Windows 8 Release Preview

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Probably going to build a gaming PC, so I'm guessing W8 is the best way to go, right? I was using it for the longest time on my older laptop, and I really didn't mind the non desktop stuff, so I think I might as well just get it over 7, right?
 
Izick said:
Probably going to build a gaming PC, so I'm guessing W8 is the best way to go, right? I was using it for the longest time on my older laptop, and I really didn't mind the non desktop stuff, so I think I might as well just get it over 7, right?
Click to expand...

Yeah. Isn't windows 8 cheaper than 7 anyway during the upgrade window?
 
Izick said:
Probably going to build a gaming PC, so I'm guessing W8 is the best way to go, right? I was using it for the longest time on my older laptop, and I really didn't mind the non desktop stuff, so I think I might as well just get it over 7, right?
Click to expand...

If you build the PC completely from scratch and you have an old Windows license (like Windows XP), you could get the cheap 40$ upgrade from that. That gets you Windows 8 Pro.
 
maeh2k said:
If you build the PC completely from scratch and you have an old Windows license (like Windows XP), you could get the cheap 40$ upgrade from that. That gets you Windows 8 Pro.
Click to expand...

Shame is that I don't have any copy of Windows. I had W7 on my old laptop, but it was tied to the machine; no disc or anything.
 
StudioTan said:
So I upgraded (well, reinstalled) from the RP to the RTM and yeah, getting this now too. It worked fine in the Release Preview. Hopefully they update the drivers soon and fix whatever it is was broken between the 2 versions.

At least I can still use my mouse for the 1-12 keys, I'll just have to remap some keybinds in certain games.
Click to expand...

true, but I also had micros for computer use, like having page up/down home/end f5 on your mouse makes web navigation way better imo.
 
So now that Steam has its big picture mode, people might not care much about this anymore. But for anyone still interested in controlling the start screen with a 360 controller, I've written a little program that does just that. It's a little rough around the edges, but on the two PC's I've tried it on, it works well. It's not a stand alone EXE since it relies on a DLL and another file. So I thought rather than just zipping them all up, I'd create a proper installer that will install it just like any other program.

If you want to try it, download link is here: http://sdrv.ms/O5R5dS 32 Bit

http://sdrv.ms/O5RaOG 64 Bit

If you have SmartScreen enabled you'll probably get a warning about the file being dangerous. But I can assure you the file is completely clean, it's just that it's an unknown file.

Instructions are included in the installation package, but I'll post them here anyway. I've bolded the most important parts.

Instructions - MAKE SURE YOU'VE CONNECTED THE CONTROLLER TO THE PC AT LEAST ONCE BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO RUN THE PROGRAM
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1) Connect the Xbox 360 controller to the PC.

2) Run the program. It'll immediately start listening for button presses from the controller.

3) Push the 'Stop' button to stop it listening, you can easily start it again using the 'Start' button. Obviously closing the program will stop it listening anyway.

4) Minimizing the program will send it to the system tray/notification area. Just double click the icon to bring it back.

5) If you'd like the program to start when you boot the PC, then do the following:

i) Create a shortcut to the main exe.
ii) Right click the shortcut, choose properties and under the 'Run' drop down menu, select minimized.
iii) Click 'OK', then right click the shortcut and select 'Cut'. Open Windows Explorer and navigate to:

C:\Users\(Your user name)\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup

Then paste the shortcut here.

iv) The program will now start when you boot your PC. It'll be in the notification area.
v) To prevent the program from auto starting just remove the shortcut from the startup folder.

6) Controlling the start menu with the controller behaves similarly to pushing the Windows key and navigating with the arrow keys.

7) Once the program is running push the 'Start' button on the controller to open the start menu. And use the D-Pad to navigate around.

8) You can push the 'A' button to start an app, although don't expect to be able to easily control the app with the controller.

9) If you'd like to quickly disable the program from listening for commands (due to playing a game etc...) then do the following:

Press and hold for 2 seconds; LB + RB + X

10) To re-enable the program again

Press and hold for 2 seconds; LB + RB + Y
Click to expand...

I've only tested this with a wired controller, so I don't know if wireless will work, but I assume so.
 
SPDIF said:
So now that Steam has its big picture mode, people might not care much about this anymore. But for anyone still interested in controlling the start screen with a 360 controller, I've written a little program that does just that. It's a little rough around the edges, but on the two PC's I've tried it on, it works well. It's not a stand alone EXE since it relies on a DLL and another file. So I thought rather than just zipping them all up, I'd create a proper installer that will install it just like any other program.

If you want try it, download link is here: http://sdrv.ms/OHijmF

If you have SmartScreen enabled you'll probably get a warning about the file being dangerous. But I can assure you the file is completely clean, it's just that it's an unknown file.

Instructions are included in the installation package, but I'll post them here anyway. I've bolded the most important parts.



I've only tested this with a wired controller, so I don't know if wireless will work, but I assume so.
Click to expand...
Ooooo nice. I'll check it out when i get home.
 
Windu said:
Ooooo nice. I'll check it out when i get home.
Click to expand...

Please do. I'd be welcome to any feedback. I should make it clear that it's still a very early piece of code. At the moment all you can do is navigate around and open an app. Over time I might be able to add extra controls such as bringing up the app menu etc...
 
SPDIF said:
So now that Steam has its big picture mode, people might not care much about this anymore. But for anyone still interested in controlling the start screen with a 360 controller, I've written a little program that does just that. It's a little rough around the edges, but on the two PC's I've tried it on, it works well. It's not a stand alone EXE since it relies on a DLL and another file. So I thought rather than just zipping them all up, I'd create a proper installer that will install it just like any other program.

If you want try it, download link is here: http://sdrv.ms/OHijmF

If you have SmartScreen enabled you'll probably get a warning about the file being dangerous. But I can assure you the file is completely clean, it's just that it's an unknown file.

Instructions are included in the installation package, but I'll post them here anyway. I've bolded the most important parts.



I've only tested this with a wired controller, so I don't know if wireless will work, but I assume so.
Click to expand...

They should've mapped the start menu shortcut to the guide button. Are the keys rebindeable?
 
LukasTaves said:
They should've mapped the start menu shortcut to the guide button. Are the keys rebindeable?
Click to expand...

Who should've, MS? Unless I'm misunderstanding your question I don't think MS did any controller mapping (at least when it comes to controlling the start menu). This is why I created this program to kind of "fill the void". I chose to have the start button on the controller mapped to the start menu shortcut. Although I guess I could always change it to the guide button.
So to answer your question, at the moment, no they're not rebindeable. But I suppose I could add that feature as well.
 
I do find it kinda hilarious that folks at the microsoft info session at my college spent a good 10min or so trying to sell us on win8.


I'm probably still gonna apply, sounds like an interesting place to work. Some gaffers here work at MS right? How's it like up there?
 
SPDIF said:
Who should've, MS? Unless I'm misunderstanding your question I don't think MS did any controller mapping (at least when it comes to controlling the start menu). This is why I created this program to kind of "fill the void". I chose to have the start button on the controller mapped to the start menu shortcut. Although I guess I could always change it to the guide button.
So to answer your question, at the moment, no they're not rebindeable. But I suppose I could add that feature as well.
Click to expand...

They = The creators of this program.

But now i see that you've made it so sorry for the confusion :P

Edit:

MrBig said:
Guide button brings up the steam BPM, and have the start screen open when you press the start button is logical.
Click to expand...

It is logical, but it is also used inside some games. Having it mapped to the guide button would remove the need to use the stop listening shortcut.

Oh, and I didn't know that Steam Tv mode was already out, how can i get the beta?
 
Biggest problem i have is that I want a dark theme, but the black color for elements and what not just wouldn't work.

Like is it possible to make the text here white?

preview.png
 
chickdigger802 said:
Biggest problem i have is that I want a dark theme, but the black color for elements and what not just wouldn't work.

Like is it possible to make the text here white?

preview.png
Click to expand...
Not that i know of. They stay black even on darker themes. Just lower the intensity on the dark theme and you'll be able to see them though. I currently have a really dark grey theme.
 
Yeah figured it out... just so weird now. In vista and 7 it was always white font, but in 8 some text are white, some are black. All of metro is white.

Something just seems... weird.
 
Alt + F4 on the desktop brings up the Shutdown Computer prompt.

Holy shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit.

(No idea if this is new or not)
 
chickdigger802 said:
I do hope they have some plan setup for businesses. $500 per device? lol.
Click to expand...

They do have quite a few options actually: http://blogs.msdn.com/b/windowsstor...deploying-metro-style-apps-to-businesses.aspx

You can:

Sell the app through the store;
Directly sell the app to the company management and he is responsible to deploy the app to the users machines.

If you sell your app through the store, you have two new options too:

Selling it on a per-user license.
"Selling" it for free, but using a default authentication system so the app can enables features according the the license bought (Or even to administrative hierarchical levels).

W8 Enterprise allow admins to install apps outside of the App store. So IT admins can use W8 to deploy apps to all users... I believe they can even mass-delete apps if they decide to not use a specific app anymore.

And finally in Enterprise W8 admins can restrict the appstore to allow only specific apps to be installed, which kind of makes wRT an excellent choice for business, as you know the user will never have anything installed except of what you allowed.
 
hmmm... with win 8 pretty much being desktop and tablet os, it does make you wonder how the update cycle is gonna be. I expect little things to be tweaked throughout the year, but with things being so new and different already, make too drastic changes could confuse people even more.

Will win 8.5 or 9 be a paid or free upgrade for desktop and/or tablet users?
 
chickdigger802 said:
hmmm... with win 8 pretty much being desktop and tablet os, it does make you wonder how the update cycle is gonna be. I expect little things to be tweaked throughout the year, but with things being so new and different already, make too drastic changes could confuse people even more.

Will win 8.5 or 9 be a paid or free upgrade for desktop and/or tablet users?
Click to expand...
Microsoft is moving toward a 1 year update cycle with a lot of their products. I think its a foregone conclusion that they will do the same with Windows. how they do it is probably the real question.
 
Ok so I installed the full version with my Dreamspark account.

Who the hell thought it would be a good idea to open music files in full screen mode by default? Worse yet, why does it take me back to metro when I play another song? Just switch the song if the player is already in the background, ffs. I hate that there isn't even any quick button to get back to the desktop when this happens. Pressing the Windows key just keeps switching me back and forth between the start menu and the music app. I tried adjusting to this workflow but I just can't figure out why I would ever use the metro music app.

Also, why does opening an image prompt you with an option to switch the default to windows photo viewer but music doesn't?

Such an inconsistent mess.
 
buhdeh said:
Ok so I installed the full version with my Dreamspark account.

Who the hell thought it would be a good idea to open music files in full screen mode by default? Worse yet, why does it take me back to metro when I play another song? Just switch the song if the player is already in the background, ffs. I hate that there isn't even any quick button to get back to the desktop when this happens. Pressing the Windows key just keeps switching me back and forth between the start menu and the music app. I tried adjusting to this workflow but I just can't figure out why I would ever use the metro music app.

Also, why does opening an image prompt you with an option to switch the default to windows photo viewer but music doesn't?

Such an inconsistent mess.
Click to expand...
It's easy enough for me to figure out that you can change default programs with a right click, I'm extremely scared that normobs won't be so lucky. Not sure why they chose to do this by default when you're using the desktop, it's extremely jarring at first/
 
rozay said:
It's easy enough for me to figure out that you can change default programs with a right click, I'm extremely scared that normobs won't be so lucky. Not sure why they chose to do this by default when you're using the desktop, it's extremely jarring at first/
Click to expand...

Yeah, I ended up changing it back to WMP. I was just trying to see if I could get used to it but it is literally slower and more cumbersome in every single way if you stick to the defaults.
 
I've actually started using the Music app as my main music player on my laptop. Switching without loading the app works fine for me on the volume/playback control overlay, and when I do switch to the app, I go instantly back to what I was doing by clicking in the upper-left hand corner.
 
I ended up changing my music and video default to VLC. The stock video/music apps are nice for content from the xbox music/video store though. but for playing my own content, meh.

btw, there are a two new xbox live enabled games from Microsoft in the store.

Adera, a decent point and click adventure game and taptiles some kind of weird puzzle game.

http://apps.microsoft.com/webpdp/en-us/app/adera/77f0d9b5-87ac-4816-87d5-76b75afcb6db/m/ROW

http://apps.microsoft.com/webpdp/en-us/app/taptiles/57cf2121-0bdf-4b35-9ab0-5ad228303b02

haven't played the puzzle game but the adventure game still seems rough around the edges.
 
dLMN8R said:
I've actually started using the Music app as my main music player on my laptop. Switching without loading the app works fine for me on the volume/playback control overlay, and when I do switch to the app, I go instantly back to what I was doing by clicking in the upper-left hand corner.
Click to expand...

Is there a way to access the overlay without using the volume shortcut keys on my keyboard?
 
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