Upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for $39.99

[Night Hawk]

The RP wouldn't go onto VM Player like the CP did for some reason. But I still have the 4.0.2 version on presently likely the reason for that.

A few times on both the VM on VBox and the previous regular install it simply went straight to the desktop. I suspect we are out of the loop until someone gets a good look at the RTM where MS only wanted to push the Metro without revealing the full story behind what 8 will be seeing! That was to promote the Metro Apps store from the start.

 

[IMAyNeed]

I don't know if this is the place, but I wanted to ask. I haven't used it personally, but I read about fast boot, copy improvements, windows to go, and native iso mount. And what else? What is new (in the operating system features, not the look)?

 

[Night Hawk]

Fast boot and faster shutdown may be the claims but the faster shutdown time goes back to one particular registry value. HKey_LocalMachine_System_CurrentVersion_Control and modifying the "WaitToKillServices" value by lowering it down from 20000 for XP and Vista =20 seconds, 12000=12seconds for 7, and 8 now seeing that at 5000=5seconds.

The startup may seem faster depending if there is a password, pin code, or image set for the new Lock/Login screen or arriving at the new Start screen first. It still takes a minute for Windows to finish loading every background item.

Native support for mounting iso images is present as well as 8 now seeing it's own dormant av program or remodified MS SE renamed as Windows Defender. Once you install your regular av program that again lies dormant again. That's the plus side of the security seen there with automatic malware detection until your regular protections are installed.

Forget dual booting however. Each OS should be a stand alone since unlike previous versions when selecting the other 8 sees a full restart rather then seeing the alternate version start loading when selected. Another extra step as far as 8 is concerned.

Hyper-X is one other thing for virtual environments and Cloud networking 8 will offer as well as enabling the taskbar on a second monitor without a 3rd party program for the extended desktop. Compatibility is lost for a good deal of older pc game titles especially those OpenGL reliant or seeing a DX9 installer required since DX9 will not go on like it does with 7!

 

[gregrocker]

I installed Classic Shell to get the Win7-style Start Menu and can now function better on a Win8 desktop.

Lack of right-clickable "Computer" menu choice on Start Menu Solved thanks to SIW2 here.

 

[SIW2]

start screen isn't much use, frankly.

I have it on the start menu.

 

[Night Hawk]

The right click option for any of the addons isn't there to begin with! This is one reason for simply hating the need for one and why not seeing any standard desktop setup option leaves the desktop user hanging!

The limited number of Control Panel items is in the right click menu where the Start screen pops up from! Otherwise you have dig and dig and dig through the Crawler bar Settings screens or have the CP displayed in the Windows Explorer navigation pane which I keep there on 7 anyways.

The LiberKey being another addon program offers more in that for CP items then the lame popup menu!

 

[homeboy]

Upgrade to Windows 8 Pro

Sounds like a good deal so that raises some suspicions.
However I would imagine that this "wonderful" offer is, as with many MS offers not available to everybody. We in the antipodes always seem to be the "poor relations" when it comes to our treatment by MS.
Notice no download links are given nor any site names for download.
Never mind, I guess I will have to do what I always do.......wait and see.

 

[SIW2]

I think you will get the offer.
MS are having to work hard to shift this thing.

 

[jimbo45]

start screen isn't much use, frankly.

I have it on the start menu.

Hi there
that's what I thought originally - but if you re-arrange your work it actually makes sense.
(Note -- we still need some apps to provide "De-Uglification" and customisation of the tiles and the background start screen but within the current limitations you can still make the start screen useful).

Try reading through these threads -- I think I started something here.

Who really NEEDS desktop anymore -- even omn a PC

cheers
jimbo

 

[SIW2]

Jimbo,

As I pointed out on that thread - all you are doing is making a folder full of shortcuts. That folder opens first - so if you simply want to launch a program, click on it there.

That was one of the first things I did , when I first saw a start screen - way back with the early releases.

Because the start screen insisted on opening first - may as well dump the useless metro stuff from it and put some of your own shortcuts in.

Now I do not need that inconvenience.

I boot directly to the desktop - the start screen does not pop up first, getting in the way. It never pops up at all.

I can launch my programs from desktop shortcut, taskbar pin - or , more likely - use the computer flyout on the start menu - to do what I want to do.

I must have the computer flyout menu, and recent items flyout menu - the best , neatest, most efficient way is on the start menu.

The start menu is by far the best and most efficient method for a desktop. PERIOD.

MS are trying to force the start screen on the hapless users as part of their monetarization strategy.

Let me translate that for you - they are trying to squeeze more money out of the unsuspecting users.

 

[Night Hawk]

It depends on what you are looking for! When you have a lot going on you have to decide if you like the new W8 look?

Or you need something a bit more "flexible" when having a large volume of programs on!

I couldn't find any way to strechhhhhhhhh... the Start screen outward rather then scroll it endlessly to handle this volume of primary shortcuts for the large number of apps let alone the secondary shortcuts you would also find in the Start>Programs folders.

 

[SIW2]

LOL NH

Tablet users are not expected to have all that many programs - or drives.

It is a tablet o/s after all.

 

[Night Hawk]

Awww geee... I guess the Tablet PC users are going to end up between a rock and a hard place! :roflmao:

Well that would be the case for those still running a desktop with a Tablet touchscreen OS on it. Now just imagine all htose shortcuts on the new Metro Start screen. :banghead::banghead::banghead:

 

[lehnerus2000]

Agreed

Let me translate that for you - they are trying to squeeze more money out of the unsuspecting users.

Agreed 100%.

That's also why there is the "big push" for users to integrate everything in "The Cloud".

LOL NH

Tablet users are not expected to have all that many programs - or drives.

It is a tablet o/s after all.

I disagree with this though.

MS are betting that consumers will install hundreds of "Angry Birds" style Apps.

 

[Night Hawk]

Naturally! You have to keep that Metro Apps store busy!

 

[homeboy]

I think you will get the offer.
MS are having to work hard to shift this thing.

If they were really trying to dispose of this OS then they would have given some indication of where one could purchase it. I have tried to find a retailer with no success. Perhaps one needs the secret handshake?:sarc:

 

[jimbo45]

I'll hold out until XP-quality programming returns to Microsoft (not going to be holding my breath on that one). And I am in fact being perfectly serious.

Hi there
C'mon Guy -- what do you mean by "Quality Programming".

When XP first appeared - especially with the activation methods people were screaming all over the place and XP was labelled as Windows eXPensive.

Whatever you say about whether you LIKE or DISLIKE about Windows 8 -- Quality prorgramming isn't at fault.

OK the look might be horrible -- but there are significant improvements to Windows 8 that DO make it a decent OS from a "Technical" point of view --for example system security beats Windows 7 hands down -- no more being able to hack the "Memory buffer leak" (If you don't know about that one then you really shouldn't be posting about "quality of programming") and even the "security experts" are saying Windows 8 has finally some decent security in it.

Things also like keeping track of your data updates and Virtual ISO mounting are nice added features too.

While the actual design of the metro tiles themselves does look absolutely horrible - the idea of working based on what you actually do rather than a hierarchical selection via "Applications" is quite logical --for example if I use EXCEL, Cmd prompt and Notepad a lot TOGETHER why should I have to get EXCEL from MS office menu, CMD prompt and notepad from Accessories etc -- and I don't want a horrible cluttered quick launch bar either.

It takes a different way of working -- and while I agree Windows 8 has a horrible tile design - it's not at all bad performance wise.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[lehnerus2000]

I haven't heard many (any?) complaints about the footprint and performance.

 

[gregrocker]

I like the Explorer copy graph, however I just tried to find Select All and those menus are a big mess. Need a map.

 

[SIW2]

I don't think it is on sale till the end of October.

I also think that deal is only available if you get it from MS store and d/l it.

They will probabaly set up a dedicated site for it - similar to what they are doing now ( this is different deal - only applies if you bought a windows pc since June 2nd )

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows/upgrade-offer?SignedIn=1

Not sure I would call it an upgrade though.

I think you will get the offer.
MS are having to work hard to shift this thing.

If they were really trying to dispose of this OS then they would have given some indication of where one could purchase it. I have tried to find a retailer with no success. Perhaps one needs the secret handshake?:sarc: