asus Win7 drivers. I tried that with BT with no joy. Some of the others might cause trouble.
I don't know of any "formal'" feedback path. Without feedback I don't see how consumers can be of much "help" in reporting problems.
SOS! Can anybody help me? The Windows apps do not work. When I click on the store, the email app or just the weather app - there appears just the full screen modus with the symbol but nothing more .... I am also logged in with my microsoft ID account .... Thank you!
windows 8 is nice and runs stable but it cant find driver for my coprocessor.
The only problem I have is that when going to the "Store" for apps, I know there are not many right now, There isn't a way to search for them. Also some apps will start and then just stop other than that its smooth and it doesn't have a "Windows" feel to it
Downloaded and installed Win 8 CP and cannot access the Store App- just goes back to the Start screen- in fact all the apps do that- do I need to enable something?
Ok...
I have installed this...
My thoughts so far...
Booting from an SSD, 14 seconds...
Windows 7 did it in 11 seconds...
It took 2 mice and 2 installs before it would recognize my mouse... On a system that previously and happily ran everything from Windows XP through Windows 7, 4 gigs of ram and an SSD... AMD 64
Only after I setup the system with my email do I find it now uses my personal name associated with that instead of the private Id I prefer to use... Who was the bright spark behind that?
I hate the Metro UI and if there's no way to avoid it, I will stick with Windows 7
I will never have a touch screen interface... not unless they make them as big as my 40" screen... and even then I won't be able to reach the top without standing up....
Do I choose, Big ugly primary colour squares on my monitor or large flashy picture of an attractive lady or a fantastic space or scifi wallpaper..?. Decisions decisions...
As far as I can see, you've taken everything that looked tasteful and classy about windows 7 and made it look like it was redrawn in a kindergarten class.... I don't need a full screen to do things... in letters 1 inch tall....
I don't even like the look of it...
No Start Button, Orb or whatever, just some fuzzy area in the bottom left corner that brings up those f***ing squares again... Try scrolling through a few dozen huge square on a big monitor with a mouse... No thanks... Yes, I'm sure I can resize them but the thing is, I shouldn't have to....
So installing stuff.... looks like fun... let's see how that goes...
Well, it went alright... if a bit slower than doing it in Windows 7.... Where is it? Oh yeah, scroll several screens over through the brightly coloured squares....
Oh look I can move it.... or pin it... the simplistic little icons tell me what to do.... Were these icon designed by the same guys who make road signs that idiots can understand?
I hate how every APP seems to have a lame splash screen when it starts for the first time ... with a big primary colour that fills my screen... How clever... (Insert sarcastic tirade here)
So far, I am very very underimpressed.... If I wanted a touch screen cellphone lookalike I would have bought a touch screen cellphone... Wait, I did.... It's an Android....
Look I realise that you are really looking to find bugs and problems... Well, seems to me that the Metro Interface is the biggest bug and problem you have....
As for me, I am so very glad I didn't even try to install this on my main computer....
this is my current win7 layout.
imageshack.us/.../win75.png
i'm using custom skins using rainmeter to get a metro-like UI that is friendly for pc users.
on a pc, it is a hassle to have to scroll horizontally, so i don't think the metro ui would be that great.
i'm gonna go ahead and wait on upgrading for now. i've got a windows phone, and it's great on the phone.
not so sure about on pc though.
I installed this on my every-day Thinkpad. Figured I'd learn to to love it or at least get used to it. The restore disk is starting to look inviting, already. When this is available on a thinkpad tablet, I'll be one of the first to get it, but so far it doesn't seem to be an improvement for a laptop. I'll give it and me a while. Have the same laptop still running Win7 so for a while, when I get frustrated because there are tooooooooo many steps to do something simple, like find a file and read it or just shut it down, I won't un-install it just yet. Please, put the start button back! Please!
how to disable the Metro?
Metro is not very friendly
Where to find "manage wireless networks” in Windows 8 ?
How to modify the wireless profile after being auto-detected by Windows 8 ?
where to find the off button and reboot?
Previously, they were shagovovy available in the Start menu
Why so much complicated the lives of users deststop?
@jjbowles fully agree,
And then even if the old start button would come back.... Do we really need to start a PC to this non-corporate metro UI and manually switch to the old desktop? for jjbowles that would mean about 7000 minutes every day wasted time which is a lot.
In the blog I see "he familiar Windows desktop is still around"... Still around.... does that mean something like "Keeping you pleased now but we probably will trash the old desktop once you bought win8 and do some automatic update" ??
ok, I'm sick and tired of reading the negative posts here. Wake up, people! This is 2012 and a time for something with forward thought. I'm impressed with the progress we have here. No other device right now will allow you to use desktop apps on a tablet. This does. I even enjoy the metro on the desktop... With the live tiles, everything is up and in front of you to see.
I wish we could easily scroll through the star page... Maybe up-page / down-page or something. Oh well. Its been very fast and fluid thus far. I love it though. Something Iget excited to work with.
I'd prefer the regular screen to be default, and have the new one to be an option, but that's just me. Either that or a setting to where you can pick one or the other. I've already discovered an issue. I use robocopy (in a batch file with a very fancy for loop passing variables from either command line and / or an *.ini file) with all versions windows. It works just fine on all versions of Windows before. With this new preview Win8 it's not working. It seems to want to copy all files regardless of switches. It thinks all files have been modified, even if they've not been touched in years.
@Nathan,
There is still a performance nightmare in IE when dealing with live-DOM manipulation !!
In nontroppo.org/.../Hixie_DOM.html benchmark, the data collected from various browsers:
Apple Safari 5.0.5:
172ms
Google Chrome 14:
319ms
Mozilla Firefox 10:
886ms
Internet Explorer 9:
44430ms
Internet Explorer 10 Developer Preview (v: 10.0.8102.0):
41185ms
Internet Explorer 10 preview 5
21988ms
...a bit improvement from IE team but still Safari is ~200 times faster than IE10 in DOM manipulation test
IE team closed this critical bug report as Won't Fix.. connect.microsoft.com/.../a-dom-manipulation-test-ie-performance
Too bad for the competition, don't you think?
Hi, @davidvillegas Virtual Machine installation is possible but not on MS Virtual PC. The same error still continues www.kodyaz.com/.../windows-8-installation-error-hal_initialization_failed.aspx
just update the taskbar... dropping a file on a taskbar item to open with not pin to ... and middle click to close the program not open program instance...
Please, can both Win-7 and Win-8 be installed on the same computer thus allowing either to be used?
If so how?
Kindly reply directly to: olinka@olinka.info
Advanced Thanks?
Olga Kovshanova, MBA, MA
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i really love this windows 8! .. im so glad that they did not forget laptops which doesn't have any touchscreen capabilities.. i thought it was suitable for tablet PCs but now, since they showed us that it can also be great for laptops, i will definitely buy this OS .. big thumbs up for Microsoft! ..
Great OS! Experience in working with Win 8 is amazing!
Certainly no where near as refined as W7 was when it dropped. Performance is very low across the board.
Actually getting more unstable the more it is used. Bsod's now when I try to run WEI, on webpages. Just gonna turf this till a better build drops.
Windows 8 will be a fail, just like Vista. There's no sense to mix Metro UI with normal desktop. Metro UI is clearly for touch interface. not for traditional desktop PCs... It's also a shame, that we have Metro style app and desktop style apps, which work&look totally different!
You have to kill Metro UI from the desktop version and Aeoro desktop from the touch version.
having problems with my graphics drivers Ati radeon hd 4200 other than that like it so far
my toshiba laptop shuts down on its own... want to go back to vista factory settings, and it´s not working, not a happy camper...
Windows 8 needs some help. First, there should be an easily accessed point on the start menu for the control panel, how to log on/off users, and to restart/shutdown the pc. It took me OVER AN HOUR to find this information. I dont need to have instant access to Microsoft's cloud drive or app store on the start menu. Things like this should be a tile on the start menu which would then open up for these OPTIONAL things. The start menu should be for things immediately needed for ALL users.
graphics drivers please for ati they are a big graphics company lol grrr I like it. but if I need to revert back <----- staving college student, and my astronomy program needs graphics drivers to work good, how to I go back to 7.
OK had a look at it and it's cool but it doesn't work well on my netbook, so now how do i get my Windows 7 back and is it possible to do it having to completely reinstall it and other software?
@Willie Rogers, security essentials is merged with windows defender and for the first time windows will be shipped with a pre-installed antivirus known as "windows defender" (which is a composite of anti-virus, malware, yadayada).
If you don't like it due to any reason, you can install the antivirus of your choice. In that case the built-in antivirus will be disabled..
but, I would suggest you to give the native one a try due to its unbelievable performance! That's what they showed in //BUILD keynotes last year .. when the guy opened a folder in Windows Explorer with 1200 pictures (with thumbnail view) and the folder open swiftly.. he said that not only the thumbnails were generated this quickly but also the antivirus scanned all 1200 pics!
I'm sorry, but I don't quite feel it right: I'm certain Metro UI is absolutely innovative and functional on a touchscreen-based device, but when it comes down to old-fashioned (sort to speak) PCs and Workstations, well, switching back and forth between Metro and Aero is just annoying. AND a waste of time.
I think MS should instead give the user the possibility to CHOOSE whether to use Metro or not.
After all, change could mean/have meant improvement on Aero, since on a purely graphical level it's still quite inferior to Apple's Acqua...
After all, just read the presentation above: the word "swipe" is repeated far too many times for non-touchscreen devices.
I would like to know how I can download and install Windows 8 Consumer Preview on my Galaxy Tab 10.1? Any suggestions? Any and all info/help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
How to change locations on a desktop with touch screen?
other than the graphics issue (probably a couple of days till sorted) I like it.
I have no problem using it on my laptop my mouse has no problems.
I understand it is a preview (will be bugs) but it has some very nice features.
and the ability to do both laptop and tablet is a big plus.
thank you for keeping the desktop.
took a sec to get use to the menus but no complaints here.
Strange, I still notice that Windows restore points aren't active in the CP version either.
DjiXas said [quote]Is there really a point to hide start?[/quote]
YOUR screen is NOW the start menu. The Metro design replaces the old Windows 95 thru Windows 7 traditional start menu.
Thank you Microsoft for the Windows 8 Consumer Preview! Here, Windows 8 Consumer Preview in Greek blog!
http://bit.ly/yxI7w9
Windows 8 is not fit to use on certain Netbooks coz of one small reason n that is the screen resolution issue... The one am usin has a resolution of 1024*600, n windows keeps on asking for having a minimum of 1024*768 pixels when using the new home screen, switching to the old screen resolves the issue...
One more thing that made me go bonkers was the absence of a start button, coz am unable to understand, how to start the apps which we install??
One more glitch that i found was in installing third-party softwares... keeps on asking for a connection despite having the whole of setup files...
Windows ppl, u gotta solve these issues before the original version launches
Frankly speaking I'm a little bit disappointed. Why didn't you implemented gestures for multitouch tochpads. It'd be enormously better to use two-finger vertical and horizontal swipes for switching between apps, showing charms or even closing them. W8 currently is a nightmare to use with laptop's touchpad.
Besides that do you plan to make use of Microsoft Touch mouse or you'll release a new device for W8?
For some time I'm using Windows Phone Mango and metro interface works there perfectly - I'm pretty sure that W8 will be great OS of tablets. But please don't forget about PC, Workstations and Laptop users. Giving a simpler user interface and simple apps is not always a best choice.
Dear Microsoft,
I have a little poem for you here:
"This is why I will not to buy Windows 8 and millions of people will hate it."
www.low-glow-flow.com/.../this-is-why-i-will-not-to-buy-windows-8-and-millions-of-people-will-hate-it
And one more thing - current look of some apps interfaced on 1366x768 is awful. IMHO People, Mail apps are way too big and much slower to use than even Live Mail.
OK. I have been using Win 8 for over 12 hours. I absolutely HATE the new start screen. It is too "cartoonish". I use my computer for business and this is not going to fly. I have not found a way yet to disable this new "feature" but hopefully there is one or at least Microsoft can put one in the final version.
8 is also much slower than 7 on my laptop from boot time to application launch. It is a Sony Icore 5 with 4GB RAM. Everything just feels sluggish.
I will have to give Win 8 a try on a tablet. That seems to be the primary focus of the new features. I don't see businesses using this on their PC's.
I will blog again after a few days and see if things get better.
It's a major-league culture shift for long-term, die-hard PC users. A very deep "How to" section here in the blogs (or elsewhere) would be very useful. For example, I can't figure out where Programs and Features from the control panel went. I had to uninstall so much to clear the needed SDD room for installation that I need to reinstall some pretty important things (e.g., Office Professional Plus...;-). Also, where did the Bluetooth controls go? They don't show up in the Wireless area (expected) and neither my bluetooth mouse or keyboard (both Microsoft) now work with my ASUS EP121 and I can't find the control panel.
I was looking foward for win 8 to replace Android on my Asus Transformer tablet, blogs said no ARM support to do so, I know many other users would also have liked to do so or on other existing tablets. I used a cheaper tablet to install win 8, the Archos 9. Not identified as a windows tablet, graphic card not identified, win 8 gave me 800 x 600 resolution, not able to use the apps. At least I was able to install touch and virtual keyboard drivers, but Intel drivers unable to install. I wonder if I could test the win 8 on a macbook Air. I also do miss the start button. I came back to a pc tower plugged on my HD tv after wasting money on tablets and portables, would prefer to choose if I would like a telephone display on my windows start up page. Thank you
@scubadog2011 - I have no idea what a meme is. That was something my daughter called her pacifier when a baby. The new interface is obviously aimed at the under 30 crowd who grew up with Blackberries and iPads.
My other observations: The install collected WAY too much personal information. Fortunately I used a false identify for my Live account! Win 8 wrote to my other hard drives even though I only READ from them and caused a full Check disk when I booted back into Win7. ?? Made me think that Win8 had corrupted my data.
I couldn't find a way to Close any of the Metro apps and before I knew it, had like 30 apps running. Then Win8 was so slow I couldn't use it. the REAL Control Panel is very well hidden.
Now add to all this chaos the fact that Microsoft has added a KILL SWITCH ...
Perhaps the younger generation is willing to give up their privacy and let MS do whatever they want on their machines without their knowledge, but I absolutely will not allow it. For the first time, I will not be upgrading to the new Windows and will be considering other OS options in the future.
I couldn't wait to get this off my machine.
It's amazing to me that so many intelligent people are reduced to puddles of tears because they get a new OS, have played with it for barely 24hrs and are immediately pining for the archaic meme they just left. Remarkable. As someone who still likes a good command line, you'd think I'd be in the same camp. But I cannot wait to see the demise of the desktop meme. I don't need a stupid orb at the bottom of the screen to navigate. All the apps are available by pulling up the charms on the right and starting to type in the app name. If you want it more immediately available you--gasp!---pin it to the start page. It takes me far less time to grab an app in Win8 than it does on Win7. But this is because I'm embracing the new meme and learning how to use it. I REFUSE to think about the old way unless the app or the OS forces me to. At this point for me it comes down to figuring out if any difficulty I'm having with the new meme is just my learning curve or a true bug in the preview. However, I will NOT be stuck in the past.
Downloaded the preview and installed it in a virtual box in order to give it a looks see. WTH!!! This is going to be the first time since Windows 3.0 that I will need to read a manual just to figure out how to get around and open my apps. I already have a tablet, why do I want to have one as my desktop PC. Is there going to be a choice? Can I flip a switch and get my start menu back? Can I uninstall the "Metro" look? After about 4 hours of sliding and trying to figure out anything, I am very frustrated. Why would I want to install an operating system that in less than a day I am frustrated with it? When I get something new, I do not want to get frustrated just trying to figure it out. I want to be impressed and thrilled. This might work for all the people who only use their computer for their social life, but what about all of us who have to use it on a daily basis? We do not want app stores and social crap all over the place while I am working? What about companies thinking of upgrading their computers? Do we really want all of our employees using their computers as social playgrounds? And, think of the training? Every employee must go to an 8 hour training class just to figure out how to open word and get to work... first impressions, no way am I switching.
I'm not stuck in the past. Change can be good, but Metro is NOT for the desktop. I'm sure Metro is great for tablet and Smartphone and other Multi-touch devices. Metro is NOT for handicapped users or those who prefer to use keyboard ONLY.
I have close to 200 apps installed. Some I use daily and some I use rarely. I just can't see how Metro will make finding my apps EASY.
Using a Tablet/Smartphone interface for the desktop is just STUPID.
So amazing!!!!!!!!! Thanks !!! Let's go all over the world!!!!
I've been a Windows user forever (nearly) It must be difficult to 're-invent' such a complex product yet keep it recognisable and compatible with the endless variety of user hardware and software. Now the product has to compete with smartphones, tablets etc. etc. and even be usable on some of them! I embrace new ideas, if they improve a product's operation and are not just a move to stay 'in fashion'. 'Touch' is an interface made popular by Apple and I welcome it but not at the expense of losing the flexibility of personal choice...what I have on my home screen is fine tuned through shortcuts to specific operations. I don't want to lose that level of control!
This is only day 2 and I've had limited time to explore Win8 changes, so I'll reserve judgement until I know more.
Realmente interesante me encanto la nueva interfaz y he logrado correr oficce 2010 y Microsoft Security Essentials sin problemas aunque aun me falta mucho por explorar :D
Installed and playing around with it, looks great so far even though this is beta, great job!
Love it! Now I have to uninstall from my work computer, how do I do that
@bkavanaugh, I believe there'll be a couple of more releases before the rtm. my experience is that the clean instal of rtm is the best practice.
Edit to my first post. Now I must regretfully retract the comment about robocopy. After allowing Win8 to do a full pass, it now appears to be working correctly. Guess I jumped the gun a little bit. :(
If I want the calculator in accessories, how can I find it ? Where are the programs ?
Win 8 might offer a toggle between phone/desktop/ Hd tv displays
My entertainment set-up is a Samsung smart tv with xbox/ps3/HP pc tower connected in hdmi and a wifi external hard disk, using tablet or phone as a remote control
I appreciate the "Connect all" app on tv that allows content share between devices and that is a plus on win 8 also
App display may be inspired from what xbox and smart tv have done
Tv's now offer a high enough resolution to be used as computer screens, future of pc might be to be more intergrated to tv aside consoles like xbox
@abhi.voyage - Thanks for the comment. We have a group of people within our Ecosystem team testing apps and making sure that Windows 8 will run as many of them as possible. Most of what runs on Windows 7 will run great on Windows 8. If you'd like to give it a spin, you can install Windows 8 Consumer Preview on its own partition. The Consumer Preview FAQ has more info: go.microsoft.com/.../p
@Lethbridge, @ScubaDog2011, @Ancient_1, @andreasun79, @iusefaith, @sari5969 - Please have a look at the Windows 8 forum on Microsoft Answers (go.microsoft.com/.../p). We're continually looking at the feedback there, and users like you are actively helping each other out. You might find some help, and in any case, we want to hear about issues you're seeing.
@bitblit, @WP7MANGO, @royjg - Thanks for the feedback and ideas for features. While we can't promise we'll take on every request, we do look at them, and your feedback on what you'd like to see is very valuable to us. Thanks for the input!
@ZaiGeno – Availability of Xbox games depends on publishers’ decision to release a separate and distinct version of the game for Windows. We’ve put in great ways for Xbox LIVE and Windows to work together (achievements, avatars, etc.), so be on the lookout for more games that work with your Xbox LIVE gamertag.
@Bagg3rs - There's a great FAQ on Xbox.com that addresses regional availability for Windows 8 apps. Check it out: support.xbox.com/.../windows-8-apps-faq
@subbiah - Check out the Windows Dev Center (msdn.microsoft.com/.../apps) for lots and lots of help on getting started with the development tools.
@Masterkick, @djbillyd - We've rolled full-on virus protection into Windows Defender this time around. No anti-virus software is perfect, but we've had excellent results with the virus protection in Defender. If you want to install other anti-virus software at any point, Defender will quietly get out of the way and let you.
If you want to try things out before committing fully, you might try installing the Consumer Preview on its own partition. The Consumer Preview FAQ has more info on how to do that: go.microsoft.com/.../p
@mwstew80 - We've designed the Search charm to work similarly in all apps. It'll do just what you're looking for in the Store. It even gives suggestions right in the search bar to help you find apps quickly.
@randstud - If you click the networks icon in the taskbar or a network name in the Settings charm, it brings up properties for Networks. You can right-click any of them for properties and options.
you should give all the one who preview it a free full version copy .
send it to are emails
@Dwarfic - This was one of the first things I had to hunt for when I started using Windows 8. They're both in the Settings charm.
@Olga_Kovshanova_MBA_MA - Yes, you can install Windows 8 side by side with Windows 7 by installing from bootable media. The Consumer Preview FAQ has more information: go.microsoft.com/.../p
@ultraxmode - Awesome! Thanks for the link!
@R3D - The Windows Touch Mouse has some updates coming to make even more the stuff of science fiction than it already is. :) Check it out: www.microsofthardwareblog.com/microsoft-touch-mouse-to-be-updated-for-windows-8
@richardlwarren - More how-to content is on the way right here on the Windows Experience Blog, as well on the Windows website. In the mean time, you can find legacy Control Panel features pretty easily with the Search charm (or you can just start typing at the Start screen). Search for what you want to do, and click settings. You should be able to get to what you need even more quickly than you could before.
@Igorian - Good news! Glad a really personalized and useful task is still an option for you. I love my handy time savers too!
@royjg - The very quickest way to get to a specific app is to just start typing from the Start screen. It will come up fast, and if it's something you use a lot, you can pin it to get to it even fast next time.
Windows 8 is fantastic, but please could we have a shutdown button and a Clock that shows up on the Metro UI without having to go to the bottom right hand corner to do this.
Great work so far
Thanks
Hat's off to Microsoft love Windows 8. I feel like a kid at Christmas time anxiously waiting to unwrap my presents and play with them. Integrates perfectly with our corporate mail server in testing. Can't seem to stop playing with the new interface. Just awesome!!!! Microsoft is getting ready to take the work by storm, and be the power house it use to be in the software industry. Window 8 designed for mobile and PC will be a match made in heaven!
Please put the start button back on the desktop. I am having to launch programs from their files which could have been found in the start button. I can't see why it's been removed.
I have been using the CP for the past 24 hours and I'm using it right now to author this post. Overall, I like my experience, but there are a few issues which need some re-tinkering.
I like the immersive experience of the metro interface, but I do not like some of the added learning curve issues. The screen switching is simple enough using the keyboard, but the invisible sweet spots for the screen ribbons in the lower left corner and the charms on the upper right corner should be more visible. Either using some sort of different color block, an arrow, or some other feature which indicates to the user that "hey, click here or hover your mouse here for more information." As I mentioned, something as simple as a different color square block might reveal this. As it is now, you have these corners which are very important, but very obscure. Make it more obvious. Furthermore, when hovering over the lower left corner the "currently open screens ribbon" should automatically reveal itself. As it is, you have to hover over the lower left corner and slide upwards to reveal the open screens. This isn't very intuitive and adds unnecessary work for the user.
One of the issues I've experienced with IE occurs when opening a new tab. For instance, I opened a link in IE into a new tab by right clicking a link and opening it in a new tab. I watched as the tab was created and shuffled to the top of the screen-- but how do I switch tabs? Clicking at the top of the screen does not reveal my newly created tab. Where has it gone? How do I access it? If it takes me a little bit of thinking to find it, I can only imagine the difficulty someone else might have.
One major issue has been the disconnect between desktop apps and metro apps. Regarding IE, there are two different applications with two different experiences. I can imagine a scenario where a user is using internet explorer on the desktop while their tablet is docked to a keyboard and mouse and then decides to go mobile. In this situation the user is forced to either restart their work with the metro-IE or continue working within the desktop-IE. Some sort of common pipeline between the two would go a long way in integrating the experiences and making the system far more cohesive and integrated. The same should be available for the other applications. Metro apps should be able to continue the same, uninterrupted experience of the equivalent desktop app.
Also regarding the desktop experience, I am not as frustrated by it as many other commenters. I am fine working within the Metro interface for app-access, but as I mentioned above regarding making the lower left corner more visible, the same should be done within the desktop. I understand the design logic with removing the start bar, however, the magical lower left corner needs to be more visible and functional. I think the vertical ribbon which shows up when hovering over the lower left and sliding towards the top should be immediately visible when hovering over the lower left. In other words, app switching needs to be even more simple when using a mouse or gesture.
One other thing, when a user is in the metro-side, it might even be beneficial to label the metro side "Start" or "Home" in the upper left corner so that users, at least psychologically, know where they are and what to expect. This might sound kind of silly, but I think it helps orient the user.
At the end of the day, I like what I am seeing. I just think there needs to be better integration (information sharing between apps, GUI improvements to orient the user, etc). If the issues I mentioned above can be addressed, the countless other improvements of W8 can be realized: better boot times, better power use, various IT-level advances, better portability.
I honestly can't believe what I am reading from some commenters. Embrace the change, accept that MS needs to keep evolving and driving the new Windows experience or they will be left behind. Watch how quickly competitors "adopt" some of the metro view...you can see this already. Was your view the same moving from Win 3.11 to Win95 as that was also a radical departure at the time? The start button is accessible, there are ways to default to "traditional" UI, but consumers will get used to this new way of working (especially as the hardware adapts to the new way of working) and those consumers are also your companies' employees (the same ones that want to use iPads for everything). MS has always made everything backward compatible and catered to all requests in order to keep the costomer base happy, but this has caused fragmentation and should not always be the defacto response. Keep going MS, it is time you get the credit you deserve for pushing the market away from the way Apple does it because of the pure consumer success. Consumer success drives corporate adoption, not the other way around.
Two things. I want to say that yes, Metro is a good idea. . . FOR TABLETS AND TOUCH. However, I do not ever plan to have my PC or Laptop touch enabled so it is a major step backwards on that end, so for the love of god, please put an option to DISABLE that stupid Metro UI on desktop, and ADD an option for the start menu. Seriously, I showed this to my mom (Computer novice she is) and she out right old me unless the start button comes back she has no plans to ever buy another computer.
Metro makes no sense as Windows on a Desktop as window's was meant as a Desktop Paradigm back in the 1980s. I'm surprised that you kids working at MS these days don't even know the history of your own products. For shame.
And also, stop being so "TOUCH TOUCH TOUCH" about everything. Not every one wants touch. And don't whine to me and go "BUT WE TESTED WITH BOTH". Yeah testing, and making sure it feels right with both are two different things. You guys really need to stop listening to that stupid Julie Larson-Green, she's been causing your user base to rage for years now (Since Office 2007).
One last thing: Stop trying to make it look like OSX. I use Windows because I want Windows, not crappy old OSX (Which sucks).
Can u please fix the graphics problem. I hate not being able to see a full 1920*1080 picture. Other than that it's great.
I just realized that the metro-side actually is labeled "Start." Ooops. Ignore that.
I had no trouble loading the Consumer Preview on my old HP TC1100. I have not been keeping up on the features of what was coming down the pike for Windows 8 but I did run into a snag when I was evaluating the load on the old TC... As a long time TabletPC user I am somewhat disappointed that Miscrosoft has eliminated the TIP that docked to the side of the screen and allowed text input via the pen. The new 'touch keyboard' is fine for those that want to type using their touch screen but the pen is my main use. Yes, I understand that there is a pen input version of the keyboard but it is huge, it does not dock, and it does not pop up automagically when one clicks on an input cell.
I get the feeling that pen input is being brushed to the curb and is being encouraged to be replaced with touch typing. I personally believe this is a mistake as pen input for test data is my main occupation. To make the pen harder to use will significantly dicourage me from considering going beyond Windows 7.
I know this is a preview and the effort is a work in progress and that is why I am writing this while there is still time to correct this. Please bring the TIP back!
regards,
Dan
On a Velocity Micro desktop running W7 64bit with AMD quad processor experienced repeated install failures from ISO disk at 35%. Just for feedback info. Away from that computer for a week ...
As I mentioned in my previous post, there needs to be stronger integration between the desktop and metro experience. For example, if I am listening to music on the Desktop-Zune. In the scenario I mentioned previously where the user decides to "go mobile," the same Zune experience should be achieved on the metro-side. Specifically, the Music App/hub/metro-zune should share/exchange information with its desktop counterpart. Otherwise the experience is disconnected and disjointed. I don't know how difficult this sort of thing would be to accomplish, but I consider it a hugely necessary feature and a major selling point. Switching between desktop and metro apps should be seamless. That's the only way to compete effectively on both the desktop and mobile software fronts. Best of luck, great job on the right start...
Another suggestion - TRANSPARENT APPS (especially useful on screens not wide enough to support split)...
Suppose you launch a full screen app like a document editor, then you launch a calculator app but you want to see the numbers you need to calculate in the document underneath. By having the calculator app run as a transparent full screen app, with the calculator part taking up only a small amount of screen space, you end up being able to see the contents of the document app running behind it (assuming it doesn't disappear from screen). You could force transparent apps to be modal, i.e. it must be closed before continuing to work on the app behind it. The app vendors could make such transparent apps even more useful if you could move the objects around within the transparent full-screen space, eg. move the calculator around in the transparent space.
A related enhancement would be to be able to pin these transparent modal apps to the App bar, so you swipe up and launch them as quick-access popups.
These enhancements would give a very close experience to what most power-users need in the desktop, while still retaining the Metro UI.
it really works smoother it looks cleaner but i have a problem everytime that i startup my pc it shows me a error msg it says there is a problem with memory.dmd or something like that and when i go to desktop it shows me what i'm using 50% of my memory ram and i dont have any apps open why?? guys dont make the same mistakes in windows vista please!!
The W8 Consumer installation did not work for me. The install began with a system test to make sure all my system components were compatible which they were. The actual install ran until completion. Next the configuration started and asked me for the wireless password. After I entered the password for my wireless network and clicked next I got a message on the screen that said "There was an unknown failure in the installation and my computer will be returned to the previous operation system." After about 15 minutes the laptop rebooted and I was back to W7.
I have used Windows Developers Preview since it was published in September and after installing it for my PC it was installed to remaining suitable units in my family for the factor of it speed comparing what we had (XP and Vista). Even at that stage Windows 8 for my opinion and rest of us was a best Windows OS so far. I never cared too much about the start feature of old so as the desktop functioned for my thinking as the previous ones ( I use short cuts) working with the OS was almost the same as before. Control Panel is a bit different, but not much from what we had. Almost all the old programs that I use work. The ones that don't, I am going to try using HyperV and Windows XP and see. Don't have so much need, so I decided to wait for this version before checking them out. The only problem that I have encountered is the drivers for some hardware. I'm hoping that, that issue would be solved as manufacturers get up to bar with the OS. What I understand that some of them are lacking for their older equipment regardless how good those are and that is something that I really can't blame the OS, but bad consumer support from part of some big manufacturers.
For the installing the program. I haven't done that yet because for some reason my download stalled and I'm redoing it right now. Seems to OK. I hope I don't have to install clean though. I will not lose any information since I have multiple partition where I store my programs and information, but reinstalling programs is pain.
At this note I would recommend that anybody that instals any new operating system would partition their hard drives prior installation. Or after using OS. That is quite easy with Windows8. Could save lots of grief later on.
So far I like the new interface athough training the mind and fingers to work together is something else. The speed is great on my Acer W500.
I do have some issues I have come across and need a place to ask questions. Is there a forum where questions can be posted about issues and problems?
Having a little problem with sound. Start is in the upper right corner. It looks good I like it.
Please put the Start button back..also switching between Metro and Desktop is unintuitive..Windows 7 is the best windows OS than Windows 8..
Anyone know how to shut the computer down with Windows 8?
I wonder why I have to use the metro interface on a standard pc or laptop. Is there any way to switch this off? I tried Win 8 Developers Edition and now the Consumer Preview, but still you can't swith metro off. For a business environment the Metro interface looks quite annoying to me when used on a pc. Nevertheless I see big advantages on tablets and touch screen pc's.
Will there be a Windows 8 version that can just use the 'old' desktop, without using the Metro interface? And then also bring back the start menu!!
Another thing: I can sigoff, then the screen wirth clock and date appears. When I want to swith off the machine, I will have to lift the screen, then showing the logon screen and yes,there is the 'shut down' button. Why isn't there an option to have that in the user menu where one can sign off? This costs a lot of time: open the user meneu, click 'sign off', wait for the 'time and dat' screen, lift the screen up and than press the shutdown button. That's more worse then it is in Windows 7, where only two clicks are needed.
@RetiredHippie, there are two way toshutdown windows 8.
1. slide out the bar from the right and select Settings. Then select the Power icon and select Power Off.
2. log the user off ans then select the Power icon and select Power Off.
Except for a couple of printer drivers, the compatibility check didn't reveal any problems, but Win 8 would NOT install and it didn't tell me why. Just said it was reverting to my prior version. Any ideas how to overcome this glitch?
guess I am going to be dual booting a lot to my Linux distro to game until they sort the graphics on a lot of games but other than that I like it.
This version shows a lot of promise. While I understand the reasoning behind the "Metro" start screen especially for tablets with touch. I am envisioning a veritable nightmare for those power users with over 100 installed applications. Hiding the start menu and the desktop is fine for those that want to use the metro interface on their portable devices ... makes sense. But for those of use that need a concise organized program launcher should not have to resort to a third party app. The start menu has been around since windows 95 and even the various distributions of Linux has some sort of "Application Launcher"
The "Start Menu" Application Launcher in Windows 7 was absolutely fantastic. I hope you decide to keep it for those who prefer to not utilize the "Metro Interface" .
@Kent Walter, let me say again that I couldn't be more excited and enthusiastic about Windows 8---EVEN IN THE BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT---and I'm sure I'll get more comfortable with the nuances as I go. Realizing, of course, this is a beta, there's one capability that I saw in Microsoft Answers that probably explains the problem I'm having, though, and it shocked me when I saw it was missing in the beta: POP mail. When I first setup my Windows Live ID I intentionally chose NOT to create an actual Hotmail address---I told it to use my long-established email address, robert.wade@cetifox.net (I have no issues sharing it...it is ME, after all). I run my own email server at home, and this is a POP/SMTP server. Now, I've never had any issues in Hotmail accessing my email, and it also has worked QUITE well via the Outlook connector on Windows 7 (even though I obviously could have configured Outlook to talk directly to my email server without going through the Hotmail connector). It's also worked with no issues hitting my Windows Phone. But I'm pretty certain now that it's the missing POP functionality that explains why WCP didn't automatically setup my Windows Live ID (aka Microsoft Account) mail during install and gives me "cannot connect" errors when I try to set it up manually. I have posted on this in Microsoft Answers, by the way. So, I'm betting I am not the only person who established their Windows Live IDs using a POP email address. This really curtails significant functionality across WCP. I hope the developers are quickly at work on an update to add that capacity.
@Kent - thank you for the link - I was thinking about buying that mouse for some time but I was worried about compatibility with W8 - now my doubts are gone :)
Besides that I would like to add my few remarks regarding UI:
1. It'd be good idea to give users option to choose between classic desktop and Metro - but if anyone installs "tablet pc components" then Metro, giant buttons and scrollbars in apps should be enabled by default.
2. It'd be great to have Metro optimized for regular PC and laptops:
- make use of natural two/three/four figners gestures
- hide scrollbars or make them behaving and looking like on WP7.5 - currently they look very very bad on standard resolution desktop
- give users choice to change look and feel of Metro Apps beteen PC and tablet
3. Better multiscreen - shouldn't be metro visible on two displays instead of one? Currently it looks and feels a little bit odd when Metro is on primary and regular desktop on secondary display. It's even stragner when you click somewhere on the second screen
And how come that it's impossible to sync WP7.5 with W8? :) Do you plan to release update for WP7.5 to allow syncing with WMP12 on W8?
Last but not least - do you plan to update W8CP to make it more and more similar to RTM? Do you plan to prepare public W8 Release Candidate?
I hope this Windows 8 beta can be kept because this is way better then the Windows Vista Basic I had to deal with it has no feature,So Microsoft hook a man up!
This is pretty darn slick. I have been making my way around the CP since yesterday and even demoing to friends and family. I am using it on my laptop and I am finding the metro interface so far to be a nice compliment. I have found the ability to maintain my multitasking to be right on par with Windows 7. If you haven't really played with the Metro Start screen, slow down and really mess with it. You can pin everything to it, making app switching and even app starting for both (metro apps and desktop apps) easy. So far I like it and look forward to seeing the rest of the polish come final release.
I am a Windows guy and like (apparently) everyone else I am very impressed with the slick and smooth new Windows 8 tiled interface but I sure am disappointed in many other facits:
No Start Button = No Corporate Sales. I am an authorized reseller and I used the Win8 CP yesterday for 6 hours. While it looks pretty for consumers, there is no way this is going to fly in companies in the next two years. The tiled interface functions just fine with a mouse; that is not the problem. The issue is largely the hugely expensive retraining that would be required and the loss of productivity. Like the change from 32bit to 64bit, there needs to be a transitional product in which Microsoft produces both versions. The Office 2007 GUI was very painful for many corporations which caused a serious slow down in migrations, but it was a MUCH better interface. Tiles are at best, equal to the Start Button & Search logic. Not having a Start Button is craziness. Windows 8 should offer 3 interfaces and I should be able to choose which GUI I want Win8 to boot to by default:
1: Tiled Interface
2: Start Button / Classic / Explorer Interface
3: Media Center Interface
Media Center is apparently completely unchanged. In Canada, I STILL can not see on-demand TV. This is nuts. How is it that Microsoft STILL has not worked out an arrangment with ABC, CBS, TBS, CNN… for non-US installs?
Media Player is apparently completely unchanged other than in negative ways. I could not even get PLAY TO to see my XBox360… and they are physically cabled to the same network switch! I understand that the DVD codec is no longer included, although I have not confirmed this.
The Snipping Tool STILL does not let you add text or print. How can this be? An associate of mine came up with a good idea which would solve this easily. How about having the snip go directly into PAINT and the CLIPBOARD rather than the SNIP GUI and the CLIPBOARD? I posted THIS with Microsoft in 2009 and it has nearly 12000 views, far more than any other post I have created on an MS forum… clearly lots of people want this functionality.
The lack of a Feedback Tool or Feedback process, means that the only ways to get opinions, problems and bug reports back to Microsoft is to post it on your blog.
Display File Extensions by default! I can’t think of a clear reason to not show extensions other than the TINY amount of clutter they cause. The first thing I do (not exaggerating) when I work on a PC (corporate or personal) is enable the file extensions. Not having them on leads to confusion and certainly to virus proliferation as people don’t know what they are opening.
I don’t think new features like the Windows Store, IE10 with HTML5 and HyperV (which I have installed but not played with yet) will be near enough to overcome Windows 8′s short comings for Corporations.
Fortunately Microsoft still has lots of time to adjust these things and there surely is a reason they named this a Consumer Preview and not Beta.
As a reseller who fully (and early) embraced the Office 2007 Ribbon Interface, I just don’t see this change working in the Corporate space. Today I showed it to two clients and without prompting BOTH echo’d my Start Button concerns.
MICROSOFT, PLEASE ADD IN THE START BUTTON AND WORK ON UPDATING SOME OF THE OLD FEATURES LIKE THE SNIPPING TOOL… Let’s see if anyone is listening at Microsoft?
I posted most of this at www.urtech.ca/.../windows-8-consumer-preview-was-a-big-disappointment . Note that I think it is first beta/preview I have ever had a seriously negative review on.
Downloaded and installed Windows 8 the day it was released. During the entire install the feedback was "successfull or great, go on to the next step". These are the messages I got for 3 hours. Then all of a sudden, got a message that the installation FAILED at the 3 Hr and 10 Min mark. It reinstalled Windows 7 with no further details as what might have gone wrong. All hardware, software, and drivers passed the pre-installation test - Frustrated!
I hate it. Are you all nuts , I work in IT, no one is going to use windows 8, I want to work on a computer not a phone not a tablet.
Your stupid apps, I use real programs, I want my start menu back, takes forever to navagate to get were I need to get WINDOWS 8 SUCKS!
And I love win 7.
PS people, real computer people will be using win 7 even longer than they used windows XP. You ruined windows 8
with your stupid tablet and phone GUI. I'm pissed.
Next ,a post on utube.
Can you guys provide the brightness feature like Mac where user can dim the brightness till the screen is all black? Also, rather than having the fixed values (+20% jump), please make the dimness/brightness scale continuous to give the user a smoother experience.
Hi,
I've installed the Win 8 Consumer Preview. It's evolved quite a bit from the Developer's Preview!
I wonder if anyone else has had a problem trying to connect to a wireless network when the wireless router does NOT broadcast the SSID. (I hide the SSID just as an additional security precaution).
No matter what I try, I cannot connect to the router. It connects without a problem when I DO NOT hide the SSID.
I've entered the SSID and security key many times (copying and pasting from a text file to ensure accuracy) but to no avail.
This problem does not exist with the developer preview version of Win 8.
Thanks in advance for your help!
Kent, thanks for listening to my suggestions so far!
One solution for the corporate world worried about Win8 would be to use the classic Windows desktop by default if there is no touch-screen present on the device, and put the start button back for such devices.
There are lots of good features in Win 8 for the enterprise, such as Storage Spaces, Windows-to-Go and seemless cloud syncing between devices. Plus it's much faster than previous versions. Therefore adopting my solution would keep the enterprise world happy about adopting Win 8 whilst providing a very powerful tablet UI at the same time.
BTW, for those users pissed that the Start button is gone in the desktop, well you can improve things significantly by right-clicking the Task Bar, select Tools, then click Desktop. This will pin a Desktop button in your task bar allowing you to easily navigate your computer almost like you did before with the start button! :)
Problemas con Windows 8, en ocasiones las aplicaciones se quedan en blanco o el IE muestra una pantalla en blanco o negro. :S
I'm not a fan. The Metro look is nice (although hard on the eyes after a bit) but its lack of flexible functionality is infuriating. Where's the right-click options? Where's the Start Menu? Where's Advanced Appearance Settings? Why did they mess up Window 7 Explorer's elegance and simplicity with that hideous "Ribbon"? Even with only the tabs showing, it still destroys the beauty of the Window's layout. The close, minimize and restore buttons are dull and lackluster, the default color on the window's frame is banal, the window's transparency nearly nonexistent, the new square design shape is welcome, but why no follow through of the square element shape in the Item View & List selector buttons? But eye-candy aside, it's the reduction in overall functionality that is most distressing. I've always bragged to my Apple-loving friends that with Windows there's a dozen ways to get to the same place (menu, right-click, keyboard command, Start Menu Command, Run Command, Taskbar...), but with Apple there's only one way: Their way or the highway. With Windows 8 it looks like Redmond has forgotten the power of choice and the power of individual preference and is trying to degrade the power of its product to mimic the lesser abilities of Apple OS. Limiting and reducing is NOT an improvement in product or service, but a giant step retrograde. All in all I'd say Windows 8 is a watered down Windows 7 with a drab Visual Style floating under a new UI shell called "Metro" with far less power and flexibility than any of its predecessors. It's a hodge-podge of confusion as it stands and before I use it or recommend it, it must be improved.
Making the metro interface the default will prove to be the tipping point why people EN MASS flock to Linux. Metro will be an even BIGGER flop than Microsoft Bob.. hahaha. Who wants to slide these stupid panels around? I WANT MY DESKTOP as the default. Oh yeah if you still want to release windows 8 how about you fix ALL of the bugs in windows 7 and just make that easier to use. I.e. super easy to setup a basic two computer wifi network... or better driver support or all 64 bit files rewritten and optimized with NO EASTER EGG crap. Make your product slimmer, faster and better and you have a winner. Release Metro and you are doomed to fail.
Everyone I know is currently planning on skipping windows 8 due to this metro bs. You do the math.
I'be honest. After a 12+hours testing this on my PC, is very probably i will not buy this, and do the same as i did with vista: Ignore it.
Is a new paradigm, sure. Looks cool, sure!. IS great for TOUCHPADS and TOUCHSCREENS, epic win!
For desktops: EPIC FAIL!!!!
I mean, On all versions of windows, you mostly didn't need more than the mouse to get a comfortable experience on the Desktop. Now you need Mouse+Some keys... WTF!!!????
Squares here and there, big wasted space, roll and roll, sigh... Metro really screams: I WANT FORCE A SMARTPHONE ON YOUR SCREEN HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!.
Quite honestly, i though you already seen the response of most of the people having with Gnome 3 (which are doing simiar things like you are doing now), and all the bashing around it. (Well, if you are working at Microsoft, is probably that you don't). They are ignoring their uses, so some other people are bringing the old experience into G3 and now these guys are the most used and downloaded Linux distro nowadays.
Changes usually are for the best, they say in my country. After seeing this, i can't say the same for Windows 8. Sorry. And Yes, i uninstalled this and went back to 7.
Win8 team, you should really reconsider when forcing this Metro interface to Desktop users.
Look, usually when something new and supposed to be great (e.g. Office Ribbon Bar), you get pretty balance amount of people like and dislike it.
There will be reasons for people to hate it, but also reasons for people to love it. It's equal on both sides.
But this "Metro" thing on Desktop, you see that most people just hate it.
Although there are people saying something to "defense" the decision, but you don't really see people totally like it.
---
Removing "Start" button is really unnecessary, you guys are just doing it for the sake of changing something.
The display of a "Start" button is all about "User Experience", you shouldn't hide something from the screen. (unless there is no space, but we are talking about desktop here.)
People needs to see a button to click on. Visibility allow user to see functionality.
If you remove the "Start" button, you are just doing the opposite of "User Experience".
About showing information on Metro blocks, it's stupid. We have things called "Desktop Widget" in Windows.
Widgets that you can move anywhere on the screen, they don't group together to take up the whole screen, and let you works with other windows (multitasking).
If I need to check out information, I can use Desktop mode with Widget. Your Metro blocks are completely useless (for Desktop computer).
p.s.
Even Windows Phone with Metro doesn't really take off. The dynamic square blocks is basically a dump down version of Android widget, and a upgrade version of iOS icons. (a.k.a Metro falls into the middle)
Sure it's great on Windows Phone, but if it doesn't fly on Phones market, please don't force it on Desktop yet.
Добрый день! Спасибо большое компании Microsoft за проделаную большую работу по улудшению операционной системмы для потребителей!!!
Но есть один вопрос!
Выпустите WindowsDeveloperPreview в русском варианте, пожалуйста! Милионы и милионы пользователей с нетерпением ждут этого!
I don't get why there is so much negativity of this Os, yes I think there needs to be improvements but overall its pretty slick. I personally like the metro style full screen apps. I wish flash was supported for IE10. I just feel like the one down sides of this beta is finding the simple operations like the shut down/power buttons, settings that are not included in control panel, and the other buttons and functions that are hard to find. Maybe you guys could add the start button even if its maybe a little smaller then on previous versions.
One more thing I think would be pretty sweet is to have like a volume and play center. What I mean is since there is so many apps and programs that play music and other sounds, it would be nice to have one center that controls the volumes and what is playing in one place so we can turn on/off the sound we don't want playing faster.
The new UI is brilliant, even using a mouse. I hope you won't abandon significant elements of the new UI under pressure.
Shut Down:
One way is press Ctrl-Alt-Del wherever you are, then click on the Power Button in the lower right of the screen.
Select Shut Down, Restart, etc.
Not the most "graceful" but it works. ;)
I have no problems shutting it down......take mouse to side hit settings bingo
Not a good start for me. The installer crashed saying that it had an internal error and that I should check the log, didn't tell me how to find the log or what to do when I found it. All too hard so went to unsubscribe from the confirmation email that I received. Got a message telling me that it too had an internal error. It's bad enough using the poxy Win 7 Professional 64bit, never had the blue screen of death till I got it. MIcrosoft are impossible to deal with when users get errors. I can only either change to Mac or hope that Google produces an OS.
hoe moet je windows8 in het nederlands zeten,want engels is niet echt iets voor mij lol!!!! thanks....
en anders hoop ik gewoon dat het in het nederlands uit gebracht gaat worden......
Metro is just absolute garbage. The desktop is not a tablet. It is not a cellphone. It is a desktop and most of us interact with a desktop with a mouse and keyboard. Why are you throwing away years of UI research and building this piece of junk. For years UI developers have known to avoid "magic" buttons or invisible buttons because they're not initiative. No one is going to understand how to use this and the "magic" buttons won't make it any more efficient. You'll end up having to move your mouse more and/or use your keyboard to get what you want. You are building Windows for the wrong client. The business world needs your products and you're designing it for consumers that read email and check facebook. We need a multitasking environment. And this is worthless. Just worthless.Give us back the start button. Make Metro an optional interface. If this trash becomes Windows 8, I'll keep my 3 year old PC running Windows XP and wait for Windows 9.
@michelo28, maybe you do, maybe you dont, like 95, 98, me, 2000, etc, xp is the next os to become "unsupported" by microsoft, meaning basically if you ever call them for anything about the os in general, they pretend that that os never existed, probably wont be an issue for you in particular, but for those of us that have jobs that deal with computers, in particular the internet part of them, this os is going to be a nightmare. i for one cannot ever in my life see an 80 year old person having the first clue as how this os will work, and trust me there will be some guy who buys his mom or dad a brand spanking new computer with the newest and hottest os, and when that lady or man calls me asking for help, it'll take 20 minutes just to find the network and sharing, another 40 minutes to locate the command prompt, my advice? microsoft PLEASE put all internet based utilities in a folder on the desktop, or better yet also put a link in the start menu, that would be a blessing for all ISP's across the country, and for those people who have no clue as how to operate the most basic functions of a computer.
shoot did i say country? i meant the world
First experience its slower than win7..second issue i am facing is laptop that laptop automatically goes to dim Screen brightness mode in 2- 3 mins even when setting say never for both options battery and power plugging.Please help
I hope in the final release of this OS it will have two editions, one for desktops and laptops and another edition for tablets.
looking for the ability to have my creative fatality sound card work
btw, you guys removed the "Start" button to free up that little space, but on the other hand, your Metro screen shows big blocks with huge empty margin/padding (and plain colour background), waste a LOT of space.
Come on, guys, seriously !?
Good luck Microsoft.
You have succeeded in turning PC into smartphone. We all know that the future is mobile, but I for one will be not using Windows 8 in this form. It's for children. Children love tablets as they have means to express themselves
in most natural way.
If there is no way to disable Metro UI, I will go Mac way. I won't even give it a second thought.
Keep Metro Ui for smarthphones and tablets, and stop treating PC users like children.
Starting PC and having 8 blocks on the screen...really!
i have installed windows 8. Nice and so far no errors.
But the multi boot menu is showing very slow, it seems to load first a part of wind.8
Ugly, awkward, useless! useless without touch screen. Installed on a laptop with VM. I don't want a big smart phone/tablet interface, ( I find a Tablet or a Smart Phone do a lot of things but Nothing Well, Very limited, and aren't hardware upgradeable , We seem to be going backwards in the name of convenience, (Marketing is a Beautiful thing, "You Gotta Have This" It does everything... POORLY), I own a HP TouchSmart, but would not install Win8 Consumer Preview even in VM, its awkward to navigate with a mouse. Can't disable Ugly Metro UI, as of yet, I;m sure there will be a work around for this soon. If you want an APPLE buy an APPLE. And APPS from Microsoft, Are You Kidding Me? I will wait for win9 and stay with Vista, Winxp and Win7. Thanks anyway.
how to install dual boot, window7 and windows 8 consumer preview?
Long time i am not desktop user - some years just notebooks and even netbooks because of "dimension" of the device and mobility. I have LENOVO s10-3t - which is TOUCH netbook and i need something very userfriendly just to check emails, websurf etc... on the go. When i come to office, i stick the device to 22" LCD.
So finaly after trying more solutions for dualboots many alternative OSes for "on the go" , WIN 8 brought the solution for me. I have very nice interface for touch on the go, and i have classic desktop when sit at the desk.
But some of my points that might be in interest of WIN developers.
1. A lot of users use netbooks - so 1024*600 - they wont meet minimal requirements of METRO as soon as they not apply the registry hack for downscalling - so i might suggest to "easy unlock" 1024*600 in order to aim some customers with older devices that want to upgrade from WIN7, in order to use METRO. (I know, new devices must need minimal requirements 1024*768, but i quess this size of LCDs will stick with us some time in low end.
2. When i use netbook in extended mode - main METRO on small touch screen, desktop on 22" - i can not use the apps from METRO on big. I run all day long on Remote desktop so id like to have remote on the big, and metro on small - can not do so right now.
3. As to point 2 above - when i switch the main screen to big LCD - desktop stay on small screen, i somekind do not like METRO apps and enviroment to handle with mouse!!!! (maybe needs to practice)
4. As to point 3 above - make possibility for proper desktop users to switch for normal desktop using "START" button etc....
5. I understand your point that "corners" are quick to locate with mouse....but hear to people that complain and want to have standard desktop - do so, and you will not loose "oldfashioned" customers that starting to name your great "8" as VISTA. ( just make one checkbox in settings for "enable START" and you will be kings again.
I thing for user like me described - touch netbook on the go, desktop with LCD and USB keyboard - WIN 8 is the best product coming nowadays. No need for me now to focus on dualboot WIN7 with some other touch based OS for the go - "android, meego, etc"...
Very disappointing. User interface ???
It requires a start up menu.
It isn't a touchscreen mobile phone.
The only question left unanswered now is just how massive a flop this actually will be for desktop users. But a flop it will surely be.
Just installed W8 on my (spare) Intel based laptop. Pretty painless experience, though the installer didn't correctly recognise my UK keyboard, so I couldn't enter an email address as part of the initial set-up process. Need to spend a bit more time with it but first impressions are that I completely loathe the Metro UI, might be OK for a 'phone or touch tablet but it simply doesn't work on a PC using a mouse, it is truly HORRIBLE. Some changes to the desktop are OK but will take some getting used and most don't provide much in the way of a real user benefit. As others have noted not having the Start menu is a real pain, it took me ages before I found the equivalent behind the 'Search charm'. Incredibly unintuitive and the old menu as an ENORMOUS list spreading across several screens makes it extremely difficult to find anything. Again the UI is dire and scrolling horizontally just awful. Of course this is just my opinion but I feel MS may have blown it with this one, I like W7, had it from beta and bought a copy as soon as released but I most certainly will NOT be parting with any cash for W8. Sorry.
So many problems, I'm not sure where to begin.
1. What's the point of all the Metro app tiles that don't do anything but display an icon and app preview? Hardly any of them do anything except take up the screen with a panel of flat colour. I've left and right clicked all over them and they just seem to be completely inert. Then they're really hard to dismiss as I can't escape out of them but have to go through a complex juggling act of tearing away the edge of the screen and waiting 5-10 seconds to return to Metro home screen. (I have a fast computer with processor and RAM ratings of 7.4). What does the Store do? Allow me to buy another gigantic shopping bag icon to hang in middle of screen?
2. Maps app - truly unimpressive. Entered "France" - response "No results were found for your search". Why I am shown USA as default when I have entered another country for my account is simply what... American exceptionalism? Feedback dialog for Maps simply won't allow feedback to be submitted.
3. I couldn't use my hotmail.com account to create my Windows account because it was a hotmail account and then I was offered the option of creating a hotmail.fr account. WTF?
4. Task Manager is a mess on the desktop as the processes list is dominated by Metro tile processes that I don't see on the desktop. An option just to see Desktop apps/processes is essential.
5. A few of the app shortcuts that were on my Windows 7 desktop have disappeared and are not locatable in the very messy Metro Start Menu (that looks like a 3 year-old has emptied lego all over their floor) e.g. my Epson scanner
6. Weather app defaults to Seattle, again despite country settings. Weather shown in Fahrenheit despite my system settings being metric/Celsius - and there is no way to fix it here. Microsoft is again showing its inability to handle non-US user settings.
7. The Start menu UI on the desktop is annoying, because it shows a popup of the Metro desktop but if I click on it it doesn't work - I have to click to the left of the UI. Perverse.
8. Windows 7 was set up for me to switch between US and US-International keyboard layouts. It took ages to find the new system language settings and I still can't figure out how to get back the keyboard toggle in my desktop taskbar. (I used to be a PM for international features and I can't figure it out. Good luck end users)
9. Deleting files: Now I get to see a chart while Windows calculates how long it will take to delete 3 local files. I'm still waiting to get a projected date for completion of the task even though the files appear to be "recycled". The deletion dialog seems like it will just hang around forever.
When is this blog's comment feed going to get a decent back-end? "There was an error saving your comment. There was an error processing the request." again and again and again. Just like back in Windows 7 timeframe. Get someone else to design and host your blog software!
Maps app also ignore system settings and uses miles rather than kilometres. Has there been ANY internal dogfooding outside Redmond?
Hotmail's assessment of this blog
The Windows Blog - Automated Email (wvblog@microsoft.com)
Sent: Fri 02/03/12 11:56
To: ========me========
This message looks very suspicious to our SmartScreen filters, so we've blocked attachments, pictures, and links for your safety.
More messiness:
1. I keep getting pop-up messages saying that my password has changed and I should re-sign in or change it. I can't change it because I got a message saying that it hasn't changed after all (?!?!?!?)
2. I'm on the Privacy screen and to turn on Location services it's giving me instructions to "Go to Location Settings in Control Panel and turn on the Windows Location Platform". a) why not allow me to jump directly there via one of those new-fangled hyperlink things, and b) why is there such a disconnect between Metro PC Settings and Control Panel. It's extremely navigating between them
3. Skydrive: More UI disconnects at login screen (which takes about 30 seconds to appear after Metro App is launched): "To use Skydrive change your account settings. Open Settings, choose PC Settings, choose Users, and then select Switch to a Microsoft account."
a. it's not obvious how to get "open" Settings, but when you do find it, there is no PC Settings option, you have to dig deeper for that.
b. After I've dug down several layers to Users, then the only option I have is to change to a LOCAL account because I'm already signed in with my Microsoft account.
c. WTF???
There are so many UI/Navigation issues here. Since the Skydrive screen disappears as soon as you get into Settings, you'd better hope you've remembered what the next steps are because they're no longer visible on screen. Why anyone thought that writing out instructions which require at least 5 steps was better than jumping to the UI is something that scares me about where Windows 8 is going.
Wouldn't it be better if the Charms menu was located within the right-click box also (either with smaller icons within or a mini charms bar attached to its side ). To have both options, instead of having to reach all the way to the bottom or top corner for something as simple as clicking five different icons. The right -click box makes things easier/faster with mouse based systems; why not use it! There should really be a place for suggestions, I'm full with ideas. I hope they make windows 8 as easy as possible for mouse interaction just like the touch-based interaction. Go Windows 8
Trying to load to a partition but get the following error message:
Windows cannot be installed on this disk. The selected disk has an MBR partition table. Windows can only be installed on GPT disks. I used windows partition wizard to create this partition and used all default settings. How do I create the correct partition?
I installed W8 on a Samsung Netbook NC 10 without any problems. All drivers installed and loaded but the NC10s video resolution 1024X600 causes a won't run problem with the apps in the start screen and only two apps work, the desktop and windows explorer. I just select desktop and I'm able to access my normal desktop and access my apps. I cant use Internet Explorer from the start screen because my resolution isn't right but I can use Internet Explorer from the desktop or task bar without any problems. If I use the resolution that is the minimum specified and my icons are stretched, I'm able to use the apps but nothing happens . ie Click on mail ,the mail icon fulls the entire screen for a second or two then goes back to the start screen. This happens with the music, video etc so I'm not sure what the true value is of the start screen on a desktop/netbook. I checked windows update and there are 4 updates available but they will not install. I get a Code 80070002 error Clicking on help with this error you get a "no windows results so no help there. I Put it down to a bug in this release. Most of my Windows 7 software runs ok except Nero 11. All Nero programs start then crash. Working from the desktop its like using an updated Windows 7 for me.
Another wonderful product from Microsoft...
There are lot's of improvements from the Developers Preview! The system is very fast and responsive. The mouse is much better integrated, Better utilizing the hot spots and charms facilitates the workflow and is very intuitive. I'm moving around the system with marked improvement over the DP.
I have adjusted to the way the start screen works and find that I really do think it's a big improvement over the start button. Because I manage an enterprise environment, I can imagine that in the enterprise environment custom apps, and "Metro" style interface will (overtime) simplify how desktops work, I could see in-house applications being presented to the user in a more or less "locked-down" environment where only the application "tiles" would be presented in a very simplified user interface (no desktop lockdown!). After a while the user would then be comfortable using what ever device they have at the moment (phone/tablet/desktop) and the experience would be more or less the same.
I have a very nice integration with Office 365, Mail App contacts etc. links nicely with the office365/exchange server, the SharePoint and Sky Drive integrate very well, So fare I have not worked with the Lync/Messenger integration. Also I've integrated my contacts with LinkedIn and that is working very well. I like the way the Lock screen displays the number of mails that are now unread, I've just purchased an Nokia Lumina, so I will be looking at the similarities and integration possibilities there.
I've setup a few PowerShell scripts to run in the scheduler, they all run as expected (looking forward to v3!) . No hiccups!. I'm now testing the automation of the image/installation of the windows 8 using the newly released desktop management tools, so far so good the work that the windows team has done on enterprise distribution of the image is impressive (using the System Center 2011 tools). I'll be starting with the Windows 8 Server next week. I'm curious about the integration between the Windows 8 and the Windows 8 Server!
IMHO the future for Windows 8 looks good, I think that the unification of the interface between the phones/tables/desktop is really innovative and has expanded possibilities and simplifies many aspects of using specific devices for diversified tasks. After using the Windows 8 for a while now, I feel that I have adjusted to the new paradigm and prefer it to the past systems (I will still be using the Server 2008 systems daily)
I hope the Windows team continues to innovate and incorporate user suggestions. Great Work!
Desktop : HP Dual Monitor, 12MB Memory, Dual Quad Intel Processors
Laptop : Tablet, 4GB.
Phone : Nokia Lumina
I've been a Microsoft & Windows user all my life since the first version of Windows and I spent 4 years in Microsoft marketing.
I've been waiting for 2 years for a Windows tablet and resisted purchasing an iPad. After installing and using Windows 8 I think it's a great win for tablets but on my laptop it is an epic fail. Everything is so hard to do and it is definitely not intuitive. I actually had to go to a browser and search how to shutdown! Constantly having to do things with mouse which is fiddly and cumbersome. Trying to get to other programs is also just too frustrating. First time in my life I've had to do things like that with Windows.
I also tried to enable the Microsoft account but the Windows Live ID I tried (which is the same one I use for Zune) simply won't work as I get an error message saying it's reserved! It is a xxxx@bigpond.net.au address not a @live or @hotmail so WTF? So I logged in using another Windows Live ID (not my primary one) and I can successfully use it but when I try and access Skydrive or music it says I need to enable the Microsoft Account even thought I'm logged in using the Microsoft account!
I just don't understand why you wouldn't ship Windows 8 with the ability to let the user choose the interface at install - Metro for tablet or Windows 7 style with start for PC's and tablets?
I'm going to spend 95% of my time in the Windows 7 style interface on a PC or laptop anyway so why remove the start and force the Metro tile UI when using programs like Outlook, Word etc it just switches to the Windows 7 style anyway?!!!!
I've attempted to install Windows 8 on my 3 year old laptop twice now with no success. Dual core Intel, 500 gig hybrid drive, 4 gigs of Ram running Windows 7 64 bit. First try: 6 hours and it reverted back to Windows 7. Second try, ran all night - 9 hours and still configuring hardware when I got up this morning. Powered off and rebooted and it once again reverted to Windows 7. I'm done for now. And I don't think I'm interested in this upgrade. I've done every one since 3.1. Not this time. The more I read, the less I like it. Too much to learn on this one, too much to teach my partner and I'm "tech support" for three computers at home. Nope, not this time.
I have given Windows 8 a try and honestly I find this user interface unintuitive and confusing.
I doubt that any company will accept deploying Windows 8 because of the retraining this would involve and lost
productivity to learn this new UI. Microsoft should rethink their strategy and offer the option of the classic start
menu. Doing otherwise will make Windows 8 into a new Vista.
Imho Windows 8 will be just about perfect for those iPad and Galaxy Tab geeks who are yearning the full Windows power on their tragically incapable tablets that just couldn't substitute for a good powerful laptop or desktop. Puts a big demand on improvements of hardware miniaturization and performance as well, but that's for Dell and HP to decide, how they will cope with it. For us ordinary PC users in the general Workforce, and in the Home/Entertainment corner, (sorry for capitalizing the next words) FOR THE SAKE OF GOOD PR ABOUT PERFORMANCE AND USABILITY OF WINDOWS SEVEN, DO PLEASE LEAVE AN OPTION TO COMPLETELY DISABLE THE NEW INTERFACE AND RETURN TO THE GOOD OLD W7 STYLE. Thanks :-).
What are the facilities (in windows8) regarding using these devices as mobile phones (i.e. for calling/searching networks etc.).
@ ScubaDog2011
Really, you would force this UI onto your user base? Would you be willing to pay for the hundreds of hours of training for the users? Or paying for the O.T. for the service desk to take the frustrated calls from the users?
As it stands, in it's current form, I can't see this being used in the workplace.
On a personal note, I think it is a dumbed down UI, ideal for Touch devices but not for a full desktop/laptop. I think MS are trying to make a distinct product in the OS market (good for them) but this isn't a good move.
I dislike, very much. Even aesthetically it's unpleasant.
@Razali - If you install from bootable media, you'll have the option to install Windows 7 and the Windows 8 Consumer Preview side by side. The consumer preview FAQ has a little more info for you: go.microsoft.com/.../p
@sammmy - We're working with our hardware partners to get drivers in place for as many devices as we can. We can't promise we'll be able to support every single thing out there, but we're putting more drivers out on Windows Update all the time.
@DaveNV, @CyberSailor, @Myron Havis, @birdbyte, @Charles, @ericinoz, @tarunkapor, @chasvs - We'd love to get your detailed feedback on any issues you're having at the Windows 8 Consumer Preview forum (go.microsoft.com/.../p). People are actively giving answers and helping each other out over there, too.
Can't install says BIOS wrong type.
So, a few more hours of playing with W8. Do I think any better of it? No, not really, I have looked through all these posts and frankly I am amazed that some people seem to like Metro. It's just too horrible for words on a PC. Like most professional users I’m constantly switching between Outlook, IE and Word and many other non-MS applications, including the ones I’m developing. Windows Explorer is ‘core’ to my daily grind also. There are some new features in this desktop tool that are an improvement, but why lose the details pane at the base of the window? I hate that the only choice now seems to be a huge panel at the right. On the plus side the two icons at lower right to switch between details and thumbnails is useful.
Can someone please tell me why anyone would ever want or need to hide file extensions? Moving the option to the ribbon makes it easier to set now but why do it at all?
IMHO this OS will never be rolled out in corporate environments, even if Metro is dumped from a ‘professional’ version there isn’t anything in this OS worth making the jump for. Win 7 was a fair improvement over Vista and XP but I can’t see anything in W8 worth paying for. As soon as I can find the time I will remove it from my laptop.
One last point I notice that only US citizens are allowed to sign up for the user panel ‘to drive windows’, which probably explains why users in the rest of the world have a hard time making metric environments stick.
Although I overall enjoy Win8, there's a coupe superficial issues that need to be addressed:
1) Win8 needs to simply divide Desktop UI functionality and Metro UI functionlity. The visual experience is too inconsistent when you jump between the two. Example, opening non-metro apps in the Metro Start Screen, but then going to the Desktop. Metro Start Screen should be dedicated to Metro apps, while Desktop should be dedicated to legacy apps. Hope M$ listens to people on this and gives people options to disable metro at the beginning and adds a quick option to enable it if necessary from the taskbar.
2) Scrolling horizontally on the mouse is a bit weird but I've gotten used to it. It actually makes alot more sense if you have multi-monitors. This is why issue 1) needs to be addressed b/c the desktop is more appropriate for single monitor setup.
3) Charms is nice, but the clock/date/battery life/power indicators need to be directly available on the start screen (top-right corner next to the profile name is a good spot). I hate having to click so many times to view them. I want instant information on the start screen.
These are my top 3 things so far, but I am again enjoying the immersive experience. Many things good could happen between now and Q4.
In Windows 8 IE10 when I try to go to aol.co.uk or .com, the page loads then goes blank and looking at the address bar I see the following address :-" edpn.ebay.com/engagement|8415908|71063920417434|1|0|1|3|http://www.aol.co.uk/ " anyone else having similar problems with IE10
SUGGESTION: Split the snap feature horizontally so you can have two small apps running in the left / right columns. For example, you may want a calculator app plus some kind of widget open whilst doing your work on the large pane.
Basically, restricting the snap to full length columns is not efficient.
Flawless install on HP dv7 while playing MassEffect2 on XBox. Navigating is a real challenge, but that is the joy of a new os, even to a 70 year old!
well i've read each n every comment given ....
most complaint are about start button which I dont think it necessary in win8 but... but... to get win 8 sucessfull ms need to put start button n give the user an option to switch between metron n desktop interface.... if they want their product to be sucessfull..... otherwise I m happy with win 8
nice work by ms.... gud luck for win 8
one thing even i dont like abt it its STUPID RIBBON FORMAT in explorer making it dull :(
Installer stated "This platform not supported."
John Dough, a highly skilled technician, stated " I will not use Windows 8, ever."
Seriously...the horizontal and vertical scrollbars suck in the Metro UI....please change them!!!
I just installed and I love it ,my pc is a custom build 8 yr old system I put together single core amd cpu and envidia gpu and onboard sound creative card with 2gb of ram and one terabyte of harddrive , is real fast don't know about tablets yet but pc rocks
This is a joke. Seriously I cannot use Windows 8 UI on my ThinkPad. It is completey unintuitive and confusing. This is coming from a freshman in college majoring in Computer Science, if that means anything. Seriously guys.... seriously. You did everything as wrong as humanly possible.
START BUTTON IS THERE!!!!
OK, if you move your mouse to the bottom left (where the start button used to be) and right-click, you get all the usual options for the traditional start button, including the ability to launch the RUN command!!!
STOP COMPLAINING PEOPLE. Learn Win 8 properly and you'll be pleasantly surprised. :)
@James Manes:
It doesn't mean anything. You just have to play with it for few days. I'd advice everyone to do it with focus to learning the keyboard shortcuts and testing them for some time. You will be surprised how great it feels after you get thigs sorted out.
@WP7MANGO Most people aren't complaining they are simply providing legitimate feedback.
The fact that there are in effect 2 x UI's in Windows 8 demonstrates quite clearly the abject weaknesses in the Metro UI. If the Metro UI is so good, intuitive and offers substantial benefits then why not go all the way and drop the whole Windows7 interface? It's obvious what Metro's limitations are in relation to PC's and laptops.
I love Windows 8 as a tablet OS, just not as a PC or laptop OS. I cannot wait to get a decent tablet running it when it RTM's but I will be sticking with Windows 7 on my laptop and PC.
The reason why Google Wave was such an abject failure is that the developers never really understood human behaviour - the learning curve was simply way too steep. Even though the UI was thoughtfully and cleverly planned and developed, users were simply asked to change too much of years of learned behaviour + there was an inherent lack of inuitive design. These two issues combined resulted in it's ultimate downfall. People should read some of Edward Tufte's principles around design.
I know how good the Windows teams have been to date around UI's and this is why this dual approach surprises and scares me the most about Microsoft's future. I absolutely love and rave about my Windows Phone 7.5 and the Metro interface. I hate the iOS design as it is way too simple and dumbed down (so is the OS) for me and now it's simply boring. But guess what? iOS is simple and intuitive! Compare that to a 42% return rate on Android tablets - largely due to the UI and experience. P.S. I had no real problem moving to the Office ribbon of 2007 and 2010 and after a couple of days I actually became more productive. So, it is not me that is the problem.
So, I love Office 2010, Office 365, the SQL Server Business Intelligence stack, Windows Phone 7.5, Windows 7 on my laptop and PC and Windows 8 on my tablet - but I won't be putting Windows 8 on my laptop or PC.
However, after a few days of using the Windows 8 consumer preview on my laptop I just get more and more frustrated. Switching between the Metro UI every time just to use all my primary programs like Office and others is just pointless - I'm going to spend 90% of my time on my laptop (or PC) in the Windows 7 style UI and not Metro but I have to put up with a largely redundant Metro UI as the 'primary' UI on the laptop or PC.
I am a pretty smart guy and in my day job I am a leader in digital marketing and technology, but I can tell you it has been a pretty frustrating experience trying to setup (won't accept my Windows Live ID for setup) and use Windows 8 on my laptop.
I can tell you from an enterprise perspective that it simply won't fly. IT resources are getting less and less, budgets are tight and they are being asked to constantly do more with less. Can you imagine them trying to deploy a new UI like Metro into an enterprise or government? The learning curve is just way too high for no significant benefit. Productivity would drop and IT Help Desk would be swamped with calls for 'how do I do this' for weeks, if not longer.
As I outlined previously, provide a choice at setup - if I have a tablet or touch enabled device then I can choose to use the Metro + Win7 style UI. If I have a laptop or PC then I can choose the Win7 style UI with or without a more obvious start button / tile.
Just finished install so far so good, I have to say it looks and feels great and moreover it reacts very nice to HP touchsmart. First impressions excellent.
as far as two ui's im on a notebook without touch and still find myself using both for different reasons. but that may only be me. (fix my eq2 graphics plz and ill buy it )
@MARTIN
I do agree with you, but many people ARE complaining rather than just providing negative feedback.
If you read my earlier posts, you will see that I already suggested what you said. Basically, I suggested that if Win 8 detects that no touch screen is present, it should automatically launch into desktop mode with the normal Start button available. There are many new features that are worth upgrading to Win 8 even if you want to stay in the desktop mode all the time.
I have developed POC in windows 8 developer preview, now i have tried to upgrade it to visual studio 2011 beta(Consumer Preview) but i cant. Microsoft suggesting 200 pages whitepaper to migrate the same msdn.microsoft.com/.../hh465413.
OK, downloaded and installed as a virtual machine on my computer. On a regular desktop computer this looks like a Fisher Price Toy computer. It is not intuitive. Get rid of the stupid Metro crap for the desktop power user and give us our XP Styled Start Menu back. I am using a 23" monitor and it looks appalling. If this is the way Microsoft is heading on the desktop they will not be taking me with them. Yes I can see this works for 10" tablets and even people with bad eyesight. Power users who like to navigate around by start menus are not happy. Are all my games and productivity software going to freak out when there is no start menu to install to? I reckon if I pinned everything I have on my Windows 7 machine to the taskbar on Windows 8 it would have to take up the entire screen, or I would have a regular desktop filled with icons (which I have not shown in Windows 7). Start Menu seems like a good idea for desktop users. I use Classic Shell to fix Windows 7 diabolical Start Menu and Explorer complimented with Xplorer2 and XYplorer. Yes this is a beta (I know you call it something trendy) but if you leave out the start menu for desktop computers this will be a fail. I wonder how many people call in for support on their new machine over Christmas 2012 and are told there is no start menu in the old sense end up demanding Windows 7 for free or a full refund.
I'll stick with 7. After two days of getting 8 to work properly on my desktop, I reluctantly reverted back to a 30 day old backup image of 7. After upgrading to 8, I lost network connectivity, display drivers, Bluetooth drivers, and a whole host of apps with trouble. It also took longer to boot and is difficult to manueaver around to find tools. I never could get the metro apps to work and did not care for the extra GUI interface on boot up. 8 might be great for tablets but I'll stick with 7. I'm running a P4 @3ghz with 3gig ram and a 500gig drive. Display is an older Ati X1950 video board which isn't available in win8. You might have better luck with faster newer machine but have a recent backup ready in case you have trouble. Good luck!
Well I downloaded Windows 8 Review a couple of hours after it was released. I had a bit of an initial problem installing it from bootable media as I had a GRUB left over from a previous LINUX installation and it would just not let me boot from the DVD no matter what I did. In the end, I went to the Source folder on the DVD and accessed the setup file from there and it installed fine. It takes a bit of getting used to and I guess for some this is frustrating as it behaves very differently from older versions of Windows. Spend a bit of time getting used to it, install it so that you retain your old Windows OS and are not worried about distractions such as whether or not your tried and true current programmes run on the new system. Play around with it, familiarise yourselves with it. Remember that this is a BETA version and is only available as a preview to see how the final version may work. I think Microsoft have come up with a gem here, and cannot wait to see what the final version will be like, in the meantime I will enjoy this preview and play with it and expand my knowledge as more and more software is available to work on it.
I did not install it as my primary operating system as it is a BETA only. Consequently none of the programmes I use have come across and I possible wont load most of them on.
Have fun and dont be afraid to learn new things....you never know, you might actually enjoy exploring the unfamiliar
After a full day, I have my Win 8 Start Screen set the way I want, and I can find my way around. I am using a laptop without touch, so it's not that convenient. Just one thing... instead of having the 'charms' all located at the side of the screen, maybe you could put a little marker on the taskbar so I could move there and click. And if the menus were customizable, that would be great. You could call it a 'Start Menu". I know it sounds crazy...
One little glitch I have noticed is that I use eM Client as my default email in Windows 7 and I downloaded it in Windows 8. I use gmail as my email address and in Windows 7, the eM Client calendar syncs flawlessly. In Windows 8, the same programme messes it up and changes both the time and moves it back a day, so anything scheduled for Monday now occurs on a Sunday. I am sure by the time the final version comes out, this will be rectified with eM Client putting out a Windows 8 version, but if anyone has a solution in the mean time I would appreciate it. Fortunately it doesn't change the dates in gmail calendar itself ( That would be a disaster and it also syncs with my iPhone.
um for all of you that say there is no start menu.... move your mouse to where it normaly would be either click for one or right click for the other. bingo
this is an awsome operating system with the so many advanced features like multi touch in put with five keys at atime
Nice job done, Microsoft!
Windows 8. I totally loved it! The Metro style is a bit unfamiliar, but this just for now, it will vanish soon. The Windows 8 itself, recognizably fester then is predecessor and has plenty of new fancy features.
This is mine second experience with Windows 8, I have tried also the Developer preview. The Consumer preview runs much smoother and with less bugs frequency. However, I had some issue with both of them! I hope this problems are beta version related. The laptop what ran the 8 was not even near an outdated machine with core i7 and gt540m on its board. The installation process was within 10 min (impressed) and the Windows experience itself was just gorgeous, before driver installation! The Intel video driver was installed in a glimpse of an eye, but when it came down to the discrete video adapter (gt540m) with its newest 295 form nvidia webpage, thing went bad. I could not anymore boot my system again to see the Metro and the Desktop. It was just my background theme. sad, actually. On the second time it went almost the same way besides the Windows just fixed the mistake and returned me to the starting point with merely few drivers installed.
Anyway, the time what i did spend with it was worth downloading. Hope, the mistake will go away with the ultimate Windows 8 version.
You should have warned people that Windows 8 will not allow to use DVD or CD roms. How can we install Office then? NUTS!
Windows urgently needs to restore the ability to copy/paste error text and codes so that users can report what they see to support technicians. It's completely insane to have to retype an error message word for word (as demanded by said engineers) and also a long hexadecimal error code. The text is right there in front of us and we can neither click n it to get to a better place, or copy it to a forum post or email or to web search box.
Metro makes the problem worse than it has been in Vista and Win7 because you're less likely to have overlapping windows to see what you're copying and typing at the same time.
Windows 8 looks very promising... a little desktop and menu alignment and it should be fantastic.
I would like to play FreeCell on it, not just Solitare. Need more favorite, classic card games please.
Can someone help me...the metro start does not work at all. I have added my live email, but nothing is linking up. I find the live.com website and connectivity very poorly designed and as it is supposed to be linking everything together in terms of social media etc. needs a complete update before they launch Windows 8. Hope that's on the cards because it is terrible! Anyone else agree?
Hey .,,
Most of the apps are not working as its not my PC faults and please if you are making it tablets and phones please remember that windows was for PCs mainly ....
You can make two separate windows for non - touch and touch . users... as people doesn't wait for apps to start with a big UI display colours... these are good for small screens.... and phones... please make it faster and less graphic UI displays as people want a more faster windows than windows 7......
I loved its shut Down UI ..but it don't completely off my PC.... my CPU keep on processing after i shut down .....please response on this problem......it don't completely turns off my PC....... Please Help..........
I miss the start menu.....think I will go back to 7...I don't like the Metro...even if it worked!
Windows 8 is by far the best version of Windows yet... well done Microsoft! I'm using a mouse and keyboard, and it's surprising great (I thought I'd need touch!).
Switching from local account to Microsoft account is a pain, 3x your have to fill in e-mail addy and password......
In Windows 7 I have my sidebar on the right and the settings menu on Windows 8 shows behind that when moving the mouse to the right, either move Windows 8 settings to the left or make sidebar (in Windows 7) movable.
There appears to be no sidebar in Windows 8 ?
Job well done to the Windows Team across the board many thanks!
I'm loving my Win 8 preview right now, I was able to restore the old faithful start menu to it's rightful place.
I just couldn't function without it, the charm bar works fine for the new start menu so all is well, we are so pleased with the preview release and we can't wait till the official build is ready, thanks again.
- Stay Powered by Windows.
Special character and number keys on top row of keyboard do not work in any browsers under Win 8 but they work in nother apps such as Word Does anyone know why?
You might tell people that if you download 8 you then have to reload Windows 7 to get it back online!
Fun and exciting. I tried the tablets at the CES show and loved it. Can't wait until they come to market>
Can I be honest here folks to be Frank I really don't like it its only being thought through touch screen eyes in my view , I have followed Microsoft and also being a loyal customer since windows 95 but be quite truthful its not very user friendly in my view I may be wrong but that's my view , on setup of the installation of windows 8 it does not give the customer any options of loading the start menu up by default for those who don't have touch screen , screens which is another expense to the consumer that Microsoft have not thought about , which in my opinion will lose them already loyal windows customers its to complicated for people who are use to there start menu , I no you can set the start menu somewhere in the registry by changing a certain value , but why should one have to do such a thing when one is going to pay such a large amount of money that in my view is no different than windows 7 but with only one change in my totally sincere honest view to Microsoft is a square grotesque metro style interface
one word to Microsoft ok for touch screens but why off on normal desktops without touch screen bring back the start menu by default on none touch screen computers or I just might go the open source route
I have read through all these posts, and a lot of other blog or forum negativity for this new windows 8. I am just wondering if someone is really keeping track.
Most of all the “positive” reviews seem to be a bit generic. They have a feeling of being from “inside people” who are just trying to inflate the negative side of the scale or trying to stroke their own egos. They feel they did a good job, but this does not seem to be going in their favor.
I have been a Microsoft certified partner since 2001, but this is the first time I have questioned my “alliance” with Windows. I have been running the developer preview on a fairly new HP DV7 laptop. I just switch to the customer preview the day it was downloadable, but after 2 days I gave up, and restored to Windows 7. This OS may be great for a tablet or touch screen, but. MS seems a little late to the tablet market, and most (I mean almost all) of my customers do not seem to be gravitating towards touch screen computers for their future computer needs. Tablets are hot, but it is hard to convince customers to wait, when Android or iOS is here now, giving them what they want. Not just the years of Windows usage that’s going to be in need of “adjusting” users now know how to do what they need to in Android or iOS, so the learning curve, or relearning how to use your computer is going to be immense. I have let several customers “play” with the developer preview to see the new direction or windows, and within minutes, they leave the display and look for something more familiar.
This feels HUGE, and it is looking like it’s going to way over shadow the Windows Vista “flop”.
I’m really liking it so far. However the Start button really needs to come back for Desktop mode. I will buy a tablet with Windows 8 on ARM as soon as they become available and of course it won’t matter on it. But my primary machine will remain a desktop for some time yet and I can see myself using both modes of Win8 on it. I would use Metro mode for internet, email, social networking and casual gaming. But real work will be done using Desktop mode and I suspect the majority of my time will be spent in it.
I want Win8 Desktop to be an awesome and funky upgrade of Windows 7 and have a Start button and have the option for it to be the default mode. Though I did pin Desktop mode to my Metro mode in the preview so it is always only click or two away but I still want the choice.
I want my desktop mode but it is very cool having Metro mode just a click away--I'll be glad when I have this on my primary machine.
I like to make things bigger on my screen, but Windows 8 has only 2 choices, as is or huge. No in between.
I really love windows8 is really cool I really loved it I can't wait until the original version comes out I really love Microsoft I am there number one fan :)
It appears that the Windows 8 Preview edition cannot install under a Virtual Machine. HAL error. :(
So will there be laptops that will be both a laptop and a tablet so we can enjoy both interfaces?
I want to try windows 8, but it freezes at 'preparing-34%' and reverts the OS to Windows 7. Please help, I am running an AMD Llano MX 35--, 4GB of RAM, and the Radeon 6520G dual graphics.
I am unable to install Zune Software for my Windows 7.5 Mango phone after Windows 8 Consumer Preview download and also I am finding problem with compatibility with applications running on .NET 2.0 & .NET3.0.
Kindly let me know the solution for the same .
Thanks ,
Sachin.
I found windows 8 as much less resource hog than windows 7 so hand's up to windows 8, wondering if it comes cheap in South Asia.
on a scale of 1 to 10 i give a minus 10, to many changes i dont like, i will not buy this crappy operating system
Discovered a very easy way to shut down when the mouse on my notebook wouldn't work after boot up. The good old reliable ctrl-alt-delete; hit that key combination once and it brings up a screen with the shut down icon on the lower right. In my case, with no mouse, I tabbed a couple times to reach the shut down icon, hit enter and I was shut down. I've since fixed my mouse issue and I think it's still the easiest way to shut down, except now I click it with my mouse instead of tabbing over to it.
Still undecided about Metro but for sure there needs to be an option to use it or not. There are millions of people who will refuse to change if the learning curve is big (or because they perceive that the learning curve will be big, even if it's not).
I've installed it on a 4 year old notebook with 2 gig of RAM and a mid level dual core processor running at 1.83 MHz. The notebook was previously running XP (downgraded from Vista). I didn't time anything for comparison purposes but I can tell you that boot up is unbelievably fast and I mean unbelievably and my shut down time is fast, way faster than what I had with XP.
tamamen bir facia , çok büyük bir hata , tamam anladım bu işiletim sistemini daha tamamlamadınız peki yayınladığınız sitedeki ingilizce diye belirtilen işletim sisteminin yarısı almanca yarısı ingilizce yarısı fransızca yarısı çince olurmu ya bu nedemek ciddiyetsizliktir bu koskoca microsoft firması bi işletim sistemini yazarken kendi arasında koordinasyon kuramıyormu çok ayıp heleki windows 7 den sonra yükselen beklentileri karşılamakta tamamen yetersiz bu iişletiim sistemini çıkarıp yayınladığınız için çok üzgünüm iinşallah daha iyi biirşeyler çıkar ortaya tamamını iinceledim daha fazla yorum yapıp moralimi bozmak istemiyorum türk arkadaşlar sakın yükleyerek zaman kaybetmeyin
It looks fantastic!<img src="2.s04.flagcounter.com/.../.jpg" width="1" height="1" />
Ok I have been playing with this release a couple days now and I think the original shock is over.
The Metro Interface... Well what can I say. It's Ugly. .. don't get me wrong its exceptionally innovative. and with all the live flashy updating that is to be going on it is bound to be some serious eye candy for the yuppies.
For those of us that have some real concerns about privacy and have no intention of linking their computer to every live feed on the planet, will just see a bunch of ugly blocks. Those business users will see the same as no Admin in their right mind would allow 2-25+ live feeds per system run across their PRI's
That being said I absolutely love what you did with the file manager. Give that sucker the ability for dual panes and you will have me sold.
An now I get back to the application launcher (as I hit the windows key on the keyboard)
It is a very interesting interface.
It looks like it will be quite nice of a touch based system.
It seems functional using the scroll on a mouse to quickly get what you need. On a laptop with a touch pad, its going to be a nightmare.
I think the sudden aversion to having a "Start Button" (as much as people loved to make fun of it) is an interesting switch for Microsoft. Despite the fact that it is incredibly useful. It was most useful to people that used their systems for much more than surfing the web. I wont dwell on the lack of start button to much other than to say I hope you put it back they way it was in windows 7.
I am tempted to rail into the PC usability factor after all this time. Realistically what the main issue is .. what is usable on a Tablet or Phone is not usable on a PC or laptop. The big blocky interface for the Metro and for the control panel works well on portable devices but is completely wasted on a PC. Concise dialogs are the name of the game for PC business users. PC users do not need endless scrolling to manage what would fit on one screen under windows 7.
As a business user (and Net admin) I feel like I am being reduced to the lowest common denominator. If Microsoft wanted to make an interface to appeal to the "net nanny" generation. Then by all means, set it up as an optional "Theme" but also keep mind the business and power user. A full screen "Start Menu" and having to click a link to get to the desktop is not very efficient.
I know some people will just say (and have said) that I am just a phobia reluctant to change. But I was one of the few people that believe Windows Vista is NOT a flop. Vista is a damn good operating system. Microsoft took steps in the absolute right direction when it decided to make its system more stable and more secure. Sure UAC was clunky... But it worked! and worked well. It just needed some tweaking (and we see the result with windows 7). Windows 7 is an awesome OS. The improvements with windows explorer and the desktop (namely the task bar & start menu) has made working with the OS much more intuitive.
Unfortunately now it seems that MS is taking a step backward. not so much due to the innovation behind the metro interface. but more due to recent events with big businesses harvesting personal information. This is becoming a REAL concern. All these live widgets and feeds populating the start screen. and the information sharing between applications. These are the concerns of the next generation of computers. Some people may be willing to sacrifice their privacy for a minor convenience. but most will shout. Mind Your Own Business. I hope Microsoft learns this lesson FAST.
Download fail. I get the following message when I cannot download:
"The data necessary to complete this operation is not yet available."
What does this mean?
Hankdog
IE 9 in Windows 8 Consumer Preview is great, even using a mouse. The UI is intuitive, simple and functional. The method for controlling which tabs remain open is brilliant since you see the tab contents before choosing whether to close it, instead of just the tab title as in WIndows 7. I didn't see a feedback button for IE 9 so I left a comment here.
A couple more things that I noticed while working with the OS. 1st. Why aren't the applications I launched from the start screen showing up in my task bar?
Oh and speaking of the Task Manager! Two big Thumbs UP. Massive improvement there! and I love the touch keyboard options (even though I do not have this loaded on a touch enabled device)
And back to the start screen. No Clock? And why is everything in full screen with no close button or minimize? The whole point of windows was for people to be able to work in more than one window at a time. (even now I have 6 windows open one of which is Windows 8 in a VMware window.
As far as dragging things down to the bottom edge. That is fine. but if I have to move my cursor up to grab it why not just click a close button?
And again this is getting more and more annoying as to how HUGE everything is. I have a 24" monitor. I have a large monitor for a reason. I have it so I can have more things running. Do more things and monitor more at the same time. All the "widgets" that I have launched from the start screen... "steal" the whole screen.
Microsoft, You are making great progress with many aspects of this new OS. I see a whole lot of potential.
I hope that you decide to make this "Metro" stuff an available "add-on" for those that use touch devices. I can tell you even with my Wacom Tablet ..Metro is going to be a HUGE CONSTANT ANNOYANCE!!!
WP7MANGO Just tried your suggestion. And no. the usual options for the start menu are not there.. just the usual option for the task bar.
Important for microsoft corp., Please attention :
Hi, I'm Vineet Sharma. I'm software developer and IT engineer and i'm excited about windows next version which is actually called windows 8. I have download and install on my system and start for testing, metro UI interface beautifully. Start screen is very good for touch. but, some are missing. Which is start menu and start button on non-touch screens. I wanna suggest to microsoft that microsoft may and must make to users to use choice to change start screen to start menu and vice versa in control panel settings which is called 'start settings' or 'change start' or another name. Because i know that some new windows users are not comfortable about start screen in windows 8. Windows 8 exectly faster than previous versions windows. It also hits in market. Please note that performance also important but not ignore start menu and some anothers which hits windows 7. Because windows 7 contains components which is comfotable for users. Not ignore that. OK Thanks.
Disclaimer: I understand that the amount of effort put into W8 is extraordinary!!!
Downloaded W8 64. Installation 9.5 out of 10. On Virtual Box on Intel and AMD. AMD - it where it worked.
First impression: Windows 3.11 looked neater.
My first problem: How to turn off the System (power off). - Had to write a batch file.
First question to the UI - why I cannot hold down the left mouse button and pull the "Start Screen" with all the tiles in a desired direction. Catching and dragging the slide bar is annoying and seems somehow to be against the idea of the "Start Screen".
Other questions:
2) Could the tiles in the "Start Screen" re-arranged the way I need them to be?
3) Is there an easy way to start a second copy of "Windows Explorer"? Or if we are back to Windows 3.11 perhaps also resurrect its file manager?
Conclusion for now:
- As a support person: It will be hard to support this sort of UI without seeing the actual user screen...
- The paranoiac idea of challenging user with an IQ test "How to accomplish this basic task?" seems to be overwhelming.
- What all we've done to be tested again? (Perhaps I know a few answers...)
- Compatibility, compatibility even with W7...
This are just my first observations for now.
Thank you for your patience!
I don't understand why people are saying no start menu or hard to power down it is right there in front of you. I prefer Linux but this to me is a nice os and will probably buy it if I can use it for my eq2.(which still has holes in the graphics) but it does run smother other than graphics. I have it dual booting with Linux now on my notebook no problems at all. yes it does take getting use to but once you know where everything is it is kinda cool you can rearrange start page blah blah. I use the desktop mostly but do find myself using both ui's for different reasons. never realy been a Microsoft fanboy but I realy like this and can not wait to see the finished project.
Hi, I'm Vineet Sharma. I'm software developer & IT engineer & i'm excited about windows next version which is actually called windows 8. I have download & install on my system & start for testing, metro UI interface beautifully. Start screen is very good for touch. but, some are missing. Which is start menu & start button on non-touch screens. I wanna suggest to microsoft that microsoft may & must make to users to use choice to change start screen to start menu & vice versa in control panel settings which is called 'start settings' or 'change start' or another name. Because i know that some new windows users are not comfortable about start screen in windows 8. Windows 8 exectly faster than previous versions windows. It also hits in market. Please note that performance also important but not ignore start menu & some anothers which hits windows 7. Because windows 7 contains components which is comfotable for users. Not ignore that. OK Thanks.
@cynyster
You need to move your mouse to the bottom left corner until the mini start screen popup icon appears. Then right click and you get all the options you had in the start menu.
Anyone else having trouble with win 8 recognizing the optical drive?I've tried device manager. No luck. This was a very common problem with the developer's edition.No one seemed to have a solution.
In general, I like the Windows 8 approach. Particularly being able to use the Windows Logo button to get back to the Metro page works great. Also using the USB drive for loading to a partition worked great.
Question for the Windows Gurus
1. Are there any hand-held touch devices currently on the market that will work with Windows 8?
Issues of Concern:
1. The Music section does not allow you to drill down to a specific album when an artist has more than 1 album. Windows Media Player does. I realize you can do it from Windows Explorer, but it would be handy to do it from the Metro page. I have my music on another partition and linked it to Windows 8. Unfortunately the Metro page to Music then down did not recognize the linked files on the other partition.
2. To shut the computer off you have to go through a lot of rigmarole with the lower right hand side of the screen. Why not just have a button on the Metro screen to get to thosde functions accessed from the lower right hand section?
3. There seems to be no shortcut to scroll right and left. How about setting the Windows Logo Plus the right or left arrows to do this?
4. For me, using the iso file to burn the DVD and then installing that way did not work as well as using the USB drive method.
Thanks.
@AShepherd,
Page Up and Page Down scroll the Metro start screen.
@WP7Mango
I'm not so much worried about the Metro page. Other pages, e.g. Music and Photos, require a lot of scrolling. Nothing seems to work well for those.
Important for microsoft corp., Please
attention :
Hi, I'm Vineet Sharma. I'm software
developer and IT engineer and i'm excited
about windows next version which is
actually called windows 8. I have download
and install on my system and start for
testing, metro UI interface beautifully. Start
screen is very good for touch. but, some are
missing. Which is start menu and start
button on non-touch screens. I wanna
suggest to microsoft that microsoft may and
must make to users to use choice to change
start screen to start menu and vice versa in
control panel settings which is called 'start
settings' or 'change start' or another name.
Because i know that some new windows
users are not comfortable about start screen
in windows 8. Windows 8 exectly faster
than previous versions windows. It also hits
in market. Please note that performance also
important but not ignore start menu and
some anothers which hits windows 7.
Because windows 7 contains components
which is comfotable for users. Not ignore
that. OK Thanks.
If you want to suggestion for makes windows 8 better and best version then contact me
e-mail: vineet.sharma123@hotmail.com
my idea to makes start screen better for non-touch or desktop, if you play the angry birds games for pc by rovio in this the game it's provide a facility to pinch screen to go one end to another end smoothy with mouse pad which feels look like a touch on non-touch. Please makes a start screen like that. And discard the scroll bar on start screen.
I am trying download to using. Thanks for all reviews
http://huyenanh.com.vn/
http://www.thanhphatvn.com.vn/
http://simdepgiare.com/
In the windows 7 tray it can display both the time and date. It might be a small thing but its something that I have come to expect. Is there a way to get it to show both time and date in the new release?
@WP7MANGO
Thanks for that. I did eventually find it..
For me I had to click the icon in the lower right first. (the Magnifying glass next to 4 blocks icon) by hovering over the sweet spot. Once in the "Aerial View" as I'll call it. Then hover the the extreme lower left until a preview of the desktop appears. THEN right clicking gives me the options. If I am looking at the Desktop I can move my cursor down but I have to wait for the Start Screen Preview to appear before the trick will work.
Thanks for the help.
have been using for a week and use it for work. so far everything is good except the way to access shutdown key.
looks better for touchscreen devices
@AShepherd
I think you can use the Tab key in certain apps to scroll through the various sections in an app. But I think ultimately the scrolling implementation inisde an app depends on the develop. Perhaps this should be address by Microsoft by issuing guidelines for developers.
Hey friends!
The German are loving Windows 8! The Consumer Preview is about 100% better like the Developer Preview!
It´s the best Operating System I know so far! (Hmmm, i think Windows Phone is simply a little bit better :DD)
But there is an Problem with the internet:
When you go in Desktop Internet Explorer and you think: Hmmm, i`ll watch a Video now.
you open YouTube and then you open a Video and then there´s only a green window!
A few observations, if you'll indulge me...
I've been an early tester of WIndows beginning with WIndows 95. I'm always excited to see the new advances each new OS brings, but I must confess that I'm having some second thoughts about the desktop experience for users with the latest Consumer Preview.
Please do not assume that I want to use my finger as my primary input device. Portable devices like smartphones and tablets are reasonable platforms for fingers, but desktops are not. Indeed, many tablet users are finding ways to attach standard keyboards to their devices at times to make them more useable, and (let's face it) usability is the primary focus, or should be. Many have already commented on their misgivings about Microsoft's not so subtle nudging toward a touch-centric desktop interface, and I share their concern. My monitor is never close enough to me to make touch activation an option, and I would rapidly grow tired of constantly cleaning the screen.
The keyboard is still the best option for working with applications like Word, Excel and Powerpoint. I can't imagine trying to work on a large complicated spreadsheet with a touch-sensitve screen as my only input point.
My desktop experience with the Metro UI in the latest Preview has been frustrating. It's not so much that I miss the Start button menu as much as I miss the "comfort zone" of knowing how to do the things I want to do. I can't get used to not being able to shutdown with a few clicks, and I find it troublesome that I have to hunt around on the Metro desktop trying to activate slide-out panels that still leave me without the option I'm looking for or intuitive ways to return to where I was.
I realize that many will say "It just takes getting used to the new interface." And that may be true, but I'm reminded of that famous warning that "If all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail." Just because some applications can be worked with a swipe or a finger touch, don't assume that is the best or preferred way many of us would like to use those applications. I bought a Toshiba Thrive table, in part because it has a full size USB port that allows me to attached a keboard and mouse. If I'm trying to write an email response of any length, having a regular keyboard to use is just great and helps me get finished in far less ttime than using the on-screen keyboard. The future MAY prove me wrong, but I'm betting that keyboard and mouse will be around for a long time to come, if only because you can be more productive using them.
Another issue that I haven't seen discussed much is that if you install current Windows applications on a WIndows 8 PC, the icons that are placed on the Metro UI are difficult to manage. I'd like to be able to "corral" all the icons for a particular application into a group (or box) that can be labeled to indicate they are all related to one another.
I've also loaded some programs that offer an "Uninstall" option, only to find that on the Metro desktop I suddenly have multiple "Uninstall" icons without a clear indication which application would be uninstalled. This may have the effect of making people think they have to upgrade to a version of their application that is "Metro-enabled". If they're happy with their current application, but want to upgrade to Windows 8, they may not want to feel like they are being driven to the expense of an application upgrade.
I agree with one other poster who said that use of the Metro UI on corporate desktops was going to be a problem for his organization. My own employer is just now beginning a migration to Windows 7, and I don't see Windows 8 in our enterprise future, at least not for some time. We do too much activity centered on our desktop PC's, and it's hard to see how our productivity would be improved by a WIndows 8 adoption. Something to think about...
I realize that WIndows 8 is a work still in progress, and I've seen many changes since the Developer's Preview that make me cautiously optimistic. I want Windows 8 to be successful, and hope my comments are taken in a constuctive way.
Thanks for listening.
WP7Mango .... Thanks for the feedback on the scrolling.
Compliments for Microsoft
1. Toggling using the Windows Logo key works great
2. USB installation worked well.
3. On the Metro page, scrolling using the arrows works well.
4. Adding the All apps at the bottom of the Metro screen with the mouse right click is handy, particularly with the Apps available.
Issues for Microsoft - Continued
5. Is there any way to add or consolidate buttons on the Metro screen? As an example, yesterday I loaded LibreOffice in W8. That installation added 7 buttons to the Metro screen. I expect that if I had added Microsoft Office Pro, something similar would have happened. It would be handy to be able to consolidate those into one, e.g. LibreOffice, that you could then click to get the specific application you want. In other words, similar to the way All Programs, then the specific category, then the specific program, method has worked in W95 through W7. If you are going to provide the Metro page, make it so the customer can personalize it.
@sachin, @umthisislife - Have a look at the Windows 8 Consumer Preview forum. We'd like your feedback there, and you might find the help you need. go.microsoft.com/.../p
@outbackjack and any others having trouble with optical drives - There's a thread going on the Windows 8 Consumer Preview forum that might help you here. The two solutions suggested so far are to update chipset drivers and set the optical drive(s) to master rather than slave. If you continue having issues, please chime in on the forum. We'd like your feedback, and you may end up finding some help. go.microsoft.com/.../p
@DrTechnical - Thanks for the feedback. I'm going to be getting to a few of your points in coming posts, but for now, try this for corralling and see how it works for you: drag a tile onto the space between groups of tiles to create a new group. Then zoom out (Ctrl+mouse wheel or the button in the lower right corner of the Start screen), and you have the ability to name groups and drag them around to place them where you want them. Kind of cool, right?
What is with the start button, I do not like the start button one little bit. For a small touch screen device where there is only one small screen I understand the concept of trying to make the most of every screen. But the PC is not limited to such a small screen and therefore pc users do not need to have every screen its own environment.
How do I revert back to my original OS?? Not that I want to, because this is awesome, but just in case...
BTW,, This makes my Samsung Focus Windows Phone that much cooler!
One minor thing that has helped me quite a bit with using Metro. I changed my cursor size to jumbo, which brings it closer to the size of a finger. For some odd reason, I'm finding that helps quite a bit when using a mouse.
I am not sure how anybody successfully tried and satified on any desktop with Windows8. I have been developing applications for windows for years. We have based all our business on Windows. I tried Office 2010, Out custom build app and our accounting app on windows 8. Once you have found the applications you need and pin them onm taskbar everthing looked ok. However whenever you need a new app installed on your computer you are in trouble. I am not sure how current applications will manage to survive on windows 8. Also I have 2 monitors which I am not sure how it is going to work with with Windows 8 Metro Style apps.
I was hoping the Microsoft will have some kind of a solution now. However it looks like Microsoft betting on Touch interfaces for future. I hope they are right. However I need to say I don;'t think they are going to get into market as fast as Microsoft wants. And I am not sure how big cooperations will adapt. I think windows 7 will truely with us for another 10 years may be longer.
One last note, I am looking to learn more Mac and iOS even I know it is really hard to develop on them. I think they are going to get more poeple since their transition is much more easier to the new era.
Godd Luck to all,
Please make sure you use hardware that you have assigned for testing purposes only as you will find Windows 8 to be lacking in many places. To attempt to use Windows 8 as a live production environment would be pure foolish.
SUCCESSFULLY BOOTED INTO DESKTOP!!! :)
I made an interesting discover just now. In the Desktop mode, if you copy the shortcut called Desktop from the Start Menu folder to the Startup folder, you can boot to the desktop!!
What haappens is that first the computer boost into Metro, then after about 10 seconds it automatically goes into the desktop mode.
My experience? Metro on desktop computer and removed start button = biggest mistake
Microsoft!!! Niemals wird dich jemand schlagen!
Schon bald wird Apple untergehen.
The more I use WCP the more I love it. I wish I never had to see the Desktop again---it's ugly and cumbersome compared to Metro. I don't miss the Start button in the least. One thing I appreciate is the move to have the mouse cursor behave more like my finger would on a tablet. It amazes me that so many just can't seem to embrace this meme. Instead of complaining about not being able to "do it the way we've always done it", the better approach would be to fully emerse yourselves in the UI. It gets more natural and comfortable the more you use it. I don't even think about many of the moves now, and I'm now starting to use some of the Windows Key approaches. BUT, I'm also digging into the voice control features. You see, I anticipate that Kinect will be the next extension of usability for Win8, combining voice, gestures and mouse to do everything that doesn't actually require keyboard input. I'm not quite satisfied with the voice-to-text capability for dictation, particularly since I can type approx 60wpm anyway.
I just no longer see the need for the old Start button or the All Programs mess anymore.
My feedback for what it is worth.
The goods:
- Downloaded and installed on my 4 year old Sony Vaio FZ4000 series laptop (Core 2 Duo T9300 2.5GHz, nVidia 8400M GT, 4GB DDR2, 1TB 5400RPM), updated drivers from Windows 7 64bit inventory as needed, and everything worked like a charm on first go!!
- Shiny new OS, feels faster in terms of startup and desktop programs load times
- Love the subtle but useful enhancements in task manager (getting closer to Russinovich's Process Explorer B-)), copy progress dialogs etc.
- Most softwares work as they did in Windows 7. However certain softwares that use a full screen view are somehow not able to hide the task bar any more
- Generally UI feels quite responsive (I got 4.7 Windows Experience Index on my machine
The not so goods:
- I am not sure the point behind hiding the start button. It has been the OS's legacy, at least provide an option to be able to show if someone wishes so (even the RPEnabled registry hack does not work any more :-(
- I miss the ability to start typing after clicking the start button and the way search results are shown in Windows 7. In Windows 8, after I have typed the search phrase, I will need to click one of the categories (Programs, Files etc) on the right to be able to see the search results on the left. Why not show the search results stacked under individual categories (with mini scroll bars under every category). I do NOT want to guess or use the mouse to be be able to pick a search result
- Full screen apps seem to lag a bit (stays open for a few seconds while it displays the name). Not sure if this is a first load issue, or it is my hardware
I do not know when we will start having Windows 8 tablets coming out in the marker that can compete on price against the Android or iOS tablets, but I have 4 laptops and 2 desktops at home that run different versions of Windows on them (XP and 7). I hope in the quest to attain market share on tablet platform we do not loose focus on the non-tablet platform too much. And I am one of those who believe tablets (say touch screen devices) will always continue to be a recreational device, whereas "real" computers will continue to be the workhorses.
Congratulations once again for reaching another big milestone on the Windows road map. I look forward to the final version in coming months (can I get it before my TechNet expires please please please :-)).
Windows 8 looks very good for a Tablet or a mobile phone BUT NOT for a desktop PC. I/We do not want apps we would like proper programs that are capable of using the power and memory that desktops have.
@ScubaDog2011 I agree with the advancement of Operating Systems and their ability to perform smoother and faster, but the design of Windows 8 is based on that of a tablet and smart phone where there is limited screen space, storage space and processing power, and that is just not the case for the desktop PC. There is no need for all the erratic mouse movements in order to get things done and it also feels unnatural. For a small touch screen device I agree with everything Microsoft is doing, but for the PC they are making a mistake.
I like it but it needs many updates for gameing and just more in-depth use we need a more simple ability to access control panel and all items like remove program and firewall and all that stuff. The new explore is fantastic but if it was designed to be on the start menu for win vista or 7 it is hard as mess to get to any of it even with search.
@T1000X - I agree with you. But Microsoft can improve it in a very simple way - if they add a possibility to use two/three finger swipes same way as touchscreen-swipes this system will work in a perfect way. Already most of new laptops have multi-touchpads, MS released really brilliant Touch Mouse and others may provide touch pointing devices (like Apple's Magic Trackpad) to make this system working flawlessly.
currently using on old laptop and works better then 7/vista/xp/2000/98/95 combined well done I hope to see some updates tho other then that my 8 year old laptop runs it like it is brand frigin new it brings tears of joy to see it run so smooth only thing is It wont let me change screen resolution but that is no biggie supper excited to see the full release
Then, @T1000X, I'd say you've missed the point entirely. It seems to me that many of you folks insist on living in an old meme of interfacing with a PC. It's time to chuck the mouse and keyboard that we've lived with for two decades. It should be obvious why Microsoft is reportedly licensing the Kinect to OEMs for integration into, presumably, monitors and all-in-one devices. In the "evolution of the PC", what we see right now is merely a transitional "species", if you will. Surely, I'm not the only one who sees where this inevitably will go: the touchLESS interface. Voice and gesture. While holographic displays may be, in practicality, a ways off, I'm absolutely certain the ability to control/direct the PC in the way demonstrated in such movies as Iron Man is not far off at all. I don't need to have a big screen with a bunch of windows immediately visible if I can have one or two primarily active screens with the rest easily accessible. Already, I'm learning to leverage the still-somewhat-limited voice capabilities of Windows 8 without a Kinect. I would be willing to bet I could already go up against most users stuck to the old desktop and work with Windows 8 as fast, if not faster. The only exception would be if they insist on having every app they intend to use sitting there as an open window---which is quite stupid and useless, in my opinion, and I used to be a slave to dual monitors and multiple windows. Once I realized that human multitasking is worse than a lie, anything more than two windows is a complete waste. The live tile concept, if properly executed by developers, actually eliminates the need for having a bunch of windows open---and this is just one of the many concepts that most appear to be missing. These are you're daddy's icons or gadgets. These are (or can be) fully immersive interactions or views of what's going on with multiple programs that we used to be forced to actually run. Conceptually, I can't see a reason why anyone would need rely on the old meme if this one is exploited to the fullest. I WANT the PC to become like the computer in Star Trek or Minority Report or Iron Man. I see no reason it can't be, at this point. But if we stubbornly insist on the archaic desktop instead of pushing THIS to fruition, then it will be a long time coming. And, very likely, Apple will beat us to the punch---as it has consistently done his past decade. Steve Jobs, for all his self-important bluster, successfully got away with TELLING us what we need instead of ASKING us what we want. Far too many seem to want to stay stuck in the old because they're incapable of embracing this new meme.
It would be a great application if we didn't have to use Metro on the Desktop. PLEASE give us a Windows 7 UI option.
I was very excited about W8 because I love my Windows phone. quick, intuitive, useful.
Not so with the desktop version. What a nightmare!!!
First of all, I followed the directions to install into a separate partition as a dual boot with 7. Copied 8 installations files onto flashdrive. Installation never asked where to put os. Ran it right over 7. Then, when none of the tiles worked, Microsoft advised a "refresh." It uninstalled all of my applications. Made a list of what I was not missing (including Office 2010) in a folder on the desktop.
Spent all weekend trying to figure out Metro UI functionality. Got many tiles working. But the photos have no facility for choosing what you want and how to display them and the size of the tile. My sound card is not working. The Mail tile which should be the star of the show only shows some of my Hotmail and has no search or any other functions. Similarly, the new IE is a large blank screen. All of this looks like it was built for aging boomers who will soon be senile and blind and unable to deal with anything more refined that size 72 type.
Saving the worst for last is the lack of the START button. I keep trying to hit it and then realize it's gone. I have to go through a MS Cert exam just to puzzle out where to find what I'm looking for. This product is totally unusable for doing any work.
My suggestion is that MS brings back the 7 desktop with the Start button as the main screen with a gadget, icon, or even mousable aero for the Metro UI. And, allow IT to disable to Metro.
Horrible product. I'm going to have to spend next weekend recovering Windows 7 from my SOS backup and the Toshiba retrieval partition (I hope it's still there).
@Amy CT: Sounds like some of the problems you were having were the result of user error on your part; The Windows 8 installer does indeed have a formatting/partition management screen (in fact the very same one from Windows 7), so you likely clicked through something or bumped keys when configuring your installations (or clicked Upgrade instead of Custom Install). I have several computers throughout my household running the CP with no problems; you should *always* check for drivers and the like with any operating system from the appropriate parties.
Away from the reply, the Consumer Preview is really quite good and has come a long way from the Developer Preview we saw at BUILD. Useful apps are now there, and I like the information-centric interface that I have been longing *for years*. I liked this so much that I now routinely boot my MacBook Pro into Windows 8 (via Bootcamp 4.0) as a daily driver. I have few issues with the way it behaves, other than perhaps it should be easier to access the power functions on a keyboard-mouse PC. An easier way to access the "All Apps" menu would be nice too - maybe a dedicated tile?
I set up my parents with the Consumer Preview and gave them a quick run-down of where things were (start menu, all apps, how to shut it off), and then let them have at it. The verdict: they like it! Both of my parents said they got basic tasks done *faster* using the Metro interface than what it would have taken in Windows 7. They boot almost exclusively now to the CP, only switching for the Office, Quicken and iTunes installs in Windows 7.
As far as business potential is concerned, companies will likely resist at first, but like the ribbon, the new UI will probably stick. From an my standpoint, if the person isn't trustworthy/smart enough to use Windows 8 and its expanded functionality, then they can get Windows 7 Thin (or the equivalent) instead.
> It amazes me that so many just can't seem to embrace this meme. Instead of complaining about not being able to "do it the way we've always done it", the better approach would be to fully emerge yourselves in the UI.
It is because this "meme" is unnecessary for Desktop. You don't seems to use Desktop for work, do you?
Metro is not designed for heavy multitasking. You simply can't write and drag file to Email client, while working on an Excel worksheet, running SQL manager and other IDE.
Sure there is a Desktop mode in Windows 8, then why remove the original "Start" button functionality to force Metro upon the Desktop screen ?
When you get like TBs of Harddisk and huge amount of applications, then "Start" button is the best way to launch apps, not Metro.
> It's time to chuck the mouse and keyboard that we've lived with for two decades.
Can you imagine everyone speaking to their computers in an office ? How is that going to work ?
You just don't see the problem in "productivity" point of view...
Also, Desktop screen is usually standing vertically, if you really "embrace" touching/gesture the screen all the time, I'm sure you will either kill your shoulder or become really muscular.
Customer pay real money for this product, it is supposed to meet customer needs, not forcing people to cope with stupid tricks.
It is an operating system, it should help user to use computer efficiently, not trying to impress people with fancy stuffs. Not hiding functionality into magic corners.
Creativity is good, but productivity is more important for an OS.
It seems like Microsoft is becoming Apple, telling people what they need and don't. If you don't like it, they don't care, you will have to live with it.
It pretty sad really, they are forcing Metro onto Desktop user base, desperately trying to penetrate the tablet/phone market from there. It's ugly business.
@Elroy - Your comments seem to resonate that of mine in most cases. Looks like you are a developer as I am, one that opens visual studio at least once a day :-)
@ScubaDog2012 - You may be absolutely right in your own opinion, and I respect it. But how one wants to use their workhorse computers (and not only as a photo/video browsing media center with lots of eye candies) is entirely up to them. In other words if I compare Windows Media Center with W8, Windows Media Player would then be like W7. The first one was suitable for my basement media center PC, and the second one was just right for my study room computer where I do most of my real work that I get paid for. Also just so we are all on the same page, some of us who are not so thrilled about some specific usability aspects of W8, were the ones who embraced the Ribbon UI in office over the old style menu's and toolbars with open arms, because we indeed saw the productivity enhancements there. This time it is just not clicking somehow and that's what we are complaining about. We are not so much worried if "Apple will beat us to the punch", we are just interested to continue having Windows the best desktop OS knowing there will always be some distinctions between a desktop OS and a handheld OS and there would be a good reason to keep it separated like that (in terms of UI, core could and ideally should still be the same).
@cale
Ribbon bar encourage functionality through visibility. Windows 8 is doing the opposite, it removes "Start" button, hides functionality into corners/edges.
Win 8 assume users do less with their PC.
And if it comes down to humiliate desktop users, in order to justify those changes, that's unbelievable.
Mind you, Win 8 is more like targeting the lesser intellIgent group, that's why old people find it easier to use.
tried to reformat back to factory default only to find out windows 8 installation decided to format my recovery partition. Stuck with this now and downloading all my special drivers.....
Thanks Bill
p.s. So far this is junk.
having issues with audio not working.. anyone have this issue? Also I will not load APPS if its anything like a smart phone. I will not have apps data mining me or my functions period! there is no need to be accessing anything about me or my machine
Has anyone ever read this?
social.technet.microsoft.com/.../de3fc5ee-d160-4467-abf1-ae0bde725118
WOW, Windows 8 is the best operating system I have ever used, it would be good if you could use apps that are relevant to my country like the music app, it is not yet eligible to my country
Ok I like the new Windows 8. Here are a few issues I am having that I don't like about it. Ok so the logo may look like a flippin flag but it holds true passion and honor. If you didn't like the old windows logo then you should not be working for Microsoft. I don't want to see a fish every time I start up my PC. I loved the windows 7 startup logo and animation and I think it should be something like that. Don't say its a flag, ITS DISRESPECTFUL to Microsoft and us developers and it means something to us. Second thing, I think we should get the old start menu back with the option to use the new one. Also, are we ever going to see new screensavers???
MICROSOFT PLEASE READ IT by a Microsoft Certified Professional
I understand microsoft is a huge company but , it doesn't mean that they have to be complicated all the time.
Please hire more artists and normal users so that we can see more user friendly products from you .
You can't compete with any company if you cannot express yourself at the best way.
Win 8 ;
It's very hard to use it, there's no common sense !
If this is not a complete version then why it is NOT possible to uninstall it ? It's not fair, the consumers may not be satisfied with the so called unfinished product.
Where's the start button ?
Windows explorer menus are like ms office menus and more complicated
Tiles idea is good but still lot to work on it to make it more convenient with the desktop environment
IE works faster than any web browser that I have on my computer, it doesn't seem fair
On the tile menu if I right click only all apps I can see.
Still Solitare as a game ? Come on
And so on ...
I can see it's more going toward paid programming and online applicating, I do not like the fact that it's going to be more like Xbox environment (monthly membership payment otherwise you can't play online which is OPPOSITE of PlayStation Network) If windows goes that way I really wonder if people are gonna keep using it.
I've used MacOS, Linux, All the Win versions (including servers) so I must have a good eye and experience on OSs. I hope you can fix them and if you need further advice i'm an MCP (emcse8@hotmail.com) let me know thanks.
@ebeninami: Surely if you're experienced on all versions of Windows then you know that you have to do a reinstall of your prior operating system in order to go back to a prior version.
This is even more true in an unfinished operating system where any rollback code would also be unfinished.
I have been re-reading some of the posts and my own to see if my opinions have changed over the course of working with this preview.
I have to say my initial impressions have stuck with me, and I have noticed that many are saying that the keyboard & mouse are both archaic. I have been testing many different input devices over the years and realistically the only pointing device that comes close to the usability of a mouse is a Wacom digitizing tablet with a multi-feature stylus. Even using voice activation (which is seriously cool) there are significant limitations to voice command. I have to say there is only one input device less articulate than a touch screen . That would be a trackball designed for your thumb. (Who points with their thumb?) We all have become very accustom to pointing with a pin point . Pointing with a huge blob of your finger tip is about as effective as trying to draw a razor line with finger-paints.
Professionals demand better performance, and less steps in order to complete tasks. While making things bigger for those with vision issues might be a good idea for some. I work with a blind engineer. This man gets around windows faster & better than 90% of our users utilizing the keyboard only. Adding extra menus to make something functional for a touch screen reduces overall efficiency significantly.
Those that use Microsoft products cover the widest gambit of users. From complete computer idiots to advanced power users. This is where Microsoft Operating systems shine. My experience with tablets have been that these devices are convenience devices. Not devices that actual work gets accomplished.
I use my tablet as it is lighter to carry to co-workers desks and meetings than a laptop. It allows me to quickly access files for review (not editing) and in some cases even RDP into a server to look something up or reset a password. My Laptop, on the other hand, is my portable workstation when I need to do work at remote locations. Can anyone imagine writing a long blog post such as this on a touch screen? Even typing this out on my Asus Transformer keyboard would be a serious pain in the butt.
Professionals need to “eek” out every second of efficiency they can with their systems. Not be saddled with extra, unnecessary steps.
While I an certain it appears that I am slamming the new GUI, I am merely pointing out that it has limitations that people are not just going to "get used to". Metro, I think will be quite effective for the touch screen devices but I think that is where its usability ends.
hearing a LOT of negative feedback on various websites on the metro interface, seems more for touch screen tablets & smart phones rather than PC users who prefer a real keyboard & mouse. I think I'll pass on it
Well, Microsoft.
I LOVE Windows 8 but there are a number of glitches I have noticed. Firstly a lot of programs continually fail to respond such as Internet explorer desktop version and desktop gadgets. Also sometimes I notice the pictures in the Control Panel are black or have spots of black on them. I have noticed an explorer windows continually appears on the taskbar. Sometimes the whole system fails to respond when I try to perform certain tasks, Another really annoying problem is there is no way to end Apps without using task manager, by the way why has that been changed that was the one think that was kept the same since about windows 95. Yet another problem is my DOS programs don't work. I am sure these are simple glitches but please try to correct them
I agree with other person make BSOD cooler like a broken window
To some extent I agree about people saying the tablet interface is rubbish, but to a certain extent it works for PC I just am not sure if it actually will work for a tablet
people stop, what do you want a start menu with a list of programs in writing, I admire Microsoft for taking that risk, Do you want another windows 7 or a streamlined design that mixes the old and new, for example I think Windows 8 is useful for a mouse and keyboard UI and a tablet UI they could both be improved but hey well done. There should be a start button though, that is really annoying I mean not having one.
windows 8 is somewhat fast and everything is put in an order that makes sense, such as the Apps on the start would you rather have a desktop full of Icons you can't tell the difference between or somewhere where you can put everything you want with a choice of 2 places to put them. My desktop is now virtually empty which means I can admire my background and at the same time with the press of a button or the click of the mouse I can simply switch to the items that I want on the start and flick between easy to see items or even zoom our and study all my boxes on the start and just pick the one I want. With the simple press of a button I can see what I need to do to keep my PC up to date, backed up and virus free. To conclude you get an advanced windows seven that's speedy and accessible but also the best out of both worlds by just the simple click of a button. It's almost like switching to a different operating system
Also your Apps easily take you to the desktop if they need to and if they don't they just run even if you can't exit them without going to the desktop and using the (no offence) useless task manager to exit them all one by one!
small problem the app version of IE doesn't support adobe flash so I can't access some websites
OK, I understand the reasons for the new logo, but I really miss the intricate colours and details of the Windows 7 logo and the whole 'Aero' effect. Still, its only a logo so it really doesnt matter that much.
What does matter is functionality; and the Original Windows 1.0 was a breakthrough in functionality ... it gave us windows (with a small w) to use and instantly we gained productivity and flexibility.
Now, as far as I can tell Microsoft has removed the 'windows' from 'Windows 8' in the Metro UI. If there is one thing I would ask to see in the final version it would be to use windows in Metro. Come on microsoft, you know what a window is, you invented it ... please combine windows functionaility, with Metro. (And please dont tell me just to use the desktop; I know it still exists, but I just want to see some windows flexibility in Metro, not a dumbed-down product that my Grandparents can use!).
Windows 8 - It's Windows without windows.
'Windows 8' could have been called 'Windows 7ango'
Java is not working on Windows 8? Please say it isn't so. If it is working, please tell me how to make it work, I have installed it.
So i read here: www.ipal.ro/tableta-windows-8-ipad-2
theat Windows 8 tablet is close to iPad 2 ... but what now with new ipad 3 ... we realy need somthing highly competitiv from Windows to have a price battel.
@Dieterman - The full-screen Windows 8 version of Internet Explorer doesn't support plugins at this point, but you should still be able to use Java with the desktop version. If you continue having issues or have troubles with standalone Java apps (JAR, etc.), you should check out the Windows 8 Consumer Preview forum to leave feedback and search for help: go.microsoft.com/.../p
Update to a previous post: I haven't done anything intentionally to make the optical drive work but, suddenly, there it was.I didn't update or set the drive to master since it is by default. I wish I had something exact so as to help anyone else. This a beta so irregularity is the norm. For instance about a third of the time Win. 8 boots up and is ready to roll in 20-30 seconds. Other times it's closer to 2 min.For now I improved on the odd way of accessing the power button by using a sidebar gadget which of course sits on the desktop. Works perfectly. In a work environment adding even one extra step adds up no matter how it's done. As so many others have said metro and desktop needs to be set by the user, after all, customizing windows should remain important and fun. FYI:My version of Win8 is a 32 bit clean install on a separate partition with Win7 64 bit. Absolutely no issues installing as a dual boot.
Hey has anyone else seen this?
I was on engadget today and they had a article about a app to bring the start button back in Windows 8. The program is called “start8”. A freeware program that brings the start button back to the win8 taskbar. I just installed it and it seems to be working pretty well.
Installed this on my computer, ran slow and choppy with the featured applications.
Installed a new video card today and reading its an adaptive OS (meaning drivers should cross over from win7 to this) I installed the drivers for my new card.. this of course crashed my computer and I wasnt even able to open windows up fully afterwords. Windows has no official tech support forum or call back center and their customer service hotline couldnt even tell me how to access my recovery parition and informed me that they dont have a support department. This being a Beta, I understand the simple glitches are to be expected.. but their should be some sort of support area set up for us testing this product.
The features seem really cool, I like how fluid everything is from my xbox to my PC.. and eventually maybe even a windows mobile device if they start making some worth my money to buy. When the product is a tad more refined with an actual support department I will be very happy, but at this point Ive had to wipe my computer because of this once, I refuse to download it again until their has been some advancments
Get it together microsoft!
I bought a tablet because it's a tablet, I have a PC because its a PC, I don't want my computer to act or look like something its not, I hope MS pulls some magic before the release otherwise It'll be 2020 and I'll still be using windows 7
@Kent Walter
After using Win 8 for many days, I have some suggestions on how to improve Win 8 so that it feels unified on either a desktop or a tablet.
1. Allow users to have the same background image in Metro as they do in the dektop. This will go a long way to help users perceive that they are using a unified UI.
2. Add a tiny bit of chrome to the Start screen - in fact, all you need is soft shadows so that it looks like the tiles are floating above the background. This would be even better if you allow a custom background as mentioned in point 1.
3. When in Metro mode, make sure all power-user functionality can also be done in Metro mode without reverting back to the desktop. For example, things like Storage Spaces, Admin tools etc should all have a proper metro UI.
4. If in desktop mode, bring back the Start button BUT make sure that users know that they can left-click or right-click on it. Right-click gives you the admin tools menu. Left-click gives you the Metro start screen, which could be displayed as a transparent window rather than taking you out of the desktop mode. Microsoft claims that the Start button still exists in the Charms bar, but for mouse users it means moving the mouse to bottom right, then moving it to the Start button to click. But that's a longer route than the old start button! My suggestion would solve this problem while still retaining the Metro start screen.
5. Allow Metro apps to run in a window when in desktop mode.
6. When running on a tablet, make Metro the default start screen. When running on a laptop or desktop, make the desktop the default start screen.
7. When in desktop mode, allow the Metro start screen to be run as a window which can be docked to the desktop somewhere. This gives you all the Metro capability such as live tiles easily accesible from the desktop without needing to use the start button.
8. "Metrofy" the skin in desktop mode, but keep some chrome such as shadows.
9. Make the Escape button always work to go back to the previous screen by default in all Metro apps.
10. Have the login box on the lock screen. Why do you have to swipe it away, or press enter to access the login page? Why not just type your password from the lock screen, similar to how you can just start typing when in the start screen?
I believe that these changes would make Win 8 an AWESOME product which truly can unify all devices while keeing core business users happy and giving all users the freedom of choice they need in terms of how they use their computers.
I would also like to suggest that for the relase version you need to include some visual cues for mouse users, at least the first time they start the computer. Or provide some sort of interactive userguide. Same for tablets - make sure people have the opportunity to learn the new interface very easily without the frustration fo trying to figure it out for themselves. The tablet experience will be very rewarding, much more so than iOS, providing that there is a simple way to show people how to use it when they first turn it on.
Personally, I did not like the interface is the same as in windows 7. A very strange thing that in the mailbox Microsoft " Hotmail.com " interface window is much more modern.
I do not understand why such a thick frame in the window? Everyone knows that the thinner the better.
The window title stands out - this is no longer fashionable. It looks like Microsoft have to change designers.
The same applies to the main menu window. Button tabs - eje long been fashionable. Now we need to do so with no buttons borders. That is - if you hover the mouse on the word menu, it also emphasized the word itself is the button.
Window to the mailbox Microsoft - ultra modern, and in the windows of eight - as in the last century... Paradox. ) ) )
Hi, some things to fix;
1) Too many steps to shutdown. I had to make my own shudown button.
2) for a PC I'm not sure if I like the GUI. Maybe the OS should detect what you are installing on.
3) Why do we have to use an email account to access the PC ? What happened to the simple old name and password(optional)??
@jdonnarumma
The reason for the email address is that it allows all the service feeds and cloud syncing to work seamlessly.
However, it is actually optional and you can setup and normal user account if you want, but then you won't benefit from some of the new Win 8 features.
Semantic Zoom in start screen - a couple of suggestions -
1. When zooming out, can we have it utilise more screen space by stacking the groups vertically as well as horizontally?
2. Can we have another level of zooming out where the groups of apps become a single group icon which you click and it zooms in to show that group. That's much quicker than doing a load of swiping to find the group you want.
3. Can we have the ability to name or rename a group without having to zoom out?
PRINTING IS AMAZING!!!
I have to say, I was blown away by how well printing works in Windows 8. I wanted to print something but I didn't know how to install the printer, so I decided to turn on the printer (which is wireless) and clicked + in the Devices to add a device. Amazingly, Win 8 found it and told me when it was ready. I did not need to install anything!!! It just worked.
This is real plug-and-play. Awesome! :)
I downloaded it, installed it, found it to be a complete unusable nightmare, deleted it and definitely won't be using it when it is released. This is not for traditional PC's unless there are many alterations to come..
Sux - hate the OS - designed for tablets and home users - definitely recommending that my company NOT upgrade to this waste of time - can we say VISTA version 2 - when is windows 9 coming out. and quit trying to make it look like the mac OS - i'm not an apple fan for a reason
This OS was a horrible idea. It's as if someone mated Vista with a Windows 7.5 phone and this is the illegitimate, deformed outcome.
I mean, has anyone ever been so far as to decide what to do more like?
The more I use this, the more I appreciate its smoothness and the ease it runs on my system. For a Beta, it is a real credit to Microsoft and I thank them for the opportunity to use it and test it. I have been using Windows since the very first one....I did not like 98 or Millennium much, but all the other versions I have used have been good, and this latest one, the best yet. I am no "fanboy" at aged 56, but you can be sure I will upgrade when the final version rolls off the assembly line.
FILE COPY NOTIFICATION - SUGGESTION
When copying large files in desktop mode and switching to Metro for other stuff while the copy operation is running, it would be useful if notification of when the file copy has been completed is sent to Metro as a popup notification. That way I don't need to keep switching back to desktop mode to check the file copy progress.
I am thinking of installing it on my desktop as well it's very good and never seen a shut down as fast as in W8. Only reason I have not installed it on desktop PC is I am not sure if I have to redo both computers from scratch later or the beta or final version is for keeps.
This is a joke I don't use Windows live messenger and nor do any of my friends
And all that photo and video sharing doesn't work with facebook even though it said it did on the video. So all the live apps are a complete waste of time
@jd-_-
Live tiles are not about social networking. They are about displaying information to the user without having to run the app, which can be for any purpose. The weather and finance apps are good examples which show you how this works.
Basically, don't worry about the social netwrok connectivity - it's only a small aspect of what Win 8 is about. And remember that this is a preview version - which means that there will be stuff that doesn't work properly.
I too jus like many of you to dislike the Windows 8 consumer preview after I installed on my XP laptop, but after a 3 days torture test of the new OS, I have a different opinion about what my first thought was. Beside the Start button is missing, you didn't really lose that much, you still have the Start screen as your desktop, deep beneath it, I found it extremely useful by just typing a letter and it will bring up whatever programs you have installed in your computer, I was not able to do this with my XP/Vista/or 7, although there are many short cuts available, but the Windows 8 is the easiest for that purpose. Although they said it is designed for the tablet, but I also find it extremely useful to have my emails account & stock market app ready at my finger tip, the interface is somewhat childish, but it is not that bad. Remember you still have your regular desktop background if you want it that way, but imagine by press the Windows Logo key, it will bring you right back to the Start screen, I said it is very clever design. On top of that my 5 years old Compaq laptop with 1GB memory and a 320GB HDD, does run smoothly with no problem whatsoever. Don't be so harsh on this yet, try play and learn a bit more, you may find it acceptable after all.
It is sad but true, no matter what the new OS release, there will be people who either like it or hate it. Personally I do find Windows 8 CP is quite nice, and it works on my old XP laptop with flying color, no slowdown whatsoever. This is not my primary machine, just because I have 4 laptops, and I don't really mind to re-install Windows all over again, in fact, this is my habit, I love to do it twice a year just to give a clean bath to my machines, and the result of running a freshly install OS is extremely satisfying. After a 5 days torture test of Win 8, I started to enjoy working with it more & more. So far I have been able to install and run most of the programs I use with the XP, I am hoping that it will crash the entire system but nothing serious happen yet. I really like it so far.
POS.....kept losing my internet connection, games I had wouldnt play,took ages to load up after crash.Coulnt uninstall.Cost me $60 to get install dvds from Lenovo.Never again will I install a Windows beta.
Hate the metro interface please please please give us the option for the normal windows desktop with start button, as it is will be recommending that all my clients stick with Windows 7, in Australia touch screen pc are few and far between and the people that I know that have bought them still use Keyboard and Mouse because of the finger prints on the screen look terrible.
This is the WORST Windows version yet proffered by Microsoft...
Please do not develope this past the current beta version...
The Windows 8 trial I downloaded fried my HD boot sector to the point where no rescue disk--not even the original Win 7 DVD--would bring it back to life. I think I'll skip it and stay with 7 until Win 9 comes out. Win 8 looks to be another Vista, but much more dangerous.
Sorry, can't say anything positive.
so far it's looking good for me - been about a week and I like it a lot -
I see a big problem with 8 on the desktop (x86).
I regularly have multiple windows open as well as my HDTV re-sized playing in the upper right corner (Media Center)
If 8 only allows you to have a 1/3 screen "app" and a (single) webpage open (for instance) I cannot possibly fathom moving to this new OS. Please say it `aint so !
Is this still possible through the "desktop" app ?
This is one of the hallmarks of Windows for God`s sake. What were they thinking ???
P.S. from prior comment...
I now have a useless hard drive with the Windows 8 Preview on it and no way to
remove it...again PLEASE DO NOT DEVELOP THIS BEYOND THE BETA STAGE...
I have a Word doc , a webpage , photo folder , and HDTV in upper right corner on 7 on a 25" screen.
This is a common scenario for me. If 8 doesn`t allow this I will direct everyone I know NOT to move to 8 on the x86 desktop. What a FAIL.
Thank God for EasyBCD...I was able to get rid of the 8 MBR it put on my "C" drive.
Warning...even if you install 8 on a physically separate drive , it will put the MBR on your "C" drive.
Going to install it again on a formatted spare drive...with my other drives disconnected.
Will make it so I have to change the boot sequence in the BIOS to use it...so be it.
EasyBCD FTW ! Even MSFT uses it ; )
Keep "classic" windows 7 as an option. If the plan is for Window 8 to replace WIndows 7, then I think it is imperative that people can "turn off" the metro interface so that the "classic" Windows 7 user experience is an option. I know many, many professionals who just don't want to have to "relearn" how to do the same things in new ways. Microsoft should not force them to do that no matter how brillant the new interface is (Because they don't care -- they just want to do their work with their familiar, windows computer)
Alternatively, a Windows 8 Tablet buyer should be able to use the tablet interface much like an iPad without ever needing to deal with the traditional Windows 7/XP/etc. interface. It should be invisably underneath the metro interface.
I for one am excited about having the 2 in 1 machine and the great value that a combined tablet/PC creates. But iPad like buyers will not want Windows 7 and Windows 7 buyers will not want metro and they should not be forced to deal with the extra complexity (or they may well just run to the iPad and try to find an old copy of Windows 7)
my only complaint i have with windows 8 is that sometimes the graphics on non metro apps get messed up. other than that i enjoy windows 8 very much
Once mighty "Windows" (ability to use multiple re-sizeable windows) has become Microsoft Tiles with no real multi-tasking as we once knew it.
It looks promising on a tablet/hybrid ARM device , but not on the desktop.
Loaded Windows 8 on a 3rd drive, this screwed up my boot block on Windows 7 drive. Had to restore the boot block to get W7 back working. Now can boot Windows 8 by it self. So far I'm not impressed.. I'm experienced with Android devices but W8 looks like just a bunch of blocks on the screen instead of icons. Still found the START button and the options up the right side. Starts and runs very slow on my pc with Intel 2500k 4 cpu's and 12gb ram. I'm hoping this is not close to the release version. Attention everyone: Get ready to purchase every thing you use from the Microsoft online store like the Android Google Market. 99 cent please.
"Great interface for a Tablet or Smart phone. Really stupid interace for desktop or laptop. NOT anything I would use. Not professional or for business use...."
I have to agree with this statement. As a professional that has been using M$ software for a great deal of my life, this is a HUGE letdown. Windows 7 was going the correct way for desktop environments, should have simply added on to Windows 7 like they have been doing for years; then they could use this new "Windows 8" for those tablets/smartphones. Wouldn't be hard to write them to use the same APIs and everything for devs and users.... it's just pure laziness to try to bulk everyone into the "Tablet/smartphone" category. I know I for one simply don't care about all these tablets and crap because in another year or two you'll be able to pick one up (without bugs) for like $100. Let all the rich idiots run out and debug everything for me :-D
So how do I swipe my 24 inche monitor to use these little blocks. Just kidding, but can you imagine trying to use a 24 inch monitor on your desk by moving you finger back and forth all day. I suggest using your MIDDLE FINGER on Windows 8. It sucks so far.
I like the way all the Microsoft Plants are posting, "it's fast, fluid and beautiful", "adorable", bla, d-bla, d-bla.
Well I don't know where to start, there is no jump list, I ended up trying to live with through the weird explorer GUI. I guess it's fine for those that like to be guided and that's fine; but that's why there is Apple. Would probably be nice on a tablet or touch interface. I wasted about 2 hours, I will never upgrade - Love is Windows 7 64bit ultimate.
Please offer a Windows version without metro!!!??
Windows 8 is fantasitic, but only for people who want a new way to interact with their computer. Many professionals, just want a stable system they are used to so they can focus on their work. Apple, by not integrating the Mac and iPad serves both markets (and gets paid handsomely from people buying both devices). Windows by taking the high road and integrating tablet and PC, must be careful to allow people to work without tablet if they want to (or visa versa).
I was unable to install because it insisted that I uninstall my internet security suite. I was not willing to do that.
More than happy with the product although Metro won't be something I'll use for awhile yet. However I agree with many of jjbowles points. The Desktop needs to stay for sometime yet and the Start button needs to be put back. I'm in education and even at the glacial speed with which we move forward Win8 will be stalled because of the problems enabling users.
win 8 I am using in one laptop. It have nice graphics and easy to use. but some of the programs not running in win 8 So l recover with win 7. If all programs of win 7 running then it was very good. major problem with using internet.
Welcome to Windows ME 2, AKA Windows Vista 2, AKA another Windows disaster in the making. Except that this time Microsoft ALMOST got it right. The OS has good improvements, ones I'd have expected in Win 7 SP 3 or so. But someone at MS seems to be smoking or snorting something, and confusing touch screen based smartphones and play pads with normal mouse and keyboard based laptop and desktop computers with non-touch screens. This MUTRO interface might work well on the former; it is a disaster on what nearly all people use at home or in the office. Microsoft is working overtime at alienating massive numbers of users.
The sad part is that there is a very easy way to fix this; let any Win 8 user choose to have the ORB and start menus back on their desktop. That's all Microsoft has to do to eliminate the anger and the controversy. I've tested a third party tool that does this, and while it needs a bit of refining, it works well. But it shouldn't be necessary. This should just be a simple RIGHT CLICK based option to set, with another easy way to switch back and forth at will. Best of both worlds, the MS imagineers who are smoking and snorting will be satisfied and so will users and those who support users.
Unless MS backs off as I describe, I will never upgrade a single PC to Win 8. If I buy one with Windows preinstalled, I will either find a hack to give me back a functional desktop or I'll downgrade the OS. And in the meantime I'll reach out to every vendor I've bought computers from and remind them to offer a choice to customers of Win 7, or better yet to make Win 8 a special request only instead of the default. I've been using and programming computers for more then 40 years. I like keeping up with the state of the art. But I never upgraded anything to Vista, and the one Vista laptop I bought went to Win 7 as soon as I could. I also never went near Windows ME. I know bad OS's and GUI's when I see them, and this MUTRO interface is as stupid and unusable and unprofessional as any I've ever seen.
Maybe it's time for Mr. Gates to come down from his high something and bring some sanity back to Microsoft. Clearly he's been away way too long. If not, I can expect that LINUX and other UNIX variations including what's on the MAC will become far more popular on people's desktops. And with them Office Libre or Open Office.
All that has to happen here to head this off; make MUTRO optional. And do away with the idea that we have to constantly fix things that aren't broken while ignoring those that are.
Simply Excellent.. But what else did you expect from Microsoft.
simply the best os i've ever used
OK I downloaded and installed "Hate Hate Windows 8", played with it for a couple hours, not much to say other than it sure is nice to have Win 7 back on my pc instead of that gawd awful Hate Hate Windows 8. I have a Samsung windows phone that is more intuitive. I have no desire for my desktop to work like my phone.
Do not like windows 8 but I do like the pinball that windows 8 has.
Otherwise windows 8 is to much of hassle to get around in.
Missing essential references, a neophyte like millions of people who work there only remain disoriented.
bye
@Banker
I tried using it for a while and couldn't. I felt like my legs were cut off and it is a complete disaster! A friend of mine majroing in CIS used it a few days ago on my PC and started laughing. His exact words were "Now we get to tell our kids in 10 years about how Microsoft died." Seriously even with the keyboard shortcuts it is a terrible experience.
@Elroy, I work for the Air Force. I use the desktop all flipping DAY. And I'm here to tell you that I can EASILY see getting rid of the traditional desktop completely and replacing it with the Metro UI. Heavy multitasking, my hind-end. Multitasking is worse than a lie. It's impossible for you to demonstrate to me that you can actually pay attention to more than two active windows at a time. You can have many apps running simultaneously in Win8, it's just that they'll be tucked to the left wall until you actually want to make them visible. The much BETTER concept is for developers to fully comprehend the power of live tiles over a full-blown window OF the app. If written correctly, the live tile will keep you apprised of pertinent info without you actually starting an app. It's things like this that I'm convinced you folks just aren't getting. I deal with users all day long, and I can say with confidence that Win8 will ultimately make my life much better, particularly when I can lock users down to a simple Start screen. I love where this is going because I can clearly visualize the potential end-game.
There is good and bad...
No doubt Windows 8 is great "effort" redefining the user "experience" on Windows. I have to say as a consumer and as a IT professional Windows was getting to a point what I call "same old same old". I'm not talking about security or under the hood improvements and features or how Windows and the cooperate world come together... but just the user experience from an average consumer's point of view.
Like I said the good is the "difference"... the Metro concept is "new" and it feels new. There is something to be excited about the whole thing... navigation is no more boring and feels more like it's made for any average consumer to use. No need of manuals for that easy navigation and opening up an application. But then the fun stops there...
I was curious to know where could all those control panel and usual Windows setting etc etc stuff could be.. I wanted to see how I can configure the Metro UI and the OS even better, ... where are the settings? I mean logically where should it be? Is it another Metro app? or should it automatically appear as I scroll towards the end? right click the Metro? etc etc,... Now, it took me no more than 5min to figure all this out... but I felt all that right clicking and moving the mouse to the corner of the screen to get the setting menu or the start icon was little too "illogical" and felt like it does't make sense... It didn't feel like Metro anymore. Now I'm an IT professional... I don't know how an average consumer would feel about this.
Once, I figured where the setting and the extra bits and pieces were... I of course tried them. I felt it is all over the place. Sometimes once you get to the setting I felt how do I go back to the Metro. And I felt sometimes you can get to the same place from different ways/directions which made me confused. Basically it wasn't logical unless you "remember" how to do it or how to get there.
I felt searching, things like time, wireless status, volume etc etc should be visible by default without having to click on something or move the mouse across the screen. There are things that any user should be able to directly see from the Metro. And there are things that make sense to have to click and go in to see - like settings or advance settings - checking out admin tools and device manager etc which an average user would not bother about. That bar and what's in it that appears when you move the mouse to the right hand bottom corner need to be definitely refined.
All and all I felt Metro was a great move from the "same old same old" Windows UI but at the same time being in an era where you see IOS, Mac OS X, Android etc etc, I felt Metro has to be little more that what it is now - be more of logical UI. End of the day if an average consumer can just sit, start Windows 8 and feel - ohh, it make sense this where I find it.. that's when the UI and the experience become a winner. But unfortunately, Metro or Windows 8 is still not there...
I installed Windows on my old laptop with no touchscreen.. It was okay,.. but I can see how touchscreen would make the whole experience little more brighter but again it's still not there yet. It needs to be more refine, logical and simple.
I'm hoping this only the consumer preview. And the final OS would be lot more different. But hey, I like Metro.
It seems like it will be a great tablet OS, but at the moment it certainly isn't a great desktop one. The exact opposite actually.
Using a TabletPC in tablet mode is horrible. No way to access the hotspots and thus no way to safely shutdown and no way to acess the start screen... unless you go back to laptop mode, which defeats the point.
Windows 8 really,I downloaded,installed,tested,was extremely disappointed,went back to 7 and I am very happy thank you. What did I not like about Windows 8? One thing I didn't like was the logo,another was the fish,the loss of my computer such as no control panel,no start menu,no shutdown button,no desktop,the list goes on,and on,and on.
In my opinion it needs a lot of work. If it were to be released as is,it would be as bad a flop as Millenium Edition was.
After seeing something as good as windows 7 is and going to windows 8,I was very disappointed. Microsoft you can do much better than this product,and please do so. For crying out loud I had to unplug my computer to shut it off.
At least bring back the shutdown button,the entire start menu would be nice,but at least the shutdown button. If you want to make an O.S. for the tablets then do so,but don't forget that people still have P.C.'s,and want a decent O.S. for them as well. I guess you are supposed to figure it's a bad product,when they make a 10 min.video to show you how to shut your machine down using the product. Which i did not watch until after reinstalling Windows 7. I hope this new owner of Microsoft doesn't think he can let this go,and keep turning out garbage. Society can produce another person
like Steve Jobs.
I have Dell XPS with dual graphic cards, When i install my nvedia geforce 540m-notebook i only see gray screen(default color i chose) and my mouse pointer WTF?????
Any suggestion on what to do?
It would be usefull a fixed search box in the new Start, instead of the hot-corner one, and a shortcut or button on the desktop superbar to have quick acces to the new Start.
We'll we first downloaded it and install it in a VM workstation but due to the limitations of it, we could not use it to the ful. Therefore we had it install on a laptop and there it runs relly well. Still learning to use the shortcuts fior everything, although most of the time it seems to think with you and had over want to wanted. At first we found the Kindergarten blocks a llittle bit annoyment, bu it will be better in a tablet enviroment. So we use keyboard and mouse to get anywhere.Want we wrote now will be valuble for themost users.
Here is the link to download win8: windows.microsoft.com/.../iso
and if u want the start button back u can get it to install something called start8: www.stardock.com/.../start8
it's really fast, thats the best and only good thing in windows 8, UI is very inconvenient to use with ordinary desktop and laptop PC. I would like ordinary start MENU, it's usage is much faster and easier and other stuff with what I'am working right now doesn't disappear from sight. These livetiles should be on deskdop not on start screen.
I honestly don't like Windows 8... I think it's progress, but in the wrong direction. Why remove simple features such as being able to close a window, removing the start button, or just making everything feel so disjointed and frustrating, even restarting your pc or shutting it down has become a mission. I feel the new OS forces it's users to use a lot of the Microsoft features and doesn't give the user much option to personalise their own 'Windows' experience. As a software trainer, I foresee a lot of unhappy customers... especially with the older generation. Business, for me and other trainers will be good, but then on the other hand, it may be time that I start looking at promoting other operating systems.
I like the fresh Windows 8 concept, but I don't like the start up whereas you have to draw up the picture like window shade to insert your password, and some of software that Windows 7 allows, Windows 8 don't. I do like that my Windows 7 desktop remains the same, as for the start display blocks it seems to be redundant, I prefer Windows 7 desktop as a start up, the Windows display blocks for cell phones fits well. I really like the Windows 8 and can't wait for the final version to arrive.
I'm running the 32-bit version, it installed much easier than Win-7, and it got all the hardware drives Brilliant!.
Observations so for
1) Closing down/ restarting the computer is a bit convoluted there must an easier way
2) VPN configuration appears to have changed, I now have to put '\' before the usermame to log on to my employers
site.
3) i've installed MIcrosoft Security Essentials, there's a message in the security centre saying MSE is switched off but it's clearly switched on.
4) ( This is weird ) I lost my broadband connection whilst using Windows 8 and the machine wouldn't fully shutdown
5) IE10 is definately faster, lets hope it stays that way.
i like windows 7 please back the Start button!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is the Beta, right? I mean....it's a Consumer Preview, correct? I don't get why anyone would write this off so quickly. After 12 days with W8CP, it seems fairly obvious that there is a lot of good stuff going on. I agree the Metro interface is odd, but it's also far more adjustable than some people are making it out to be. Also, the twin uproars over the Start and Shut Down buttons are really perplexing to me. How is it hard to shut down your computer using W8CP? I really don'r see the problem. Same with the Start button. All it takes is some basic reading comprehension skills along with a few minutes to explore W8CP. The vitriol concerning this W8CP seems unwarranted, but it is also completely fascinating. It's one thing to not like something new that no one forced you to begin using, but it's another thing to then promise to do everything in your "power" to make sure this new thing doesn't succeed.
I like the new windows 8 but has issues with office "word" doing letterheads and envelopes and folders keep popping up on the bottom that go away once you click it other than the few bugs I love it
if i wanted a smart phone i would buy one installed w8 went back to 7 next day
HTML error on line 501 of this webpage....run your debug console pls....causes page to run sloooooooooooooow....
Since I could not solve my "unknown cd driver needed" error I loaded w8cpr inside an oracle box on ubuntu Linux.....runs fine except my Toshiba notebook overheats!!!! I hope it is Not the graphics....
Hats off to the designteam!!!! Looking forward to where this is going......
@scmathisen Windows 8 has built in antivirus I am told and I have installed it on that basis.
It all looks great. My only complaint just now is "logging off". When I want to shutdown, It's not easy. Can you make it easy to shutdown?
No doubt the Windows 8 CP is very slick, I try to find some excuse that I don't like it but couldn't, this thing stays until next Jan.2013 on my laptop for sure. I especially like to press the Windows Logo button whenever I want to go back to the Start screen, it transports you back in an instant, IE10 is very solid and load pages super fast, also press the first letter to start the program is fun and handy, w for word or e for excel, if you have more programs with similar names, just choose the one you want to work with. The othe day I try to print a doc without realize the printer is not setup, Win8 is smart enough to DL the driver and install in an instant without my input. The Microsoft store is simply fun to play with, it works just like apps for my ipad or blackberry playbook, you select & install, don't like it after you try, just right click and undelete it, talk about convenience!!
In the beginning, the new look appeared childish to me; not the kind of appearance expected to follow 7. That initial "window" shock has passed, though the impression is the same. It took a few times to get used to the new ideas presented in this version, but it has grown some warm, fuzzy aspects, and I must say, I do like it. The "shut down" issue was a pain at first, but I've grown used to going that way to get the job done. I may even try installing my desktop version of a shut down button (a desktop icon) to see if it still works in 8.
Here's hoping the 8 experience goes well. If an "old user" like me can get a grip on it, I think anyone should be able to.
There's huge market for 1024x600 netbook and tablet and MS is going to ignore that?
They will have to pry 7 from my cold , dead fingers.
Native resolution doesn`t work on my new 1080p 16X9 HP monitor.
Have to drop to a low , non-native resolution to fill the screen. Looks terrible. FAIL.
I have tried windows 8 consumer preview, pretty but stuck on login screen after update.
Windows 8 is a new generation of Windows OS. No Doubt.
But there are some difficulties:
1. Control Panel, Start, Shut-Down, Mute, Wi-Fi Settings are Hidden. It should be Obvious.
2. I don't know how to add apps to share of Charms (Only Mail is available!)
3. Tiles of installed applications must be More Attractive with BIG icons.
Sorry microsoft you are forcing me to learn a new os I will be switching to linux since you are doing this much more stable runs most of my software i currently own bye to windows with the current change. I am currently downloading it and studying how it works so i can run it at this time. I will not keep relearning how to use my os
Just a second thought. I have past time and time again on the windows phone due to the interfaces. Now if google release android for the computer that i would do, but windows 8 is just like the windows phone you will be out of buisness if you rely on this format to make you money.
I changed my Win XP to Windows 8 Consumer Preview(32-bit) on my Pentium 4 with 2 gb of ram. Works well and is
faster.
I was thinking of downloading windows 8 but now reading so many bad reviews about it i think i should wait for its beta or rc version. I have winndows 7 ultimate and i don't want to loose it.So, if i would wish to install win8 i will prefer to install it on a new hard disk partition and use it as an optional os. but still from all the reviews i find windows 7 better and THE BEST for dekstop or laptop users who don't have touch.
I must say seeing Julie Larson-Green demo 8 was much better than Steve trying to convince me to buy an iPad (gimped device)
not impressed, stop trying to be like apple
Start Button? Really? Why? Force people to a touch screen? Lets not make an Edsil, Bob , or Kin.
I use 4 displays for work and touch does not fit for me. I want the most effective use of realestate on my displays. I totally want the new metro on a slate or tocuh pc but not for my work. I like the security and performance of Windows 8. I also like the built in Hyper-V but it needs to work on more hardware. I tried Windows 8 and its okay. Sometimes the Desktop consumes alot of CPU for some reason and I my children complain they cannot play all the older MS games, like pacman from arcade classics. However, I want to use Windows 8 but the phone style desktop does not fit in my workflow. I just need to access the start and run. I can work around this but I do not want to. Does anyone know how to re-enable the start menu? I do not see myself benifiting from a touch screen.
Oh, and I should not need to install the Zune software to deal with my phone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And one last thing. I have a Media Center PC. I expect much more from this. I want more control. I don not want to use a tuner. I want randomized play lists. I want browsing on the web. I want Hulu in the media center. I want the extender to work reliably with my XBOX. I want a remote control app for my phone.
One thought for my peers around the world that are considering Windows 8. You can pound your fist in the dirt and say linix because of the missing start button and other things.... But come on people. Will you really do that? The right thing here is download and look at Windows 8. Then give your feedback. Microsoft has always been driven by feedback. Argue all you want but if it did not sell it gets pulled off the market and replaced with something that will sell. Sometimes the feedback comes after a product releases, such as with the Kin, Vista, or Mellennium. Often, like now, a preview or beta is made public. When this happens, its time to put your big boy and big girl pants on and realize your influence opportunity. The fact is you have a chance to contribute. This is business. Decisions are profit oriented. Therefore, if you all post your thoughts and opinions, as possible paying customers, Microsoft will hear you. You will either get stuck with Windows 7 if you remain silent or you will help Windows 8 become the best OS ever created by man.
Now is your time to help make Windows 8 what you want it to be. Complain all you want about the stuff you don't like. But I suggest you be very vocal about what you do want. Ask for what you want!!!!!!!!!!!!
When I synced up Google mail, two of five archived folders on Google began to download on Windows 8 mail and before i noticed what was happening over a thousand mails had been transferred. I tried it several times but eventually I had to stop syncing to avoid the problem.
This UI does not serve my users well. I am onboard with change but this one misses the mark for business users. The initial desktop with the big blocks works well on a phone or tablet but not for a desktop or workstation. To deal with this it takes a heap of administrative overhead. I hope the team will have some GPOs templates ready.
Seriously? Does anyone really want a cell phone interface on their pc? I was excited to try win 8 but I won't tolerate the cell phone downgrade. There needs to be an install option to select a pc interface.
Most likely, ms will force through the cell phone format hoping to gain traction in the tablet and phone market while essentially abandoning their base of pc users. Sad.
I have a problem with running A SOLD OUT game Civ City Rome
The audio is not keeping up with the game and is fuzzy.
This is an error that I really need repairing soon
I’ve been playing with and using the consumer preview since its release, and apart from a few lock-ups and Windows Explorer crashes (yes, I know, it’s a beta version) it has otherwise performed well, and I really like some of the desktop and underlying improvements over Windows 7. Here are a few things I’d like to see changed/added:
1. I am an old Windows desktop person, and the start orb/panel on the desktop, to my way of working, is much more efficient that the new Start Screen. However, I can also see some benefit to the new Metro apps. So here is what I’d like to see regarding the Start Screen/Orb: While on the desktop I’d like to have the Windows key bring up the familiar Start panel, but also have access to the new Metro Start Screen if and when I want it by using some sort of key combination (such as Alt + Windows key). Conversely, while in the Metro interface, I’d like the Windows key to behave as currently constituted, but with an alternate key combination that would bring up the desktop and Start panel. I like that I can still use Windows key + 1 to 0 to instantly go from the Start Screen to the desktop program of my choice.
2. In the Metro Start Screen I’d like the regular non-Metro application tiles to be much more customizable, with options for background color, bigger or different programs icons, etc., so as to make certain tiles more easily distinguishable. And I’d like to be able to put tiles where I want them in a group and have them stay put, and not necessarily automatically rearrange themselves within the group.
3. On the desktop I’d like icons to stay where I put them on the desktop, something I have not been able to accomplish yet in Windows 8 without resorting to 3rd party software such as Ultramon.
4. In the compatibility wizard I like the list of options to be as complete as those in Windows 7, and not terminate with XP Service Pack 3. (Yeah, I know, but sometimes an old program does exactly what is needed, and it is useful to access years of former work.)
Having dabbled in some elementary programing over the years, and while I’d like to see some changes in Windows 8, at the same time I can appreciate the immense effort expended and some of technical issues to be surmounted now and in the future. Thanks.
On line videos, website videos and many You Tube videos will not play anymore, Never seemed to have problems in windows 7. States does not support HTML5???
Installed windows 8 Consumer Preview 8 a week ago. Having trouble viewing online videos (like when I google auto repair videos) they are near all uncompatable. Says windows 8 does not support HTML5? Any help is appreciated. Found a download called Freesmith video player for Win 8, Anyone use this before?
Sorry guys but it "BRICKED' my computer ... I didn't like the resolution and tried to change it and everything went downhill from there ... To top it off my F8 Safe Mode didn't work (thanks Dell), 2 days spent trying to gain access... Ended up nuking the HD and luckily I have Carbonite ...
Multiple Remote and Desktop users would be good because most likely in fact certainly they will be connecting through Windows OS. And you could put software restrictions on software like OFFICE. So only the desktop user can use the software. This would be GREAT
Ending Hardware could be easier such as taking a usb drive out like a better notification appears in the notification area saying EJECT
Is excellent, great, very fast, fast, has a wonderful interface, we hope that its cost is affordable, takes advantage of the ability of PC hard drive full even :) xD!!, whether Microsoft has learned the error of Windows Vista xD, so should be very good.
congratulations Microsoft.
Personally, I don't like all the clutter with those big block metro tiles. If you right click and choose show all apps, it looks slightly better, but if that's what I wanted, I could have emptied out my list of program files and littered the icons all over the desktop.
Furthermore, this is a desktop PC, not a tablet or a windows phone. Metro might work fine with a touch screen, but honestly...if you don't have a touch screen, the old interface is much more user friendly.
Listen up fellows...give your customers the choice of user interfaces and bring back the start button...do not try to ram metro down our throats...there are some of us who still object to being constantly connected to everything and everyone all day long.
You have a golden opportunity to either make a lot of people happy, or a lot of people mad...and you have the ball !!
~Dragonfire~
Microsoft would not accept my "COA," even after trying several times. Since I could not install the "preview" of Wndows 8, I solved the problem by installing Fedora 16 Linux, instead, which is fantastic!
I agree with tetshi. I can't believe you need a scroll bar to get around Metro. How about a hand.
The security SUCKS. To many hole in the program
they need to make the arrow keys let u scroll right and left and u sould be able to set the speed
have on my hp dv4 and it works great
Although this is a "new windowsf ormat" it's still the same old windows format. When you load up alot of wiz bang and have nothing in the middle you really have nothing. Windows 8 like all the windows programs before this one have there problems with security not only with email but file security that is left open by the program. This is a programing fault and if you don't know how to work around it you really get pissed off and go directly to the delete the program until they can fix these major issues. If they can get these issues fixed I'll try it again in a few months and see if they have listen to what we are saying.
Age 71 and YUP it is POSITIVELY NOT for me.
I have a desktop PC only and none of that other young people hardware. First. MS should make Windows 8 in several versions for those who have need for things other than a desktop and a mouse. My vertical screen although usable for touchscreen is far to cumbersome for that use.
WARNINGS WARNINGS- READ CAREFULLY
When installing I created another partition with intention of dual OS. I downloaded the ISO. Next I transferred the ISO to the new partition and simply opened it there IN THE NEW PARTITION without converting it to a CD or DVD. Now the horror began. It installed OK with no problem but after opening it up I discovered that it had overwritten my whole OS of Windows 7 and didn't stay in the new partition. I was left now only with OS 8 on my computer.
Several features were tried after spending almost an hour just trying to figure out how to get things started or even how to get past that dumb initial screen that must be lifted up. There are NO instructions you see.
And I too certainly miss the START button and an easy way to start and restart and shut down, as well as how to quickly find my installed apps.
After trying it for a whole day and quickly deciding it wasn't for me, because the whole OS had more to do with all the new connections to the social systems and using the latest hardware rages that every teenager has and no additional benefits for us simple desktop PC users,the next horror began.
No easy way to revert back to the greatness of Windows 7- had to reinstall THAT from scratch. But something went wrong and the computer wouldn't start past the startup screen. I kept getting a "NTLDR is missing" error message. To make it even more confusing when I did a Google using my laptop I got an answer saying that NTLDR is a common problem cause by many dif issues but not to worry as it is NOT used on Windows 7. NOT ON WINDOWS 7. WTF?
No matter what I tried, incl boot or trouble shooting disks, or safe start. NOTHING WORKED. Not even the utility that says the computer will check and fix any startup problems but it may take more than one hour to do so. Well after just staring at the same screen for more than TWO HOURS I figured enuf is enuf.
It took me two full days of trying until finally somehow I got to a DOS cmd prompt and then an "install" command that allowed me to reinstall my OS 7 using my original disk. That solved the whole problem except that of course it took another two full days to set up the whole computer with drivers etc. once again and install all my software.
Four full days to get back from Windows 8 to Windows 7 where I will stay.
Thank you , but no thanks for Windows 8.
i agree there needs to be a search in the apps
On my last post please don't miss the point. Unless you are 1000 percent sure of what you are doing with the install method DONT DO IT. It was only by pure accident that I found how to correct the reinstall way to restore me back to Windows 7- I was almost positive up until the last minute after trying for two days that my computer would have to be brought to a service center to be restored very expensively.
NO NORMAL way available to the ordinary user would have worked.
If you haven't read my post of Mar 12. 2011 READ IT CAREFULLY.
What a POS. Your experience is the worst thing since Vista. I don't want to be no metro asexual. If it weren't for some of the associated devices and/or improvements (Drive extender) I wouldn't have even tried this POS. When is MS going to get a clue that its greatest strength is its installed base, not some phanthom "ideal."
Junk the Metro interface: it is a disaster. Just give us the old core and make it Windows 7 + (which is actually is under the hood).
Ugly, clueless navigation, idiotic bunch of nerd turds sitting in some intellectual circle-jerk designed this POS.
Now, do you want to know what I really think?
How to Setup Kies on window 8_64bit to sync Samsung galaxy with PC. I could't setup it. help me!
Win8 is fast no doubt. Many things work great in it, but one remark, about those squares and rectangles. I still can't see the need for them, and when you have a 24" or 27" screen and you click on one of these forms you get this flashy screen screaming at you.with its violet or green or whatever color. Too bad
Not being able to close an app within the app is SO annoying, you have to keep opening task manager to close all the apps you have running in the background, oh and you cant add task manager to your tiles, so you have to go to your desktop hold down on the bottom of the bar to bring it up and then start closing everything you have opened, sort it out.
I think the name of this OS should be called something like Windows tablet os, like many others have said, I really don't like the user interface, or the fact that I have to log in, whether email or not, I want the choice if I am paying for this product, And stop trying to get all of the personal information you can. I think a tweaked Windows with some new features might make a good Windows 8. But as for trying to make us all tablet or mobile users, I say no thanks. If Windows 8 releases anything like this, I will definitely be switching all of my personal and business computers to Apple. Microsoft I think you are dropping the ball on this one, stick to the PC OS' that you are good at.
Having fun with my new Beta! Just to help out for feedback...the last app feature is nice, but not fully functional yet. When I have multiple apps open it only shows one or two of them currently. Also, Maps temporarily broke the metro start screen. I killed the tasks, and then it bounced back. If there is a better place to post suggestions to help the product, please advise. I know a lot of the demo apps are not fully functional yet. Thanks
When I pin an application to the Taskbar a 2nd time, all icons on the Taskbar turn into gray blank icons on the Taskbar, and to get the icon back I have to unpin them all, and then re-pin them all to the Taskbar. Awkward.
Ladies & Gentlemen, Windows 8 offers opportunity for advancement of change...Okay yes it's pretty much a clone version of Windows 7, with some very nice add-on's which took some navigating to figure out the hype I might add, however, both me and my computer like it...Great Job Microsoft.
I've downloaded this to my HP Pavillon Notebook tx2000 and mostly everything that I have checked so far is working really nice. I like it. They only issue I have is that the screen drivers are not the one for it and I can't download the original from HP because they don't have it for Windows 8 and the fonts looks kind of wide, but, other than that, everything else looks great. I can't wait to buy my first tablet PC running windows 8 and be able to have all my windows applications in the desktop just like my regular computer.
Tried to install on a Windows XP Pro laptop. After downloading and beginning installation, eventually showed a screen with a fish on it and did nothing else. Reboot gives option of Windows 8 or installation. Both result in the non-responsive fish screen. So basically, my experience with this pre-release version of Windows 8 is crashes during installation.
craiger- If you check my lengthy post above of 3-12-2012 you will see that one of my complaints was how the heck you get from that non acting opening FISH screen to inside the OS- there are no instruction to tell you that you must click and drag that opening screen UP to reveal the whole business of your login name and get the thing started.
Sort of like raising the curtain on an act before it starts. A pure waste of time and utter nonsense.
GL
I've been experiencing the Windows Consumer Preview (WCP) for 4 days now. ONE thing that should be noted is that IT CANNOT BE UNINSTALLED!!! There have been multiple questions how to go back to one's previous operating system, and the simple answer is that It Cannot Be Done. Check out:
answers.microsoft.com/.../windows_8
for further details.
I chose to "Upgrade" from 7 to 8, and it did a pretty good job of keeping settings and documents. Only a couple of pgms didn't make it over, however their installation directories remained intact. However, none of my devices showed up in charms-settings-devices (not be confused with charms-devices), until I did a "Refresht" (more on that later). A particular anomaly was that my Sony smp-n100's were acknowledged by drilling down thru windows media player (WMP) for "sharing". Their IP addresses were correct, I could "ping" them, but they themselves said that they couldn't reach the host. The host ip was as displayed on the Sony devices was correct also. I took a chance and did the "Refresh". Basically what that does is set WCP to how it would have been as a virgin install. Pgms that couldn't be "Refreshed" were documented in a nicely laid out html file which showed the app's name, publisher, and version. This html doc when opened in your browser permits you to return to the application's home page to re-download, and re-install. Also, the respective directories remained. Very nice!!! Basically, only the registry entries were now gone After the "Refresh" completed, I was FINALLY able to see all my devices, including the sony's. They are now working just fine using WMP as the media server for streaming.
So, to sum up:
1. Have a "return to my previous OS" plan. This cannot be over emphasized! Do your homework. Check out the above mentioned forum, and do what needs to be done before installing the WCP.
2. Be prepared to do a "Refresh". This is mentioned several times in the windows_8 forum.
3. Don't expect that all things will be where you're used to finding them. The missing start button isn't all that big a deal. Instead of a list-box containing info, you will now have an entire "page". Any software installed will show up on the "start page".
Finally, as in all things YMMV (Your mileage may vary)
Windows Virtual PC for Windows 8 consumer preview please. I really need it
why does it take so long when you like access someone elses account folder? IT'S BORING PLEASE SORT IT OUT
Have used it for over a week now, and it is fast (pre-release version though). Very neat 'Aoos' screen which many users would find easy to use on a daily basis.But when used for anything other than the 'Internet' based 'apps', it switches to Windows 7.1 :-( ., but without the 'start orb'. We are then presented with an either /or dilema. 'right click' to bring up a 'windows explorer style menu' or left click the 'start apps' mini screen (bottom left). At the moment it would be too confusing for the 'average' user, because of this 'apps/windows' switching.
My windows 8 CP continually freezes, the monitor flashes and I can't move anything and it says at the bottom collecting error information. What is wrong with it?
I have installed 'Office' and 2 games ( Racing Simulations). All the Office 'Icons' were placed on the 'Apps' screen, some of them i removed as I did not what them. 1 of the racing sims installed on the 'Apps' screen the other did not? (although when 'All Apps' were viewed it showed on the list?
I feel this to be very confusing for a 'novice, casual' PC user.
I also plugged in an 'external' USB h/d/d and viewed a movie from it (just for testing), this nows shows up in the 'video App' even though the drive has been disconnected. It hasn't been downloaded to the PC's h/d/d son when the 'app' is activated, it switches to the 'video' screen and then back again, Why?
it was an amazing xperince wit win 8 but the problem is i am using lenovo s103 -t touch tablet , for running metro apps the screen resolution should be 1024*760 but my notebook is having only 1024*680 how can v overcome this problem
I've been waiting for this for some time now and recently, i've installed the consumer product. I'm relived to know that it works smoothly with an older hardware...I'm very impressed at how smooth and elegantly the new windows 8 is presented. but, i think, this new version of windows is designed more for touch screen in mind. It made me feel like i'm using a "user friendly" windows 7 but with an additional UI installed over it. With this said, the feel of the new windows 8 is supperb BUT it confused me a lot when i explored the new UI. probably because it's new but the change was so significant that i felt it was a bit lost for a few hours of trying to find which was which. but at the end, i think i manage to use it properly. i have to say this...the change from win7 to win 8 is nothing like the change from winxp to win vista to win7. the latter was easier to understand and easier to adopt...again. probably because it's new. though the new windows 8 is a revolution compared to the old ones, it felt like it was made more for tablet, laptops and mobile phones...
New Coke, Token Ring, Edsel, Gopher protocol, Kin, Arch Delux, the Zune, webtv, Smith and Wesson Moutian bikes, Cocaine energy drink, Apple Newton, Delorean, Harley Davidson Perfume, Betamax, USFL and XFL. Lets not let Windows 8 be on this list!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just one to me huge UI issue. The OSK or Metro Keyboard is not available for use while in any Metro UI experience, in a non touch screen environment with HID keyboard attached. I need to be able to use only the mouse and then the OSK or metro UI screen keyboard. I have tried for 2 weeks to figure out how, when on the Start Screen, I can bring up the new Metro keyboard or the old OSK and type an application search, just can not be done or so well hidden that I can not figure it out. Here is hoping someone will identify this huge issue and correct it for ALL Metro UI elements
SUGGESTION - LIVE TILES ON CLASSIC DESKTOP
Make it so that you can also pin Metro live tiles to the classic desktop. This allows people working in desktop mode to take advantage of the live tiles just like widgets or gadgets. When you think about it, in Metro when you are running a full screen app, you can't see any live tiles. At least if you allow live tiles to work in the desktop too, then when running windowed programs you can still see them. If you then want to launch one of the Metro apps, it will run in a window at some default minimum window size such as 1024 x 768.
Loaded on two P4 PC's and no sound on either. Doesn't see the sound card on one?
About the Final Version Windows 8 will play Xbox 360 games direct to PC or will need Xbox 360 connected for that? also windows 8 can¿t find drivers for my wifi usb card so Im offline 8(
I hate the new start "menu". Why is it that you remove the semblance of any kind of button on the screens now. How are we supposed to know what to click, or what to do to open or close something? I'm supposed to guess that the window key opens the panels, or that I have to float my cursor to the lower left to open, and float it to the upper right to close it? Ridiculous. Babies have been proven capable of using the iPad without any instruction, but with windows 8, a software engineer with over 10 years experience would have trouble.
Also, how long do you plan on keeping the cmd window exactly the same as it has been since windows NT? how about some innovation there? The Mac OS X terminal is a dream to use. So is Konsole on Linux. Please learn from others who have done it better when you do a redesign.
By the way, for the website, I would recommend you put a thumbs down button in addition to the thumbs up. I would wager that you would get more thumbs downs for this release.
BTW, it took me 20 minutes to figure out how to navigate to a particular file in the file system. Why are you making simple tasks we need to do all the time more difficult, and yet making we don't need to know be front and center? I don't need to see what games you got listed or whats in your app store unless I want to do those things. I just need to get my work done.
BRING BACK THE START ORB!!! A MUST!!! Other than that pretty cool so far...
Sorry! "Less is More"... Two OS in one is just confuse, it won't work! (only if you want to sale Nokias)... Please keep only one OS!!! Use Metro UI, or The OLD Desktop. (try metroUI in a windows inside the Desktop, or forget the old windows).
Please just one OS! Choose one and GoFor IT! Trust in it!
It has it advantages and disadvantages, but over all I am getting to like it. BTW, anyone else having problems of your printer working with Windows 8?
I have W8 installed onto a Raid array with the other 2 HD disconnected.This allows me to start the system and by pushing F8 utilise the BIOS bootscreen to chose which HD to boot from.Whenever I leave and shutdown W8 and then reboot into W7 I get disc check coming up and discovering errors..usually on the W8 HD.
Does anyone have a similar problem or setup??
I have a problem with windows 8 that is making me crazy, and I don't know if anyone else has the same problem.
when I right click on a file or anything it takes a long time for the window to appear. I expected better. and my laptop has a 2GB video card, Full HD, 8Gb of memory and i7-2760QM, so I know that the problem isn't in my laptop.
can I fix it or not?
right now the evolution in computing is going to mobile devices .
and with WINDOWS 8 , MICROSOFT is attempting to create a one size fits all operating system .
while the touch screen has been the driving force behind the growth in mobile computing devices .
this same touch screen has too many limitations for dedicated work stations .
those of us who use a desktop , whether at the office or at home .
most of us still have these desktops to perform real work .
we down load massive files , we edit , we create .
we maintain backups , we use numerous browsers and operating systems .
the latest flash and glitter , means nothing to us .
the ability to have total control over our data and our system is of number one importance .
so if MICROSOFT truly wants this new operating system to fit a broad range of applications ?
then MICROSOFT must add more user options , more user ability to change default settings .
first METRO need a revert option , revert to desktop control .
some of us don't have or don't want a touch screen .
but we do use windows .
i have heard several complaints about the missing START button .
i hope this also mean the missing START menu .
i have down loaded this application called [ START8 ] .
it restores some of the START features to the WINDOWS 8 desktop .
i saved this down load to desktop .
i did a right click on the finished down load .
to my surprise , there was no option to scan for security threats ?
the beta test of WINDOWS 7 , made me want to get it .
the WINDOWS 8 CONSUMER PREVIEW , makes me want to avoid it .
Windows 8 was nice......until I tried playing Diablo 2 D: *sadface* it wouldn't even start the game using the disk. Even after downloading it from my Battle.net account even :/ went back to Windows 7. I doubt Blizzard is up to date on this ._ .
my bluetooth and mc affee antivirus are not working on winows 8 consumer preview. Also, microsoft office not working...some of apps deleted
Windows 8 will be consumer nightmare. I've used every MS operating system since DOS and this transition is going to be too much for the average consumer. I admit, I didn't watch any instructional videos or read any posts, I just expected it to work intuitively. Big mistake. I couldn't even turn the computer off after "exploring" the interface. I had to bring up the task manager to shut down. I'm not an IT professional, but I'm also far from a novice and this is going to be a disaster for Microsoft unless they make the transition more manageable. People do not want to endure a learning curve with their operating system, they just want it to work. It is going to be even worse in the corporate environment. What was Microsoft thinking?
Downloaded the Windows 8 Consumer Preview onto my Acer Aspire Windows 7 laptop. Let it run its set-up and it crashed and burned ! Unable to install !
I just installed the customer preview on my Kira Slimpad touchpad. This is a great release :-)
I remember buying this device a year ago in order to test all touch only Linux distros. I choose on purpose a distribution that was Windows 7 certified because I did not want a devide locked up with iOS or Android.
I tested for one year all alpha versions of linux touchpad distros and were very disappointed because none of them was really a product and was really finished. The UI guide of Meego was a great job and it seems to me that it is not unknown to MS developers.
I tried Win8 because there was a lot of buzz around Metro interface and the opinions were very different from one people to another: some love and others hate.
I love it. This is a great version that will modify the hardware market. For the first time ever, PC will have to evolve naturally to touchpad interfaces. For sure, Win8 still has to support the Win7 like desktop but that's a inevitable fact. For me that is running upon a tablet PC, all is fast, reliable, the user experience is great and the OS takes only 8 Gb of the 32 my touchpad owns.
Great job guys. There is moreover an impression of freedom in this platform: I can install whatever I want, I can use whatever soft I want, I can buy software but I can also use other free software.
Currently, this is the best compromise of the market and I will use my touchpad for a critical corporate demo in 3 weeks!
Olivier
The startup and shutdown is very fast.
The other performance are also very fast and stable.
I am excited to be using it. there's still a lot to discover! looking forward to the full & final version.Kudos for the good work,
some days ago i don't comfortable about metro UI and hidden start tile button on desktop. but, after some days spend on windows 8 cp on desktop i comfortable with merto UI yet. It' really very fast OS yet for me. Because I run it with only 512MB RAM and it run faster on that hardware. So i'm happy yet. But some problem are continued that some apps which i ran in win7 not working properly in win8cp. And i request to microsoft that they given a choice to add a start button or remove it as per wish. But i m comfortable with hidden start pointing button yet.
I'm loving the Windows 8 preview...but it is not very desktop friendly..at all! The desktop is not dead yet. I can see how Win 8 will work wonderful on a tablet and phone, it's very elegant and intuitive but it's the complete opposite on a desktop. The average Windows 7 desktop user will be totally lost in the Metro UI without any easy way to get to a familiar desktop with a start button. Without this issue being addressed I see Windows 8 being another Vista and a complete disaster on desktops. Every person I have put in front my my Windows 8 PC has just stared at the screen unless I gave them a lengthy tutorial. They just don't get how to navigate it and without fail ask where is the START button. Please Microsoft don't let this be another VISTA! I want Windows 8 to succeed because if it fails it will not bode well for Microsoft's future.
I have an old Dell 4600 single core 32 bit, 3.2 ghz and 3.5 GB memory that was headed to recycle. Decided it couldn't hurt anything so I downloaded and installed the Win 8 prev. Everything went well runs slow but runs. No sound but still tinkering. Too bad I want be able to install (and keep) on my computer that I am building. So I'll have to buy Win7 which is already on my laptop.
WINDOWS 8 is just so amazing! I thank the developers for filling in LIFE to the system(hardware parts) and make it look so beautiful and work faster.
Also there are few software compatibility problems which I hope would be taken care off in the upcoming days.
The MAIN PROBLEM that I'm facing is with the INTENET EXPLORER. Many websites are not getting fully loaded, especially website's of google.
I love it. It many cases it is a nice response to consumerization of IT. You can pull your corporate and personal emails in one email application.
Y el ESPAÑOL cuando????????? Traducen hasta en Portugues pero al español que representa mayor cantidad de usuarios no lo consideran para nada. No me cuadra en una empresa como MicroSoft....
Hi I down loaded the new windows8 and it was a nice set up and I was starting to get the hang of how it worked..But I could not find any drivers for my hardware video card or printer..then when I tried to install the newest one that I found.It crashed my computer and I had to have it formated and window7 reinstalled..When the windows team can come up with drivers that work with it I will try it again...The Explore 10 was great
I feel that Microsoft has made a huge, huge mistake with this operating system. Crazy as it may sound, Microsoft Office does not work (cannot create new documents- can view, not create), iTunes has forced closed, All music has been corrupted and the restore program- were my backup is to get rid of Windows 8- will not work. I am wiping my system and starting over from scratch with Windows 7. I cannot express my disappointment in a blog- I am pissed.
Wow, glitz, glamor and totally unusuable in the basics, you can't even power off your machine without a headache. The start button needs to reappear- FAST or this will fail in basic transitional UI. It's okay to give users an option to get rid of it, but until they learn the new environment, it MUST be more friendly. The Metro interface needs to be more right click aware, this isn't a Macintosh OS. Press and hold should work for settings options as well.
The desktop apps when presented in Metro need more style, it's like Microsoft is saying "Don't use those ugly apps" and that is 100% of the current desktop app market.
The Metro interface is horrible when using a glide point (laptop) in mouse mode, to it almost being worthless, it's very hard to trigger the features. It's only marginally better with a mouse. Tablets are better because they can emulate the touch screen effect, but it's still clunky.
People will not be able to go from Windows 7 to Windows 8 without saying "I'm totally confused."
Start the system with the new login, but have the Windows 7 desktop come up first with a pop up that says "Hey, when you are ready to work with the Metro start menu, click the Windows key!". Since I'm a Windows Phone user, the Metro screen doesn't bug me so much, I can't say the same for someone that freaks out that they can't get their work done because they don't know how to use their new OS.
Beta 2 will need to be much smarter. It will need to know if it has a touch interface or not. If not, think standard desktop with Metro as a utility to start. Let the user work into it, don't crush their planet out of the box. If it has a touchscreen, go for it, they can smudge away, but always give the basic controls of the system easy access, I mean ONE touch away, not 2, 3 or ten!
I'm running this on my pv4 and it runs great. any way to make the arrow keys scroll for left and right.
@SRH, I challenge you, then to actually LIST what "basics" that the WCP is "totally unusable" in. While there ARE some things that are completely missing right now (it IS a beta, for pity's sake), I am totally amazed that so many of you haven't grasped this system yet. The start screen has replaced the start button, for example. Oh, and don't forget the right-click! Just as Windows Phone users have had to catch on to the press-and-hold as being "the new right-click", desktop users of WCP have to realize the right-click has found new life. For instance, try right-clicking in the lower left corner. Menu look familiar? And have you tried right-clicking any open space of the Start screen? Guess what comes up? Exactly what I expected: all my apps. I wouldn't be surprised if on the tablets you press-and-hold there to get the same thing to happen. It just makes so much sense to me.
Think of it this way---your Task Bar is now on the left wall, the Start button is now the Start Screen, and when you move to the lower left corner (as you have done for YEARS with older, archaic versions of Windows) the functionality is now increased...without the need for a crutch like the button. The corners are your "go-to" areas, if you will.
Unfortunately, I must express WINDOW 8 is too much awful, I've installed that on my PC , it has too much problems and accessibility to any positions and programs are too difficult, MEANWHILE ONE ADVANTAGE OF MICROSOFT'S WINDOWS IS TO EASE TO WORK IN COMPARING WITH OTHER OSs ! WHY DO IT LOOK LIKE AWFUL???
ARE YOU MIXING WINDOWS PHONE WITH PC WINDOW ?!
HELP !! I need to change one of my schedules in Task Scheduler and for the life of me I cannot find it anymore in W8.
Anybody knows??
Windows 8 is terrible for my pc. If i wanted to have my computer to tell me what i need to do or who contacted me and such, i would access that myself. My pc is my pc, not my phone!!! I sure would be nice for a simple platform with a better color scheme, no APPS! (they are forcing Apps on us now!) Just like they forced gadgets on us. I use my computer for gaming and photoshop and internet access, maybe a few other things. I know Microsoft is trying to please all the people all the time. Can't be done!! they think Apps will do that for you. i would like to see a simple platform with minimal extra and background programs being run for no reason and the ability to expand that with downloadable content on my command. I wish they would focus on pc performance and allow its consumers to decide what they want and be able to select and download. Simple right, everyone is different, quit trying to make us all the same! This is what they think the people want, a phone on their pc. I'm still trying to find the APP that makes windows 8 work! Heck i'm still trying to find the APP that makes my Phone a Phone!!!
Guys I have a problem could any one help me solve it please? Ok so I got the Windows 8 Consumer Preview and installed it... When it asked me what to do I told it to just upgrade from Windows 7. After I installed it everything worked fine, except for the webcam. I tried using the Youcam app that I Downloaded from the Microsoft Store. It said something like " No device found!"
Oh I'm sorry I forgot to tell you I'm using my old laptop: Lenovo 3000 N100. It uses an integrated Asus Webcam. In Win 7 I used the Vista drivers to run the webcam... It came with two softwares bundled: Chicony and Lite-on. I used Chicony..
When I upgraded to 8 the webcam didn't work so I tried to use the Vista drivers, they didn't work. Then I tried to use the XP drivers, those didn't work either.
Anyone got a solution for this.. Please I need to use the webcam urgently cause its a part of my daily work and I can't reinstall 7 because I don't have a recovery disk...
@sathwik: I cannot believe that people still install beta software on their main machines, don't have any backups or reinstall media for their original software, and expect it all to work.
Maybe Microsoft needs to put something in big red flashing letters into the install software, as you obviously didn't pay any attention to any of the warning documentation such as in windows.microsoft.com/.../faq
which says: quote/ "Your PC could crash and you could lose important files. You should back up your data and you shouldn't test Windows 8 Consumer Preview on your primary home or business PC. You might also encounter problems like:
Software that doesn’t install or work correctly, including antivirus or security programs.
Printers, video cards, or other hardware that doesn’t work.
Difficulty accessing corporate or home networks.
Files that might become corrupted.
You should carefully balance the risks and rewards of trying out the Windows 8 Consumer Preview before you install it." /quote
Unless you are extremely lucky to find someone to fix your webcam, you are stuck until you can rebuild your machine with Windows 7. Let this be a lesson to you.
@sathwik. If you are able to download the asus drivers set for you web cam, that may work! if it does not, you can find any windows 7 edition you had and download it via a torrent or direct download and reinstall using your pc win 7 serial. i use uTorrent and can find win7 on Kickass torrents, or the pirate bay. just do a search. After installing you may have to go to the lenovo page for your laptop to download original programming. Good Luck, next time try partitioning your drive to install win8 on the partition. it gives you an option to dual boot.
@SATHWICK here is the link to lenovo you need if you don't have it already.
support.lenovo.com/.../detail.page
here is a link to utorrent. http://www.utorrent.com/
DOWNLOAD AND INSTALL FIRST.
here is a list of torrents for windows at kickass torrents.
home premium
kat.ph/.../windows%207%20home
professional
kat.ph/.../windows%207%20professional
if utorrent will not work with win8 try other torrent download sites.
use the edition that came with the computer,HOME, OR PROFESSIONAL, find and oem and get one that is not oem. try both, they will take a while to download then just burn them to dvd. i use BurnAware to make my iso's.
make sure to use your serial number located on the bottom of your computer. IF YOUR COMPUTER CAME WITH VISTA, LOCATED WITH SERIAL #, THEN SEARCH FOR THAT.
Good Luck,
MDRUSMC
Verrrry poor GUI. They need to take a lesson on how the eye and brain find things on a screen. No matter how well the insides work, getting there is a true pain with Win8. I develope and test GUIs for companies and this is by far the worst seen. It's built for a slow finger pointing tablet user, not a productive business environment. Back to the drawing board MS......... A D- grade on the new look.
Previously, in an Operating System near you, Microsoft launched its 1st 'true' GUI interface, this ran in front of DOS. Because of this marriage of the 2 O/S it was very unstable, and had to 'install' programs using this DOS shell (especially for sound/ graphics drivers). I am old enough to remember this and it's hardware limitations.Windows 8 is a 'beta' consumer review, and is being tested by us. It is differnet, it isn't perfect, it has faults but we are here to give our feelings on the diverse road that Microsoft is embarking on. Some parts are good, some parts are poor. Without Microsoft, we would not be here using a PC !!! without the need for a MSc or a BSc in Computer Programming, I for one am honoured to partisipate in a 'beta' test, 9even at my age0. So come on, seriuos input and less bitching.
URGENT: After Installing WIN 8 on my PC
The C.P.U fan keep working ( hot and fast with high sound )
any Solution ????????
Regards
With the increasing popularity of SSD HDDs it would be a good thing if users were able to customize some more advanced settings in order to optimize the SSD's lifespan. As an example, being able to install "main" windows folders and files such as program files, program data, users, temp, etc. and files that may generate many writing operations to another drive (e.g. D:\), just like it is possible in most linux distributions.
@iraqziad: If you experiencing extreme or urgent issues with beta software then you should remove it and return to your previous software. It's very simple. You are not compelled to run this software. Do not damage your equipment or prolong your agony.
It is impossible to find the important areas, like control panel, IE, etc. The new IE is useless!
Its looks innovative, fun and quick to navigate around. Whilst I admit I do miss the Start Button/Orb, its good to know that you can simply press the windows key on your keyboard to access the new start page.
QUESTIO: Hi people! just dowloaded! if I install it does it deleate my window 7 and all the files? or can I keep using both?!? if I install it and lose my stuff I will have to kill myself... otherwise it is great and cannot wait to try it!!! ;-)
I installed WIN 8 over my Vista OS and now I can work on the internet using 2-desktops.
Prior/Vista was useless if my WIN 7 desktop was very busy.
It had me baffled about 8-hours worth.
And WIN 8 won't load my McAFEE software.
I'm using Security Essentials/
So far..its been excellent/I only had a single Error--I pulled the plug on my Belkin USB HUB and the WIN 8 OS..went into some kind of a Processor/exceeded/extension--thingy../
It went thru 3-auto/restarts/and that seems to have fixed the situation.
Really miss the "start" prompt, can't see the reason for not having it available.
As til now, no feedback as how to uninstall Windows 8.
Really loving the consumer preview it's very user friendly great features and my friends have picked it up rather quickly. I've noticed that quite a few user have complained about the lack of a start button but after a few minutes of poking around I realized that it is still present just in a different format. If you just need to access the start menu for control panel, command prompt or any function just head to the lower left hand corner right click and all the previous functions are there. I think this is much easier than it was before along with the use of corners to gain access to apps and files. As far as people comparing windows 8 to vista is kind of comical, they are nothing alike and light years apart. As I said before my friends and I have all tried and loved it but the real test was my wife and mother, both not very tech savvy but after about a good 10 minutes instruction have been off to the races. They love it by the way. That's it for now I do have some questions about plug ins for the metro ui but that can wait.
Size of Windows-8 with the following additional software installed: Office 2003, Firefox, Opera
/Windows/ -
7.52 GB
48,437 Files
10,119 Folders
/Windows/WinSxS/ all by itself is
3.71 Gigabytes (49.3% of total)
29,000 files (59.9% of total)
7,500 Folders (74.1% of total)
More or less like WinVista and Win7. STUPID architecture choice IMNSHO.
Would it not be better to hang that blob in the MS-Cloud(tm) and let each user download only what is needed *when* it is needed instead if *just in case* it is needed?
I doubt that there anyone at MS who could grok that eliminating this blob on each copy of Win8 would be beneficial for MS, but I assure you doing so would be VERY good for the company. Windows kernel and file systems will start to get balky after a very small increase in complexity beyond just the OS install. And for what? 99.99% of those files will NEVER be needed by any single user.
4 install attempts including 1 as an upgrade. 3 FAILS including the upgrade. Regarding the one success. I don' t know how it happened, I thought it was a FAIL and was booting the HDD scrubber when Win8 came up.
The install attempts were on 2 different Intel Mobo's (DX38BT & DG965RY) each with Core-2-Quad CPUs & 4 GB RAM
These installs take many many hours with long wait times between user inputs. Why can't the MS boffins do an install where they ask all of their questions up front and let me go away for hours/days/weeks or whatever it takes?
I HATE IT AND NOW IT CAN'T BE UNINSTALLED.
Just wanted to take back anything bad I said about 8. Didn`t realize full classic 7 functionality is available through the "desktop app"
Also , navigation is just a mouse-wheel click away.
Simply click the mouse-wheel any time and all your runing apps are there and can be quickly changed with , you guessed it , a mouse-click.
You do NOT need to mouse to the corner of the screen. This is genius !
The new IE 10...with support for DX11.1 is super quick and renders pages very nicely. The "engine" of 10 has definitely been upgraded.
Windows 8...the mouse-wheel is your best friend. Makes navigation a breeze.
Windows 8 is awesome!
The performance is much higher than Windows 7!
Buy Windows 8 when it's RTM
By the way, I'm not an Microsoft employee
Earlier I posted: Why can't the MS boffins do an install where they ask all of their questions up front and let me go away for hours/days/weeks or whatever it takes?" I'd like to expand on that.
Seems to me that the plain vanilla install process should copy all needed files from the CD/DVD to a temp folder and eject the CD/DVD immediately. Just create the /temp/ folder and start copying while a separate process asks all start-up questions including network t ype and CD-KEY. Once everything on the CD/DVD is copied to /temp/, eject the disk. When the install is all done, delete the temp folder. This could even be a user OK box that announces to the customer that this part of the process is DONE.
Love W8CP, can't wait to try it on a tablet. The haters just need a few days to figure out how it works, and you will, if you try. MS did a GREAT job re-imagining Windows. It just works. For the business world, come on guys, one click on a "Desktop" tile and you're back to what you're used to...get over it!
I have been trying to boot Win 8 using the 'Boot Manager' on my Win 7 drive, to no avail. when ever I try it checks my Win 7 OS disk, for 'incosistancies', and refuses to start. If i change the 'boot' drive to the Win 8 drive, no problem at all. if i then change boot drive again and use 'Boot manager ' to boot to win 7 It say's 'inoinsistancies' on Win 8 drive (repairs them ) then boots to Win 7. Is there a slight difference in the NTFS file format for Win 8 ????. as it does this all the time and it is a hassle changing the bbot sequence in the BIOS every time.
Please put hyper terminal back and someone reply to my prob.I have Dell XPS with dual graphic cards, intel HD for dekstop and nvedia geforce 540m gaming graphics.When i install my nvedia geforce 540m-notebook i only see gray screen(default color i chose) and mouse pointer on login screen, how to fix this.
I am retired, I also like to think I have a pretty good grasp of using a computer. I downloaded this Preview edition of Windows 8. I gave it a couple of days to see if I could get used to it. I am sticking with a much more conventional interface. I use a desk top as well as a laptop, and maybe its true as you get older you resist change. But I personally am not into all the checkerboard look. Move my mouse to one corner and get some other commands showing up, just too much moving around the screen for my tastes. And of course, I fully expect it will go through a couple of yrs of patches, fixes, and service packs. One thing I have found with Microsoft, they are very quick to put a product on the market just to have it there. It took me a long time to leave the old dos system of Windows 3.2, and finally to go to Windows 98 SE, I missed all the fun with plain 98. I finally went to XP Pro and have been happy with it ever since. I may consider 7 in a few more months. But this 8 I'll pass.
Windows 8 has totally transformed my Acer W500 tablet. It feels almost as if the boot is instantaneous and the touch display exceptionally smooth and fast. This is tablet software done right. The only issue I have encountered is the inability to pare my Plantronics Bluetooth headset so that I can use the microphone with the Microsoft Speech Recognition software. The system hangs when I attempt to troubleshoot. I’m not sure if this is related to the fact that I replaced the generic audio drivers with the RealTek drivers originally shipped with the Windows 7 OS are simply a driver issue that will be rectified in the final release.
I am not particularly enamored or accustomed to using Apps as truncated programs but admit that the free ones shipped with the beta release are very attractive. This said, I am constantly frustrated by the inability to close applications. Although I found Metro appealing and intuitive it was also jarring and initially uncomfortable. I suspect I am not alone in making this observation. The videos highlighting Windows 8 options and features are nice but simply don’t do the trick in helping long time windows users quickly acclimate. I hope that Microsoft invests the time and resources to create short instructive transitional tutorials.
I recommend that along with the Recycle Bin that Microsoft also ship the desktop with an icon that allows users to quickly display apps and windows programs as well as shut the system down. I think this is perhaps the most jarring omission. Make the button look like the current start button.
I truly believe that Microsoft has an opportunity to grab its rightful share of the tablet market and hope that the company aggressively embraces the App store concept without confusing customers as to what replaces or supplants legacy programs and features. Because I frequently use speech to text software I’m crossing my fingers hoping that you guys don’t drop the ball on a fabulous product.
1. Yet another email from MS "announcing" win8 Con Prev, so yet another post from me lol.
2. Steam is a PITA: had to join this blog, reopen the emailed link to this page, and sign in with blog credentials. No other means worked.
3. The darn announcement should have stated what a "SWIPE" IS: it is a circular mouse motion around the top right corner of the monitor screen, no mouse button depressed, as if to circle the corner passing OFF the screen and back on. Took me a week to guess this. Gestures are not everyone's forte.
4. Charms are a PITA although I will admit that they do work to some extent. StartmenuX works a heck of a lot better.
5. Other than that and the dumb marketing and poor decision not to include Metro-only, Desktop-only, Both (what was shipped) with maybe something like StartmenuX baked in, and All-of-the-above-with-toggle-without-reboot as install options, I love it.
6. I love it because on my three installs of win8 (separate primary partition on hard drive; vhdx on that partition; virtual machine with yet another vhdx under HyperV on that partition) ARE BLAZING FAST and lean and mean as to hardware resources (they all run even with the video card heat sink fan broken, no other gui windows will do that, I have tried as I have yet to replace the video card).
7. Of course I have the StartButton and StartmenuX to get around the swipe/charms both of which I dislike intensely.
8. Having said that, the only thing I can't get win8 to do so far is to recognize my old HP webcam and to accept a driver for it.
9. Vxdx, HyperV, and virtual mount of ios files alone, any one of them, are “worth the price of admission” to win8, regardless of what the price ends up being.
10. Win8 is the first decent version of client desktop windows since 3.11.
Remember the animated characters that were in Office 2003 and BOB? The paperclip or puppy could be used in Metro to help people find their way. In fact Microsoft could bring back BOB entirely and try it again along with Metro. BOB could be the default view and you get to Metro by clicking on an invisbile hidden book on the BOB book shelf.
Maybe, I think now is a good time to include a Easter egg copy of BOB buried in Windows 8. If you mistakenly click on the missing start button more than 15 times (BOB died an agonizing death 15 years ago), BOB should appear and offer an even more stunning example of why you should replace your computer with a touch device. BOB was ahead of its time. BOB, and I cry when I say this, was the most elegant example of a mature and functional OS. I was devistated to see it go. BOB, like metro was misunderstood. People do not use the Media Center interface as a PC interface because its works better for the TV. People do not want a PC interface to look like Apple, they want it to be PC. The touch interface is the right move!!! We all need more touch. I hate typing. Metro needs speech recognition too! I could talk to my touch device. And if BOB were included I would say things like. “Metro, execute BOB and randomize my music and photos in ways I will appreciate but do not fully understand.” “Metro, please hide things I want and make me learn the new and challenging ways to do work.” “Metro find BOB and tell him I miss him.”
I think we should have metro recognize a soft touch and also an angry touch. If I am angry and slap my Metro PC, it should cry and beg for forgiveness. If I gently caress the beautiful enlarged space hog tiles I should get soothing music and the lights in my house should dim.
Don't worry about the learning curve. You can afford to be slower and do less with more. Infact, don't upgrade. Go out and get all new hardware. Replace all your PCs in your home and office with touch and stop complaining about the missing start button. Toss all your old hardware and order your new PCs with Windows 8 preinstalled. Recycle all your old PCs into jewelry and soda bottles.
Okay, now for a serious note. Metro is fine. It should be an option like Media Center. Actually Metro should be default on touch devices. However, making the touch UI the default is a lapse in judgment on an epic scale. That’s like making Media Center the default UI because people like the TV. I don’t want to touch my office PC any more than I want to touch my TV. And I don’t want Media Center or BOB on my PC. I don’t want Apple or linux either. I want Windows. I want Windows to be fast and good for work. However, I want it to also play my music, attach to my phone, and show me pictures. If I get a new PC I will enjoy the Metro touch but for me to upgrade my existing PCs to Windows 8 I will need same or better UI, more performance, more reliability, more compatibility, and more function. Not less. So either bring back BOB or make Metro a choice.
en.wikipedia.org/.../Microsoft_Bob
"www.bing.com/.../search
I don't like the looks of this, it's too much of a change and there is to much to have to remember where to put your mouse to get to certain places, I won't be getting it.
Bring back START for the desktop, enable Flash in IE in metro mode
Okay,,,, I will add one thing to my rant. If Windows 8 could be combined with the kinect that would excite. I don't need a full body experience. That would be a fun option but... Hey, Microsoft, if you could teach the kinect to be my keyboard and mouse. Teach kinect to adapt to me. Let me type a blank desktop, I know where my keys are and if I need reminder I can paste down stickers until I know. For more advanced interactions, I could move my hands around in air. kinect could also let me stand and interface with my PC with full body for excersize while I work. I know some would really go for that. kinect is the way to take the Windows upgrade to the next level. Not touch. Touch UI is for new hardware, not upgrade. Infact. I would say, if you kinect the PC you will never touch it! if you really want to dazzle and be infront of the cuve... I mean leave all contestants in the distant past... Try kinect with a 3-D GUI on a secure and blazing fast kernel. Be bold and rewrite instead of slapping new parts and bumpers on last years car. Be bold and do something really exciting.
To me metro is not Windows 8. Metro is an addon to Windows 7. An alternative shell custom for touch devices.
Kick this game in to high gear. Redo the Media Center so it actually does what people want. Internet TV. Loose the need for tuner.
Offer, many shells in one box. Media Center, Metro, ThrowBack (95) and Windows 7. You could even offer an Apple-like shell, maybe call it, Peaches. You could offer all the shells in one OS. Even Linux looking shell. Take the game to the next level instead of playing the same old dull game. Have fun with it. Oh, and I want some error messages that are fun and meaningful. I don't need a lesson in vocabulary. I want a clue to how to fix the problem or just fix it and let me know its done.
oh, and put in an XP shell too. Don't forget, 12 years later, your Windows XP base is still in the millions.
I just had the best experience installing a version of Windows that I can remember. I have yet to attempt to install all my essential software but, so far so good...
Now the bad news: The Metro style UI is absolutely terrible. Of course my only experience with it so far is on a laptop that has no "touch" support..
It might be a nice "touch" to be able to do some UI stuff with my fingers or a stylus but the best organizational tool MS has come up with for Applications and files is the "Start Menu" and its sub-menu system. You will be making one huge mistake to attempt a complete replacement using the so-called Metro interface...
Regards,
well for me i love windows 8 and is easy, i have windows 7.5 htc phone is super similar to my divice so i am familiar with the change
After more use and hours reading beta user comments, I am convinced Microsoft could avoid another Vista disaster (personally I use and enjoy Vista) by adding the start button (have it simply display the Apps and programs screen if you must but put it back) and an option to allow users to opt in for a traditional desktop Win 7 style start screen. Both of these tweaks could be developed by a third party (perhaps the computer manufacturer). I really think Microsoft needs to listen to the Desktop users! Makes a great tablet OS but don't think Microsoft can stand to piss off IT departments. Please don't drop the ball on this ... you really can't afford to do that. I read an article suggesting the Apple iWorks suit is gaining in popularity. I would buy Pages for my PCs if available. I assume Microsoft is going to listen and fine tune. But as my CPA and attorney warn "Never Assume!"
Placed an SSD in a very old Pentium D and downloaded win 8. It's much faster than my i7 laptop with an SSD. Really like the browsing speed and simplicity of interface. It fixed dropouts on my Wi-Fi connectivity really runs well. Looking forward to getting Nokia 900 or Titan II to test cross platform availability in data. Hope to see more apps soon in market place, win8 specific office(maybe office 15). Would be glad to participate in feedback area, if this is the place, please confirm. BTW - this old computer boots many times faster as well.
After installing and uninstalling Zune the tile remained. When touched I was switched to the desktop with no notice of unavailability. Metro version of IE seems sluggish compared to the desktop version. Dropping Silverlight support for the Metro browser is bad PR. Microsoft keeps giving and taking away … remember Plays for Sure?
The software keyboard behavior differences between Metro auto pop up and desktop manual mode will confuse and frustrate users. These kinds of issues makes W8 feel like a kludge.
Worthless UI on a desktop, I will not be moving to W8 and will recommend against migrating any of our corporate desktops to it. If I want a tablet interface I'll buy one of the many available, this is a worse step than WIn M.E. was or even the not so well received "VISTA". The Apple iBoys will have a heyday with this and unfortunately more satisfied PC users will move to the iGarbage because they want something usable.
am i the only one that absolutely loves windows 8. and no i don't have a touch screen. it has some bugs here and there but i think this is the best thing Windows have ever done. I love the metro, I love the desktop. Some People Just Dont Wanna Learn Anything New! Good job Microsoft.
Before now the only thing I used my computer for is Google Chrome and iTunes. but now with Windows 8, I love the mail, messaging, people, calendar apps. and I have also downloaded and used some of the other apps. I love the whole experience. just wished now I had a touch screen to enjoy it even more. but it is definitely useable with mouse.
OK, I tried it, liked it but now want to go back to my windows 7 laptop. How do you uninstall the new program?
This version does not seem to allow LibreOffice to run, will the full version have this restriction?
FTW!!!! I downloaded and instelled the RC, and immediatly re-installed XP. Yes, thats right, I would rather run XP than not have a start menu. How can you call it windows without a start menu. Do you havee any idea how much time I spent trying to arange my programs on the god dam app metro crap. Also dissapointed to find out how I still cant just drag and drop shortcuts to the quick-launch, and have the icons all lined up, same sized icons, and with the same gap between them like in XP. I would also like to be able to drag and drop the recycle bin to the quick-launch, and have a totaly empty desktop.
Look, i realize this is made for touch screens, but that is only going to be a very small amount of the market. If microsoft really wants to get ahead, the need to start thinking about competing with droid. Microsoft needs to find a way to get windows on smartphones and tablets or it will eventually die.
I like it but was not able to try it because I could not find the drivers for my sound card so I would apreciate anyhelp to that matter.....:(
If they hadn't taken the Start Button off I probably would have gotten it for my desktop monster. It's like the mouse, I can't drive windows without it.
Windows 8 preview will not install. It stays on getting devices ready. Has anyone had this problem and if so what's the fix?
Total fail for Desktop users!! Tried it for several hours before formatting and going back to Windows 7. Windows 8 is not in my future!
I recently installed Windows 8 and once it did install my Angry Birds game is not working. It is saying that OpenGL 2.0 and OpenGL 1.3 is not supported. How can I get my Angry Birds game to work.
Internet Explore is not working for me either.
BUG REPORT! With greater frequency, I notice when I click a link from say Facebook or other website to an external webpage displayed in a separate window a box with the link is superimposed on my screen. This box is displayed on the desktop, desktop programs and the Win 8 desktop browser. It is not displayed on the START screen. I can get rid of but but not sure what I have done to kill it. I try opening and closing windows, IE, residing until it goes away. A few times I had to reboot!
Reboot brings me to a second bug. At least 3 times my ACER W500 tablet has hung on the SHUTTING SOWN screen. I have to to shut down by holding in the power button.
Again I urge the Win 8 team to restore the start button and menu and add Silverlight support to the Metro browser (imagine being unable to view the Zune sign in page with Metro IE 10! You don't even warn the user that Silverlight can not be installed on that browser.) If you refuse to add Silverlight support, at least modify all Microsoft websites that reply on it! It is horrid PR to allow customers go to Microsoft sites not updated for HTML5. If you are going to drop Flash and Silver please fix the sites.
The Windows Speech to Text software works great as expected but the tutorial still refers to the Start button and menu. This needs attention as does supplementary documentation on use it with Metro (if possible.) Come on please don't let Apple take that ball away as well.
Having to manually select the virtual keyboard while in the desktop mode will cause consumers grief. Why do that?
I hope someone is monitoring this feedback.
The Metro Apps GUI is a good idea, but the implentation is ridiculous for a desktop computer. It adds nothing to improve typical work on a desktop.
Please offer Metro Metro Apps GUI as a default startup option for those who want it, otherwise offer the Metro Apps GUI as something that can be initiated from the Windows 7-style desktop.
For me, I want to operate from a Windows 7 - style desktop WITH A START BUTTON!, with Metro Apps as something I can use when I choose. I seems crazy that in order to do basic things efficiently on Windows 8 as it currently presents, I have to install a 3rd party app to restore the Start button, and add a showdesktop command to my startup folder to get rid of the Metro Apps GUI.
I do not use a touch screen on my desktop PC for ergonomic reasons - having to constantly reach arm's length to do anything is not on, and I don't like fingerprints all over the screen.
I find that Windows 8 is not mouse friendly - this is a backward step.
Another most annoying feature is that it doesn't boot to a login screen! I get a picture with Time & Date in big letters. If I click on it, it just bounces up & down! To see the login screen I have to drag the picture up or press a key on the keyboard. Why make it more difficult to log in? I want to power up my computer, log in, and get to work, as fast and easily as possible.
I can see many people buying a new computer with Windows 8 (as it currently presents), who have learned on earlier versions of Windows, staring at the Metro GUI (after they are able to get rid of the Login curtain!) and going "duh"
I should add that I am not against progessing operating systems - I also participated in the Windows 7 Beta testing and fully embraced it. I think that W7 is the best operating system I have ever owned. I have used DOS and all versions of Windows.
I train the elderly in basic computing. I can see a great deal of retraining will be necessary if Windows 8 is not improved significantly.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment.
Hello,
I recently installed Windows 8 Consumer Preview on my desktop only to find my ethernet controller is not working..
Initially when i had windows 7 installed, I had Realtek Ethernet controller (RTL8139/810x Family Fast Ethernet NIC).But now when I try to reinstall it, it would not install and shows up an error code 10 (device cannot start)
I'm also a long-time user of Windows and usually love all things Microsoft. I clearly remember my sense of relief the first time I saw Windows 7 and saw how all the terrible things in Vista had been fixed. I'm also a Windows Phone user and really like the Metro interface on my Nokia Lumia but my experience with Windows 8 hasn't been good. My main concern is how difficult it is to find obvious things like Control Panel. After a whole week of using Windows 8 I finally discovered that if you hovered in the bottom left corner of the screen and right-clicked you got a menu which included some of the nuts and bolts. The lack of a Start Button is a complete mystery. Why get rid of something that was so useful? Personally, I think that if the desktop interface is to be retained it should work like the desktop interface we have come to expect.
The switch between Metro mode and Desktop mode just seems clunky and makes the Metro interface look like an ill-advised bolt-on to the usual interface. I'm testing Windows 8 in a Hyper-V VM so perhaps I'm not really seeing the true benefits of Metro but the 4 corner hotspots are a bit of a nightmare in a VM and the Charms also seem to be an unnecessary addition to the interface.
Other random irritations are the inability to close Metro apps and the restrictive nature of the interface as well. What if I want to choose the colour of tiles so I can colour code my applications? As far as I can see I can't do that. Also, install a program like Microsoft Office and be dismayed by the number of useless tiles that get displayed in Metro (and how boring they are). Install a few programs like that and it won't be long before you have a complete mess on your hands. For me, the Start Button has always been about de-cluttering the desktop while at the same time ensuring that programs and the inner-workings of Windows are easy to find. Windows 8 has ruined this interface. I'm an IT guy with years of experience with all versions of Windows but this new interface just isn't intuitive. Don't misunderstand me, there's a lot of great stuff in WIndows 8 (support for ISO being particularly welcome) but the current state of the interface just doesn't work in my opinion - certainly not from a business perspective. Metro and Windows should be two seperate things shouldn't they? I'd use Metro on a tablet PC for all my personal stuff but when I'm at work I don't want all the distractions of the Store, Facebook et al I just want to get my work done and the traditional Windows desktop is the best way to do that.
Incidentally, I'm also an iPad owner but I never use it for work. I only use it for two things - browsing the internet (the lack of Flash support is irritating) and for watching movies/TV shows when I'm travelling. I also play the odd game of Angry Birds when I'm particularly bored. Tablets and PCs have totally different uses and the OS should reflect that. My advice to MIcrosoft developers is don't jump blindly into the Metro interface for traditional PCs because it just won't fly in the businesses world. I hope this is useful feedback.
So far so good. I wish I had a touch screen! Oh, and dump that logo!
I would say Windows 8 is going to be a mistake. Forcing people to go to Tablet systems only and no option for a desktop or regular laptop is going to mark up the pricing on the tablets that are sold and this means the desktop/laptop market will fail. If windows 8 removes the Start Menu that has been around for over 10 years i believe a whole lot of people are going to be mad that Microsoft is making something really too new. I say they should put the start menu back in as an option to have or not have depending on the user. Plus shutting down the unit is going to be harder and more people are going to want to push the power button to shut it off. this new OS will get the older generation very mad/angry/upset because of how big the change is in making them learn something really new. If you use the KISS - Keep It Simple Stupid method and keep something simple and similar to what Windows 95 to 7 have already had then Microsoft wouldn't have so many issues and complaints like Windows ME and Vista where resource hogs and nothing but troubles. The Start Menu in Windows is what identifies Windows as a product. If you are going to change the OS change it back to Windows 3.11 and I would suggest stop trying to make yourself be like MAC/Apple. Microsoft needs to think about their personal OS being compatible and secure more than being similar to someone's OS like MAC or Linux. I have been a Technician for 7+ years working on computers from Windows 3.11 all the way up to today's Windows 7 systems. I will admit that 95 to 7 is a jump and quite a good one but the problem is changing something that has been around and forcing this change will hurt more than help all the hardware vendors and Microsoft sales. Please I beg you Microsoft don't do this change and make it optional for the Tablet based by leaving a shortcut on the desktop to get into the new menu.
I actually don't mind Metro UI and Windows 7 combined, the thing is it's pretty confusing for me switching from app to app, multitasking is just not as easy. One suggestion that I would like to give Microsoft is instead of getting the Charms bar to Search while on an app, it would be easier if the search thing automatically comes up while typing. Another thing that I'd highly recommend is to add a Shutdown, Restart, Sleep button on the start screen instead of like going to the Charms bar and then going to "Settings" then Clicking "Power" to get the options. It's just really annoying.
Bug. Pinterest does not display properly using IE 10. Displays as expected in Chrome. The ghost link box is constant in IE 10 but Chrome handles links normally.
The issue is that it isn't just about the start menu. There was Start Menu + Quick Launch + System Tray + Desktop. That all worked together.
The start screen doesn't replace that. They've basically taken what you have with Windows 7 anbd split it up into two obviously inferior parts with terrible interoperability. That's a productivity killer by default.
This isn't about people whining that they have to learn to use something else. Vista had huge changes that required some releaning and so did Windows 7.
Why the hell do we need Live Tiles on a Desktop. Why didn't you implement Badges and Push Notifications and soup up the Gadget platform for Desktop Windows? Improve Jump Lists. You haven't even bothered to integrate the Zune Store into Windows Media Player from what I've seen - Zune and whatever you've morphed it into in Win7 is too limited to be a default media player for anyone who listens to a lot of music. You have two distinct versions of IE in the OS that don't even share Favorites or Cookies. One doesn't support Plug-Ins.
Metro is terrible on large screens. It's a space wasting UI design. Text Titles on pages take up 25-33% of the screen. Fonts are large and there is whitespace everywhere just for the sake of it. It looks like a chalk board, the background of most default apps is white. Seriously? Multi-tasking Metro apps is a travesty because they aren't Windowed. Windows App Store doesn't even serve up Native Apps like the Mac Store. You're tying Windows too tightly into Windows Live. Navigation is a travesty (mousing to corners, are you freaking kidding me?), Search is worse than Windows Vista RTM or XP with the Desktop Search components installed.
We mind as well should just install ChromeOS if this is what we're going to put up with...
Metro is decent at best for Tablets and Phones (shares the same issues, but those are primarily touch devices so it is less of an issue there). It has no place on desktops except as user interfaces for apps for which it makes sense, like the current Zune app for Windows 7.
Clearly you guys have bitten off far more than you can chew.
I'm not buying this piece of crap OS release, that's for sure. Have fun fueling Apple's profits.
Quoting: "One thought for my peers around the world that are considering Windows 8. You can pound your fist in the dirt and say linix because of the missing start button and other things.... But come on people. Will you really do that? "
Yes, I will really buy a MacBook, and an iPhone to go with it. Not all of us are from 3rd world countries. Many of us are more than capable of ditching this platform, and this release is all the pushing we needed to force that decision. I am 100% SURE I will never own a touch screen desktop in the near or foreseeable future. This metro bull is useless to me. The desktop is too dumbed down. It's not just about the desktop, it's about the workflow it enabled:
1. Control + Dragging a File to the desktop to make a dumb copy to edit it in some app that doesn't provide decent backup-versioning like Audacity and music files. Dragging a file from Windows Explorer to an app to Open it. Dragging something from one app to another. Metro breaks this workflow and it will get worse as more Metro apps pop up, but you're still using Classic Windows Apps.
2. Pinning Apps and Web Pages. The Taskbar in W7 is superior and not hidden behind a Tile.
3. Windows 7 Already has a System Tray and Notification Area. That could have been better levereaged for that stuff, as well as the Gadget Platform in lieu of forcing the Live Tiles fisher price start screen in desktop Users' face.
4. Switching between several applciations on Windows 7 is simply way superior to Windows 8.
5. Search in Vista/7 is better than Windows 8. Especially IRT the start menu and how it gives you apps and Control Panel entries, etc.
6. Have you tried using Windows 8 with multiple monitors, especially a mix of Metro and Desktop Apps? It's the most jarring user experience I have EVER experienced - EVER. It's as if some basement coder F/OSS devs came up with this ****.
The reason why so many people's desktops on Windows is empty these days is precicely because search in Vista and 7 is so superior to XP and earlier versions, even with Windows Desktop Search installed. You hit the Windows key and start typing, your stuff pops up, almost in real time (assuming at least a decent PC). Average typing speed and accuracy among consumers is a lot higher than it was 10 years ago today, so it's feasable for most people to just let it sit in the start menu and type a few letters to get it, or simply get it off the Taskbar or Recent Used Program Listing in the Start Menu.
THey basically took the Full WIndows 7 Desktop Experience, split it into two (and replaced Gadgets with Tiles, for example) and crippled both parts. It's not just the desktop. It's the Desktop + Start Menu + Taskbar + System Tray + Action Center + Search + Gadget Platform. It's all a huge cluster[you know what] in W8. It's a terribly jarring and disjointed user experience. With the way ARM devices are designed and developed, they seriously should have just made a separate version just for those devices and left the metro stuff as optional for touch PCs in the Desktop "Distribution" just like the Windows Tablet PC components.
They have no business on non-touch Notebooks and Desktops. It's not even really aesthetically pleasing, either. I have a Windows Phone. Trust me... New always seems shiny after a while, and then you start to see all the shortcomings and shortcuts they took with Metro and justified it with "minimalist, clean" and other B.S.
Microsoft Windows 8 developers please read this comments arguing that you preserve Windows 7's look and feel and allow people to turn off Metro for the desktop PCs and notebooks if they want. Take today's comments alone and read @JohnAmogo, @B02002, @MrJohncool, and @ Nater. These people are saying exactly this. As I see it Windows 8 should come in 3 versions 1) tablet only (no desktop) like ipad and android products 2) Windows 7 like desktop only, for business people who don't want to change and relearn how they use computers but want and need them to do their work productively and 3) Hybrid for the people who want to deal with both (but keep Windows 7 look and feel including (OF COURSE) the START menu. Common Microsoft Metro is great on the Windows Phone (I have one) but the world has yet to buy it. Metro will be great on tablets ... advertize and promote these two products. But don't through your brilliant baby (windows 7) out with the bath water (of the current tablet movement). Rather, sell people only what they want ... for most people it will be either a metro interface or a Windows 7 interface and be okay with making money twice (like Apple is doing). Sure ... make the hybrid metro/Windows available FOR THE PEOPLE WHO WANT THAT COMPLEXITY/CONFUSION/OVERLAP on one device. I am interested in the HYBRID version but only if the Windows desktop remains the Windows 7 desktop!
I observed that the internet usage goes up like anything. When the system was idle and the modem was on, the usage went upto 1 gb for about 4 hours. I could find the reason. No updates was also installed. The developers team can take note of this before final release
g_kannan03@yahoo.com
+00919840478804
I tried installing on a Dell - intel - I-3; and when everything was completed and it rebooted itself, laptop would not come back on; had to power off , and windows 7 reinstalled...Any advice?
Hello:
I installed Windows 8 on my Asus Eee Slate and really liked the functionality/appearance. However, my bluetooth keyboard didn't work and the screen would not rotate when I rotated the tablet. Does anyone know how to fix this? I may just have to wait for the release of Windows 8. Thoughts/ideas?
I have been playing with Win8 for a few days now and its annoying.
I understand Microsoft has never really been a UI company nor understand the user experience in thier products.
Apple is the leader for a reason in this regards.
The Metro UI is very interesting, but wow it needs work!
Its not intuitive at all.
Finding all your apps should be eazy, but if you have to many APPS its a "Bleep" to find what you want.
> Suggest Folders<
Closing your apps needs to be easier
Closing IE needs to be easier
I am ok with not having the desktop if the metro UI was better planned out.
Its Alpha, I understand, but really it needs work before the Public will buy it.
My hope this isnt another "ME" and "Vista" release to cover the cost of developing, then we get WinMetro as final version and have to pay for it AGAIN>
I just downloaded Windows 8 and I love it so far... everything looks clear and easy to find!
My husband tried to install thistwo times on his testing computer and it would not install. I decided to give it a try on my laptop and got farther than he did but the end result was a failure to install. I am so disappointed. I wish it would have said what failed but I have no clue. I guess I have to wait till the final version comes out but I'd sure hate to pay for it and have it fail.
I have downloaded Windowa 8 4 times from four different sources. It will install to a certain point and then quit with a message that it can not find the proper certificate. I'm running Windows 7 Ultra and have been since it came out. My win7 OS is super uptodate, I don't understand what the problem is. I need help!!!!!!
It needed a little getting used to but an hour or so after tinkering around (half of the fun) -- I like this. It's refreshing, t's new and to be honest I find it addictive flipping tiles around in the new Metro UI. Much to everyone's' dismay right now I imagine this will be a hit, although I think more for a younger in the scene crowd more so than anyone else. - Might be offensive.
Everyone is complaining, but really most of the complaints are over people 'not being used' to the look and feel, and are trivial concerns or can be addressed -- people being too lazy to relearn something which to most new comers is actually more difficult than the new metro. It's so simple that anyone new to computers can do almost anything they need to, be that emails, messaging, calendars, notes, internet exploring, weather- right from the metro screen in a flash, and docking makes it so much easier to multi task what you're accomplishing. For intermediate and advanced users, the old desktop is still there for file managment/configuration and the like.
To the complainers about the 'complexity of finding what you want, especially settings'-- When on the desktop, Right click the start menu on the bottom left, or, on both metro and desktop, move your cursor to the bottom right which brings the new bar into view and select settings. Seriously just learn it, it's all there and actually uses less time than before.
But like I said earlier, I believe this would be not only a hit with new learners, but even more so with the younger generation as it just has a sweet feel to it. Flipping things around, a magnitude of apps, facebooking while listening to music on the right. Watching a movie in the left while quickly checking you mail. Playing Xbox arcade games, keeping up on Xbox live, cloud streaming, twitter, joining all the truck loads of scattered messaging apps into one, picture editing and sharing... really, all the best of the trends right there in front of you. It's simple fun and addictive- If you aren't boring. If you are, there's cooking, newspaper and finance apps also.
People just need to get used to it, and the oldies need to really just get with the new trends.
Really.
I see many people are annoying about this pre-OS because:
- Each time we create Windows 8 user, we need to sign up for Microsoft account. However, choose Local account.
- They want to disable Metro.
- They like Start Menu, NOT Start Screen
But Windows 8 features are totally powerful, such as:
- You can switch another Metro apps by moving pointer to top-left of the screen (using mouse) or swipe in from the left (using touch). Not like pressing Alt+Tab to switch between apps.
- Added charms to Search, Share or Shutdown the computer even faster than before.
- 2 PC settings style: Control Panel (desktop) and Metro style (Charms -> Settings -> More PC settings).
- Refresh and Reset options and much more...
I wonder why many people want to disable Metro?
W8 took almost 8 hours to download. Other that using your data or not, there were no other instructions. Especially on how to go back to W7. Why not have a dual setup, since W8 is an omega version. The Metro screen is SUPER SLOW and CLUNKY. Many of the icons look like they were made by preschoolers. When I wanted to quit; what a nightmare through a maze of windows to find the shutdown buttom. The arragance of MS shows and another VISTA is born!
On the first day of release of W8 I downloaded and installed it on my Sony Vaio laptopand till date it has been working without any problem. What I like most is its fast booting time which is less than 10 sec. Earlier it used to take minimum 5 mints to start. What a great relief for Vista user/XP user! Being a IT professional always I prefer something new, innovative and useful stuff and I have got a lot in this new version of Windows. Only regret is with my HP P1007 LaserJet Printer which is not working due to non availability of W8 driver. Anyway three cheers for MS developers!!!!
I wish there were more options to customize the icons on the start screen (resizing, changing the image,...)
That was the easiest Windows install ever. What I found especially great was that I didn't have to re-install any of my programs. Win8 just moved everything over from Win7.
Hi! the windows is very exciting but the problem is when i try to install my usb doungle for internet it says 'internet route manger - failed' and i can't connect. However the windows still very good and intersting
I downloaded it and used it for trial. Its not windows in any means, does not have typical windows features and i don't understand why there not a start button. Is Microsoft thinking that by not providing a start button would make it much more like mac or android..? Its really difficult to navigate and not easy to find things. I think windows should not think of making there product similar to mac or android because they wont be accepted that way. Windows has got its own style and they can make there product much better by improving it but not by changing it completely..!
If I wanted an iPad I would have bought one. OMG the curve here.
Hunt for this; hunt for that. Drop down menu for apps would be great. Also, shutdown/restart right up front.
Getting to the right corner to have the "gear" widget pop up is practically impossible with a dual monitor set-up. That's too close to the edge.
The background (which goes away when you log in) covers the login screen--until you type something. The background on the second monitor stays there when you log in. It is not a true "Extended desktop."
Yes, I know there is an app to bring some of the Windows features back. But, why run another app in the bakground and burn moe RAM?
Install was flawless.
Windows update is elusive. Never allowing Windows to automatically install updates is a priority. Otherwise, I would have hade 45 languages on my HDD by now LOL.
We need more upfront control!!
I must agree Metro needs more upfront controls. Metro just isnt intutive like andriods or Apples IOS...We should need the old deskop and long as Metro is very human intutive. Also, is it me or does it seem like that we have Microsoft developers or sales people jumping on this blog everytime someone tries the product and complains?!?
Windows 8 is amazing! It combines some of the windows seven phone features with windows 7 OS. It also adds a dual viewing window which is kind of similar to Linux dual desktop. I also really like the hidden start menu and the hidden programs. It really makes for a neater and cleaner setup. All in all, I absolutely love it!
I like it so far. Learning the apps and how to navagate.
Is it true that iTunes will not work in IE 8?
It has been 3 days since I downloaded Windows 8, I love it!! I get to choose my favorite apps, it is easy to navigate through and easy to find everything!
I have a W7 fault - I cannot use any restore point - and programs like the Photoshop V6 beta will not install - it identifies an earlier restore point which is in error - but that restore point is no longer available. Everything else seems OK including Photoshop CS5. It seems the best cure is move forward, go for W8. At what point would this be the safest I wonder.
Pinterest is a disaster on the desktop and Metro IE 10. Today, I read an article touting Talk to type apps for android and Apple as if they invented the technology. Was like a blow to my stomach. I have been using and promoting Windows Speech Recognition software for many years and Microsoft hid it under a rock. Sad that Apple and Google will be seen as the "innovators. in this area. One failed public demo and Microsoft lets go of the ball. Windows 8 Speech recognition works exceptionally well but I suspect Microsoft will not take advantage of this when promoting W8. Soon you will be seen as the me too guys. Sad.
Facing problem when PC restart after installation...
I performed a clean install on my HP Pavilion dv5-1235dx Entertainment Notebook PC. 4 meg of memory, wireless printer and wireless internet access. The system installed correctly, recognized all my hardware, and software (except VIPRE virus checker). So far I am real happy that all my existing Win7 software works, and appears to work better. The system also seems to boot faster. So far I am really impressed and happy with what I have seen and been able to do right out of the box. No problems so far, more to come I am sure.
I recently installed Windows 8 and my PC has been running poorly ever since. How can I go back to Windows 7. My internet security is also not compatible with 8 yet.
Consulta cuando sale el Idioma Español si que nos hace falta
For the average user, who doesn't want to have to read a manual to learn how to use it, windows 8 is a little confusing to use on a regular desktop or laptop. However, this is the perfect OS for tablets and touch screen computers. A stripped down version of Win 8 would also be perfect for Windows phones.
This is the worst Microsoft product and I have been a professional business user since Windows came out on PCs in the 1980s. I now have to pay to have my laptop go back to the way it was. I can't even get Office 2010 to load on it. It was supposed to save my files and programs but did not. And the start menu, the graphics look like a second grader drew them...if this is the future of Windows, guess I'll look into whether I can do what I need to do on a Mac.
Promising. The new interface is a little shocking at the begining but once you gte to know where everything at the navigation feels natural. I decided not to install on my current copy of Win 7 in case something unexpected happened, so I put empty hard drives in my asus G73jh laptop and installed Win 8 fresh (and God!! i was glad i did that). Unfortunate for me this didnt work as planned since there was a major problem between Windows 8 and my ATI Mobility Radeon HD5870. Turns out this video card is not compatible or there was a problem with it. The driver kept crashing and restarting every 20 seconds. Even after installing AMD driver for fir the card to support Win 8 I was still experiecing video card driver problems. So Idecided to install Win on a second computer so I picked up my wife little Acer aspire netbook and install Win 8 in it (I wasnt aware aout the resolution requirement until after the install) the little laptop ran Win8 better than i expected, with the exception of the apps that didnt open due to the resolution issue. Other than that, this new OS seem pretty solid. Also someone said in this blog that moving the interface with the mouse was "it's such an awful experience that they clearly haven't fixed. Horizontal scrollbar? Really?" I found that by simply positioning the cursor to the right /left end of the screen the metro would slide on its own. The only thing I miss is that there isnt a My computer shortcut on the desktop of the metro interface. Besides that Windows 8 will be awsome to have...if you have a touch enabled computer. If like me, you have a normal laptop, skip on upgrading to Win 8 and stick to Win 7, but consider buying a new pc/laptop with touch capabilities to fully enjoy the new features.
..just can`t belive this...I understand this is a Beta build...but I`ve been suprised when I discovered that my Samsung ML1575 is not working at all in CP Windows 8 x64...and by default system installed 32bit drivers for this printer, but in Windows 7 x64 system install x64 drivers in a minute when you plug it in USB port and works fine...this is a BASIC thing...can`t print a doc in windows 8 CP x64...???? what`s goin` on...???
Went to the trouble of trying to down load Windows 8 ... got to the end and was told didn't load...don't know why?
...and, I must admit I`m quite satisfied with Windows 8...best OS ever....this is the future of OS`s ,even my printer doesn`t work....I`m waiting for an update for my printer and I want x64 drivers for the printer...by default...how come it works all fine in Win 7 x64....??!!
...go.Microsoft...GO......Windows 8 x64....make it the best OS ever...wipe the floor with it...send all other OS`s to kindergarten....
What happen to favorites in IE. I use it all the time.
Downloaded well except for a few hardware drivers. My initial thought was why did they hide the start button. Love the ease of use and fluid lines for the desktop. Felt like a smart phone. Still haven't found windows tools..defrag disk check ect. My computer is used almost strickly for gaming and I have not seen any kind of advantage for windows 8 over windows 7...... but it is very pretty.
Windows is good but it is hard in using start, i don't know where to shut down from
I will also have to pay to revert back to Win7. I have an HP Dv7 entertainment model and it's fairly new. My browser pages consistently and Word documents consistently go to a (non-responding) with this software. I never had this problem with Win7. Some things I like, but for the most part I dis-like.
Can any tell me if I used the Refresh my PC in settings what this will do for me? Will this help? Does anyone at MSN even know this blog exists?
No spare hardware so I installed under VMWare Workstation 8. Surprisingly fast for a 64Bit VM, love the interface, obviously no touchscreen as yet, but overall, very impressed with the look and feel, no crashes/errors so far, and really enjoying all the application integration. Can't wait for the final product.
I couldn't install. Install process got stuck at loading the sutup files and that fish was on the screen for a few hours until I shut it off and went back to my windows 7. Any thoughts?
if this is what you imagine as an improvement ill stick with windows 7. this dumbed down version is a little too dumb for my tastes. if there was an option to turn off the start screen and use the start menu and desktop alone i might consider using windows 8. i've seen what you did to the windows phone and i don't like it either.
It's really great. It's friendly for users. It's beautiful.
Reminder: do not update your AMD for windows8., and do not download AMD driver for windows8, it's a disaster for your PC, believe me, I tried it trice, it doesn't works.
I hope they seriously dont keep the bottom scroll bar to navigate MetroUI with mouse, its horrible! :( Why not drag left or right from any empty space on the MetroUI to scroll left or right.
Hi i instaled win 8 64bit. Why cant i pin X86 programs to Start???
Never mind. Had to restart. :D:D I like sofar Win 8.
Surprised no one here is mentioning problems with the Apps launching. The Windows Developer's site is full of such comments. I loaded the Preview on a HP TouchSmart desktop a few days ago. At the Metro Hub when I touch an App, screen changes to the App logo, holds for about 15 sec and then returns me to the Hub.
My resolution is way beyond the minimum 1900x1200 (or there abouts); I've played with enabling and disabling the UAC; and I've tried signing in on a "local account"....all to no avail. The only "fix" I haven't tried is the OLE deletion in the Registry recommended by a MS engineer - Fernandez. I don't wish to "mess" with my registry.
Can anyone share similar frustrations or better yet a real fix?
I just don't like my printer don't work and the start button disappear.
Love Windows 8, but problems exist on how I use Windows. First, I have a Samsung Series 7 Slate, and Windows 8 has literally made it so that I might actually keep the Slate as I was ready to return it with Windows 7 Pro installed. I had hoped to use the device in deifferent ways:
1) As a touch tablet device: Windows 8 works great, the start button takes me back home (metro) quickly and all program launches are fast. Will only get better as times goes on. Some problems:
- Store does not easily reflect which apps are installed, you need to click down in to the app to know if you have it.
- Perhaps this is possible, not figured out how yet, but my Metro start menu is getting cluttered! How do I rearrange easily? Why can't I group items into a folder (tile)? If this is possible, I've yet to find it.
- Video playback seems to have a problem, when watching Hulu (flash) or Netflix (Silverlight) eventually the video and audio will be out of sync. When going back to Windows 7 Pro on the same device, I do not have this problem.
- Occasionally legacy programs will crash, even IE when trying to login to Netflix.
2) I use the device as my desktop with dock, in this case with a keyboard, mouse, and 27" monitor. Sorry, but Metro looks like I am a 4 year old reading giant books. Other:
- With Metro, I am literally moving my mouse all over my entire desk to get to the entire start menu! This is nuts.
- With Metro, using my mouse I have yet to find out how to get the side and bottom panels to appear.
- To use as a desktop, I go to the desktop tile. However this to is useless unless you have everything you do plastered all over you desktop! PLEASE activate the Windows 7/Vista Start Menu when you select disktop.
For those who are trying to use Metro without touch.. argh! If you are fan of Metro.. go BUY a touch device, you will be much happier. For those who still use as a desktop or on your laptop, in my opinion you will be much happier using Windows 7 or using an application to create the Start menu when using Windows 8 Desktop, yes I do it, a program to add the start menu as it normally would exist, then a shortcut to kill the program when I want to use Metro on the device as a tablet.
The perfect world for me would be when I dock the device to have Windows 8 Desktop appear with the old Windows 7/Vista Start menu. When I undock the device, switch to Metro.
I have been an avid fan of MS Windows and Office products for decades now, especially for the productivity they provide. However I so far find it difficult to be as productive in Metro. Love the new OS, just need the real desktop back when I need to get some real work done. Especially as an engineer and PM who uses eng tools, databases, excel, and outlook extensively.
After installing, I've lost the "numbers" capability on the keyboard of my laptop. Plus this new OS issuer slow to boot up as well as shut down.
i am enable to change screen resolution i have lenovo ideapad s10-3t is there any driver software for increase the graphical resolution as required
it looks nice! The new start screen is nice, and it's great to know that if I need to run a program that is meant for Windows 7, I can use the desktop portion - styled after Windows 7. Great innovations, and it's great for businesses thanks to the desktop portion. My home office (I'll have one in a year or so) was planned to run Mac on the computer, but I may use Windows 8 instead. As long as there's multiple display screen compatibility - I may need 3 screens! I don't have a junk computer, or I'd try the Consumer Preview. I guess I'll just have to wait until the finished product comes out.
Okie-dokie Windows a little constructive criticism! :)
One of the major things to consider when creating an operating system, as I'm sure you are well aware, is that of keeping it user-friendly!
1.) Accessing the Start Menu - As I've seen in some of the comments, the Start "button" needs to be just that, a button. It gets pretty annoying whenever your trying to access the Start Menu but keep hitting the Internet Explorer icon instead. There's no reason to leave it out and it's not going to ruin your new design to leave it in.
2.) Power off/ Restart/ Sleep Button - I love the new sidebar BUT instead of putting the Power off/ Restart / Sleep Button under settings, why not just make an independent icon in the sidebar to perform this frequent action. I'm sure people could get used to finding the button under settings, but why make it unnecessarily difficult?
3.) Closing/ Minimizing Pages and Applications - I know I might be a little of a traditionalist but in all honesty, it is incredibly simpler to press a little "X" at the top of the page, then to roll the cursor to one of the left hand side corners, meander through the open applications, find the one your looking for (which if it happens to be the one that you are currently using, you can just forget about finding it there, because you now have to switch to another application to allow it to show up in that list), and then right-click on the application and click close. Just leave the traditional minimize and exit controls on the pages, it is A LOT LESS frustrating.
4.) Left Hand Sidebar (one that shows open applications) - I like the new side-bar, in fact I would love to see more of it! Literally! Instead of making the users glide their cursor to one of the left hand corners to show the open applications sidebar, give them the OPTION of making it a pop-out! This way all they have to do is glance to the left of the screen and they can see exactly what is open! :)
5.) Expand the Multitasking Ability! - One of my favorite things in Windows 7, is the ability to simply drag two separate pages to opposite sides of the screen and Viola! They's side by side. You have this in Windows 8 as well but why not make it better? In the Left Hand Sidebar, right-clicking on the highlighted application gives the options "Snap left" and "Snap right", but unfortunately I cant seem to make one application snap left and then make another application snap right and have an application running between them all at the same time! Two applications side-by-side is great! but wouldn't three side-by-side-by- side be better? :) I'd like to be able to type my term paper ( in the center), have my Facebook feed to my left, and my Skype video call/ chat (not pop-out, the MAIN application) to my right!
6.) The Logo- Ok, I can live with the fish, a little um... different, but I can live with it, but instead of just a stationary picture of a fish with an 8-shaped bubble flowing from it's mouth on start-up/booting, why not make it animated? Make it MOVE! Just a suggestion. Make it, a little, ok A LOT, more interesting! A stationary, squared edged, picture of a fish, just does not do Windows 8 justice! :)
All-right! I'm sure your happy I'm done (for now), I am an earful, but I'm simply trying to help you guys out!
Conclusion:
Overall good operating system, and with some time (and a few (all) of my suggestions) I know it will become great!
Keep up the good work! and thank-you for letting us try it out! :D
I loaded Windows 8 onto an 8 year old desktop running Windows XP, AMD64 Processor, 2 gigs of ram. It runs great and it runs fast. I have attached it to my 50 inch flat screen TV and it really has extended what I can do with the TV using a wireless key board and Mouse. Windows media center works great because I have a tv tuner installed on the PC. I cannot believe how fast Windows 8 loads compared to Windows XP and I really did not have to install as many drivers. Windows 8 pulls them magically from the internet! It has given new life to my old PC and I am happy about that. It would not have been worth it to have to buy a new operating system but this was just what I needed.
I really like the new look, it does take some time to get used to it but once you do its really nice. Just like xbox and my phone. they all work about the same. But having the start button would be nice. Also every so often if I go to the tools menu in IE 10 my IE stops responding.
I am very mad about Windows 8. I want to play Minecraft but it won't let me and I cannot figure out how to uninstall. Make life easier and make it easier to uninstall the Windows 8 Consumer Preview.
I installed on a brand new laptop and I really like the new Metro UI, but it is hard to navigate unless you are using it on a Tablet or touch-screen device. Consider modifying the install package to let the user to select which palatform they are installing to. The install package should recommend which features to enable based on their response. For example, if I am installing to a desktop PC, the install package should recommend the desktop as the default UI and, presuming Microsft is willing, add the Start Button to the desktop UI. If a user selects a tablet, then the Metro UI should be the default and their is no need for the Start Button on the deskop. This will make Windows 8 a truly cross-platform device and encourage the Windows 7 users who have clearly stated they won't use Windows 8 without the Start Button to upgrade.
Is Marijuana legalized on the microsoft campuses? Someone must be smoking some good stuf if they truly think Metro is great as a default UI on Desktops? Hell i don't even do drugs, but i might be down for some stuff like that.
For the Windows Mobile Phones its nice(truly is). On tablets would be great. But seriously bring back the desktop for desktop users.
Look at Apple. They have Mac Os(X) for desktops, and their tablets run on iOS, similar yes, but defacto same everything - nope- because they know there is a difference in the platforms and more specifically how users utilize each.
Desktops don't function as tables, do you guys not realize this?? Go to any organization and get down to the people who actually do the work every day and look a their desktop. Not I.T. people i mean the accountants/secretaries/clerical/etc. Organized how it works for them and shortucts on desktop/start bar to every app they need and use. Why take that away to some crayola screen that takes up the entire screens, blocks the work they were doing, and have them scroll forever to find an app. Why do they all off a sudden need to search for an app? Who thought that was a good idea. And no start menu? Really?
I like some utilize multiple screens. So i can work on one, and keep something up on the other. But i don't loose them when i hit start to open another app. Why do i have to loose them to this crayola splash screen that takes up both of my monitors just to open an app. What was so bad about the start menu that you thought this start screen was the way to go.
We shouldn't have to turn off Metro, or find some other way to get to the desktop, it should just be there. If you say its about user choice, then give us the choice on the install dont force that as the Default UI for us.
And really "charms" who came up with that name for those little applets. So when my CEO is bitching because he can't find anything or his "icons" are gone, that he should use a "charm" to help him find it. Seriously??
I know you guys follow trends and stuff, but hell look at a competitor(somewhat) in Canonical with their flagship Ubuntu Desktop, their new Unity UI has caused a huge uproar from their base users, lots of people or going away from them because of it, do you guys want the same?
Yes it does look good for tablets but not desktops, you guys did a knock out job on windows 8 for that type of platform, i am not trying to knock any of the work that was done, but seriously i do not see how this will benefit anyone that actually works behind a desk.
We should not have to train our employees to use a new desktop. I would think most would like to upgrade and let them get back to work. Wasn't that hard with a traditional desktop, most could find their way around easily enough. If i wanted that much headache in training employees, listening to them complain cause they can't find anything, i would trash all computers and to go mac or linux.
Can anyone at MS at least confirm that Windows 7 will stay in the life-time-cyle for many years to come, or at least until windows 9 comes out with a true traditional desktop environment that we can use.
As much as you charge us for licenses(desktops/servers/exchange/forefront/etc.) you would think you would listen more. But i guess i was wrong in thinking that.
Anyone having an issue with the Windows Store opening and showing a blank black screen? I can't update or browse apps!
Anybody tried restore his iPod back to factory settings in Windows 8? Had to have my daughter do it for me on her Windows 7 system as it came up Error 1439 time and again and anything I tried I could not do it on Windows 8 !!
ERROR CODE 80070103 when trying to update driver NVIDIA GeFORCE 6100 nFORCE 405...
Have just played with the preview a little bit. comments: Can the area you need to mouse over on the right hand corner to get to the settings be a little larger or give us an icon? I feel I have to keep jiggling my mouse around in the corner until I hit just the right spot. It shouldn't be a challenge. 2. when the OS restarts there is a splash screen or image with the time and date that I have to scroll up to get out of the way in order to log in. Awkward to do with a mouse. Is there a way to turn that off? why have an extra step before I can login? Again probably no big deal on a tablet but a pain on a desktop.
Hey! es el mejor Windows que he probado hasta ahora, en verdad me sorprende y me gusta, y mas con la pantalla Touch! desde MEXICO, gracias!
I have Installed the preview version but it has disabled my right click. Very frustrating as right click is used for so many things. Any suggestions. I am on a Dell laptop. This seems so basic for any windows OS
The only Problem I've had with Windows 8 Consumer Preview is the IE and getting it to accept Adobe Flash for Games on Facebook
Windows 8 Consumer Preview has been an absolute nightmare for me. Icons and programs, libraries have vanished. I now cannot keep up with the 'repair' work. Even figuring out how to shut down the PC was a challenge - control/alt then find the power off icon. Where have they hidden the 'search hard drive' facility so I can try to find my lost data? I imagine 'Hell' as being stuck at a computer terminal eternally stuck with a consumer preview version.
Going back to Windows 7 (if I can) !
If you love your iPod Touch and want to use iTunes, forget it, nothing but frustration.
Still trying to get music on my iPod Touch !
Then I tried to go back on my laptop to Windows 7 and low and behold Windows 8 has disabled that too !! The only way I can get back now is buying the disks from HP !!
Microsoft please tell me how I can get back !!
I downloaded Windows 8 and saw a message that I could keep 'My Documents'. But after the download, they are gone. Are they not supposed to be retained?
somebody help me out here, i did the install and now a virtually useless PC, there are so many things i can't do that it far out weighs the benefit. I really liked the interface of 7.5 on a phone i briefly owned that i was real excited about this new 8, That was quickly killed!
I can not use any of my apps from 7 that i didn't have on my desktop, in other words, my old start menu is gone! my internet is useless, with speeds less than an old 56k modem i can't do squat, thispost had to be written from my laptop, And the install wiped all my restore points and there is not known to me and way to undo the installation and go back my wonderful win 7 UI. I am so disappointed, Maybe i bit off more than i could chew, but i trusted windows to not make my experience such a bad one, and if so to leave me a way out of it. I am looking for help either out of this experience (without doing a clean re-install of 7) or help fixing 8 so my very nice Desktop PC is functional again.
You can reach me davidr_1961@yahoo.com
Message in action center. Important message - Restart to repair drive errors (Important). After numerous restarts drive error will not repair...so constant message in action center with flag.
I've been running W8 for a month now.
1. Still haven't gotten my sound card to work. Despite it being stated to be working properly in Device Manager the troubleshooting app states it is not present, and the two audio programs necessary to make it work refuse to run. No advice available except some people have suggested to reset power to 'ON' and restart the computer (didn't work), or to reload W8 (also didn't work).
2. On start-up first thing in the morning the screen works fine until the 'cover screen' appears (with date and time), when the picture and the mouse icon start to jump all over the place. Can't fix this without rebooting several times. Strange, the screen is perfectly stable until then, and after a few reboots is perfectly stable once more. For some reason it appears to switch the Numlock on as well.
3. Why oh why hide the start button in the bottom right corner? Its been in the lefthand corner since before I don't know when. Making it bottom right makes no sense - you still need it, so why put it someplace different? Its a change for change's sake, thats all.
4. Someone please sort out the multipoint touch screeen. I use this machine (Dell Latitude XT) for handwritten notes and diagrams during meetings. Fine in XP, but the multipoint system means that I can't rest any part of my hand on the screen when sketching or writing - the program thinks I'm drawing a line between the two contact points. Result - arm ache!
5. Sometimes it is hard to close an app without starting a new one. For example, haven't yet found how to close 'Reader' without going through some unusual, or unexpected, actions. Why is ther no 'close' button for these apps?
Generally I find no advantage of W8 over W7, even for a touchscreen computer. For this particular machine I think I might just go back to XP
Current software and machines:
IBM Thinkpad running XP (stable, rock solid, but used when the Dell screws up)
Homebuilt quad core tower with 9 TB storage, running W7 (stable) and Vista ( now stable after many years)
Dell Latitude XT (2007 vintage) with touch screeen and pen device running W8 (not so stable and slightly crippled by failure to identify all the hardware built into the machine.
Problem with Acer T231 touchscreen monitor and windows 8... I am using this monitor and I'm unable to drag down or close an app using the drag down touch control and virtually unable to drag in the menu from the right hand side of the Screen using touch.
Also on same topic also unable to swipe menu in from left hand side of screen using touch.
Windows 8 is amazing. I am honored to be a beta tester for the first time :)
>2012
>Not using Windows 8
>ISHYGDDT
I installed win 8 preview and I really do not like it at all, it is nothing more that a modified version of Win 7, it's steered toward tablet sales THAT'S IT! If anything why didn't Microsoft create an extended version of Win 7 called (Windows 7 Metro) MAJOR FAIL!
After installing windows 8 on my computer running windows 7 ultimate I could not get any mail or internet connections and after going to PC Settings- General Tab- Refresh your PC without affecting your files it repaired the mail and internet connection but put all my programs into a Removed Apps file on my desktop which after opening included my AVG 2012 beta that l'd been testing for the past year. Is it a case that windows 8 have not authorised these programs yet but we will be able to reinstall these programs at a later stage? There are also other programs like i Tunes, adobe and others on my PC that I used will there be reinstalled?
Windows 8 Reviews And More Tips is Here...............
pcprompt.blogspot.in/.../Windows8
ITS TERRIBLE BE CAREFULL MAKE A BACKUP DISK BECAUSE I DIDNT I TRY TO RECOVER AND THE POWER WHEN OFF IN MY HOUSE NOW I AM STOCK WITH NOTHING MY DESK TOP ITS NOT WORKING THE PC SAID THE WINDOWS CAN NOT REPAIR AND I TRY EVRYTHING SORRY FOR MY ENGLISH BUT I AM SO MAD ERRORS COST A LOT SO I HOPE SOME ONE CAN HELP ME TO FIX IT.
I tried to load Win 8 with no luck got to 78% 3 times and crashed then got a message about a bad win32
and now no luck so i'm giving up on it hope you guys have better luck so with that i'm dissatified with it
Has anyone else had problems with windows media after installing W8?
Am able to run Win 8 after several attempts. Finally I upgraded my win7. For an older senior like me, Needs to know if I can retain the win7 desktop with the START. Have difficulty using the new start screen desktop. Can the win 8 developers accommodate older seniors request like me? or Am I asking too much. If I can not adopt or relearn the new win 8, I will stop using it. I think I am not alone in this problem.
joseps78
ok heres the deal, windows has done "almost" a great job since it started with its operating systems ya we can all agree that vista was more of a failure than others but as always it and every other OS included a start button... my problem is where the hell is my start button and why does it have to be so different. people like my dad who is pushing 80 but loves windows on his laptop still has a hard time working his way around the OS whats he going to do when he can't figure out wtf to do with this new win OS 8 crap? i dont know.... i dont like where microsoft is going with this win8 ordeal but I plan on sticking with windows 7 for as along as i can just like i did with winXP for so many years and hopefully something better will come out in the near future... i hope enough people agree with me here and by the time they actually release the Win8 OS it will be revised with the infamous start button.
Blaxen
PC:
Win 7 Home Premium
8 core 3.6Ghz AMDi7 Processor
8GB Ram
2x 2TB HD
3GB Radeon GFX
Dolby Integrated SFX
Installed Windows 8 yesterday and love it. Speeded up so much compared to Vista (which I liked), A couple of problems to start with. I cannot shut down my laptop. I click shut down but it remains on. Even holding down stanby on laptop doesn't shut down.
Also, when the url bar goes off screen on IE, I cannot get it to re-appear. I either have to go back a page for it to re-appear or sometimes go back to START and re-enter the IE app. Any help on these or pointers in the right direction appreciated.
A few things about Window 8 really bother me. First, I am running it on a Dell Duo with 2 gigs of ram and a 7200 RPM hard disk. The performance is good. However, many things work much better using a mouse. I was really hoping for a great tablet experience. I have an Ipad and the user experience is much easier. It is very difficult to get to the restart or shutdown option. It is often necessary to shut down programs using task manager. In general navigation is clunky and not all intuitive. I hope these issues are fixed because either in desktop mode or tablet mode the interface is difficult to navigate. Our company sells most Microsoft products including NAV and CRM. I believe that Windows 8 would receive serious pushback from our clients. In other words, I can already see the Apple commercials like those we all had to live through with VISTA. Needless to say, the experience is so terrible that I gave up and restored my computer (I did image my hard disk before installing Windows 8). If a better release becomes available I will probably install it in a Virtual Machine to save time. There is so much good about this new release that I really, really hope these issues get addressed.
Windows 8 for Desktop and Laptop has the worse Windows OS... You are focus on tablet and not on Desktop/Laptop users, iPad fever made your concentrate only on tablet maket...
On desktop/Laptop we basically have 2 OS in , The Metro and the Explorer Why that?
Why you remove the start buttom?
Metro are good for tablets, not for Desktop/laptop, Explorer are great for Desktop/Laptop not for tablets...
This Windows put me thinking moving permanently to Mac OS side...
Just AWEEESOME
Everything is great except the missing start button at the desktop and the new logo, it just looks awful compared to the way it looks on Win 7
It is really fast, interesting and fun to find the many differences it has from the previous Windows software
Windows 8 is cool but nothing spectacular yet. I havent had any problems or issues but did notice a few negitive things. The startup and shutdown takes a lot longer, and windows aero is gone. Please put aero back.
I've got to admit, I was not exactly excited about hearing that Windows was going Metro originally abeit after seeing the fact that the desktop is still there and available, it wasn't as bad. I do agree with the many people that stated that it should be possible to use a std. Start button and make this interface an option.
When gaming and doing very graphics intensive apps, I prefer not to have a lot of programs running in the background. One thing I haven't liked is that very few apps seem to have the ability to be closed. I found myself often opening task manager and killing apps. I would like to see it where hovering over the upper right corner would materialize the control box with my minimize, restore and maximize buttons.
I was impressed with the fact that install was very seamless for me and it grabbed 64bit drivers for my webcam on my laptop that no other os has made work right. Xbox live integration is awesome, albeit I sold mine, but I want to see what all xbox games it'll work with. 8) It picked up my xbox live account without issue.
I do like the fact that it grabbed my gmail information directly and that Microsoft has finally integrated this into their interface. I do think that during installation a better status indicator would be nice. I just sat looking at a blank page with a picture of a fish and the little falling dots a long time. I almost killed the install a couple times due to what appeared to be a lock-up.
My final thought is that the tap points on the screen for popping up menus etc, are sometimes a little touchy. It is hard with my pad on my laptop to get everything to function first tap. With a mouse attached it isn't too bad. I think the tap thing works better with a touch style screen or regular mouse. It is a little odd to go to the right menu in an app and find different options than on the desktop etc. I guess it's a good re-use of the one menu interface, but sometimes was hard to remember which screen I was on when I got to one of the menus I was looking for.
Thanks for releasing a nice preview and I hope you guys tweak this slightly to be the best version of windows yet. 8)
Better that after...! Fast, stable, very easy, nice and powerful...!
Thank you to Windows Group for this good tool. Always thinking about productivity and need of the person.
Please help me with more information about your products...!
I HATED Windows 8 it was very counter-intuitive and, too me, felt like a leap backwards. I found the start menu very confusing and too "touch-screen/tablet" oriented. I also greatly dislike the ribbon aspect of the design. I found ribbons difficult to deal with to start with in Office 2010. the Metro-UI design is annoying, i find it very difficult to navigate around with all those boxes with "sub-boxes" confusing me and distracting me from my initial task. the control panel is horrendous! I've never been a fan of windows but then again ive only ever had Windows ME and Windows Vista until i got the very nicely thought out Windows 7. I'm beginning to "think differently" and head towards Mac OS X, i will just buy Windows 7 Home Premium and use Bootcamp Assistant to run all of my Windows games.
Another couple of problems to report...firstly not all of my photos have been added to the photo app from windows explorer probably 98% have been added in my account...secondly added my wife as a second USER on my computer and copied all of her photos onto a flash drive and copied them onto her account in pictures in windows explorer. Opened the photo app on my wife's account and no pictures were there, went back to explorer and opened probably 130 photos in windows explorer, went back to the photo app opened it and some of my wife's photos had been copied to the app, probably 60 of the 130 pictures forwarded to the app from windows explorer. The red dots are running across the top of the screen when the photo app is opened but after leaving it running like that for an hour no more photos were added to the app.
I strongly recommend that the windows 8 developers should provide options for older seniors to retain the windows 7 DESKTOP with START. I am an older senior, have more than 20 years experience with desktop windows OS. But now I am less responsive to learning new technology. Currently I am having hard time with the new START SCREEN DESTOP OF WINDOWS 8. I use to be sharp in learning but am slowing down. I used to teach in the college of engineering. WHAT I AM TRYING TO DO LOUD AND CLEAR is GIVING OLDER SENIORS A CHANCE TO USE WINDOWS 8. We seniors are a large population and it is good for Microsoft to accommodate the problems of seniors learning and adopting to new technology designed for the young. I just hope I am heard and understood. I can still build desktop computers and am presently running my self built 5 desktop quad cores crunching Rosetta@Home projects research for cure for cancer, hiv, etc. (distributed computing) 16 hours daily for the last 6 years. Thanks a lot. joseps78
Windows 8 really does grow on you after you've been using it for a while, the only problem that bugs me is when I stream a Video file to my Samsung TV it will only play without problem for about 10 - 15 min then just go off and back to the computer, all the latest ATI drivers etc. have been installed, always worked with Windows 7 fine, apart from that its looking good so far.
I have windows 8 on my media pc and it records shows and it has one tv tuner card that has two recievers in it and when i use my xbox 360 as an extender for some reson the computer loses one of the recievers and it has to be restarted to fix and see bothe recievers so we can watch two different shows at the same time.
broekman look in c drive should be in windowsold
Okay. I tried it and I'm not gonna knock it.
Much.
But there were a couple of things I didn't like. First, I couldn't play CDs or DVDs in it. (What's up with THAT?)
Second, and most irritating, is not the lack of a start button, or the sideswiping, or the charms, or any of that stuff. It was simply that if you didn't like it, you couldn't simply remove it and go back to your previous system (in this case, Win7 Home Premium SP1). No, I had to reinstall Win7 from the recovery discs (Acer Aspire, incidentally) and cross my fingers that my old files hadn't been destroyed in the process. (Fortunately, none of them were.) Fix those two problems, and I might give it another go.
Mind you, I said, might.
Testing also. I have had some crashing issues
Well there are somethings which is worst than hell , well say Windows 8 , this is for a smartphone , not for a desktop , and still i have to say over 70% people use windows for daily work (because MAC is system oriented ) and Linux is for the professionals , among those 70% , above 50% use Windows , who does not own a Smartphone , even , so what is the use of making a OS only for Smartphones.
Should have developed one for really for desktop users and for the common "world" mass , and not only for US "Rich" Countries.
As we depend on Windows too much than they actually care..... regards
I know this thread is worthless , but these are drawbacks in Desktop/Laptop Version.
1. Lack of startup button functionality.
2. Placing of titles , is good for touchscreen users , navigation via mouse , is difficult and too much time consuming process.
3. too much interference with hardware , it looks like the appz will would be released , will need a say a 21" Screen to properly work.
4. Previous Applications , will not be working on any of it's versions.
5. The Search feature is ellusive , but it has major drawbacks when trying to search with a wildcard querry.
6. The Security on-board system has a extra feature of PIN , I do not know what is the use of it , but , well i hate it .
7. Internet Explorer uses proper HTML 5 process base , hardly care , about 60% sites does not have WCC validation , and websites , are looking wired in desktop (do not know it's reasons)
8. IE does not use Active X for some reason .
9. click and tap feature is useless on desktop and is only limited to smartphones.
Other things , OS is fast , but really dudes , get one done for desktop , i liked your idea , nicely , u are trying to shift from MAC , but please get something done for the mouse/keyboard users , mate
connected an external 1TB Buffalo drive to save copies of my files...but...drive keeps running until message on action center says Reconnect your drive (important) your file history drive was disconnected for too long. Reconnect it to keep saving copies of your files....but the drive has never been disconnected..? and it just keeps repeating the message after trying to continually save files.
Well...reading this was 2 1/2 hours out of my life I'll never get back. But looking on the bright side and buying microsoft since the early 90's....I wish I could have done this before spending my cash on things like Win 95, ME, 2000 and Vista.
and after seeing the promo video..(for desktops/business/seniors)....EPIC FAIL on a Ben-Hur scale.
To quote SNL...really?, you want to stick this in the middle of your desktop evolution?...really?....
Great comment from:
Windows8customer
6 Posts
-----------
Indeed!
Just a quick reply to Tinsel;
Tinsel
1 Posts
"To the complainers about the 'complexity of finding what you want, especially settings'...Seriously just learn it, it's all there and actually uses less time than before"
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Really? I'm 46. The 5 to 15 year olds of this decade growing up on electronic mediums will be the people who tear this company to pieces. Till now, MS has had a rather "captive audience/buyer" with people like myself. Things change..it's evolution. I'll be sure to pass your comments on to my 71 year old mother and all her friends who I donate my spare time as Microsoft's unofficial, unauthorized, unqualified & unpaid tech support. Windows 8? Not a hope.
Been using it for a few weeks now on both a regular PC and a touch screen laptop. Like metro on the touchsceen but not on the regular PC. I think that it is going to be too different for regular users with a standard PC and it had me scatching my head for a while trying to find things. Also had trouble with HD audio drivers for my motherboard which I resolved, if you have an older motherboard which only supports AC97 sound forget it and purchase a new audio card supporting HD audio. Overall an interesting experience but its going to take a lot to make people upgrade from W7
Too all you people complaing that it has killed your PC use your brain and download VMWARE( its free) and install it in a virtual machine ( it works great) That way you will not lose your data and you can play with windows 8 without having to reformat your hard drive if you dont like it or run into problems. Honestly installing a Beta program and complaing that you have lost all of your work is rather silly.
Should have listened to Abraham Lincoln...you can fool some of the people all of the time...nice idea. Spilt 8 between touch screens and mouse & keyboard users. I skipped Vista and I can skip 8. I run 7 on an SSD and 8 on two Raptors in Raid 0 (make the switch in BIOS). I'm too old for this. You are moving in the right direction though otherwise you will become a dinasour.
Hi
Windows 8 update tries to download an "ATI Radeon HD 3450" update when there is no new update. Three update checkers say I am up-to-date.
In the "Review Update History" there is a description of the attempted download at the top of the list with "Failed" next to it.
How do I remove this from the "View Update History" list?
The update is already installed. . I have checked in "Hardware" via the Control Panel. It has the same description as the update history list..
I'm new to this forum, and I give my oponion user, regularly use the PC to see my email or surf the internet. and decided provar windows 8, in my vaio netbook that came with windows 7 starter.
and this correindo a great one that I can not open the app and the new features of Windows 8 and that the resolution of the screen is below the minimum required. and be a detail that would be good to be worked.
till now is one of the things I've seen since I have just a couple of days with the windows 8 installed.
Is anybody else unable to watch videos on msn...keeps telling me to update Silverlight but unable to..?
I am begging the windows 8 developers to install now the windows 7 spider solitaire game in the win 8 consumer previow. I am addicted to this game. Most of my hundreds of senior bowling league associates are addicted to this specific spider solitaire game. My Senior Bowling League seniors are in the 65 to 90 yrs of age coming from all profession, all windows 7 OS users. My request is perhaps too trivial for you guys. But for us , it is a big thing. I hope this is not too much to ask. THANK YOU. joseps78
Needs work. 2-D start screen looks cheap. Took a long time to find the shutdown button. Not enough room on the bottom left for maximizing the start screen, the IE icon is too close and gets clicked instead. Where's right-click context menus? Are there any MS veterans overlooking this effort?
Somebody please call Bill Gates and fire the idiotic C.E.O. that replaced him and ask Mr. Gates to return and save MICROSOFT, from implosion....PLEASE...
Windows 8 is a deserter.. O.S. from the current Windows product and will have to be replaced in 2013 because so many people will not buy it or will request that their computers have windows 7 installed instead...
This whole redesign is a CROC.. I have given it enough of a time of a time trial ...and even if they fix all the things that everyone is complaining about... WINDOWS 8 is DEAD on ARRIVAL..
Windows 8 design crew should be shot.. for such a poor design..
Mr. Gates, if you will please return and save MICROSOFT.. from this thing that CORPORATE Guru's are calling revolutionary...
IT's PURE CRAP....
If they want to redesign the LOGO ... FINE
BUT this OS is such a disgrace too anything that MICROSFT has every done...
I'd take Windows VISTA.. and that was a crap of an OS over this Windows 8
MR. GATES , please RUN and I mean RUN back and take control of this company or your going to see an exodus of WINDOW … USRES... make a mad DASH to that word that is not spoken on this site...
A_ _ LE
Save US from WINDOWS 8
Because if you do not return I and many other USRERS will ABONDON …
MICROSOFT for GOOD
Sincerely
WINDOWS 8 KILLER,
Here is another point I want to make if your going to redesign something....
First, this OS looks like sum JUICY, FUB-DUD, from Happy Days..
from sum con-founded over educated idiot that found a straight edge and a few crayons and drew sum good lines...
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well if were going to go forward ..???
Why is MICROSOFT going backwards...???
Look at the movie...AVATAR... their computers are forward thinking... this.. and I mean ....this thing ...WINDOWS 8
draws me back to my crayon days and I feel so... embellished to say.... TEACHER, TEACHER.... My book has ..BLANK ..pages…
It seems to me MICROSOFT.. feels that it can claim that since they put it in a binder that they can call it an OS..
CAN SOMEONE PLEASE CALL THE REAL … VISIONAIRY BACK....
....paging...
MR. Bill Gates... .
...paging...
MR. Bill Gates...
Please return to the C. E. O. desk...
Immediately… Please!!!
Sincerely,
WINDOWS 8 KILLER
I love windows 8 but I can't run in accelerated gl mode :( so I can't play minecraft
a question arises about Microsoft Logo is it window or fish ,and applications is it operating system or windows 8
Still having problems with video playing...for instance the videos on this blog are saying error. unsupported video type or invalid file path.
I greatly dislike Windows 8. Mostly, it is because you cannot disable Metro and add the Start Menu back.
An analogy: For all your life, the gas pedal and brake pedal in your car have been the same. What if they were suddenly switched around? When you need to stop you'll reach for where the brake pedal is normally ... and when it's not there you'll crash! This is just like what the removal of the Start Menu is like. However, if the change was very incremental, like adding a ribbon to Office (for instance), and it actually made things better, then it would be like adding crusie control to your car; it changes things only slightly. THIS is why Microsoft should add the option of the Start Menu in the final release.
Besides the fact that Metro is just plain inefficient on a desktop or (god forbid) on a laptop.
As well, if Windows 8 is designed "from the start" for use on touchscreen devices, WHY is the minimum screen size what it is (1024 x 768)? Most touchscreen devices will have screens smaller than this, so no programmes (PLEASE do not call them apps) will be able to run properly (or at all)!
Guys, I love it. Windows 8 makes me feel good. But there are some certain things you fix!!
-Please make the apps more useful, this are not for kids, really, the metro ui it's ok, but make them more functional, nearly to programs, this apps are ok for tablets, but for desktops you should improve them!!
-The shutdown button and the start button put them in the place they belong! the shutdown is too hidden and the start, i mean, generations have grown with it. Put them back!
-Repair some apps!! Some don't even work!! And some need support, they have problems and some can be really slow.
-The music app please!! it's really not working properly and it needs more options and the configuration of windows media player, really, no one it's going to leave WMP if you don't work with the information tasks of WMP, the music app is quite like windows media center, but terribly worse. this app is really important, people listen to music every day and nobody wants to go to the desktop and open a program, i mean, we don't need to do that if there's an app that can give us a good quality organization of music.
-Don't limit the size of tablet's screen. Tablet's are meant to be free and W8 cannot be limited.
-Make apps in a variety of languages, ALSO IN SPANISH, ONE OF THE MOST SPOKEN LANGUAGES AROUND THE WORLD.
-ENCOURAGE ANGRYBIRDS TO BE ON W8 APPS!! PEOPLE IS GONNA LOVE IT REALLY.
I really consider all these suggestions need to be read and just make some changes, don't destroy it, it's ok, we need something new, but for people of all ages.
Oh, yes, I was forgetting about IE 10 on the metro style..
It's great that IE is simple, and fast, but look at what Chrome has done! It's giving people the capacity of being free, fast and very functional. People can personalize their chrome and they are happy!
Security is one of the most important things on IE and continue like that on the security aspect.
Create an InPrivate page for the metro!! Stop making us use an app and then sending us back to the desktop, that is AWFUL!!
People wants to move the pages around as the previous versions and Chrome, the webpages moving is a IMPORTANT FACTOR you cannot forget.
Use Flash PLEASE, again I'm telling you guys, STOP MAKING US USE AN APP THAT THEN SEND US TO THE DESKTOP. IT'S NOSENSE. Flash is still in he most webpages in the world!! You cannot try to eliminate it just because it's slow, It'll be disappearing in some years, but by the time, IT'S STILL IN OUR HEARTS!! so include it in IE.
I really hope you read this posts. With love, @FrappAndres , a WindowsLover
I see some nice things - especially that the PC is becoming Personal again.
Just of few suggestions:
- You NEED to make it easy to shut down PC. (OK. that is not just a suggestion).
- Icons on the Start Window should be icons - not the text name of the app. Its too slow to find the app.
- Keep the instruction videos coming. Some of us don't mind learning new things, but need help getting started.
Keep at it guys!
After windows 8 updates, my Rosetta@Home distributed computing projects have disappeared. I can no longer run the Boinc manager to run Rosetta@Home. It has become incompatible, WHY? I tried several times to re install the Boinc manager. It fails every time . If windows can not run Rosetta@Home DC projects I will stop trying Win 8 consumer preview. This computer is built and dedicated to dc projects.
Ok. I've seen a lot of Win 8 fans defending Microsoft's new OS like it's the only hope for humanity, and I must voice my disappointment. I work as IT support, and often use administration tools in Server 2008 (R2).
There are multiple concerns that I have for this platform:
-Very little companion company work. And by this I mean all the companies affiliated, and potentially affected by the release of Windows 8. I'm talking about Intel. Nvidia. AMD. Adobe. CAD (Autocad's developers).
How about CRM solutions designers? Software developing companies? Hardware developing companies? I've seen very little news chatter about how they'll cope with Win 8: I assume it'll be kind of like when they encountered Vista. They'll start developing for the new Platform after 8, which they'll assume contains some similarities, and maybe release a couple of patches. Might as well call Windows 8 "Beta 9", as we called Vista the "Beta" for 7.
While I'm on that note, did anyone see the term backwards compatibility? Anywhere? No?
- Lack of thought for design; specifically pertaining to business users and IT Departments. Not everyone in today's IT situation is specifically "locked-in" to one OS. I, for one, have had to quickly jump from using XP/7 to Apple's OSX to help users: And while it's not specifically fluent, it gets the job done. Similarly, a few of my colleagues are primarily Mac users, but they are often times fine to be left to their own devices on an XP/7 machine. The specific problem that I envision is the sheer "evolutionary jump" as some have termed it, will be too much for some users (if not most) to handle. I can see more of our native users jumping to Apple for a more user friendly platform. Those that do choose to struggle will bombard what little this company has in the way of IT resources for very basic, constant support; in short, it has the ability to create another Windows Vista environment. And that was not a forwards step.
- Lack of resources to prepare for this jump. Australian retailers have no displays heralding Windows 8. There is little knowledge that the general public has for it's impending arrival. And a lot of people are still getting used to Windows 7, as they did XP, and it's predecessors. The same thing happened with Vista. And further more, the only real reason that Windows is making this jump is to bat-out both Mac OSX and it's cousin, the iPad: at the same time.
For the time being, my company will not make the jump, and throws our users and productivity into the crossfire; rather we will await a more stable, well developed user interface and operating system as we continue to move forward. I would, however like to see responses to this, so feel free to comment.
As always Microsoft keeps the exitement of new OS alive, well done! This goes back to Windows 1.0 on a floppy>>
well done.Sure it will be great! Win 8. runs fine on a Sony VGN-P15G
This is fine! I like this system a lot.
But i lost audio when installing this. My motherboard is Asrock 880G. Few days been just using this, but nobody knows the problem...
this is my second posting about my windows 8 experience .
my first posting , i had difficulty adjusting to the new layout .
but i had hopes , that in time my experience would get better ?
i was one of those who chose to skip vista .
i heard to many complaints from those who did try it .
there was at least for me , a learning curve with 7 .
but in short time there was that , AH-HA moment .
i see it now , 7 is better , a lot better .
having installed 8 on a clone drive , on a new
DELL XPS i7-2600 cpu .
i can now say that at times it is faster than 7 .
but more often it is slower .
8 did shine in making flash presentations ,
but that was the only bright spot .
on a brand new desktop , 8 fells like a
clunky antique .
the wheel has been re-invented many times .
but guess what , ... it is still round !!
i have tried , and have found nothing in 8 ,
that would help me work faster or better .
or that 8 will do some new task that i can't
already do with 7 .
7 feels like an interstate highway .
8 feels like a corn-maze in a farmers field .
The Metro interface is going to be a tech support nightmare. Any interface that relies a lot on icons is. I run an ISP and we finally had to get a Teamviewer license (and they AIN'T cheap) to do support because of Apple. Today a support call consists of me walking the customer through installing teamviewer so I can get to his machine and fix the settings in his mail program. I used to be able to talk them though it but after XP forget it.
I'm more interested in the bottom end. Does the included Calendar support CalDAV? Is there a Telnet app still included? It sure would be nice if MS could have added SSH into Telnet, that is used extensively in commercial networks for management and control.
no question that MS is trying to push the "software as a service" mode. Guess they are scared to death of OpenOffice killing off MS Office and are trying to lock people in to the Cloud. Win 8 is prepwork for getting people more dependent on the cloud, that's for sure. It's also advertising for getting people to buy Win 8 tablets. But I don't see any benefits here for a business.
As for use on a smartphone, get real. Android rules there. Unless a Win 8 smartphone can be rooted as easily as Android, it will be a dead entry in that market.
Keep in mind Tablets only are useful for comsuming content off the Internet. Nobody does serious work on them. you need a real keyboard for that. The metro paradigm is what sells tablets to wannabes who don't actually do any real work on a computer but instead spend their computer time downloading and installing apps, surfing the web and texting each other. I'm sure my 13 year old son will love Win 8 on the desktop because that's what he does with his machine. But his first employer isn't going to pay hiim to do that, unless he gets a job writing complimentary posts on blogs like this one.
Take it from me, anyone writing a complimentary post on Win 8 right now doesn't understand the point of beta testing. If you really really like Win 8 then your job is to dig out all the bugs in it and make noise about them so they get fixed before RC, because you want to win over the people who are fence sitters. Right now your blogging to other techs who have done beta testing before and they know that betas are full of bugs, so when you post your experiences and claim you had no problems, we know your blowing air out your behind. Another wannabe indicator are people posting guides for backing up systems or posting warnings about it. This is beta OS software, you have a screwdriver, take your external USB disk and make an image copy, buy a new hard disk swap drives, restore image to new disk - then install the Preview. Then once you got Win 8 installed and happy, image the sucker off. If your really beta testing your going
to be restoring that image a dozen times at least. And if your a dedicated tester your gong to be running this in a VM on your existing system.
Im from CHILE, Southamerica... I download it and its working perfectly, at the moment i dont have any problems,, its fast and amazinnnngg, U HAVE TO TRY IT !
Can someone tell me how to change the location for the mapping program? When I installed it, it seems to think I live in Vancouver WA and not in the Oregon desert.
Windows 8 Consumer logon and logout fast… Turkish language support, but will be very nice though Ok...
I was so excited to click around with new Windows 8, I've installed it on virtual machine with 1.5GB of ram and had a great time with clicking around.
Waiting for final release !!!
Ho applicato la versione 8 comm wiev su PC HP Pavillion dv6; ma sono cominciati guai perchè, la versione francese mi ha disallineato i valori della tastiera fisica, poi eliminati gli inconvenienti con tastiera in modo ENGL. ora però dovrei aver commesso alcuni errori nell'applicazione del software w8 perchè ho smarrito la password e non riesco più ad entrare nel sistema. il Windods 7 non è più raggiungibile ed il computer si è bloccato. <cosa devo fare? devo resettare il computer? oppure posso entrare nel sistema e togliere l'applicazione W.? attendo istruzioni. Grazie Lamberto Cesaretti-Piazza Oberdan 4-60035 JESI (AN)
Windows 8 feels made for smart phones with Desktops as a afterthought. There is no start button to navigate, pan mouse over invisible panes don't always work, you sometimes need to pan over multiple times to bring up the otherwise invisible sidebar. There are to many sub-menus to navigate, it gets confusing. Also there should also be the option for restart option on the power option.
Bottom line for me, I see this as another Vista except worse. I can see this OS being great for smart phones and all in ones , but horrible for desktops. Unless they make this OS more desktop friendly, I will just wait for Windows 9.
Start button a most, IE 10 is the slowest 10,000 ms versus Firefox at 300ms...Otherwise a great product.
I have used it since it became available, the Metro GUI took a bit of getting used to, but all in all the whole thing is excellent. I have it on 3 different computers with zero problems...... congratulations MS it is a winner ! I tried the new IE and it works OK, but I have been a Firefox user for so long that it seems foreign to me.
II think with all the good and bad points going around about windows 8. A key thing is being missed by Microsoft.
As a consumer, i buy things based on needs and wants. If something has things i think i need, or need, i buy it. If it does not, then i don't.
I have played around with windows 8 for a while now and i have come to this conclusion.
In it's present form, with the metro UI, for a desk top. I wont buy it. It has no appeal to me. It's usability is questionable, it's counter intuitive for a desk top user. You can come up with graphs of all kinds of user data and charts, and tell me this is what most people want, but when it comes down to it, just looking in your own forums. It's is not what people want or need.
I don't want my computer turned into a phone. I like my iPhone for what it is.Does not mean i want that same interface on my PC. I think this is a good operating system for a phone or tablet, but not a PC. I don't have any plan now or in the near future to get a touch screen for my computer, so a touch screen UI for a desk top is a waste of resources.
If you want to listen to the people that by your products, then do so, and stop trying to shove stuff down our throats. You did when you went from 95 to 98, with internet explorer, and you shoved outlook on to us, along with Microsoft instance messenger.
What i want as a consumer is choice. If you want to bundle it my my operating system, go ahead. Just give me the choice of not installing it.
What i want as a consumer, is a operating system for my computer, not a device to sell your stuff through your app store.
I'm not going to rant and rave about how bad it is and etc..
But i work in retail, and if i dot give people choices, they go to other store to buy stuff. The problem at the moment is, most computers run windows, so once you stop supporting windows 7, then i will have no choice but to make a decision, go to a mac(which, i really don't want to do) or cross my fingers and hope you or some one else wakes up and realizes , that all thing wont fit in the same size box, so why try.
I think the windows 7 desktop, with the speed enhancements and all the other stuff you have done under the hood, would be better for the desktop, then the metro interface.
I seem to have a problem I downloaded 8 and do not like it. My problem is this my OS was win7 and as everyone should know by now no way to recover from win 8 back to 7.The original Os for my machine was xp but a family friend loaded 7 on it then gifted the pc to me. I do not haver a copy of 7 nor does she since it was purchased online. So my question is this how do I get & back I liked it and want it back .Can anyone assist me in this?
Let's be real... If apple removed Finder and replaced the Desktop in OS with an iOS start screen with badges and large icons they'd be laughed out of the desktop market. This is a terrible idea, but Microsoft are relying on their market position and people'd dependence on Windows software (due to Windows' market position) so push this crap down our throats. There's pretty much nothing good about Metro on a desktop, unless it's a web kiosk or some other not-so-general purose workstation.
If I have a tactil tablet... why I need one big screen?
If windows 8 is really thought for tablets, I don't understand the definition requeriments?
In other questions, my tablet -asus- has a program for make easy write in the screen without problems if you put your hand in it when you are writting with the pen... and this program don't run in windows 8...
Do you know why?
Great OS apart from the lack of start button on the desktop. Please bring it back Microsoft or I think I'm just going to stick with Windows 7.....
Like it but having some trouble connecting to some apps, such as the mail app, I cannot connect my yahoo mail and only gmail for some reason. Is yahoo mail not compatible with Windows 8 apps?
beautiful, but does not recognize the keyboard on my acer x5dijserie with windows 7, for the rest everything is beautiful and a wonder to me that I need to update the drivers, I'll just make installation as soon as I TIME
Seems to me Microsoft has all the tricks figured out. They get us to try their new software then when they decide it is time to make it public they charge us to get the full version of what we have already been using. The sad part is if you are like me and dumb enough to download the preview version and don't like it you are screwed because you can't get the old back without rebuying it. I very much dislike Windows 8 and rather liked Windows 7. I have been trying for 3 days now to get my 7 back and it would seem the only way to do so would be to buy it from Microsoft all over again . If you buy software from Microsoft online and don't purchase the disc to go with it then have any issues with the product you are screwed. I am very displeased and no one can seem to help me in anyway. Why should I have to spend $200.00 just to try a preview of any product then have to spend more to get the full version when it is available. I just want my 7 back and I be damned if I am going to pay again to get what I had before I was stupid enough to fall for this BS.
Another theory has been obliterated. It usually takes Microsoft 3 times to get something right. This is so conceputually flawed for use on a desktiop that it will never be right, not by SP3 or anytime soon after. I don't want BOB or another childs toy O/S on my desktop. It may be OK on the Mphone, but as it is it's not ready for anyone to preview. There is so much crap in Windows now that is totally unnecessary it has grown to "beyond bloat ware". If you'd simply think about what needs to be done instead of wasting all your time disguising your copying of Linux, you might get it right, but even that is a failure.
How do I change the location in the map program. It came loaded thinking I was at a different address.
Not good. If I want to use a tablet. I will use a tablet, but I have no use for a tablet on my desktop. Tablet and smart phone functionality are fine while performing short, simple tasks: killing some time in transit: or entertaining the kids with a cartoon. Metro would be fine for those tasks. As it stands on my laptop or desktop, however, the only thing Metro accomplishes is to add extra steps to getting to what I want. Add to that the pre-school look of it, and it's just really irritating. Get Metro away from the desktop and release it as a separate phone/tablet OS, or something.
Also, I multitask with just about everything except gamming. App functionality that is not multitaskable is near to useless for me in work or non-gamming hobbies. Loose the desktop-tablet hybrid concept. It's just time-wasting fluff.
I also have problems with drivers. My network card is unfindable and access to my DVD drive is random: sometimes it works, sometimes not.
I do like the Windows Defender concept, though.
Some things are great. The system seems to start quickly and all my Windows 7 drivers worked under Windows 8. The duel boot install went quickly. Everything seems to work as advertised. Some features I used in Windows 7 were not there such as Easy Transfer and Windows Back up. Perhaps they will be in the final version. The new user interface is for touch screens and seems to be a primitive version of what Apple has for their "I" products. I found it takes a while to figure out how to use it and found it not very efficient on a Personal Computer with a large screen and a mouse interface. I'm concerned the long mouse strokes required to use the menu may increase repetitive stress injuries for people who change applications frequently while working on their desktops. Sorry without a mouse friendly menu like the Windows start menu I won't recommend my company upgrade to this release for PC users.
When I uninstalled this, it wiped out half my hard drive! I lost some expensive software in the process! I guess I'm just SOL, huh? Thanks.....
Are you kidding? Was that start screen designed from a first grade art contest?
I don't want my computer running a zillion apps in the background checking content on Twitter, Facebook, email, etc. I just need an OS that is not so bloated with a bunch of useless junk. And I don't need to search through all this stuff to find what I need. This may be great for phones and tablets, it will be useless for a computer trying to do real work.
We build computers with SSDs, high speed Sata and USB and then you give us a windows that takes 10 minutes to find anything with this foolish GUI.
I also don't want an OS that is constantly checking email, twitter, facebook, etc to keep me 'up to date' . That means all these little things will be running in the background using up resources and using bandwidth for no reason.
I am not impressed, but I am also not surprised.
@ peabody :
Well if you dont know it yet, Microsoft has this policy some ages ago.
They dont care aboyt what you need. They care about what you do, where you do it, when you do it, and how you do it.
Thats what is going to be excpected from now on and in to the future.
So if this whas clear to you lets come back to this site.
This site was created to see if the "customers", users and other involved people has found what they looking for at new OS, (eh..not OS that was IBMs), Operating system of Network Terminator Tech by Microsoft.
Well its NEW!!!
As marketing told new look has nice interface, many new look images and buttons and tons of checkers and debuggers as well.
If you are looking for a game toy, You just found it !!! Best look ever!
If you are looking for an operating system to work or have fun with your personal computer, you are at wrong place.
By the way i can tell billions of sugs on what New Windows 8 can be and not. But iam not get paid for this. Others do and they dont! Or at least they can not.
Well, we want it or not Microsoft is the leader in market for operating systems. No matter if they borow things from others and how they legal managed.
The reality is that WE DONT SEE ANYTHING NEW FROM MICROSOFT. HEAR OUR VOICE, WE EXCPECT THE PERFECT OPERATING SYSTEM FOR PERSONAL COMPUTERS FROM YOU.
Please dont let us die with that hope.
Thank you for giveing me voice.
I love it.....
BUT I think that MS needs to address the Start Orb issue?
Using with touch is FANTASTIC (once you know what and how)
Mouse? I think that the learning curve will scare a lot of users away.
I have had a word with Bill to sort you guys out and give us the Start button back.
As a tablet PC this makes the Ipad feel like a calculator
As a Mouse driven PC mmmmmm needs some more.........
Need to be able to choose Metro or Start Button Desktop????
Burn to disc is not working in this
Well I downloaded Windows 8 and yea it does have a new look but that's all . Got into the internet and clicked on a link and then how do I get rid of that page and get back to the pervious one and the sidebar keeps coming and going really hard to get it to stay long enough to click on anything. Good thing I had my latest copy of Maximum PC with an article on W 8 to help me I wouldn't have been able to shut the computer down. I installed it on a separate HD so I still have W 7 on my other HD which I am going to stay with until Microsoft comes up with something useful in an OS for Desktops. Like the mess they made with their new Flight (Flight SImulator) which is totally useless when your used to FSX or FS2004 which is great , seems they don't listen to the community that uses such things, they have gone from an on-line FLight SImulator to a game which you will qucikly tire of. Same as this W8 totally useless as far as my needs . Maybe someone likes it but I am sticking to W7 . W8 too much frustration for me thank you
Great OS. Looks really attractive and works very fast....... Exciting
Well what do I say ????
I'm sticking with windows 7
The front user panel is a mess
Windows explorer and system navigation is a nightmare
Completing a simple task like shutting down drove me nuts.
Yet another rushed Os like Me and Vista.
Out of 10 : 4 and that given as its an os for a tablet not a pc.
When window stops supporting seven will be the time to move to Apple Mac
i nstalled windows 8 on my acer aspire one d250 and did not like it. its gloomy and depressing to look at and i could not run any aps on it so im reinstallig windows 7 I LOVE WINDOWS 7!if you want a perfect op make it more like win 7
my language won't change to dutch
wy doesn't my microsoft word work
Windows 8 works extremely well ... after doing a refresh and removing most of my applications. I would not suggest loading over Windows 7 as I did, especially if some of your applications are temperaMental. However, after using the refresh option to repair my system, it Windows 8 works just fine. I do agree with others that it really takes a mindset change to get away from clicking on the lower left of the screen, (you know, where the Start button used to be). I have opened up IE by mistake on many occasions…I miss the Start button, but I am now finally using the Windows logo button instead, change is good. Although I getting the hang of it, there also needs to be some sort of static button on the left, because that hover feature was driving me nuts when I first installed Windows 8.
Design wise, my laptop never looked better. It now has that slick tablet look and feel to it...pretty cool!
My CPU intensive Sonar X1D music production software runs much more fluidly now, but my CorelDraw X3 graphic design software now has a minor glitch, but All-in-all, I'd say we have a Winner here. My power workstation, sadly enough will have to wait for the final version of Win8 to be released, although I am tempted to install the preview version on it, I can't risk having any problems arise on that machine.
Windows 8, I can’t wait! Say it with me…Windows 8, I Can’t Wait!
How do I sign in to windows live? I'm trying to sign in and it says I can't because my region is not supported.
Great idea....but when I downloaded the software from the initial invite a few weeks ago, I discovered that it took over TWO hours to download and check the OS! Moreover, it was totally a waste of time as nowhere had MS stated that you need free 16GB hard drive space to install the OS. This was a very BAD mistake by MS.
I downloaded the file, continuing problem that the product key doesn't match, i tried to talk to one of your techs on chat but the problem still persists, i had to re install windows 7 cause it doubled up on operating programs and slowed the laptop way down, reinstalled it and it works fast and great but i cant access anything till this product key problem gets fixed for good. please help i'd really like to try it.
Installed Windows 8 Customer Preview as a virtual machine on my Macbook Pro yesterday. Some nice things, but so far, not impressed. Actually I'm pretty disappointed in this crap.
It seems more like a toy than a serious OS. I think that in its drive to match OS X and iOS, Microsoft is rapidly making itself irrelevant. As an IT professional, I don't need toys; I have enough of those, thank you! I need a real, serious OS that will do the job.
If Microsoft will stubbornly continue to play catch with Apple, 2 things will happen:
1. It will lose! Apple is better and nicer than Windows! Debate closed! MS beats Apple in its functionality in the work place not on the play ground
2. It will prop up Linux more and more as a viable alternative to a stable and secure desktop and server environment
Windows 8 might be able to win over a few misguided customers but in that market, if your prices do not come seriously lower than an iPad, Windows 8 has NOTHING to show for and in the process you have alienated your business base. I don't plan to move my company's PCs from Windows 7 no matter how many times Gates and Balmer jump up and down!
Well the one BIG problem one will face with Windows 8 is that this test version will blow away your MS Office 2010. In my case I had no issues during that initial test that's suppose to warn you if you have any compatibility issues. I guess that there really wasn't an issue since the systematic plan was to delete my MS Office 2010 in the first place.
This product proves the connection between Microsoft and Star Trek Movies. The odd numbers are pretty good, but the even numbers totally suck. It offered a bunch of junk that I didn’t want, forced me to do things I didn’t want to and forbad me from making any changes. To top it off it actively blocks your from uninstalling it. It unfortunately has a will to live and will not allow you to do away with it.
Hi -- This is my first login. This is from Windows 8 installed via Bootcamp on Macintosh OS X Lion.
The only bug so far is the date. I can't seem to get the proper date for this machine.
I also have it installed on my HP via Esata hard drive and there so far the only problem is that I can't
seem to get my desktop labels consistently in English -- some of them are in Characters -- perhaps Chinese.
I am surprised that the Windows transfer handled my Windows 7 to Windows 8 via Bootcamp so well.
Will continue to "play" with it some more.
Joe Murdock
Forgot one item --- on my Mac with Bootcamp, Windows 8 doesn't seem to want to work with ethernet, but works just
fine on the Mac with wireless. The Windows 8 on my HP works just fine with ethernet. Just for kicks, MAC OSX works
with wireless and etheret.
Joe
Found out too late that my Canon camera software isn't supported by Windows 8... Hopefully I can still upload with the built-in "Camera" functions - haven't completely explored yet.
Agree that the Start/Shut Down was a complete mystery and not at all intuitive!
I miss my Windows 7 Mahjong game!
Given certain software that I have to use for my lively-hood, I have been "stuck" with having to use Microsoft Operating Systems to continue their usage. To put it simply, Windows 8 is the worst operating system I have ever had to experience. The sad thing is, the consumer will buy it because of the "Hype" and the "Propaganda" that will be utilized to market it.
Microsoft/Bill Gates, instead of continually using "Hype" and "Propaganda" to market "Garbage" to consumers and bilking them out of hundreds of dollars, it would be a great change if you would do the "Honorable" thing by developing a usable, low-cost, secure OS without unnecessary complications(which suggest ease of use) and the constant need to bloat the operation of the standard desktop with Bling or programs/code that have no real purpose other than to cause problems(BSOD).
Once the programs that I normally use are available for Linux(possibly Debian) which most versions are free, I will be moving on to greener pastures.
To the average consumer, do not buy Windows 8! If you have to use Win 7, don't give Microsoft any more money by upgrading to Win 8, as the pattern currently has proven itself, wait for Win 9 and hope that Microsoft will have worked through their greed by then...
Please, let the users be able to disable the awful Metro UI for desktop PC, and notebooks, and netbooks !
That would be great. Thank you.
First, I apologize for my english, it is very poor., but wih yours indulgence...
Desktop won't die in corporative or scientific world. That's mean keyboard, mouse, etc... I shall limit my few observations for desktop machines.
True, the Desktop is still around, and it really works fine, its fast, fluid, I think better than Win7 (why it doens't a Metro look?, I don't understand). With the help of the functionality of a dock like Rocketdock for favorite applications, we can have again the same functionnality as in Win7. Perhaps a Metro dock for favorite applications that will be accesed moving mouse left will be great.
But, the Start part, all applications there are awful. Functionallity of standard programs like Internet Explore, or Evernote could not be compared with the standard one. Furthermore, using Facebook in Internet Explore continue to be better!!
Windows 8 seems to be Tablet-oriented, ok, it's a Microsoft concern. But I'm not very optimistic on Win8 on desktop or notebooks.
I have to say that I like metro look very much, I have in all my notebooks a combination of Win7, Metro 7 and RocketDock. Why change?
Since the feedback tool is closed and I have seen no other ways to provide feedback, I'll use this blog post. Here are some problems I've had with the beta, excuse me, Consumer Preview, that can hopefully be addressed before final release:
1) Folder views do not "stick" with their folder. Once I set a view and go to a different folder and set that view, it affects all other views
2) no recent documents? Really? what kind office worker is going to want to "upgrade" to an OS that is going to force them to locate or search for each file they want to use?
3) Better integration between Apps and windows programs (Music and video apps are garbage and do not tie in with WMP or libraries) and WMP should show songs when adjusting volume too
4) Add the ability to rearrange (drap and drop) multiple apps at once for quick and easy organization
5) Extend mousing sideways screen scroll to all apps
6) Allow typing in Metro to select files/pictures as in Explorer (In SkyDrive, typing first few letters will select the file beginning with those letters)
7) Why is Windows Update under Settings? It does not seem intuitive, like it should be an app. Also, installing updates from metro and from explorer is two different experiences. should be smooth.
8) which leads to, in general, there needs to be some cleaning up of settings and whether they are adjusted in metro, explorer, or both. i shouldnt have to open Control Panel in Explorer and be directed to go to Metro to change something. I would say redundancy in both is probably best so people who use one or the other more often arent forced to switch.
9) No more aero peek? the option is still there, but there is no panel. i understand the hot corner aspect, but aero peek was one of the best features to come out of 7.
10) sync more things and allow people to CHOOSE what to sync (backgrounds, apps backup or at least list of apps installed, settings for WMP, desktop icons, favorites)
11) search function needs to be tweaked (typing Computer Management doesnt bring up anything, whereas in 7 it brought up exactly what i wanted)
12) if I'm searching for a file, it would be a heck of a lot easier if type in Excel.xlsx, and there is obviously no app or setting named that, that it should default to File for search instead of making the user click on File. I'm used to hitting the Start key and typing. i understand I can use Win+F, but to accommodate to what people are used to, if Settings and Apps yield 0 search results, default to Files (same goes for typing specific Settings name, like Computer Management)
13) Too wide of a margin for resizing at the top of a window (i find myself accidentally resizing a lot when I wanted to drag the window)
14) Easier way to Shut Down and Log Off (completely breaking from old habits is confusing, at least put a log off option where the Shut Down option is)
Whether anyone of any importance reads this, but I hope some of these problems get addressed. I think Microsoft also could have done a lot better by creating a dedicated forum for Windows 8 feedback, but I searched and searched and couldn't find anything.
The only thing I found by using the Windows 8 customer preview that is missing is the Windows Button on the Touch-Screen keyboard interface.
On a regular traditional keyboard we use the Windows + E to get explorer. Windows + R to get Run. The touch screen keyboard lacks that very important Key. So when we try to go back to that app store style Start menu with the touch screen we are forced to move the mouse to the right side bar for that very unreliable side menu that doesn't appear as much as we need it or plug in a traditional keyboard. Making the touch screen useless, for that fundamental functionality.
That Windows Button has become a fundamental function and now, it's not there when we are looking for it. We want the touch screen to be great, but right now it's missing a fundamental part of Windows.
I live alone; would like to shut off password for start screen but can't figure out how, or find any remarks about this.
@CalypsoReid
To set the Welcome screen to automatically login, it is the same as in Windows 7.
Go to Power options in the Control Panel, click Require a Password on Wakeup on the left pane, then click Change setting that are currently unavailable (must be administrator), and select the Don't Require a Password radio button.
Or, you could just remove your password altogether,
8 is a keeper! cant wait to get service packs
Some of my keyboard functions no longer work ,such as mute, sound up and down and sometime the numbers across the top don't work. Other then that, looks pretty good.
I put windows 8 on and took it off the same day. You have a long way to go before improving on windows 7. Didn't like the main page at all. Need the start back. I will stay with windows 7 thanks you
Here is a post that Adam Koncz posted regarding the Developer Preview of W8 on msdn (from blogs.msdn.com/.../reflecting-on-your-comments-on-the-start-screen.aspx):
"13 Oct 2011 12:15 PM
It's like you present us with a shiny new Ferrari. It is fast, smooth, fiery red, amazing. And then as a surprise you say "And here is your trailer. It's brilliant; you can put stuff on it and others can put stuff on it, and you can make small piles so it is easy to find stuff, and it is GREEN." And I'm like, "WT* I don't want a trailer. Why would I need a trailer?" But you continue, "Why wouldn't you? See we even welded it on your car! So you can have it FOREVER"
But here is the thing: I don't want a Ferrari with a trailer welded on it!"
This makes me crack up every time I read it! So true, so true. The desktop is brillinant (as always), but the Metro UI bolted on to the desktop is just HORRIBLE on a desktop or a laptop computer (which is primarily what Windows is and will be used for).
They should call it Window now, because there only is one. To take away what Windows is all about ... what is Microsoft thinking? The Start MENU (by the way, it is a whole lot easier to read a single vertical list than it is your current All Programs-er-ah-Apps list in Metro), windows, and the taskbar will always be the best part of Windows for me ... without them, it is not Windows.
IT SEEMS TO BE NICE SO FAR I INSTALLED IT BUT NO ONE LIKE IT MICROSOFT IT'S TRYING TO COMPETE AGAINS ANDROID THAY CREATED THIS WINDOWS LIKE THEIR MOBILE OS IN ORDER TO MAKE US THEIR MOBILE OS ON THEIR PHONES HOW GREEDY
I REPAIR COMPUTERS I INTERACT WITH SO MANY PEOPLE EVERY MONTH MOST OF THE PEOPLE STILL LIKE WINDOWS XP WHEN I TELL THEM I WILL UPGRADE THEIR COMPUTER TO WINDOWS 7 THEY DON'T WANT AND THE ONES THAT WANT THEY ACCEPT DOUBTING AND NO ONE HAS TOLD ME ANYTHING GOOD ABOUT SEVEN BUT COMPLIMENTS ON XP AND A LOT OF BUSINESS STILL USING XP I CAN IMAGINE IF THEY DON'T LIKE SEVEN WILL BE WORSE FOR 8
EN SU AVARICIA POR COMPETIR EN CONTRA DE ANDROID HACEN EL WINDOWS 8 A MANERA DEL WINDOWS PORTATIL EN TELEFONOS PARA QUE TE ACOSTUMBRES Y USES EL DE ELLOS Y NO EL ANDROID ESTRATEGIA AVARA QUE HICIERON EN CONTRA DE LINUX ESA ES LA VERDAD NO DIGO QUE NO ME GUSTE PERO ESO ES!
waste of time! it ate up 5GB of my airband time, downloaded adware (Kaspersky & WinZip) without telling me, and after TWO hours of downloading.... it was NOWHERE on my comp! I called tech support, and was told THEY CAN"T SUPPORT IT!!!!! Post to forum, which I did, and got a response "What adware? Was it a corrupt site" I downloaded from Microsoft.com, and they won't ven help you. All I know is I see many compaints, and you can't TALK to anyone about your tech problems; again, I can't ven find a link to it on my comp.... it never said 'run', 'install', etc.... only cost me $40 for using 5 gigs over my airband time. Microsoft will NOT HELP YOU if yu have a problem
@Kent Walter (or anyone on the Microsoft Windows development team)
Please take on board this excellent solution proposed by Paul Thurrott here:
www.winsupersite.com/.../doesnt-windows-8-142937
This is such a simple and elegant solution for desktop users complaining about usability. Honestly, I think it's a brilliant idea and should be given serious consideraion. If it was implemented in the Windows 8 Release Preview then I think it would be awesome!
unable to run file history...will not recognise external hard drive (BUFFALO 1TB)
Is there any way to scroll to the end of a document (such as this one) with the onscreen keyboard rather than having to use the conventional keyboard (function, end)...? and then scroll back to the beginning instantly (function, home)...?
I find the environment is disorientating. It appears to require a lot of memory load to be able to navigate successfully. By memory load I mean human memory, as there appears no reference point when trying to return to a starting point, as one gets with all Win OS' to this point. It is not unlike being dropped in a vast ocean and being asked to swim for it - where do you swim to?! Moreover, it has no place existing on a desktop monitor at all. The whole interface is suited to a tablet or mobile device and is hugely inefficient in terms of desktop space usage. The running applications are using system resources whilst they run out of sight and I dislike this hidden operation. As for shoving ones mouse pointer into the corner of the screen to switch focus between desktop and metro; goodness me - who came up with that idea?!
On the plus side it has a really good text to voice function in its "Reader app" and this is the only reason why I have kept Windows 8 preview. Else it is stored away on a partition for when I need to use reader, else Windows 7 will takes some beating. Heck, I even installed Mac OS X the other day, on the same machine, and I never thought I would prefer a Mac system over a PC but Windows 8 has a LOT of course tuning to do before it is released. I'd have to be convinced a lot more with another preview possibly before I buy into it.
Not a very PC friendly OS. If you have a big monitor it becomes tiresome to scroll, and snap-to won't work on certain size screens.
as a computer administator, this OS may be a dream, or a nightmare.
Not a very usable OS for the workplace, espectially if people are spending work time playing with apps! which they do on their phones anyhow.
the feel, colors, and large app boxes just destroy the feel of using a computer. i feel as if i am using a phone.
People may like it, but i wonder what they use the computer for, just to chat or use email and play free app games?
I hope that Microsoft will recognize the need for an OS that is simple and focuses on performance of the processors and gpu's that are coming out rapidly. this OS seem more for kids than adults, maybe that is their target area, people who don't know computers.
Mac's OS operates a lot faster.
I am also hoping that Microsoft will not force us to install a bunch of useless stuff just to delete later. I would like for the operating system to ask me which programs to install instead of installing everything in every language.
I would also like to see windows automatically turn off unecessary programs when i don't need them,
I don't see people who are gamers, designers, or other professions which only focus on one or two things using win 8.
these people like myself use high powered computers with win 7 that already downgrades it's performance and gpu's for graphics program, and sound cards for music production. We need speed, efficiency, and more pc and less operating system using up valuable ram, cpu, and read write times. We don't need a 20gb os that does nothing but try to make us believe that we are moving into the future!
Sometimes less is more!
when you go to the microsoft website, they say they are for HOME, WORK, IT PROS, AND FOR DEVELOPERS.
WHAT ABOUT THE GAMER, THE INDIVIDUAL, THE ARTIST, THE PC USER!
Start from scratch! this OS is terrible!!!
Different devices are appropriate for different working contexts. With a phone I don’t have the screen space to view more than one app at one time and generally I want to be able to glance at it and get a summary of my day and current messages. For this Metro works well.
On a desktop I’m working with multiple documents at once, I’m launching new programs and context switching, then closing the once that I’m done with. Metro and the new charms get in the way here. I don’t want my whole screen to effectively become my start menu, the context switch is disruptive. Getting the charms menu up is fiddly and not intuitive (yes you can learn, but that is missing the point, this should be something you don’t need training for The first time I encountered them I didn’t know how I got them, then later I couldn’t work out how to get them back. It shouldn’t need to be this way. I still have problems getting them even though I now know about them.
Closing Metro apps is fiddly, and I definitely want to be able to close them rather than have them passivate into the background because that is part of my working context, if they are closed then that task is done. If they are still open when I return to my PC I have to remember if I still need them, if there is more to do.
Remember the PC/Desktop paradigm is about having stacks of paper (windows) that you are currently working on all available. You don’t move desk when you need to context switch you just select the piece of paper you need at that point.
Metro works well on a phone, and may work well on a tablet, but gets in the way when I’m working in an office context. To try and be constructive I think there are easy tweaks that could be done to improve things without significant divergence from the Metro style.
1) Allow users to optionally have a start button equivalent, (alternatively have an application menu ‘button’ with the charms). The application/start menu would pop up (in the desktop) with the first column of tiles from the metro UI (not necessarily live ones). Perhaps additional colums could also show as sub menus.
2) Allow users (on PC’s) to launch Metro apps into windows on a desktop. These windows could be a fixed size and only be minimized or closed.
3) Have a ‘button’ to open the charms that fades in when you move your mouse to the right of the screen.
4) Rationalize the settings / control panel. It’s confusing to have two ways of changing different types of settings.
Thought I'd point out something else about Windows 8:
-There are no BUTTONS! How do you know what is just text and what is a control?
-Why abandon the notion of "one click to select, two clicks to open/execute." Now it is right click to select and left click to open. For as long as I remember (since Win95) it's been that way. Why change it? For touchscreen users? Then simply have it as a single tap on a touchscreen, and a double click with a mouse!
-From all the people I know who've moved to mac computers, the right-click menu is what they said they missed most about Windows. Now the right-click menu is no longer a menu but a bar along the bottom of the screen. So when you right-click at the top-right of the screen you have to move the mouse ALL THE WAY TO THE OPPOSITE CORNER. A really big annoying pain that shouldn't be necessary. Especially when you're rearranging the start screen this is VERY annoying.
-No Start menu, that's what I miss most. I find it impossible to find anything on the start screen or the All Programs-er ahem- "Apps" list, because everything side scrolls and is really huge. A single vertical list, with normal size buttons and ordered in alphabetical order, is the fastest way to find something (at least for me). The single place where you can find anything was why I like the Start menu (I run everything from the Start menu, apart from 3 programs pinned to the taskbar: Explorer, IE, and MS Works Dictionary). Now everything is spread all over the place and difficult to find. I don't want a HUGE list of Favourites, I want an automatically ordered one.
-The scroll bars in Metro and IE10 are ugly, difficult to see, and don't match with everything else. Why? Why do the normal scrollbars exist everywhere else in the desktop but not in IE10? Make the scrollbars like they've always been (not with huge arrows).
-Microsoft is trying to create a closed system by only being able to install a program from the "Store." Sure, there's a risk of viruses, etc. but that's what antivirus programs are for! MS states that it simplifies things for the people who download hundreds of programs off the internet and cleans everything up, but usually people only do this if they're experienced users, so this is not a problem.
-There are no advanced menus, anywhere. That's what I like about previous versions of Windows--it is so customisable! Not any more.
The way I see it, MS is trying to turn Windows into a giant smartphone. This is NOT something I want to work on!
--Chaz