Windows 8 RC Discussion

[PapaBear]

I just heard about it today. They are allowing users to download the release candidate like they did with 7. I know almost nothing about it, other than it's mostly geared toward touch screens and tablet. If anyone tries this download, post your thoughts here.

[Snacks]

if its geared towards touchscreen and tablets im guessing it wont be replacing windows 7? sounds like they are making it to compete with android and might even take over for their window phones too?

im going to look into this but i hope it isnt the new os because i like windows 7 and would love for a good os to stick around for a while like xp did.

[PapaBear]

if its geared towards touchscreen and tablets im guessing it wont be replacing windows 7? sounds like they are making it to compete with android and might even take over for their window phones too?

im going to look into this but i hope it isnt the new os because i like windows 7 and would love for a good os to stick around for a while like xp did.
It's going to replace 7. From what little I've read, it tends to look more like regular Windows when not using a touch screen. There will, of course, be compatability issues with software.

[Snacks]

It's going to replace 7. From what little I've read, it tends to look more like regular Windows when not using a touch screen. There will, of course, be compatability issues with software.

why must they change shit so quickly? i understand android updating to new versions because its still a new software and they are mastering it. i also understand why they moved past vista so quickly because it sucked and they had nothing but complaints. xp seemed to be around for 5 or more years and was great now 7 is great and they are fucking around already? its only been 2 1/2 years since 7 came out.

[PapaBear]

why must they change shit so quickly? i understand android updating to new versions because its still a new software and they are mastering it. i also understand why they moved past vista so quickly because it sucked and they had nothing but complaints. xp seemed to be around for 5 or more years and was great now 7 is great and they are fucking around already? its only been 2 1/2 years since 7 came out.
The hardware has changed so much recently. The move to tablets and touch screens has come about in a very short period of time. When 7 came out, a lot of people were saying tablets would never take off.

[Snacks]

The hardware has changed so much recently. The move to tablets and touch screens has come about in a very short period of time. When 7 came out, a lot of people were saying tablets would never take off.

does apples i pads have different operating systems then their computers or is it the same as their phones and ipods? why not make the current system more touchscreen freindly? i know hp had a great touchscreen desktop and it was windows 7. i dont see why they have to re-do it completely? other then to make more profits and force people to buy new computers or at least upgrade!

[StanUpshaw]

Is everything an evil capitalist conspiracy? Jesus christ, no one is forcing you to upgrade.

[Bob Impact]

does apples i pads have different operating systems then their computers or is it the same as their phones and ipods? why not make the current system more touchscreen freindly? i know hp had a great touchscreen desktop and it was windows 7. i dont see why they have to re-do it completely? other then to make more profits and force people to buy new computers or at least upgrade!

Yes, Apple has entirely different versions of their OS for iPad and the desktop.

Windows 8 is forward thinking compared to everyone else, the Metro UI is designed to bridge the gap between mobile & desktop without a different OS, something Android has started to do but not gotten right and Apple hasn't even approached.

And I own the HP touchsmart, it's basically a regular desktop you can poke if needed, most of the time you end up with the mouse.

[Fallon]

I installed it Friday, it's basically windows 7 with a weird start menu/screen. I don't have a use for many if the features, though the graphics for transferring files are nicer and it works better with my duel monitors.

[Snacks]

I installed it Friday, it's basically windows 7 with a weird start menu/screen. I don't have a use for many if the features, though the graphics for transferring files are nicer and it works better with my duel monitors.

how or where did you get it? i would like to give it a try if possible.

[Fallon]

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/download

[Snacks]

thanks

[keithy_19]

You're welcome.

[Bob Impact]

Just note before you install that it runs out (and will no longer work) next January.

[PapaBear]

Just note before you install that it runs out (and will no longer work) next January.
I wonder if they'll do what they did with 7. With that version, they offered you a chance to host a "release party". If you were chosen, you got a free copy of 7 Ultimate. I signed up for it, and won. My "release party" was a fake. My family had a big multi person birthday party. I told them, "by the way... This is also a Windows 7 release party".

[Radioguy]

Is everything an evil capitalist conspiracy? Jesus christ, no one is forcing you to upgrade.

MS has been more vocal than ever about their support withdrawal dates. They're eager to instill a sense of anxiety, especially for the corporate sector, about how long you can live without upgrading.

This actually kind of fits the criteria for such a conspiracy. ;)

I wonder if they'll do what they did with 7. With that version, they offered you a chance to host a "release party". If you were chosen, you got a free copy of 7 Ultimate. I signed up for it, and won. My "release party" was a fake. My family had a big multi person birthday party. I told them, "by the way... This is also a Windows 7 release party".

I hated those. I preferred the day-long seminars with the handout, but I haven't attended one since the Windows 7 tour (I missed the Office ones) stopped at the Times Sq AMC. That was the last time I saw PD, too. Maybe there can be some RF.net mass signup if they do it again.

[Bob Impact]

MS has been more vocal than ever about their support withdrawal dates. They're eager to instill a sense of anxiety, especially for the corporate sector, about how long you can live without upgrading.

This actually kind of fits the criteria for such a conspiracy. ;)



I hated those. I preferred the day-long seminars with the handout, but I haven't attended one since the Windows 7 tour (I missed the Office ones) stopped at the Times Sq AMC. That was the last time I saw PD, too. Maybe there can be some RF.net mass signup if they do it again.

Or it fits the fact that companies holding onto ancient software (XP/IE7) not only makes MS looks like shit compared to Apple & Google but it also delays development of new applications while we make them compatible with out of date software companies are too lazy to replace. Guess what computers do? They get obsolete very fast, so does software... this isn't exactly new

[underdog]

I tried to install it to my laptop on a separate partition but was unsuccessful. I'm going to create a virtualbox at some point this week and try it that way. The screenshots look interesting.

[Radioguy]

Or it fits the fact that companies holding onto ancient software (XP/IE7) not only makes MS looks like shit compared to Apple & Google but it also delays development of new applications while we make them compatible with out of date software companies are too lazy to replace. Guess what computers do? They get obsolete very fast, so does software... this isn't exactly new

Yes, but the companies "won" that battle. It's not laziness, but the bad economy which has now led to slower turnover of hardware. Plus, next to Linux (which can run on crap), Windows looked like it was standing still. The fact W7 and 8 are able to run well on older PCs is now a selling point.

That's what's most amusing; they threaten to withdraw support for software designed to run on hardware their new products are being designed to be compatible with.

[styckx]

I remember when the first public betas of Windows 7 came out I couldn't download and install them fast enough just to get away from Vista..

This time around.. I'm very `meh' about Windows 8... Sounds too much like Windows 7 with some bolt on additions and new makeup. Really in no hurry to get off Windows 7 at all. It's perfect.

[biggestmexi]

How do you shut it down easily?

Also, my PC will not shut down on its own. I have to hit the power button.

[Fallon]

How do you shut it down easily?

Also, my PC will not shut down on its own. I have to hit the power button.

Ctrl + ALt + Dlt to bring up shut down menu.

I got the "TOP - Vista Shutdown Control" gadget and put it on my desktop. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/downloads/personalize/gadgets

or http://www.infoworld.com/t/microsoft-windows/windows-8-shutdown-made-easy-way-of-microsoft-189541

[deliciousV]

Fuck Windows 8 in its ass! I had to go get a new laptop today, mine was working fine but falling apart , literally, due to the cheap poorly planned plastic hinges. I grew tired of holding it together while trying to use it. Anyway, fuck windows 8 in its ass! I can't figure out a damn thing. Is there a way to make it act like 7?

[HBox]

Fuck Windows 8 in its ass! I had to go get a new laptop today, mine was working fine but falling apart , literally, due to the cheap poorly planned plastic hinges. I grew tired of holding it together while trying to use it. Anyway, fuck windows 8 in its ass! I can't figure out a damn thing. Is there a way to make it act like 7?

http://cdn.lightgalleries.net/4bd5ebf6e9948/images/newRegan052-1.jpg

THIS IS NOT WHAT I AM USED TO!

[styckx]

Fuck Windows 8 in its ass! I had to go get a new laptop today, mine was working fine but falling apart , literally, due to the cheap poorly planned plastic hinges. I grew tired of holding it together while trying to use it. Anyway, fuck windows 8 in its ass! I can't figure out a damn thing. Is there a way to make it act like 7?

Not sure if serious... Windows 8 is actually great..

[deliciousV]

Not sure if serious... Windows 8 is actually great..

I'm sure I'll get use to it, I'm just not a fan of that screen that looks like an Xbox has taken over and it took me while to find my way out of it.

[HBox]

Fuck Windows 8 in its ass! I had to go get a new laptop today, mine was working fine but falling apart , literally, due to the cheap poorly planned plastic hinges. I grew tired of holding it together while trying to use it. Anyway, fuck windows 8 in its ass! I can't figure out a damn thing. Is there a way to make it act like 7?

In all seriousness it's worth it to learn and get used to Windows 8. It has a learning curve but I've found it very intuitive and effortless to use once you get used to it. I can move between apps and the desktop and everything much quicker than I ever could in any other version of Windows. The only weakness it has is that it is very awkward to use on a laptop without a touchscreen or a mouse. It's not easy to use with a trackpad.

But if you are deadset against it there is an app called Start8 that restores the Start Menu in desktop mode. You can go to the desktop and never have to use the Metro interface.

[deliciousV]

In all seriousness it's worth it to learn and get used to Windows 8. It has a learning curve but I've found it very intuitive and effortless to use once you get used to it. I can move between apps and the desktop and everything much quicker than I ever could in any other version of Windows. The only weakness it has is that it is very awkward to use on a laptop without a touchscreen or a mouse. It's not easy to use with a trackpad.

But if you are deadset against it there is an app called Start8 that restores the Start Menu in desktop mode. You can go to the desktop and never have to use the Metro interface.

I'm gonna try and get use to it, my problem right now is I've opened some things in metro and don't know how to close them, where the fuck are my X's?

[HBox]

I'm gonna try and get use to it, my problem right now is I've opened some things in metro and don't know how to close them, where the fuck are my X's?

To close apps using the touch screen you swipe from the top of the screen all the way to the bottom. Make sure you go all the way to the bottom. If you are using the mouse or trackpad it's similar. You go all the way to the top of the screen, click, and then pull all the way to the bottom of the screen. You can always go back to the start screen by hitting the windows button.

If you swipe in from the right of the screen (not all the way like closing an app) you pull up the "charms" where you can get a bunch of options including going to the start screen, connecting devices and other stuff. If you swipe in from the left you can quickly switch between apps. (Again, not all the way like closing apps) And if you swipe up from the bottom of the screen you can pull up some app options if the app has them.

Using a mouse to do those actions is slightly different. To pull up the charms you move the cursor to the bottom or top right corner of the screen and then move the cursor down. If you move the cursor to the top left corner and click you can switch between apps. If you move to the bottom left corner and click you can get back to the Start screen.

It seems more complicated then it actually is when written out like that but it is actually intuitive and easy to pick up.

When you have the desktop open closing apps in the desktop is the same as it has always been. But you can close the desktop entirely by using the same top to bottom swipe as any other apps.

[deliciousV]

To close apps using the touch screen you swipe from the top of the screen all the way to the bottom. Make sure you go all the way to the bottom. If you are using the mouse or trackpad it's similar. You go all the way to the top of the screen, click, and then pull all the way to the bottom of the screen. You can always go back to the start screen by hitting the windows button.

If you swipe in from the right of the screen (not all the way like closing an app) you pull up the "charms" where you can get a bunch of options including going to the start screen, connecting devices and other stuff. If you swipe in from the left you can quickly switch between apps. (Again, not all the way like closing apps) And if you swipe up from the bottom of the screen you can pull up some app options if the app has them.

Using a mouse to do those actions is slightly different. To pull up the charms you move the cursor to the bottom or top right corner of the screen and then move the cursor down. If you move the cursor to the top left corner and click you can switch between apps. If you move to the bottom left corner and click you can get back to the Start screen.

It seems more complicated then it actually is when written out like that but it is actually intuitive and easy to pick up.

When you have the desktop open closing apps in the desktop is the same as it has always been. But you can close the desktop entirely by using the same top to bottom swipe as any other apps.

Nice! Thanks. Maybe shouldn't have skipped that pesky tutorial

[styckx]

Nice! Thanks. Maybe shouldn't have skipped that pesky tutorial

Nah. Real men always skip tutorials and ask questions later..

[hanso]

Got a pc on its way in a few days with windows 8 and read this to get ready for it. Or maybe learn to turn off restrictions I have heard about if that is an option.

[furie]

Got a pc on its way in a few days with windows 8 and read this to get ready for it. Or maybe learn to turn off restrictions I have heard about if that is an option.

tell us how it is, i'm buying a new laptop for my father for christmas

[hanso]

I tried to point out that I'm a mouse, keyboard, and Desktop user for this, but browser had froze. It will be a regular PC desktop I'm getting.

[furie]

im interested in the OS

[PapaBear]

I just got a laptop with it a few days ago. I'd only messed around with 8 briefly when I bought one for my youngest kid. Being an old man who can't handle anything new, I couldn't make heads or tails of it. So I downloaded Start8 (old style Windows start button), and it works fine, now. I'm still exploring the options for creating a backup image. The program that Windows has for 7 doesn't have a version for 8.

[SonOfSmeagol]

here's an answer PB, such as it is. It looks like File History replaces B&R. I've had limited exp with win 8 but it seems like the first thing I always do is get those annoying tiles off the screen :drunk:.

What happened to Backup and Restore? (http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/what-happened-to-backup-restore)

[PapaBear]

here's an answer PB, such as it is. It looks like File History replaces B&R. I've had limited exp with win 8 but it seems like the first thing I always do is get those annoying tiles off the screen :drunk:.

What happened to Backup and Restore? (http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/what-happened-to-backup-restore)
That just backs up your files. I use my external hard drive with Seagate Dashboard Agent for that. I want to make an image that I can use if my drive crashes, and I need to replace it. I was able to get a restore image on a thumb drive (after calling Asus), but that restores the comp to a new state. It doesn't restore the files and programs that I've added or changed.

[SonOfSmeagol]

That just backs up your files. I use my external hard drive with Seagate Dashboard Agent for that. I want to make an image that I can use if my drive crashes, and I need to replace it. I was able to get a restore image on a thumb drive (after calling Asus), but that restores the comp to a new state. It doesn't restore the files and programs that I've added or changed.

just like B&R in Win 7 does...:wallbash: dunno budday

[PapaBear]

just like B&R in Win 7 does...:wallbash: dunno budday
7 does do an image. In the past, I've used EaseUS Todo Backup to image Windows 7 to transfer to a new drive. I tried it with my 8 comp. It made the image, but when I put it on the new drive, it wouldn't boot. It ended up missing a required boot file.

[PapaBear]

Found it! (http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/8956-system-image-create-windows-8-a.html) That is, assuming my laptop isn't a UEFI based system. I have no idea what that is. But a quick search leads me to believe it's not, since mine is not an Intel powered comp.

[PapaBear]

BTW... HERE'S Start8 (http://www.stardock.com/products/start8/), for any of you who also want the start button back. The next version of Windows 8 will have it's own start button. It's in RC mode right now. My father bought an HP with 8, and HP offers a free start buttton, too. Start8 is $4.99 after a 30 day free trial.

[hanso]

Microsoft now officially confirms on its blog that Windows 8.1 and Windows RT 8.1 have hit release to manufacturing (RTM) phase. The general consumer availability is planned for October 18th. This Windows version brings back the Start button and also features Internet Explorer 11, SkyDrive integration, an updated Windows Store experience and more customization options like tweaked mouse and keyboard navigation, and a boot-to-desktop option. Windows 8.1 will become available on October 18th.

[hanso]

im interested in the OS

It's OK I guess. It seems to start/shut down fast. Most everything looks to be on it like past OS's (I was using XP) just reconfigured. I don't feel a need for a start button like in the past. It's over on the right now. You point to the lower right corner click the fist icon that shows, few more clicks PC shuts down.

I was able to get most things I was using before over on win8. I like to use desktop portable apps, some didn't work. Just go find newer ones. I liked to use Counterspy before on XP but had to go with Spy Emergency.

One other program I liked to run was Admuncher. Big trouble with it though as it crashed the OS when connecting to the internet. Would like to find something similar.

[hanso]

I never registered my OS, all of a sudden it was auto updating windows updates. And it showed itself as a registered OS. Kinda strange.

[hanso]

Live tiles ( I call it ) stopped working. The news / sports headlines used to be able to read after start up.