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Windows 8 / RT |OT|

dLMN8R

Member
So only Windows 8 owners will get access to the 8.1 preview? It's not public for everyone?

I don't think so. I haven't actually heard what will happen, but it only makes sense if the 8.1 preview is free for all even as a standalone ISO just like the Windows 8 beta was. While the preview is for Win8 users to check it out and provide feedback, it's also for system admins to try it out in their environments which generally means clean installs across multiple computers at the same time.


Well it's pretty much a service pack. You wouldn't be able to download a standalone service pack for windows 7 and use it on Windows XP
It's not comparable. Technically, Windows 8.1 is not a service pack at all. It's pretty much halfway between a service pack and a full OS release.

But, well, even if it was a service pack, you'd be able to get a standalone version of it, just like this.


Correct. Windows 8 users will have a Windows Update that adds the 8.1 Preview to the Store and they can update from there.
That story was not accurate. The official steps will be revealed over the next 10 days, but it's not going to be easy as these steps suggest for a regular mainstream user to accidentally get a prerelease operating system.


So context search is no more via Charm?
Context search is still there, but it's not the default. System-wide search is the default. The down-facing arrow above the search field in the screenshot is how you switch:

Windows-8-1-Search-Option-Photo-Gallery.jpg
 
That story was not accurate. The official steps will be revealed over the next 10 days, but it's not going to be easy as these steps suggest for a regular mainstream user to accidentally get a prerelease operating system.

Ahh, okay thanks.

*Hops in a 10 day time machine*
 

StudioTan

Hold on, friend! I'd love to share with you some swell news about the Windows 8 Metro UI! Wait, where are you going?
Do we think we'll see more about Windows 8/Xbox One integration at Build? So far the stuff they showed with Project Spark was pretty amazing, world building on your tablet and having it change simultaneously on the XB1 was extremely slick.
 
Has anybody had the issue were their systems won't sync?

I had to do a fresh install today and even though both systems are trusted devices and all the sync options are selected the new install won't update.

Edit: Microsoft Account troubleshooter app solved it.
 

maeh2k

Member
Do we think we'll see more about Windows 8/Xbox One integration at Build? So far the stuff they showed with Project Spark was pretty amazing, world building on your tablet and having it change simultaneously on the XB1 was extremely slick.

Did they actually show off Project Spark for Windows? I thought they were showing only the Xbox version extended to a tablet via the new Smartglass.


P.S.: Going by things I read on the internet, they might as well save themselves the trouble of integrating their platforms, what with the Xbox One already being dead much like Windows Phone and Windows tablets...
 
Did they actually show off Project Spark for Windows? I thought they were showing only the Xbox version extended to a tablet via the new Smartglass.


P.S.: Going by things I read on the internet, they might as well save themselves the trouble of integrating their platforms, what with the Xbox One already being dead much like Windows Phone and Windows tablets...
Not sure about this. Xbox One hasn't landed yet and declaring it dead out of the gate is silly. Even if it were to tank it would take a few years which would still give MS plenty of time to back peddle and fix everything that people are complaining about should people not eventually buy in to it. And WP8 may have a small market share but it is in fact growing quite steadily which is at least something given how much of a hold iOS and Android devices have on the market. I think it's much to early to abandon everything.
 

Azih

Member
Yeah, if Sony can come back from rootkits and PSN hacks then MS can come back from something that doesn't exist yet.
 
Did they actually show off Project Spark for Windows? I thought they were showing only the Xbox version extended to a tablet via the new Smartglass.


P.S.: Going by things I read on the internet, they might as well save themselves the trouble of integrating their platforms, what with the Xbox One already being dead much like Windows Phone and Windows tablets...

They didn't show it off for Windows, but they confirmed that it's coming for X1, Windows 8, and 360.
 

StudioTan

Hold on, friend! I'd love to share with you some swell news about the Windows 8 Metro UI! Wait, where are you going?
Did they actually show off Project Spark for Windows? I thought they were showing only the Xbox version extended to a tablet via the new Smartglass.


P.S.: Going by things I read on the internet, they might as well save themselves the trouble of integrating their platforms, what with the Xbox One already being dead much like Windows Phone and Windows tablets...

Ah, I guess it was Smartglass, it's still freaking cool. Check out this demo.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ef0ah-oI5QI#!

I signed up the PC beta at www.joinprojectspark.com
 

dLMN8R

Member
Just a friendly reminder to run your Disk Cleanup.

I just deleted 1.50 GB of Windows Update files.

If you need space now, that's a nice way to get it, but it's by no means necessary. The vast majority of stuff you see listed in disk cleanup will be automatically cleaned up at some point in time.
 

Addnan

Member
When I first installed Windows 8 I changed a setting so it does not need a password when I turn my PC on, however in the last couple of days whenever I turn the PC on it asks for my password. Just a little annoying typing it in.

The user account section where I originally unticked the box so it doesn't need a password is no longer there. As in the tick box is missing.
 
When I first installed Windows 8 I changed a setting so it does not need a password when I turn my PC on, however in the last couple of days whenever I turn the PC on it asks for my password. Just a little annoying typing it in.

The user account section where I originally unticked the box so it doesn't need a password is no longer there. As in the tick box is missing.

I'm using a PIN code. It's much quicker to type that in than my Microsoft account password.
 

hadareud

The Translator
I use a finger-print reader, the superior way to log on :smug

Also works with lastpass, so I'm not typing no stinking passwords anymore at all.
 

hadareud

The Translator
That's a pretty great idea. I think I'm going to implement one into the desk I'm building.

Yeah, it's very convenient. I had a fingerprint reader on my work Thinkpads for years and after a while I decided that I couldn't live without one at home anymore either.

One word of caution, if you're going with a Upek (Authentec) reader, there's a pretty big vulnerability with their suite where your Windows password is stored unencrypted in the registry, so definitely avoid using their software.

The good news is that in 8.1 fingerprint readers are supported natively, so there's no need to use any 3rd party software and drivers at all.
 
Yeah, it's very convenient. I had a fingerprint reader on my work Thinkpads for years and after a while I decided that I couldn't live without one at home anymore either.

One word of caution, if you're going with a Upek (Authentec) reader, there's a pretty big vulnerability with their suite where your Windows password is stored unencrypted in the registry, so definitely avoid using their software.

The good news is that in 8.1 fingerprint readers are supported natively, so there's no need to use any 3rd party software and drivers at all.

Can you tell me which fingerprint reader you're using on your desktop?

I just realized june 23rd is this sunday... Which means I probably got the date wrong and the preview won't arrive this week, right?

It's June 26th.
 

hadareud

The Translator
Seems like that one is no longer sold anywhere in Europe.

This one should do the job as well, though I couldn't find it on a German site. Amazon would probably ship to Germany though, I would think.

edit: or else we can sort something out, if you trust me not to keep it myself.
 
Just have to reiterate this. But the syncing of settings in Windows 8 is brilliant. I love that updating one thing sorts all your other systems. I particularly love theme syncing since I like my systems to look uniform -- I'm anal like that. Such a simple feature but it saves quite a bit of hassle.

Also, I just reinstalled Win 8 as my main OS on my desktop -- previously had it on partition to work in Visual Studio -- due to the driver issue I had now being fixed. Honestly, Windows 7 is an incredible desktop OS, but how people don't like 8 or believe it to be worse baffles me. I can appreciate not liking the Metro interface, but some of the apps are genuinely good and if you want, it's pretty easy to avoid most of the time. I personally just think it's much better. I'm sure it would be even better with touch.

Feels good to be back.
 

dLMN8R

Member
When I first installed Windows 8 I changed a setting so it does not need a password when I turn my PC on, however in the last couple of days whenever I turn the PC on it asks for my password. Just a little annoying typing it in.

The user account section where I originally unticked the box so it doesn't need a password is no longer there. As in the tick box is missing.

Was it this setting under Users?

ZVsN80x.png



If you make changes to your account, it can disable that option and make it impossible to re-enable for security reasons. Did you make changes to your Microsoft Account to enable 2-factor authentication, something like htat?


Just have to reiterate this. But the syncing of settings in Windows 8 is brilliant. I love that updating one thing sorts all your other systems. I particularly love theme syncing since I like my systems to look uniform -- I'm anal like that. Such a simple feature but it saves quite a bit of hassle.

Also, I just reinstalled Win 8 as my main OS on my desktop -- previously had it on partition to work in Visual Studio -- due to the driver issue I had now being fixed. Honestly, Windows 7 is an incredible desktop OS, but how people don't like 8 or believe it to be worse baffles me. I can appreciate not liking the Metro interface, but some of the apps are genuinely good and if you want, it's pretty easy to avoid most of the time. I personally just think it's much better. I'm sure it would be even better with touch.

Feels good to be back.

If you love the syncing stuff in Win8, then you might want to get new pants ready for 8.1.
 

wetflame

Pizza Dog
So I ordered a laptop and it came with 8 installed, however I don't have a key. I'd asked for no operating system as I have 7 and can install that, but I'm not sure what the best way to go about downgrading is. Does anyone have any tips?

I wouldn't be against using 8, but I can use 7 for free while 8 is £80 or so.
 

Azih

Member
So I ordered a laptop and it came with 8 installed, however I don't have a key. I'd asked for no operating system as I have 7 and can install that, but I'm not sure what the best way to go about downgrading is. Does anyone have any tips?

I wouldn't be against using 8, but I can use 7 for free while 8 is £80 or so.

If it's new then can't you just format and start fresh?
 
So I ordered a laptop and it came with 8 installed, however I don't have a key. I'd asked for no operating system as I have 7 and can install that, but I'm not sure what the best way to go about downgrading is. Does anyone have any tips?

I wouldn't be against using 8, but I can use 7 for free while 8 is £80 or so.

So despite you requesting no operating system then put 8 on? Did they charge you for it? If not, just keep 8 on there.
 

derFeef

Member
Do you guys know a good and simple way to add .ic files to the MS calender? Kinda baffles me that Win8 simply does not take that file with the calender app.
 

Blablurn

Member
Keep in mind that that's a full reset that will get rid of everything.

Back up your files and settings first.

yeah, im trying to do that right now! i also checked the drivers my asus came with and it seems like they have them all online. so yeah, i guess once i have all my data, i write down my product key (i bought the 15€ upgrade one which came with a new laptop) and then get ready to do this.
 

hadareud

The Translator
The reset itself is fairly quick and you shouldn't need your product key again.

It also saves all your stuff in windows.old iirc, so if you already backed up you can get rid of that later.
 
So, updating to 8.1 beta without using the iso is going to be really simple:

- You go to the beta website and download a small tool.
- Once installed that tool makes the update appear on the store. You'll also get a popup to go directly to the store to see the changes.
- The update will be installed like any other app, and can be cancelled before the download finishes. The system will start making the necessary changes as the update is downloaded
- Once it's finished you are a restart away from 8.1

http://www.winbeta.org/news/windows-81-preview-upgrade-process-gets-detailed
 

Nero3000

Member
So, updating to 8.1 beta without using the iso is going to be really simple:

- You go to the beta website and download a small tool.
- Once installed that tool makes the update appear on the store. You'll also get a popup to go directly to the store to see the changes.
- The update will be installed like any other app, and can be cancelled before the download finishes. The system will start making the necessary changes as the update is downloaded
- Once it's finished you are a restart away from 8.1

http://www.winbeta.org/news/windows-81-preview-upgrade-process-gets-detailed

Will do this on my Surface Pro (no important files on there thats not on Skydrive). And blasting Office365 on there is superquick.

And laptop, which has no applications installed on it.

Dual boot from an ISO on the desktop.
 

SCHUEY F1

Unconfirmed Member
Will do this on my Surface Pro (no important files on there thats not on Skydrive). And blasting Office365 on there is superquick.

And laptop, which has no applications installed on it.

Dual boot from an ISO on the desktop.

Yeah, I think that is what I will do as well. Install it on my laptop and dual boot on my desktop.
 
Will do this on my Surface Pro (no important files on there thats not on Skydrive). And blasting Office365 on there is superquick.

And laptop, which has no applications installed on it.

Dual boot from an ISO on the desktop.

I'm doing this on my surface pro as well. I also have visual studio and a few steam games there, but it's mainly metro apps, so it's cool :p
 
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