Microsoft prepares rethink on Windows 8 flagship software...

Yeah, I know, they won't change now.. That much has been obvious for a long time. If I had to buy now, I'm not sure what I'd do really. I know I could pretty easily go linux, but I still prefer Win 7 at the moment. Guess we'll all just have to wait and see what happens these next few years... But yeah, there's not much hope for Windows...

 

Speaking of innovation, MS does seem to be lacking in some areas.

Like Google and MS for instance:

Google Desktop Search -> Improved Windows Search
Google Desktop Gadgets -> Vista Sidebar
Google Docs -> Online Office

Google Chrome Store -> Windows 8

They say competition is good for the consumer. They're right, it is, but I'm scratching my head trying to figure out the benefit of this one.

 

one thing that infuriates me about Metro is the integration of the desktop experience.

for example, if you search Metro for Windows Updates Metro will launch a Metro version of the Windows Updates, not the desktop version from the Control Panel that we're all accustomed to.
although the traditional Windows Updates is still there.

that's the reason why i don't use Metro to launch Windows applications.
i just never know when it's gonna serve me a tablet version.

i just right click on the Start menu and go to the Control Panel from there.
then use the Search in Control Panel.

that way i don't have a bastardized Metro version pop up on me.

 

Hi Wild:

Right! I prefer Pepsi!

A better analogy would be the Ford Edsel.

When a firm like M$ listens to their arrogent internal vision and futurists rather than real people who use their product (it is a product) they got what they deserved.

For those who like food analogies some years ago a firm did all the research into what people thought should be in a good dog food. They brought it to market with a lot of barking and guess what THE DOGS WOULDN'T EAT it.

I guess they intereviewed the wrong people and forgot to test market it!!!

 

From what I've heard, the beta testers tried to tell them (MS), but they refused to listen. So....

 

The metro UI has a lot of potential on the tablet market. What IMO MS did right is the Metro Start Screen but that should have been option since it's such a huge change from standard. The entire concept of dumped down metro apps, full screen no multitasking is a complete nonsense. It will never work on a 24 inch screen desktop and will always just look ridiculous.
Anyways, good for MS to rethink their strategy. Maybe they will learn to be less arrogant?

 

Windows 8.1 Full Features List...

As you have probably heard by now, Microsoft has decided to confirm this week that it's working on a new operating system called Windows 8.1, while also revealing lots of details about it.

The purpose of this article is pretty simple: to present all the changes that Microsoft plans to bring with its next Windows release, along with a few details to help you figure out the purpose of each of them.

Before jumping into details, there's one important thing that you should take into consideration: Microsoft will launch a public preview of Windows 8.1 in late June at the BUILD developer conference.

Given the fact that it's just a beta and the target audience is mostly made of developers, the Softies might very well change some of these features before the public version of the OS hits the market.

If previous reports are true, expect this to happen later this year, most likely just before the holiday season, as Microsoft hopes to see Windows 8.1 generating higher sales than Windows 8.

So let's see what's new in Windows 8.1:

• The Start button is back: Microsoft will make this utterly popular feature available in Windows 8.1, but instead of launching a Start Menu, it will be a shortcut for the Start Screen. It will be always visible while working on the desktop, while in the Metro UI, you will be able to access it by simply moving the mouse cursor in the lower left corner.

• The lock screen will come with many more customization features and will be able to display slideshows using photos that are stored either locally or in SkyDrive accounts. This could basically turn a Windows 8.1 tablet in a full-featured photo frame.

• The Start Screen will also provide many more tweaking options and will come with new background and color settings. In addition, users will be allowed to use the desktop wallpaper as a background for the Start Screen too, just to make the transition from the desktop to Metro more user-friendly.

• Live tiles will come in four different sizes and users will be allowed to order them by usage. Microsoft apparently thinks that such an option would basically bring the Start Screen closer to the original concept of a Start Menu.

• Internet Explorer 11 will also be included and will come with improved touch support, new options, and dedicated settings to sync tabs across Windows 8.1 devices.

• SkyDrive will receive major improvements and will come with deeper Windows 8 integration. Users can save files straight to their SkyDrive account, while synchronization options will be available at one-tap distance.

• Snap View mode will be enhanced as well and will enable users to run apps side by side. It will support up to 4 different Metro applications.

• The Windows Store will undergo a significant makeover, so it'll display more details about each app, as well as new rankings for each category.

• Metro apps will be updated automatically when new versions of the installed tools are released.

• The Search Charm will be powered by Bing and will allow users to look for information both locally and on the web. It will offer support for files, apps, settings, web, and SkyDrive accounts.

• New Metro apps will be installed by default on all Windows 8.1 machines, including an Alarm app, Movie Moments, Reading List, and Calculator.

• The touch keyboard will boast improved autosuggest features and will support new gestures.

• Users will be allowed to skip the Start Screen completely and boot directly to desktop.

• File Explorer, the new file manager available in Windows 8, will also be updated. Libraries will no longer be displayed in the navigation panel, while Computer will be renamed to “This PC.”

Source

 

They only listen to the cash register.

 

Personally think Microsoft needs to a Ctrl+F for anything metro in the windows codebase and delete it. Then save that copy as Desktop Windows and keep "Tablet Windows" on tablets.

 

Yep, that was pretty much their big mistake...

 

Windows 8.1 revealed in new Microsoft video

 

A start button that goes to the start screen. Ingenious! LOL!!

 

Wow I wish MS had you on staff!

If they did they could produce a solid o/s for notebooks/desktops and a good tablet o/s for tablets. They could then make these 2 o/s work in a leaner and more optimum way not having to build a hybrid combo not so good at either.

These they could sell and make more money for their stockholders.

 

What date will Windows 8.1 ship? 8/1.

http://www.neowin.net/news/rumor-windows-81-to-ship-august-1st
https://twitter.com/thurrott/statuses/343053739344687105

 

most of these new features in 8.1 are geared toward Metro and the tablet interface.

beside the Start button and the boot to desktop features there doesn't seem to be much in there for desktop users.
----

don't know if this a Metro App or a new file manager for the desktop.

 

If they make any real changes, I doubt it would be before Windows 9.

 

i don't know if that's gonna happen.

even Ubuntu has jumped on the tabletized OS bandwagon.

apparently, people like us with our desktop machines are dinosaurs.

 

Yeah, I have my doubts too...

 

How do you feel about Windows 8?

I briefly tried Windows 8 early in Microsoft's Windows 8 Beta Testing and did not like it. Do you find it easy to get adjusted to? The reason that I ask is that I am considering purchasing a Refurbished Laptop that comes with Windows 8 64 bit.

I guess that I could purchase software like Start8 to help me feel more comfortable with Windows 8.

Thanks in Advance.

 

Well, you're the one that would have to live with it, so it's really only your opinion that matters...

 

ClassicShell is a fabulous freeware alternate that once installed will immediately removed that sick feeling of MS taking over YOUR desktop THEIR way.

Metro and charms is the biggest debacle they ever come up with to date, and in their relentless pursuit for perfection, they have won the prize for showing off the lameness of their mindset.

I'm a huge advocate of computet artistry and useful customizations to support productivity, an area Microsoft obviously is leaving up to us thank goodness.

 

TheKid7,

Don't be afraid of Win8. It's my favourite OS on a computer with a keyboard and mouse and I much prefer Metro over a Win7 type Start Menu. It doesn't take long to learn how to use it.

 

I went ahead and made the purchase of a Refurbished Lenovo Laptop with Windows 8.

I talked to one person recently and he said that although he initially did not like Windows 8, he is forcing himself to learn to use Windows 8 rather than using a software such as Start8.

I tried Windows 8 in the early Windows 8 Beta Testing period and had trouble getting used to it. So I gave up.

Hopefully, I won't give up trying to learn Windows 8 and use Start8.

Do you know any good Windows 8 Tutorials?

Thanks in Advance.

 

It's similar to Win7 except for Metro. With Metro, I unpinned everything I didn't need and ordered my most used apps into groups on the first screen. I ignored infrequently used apps. As with Win7, you can just start typing and your desired app will appear.

For example, say you want to find "Vault". On Metro, type Vault and you will see 2 entries in Settings. Take your pick. I know, you can do this in Win7 too but it doesn't appear in the normal Start Menu.

http://www.infoworld.com/d/microsof...mething-old-something-awkward-187992?page=0,2

http://blogs.msdn.com/b/zxue/archiv...-customize-metro-ui-app-tiles-and-groups.aspx

http://www.howtogeek.com/122446/organize-tiles-into-groups-on-the-metro-start-screen-in-windows-8/

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/how-to-resize-and-move-windows-8-apps/

http://www.computerperformance.co.uk/win8/windows8-metro-group-name.htm

 

Your Win8 computer will be a UEFI system. Have a look at the partitions in Disk Management. Then have a look at the partitions in TBOSDT and you will find a partition that doesn't appear in Disk Management.

IFW can backup your UEFI computer.