Windows 8 is completely different. If anyone has it or is going to get it we could sure use your help. Tips, tricks, guides and links would also be helpful.
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Welcome to Windows 8
- Thread starter RandyL
- Start date
Armageddon
FPCH Distinguished Member
I currently have Win8 customer preview installed on a drive on one of my desktops so be happy to help out , as Randy as said the windows interface is totally different as a guide and a start point i'd give this a read Start Guide Windows 8
Training Videos
Neowin supplies these three videos that were leaked.
http://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft...sell-windows-8
Neowin supplies these three videos that were leaked.
http://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft...sell-windows-8
Plastic Nev
Deceased - sadly missed
May I add for everyone's benefit that if installing Windows 8 as a straight upgrade from Windows 7 or other operating system that you will lose all traces of your original Windows system.
I strongly recommend you create full backup of that system before upgrading, just in case you wish to go back to it. The best way is a complete image created and stored on an external hard drive, as even recovery partitions are wiped out.
Nev.
I strongly recommend you create full backup of that system before upgrading, just in case you wish to go back to it. The best way is a complete image created and stored on an external hard drive, as even recovery partitions are wiped out.
Nev.
wellies
Free PC Help Contributor
I did create a disk image although, on upgrading, all programs and files were kept. Maybe not such a clean upgrade as starting from scratch (this option is given during the set-up procedure) but a lot less trouble. I've since cleaned off all the backup files that the upgrade creates using the Windows system files clean-up. I suppose that will leave the system in a fairly clean state.
Plastic Nev
Deceased - sadly missed
It is if you decide you want to go back to Windows 7 that a full image is possibly the easiest way to do it.
A question was asked for running the two together if wanted, yes it can be done, but not via the upgrade path as the upgrade is only a change of the original Windows 7 license.
If you wish to have both Windows 7 and Windows 8 in a dual boot system, you must buy a fresh full copy of Windows 8, or conversely, upgrade the existing Windows 7 to Windows 8, then buy a full copy of Windows 7. This is so that both operating systems are correctly licensed.
Nev.
A question was asked for running the two together if wanted, yes it can be done, but not via the upgrade path as the upgrade is only a change of the original Windows 7 license.
If you wish to have both Windows 7 and Windows 8 in a dual boot system, you must buy a fresh full copy of Windows 8, or conversely, upgrade the existing Windows 7 to Windows 8, then buy a full copy of Windows 7. This is so that both operating systems are correctly licensed.
Nev.
wellies
Free PC Help Contributor
Having used Windows 7 almost since its release and Windows 8 for about a week now, I think I can be happy using either. My only disappointment with Windows 8 is that CorelDraw Home & Student X5, which I initially thought was OK, has something that doesn't work in it. The twain driver in PhotoPaint (part of the suite) is inoperative. Not insurmountable because I can always use 'Paint' to scan in an image and then take it into PhotoPaint for working on. I kind of think that it wouldn't hurt Corel to bring out an update for the driver but no, the whole program has to be upgraded to version X6. This would cost around £70. Apart from this disappointment, I'm OK with Windows 8 although not quite ready to ditch my Windows 7 disk images just yet.
I can't get on with using IE10 in Windows 8 Metro mode. If Metro is thought different, IE10 in this mode can be classed as very different. All bookmarks appear as continuous tiled ribbon at the bottom of the browser when the Address bar (also at the bottom of the browser) is clicked. If you have a lot of bookmarks, the ribbon becomes very long. However, for those who want to use IE, it can also be used in the Desktop mode, which gives it the usual browser look that we are all used to and the bookmarks are in folders again.
To some degree, the unsuitability of IE10 in Metro is down to the way some sites are constructed, mostly forums in fact. The table widths in forums are often made up in percentages rather than fixed pixel widths. This means that when they are viewed in full-screen, which is part of what happens to IE10 in Metro, everything looks far too spaced out. That might not look bad to some but I don't like it. I never have run browsers full-screen though. The latest version of Google Chrome has a Windows 8 mode now and this make it behave the same way as IE10.
Overall, I'm not going to condemn Windows 8. Its UI is different of course but this and the system in general work well enough once a bit of familiarity is gained. I like the Windows Store. It is very much like the iPad that Mrs mart has in that respect.
I can't get on with using IE10 in Windows 8 Metro mode. If Metro is thought different, IE10 in this mode can be classed as very different. All bookmarks appear as continuous tiled ribbon at the bottom of the browser when the Address bar (also at the bottom of the browser) is clicked. If you have a lot of bookmarks, the ribbon becomes very long. However, for those who want to use IE, it can also be used in the Desktop mode, which gives it the usual browser look that we are all used to and the bookmarks are in folders again.
To some degree, the unsuitability of IE10 in Metro is down to the way some sites are constructed, mostly forums in fact. The table widths in forums are often made up in percentages rather than fixed pixel widths. This means that when they are viewed in full-screen, which is part of what happens to IE10 in Metro, everything looks far too spaced out. That might not look bad to some but I don't like it. I never have run browsers full-screen though. The latest version of Google Chrome has a Windows 8 mode now and this make it behave the same way as IE10.
Overall, I'm not going to condemn Windows 8. Its UI is different of course but this and the system in general work well enough once a bit of familiarity is gained. I like the Windows Store. It is very much like the iPad that Mrs mart has in that respect.
Windows Defender and MSE
I recently came across this while on the phone with a relative who just purchased a Windows 8 computer.
She wanted an antivirus program so I suggested MS Essentials (Microsoft Security Essentials). I forgot that in Windows 8 that MS Essentials is now combined with Windows Defender. In previous versions of Windows Defender was just an antispyware program. In Windows 8 Defender is both.
Defender is preinstalled with all versions of Windows 8 which is good. It's also turned on by default which is good.
However if you purchase a OEM machine there is a good chance that it came with a third party trial version antivirus program installed and running. Manufacturers get paid to do this. If a third party AV is installed Windows Defender will turn itself off. This is not a problem by itself.
In her case Norton trial version was installed. You can not turn on Defender in such a case. There was not even an option to be seen to turn it on. Norton had to be uninstalled first. After uninstalling Norton you would think that Defender would have turned itself on just like it turned itself off. Think again. Defender needed to be turned back on manually. The option to turn on was there after the Norton uninstall.
So don't find yourself unprotected by accident. Turn on Defender if you uninstall any other AV.
One thing that might also be prudent if you are upgrading to Windows 8 is to uninstall MS Essentials before the upgrade.
I recently came across this while on the phone with a relative who just purchased a Windows 8 computer.
She wanted an antivirus program so I suggested MS Essentials (Microsoft Security Essentials). I forgot that in Windows 8 that MS Essentials is now combined with Windows Defender. In previous versions of Windows Defender was just an antispyware program. In Windows 8 Defender is both.
Defender is preinstalled with all versions of Windows 8 which is good. It's also turned on by default which is good.
However if you purchase a OEM machine there is a good chance that it came with a third party trial version antivirus program installed and running. Manufacturers get paid to do this. If a third party AV is installed Windows Defender will turn itself off. This is not a problem by itself.
In her case Norton trial version was installed. You can not turn on Defender in such a case. There was not even an option to be seen to turn it on. Norton had to be uninstalled first. After uninstalling Norton you would think that Defender would have turned itself on just like it turned itself off. Think again. Defender needed to be turned back on manually. The option to turn on was there after the Norton uninstall.
So don't find yourself unprotected by accident. Turn on Defender if you uninstall any other AV.
One thing that might also be prudent if you are upgrading to Windows 8 is to uninstall MS Essentials before the upgrade.
Windows 8 for Dummies
Dell released a Windows 8 for Dummies PDF free download.
http://marketing.dell.com/Global/FileLib/Windows_8/windows-8-ebook.pdf
Dell released a Windows 8 for Dummies PDF free download.
http://marketing.dell.com/Global/FileLib/Windows_8/windows-8-ebook.pdf
isaiahstone
Youngest Member
i want windows 8
You'll have to get your dad to buy it little buddy. 
Out of curiosity I do want it. I'm just to cheap. 
isaiahstone
Youngest Member
lol heh heh
I am using Win 8 at the moment.
I bought it as a present to self and to keep up with advancements.
To be quite frank - I think I prefer Win 7.
I have had this machine for just over a month. Used it every day.
I still have trouble finding my way around.
The vast majority of the apps on the Start Screen I don't use.
I leave them there ...... just in case !
I do like the boot time.
It is quick.
Getting used to the Search Charm - which I quite like too.
Why have they got to call it a "Charms Bar" ??
It sounds like something from Harry Potter !
I know this OS was designed for touch screens - and this, presumably, will feature more in the future.
My son has his own buisness and manufactures and sells interactive LCD screens.
He says that he has to use Win 8 ( customer preference ) but hates it !!
I have not got to that stage yet.
I bought it as a present to self and to keep up with advancements.
To be quite frank - I think I prefer Win 7.
I have had this machine for just over a month. Used it every day.
I still have trouble finding my way around.
The vast majority of the apps on the Start Screen I don't use.
I leave them there ...... just in case !
I do like the boot time.
It is quick.
Getting used to the Search Charm - which I quite like too.
Why have they got to call it a "Charms Bar" ??
It sounds like something from Harry Potter !
I know this OS was designed for touch screens - and this, presumably, will feature more in the future.
My son has his own buisness and manufactures and sells interactive LCD screens.
He says that he has to use Win 8 ( customer preference ) but hates it !!
I have not got to that stage yet.
Plastic Nev
Deceased - sadly missed
I am still trying to find a good but not too expensive touch screen myself, I refuse to try W8 without one. I assume that is what your son is dealing with so any info will be appreciated.
Nev.
Nev.
Hi Nev
Take a look here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=T4Dm-2yZ9jc
The smallest he does is 42 inch
Take a look here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=T4Dm-2yZ9jc
The smallest he does is 42 inch
Plastic Nev
Deceased - sadly missed
Very nice and ideal for the lecture room or school classroom, but 42 inch is twice the size of the standard monitor that I already have, and my 21 incher is massive. Guess I will have to keep looking for something more suitable to a desktop.
Nev.
Nev.
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