Windows 8 "Release Preview" Released

svennd · 02 Jun 2012

I haven't tried the windows 8 version, but as I see it, the idea was great, adding more then just an image in that big space (metro). But as a company they had to commercialize it, this together with the fact they wanted tablets "on board" is a big mistake. PC is more then "looking to content", its primarily "creating content" something they seem to have forgotten, with windows 8. I hope they realize this before its in the shops or another period comes that other OS's like Linux will bloom.

Brds7t7 · 02 Jun 2012

Joan Archer said:

So far I've held off trying it, I don't know why but it just didn't grab me like Windows 7 did when that was in beta. I love new technology but as I don't have a touch screen at present wouldn't be able to really give it a fair try.

When 7 was in beta I was really excited about the OS and partitioned my machine so I could dual boot with Vista, by the way I loved that as well because I had no problems with it, probably because my machine came with it installed so had the hardware to run it.

Windows 7 was even better when the offer of pre ordering it was made available at a very good price. So far I can't seem to get the enthusiasm to partition again for 8 or try to run it in a VM.

I'll see just how long it lasts before I decide I must have the latest.

I agree Joan, I got really excited about Windows 7 when it was released. I even Pre-Ordered 3 copies (1 Pro and 2 Home editions) when they had the offer on from Microsoft.

Windows 8 I just can't get excited about. Like previous comments have said, it feels like they have just taken Windows 7 then stuck a new interface on top of that. Also removing features I love.

Removing the Start Menu is the deciding factor for me. And I also love the Previous Versions feature.

Monster212 · 02 Jun 2012

i wont be installing windows 8 at all. to me windows 7 is like what XP Used to be the go to system, most people avoided vista and stayed with xp for as long as they could, and some still use xp. for me 7 is like xp.. no need for me to upgrade to 8 when 7 is working perfect and stable...

alphanumeric · 02 Jun 2012

I've been using the RP now for a couple of days. The more I use it the easier it is to find work arounds to avoiding the metro screen. I can't help thinking though that if I had booted up to windows 7 instead I wouldn't have too. It does get easier to use the more you plug away at it but I always end up wondering why did I have to do it that way? Its anything but intuitive and going to have a steep learning curve IMHO. Keep in mind that this is on a desktop PC with a keyboard and trackball, no touch screen.

Night Hawk · 02 Jun 2012

Dwarf said:

The new interface is certainly going to take some getting used to, but I don't have any problem with that. A change is as good as a rest, as the saying goes. I'm sure that, within a few months or so of its final release, 3rd party developers will have come around with programs and workarounds that replace some/all of the features (such as Start Menu) that MS have removed (or, at least, provide an alternative method).

The W8 tweakers are already in use as far as replacing the Start Orb even or a new 8 look for that. Some are more or less gimics to sell a full version of a program however once you try the freebie out. But they lack the shutdown, restart, and logoff button!

If you try out something like one of them Like Start8, ViStart, Start menu 7 which adds a Start menu you can create the shortcuts for the three easy enough while browsing to the "C:\ProgramData\microsoft\Windows\Start menu\Programs\" folder and right clicking on the explorer window in there for selecting "New>create shortcut".

When right clicking after on the new shortcut these are what you would type in to the target line.

Shutdown enter "shutdown.exe -s -t 00"
Restart enter "shutdown.exe -r -t 00"

For the Logoff shortcut you browse the "C:\Windows\System32\" folder for the reset.exe file and right click on that to create a shortcut which you then can drag onto the desktop or over to a second window open to the "C:\ProgramData\microsoft\Windows\Start menu\Programs\" folder you were just in.

Once you have an app like Start menu 7 on those will be seen in the list of program folders along with the desktop.in file which is a nuisance and can be dumped! You see that enough when dragging anything onto or copy and pasting any shortcut onto the desktop where that will suddenly appear out of nowhere.

For anyone that wants to give the Start menu 7 a look go to Start Menu 7

Most over at eightforums are preferring this one over the others seen. One note however is the need to see the taskbar set for top of screen when using this not the default botton since the Start screen popup and right click menu are located in the lower left corner.

Obiovusly this gets in the way and why you would need to right click on the taskbar to go into the properties and set it for top there. But this is also another thing about 8 many may find annoying. The Metro is only a fast annoyance when first booting up along with the need to assign a user name and password without any auro login option! You have to click and lift up on the new lock screen every time with the CP and now the RP as well.

essenbe · 02 Jun 2012

But, isn't that a whole lot of trouble to get to what we have now? All the talk about work arounds and all the tweeks, they are just trying to get Windows 7 back. Why not just keep 7? It's a whole lot easier than trying to undo what Microsoft is pushing.

Brds7t7 · 02 Jun 2012

essenbe said:

But, isn't that a whole lot of trouble to get to what we have now? All the talk about work arounds and all the tweeks, they are just trying to get Windows 7 back. Why not just keep 7? It's a whole lot easier than trying to undo what Microsoft is pushing.

Night Hawk · 03 Jun 2012

essenbe said:

But, isn't that a whole lot of trouble to get to what we have now? All the talk about work arounds and all the tweeks, they are just trying to get Windows 7 back. Why not just keep 7? It's a whole lot easier than trying to undo what Microsoft is pushing.

I think you are going to find most will be staying with 7 if they elected to stay with 7 from the start not simply reverting back to Vista or XP.

But! And of course the spelling is off a bit for those that may still need what 8 brings like Hyper-V support not seen with 7 I think many would simply end running 8 as a second OS in a dual boot where these things will have a use.

kado897 · 03 Jun 2012

Classic Shell works nicely on the CP. Haven't tried it on the RP yet.

Night Hawk · 03 Jun 2012

The main issue here is not being able to get the MS Intellipoint software to go on. The latest 8.2 refuses despite running it as admin, setting compatibility back to 7, Vista, and XP as well as running the compatibility troubleshooter and still nowhere.

You would think since MS wants everybody looking at 8 they would have at least a newer beta version for their own keyboards and mice?!