Windows 8 "Release Preview" Released

[Night Hawk]

I dont care what they are going to charge, I hate it and I'm going to skip this update.

I think we can agree on disfavoring what we have seen so far! And as I had been suspecting all along once getting into the 7 RCs the next version would be a hard sell no matter what MS did with it since 7 was a working success!

But knowing me I'll simply dump the RP on a VM along with a stand alone install on the second drive for what a few laughs? or just to review what ever else they made changes with.

 

[Trucidation]

Will be happily learning from those who are getting it early - I'm going to keep using 7 until it's as dead as XP

 

[Night Hawk]

I certainly don't have any plans to dump 7 any time soon. That would be a large fail in doing that!

The possible dual boot would be for things new and new to come that you wouldn't be able to run on 7. At the same time there will be numerous things that you won't be able to run on 8!

 

[Stratos]

Historically speaking, Windows releases seem to have a pattern of being good-bad-good-bad. I can't say Win2k was bad as I thought it was a huge plus over NT4, but XP was better, Vista was too intrusive/slow/unsecure until SP2, then Win7 was clearly an excellent product. Win8... if MS follows this pattern,... well let's say I'll be sticking to Win7 until it's clear that 8 is the better choice.

 

[andyparks]

If Microsoft released it with a free touch screen monitor then I would buy it because that's all its good for but there not going to do that so its going to Microsoft epic fail

 

[Brds7t7]

Been tinkering around with it. It does have some interesting features included like the "Reset PC" feature. But they have removed some features I really liked about Windows 7 and it's just too difficult to navigate if you ask me.

I've had to put 30 shortcuts on my desktop already just to find things...and that's before installing any programs!!

In Windows 7 I have all the stuff I need in my Start Menu.

 

[Brds7t7]

If Microsoft released it with a free touch screen monitor then I would buy it because that's all its good for but there not going to do that so its going to Microsoft epic fail

+1 on that!

 

[stormy13]

If Microsoft released it with a free touch screen monitor then I would buy it because that's all its good for but there not going to do that so its going to Microsoft epic fail

+1 on that!

I dont care what they are going to charge, I hate it and I'm going to skip this update.

Same here. Been avoiding it for a while and finally decided to give it a try. It has the look and feel of just about everything I dislike with Windows Live and anything Facebook. Can't even be bothered with going through whatever to get rid of Metro which really blows.

Add me to the growing list of those that will likely be giving this "new and improved" version of Windows a big pass.

 

[pparks1]

I have to say the opposite of a lot of you. I will admit that the Windows 8 Developer Preview was horrible and the Consumer Preview wasn't that great, but this Release Preview is great. The OS feels like I'm running it off of my ssd even though I am running off of a spinner (I didn't have enough room on my ssd for Windows 7 and Windows 8 together). Metro is very fast and fluid and the Desktop is nice too. It does have a learning curve, that all operating systems have. I like Windows 7 and the good ol' classic desktop, but Windows 8 is great.

A learning curve I can handle. And change I am ok with. However, I cannot see any way in which I would pay cash money to "upgrade" to this new version of Windows. Windows 7 is very solid for me, it doesn't feel old and clunky, it doesn't have a lot of missing things that Windows 8 resolves for me. So why would I pay money to get a new UI that I really don't care for. I don't necessarily want to "get used to it".

My question is why MS hasn't provided a clear path to disable the new Metro feel and give people the option to run in the "classic desktop non-touchscreen environment"? Personally, i think it's because most people would turn off the new look and very few would actually use it. But to attempt to get consistency with Windows phone/tablet interface, they are going to try to force desktop users to have a similar look and feel.

I don't feel compelled to be on the "latest and greatest". I have skipped other Windows versions in the past. Perhaps at a later time, when the way I have used a computer shifts, I will feel more compelled to adjust to this touchscreen way of doing things. But just like my tablet at home, it's alright for a few specific tasks, but for anything else, give me my laptop/desktop and let me be 1000% more efficient using those interfaces (and a real keyboard).

 

[windude99]

I have to say the opposite of a lot of you. I will admit that the Windows 8 Developer Preview was horrible and the Consumer Preview wasn't that great, but this Release Preview is great. The OS feels like I'm running it off of my ssd even though I am running off of a spinner (I didn't have enough room on my ssd for Windows 7 and Windows 8 together). Metro is very fast and fluid and the Desktop is nice too. It does have a learning curve, that all operating systems have. I like Windows 7 and the good ol' classic desktop, but Windows 8 is great.

A learning curve I can handle. And change I am ok with. However, I cannot see any way in which I would pay cash money to "upgrade" to this new version of Windows. Windows 7 is very solid for me, it doesn't feel old and clunky, it doesn't have a lot of missing things that Windows 8 resolves for me. So why would I pay money to get a new UI that I really don't care for. I don't necessarily want to "get used to it".

My question is why MS hasn't provided a clear path to disable the new Metro feel and give people the option to run in the "classic desktop non-touchscreen environment"? Personally, i think it's because most people would turn off the new look and very few would actually use it. But to attempt to get consistency with Windows phone/tablet interface, they are going to try to force desktop users to have a similar look and feel.

I don't feel compelled to be on the "latest and greatest". I have skipped other Windows versions in the past. Perhaps at a later time, when the way I have used a computer shifts, I will feel more compelled to adjust to this touchscreen way of doing things. But just like my tablet at home, it's alright for a few specific tasks, but for anything else, give me my laptop/desktop and let me be 1000% more efficient using those interfaces (and a real keyboard).

I am kind of mad that Microsoft thinks Aero is old and not very good while it is still new in my opinion and is very nice. For the people that don't want to upgrade, you don't have to and you can keep rockin' Windows 7 until 2020 when Windows 7's support ends. The reason why Microsoft doesn't want you to disable Metro is because they are going to make money off of the Windows Store where you can buy only Metro apps. If you disable Metro, then they won't be able to make money off of you (except the Windows 8 license that you buy). P.S. PParks1, have you used the Release Preview yet? It is much better than the Consumer Preview and I think you will like it more.

 

[highroyds]

Just installed it on an OLD Dell D610 lol, Windows 7 ran fine on that but gave it a WEI of 1 which I just laughed at.

Now its got Windows 8 installed and thats given an WEI of 2 lol. Now it does take a bit of getting used to, but I'm enjoying it. Dont get me wrong I love Windows 7 - I also use Windows XP still. But I have found little tricks and found out where things are without haing to go through the start menu.

Though some apps don't work, like I'm having trouble with Manycam and MS's own software for my webcam states theres a problem with the webcam VX-2000, but Skype works perfetly with it all and even see's and works the webcam.

But did take me a while to understand you have to point in the corners of the desktop to get any menu's up lol. I do miss the start menu, but if everything is there in the little shortcuts it should be fine with me lol.

 

[pparks1]

^ Well, I certainly couldn't like it any less. No, I haven't downloaded it yet. There has been nothing about the metro interface that I have yet to like. I cannot imagine how this is any better, unless they dropped metro completely. I will take a look at it sometime though, gotta give everything a fair shake. But spending money on it, is another story.

 

[essenbe]

Well, I reluctantly installed it twice. Both times it failed. It kept trying to repair itself but could not do so. I am not that disappointed, as I don't like it anyway. I don't own an Iphone and certainly don't want one on my desktop. Why Microsoft is trying to force everyone to use this Iphone GUI is beyond me.

 

[Hopalong X]

I just installed Windows 8 RC last week. Now I have to do it all over? That suxs.

I think I'll pass.

 

[Tekno Venus]

I'm downloading this now but I don't think I'll get much enjoyment out of it.

It all seems far to disjointed, almost like they've tried to stick a touch screen friendly skin on top of Win 7. Some apps open in Metro but other through the desktop. Running apps in Metro don't appear in the desktop screen. The desktop and the Metro interface don't mix.
The interface does work very well on tablets well but when using a keyboard and mouse, it doesn't. Charms for example, don't mix with the desktop interface.

IMO, there should be two options, one for tablets/touch screen PC's and one for keyboard based machines. The tablet version should be the same as the current version of Win 8 but the desktop would be an improved version of w7 but without the Metro UI. Remember, this is just my opinion!

Stephen

 

[Hopalong X]

I'm downloading this now but I don't think I'll get much enjoyment out of it.

It all seems far to disjointed, almost like they've tried to stick a touch screen friendly skin on top of Win 7. Some apps open in Metro but other through the desktop. Running apps in Metro don't appear in the desktop screen. The desktop and the Metro interface don't mix.
The interface does work very well on tablets well but when using a keyboard and mouse, it doesn't. Charms for example, don't mix with the desktop interface.

IMO, there should be two options, one for tablets/touch screen PC's and one for keyboard based machines. The tablet version should be the same as the current version of Win 8 but the desktop would be an improved version of w7 but without the Metro UI. Remember, this is just my opinion!

Stephen

My sentiments exactly. Well stated if anyone is listening.

 

[Katanyavich]

I'll be upgrading my Win 7 H/P machine..

To Windows 7 Ult 64-bit.

I'll be doing an 'M-E & Vista' with 8, it sucks.

 

[alphanumeric]

Downloaded and installed, dual boot with windows 7. I won't be spending any extra cash to upgrade any of my desktops, or even my laptop for that matter, from Windows 7 to Windows 8. It "might" be usable on a tablet, but on a desktop with no touch screen, I don't think so. I think it would be a pain on a desktop PC even with a Touch screen. For me that's a lot of reaching that I think would get old very quickly. There seems to be some kind of 5 click rule or something? Things that took 1 or 2 mouse clicks in windows 7 seem to require 5 or 6 now. I guess its time to relearn some keyboard shortcut keys. =(

 

[Night Hawk]

Historically speaking, Windows releases seem to have a pattern of being good-bad-good-bad. I can't say Win2k was bad as I thought it was a huge plus over NT4, but XP was better, Vista was too intrusive/slow/unsecure until SP2, then Win7 was clearly an excellent product. Win8... if MS follows this pattern,... well let's say I'll be sticking to Win7 until it's clear that 8 is the better choice.

Some would certainly disagree on which versions were better then others. For those who ran 2000 some skipped over XP into Vista and were satisfied but were reluctant at first with 7. Others simply found XP as they would call it a crap OS and wanted Vista plus went with 7.

Here I went Dos, 3.1, 95, 98(at first thought 98 was doggy over 95 being larger in size!), XP, Vista(Large but not a blue screen special like XP was for many), 7(all time champ), and now 8(Developer Preview failed to install) CP on VM plus removed from second drive in prep for the RP. Still have to get motivated and get some free moments to slap the RP on both a new VM and second HD.

^ Well, I certainly couldn't like it any less. No, I haven't downloaded it yet. There has been nothing about the metro interface that I have yet to like. I cannot imagine how this is any better, unless they dropped metro completely. I will take a look at it sometime though, gotta give everything a fair shake. But spending money on it, is another story.

Once I click the desktop button as soon as 8 loads up I then have the Start menu 7 addon that provides the Start orb and list of programs. Going back and forth to the Start screen is a royal pain while some adore it!

I will be looking over the RP to get the general idea of what the retail will be like before considering any dual boot as well as which edition I would consider based on what other new things like Hyper-V support 8 would be bringing in. But for a main OS with no dvd playback in WMP or not that I use Media Center gone and pay extra to buy makes 8 sound more like a large leap backwards seeing the OS stripped down!

It just goes to show what I had been saying all along is that the next version to come after 7 would have to be a milestone to surpass 7 since it would otherwise turn into a hard to sell item. Instead of following 7's lead as a success MS is taking leaps and bounds into a deep pit with 8!

When comparing the amount of interest initially seen with any new version of Windows 8 is now getting a bad rep right off the bat! People had more interest in Vista when first seen in RC1, RC2 form while many didn't realize the MS goof of understating what the actual minimum system requirements were.

Many have actually gone back to Vista having tried 7 briefly to stay with the previous version. Vista wasn't a bad OS like 8 is headed for once you had both SPs on as well as having 2+gb of ram. Or removing all but 2gb when installing the 64bit flavor while the 64bit 7 goes on with 8gb present without a problem!

Features, what it supports as well as what is now gone, how it looks and feels as for style and appearance as well as performance will all weigh in. With workarounds to the Metro UI it will be the other things that will either make it or break it!

 

[Hopalong X]

I guess its time to relearn some keyboard shortcut keys. =(

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