Heard it was released this morning. Is this it?

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/consumer-preview

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/download

Download links & keys, 2.2-3.3 GB:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/iso


BOY I CAN'T WAIT TO GET MY HANDS ON THAT :clap:!

Or not?

I would suppose that you could "burn" it to a bootable Flash Drive?

Pretty funny. Started a download and it paused to check my computer for compatibility. Everything is good to go except for one problem:
Believe it or not it's Microsoft's own Security Essentials program. All other apps are compatible.

Download the ISO from Therube's link instead of running that little "setup" program from the main link.

Did anyone try it yet? Is it any different than the other preview?

I downloaded the 32bit and 64bit versions but have not tried them yet. I believe Les did though and is a bit lost in the interface :lol:

Fortunately this machine is only a backup if my main machine fails for some reason.

I had Windows 7 installed on one of two hard drives. The other drive was empty and that is where I was going to put Win 8. Downloaded to the empty drive and started the install. There was no indication where the install was going and it asked if I wanted to keep user settings, etc. I clicked no and the install proceeded. It went on the C drive and replaced my Win 7 install. Nothing important lost but it would have been nice if I had been given an option where to install.

Install and setup went well and Win 8 was up and running. Then I ran into the new "improved" interface and the search and confuse started. My immediate impression was that Win 8 was designed for mobile, touch screen use and desktop use was thrown in as an after thought. Things are not where they have been in the past and I'm slowly figuring out how to navigate the system.

I STILL HAVEN'T FIGURED OUT HOW TO SHUT DOWN OR RESTART !!!!!!!!

I'm also curious about the password and if it has to be the Windows Live password or if it can be changed to something else without screwing up my Windows Live Mail log in.


Yippeeee! I found the shut down/restart!!!!

I can't get any of these to download. Anybody else getting them?
I am betting it is a waste of time just like the other preview.

I gave up for now. I would like some feed back if anybody did it.

No probs with downloading both 32 and 64 bit, using the link from therube. Maybe their servers are overloaded? Off to work midnite tour but will get to test run with the beta on the weekend.

I got the W8 64bit version on my computer in a dual boot configuration. I previously had the W8 Developer preview and got so disgusted with it that I deleted it. I imagine I'll do the same with this new version also. The first thing I dislike is the fact that it visually looks like you're back in the old DOS days. Basic colors with no shadows or shading. The Aero interface on W7 is much more visually stimulating to look at. I miss the start button but imagine I could get used to that. It would help if MS gave you a short tutorial on how to access everything and how to shut down. I believe they've done that with every other edition of Windows, why not this one? Maybe they just want to frustrate people.




My Computer:
Homebuilt
Windows 7 RTM 7600 Ult (64BIT) SP1
Antec Earthwatts 500W PS
Biostar GeForce 6100 M9 MB
AMD Athlon 64x2 4200+
Nivdia 8600GT
4G Ram
Seagate 1 Terrabyte 32 cashe (Sys drive)
640 Gig WD Blk (Data & Backup Drive)

"Consumer Preview" eh? What, they don't want to use the word "Beta" anymore? :lol:

Kind of confused me too. I'm posting this from Windows 8 Beta.

Microsoft's Future Riding On Windows 8

Tue, 02/28/2012 - 12:12pm by Michael Liedtke, AP Technology Writer

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Microsoft is scrambling to preserve what's left of its kingdom.

Since the company released its Windows operating system in 1985, most of the sequels have been variations on the same theme. Not that it mattered much. Regardless of the software's quality, Microsoft managed to remain at the center of the personal computing universe.

The stakes are much different as Microsoft Corp. puts the finishing touches on Windows 8 — perhaps the most important piece of software the Redmond, Wash., company has designed since co-founder Bill Gates won the contract to build the first operating system for IBM Corp.'s personal computer in the early 1980s.

A test, or "beta", version of the revamped operating system will be unveiled Wednesday in Barcelona, nudging Windows 8 a step closer to its anticipated mass market release in September or October. The company will offer the most extensive look at Windows 8's progress since it released an early version of the system to developers five months ago.

Microsoft designed Windows 8 to help it perform a difficult balancing act. The company hopes to keep milking revenue from a PC market that appears to be past its prime, while trying to gain a stronger foothold in the more fertile field of mobile devices. It's a booming market that, so far, has been defined and dominated by Apple Inc.'s trend-setting iPhone and iPad and Google Inc.'s ubiquitous Android software.

"Microsoft's future path is riding on Windows 8 and its success," said Gartner Inc. analyst David Cearley. "This is a chance for Microsoft to re-establish itself in a market where it's becoming increasingly irrelevant."

If Windows 8 is a hit, it could also help lift the fortunes of struggling PC makers, including Hewlett-Packard Co. and Dell Inc. Besides giving businesses and consumers a reason to consider new PC purchases, Windows 8 is expected to spawn a new breed of hybrid machines that will be part tablet computer, part laptop.

If Windows 8 is a flop, however, it will increase the pressure on Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. His 12-year reign has been marred by the company's troubles adapting to an Internet-driven upheaval. As Microsoft has stumbled, faster-innovating companies such as Apple and Google have elbowed their way into a position to steer the direction of computing for the next decade or two.

Ballmer, known for his zealous faith in Microsoft, hails Windows 8 as the catalyst for an exciting — and lucrative — new era at the 37-year-old software maker.

Investors seem to be believers, too. Microsoft's stock has recently been trading its highest levels since April 2008. The shares had climbed 50 cents to $31.85 afternoon trading Tuesday, leaving them with a gain of 23 percent so far this year. By comparison, Apple's stock has surged 32 percent during the same period, while Google's shares have dropped 4 percent.

Microsoft's financial performance traditionally improves when it releases a new version of Windows. The last upgrade came in October 2009 when Windows 7 hit the market. The company has sold more than 525 million copies of Windows 7 since then. Part of Window 7's success stemmed from pent-up demand; the previous version, Vista, was so clunky and buggy that many PC users stuck with the system they already had on their machines or switched to Apple's technology on Mac computers.

Windows 8 is radically different from its predecessors. The system won't even have Microsoft's familiar "Start" menu. All applications are spread across a mosaic of tiles, as part of a design Microsoft calls "Metro." The tiles, which resemble road signs, can be navigated with a swipe of the finger on the display screen or with a keyboard and a computer mouse. The tiles also provide a glimpse at the activity occurring in applications connected to the Web, such as email.

The system also is expected to enable users to easily back up their pictures, movies, music and other files on a Microsoft storage service called SkyDrive, which will compete against Apple's iCloud.

The operating system's versatility means it can be used to power computer tablets, as well as traditional PCs.

Microsoft badly wants a piece of the tablet market that has been cutting into PC sales since Apple introduced the iPad two years ago.

In the quarter that included the holiday shopping season, Apple shipped 15.4 million iPads, more than doubling the volume from the same time a year earlier. Meanwhile, worldwide personal computer sales dipped slightly, and Microsoft's revenue in its Windows division declined 6 percent. It marked the fourth time in the past five quarters that Microsoft's Windows revenue has fallen from the previous year.

Reversing or slowing that trend is critical for Microsoft. It still relies on the PC industry for about 55 percent of its revenue, according to Nomura Equity Research analyst Rick Sherlund. "The launch of Windows 8 should provide a few years of robust growth and opportunity for Microsoft to reposition itself to better defend its position against challengers," Sherlund wrote in a note after Microsoft reported the latest erosion in its Windows division.

Besides spurring more sales of the new operating system, Windows 8 is likely to drive demand for the next generation of the Office suite, another major moneymaker for Microsoft.

Windows 8 could inspire more PC makers to design machines that combine the convenience of tablets with the utility of a notebook computer. These devices would be similar to the so-called "ultrabook" computers that offer a Windows-based version of Apple's lightweight MacBook Air machines. Once Windows 8 is available, the ultrabook line could be expanded to include machines equipped with a screen that swivels off the keyboard to take advantage of the system's touch controls and provide a tablet-like experience.

Microsoft clearly envisions Windows 8 becoming the foundation for pure tablets, too. That's why it's developing a version of Windows 8 that can run on the more tablet-friendly microprocessor technology licensed by ARM Holdings. That version will complement the Windows 8 design that will run on the Intel Corp. and Advanced Micro Devices Inc. chips that power most PCs.

HP, the world's largest PC maker, is already counting on Windows 8 to deliver better times. The company's division that includes desktop and laptop computers suffered a 15 percent drop in revenue during its more recent quarter ending in January. CEO Meg Whitman said last week that HP expects to release PCs and tablets running on Windows 8 in time for the holiday shopping season. HP's Windows 8 product line will include a tablet designed for corporate customers.

The biggest question hanging over Windows 8 is whether the long wait for the software will leave Microsoft hopelessly behind Apple and Google in mobile computing.

Whatever headlines Microsoft grabs during Wednesday's preview are likely to be quickly overshadowed next week when Apple is expected to show off the third version of the iPad.

Meanwhile, Google says more than 300 million smartphones and tablets are already running on its Android software, with another 850,000 devices getting activated each day. At that rate, another 155 million to 180 million devices could be running on Android by the time Windows 8 comes out in September or October. As it is, a version of Android is already running the second hottest-selling tablet, Amazon.com Inc.'s Kindle Fire.

"Microsoft is late to the game and this is a different game than they have been playing," Cearley said. "But if they hit a home run with Windows 8, it could still turn some things around."

Only had limited time in it so far but I'm having a difficult time finding my way around and figuring out how stuff works. The desktop changes from a bunch of tiles to no icons at all and a blocky looking fish in the middle and I haven't figured out yet how to set things up the way I want them. I've seen a lot of posts from people who tried and didn't like Win 7 so I imagine that hoards of them will shy away from having to learn Windows 8. At the moment I'm not even sure if I will like it. Oh yeah..... I'd like to have the start button back.

:--) :--)

Wait til you try to shut down. :lol:

The windows key takes you from metro to desktop.

AFAIK any app you install must be accessed from metro side and takes you to the "normal" desktop when clicked.

It'll take some getting used to for sure!

In my experience there are always a group of computer users who detest any change. They pretend to be on the cutting edge of technology, but in reality they are Luddites. I have seen it in every advance in computer systems. The world can't afford to wait for them to either catch up or fall by the wayside.

W8 will either be a successful turning point, or a dismal failure, but it is an attempted step into the future of the post PC era.

If it's anything like that last preview it will be a dismal failure.
I did not care for that at all.

Well, thats one copy they won't sell... They're doomed! :lol:

This thread is funny.

Yeah Anything that comes out that is a BIG CHANGE from
previous software will initially get a whole bunch of
I dont like it. Not buying it. Im sticking with the old.

But more times than not. In time to come all those complainers
will come to find out the new technology really is a huge step forward
and they will wind up using it in the future and happy with it.


I say. Give it a chance.
Also remember that beta versions > or preview versions whatever you
might call it are often times > a decent distance away from
the actual product as it will be when it is officially released.




"Microsoft is scrambling to preserve what's left of its kingdom."
I like that quite from an earlier post.

Yeah this New OS could keep them in the game as a big contender
or it could be a huge DUD and bring them some steps down
the latter.

it will be interesting to see how things fair.

I'm giving it a fair trial and so far have gotten Firefox browser and Windows Live Mail set up and working. Some things though I finding more difficult to find than when Windows 7 came out. One example is finding Windows Update.

There is a start button of sorts. If you move the cursor to the extreme lower left corner you get a thumbnail popup that will display all the tiles on the desktop. Right click on the desktop, click personalize and you can get to the control panel.

Log on password as far as I can tell so far is your Windows Live password. Don't know if it has to remain the Windows Live password or if it can be changed to something easier to remember.

Have found another screen that comes up and has a picture of a tree and the date and time. Click on it and it just jumps up a bit and comes back down. Took a while and a bunch of clicks to figure out you have to hold a left click and slide the window up and out of the way. I guess it's a concession to the touch screen but is confusing if you're used to clicking or double clicking.

Quote:

Have found another screen that comes up and has a picture of a tree and the date and time. Click on it and it just jumps up a bit and comes back down. Took a while and a bunch of clicks to figure out you have to hold a left click and slide the window up and out of the way. I guess it's a concession to the touch screen but is confusing if you're used to clicking or double clicking

When you get to the tree screen hit enter and that takes you to the log out screen. It took me an hour but I found it.:lol:

Never would have thought about using the enter key but it does work and opens the log in.

Everybody must have missed this post .

That is if nothing changed for shutting down and the start menu since the developer preview.

Quote:

QUOTE:
Everybody must have missed this post .

That is if nothing changed for shutting down and the start menu since the developer preview.

Yep I missed that. I only gave the DP a couple minutes of my time.

So it's changed a little, and I've customized colors and icon sizes and such.
Bottom right shows this.


Then settings.


Then,


Also, right click empty spot on Metro and you get,


All apps(See next post)

All apps


I still find my self on the normal side more than Metro and I don't have a tablet or touch screen so, I'm out!!! :P

Wow!

I loved Windows 95 and 98 when they both came out.

I loved Windows 2000, XP, and 7 when they came out.

Vista was okay.

I stayed away from ME.

This thing is butt ugly on a PC. I could see MS releasing a tablet with 8 on it. But, for a PC, it sucks.

I think I can see what they're direction is. Windows has always been designed with business users in mind. Business users are increasingly migrating to mixed use, work stations, Laptops, and now tablets. The next thing in Laptops will be touch screens, and I believe desk tops will soom be accomodating touch screens.

W8 appears to be intended to tie all these together in a common interface, and give Microsoft leverage in competing with Android, and IOS across computers, tablets and phones. Welcome to the new world.

Microsoft Unveils Windows 8 For Consumer Testing

Thu, 03/01/2012 - 9:20am

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Microsoft has let consumers start trying out its upcoming touch-based Windows 8operating system, which aims to power a new wave of computer tablets and traditional PCs designed to counter Apple's big gains in the market through its Macs and iPads.

The test "beta" version of the revamped system was introduced at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, the planet's largest cell phone trade show, and borrows some of the look of Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 software for Windows 8.

Windows 8 doesn't have the traditional "Start" menu, and applications are spread across a mosaic of tiles in a design Microsoft calls "Metro" — seen as an attempt by the company as a scramble to preserve its market share. And executives said it powers up on PCs in eight seconds, much faster than the previous version.

The tiles, which resemble road signs, can be navigated with a finger swipe on the screen or with a keyboard and mouse. But those testing out the new operating system won't be able to try out the finger swiping unless they already have systems enabled for touch use, and the system isn't expected to make its official debut until September or October.

Microsoft executives in Barcelona showed off how users can use their fingertips to swipe in and out of applications, and tilt upright computer screens to a flat position so they can be used as two-person gaming boards or big drawing tablets. A slim laptop had a hinge allowing it to be turned inside out so it could be used as a tablet instead.

"It's beautiful, it's modern, it's fast, it's fluid," said Steven Sinofsky, president of Microsoft's Windows division. "Windows 8 is a generational change in the windows operating system."

Microsoft is also opening an Internet "Windows Store" where users can download applications for the operating system, but only if they have Windows 8. Applications are free for those testing out the beta version, but would include both free and paid versions after the operating system is released.

The test version was downloaded by people from more than 70 countries as Microsoft gave its presentation about Windows 8, but the company didn't immediately disclose the number of downloads. The software can be downloaded at http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/consumer-preview.

Apple is also moving features from its iPhone and iPad software over to its Mac software. That trend will be particularly visible in Mountain Lion, the new Mac operating system that's expected to be released this summer.

Windows 8 will also be the first Microsoft software in a long time besides its cell phone software that will run on non-Intel style processors. The company is developing a version that will run on phone-style chips, such as those used in the iPad.

If Windows 8 is a hit, it could help struggling PC makers, including Hewlett-Packard Co. and Dell Inc. Besides giving businesses and consumers a reason to consider new PC purchases, Windows 8 is expected to spawn a new breed of hybrid machines that will be part tablet computer and part laptop like the device that Sinofsky demonstrated.

If Windows 8 is a flop, however, it will increase the pressure on Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. His 12-year reign has been marred by the company's troubles adapting to an Internet-driven upheaval. As Microsoft has stumbled, faster-innovating companies such as Apple and Google have elbowed their way into a position to steer the direction of computing for the next decade or two.

Microsoft's financial performance traditionally improves when it releases a new version of Windows. The last upgrade came in October 2009 when Windows 7 hit the market. The company has sold more than 525 million copies of Windows 7 since then. Part of Window 7's success stemmed from pent-up demand; the previous version, Vista, was so clunky and buggy that many PC users stuck with the system they already had on their machines or switched to Apple's technology on Mac computers.

Microsoft shares dipped 13 cents to close at $31.74 Wednesday after the new operating system was introduced. The stock has been hovering around its highest levels since April 2008.

Windows 8 is radically different from its predecessors, with its tiles that provide a glimpse at the activity occurring in applications connected to the Web, such as email.

The system also is expected to enable users to easily back up their pictures, movies, music and other files on a Microsoft storage service called SkyDrive, which will compete against Apple's iCloud.

Julie Larson-Green, head of "Windows Experience" and responsible for delivering a new operating system that wows the world's PC users, showed how documents and data can be stored in one device only to appear instantaneously in another.

"It will populate with everything you are used to using right away," she said.

The operating system's versatility means it can be used to power computer tablets, as well as traditional PCs.

Microsoft badly wants a piece of the tablet market that has been cutting into PC sales since Apple introduced the iPad two years ago.

In the quarter that included the holiday shopping season, Apple shipped 15.4 million iPads, more than doubling the volume from the same time a year earlier. Meanwhile, worldwide personal computer sales dipped slightly, and Microsoft's revenue in its Windows division declined 6 percent. It marked the fourth time in the past five quarters that Microsoft's Windows revenue has fallen from the previous year.

Reversing or slowing that trend is critical for Microsoft. It still relies on the PC industry for about 55 percent of its revenue, according to Nomura Equity Research analyst Rick Sherlund.

"The launch of Windows 8 should provide a few years of robust growth and opportunity for Microsoft to reposition itself to better defend its position against challengers," Sherlund wrote in a note after Microsoftreported the latest erosion in its Windows division.

Besides spurring more sales of the new operating system, Windows 8 is likely to drive demand for the next generation of the Office suite, another major moneymaker for Microsoft. In the demonstration in Barcelona, Office looked just like it normally does — but can be opened with a finger swipe.

Windows 8 could inspire more PC makers to design machines that combine the convenience of tablets with the utility of a notebook computer. These devices would be similar to the so-called "ultrabook" computers that offer a Windows-based version of Apple's lightweight MacBook Air machines.

Once Windows 8 is available, the ultrabook line could be expanded to include machines equipped with a screen that swivels off the keyboard to take advantage of the system's touch controls and provide a tablet-like experience.

Quote:

"It's beautiful, it's modern, it's fast, it's fluid," said Steven Sinofsky, president of Microsoft's Windows division.

One man's beauty is another man's butt ugly.

Quote:

In the quarter that included the holiday shopping season, Apple shipped 15.4 million iPads, more than doubling the volume from the same time a year earlier.

Made in Foxconn's slave labor camps in China. (mho)

The only computer users I've been around are either in a business office, at home surfing the net and sending emails, or a gamer, none of whom will have any use at all for fancy sliding tiles and other enhancements geared to tablets and phones.

I'll wager there will not be any large, major corporations installing Win 8 on their systems anytime soon. I'll also wager that the average home user who is using a keyboard and mouse will find the new interface so confusing they will not be tempted to upgrade from XP or Win7. Not sure if the gaming community will find anything exciting enough to lure them away from Win7.

I personally am undecided at the moment but so far I've not discovered any significant enhancements that will entice me to upgrade. It will be interesting to see how things progress over the coming months though.

From "How-To-Geek"
Some keyboard shortcuts.

Quote:

New Windows 8 Shortcut Keys

There might be a couple of new keys that aren’t included in this list, but as far as we know, these are the most important ones.

Windows key – brings up the Metro start screen. You can start typing to search for an app, just like the Win7 start menu.
Win + D – brings up the old Windows desktop.
Win + C – brings up the Charms menu, where you can search, share, and change settings.
Win + I – opens the Settings panel, where you can change settings for the current app, change volume, wireless networks, shut down, or adjust the brightness.
Win + Z – opens the App Bar for the current Metro application.
Win + H – opens the Metro Share panel.
Win + Q – brings up the Metro App Search screen.
Win + W – brings up the Metro Settings search screen.
Win + F – brings up the Metro File search screen.
Win + K – opens the Devices panel (for connecting to a projector or some other device)
Win + , (comma) – Aero Peek at the desktop.
Win + . (period) – Snaps the current Metro application to one side of the screen. (Right side)
Win + Shift + . (period) – Snaps the current Metro application to the other side of the screen. (Left side)
Win + J – switches focus between snapped Metro applications.
Win + Page Up / Down – moves the current app to the other monitor.
Win + Tab – opens the Metro application switcher menu, switches between applications.

Quote:

QUOTE:
Wow!

I loved Windows 95 and 98 when they both came out.

I loved Windows 2000, XP, and 7 when they came out.

Vista was okay.

I stayed away from ME.

This thing is butt ugly on a PC. I could see MS releasing a tablet with 8 on it. But, for a PC, it sucks.

I Agree with what you say. Seems to me the win 8 setup would only be worth while for people with tablet and touch screen computers

what they SHOULD DO > would be to make the OS have the capability
to do both. There should be a version of Win 8 that is more like the traditional desktop setup in win 7 and then there should be a version like we are viewing with the slide menu deal for touch screen capability. OR they should make the OS be able to be changed to one or the other.

because there are times when some users would want to use the traditional keyboard and mouse (like me) and then
there are others who have a touch screen or tablet set up
that want to be able to utilize that side.

Well I finally decided to take the time to install it. For some reason the installation was being really finicky as a VM in both Windows Virtual PC and Oracle Virtual Box (had no trouble at all when I installed the developer preview).

I had an old 80GB hard drive laying around. So I said screw it, unplugged all my other drives (being extra cautious) and threw that old drive in.

So here I am, posting from IE10 in Win8. Can't wait to take that old drive back out and plugged my other drives back in :lol:

edit: Oh my lord...they want you to sign in to Xbox Live to play Solitaire :lol: (you don't have to though)

edit 2: Well that was fun...now I'm done :lol: I saw nothing to change my mind from what I saw in the developer preview. The only real difference I saw interface wise was that to pull up the settings box, instead of putting your cursor down in the left corner, you put in down in the right corner. Ooooo...

Mark, please hold back your enthusiasm. :lol:

So in other words it was a waste of time.

I tried to install it in a VM and it would not go. I am not going through any more trouble to see the same thing I saw before with the
first preview. I am sure it is pretty much the same.

Quote:

QUOTE:I am sure it is pretty much the same.

It is.

Finding Windows Update to see if there are any:

Win 7: Click start, hover cursor over all programs, click windows update.

Win 8: Hover cursor in lower right corner, click settings cog, click control panel, click system and security, click windows update.

Win 7 = 2 clicks. Win 8 = 4 clicks.

Mike meant that this Consumer Preview is pretty much the same as the Developer Preview. It's more functional, but the interface and navigation is pretty much the same. And yes, just about everything takes many more mouse clicks than it does in any other version of Windows. Other than the apps on the Metro desktop.

Quote:

QUOTE:
Finding Windows Update to see if there are any:

Win 7: Click start, hover cursor over all programs, click windows update.

Win 8: Hover cursor in lower right corner, click settings cog, click control panel, click system and security, click windows update.

Win 7 = 2 clicks. Win 8 = 4 clicks.

Then, add a tile for Windows Update to your Start screen. Not saying I like it much, but I could get used to it. Once I found Win + C for eliminating the hovering for which I don't have the patience, I was not as irritated going between Start and desktop.

After some playing with 8, I started getting some weird clicking noises while playing a game. I never did any kind of disk checking, so I have to look around for that. However, it does not occur in 7 (playing same game).

I also did not load any of the Sony drivers / utilities, as mostly everything seemed to work with what 8 installed (for example, volume buttons didn't work after 7 install without some Sony stuff). Anyone think that's causing me problems?

Nancy

Well there has been an update to VirtualBox. So I decided to try installing the Win8 beta to it again. No problems installing at all this time. I still do not like it. But at least when I want to remind myself I won't have to swap hard drives to do it :lol:

Microsoft previews Windows Embedded 8

Colin Holland
3/8/2012 9:19 AM EST

Microsoft has posted the community technology preview for its forthcoming Windows Embedded Standard 8 operating system.

Windows Embedded Standard 8, as the embedded version of Windows 8 is formally known, is designed to allow businesses to seamlessly add commercial devices to their security and management networks rather than operate them as standalone devices.

Windows Embedded Standard 8 supports Active Directory and Group Policies, and can be managed through Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager using the Windows Embedded Device Manager plug-in.

Applications for Windows Embedded Standard 8 can be developed through Visual Studio, and custom OS images can be configured with the Image Builder Wizard and Windows Embedded Modular Designer.

The OS offers support for existing business applications, as well as touch-based apps developed for Microsoft's new Metro interface. Windows Embedded Standard 8 also features most of the security tools built into the desktop version of the OS, including AppLocker, BitLocker, and Secure Boot. Windows Embedded Standard 8 also boasts tools that allow users to access data stored in Microsoft's Windows Azure and SQL Azure cloud services through their handheld devices.

The software provides near-Field Communication support to enable exchange of data while an intuitive interface allows users to interact with tap-to-pay vending machines or download manuals from a service kiosk.

The Windows Embedded Standard 8 CTP can be downloaded from Microsoft's Web site. Users will need a Windows 7 SP 1 system with at least a 16-bit or 32-bit 1-GHz processor, 1GB of system memory for 32-bit platforms and 2GB of memory for 64-bit platforms, 7GB of free hard disk space, a DVD-ROM drive, and USB 2.0 port.

A formal ship date for Windows Embedded Standard 8 has not been announced but it could be available later this year.

I had read all the posts on this and tried the 32 bit version on an older laptop. Hated it. I put the 64 bit version on my AMD 6 core DDR-2 system with a 1920x1080 monitor using an old 5400RPM laptop drive. There is a stellar OS lurking under Metro and Metro isn't too bad in itself. This OS is going to absolutely rock. Read the AnandTech review at length. print the keyboard shortcuts, get windows-start-menu-vistart (it's a little buggy and there are three add on payloads you need to decline or un-check), and you will have a very reasonable win7 desktop in no time. I have no need for Metro at this time, but I understand the need for it in the future. Having said that, My AMD system jumped alive even running on a slow hard drive. I copied my Rift folder over to the hard drive and found that with only Windows Updates it is a better gaming system than Win7 running on a WD VelociRaptor. X-Fi sound drivers that reported not for this OS, installed seamlessly using a right click and running compatibility. I needed to go to Advanced and Windows Update for my printer drivers, but I'll bet I have drivers for every HP out there now. The best part is that Win8 seems to unlock the hidden potential of my AMD system. The OS jumped right up and provided a download for .NET 3.5 for an app that needed it. For a preview this is a great OS. I only have a few hours in the setup. Metro is locked because that is what Microsoft is banking their future on and need to get it right, but I wouldn't be surprised if there is a toggle from Metro to a traditional start menu in the finished product. Mark my words, this is going to be Microsoft's best Operating System.









a

Quote:

QUOTE:This OS is going to absolutely rock.

No it's not.

Quote:

QUOTE:print the keyboard shortcuts, get windows-start-menu-vistart (it's a little buggy and there are three add on payloads you need to decline or un-check), and you will have a very reasonable win7 desktop in no time.

Why would I want to have to resort to remembering or looking up keyboard shortcuts for things I do now with a simple click of the mouse? And why would I want to use a third party add-on to get a reasonable facsimile of the Windows 7 desktop when I have the real thing right here?

Quote:

QUOTE:My AMD system jumped alive even running on a slow hard drive. I copied my Rift folder over to the hard drive and found that with only Windows Updates it is a better gaming system than Win7 running on a WD VelociRaptor.

It jumped alive because it's a clean install with none of the debris that gets accumulated after using an OS for several years. Try a clean install of Windows 7 and you'll see it jump alive too.

Quote:

QUOTE:The best part is that Win8 seems to unlock the hidden potential of my AMD system.

Now that's funny :bs:

Quote:

QUOTE:The OS jumped right up and provided a download for .NET 3.5 for an app that needed it.

Odd, I must just be lucky because Windows 7 has always provided .NET updates when needed...

Quote:

QUOTE:Mark my words, this is going to be Microsoft's best Operating System.

Just like ME and Vista were going to be the best thing ever when they came out :rolleyes:

I figured I'ed get something out of you like that. My win7 is a recent clean install thanks to the grandson and Facebook. Time will only tell, but I'm betting you will be talking out of the other side of your moth soon.

:lol: I actually hope you're right. I like Windows, have always liked Windows. Even the bad ones were tolerable for me. I'm just having a real tough time finding anything at all to like about this one.

Same here Mark. I've hung around on newsgroups and forums for several years now and my personal observation is that the majority of the desktop users are the push the power button and hope it works school. They, and myself included will have no use for the "cloud" or all the fancy metro stuff Microsoft wants us to buy into. They like to talk about their daily activities and post pictures. They email with family and friends, play games and visit Facebook.

I have no exact numbers but I've seen a lot of web space devoted to making stationery. Stationery newsgroups and web pages dedicated to the art of stationery were everywhere until Microsoft decided to haul out Windows Live Mail which does not support stationery. An awful lot potential Windows 7 users hung onto XP and Vista so they could continue with Outlook Express and pursue their hobby.

I get the feeling that Microsoft has given the everyday desktop user the back seat in favor of the tablet/mobile crowd. Heck fire, you can't even customize the old standby Solitaire now. Play it like Microsoft thinks you should play it or else don't play it at all. Click on the Pinball tile and it nags you to sign up for an XBox Live account. I still haven't figured out how to get the flippers to work in the pinball game.

I was anxious to upgrade from one version of windows to the next but somehow Windows 8 just is not generating the old enthusiasm to change. I think Microsoft should have assembled a team to freshen up Windows 7 and another team to concentrate on a separate OS for the tablet and touch screen users. At the moment I don't foresee loosening up my wallet for a copy of Windows 8.

I hate to say it but I'm starting to agree with you as I've liked Win 7 a lot hell I liked Vista just fine and the wife still uses it with no real need to change.This drastic change and I know things change but I can't see me getting used to metro enough to want to go to 8 when it comes out.I'm going to keep playing around in it to see if I start to change my mind.

I Agree also. It just seems like a failed attempt of Microsoft just
trying to keep up with the times. In the older days they where the
trend setters now it seems they are just playing "Stay up with the Times". They need something for a Tablet but not the same as for a
desktop. They are 2 totally different types of computing.
They will just throw it at us and hope we buy into it as always.
Who knows it could be a winner for the newer generation of computer users. I will run it on something just to learn about it but to use it
on a daily basis I really doubt I will.

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QUOTE:Time will only tell, but I'm betting you will be talking out of the other side of your moth soon.

I'm actually anxiously awaiting that damn talking 'moth' you are referring to. I could make a fortune with something like that. ;) :clap: :lol:

Dave