Windows 7: Windows 8 "Release Preview" Released

The only thing that I like about Windows 8 is the improved boot times. Even then, it isn't a clean boot and the restart is the same speed as Windows 7. For all of us ssd people, we can just skip Windows 8 as ssds make Windows 7 boot up lightning fast.

Yes, I did notice the booting was very quick on Win8.

I'm getting an SSD in two weeks time. Can't wait!

The Classic Shell works out better then the others seen for 8 so far! You can customize the Shutdown options as well as the Start button itself.

Generally anything you find over at the sourceforge site is well written anyways.

Yeah I've been using Classic Shell on 7 but only the explorer option and not the Start Menu. Completely forgot it had a Start Menu until Jimbo reminded me!

Agreed.
Most of my software comes from SourceForge.

Sourgeforge of course is all open source wares to find there while they write up a lot of good tools for Windows as well as other OSs. One security tool to wipe a drive entirely called Eraser can be found there too if you ever go to dump a worn drive or sell your pc and want all data wiped completely.

Acronis also offers a secure disk wipe option if you have that for backup and imaging already. I still will need to see how the 2010 Home version will work now that the RP is out.

The one thing about the Classic Shell that does lack is offered with the StartMenu7 app as far as the Start>Program menu screen as far as size and layout. The other program expands outward across 2/3rds of the screen while the Classic Shell's Start is confined space wise to the one corner more or less. Most are accustomed to seeing the Start menu being larger in size between Vista and 7's own.

This one offers quite a bit more then the free to try versions of the other programs however and is free to start with. There's no need to pay out for a full version to get everything. That also makes this one far more invlting.

If you ignore Metro and the lack of a proper start menu it quite nice.

I'm not saying the rest of 8 hasn't seen some improvements overall as far as security, backup and restoration, and other main functions. The gui change is the main obstacle most are attempting to deal with.

Here compatibility issues would make 8 a candidate for second OS only. For anyone using an older MS optical mouse plugged in by way of a PS/2 adapter the lastest two updates 8.0 and 8.2 for the Intellipoint software has a new device detection screen where now you have to plug the mouse into a usb port in order to see the software work.

On 7 it doesn't matter if the older Trackball Explorer optical mouse is plugged in either way since I can simply run with an earlier version of the same. That helps when you are planning to boot with a live disk or flash drive with another OS in use there having the PS/2 adapter.

As far as video, sound not one problem! Getting the Gigabyte board's software to work and install chipset and other drivers however has been another obstacle I would have the Windows updates would have solved.

Here's a shot of Start Menu 7 on my 64-bit CP....

Just remember you will either need to find a way to get the 8 side bar to pop out for the power button found there on the right side or create shutdown shortcuts in the "C:\AppData>microsoft>Windows>Start>Programs\" folder just to restart, logoff, or shut everything down.

The StartMenu7 looks better then the others however as far as appearance but takes up almost 2/3rds of the screen when opened while the Classic Shell was confined to the one corner. The CS on the other hand could be just a little larger in size likely when adjusting the column size settings for it.