So... Windows 8.

Having installed my full Pro version from MSDN, I though I'd share a few thoughts.

For starters, it's actually pretty damn good. The preview was a mess but current Metro is much better.

Few tips:

Closing an app in Metro is done by moving your cursor to the top of a screen, which turns it into a hand icon. Drag it to the bottom left of the screen.

Do yourself a favour and right-click the bottom left while you're at it. You'll be rewarded with a usefull context menu.

______

Honestly, it's very intuitive and the search function is stellar.

Metro needs to be MUCH more customizable and I really miss a permanent clock on the interface. Also, Flash is acting screwy when using a browser in Metro rather than the desktop,but must of what I've been missing has been a matter of changing old habits.

Feel free to chime in with hints of you have any ;)

Edit:

And beware of IE10 for now. Seems like there's a security breech in Java, which won't be fixed untill retail release 14 days from now.

It very much sounds like they are adding needless steps to the equation. Having to drag the windows to close them? How is that a good idea?

It very much sounds like they are adding needless steps to the equation. Having to drag the windows to close them? How is that a good idea?

jer_1

It's pretty much the same thing really. I'm convinced that people won't hate it nearly as much once they actually try it out, rather than basing their opinions on the preview.

I don't hate Metro; I just hate Metro on my desktop OS. It's ridiculous and unncessary, and it should not be included without a way to completely remove it. I know there are ways around it through third-parties and such, but it should be common sense for Microsoft that 8 should not include this. Do they really think that the average user in particular is going to like this? They hate change, and having to mess around with Metro seems to me like something that is not going to go over well.

Metro for tablets and touchscreen phones is fine, but a desktop or laptop user should not have to mess with it. I just... am amazed that Microsoft thinks this is a good idea. Oh well, that's just my thinking, though, so we'll see what happens.

I don't hate Metro; I just hate Metro on my desktop OS. It's ridiculous and unncessary, and it should not be included without a way to completely remove it. I know there are ways around it through third-parties and such, but it should be common sense for Microsoft that 8 should not include this. Do they really think that the average user in particular is going to like this? They hate change, and having to mess around with Metro seems to me like something that is not going to go over well.

Metro for tablets and touchscreen phones is fine, but a desktop or laptop user should not have to mess with it. I just... am amazed that Microsoft thinks this is a good idea. Oh well, that's just my thinking, though, so we'll see what happens.

Salacon

Have you tried out the full version?

I have'nt really stumbled upon much/any missing functionality. Having used it for two days, most problems have been a matter of readjusting a few habits and getting to know the new layout.

Edit:

And I have'nt really had any issues with needlessly expanded "equations" either.

Few screenshots:

I'm not a fan of the look. I honestly dont know much about Windows 8, but those screenshots make me feel like its regressing into an older, bleek looking style. TurtleSh3lls

It certainly needs a lot of customizaion options, which simply are'nt there yet.

On the other hand, Metro is far from the tablet UI it's perceived as.

It very much sounds like they are adding needless steps to the equation. Having to drag the windows to close them? How is that a good idea?

jer_1

Maybe they're preparing for the evolution of PCs into tablets.

It very much sounds like they are adding needless steps to the equation. Having to drag the windows to close them? How is that a good idea?

jer_1

[QUOTE="jer_1"]

It very much sounds like they are adding needless steps to the equation. Having to drag the windows to close them? How is that a good idea?

MlauTheDaft

It's pretty much the same thing really. I'm convinced that people won't hate it nearly as much once they actually try it out, rather than basing their opinions on the preview.

Does alt+f4 still work?

[QUOTE="TurtleSh3lls"]I'm not a fan of the look. I honestly dont know much about Windows 8, but those screenshots make me feel like its regressing into an older, bleek looking style. MlauTheDaft

It certainly needs a lot of customizaion options, which simply are'nt there yet.

On the other hand, Metro is far from the tablet UI it's perceived as.

[QUOTE="MlauTheDaft"]

[QUOTE="jer_1"]

It very much sounds like they are adding needless steps to the equation. Having to drag the windows to close them? How is that a good idea?

N30F3N1X

It's pretty much the same thing really. I'm convinced that people won't hate it nearly as much once they actually try it out, rather than basing their opinions on the preview.

Does alt+f4 still work?

It shuts down programs but does'nt shut down Windows.

Edit:

You could make a shortcut to the shutdown command. Check out it's parameters with shutdown -? in CMD.

Shortkeys

I will be skipping it unless they force us to upgrade. It seems it is best to only get every other version of Windows. So Windows XP, then 7, then 9.

metro - no

microsoft recolecting information of my pc without my permission - no

kill switch that give microsoft the ability to block and uninstall my applications - no

windows 7 meets all my needss - yes

windows 8 - HELL NO

metro - no

microsoft recolecting information of my pc without my permission - no

kill switch that give microsoft the ability to block and uninstall my applications - no

windows 7 meets all my needss - yes

windows 8 - HELL NO

Krelian-co

???????????

What about for gaming guys? Is it going to be any good?hrt_rulz01

What about for gaming guys? Is it going to be any good?hrt_rulz01

Windows 7 vs Windows 8 Performance Comparison:

http://www.techspot.com/review/561-windows8-vs-windows7/page3.html

Based on the review linked above, Windows 8 is marginally worse or the same when compared to Windows 7 gaming performance wise. Keep in mind this is based on a small sample size of games so take this with a grain of salt.

[QUOTE="hrt_rulz01"]What about for gaming guys? Is it going to be any good?Priapus101

Windows 7 vs Windows 8 Performance Comparison:

http://www.techspot.com/review/561-windows8-vs-windows7/page3.html

Based on the review linked above, Windows 8 is marginally worse or the same when compared to Windows 7 gaming performance wise. Keep in mind this is based on a small sample size of games so take this with a grain of salt.

[QUOTE="Krelian-co"]

metro - no

microsoft recolecting information of my pc without my permission - no

kill switch that give microsoft the ability to block and uninstall my applications - no

windows 7 meets all my needss - yes

windows 8 - HELL NO

FelipeInside

???????????

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2400985,00.asp

[QUOTE="FelipeInside"]

[QUOTE="Krelian-co"]

metro - no

microsoft recolecting information of my pc without my permission - no

kill switch that give microsoft the ability to block and uninstall my applications - no

windows 7 meets all my needss - yes

windows 8 - HELL NO

Krelian-co

???????????

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2400985,00.asp

This looks like meant for a tablet -.-

First of all, the new Start screen merely replaces the Start menu. It's also more easy to organize than the old start menu, which was more or less chains of hard to navigate cascading folder trees. The new Start screen allows you to list the desktop applications you use in a more customizable way, instead of letting the installer handle that detail for you.

Furthermore, if you don't want to use any of the "new" applications on your PC, it's possible to delete most of them (except for IE10 and the Store).

Also, if you like Windows 7 as it is, then don't upgrade! No one is forcing anyone to upgrade to anything.

Please tell me the improvements aren't just cosmetic and the OS actually performs better than 7...

[QUOTE="hrt_rulz01"]What about for gaming guys? Is it going to be any good?FelipeInside

Probably worse; I remember when in W95/98/XP EAX was de facto the audio standard for most og the videogames industry and how a mesh was Vista, disabling the EAX support ,and how poorly is currently done the audio surround in most of the games of our time. This time isn't even a major DirectX upgrade -well, DX10/11 wasn't a game changer, also- so W8 seems to me as a rebranded W7 with unappealing cosmetic changes.

I dont even know how people interact with metro. Its most prominant aspects is the start menu... And i never even use it on Windows 7. Windows key, start typing, press enter. Same process on 8 as it is on 7.

What exactly is the issue?

I dont even know how people interact with metro. Its most prominant aspects is the start menu... And i never even use it on Windows 7. Windows key, start typing, press enter. Same process on 8 as it is on 7.

What exactly is the issue?

XaosII

1. People have not yet used Windows 8 yet and are drawing conclusions from first impressions.

2. People, in general, are very conservative and do not take major changes lightly.

Only thing I like about it is the speed. Boot times are insane now and everything runs really smooth. I still find the metro gui unnecessary though.

Dat 64 bit Professional Enterprise for free

This looks like meant for a tablet -.-

alan_carter

it is, none of the features are worth for normal pcs and laptops and the performance is the same as windows 7.

[QUOTE="Priapus101"]

[QUOTE="hrt_rulz01"]What about for gaming guys? Is it going to be any good?FelipeInside

Windows 7 vs Windows 8 Performance Comparison:

http://www.techspot.com/review/561-windows8-vs-windows7/page3.html

Based on the review linked above, Windows 8 is marginally worse or the same when compared to Windows 7 gaming performance wise. Keep in mind this is based on a small sample size of games so take this with a grain of salt.

NO FRIGGIN' WAY I'm gonna buy this stupid Windows 8. It has changed so much that one cannot even recognize its a Windows OS. The Metro UI is totally unnecessary, and it really sucks. I certainly feel Microsoft have dug their own grave with this OS, mainly due to this ridiculous Metro UI, which is only fit for tablets and cell phones. The ONLY thing which might have convinced me to switch to Windows 8 was if there was a major DirectX update like DirectX 12, but its not there. Anyone remember Windows Millennium Edition? Windows 8 is probably heading in that direction. Unfortunate, since Windows 7 is a terrific OS.

One question for those who have tried the final version of Windows 8. Is it mandatory to use that crappy Metro UI, or is there away to disable it and use Windows 8 like previous Windows versions?

NO FRIGGIN' WAY I'm gonna buy this stupid Windows 8. It has changed so much that one cannot even recognize its a Windows OS. The Metro UI is totally unnecessary, and it really sucks. I certainly feel Microsoft have dug their own grave with this OS, mainly due to this ridiculous Metro UI, which is only fit for tablets and cell phones. The ONLY thing which might have convinced me to switch to Windows 8 was if there was a major DirectX update like DirectX 12, but its not there. Anyone remember Windows Millennium Edition? Windows 8 is probably heading in that direction. Unfortunate, since Windows 7 is a terrific OS.

One question for those who have tried the final version of Windows 8. Is it mandatory to use that crappy Metro UI, or is there away to disable it and use Windows 8 like previous Windows versions?

funkyzoom

No. No way to disable the new Start screen. Sucks, but Windows 7 will still be supported for a few more years.

[QUOTE="funkyzoom"]

NO FRIGGIN' WAY I'm gonna buy this stupid Windows 8. It has changed so much that one cannot even recognize its a Windows OS. The Metro UI is totally unnecessary, and it really sucks. I certainly feel Microsoft have dug their own grave with this OS, mainly due to this ridiculous Metro UI, which is only fit for tablets and cell phones. The ONLY thing which might have convinced me to switch to Windows 8 was if there was a major DirectX update like DirectX 12, but its not there. Anyone remember Windows Millennium Edition? Windows 8 is probably heading in that direction. Unfortunate, since Windows 7 is a terrific OS.

One question for those who have tried the final version of Windows 8. Is it mandatory to use that crappy Metro UI, or is there away to disable it and use Windows 8 like previous Windows versions?

The_Capitalist

No. No way to disable the new Start screen. Sucks, but Windows 7 will still be supported for a few more years.

OMG! What the hell were Microsoft guys thinking? I mean...how is it even possible for consumers to like the Metro UI on a desktop?

[QUOTE="The_Capitalist"]

[QUOTE="funkyzoom"]

NO FRIGGIN' WAY I'm gonna buy this stupid Windows 8. It has changed so much that one cannot even recognize its a Windows OS. The Metro UI is totally unnecessary, and it really sucks. I certainly feel Microsoft have dug their own grave with this OS, mainly due to this ridiculous Metro UI, which is only fit for tablets and cell phones. The ONLY thing which might have convinced me to switch to Windows 8 was if there was a major DirectX update like DirectX 12, but its not there. Anyone remember Windows Millennium Edition? Windows 8 is probably heading in that direction. Unfortunate, since Windows 7 is a terrific OS.

One question for those who have tried the final version of Windows 8. Is it mandatory to use that crappy Metro UI, or is there away to disable it and use Windows 8 like previous Windows versions?

funkyzoom

No. No way to disable the new Start screen. Sucks, but Windows 7 will still be supported for a few more years.

OMG! What the hell were Microsoft guys thinking? I mean...how is it even possible for consumers to like the Metro UI on a desktop?

[QUOTE="funkyzoom"]

[QUOTE="The_Capitalist"]

No. No way to disable the new Start screen. Sucks, but Windows 7 will still be supported for a few more years.

FelipeInside

OMG! What the hell were Microsoft guys thinking? I mean...how is it even possible for consumers to like the Metro UI on a desktop?

[QUOTE="FelipeInside"][QUOTE="funkyzoom"]

OMG! What the hell were Microsoft guys thinking? I mean...how is it even possible for consumers to like the Metro UI on a desktop?

04dcarraher

[QUOTE="FelipeInside"][QUOTE="funkyzoom"]

OMG! What the hell were Microsoft guys thinking? I mean...how is it even possible for consumers to like the Metro UI on a desktop?

04dcarraher

[QUOTE="FelipeInside"][QUOTE="funkyzoom"]

OMG! What the hell were Microsoft guys thinking? I mean...how is it even possible for consumers to like the Metro UI on a desktop?

04dcarraher

windows 7 has everything a normal pc and laptop user needs, but not releasing more OS is not profitable for micro$oft so they need to add garbage features to sell it to people.

So it's not broken but if they don't fix it, it won't sell. It's a businbess after all.

[QUOTE="04dcarraher"]

[QUOTE="FelipeInside"] Learn to use it first, some people are actually saying it's better than the classic menu. Also, there are 3rd party FREE apps that disable the Metro Menu and give you back ur beloved start menu that you seem so hard to let go of....Krelian-co

windows 7 has everything a normal pc and laptop user needs, but not releasing more OS is not profitable for micro$oft so they need to add garbage features to sell it to people.

So it's not broken but if they don't fix it, it won't sell. It's a businbess after all.

Whats wrong with Windows 7? I paid $100 for 64x at the beginning of the year when I already had 32. Thats enough!! :( biggest_loser

Why would you do that? The key for 64 and 32 are the same. You didn't need to repurchase Win 7 at all. In fact, you an download the 64 bit ISO from Microsoft's store (for free, legally) if you wanted to: http://www.w7forums.com/official-windows-7-sp1-iso-image-downloads-t12325.html

Windows 7 is still selling like crazy, it has surpassed Windows XP sales from 2001 to 2009.... Forcing redundant changes onto people will cause problems and Windows 8 will become another poor seller. 04dcarraher

Theres not redundant changes in Windows 8. Windows 8 is better than Windows 7 in nearl;y every way. Im fairly certain you couldn't name me 3 notable changes in Windows 8 that dont involve metro because its the only thing you've focused on.

[QUOTE="04dcarraher"] Windows 7 is still selling like crazy, it has surpassed Windows XP sales from 2001 to 2009.... Forcing redundant changes onto people will cause problems and Windows 8 will become another poor seller. XaosII

Theres not redundant changes in Windows 8. Windows 8 is better than Windows 7 in nearl;y every way. Im fairly certain you couldn't name me 3 notable changes in Windows 8 that dont involve metro because its the only thing you've focused on.

you can not get away from Metro its integrated into win 8, which means forcing redundant changes.