my thoughts on Windows 8 Developer Preview so far...

[steve2470]

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/apps/br229516

Download URL is above, if you're interested.

It's a pre-beta OS and performs like one too. It cannot find my 16 gb USB thumb drive attached to my USB hub, yet. It found all my other devices. I'll keep trying to get the OS to find my thumb drive. It found my ancient floppy drive which is also connected to my hub, so I seriously doubt my USB hub is the problem.

Enabling Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5.1 never happened, despite the OS asking me to do so. I was trying to invoke the Catalyst Control Center for my AMD graphics card from the desktop, so it asked me to enable the .NET Framework. Finally the CCC just worked without the .NET.

The OS installation demands that you have a hotmail or live.com email account setup already or set one up. As far as I could tell, you cannot proceed with installation unless you consent to this cloud-linked feature. I don't like it but the cloud is the future and the present, eh ?

Upon initial boot-up you are presented with the Metro screen with tiles that we've all been seeing in the reviews. Meh. I must be getting old, because I much prefer my nice clean desktop. There is an icon for Desktop, so you can go there. Also icons for Control Panel, IE, and other apps.

IE 10 is included in this OS. I know no one really cares, just a tidbit.

I'll keep using it for a while and post further thoughts if they come to me. I guess the Metro interface is great for tablets but it leaves me cold.

[Occulus]

1. Whoa! Already? Cool, thanks!

Collection get on the one with the dev tools. 4.8Gb is a bit hefty for a pre-beta; I suppose the dev tools count for some of that.

Can I install this alongside my stable Windows 7 install? I have Ubuntu 11, which means Grub 2 points to Ubuntu and the Windows 7 loader. Yes, I have unallocated space, but will the Windows 8 pre-beta wipe my MBR, like Windows usually does? I don't want that....

I do have a completely empty drive. Should I set that to the default boot device in my BIOS instead, install the Win8 pre-beta there, and just move it down the boot list when I want to use my PC 'normally'?

"Enabling Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5.1 never happened, despite the OS asking me to do so. I was trying to invoke the Catalyst Control Center for my AMD graphics card from the desktop, so it asked me to enable the .NET Framework. Finally the CCC just worked without the .NET."

I suspect that .NET installed properly and didn't bother telling you so. The CCC would not work properly without it, so my guess is that you have .NET installed, and the pre-beta is lying about it. No real surprise there.

"The OS installation demands that you have a hotmail or live.com email account setup already or set one up. As far as I could tell, you cannot proceed with installation unless you consent to this cloud-linked feature. I don't like it but the cloud is the future and the present, eh ?"

Showstopper. I really, really hope that's not a final decision, even though I have a spam Hotmail account. I will not habitually use an entire OS that requires the cloud, full stop. That is a recipe for complete disaster. Even Valve knows this, which is why Steam can install offline (and, if you make local backups, is why you can PLAY offline, too).

"Upon initial boot-up you are presented with the Metro screen with tiles that we've all been seeing in the reviews. Meh. I must be getting old, because I much prefer my nice clean desktop. There is an icon for Desktop, so you can go there. Also icons for Control Panel, IE, and other apps."

I think the whole Metro flap is just that- a flap. If the familiar (to most of us) Aero interface is also there, Metro isn't really much of a much either way. The whole point of Metro is to try to unify the interface experience between Microsoft software platforms, a practice of which I very heartily approve. People don't really care how a computer does what it does as long as the way you use one is the same from device to device- that's why Mac users have such a hard time sitting down to a Windows machine and why Windows users have such a hard time sitting down to a Mac.

[steve2470]

5. Yes you can install it along side your Windows 7 installation

and yes, the pre-beta will wipe out your MBR. Yes, I would use the completely empty drive, which is what I did.

When I boot-up, my MBR presents me with 4 choices: XP (for fun), Windows 7, Windows Vista (for my son) and the Developer Preview. All of these OS'es are on different drives.

[TroglodyteScholar]

36. Why not just run it using Virtualbox in Ubuntu?

https://www.virtualbox.org/

[Earth Bound Misfit]

2. Downloading now...

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/home/

System Requirements

Windows Developer Preview works great on the same hardware that powers Windows Vista and Windows 7:

1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor
1 gigabyte (GB) RAM (32-bit) or 2 GB RAM (64-bit)
16 GB available hard disk space (32-bit) or 20 GB (64-bit)
DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver
Taking advantage of touch input requires a screen that supports multi-touch

snip

You can't uninstall the Windows Developer Preview. To reinstall your previous operating system, you must have restore or installation media.

Windows Developer Preview with developer tools
Install on:
Windows 7 and Windows Vista Clean install only
Windows XP Clean install only

Windows Developer Preview (32-bit or 64-bit)
Install on:
Windows 7 and Windows Vista You can keep accounts, files, and settings
Windows XP You can only keep accounts and files

A clean install is supported on all builds. You will only receive the full set of installation options when setup is launched in Windows.

More @: http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2011/09/13/welcome-to-windows-8-the-developer-preview.aspx

Other useful links:
Create Bootable USB or DVD - Windows 8 Developer Preview ISO http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2227-create-bootable-usb-dvd-windows-8-developer-preview-iso.html
VirtualBox - Install Windows 8 Developer Preview http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2241-virtualbox-install-windows-8-developer-preview.html

[Earth Bound Misfit]

3. Too late to edit...

Something to consider, according to the information I've read (so far) from M$....

The full developer preview is to large for a standard DVD and requires a dual layer Disk, (don't have em) so some work around will be needed.

Maybe d/l the full (4.8gb)package and the standard package (x64 3.6gb/ 32 bit 2.something gb)-install from the standard and then extract what's needed from the full ISO?

[Occulus]

4. Let us know if you come up with anything

I'd like to give this a test drive.

[Earth Bound Misfit]

7. Just installed it in VMware Workstation 8 (30 day free trial)

Installed both the 32 & 64 bit on VirtualBox & both performed horrendously, even taking into consideration that it's a developer build & also my cheap lappy's (Gateway NV59C) already underwhelming native graphics. Limited choices for Screen Resolution, mouse was intermittently unresponsive, Metro UI crashing & freezing...etc. Ex-PLODE-r 10 froze when downloading FF 6.0.2 (LOL)...apps don't have a way to exit, they run in the background and the OS manages them...finding simple things like control panel, the power button, the "run" button, Start Menu, etc is A LOT harder than it should be.

I've only just begun playing with the Workstation install. It's 1000% percent better than VirtualBox IMHO--at least for THIS build.

I must say I'm underwhelmed at this point. It's Windows 7 with a cellphone interface. Get rid of the Metro UI for desktops & it's much the same as Windows 7 but with a few ribbons here and there, a new task manager look...& little else I've noticed...a little snappier perhaps, but consider I'm running a VM--it'll be that much faster than 7 when installed to disk. As it is, Win 8 seems like 2 different OSes bolted together but of course, this is a work in progress.

Edit to add: This won't install on VMware Player,(see screengrab) Workstation 8 is required.

[Earth Bound Misfit]

9. Add link for VMware Workstation 8 (Registration required)

https://www.vmware.com/tryvmware/index.php

[Old Codger]

34. Win 8 64

dl'd the 64 bit, saw that about the dual layer needed but the ISO I got burned to a standard DVD and installed fine.... need to look at which one I have....

[steve2470]

6. fwiw, I hooked up my USB thumb drive directly to a port on the back of the case

Now the OS sees my thumb drive and uses it. Funny how it saw my floppy drive and not my USB thumb drive initially.

[Old Codger]

32. Win 8

Just finished installing , so far found thumb drives fine,seems to have most everything else ok, no too sure abut the metro but seems pretty straight forward and as has been noted normal desktop is there if wanted/needed

[Earth Bound Misfit]

8. What he said. n/t

[DaveJ]

10. Cool Does it Still Have Solitaire?

I will buy it, only if it has Solitaire. How did you get it? Are you a developer?

I'm guessing touch screens are their focus, like in the Minority Report movie. This is a simple beginning, IMO. I like the idea of touchscreens, if the can relieve some of the carpal tunnel syndrome I have from using a mouse.

[steve2470]

12. Solitaire, I don't know :)

You download it from the link I provided in the OP. No, I'm not a developer. I got the download link from this site I subscribe to: http://www.windows8update.com/

[DaveJ]

17. I would get it as long as Visual Studio and Adobe CS keep working

I appreciate the "OS should be minimal" mindset, but at the same time, as long as my apps run faster, they can do whatever they want with the desktop. Windows 7 seemed much better than XP on an old laptop, so I wonder if 8 will be faster as well.

MS has been subtly pushing this kind of interface for years with Windows Media Center. I think they are getting to the point where they are tired of being subtle. They see that other companies are not being subtle about their interfaces, and doing fine. They need to make bold moves, that is how companies become successful in the first place. I'm guessing, of course, they must have more sophisticated business algorithms for making these decisions.

[canetoad]

11. The day I sign up for Hotmail or Windows Live

Will be the day I'm diagnosed with Alzheimers.

[hobbit709]

13. Ditto!

[Earth Bound Misfit]

14. WinDOZE Live not required...

There are two ways to use an account in Windows 8, one is through using your Windows Live Account (much like Xbox Live), or if you would prefer not to, then you can create a local account. Click, "Don't want to login on Windows Live ID?".



Click "Local Account"



Pick a User Name, set a Password and a Password Reminder.

[steve2470]

15. Thanks for that info !

I wish I hadn't missed that somehow.

[Earth Bound Misfit]

16. You're welcome.

FWIW, I've installed both the 32 & 64 bit Developer Preview on VMware Workstation & have been "playing" with both. The 64 bit version is much more stable & snappy---I'm actually starting to like it. :shrug:

[Occulus]

18. Is there any driver support yet?

Like video drivers from Nvidia/ATI?

I think I'll get a stick today and try this out...

[steve2470]

29. I have not seen any

My copy of DP's Windows Update downloaded this for my graphics card, but I don't know what it is exactly:

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. driver update for AMD Radeon HD 6800 Series (Engineering Sample)

Installation date: ‎9/‎20/‎2011 6:43 PM

Installation status: Successful

Update type: Optional

This driver was provided by Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. for support of AMD Radeon HD 6800 Series (Engineering Sample)

More information:
http://winqual.microsoft.com/support/?driverid=200000260

Help and Support:
http://support.microsoft.com/select/?target=hub
****************************************************************

On the Device Manager page for the driver, it says AMD 8.88.5.3 from 9-2-2011.

[steve2470]

19. How To: Disable Windows 8 Metro UI And Ribbon UI

http://www.windows8news.com/2011/09/19/disable-windows-8-metro-ui-ribbon-ui/

I’m sure plenty of you have installed the Windows 8 developer preview. So far it seems that people are more than happy with it, however I’m slightly annoyed with the new Metro UI at times because I’m only using it on my laptop without a touchscreen. I’m sure the experience is completely different on a touchscreen but I am yet to try it out so until then I’ll reserve my comment on it.

I’ve found it difficult at times to do simply things like even shutting down Windows 8 or searching for things. With Windows 7 it’s as simple as going to the start menu and everything is at your fingertips. But now everytime I click on that start menu it flips back to the Metro UI. That sent me looking for a solution, I wanted to be able to turn off the metro UI and that lead me to MetroController. It allows you to disable some or even all of the new Metro features in Windows 8.

This is a handy little piece of software. It allows you to either:

Disable Metro UI, Start Screen, Explorer Ribbon UI and Enable the Old Start Menu
Or you can just disable the Metro UI, Start Screen and Bring back the old Start Menu but still keep the new Explorer Ribbon UI.

*end of excerpt*

Download link on left side of page for MetroController: http://www.windows8news.com/downloads/?did=19

[Earth Bound Misfit]

20. ...or you can just NOT install 8 Dev Build

...and continue to run a fully functional 7 :shrug:

[steve2470]

22. True

Running the DP is like a new toy for me, definitely not a "must". I can adapt to the Metro UI. One little trick I did is to pin the Control Panel to the Taskbar. The Control Panel was pinned to the Metro UI but I don't know where it went lol

Have you found a fast way to reboot or shut down ? Right now it seems as if you have to logoff first, then shut down or reboot. Am I missing something ?

[steve2470]

23. Found this:

Of course, there are times where you may want to perform a complete shutdown – for example, if you’re opening the system to add or change some hardware. We have an option in the UI to revert back to the Windows 7 shutdown/cold boot behavior, or since that’s likely a fairly infrequent thing, you can use the new /full switch on shutdown.exe. From a cmd prompt, run: shutdown /s /full / t 0 to invoke an immediate full shutdown. Also, choosing Restart from the UI will do a full shutdown, followed by a cold boot.

http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2011/09/08/delivering-fast-boot-times-in-windows-8.aspx

on edit: Trying to make a batch file out of this but no luck so far.

[steve2470]

24. this shortcut works for DP:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/61294-shut-down-computer-shortcut-create.html

[Earth Bound Misfit]

27. Great minds think alike.

We just x-posted. See post #25

[Earth Bound Misfit]

28. This one's gold...

How to Create a Start Menu Toolbar on the Desktop Taskbar in Windows 8 http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2460-start-menu-toolbar-create-windows-8-taskbar.html?filter<1>=Taskbar%20Start%20Menu

This tutorial will show you how to create a Start Menu toolbar on the Desktop taskbar in Windows 8 for users to experience the full Metro UI features and also have a Start menu.

As you install more programs your Start Menu Toolbar will need to updated, to do this just select Toolbars and un-check the Start Menu toolbar then navigate to your current Start Menu Shortcut to delete it repeating steps 2 to 4 to create a new Start Menu Toolbar.

Un-checking the show title and text options in the toolbar dialogue and attempting to customize the folder with an custom Icon was unsuccessful.

[steve2470]

30. nice tip, thanks ! nt

[Earth Bound Misfit]

25. Control Panel, Wind Explorer Notepad, Folder options "Everything" search engine...

paint, snipping tool, programs and more pinned to my taskbar. A treasure trove of useful shortcuts/tips/tricks/etc compiled for 7 but have yet to come across any I've used not working in 8.

Windows 7 Tutorials: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/?filter<2>=Context%20Menu

I chose "local acct" during setup and enabled autologon (start>>run>> "netplwiz" uncheck "User must enter password..."

I use these 2 shortcuts:

Shut Down Computer Shortcut - Create http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/61294-shut-down-computer-shortcut-create.html
Restart Computer Shortcut - Create http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/61284-restart-computer-shortcut-create.html

Still takes about 90-100 seconds to reboot my VM.

[steve2470]

26. at least I had a bit of fun lol.... the answer to fast shutdown here:

In the metro menu click Start Settings Power then choose between Shutdown or Restart

http://www.neowin.net/news/windows-8-how-to-re-enable-the-classic-start-menu

[Earth Bound Misfit]

21. Simple registry hack disables Metro, Enables Win 7 Start Menu...

Disables Ribbon in explorer & also disables the new task manager: http://www.neowin.net/news/windows-8-how-to-re-enable-the-classic-start-menu

To get back the old start menu, open regedit, goto

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer

change value of RPEnabled from "1" to "0"

close regedit, you get your old start menu......the catch is, no more metro UI because you just disabled it. To get back the Metro UI, change the value back to "1"

We should note that the DP is not intended to be an everyday OS, it is far from complete and there are many bugs and other logistical issues to be resolved.

Making changes to the registry is always a risky adventure and you should not do so unless you are confident in your ability to make the correct adjustments.

While the classic start menu is not present in the DP, it is speculated that Microsoft intentionally did not make the option available to force developers to adopt the new UI. The classic start menu could return in native fashion at a later date.

Or just run 7 as I said before.

[steve2470]

31. official Microsoft support forum for Windows Developer Preview

http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/windowsdeveloperpreviewgeneral/threads

[Old Codger]

33. More stuff

I was dual booting XP and 7, installed win 8 a third drive, it set up to dual boot to 7 but left XP out, had to do some tweaking to get that resolved but finally got it to go ok.

[steve2470]

35. RUMOR about Windows 8 beta:

http://www.windows8update.com/2011/09/25/new-windows-8-rumor-windows-8-beta-will-have-a-hardware-tablet-partner/

<snip>

The most popular option at this point is selling (at a steep discount) Windows 8 tablets with Beta software and (get this) allowing them to be (optionally) upgradeable upon final launch.

Windows 8 would be able to be upgraded via internet updates (that seems hard to believe)

The price for the hardware would be approx $250 to $300

Unclear what the price of the software would be when it was RTM’ed (obviously).

<snip>