Windows 8 RTM 1 August 2012
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Today, I am excited to announce that Windows 8 has been released to manufacturing (RTM)! This means we’ve completed the product development and testing of the product and have started handing off the final code to our OEM partners. They can now begin preparing new Windows 8 PCs and devices they’ll introduce starting with General Availability. For more on RTM, I suggest reading this blog post from Steven Sinofsky on the Building Windows 8 blog.
So when will folks be able to get their hands on the new Windows 8 RTM code?
People will be able get Windows 8 starting on October 26th either by upgrading for $39.99 or on a new PC or device. And if you buy an eligible Windows 7 PC today, you will be able to purchase an upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for $14.99 (U.S.) through the Windows Upgrade Offer.
However, we have a number of programs that provides various audiences early access to the Windows 8 RTM code to help prepare for Windows 8 as it enters the marketplace this fall:
•August 15th: Developers will be able to download the final version of Windows 8 via your MSDN subscriptions.
•August 15th: IT professionals testing Windows 8 in organizations will be able to access the final version of Windows 8 through your TechNet subscriptions.
•August 16th: Customers with existing Microsoft Software Assurance for Windows will be able to download Windows 8 Enterprise edition through the Volume License Service Center (VLSC), allowing you to test, pilot and begin adopting Windows 8 Enterprise within your organization.
•August 16th: Microsoft Partner Network members will have access to Windows 8.
•August 20th: Microsoft Action Pack Providers (MAPS) receive access to Windows 8.
•September 1st: Volume License customers without Software Assurance will be able to purchase Windows 8 through Microsoft Volume License Resellers.More info here.
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so we will get it quite soon :-)
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opinion on Windows 8 ‘skypx’ ?
provided of course you’ve had a ‘test-drive’…:) -
opinion on Windows 8 ‘skypx’ ?
provided of course you’ve had a ‘test-drive’…:)big changes are for Metro/Tablet interface… rest of us get peanuts.
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I will be testing it that’s for sure…:D
I’m sure additional feedback will be forthcoming. -
Words cannot describe just how much I hate that Metro Interface. Yuck!
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Words cannot describe just how much I hate that Metro Interface. Yuck!
I think we’ve said similar things throughout windows updates since day one…:D
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True enough Moles.
But Metro belongs on a mobile phone not a computer. :p -
opinion on Windows 8 ‘skypx’ ?
provided of course you’ve had a ‘test-drive’…:)No time for testing, my 1 yr old keeps me busy busy busy. :-)
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But Metro belongs on a mobile phone not a computer. :p
I pretty much agree with you at first glance…I think it’s the predicted speed increases that interests me though ‘Lux’
can’t say I’m a fan of the gui at present but you can revert to current windows view I’m led to believe if you so wish.
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No time for testing, my 1 yr old keeps me busy busy busy. :-)
yep I hear you buddy…I know which one is more fun…:D
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According to the BBC the name Metro has been dropped.
Microsoft drops ‘Metro’ name for Windows 8 -
Words cannot describe just how much I hate that Metro Interface. Yuck!
I believe the Metro Interface will work very nice on Tablets and Mobile Phones. I have Windows Phone 7.5 on my mobile and the Metro Gui works excellent.
The problem here is that Metro isn’t designed to be used with a keyboard and a mouse. I don’t understand how MS could come up with this idea of mixing two totally different GUI:s with each other.
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I believe the Metro Interface will work very nice on Tablets and Mobile Phones. I have Windows Phone 7.5 on my mobile and the Metro Gui works excellent.
The problem here is that Metro isn’t designed to be used with a keyboard and a mouse. I don’t understand how MS could come up with this idea of mixing two totally different GUI:s with each other.
they did it to make us (developers) develop for Metro… i think it was pretty bad decision myself but we will see i guess.
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I hate Metro and cannot use it.
More seriously, 8 uses hibernation by default and the way MSoft has implemented it, leads to file corruption.
Checkout http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_cp-files/bug-report-serious-filesystem-corruption-and-data/17f69e19-92ca-4e1e-b9d5-f78f1ac4e963 -
Words cannot describe just how much I hate that Metro Interface. Yuck!
ha ha…
I hate Metro, too.
I cannot use it :confused::confused: -
The kicker is that MSoft is removing the desktop option AND making sure that those hacks that bring it back do not work.
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I’ve read a lot about win8. Good and bad. I’m going to reserve my comments until I install the RTM version. I should have access to it on the 15th.
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Well, I’m kinda nervous about PC gaming when it comes to Windows 8. Valve head honcho, Gabe Newell just called Windows 8 a catastrophe for the PC. This is a guy with an inside knowledge of Windows 8 capabilities and limitations.
I guess the biggest problem with Windows 8 is the fact that they want to create a similar ecosystem to Apple via an app store.
Well Valve is trying out Steam for Ubuntu just to make sure that PC gaming will still be viable in case Windows 8 goes belly up like Vista.
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Oh my goodness…… I really thought people were bashing windows 8 for no reason. So far the only thing I like about it is IE10 the rest does not belong on a laptop or desktop.
IMO the UI is fugly!
90% of the default apps are useless (for my proposes). If fact the only one I found useful was the weather app.
And the 1 thing I dislike most is I had to activate the installation before I could start customizing. In fact it would not install without the product key.
I am definitely keeping win7 on my laptop and desktop!
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worst part is that you cant login directly into Desktop… I wonder how long will that last ;-)
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I cant believe that Microsoft has filled an DMCA notice to google to remove this thread from google search… I would guess official reason is Metro screenshot and real one is that few people expressed negativity about Metro… that is so freaking strange.
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I cant believe that Microsoft has filled an DMCA notice to google to remove this thread from google search… I would guess official reason is Metro screenshot and real one is that few people expressed negativity about Metro… that is so freaking strange.
LOL wow :D
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I cant believe that Microsoft has filled an DMCA notice to google to remove this thread from google search… I would guess official reason is Metro screenshot and real one is that few people expressed negativity about Metro… that is so freaking strange.
Unbelievable!
What next a cease and desist order because of negative comments. :rolleyes: -
i find it unbelievable…. wow!
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I cant believe that Microsoft has filled an DMCA notice to google to remove this thread from google search… I would guess official reason is Metro screenshot and real one is that few people expressed negativity about Metro… that is so freaking strange.
I guess this is why I’m being followed whenever I’m out somewhere
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No time for testing, my 1 yr old keeps me busy busy busy. :-)
Learn from my experience. Place youngster in rocking chair near PC. Rock the chair with one food and keep your hands free for computer work. You have no excuses:).
DrT
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learn from my experience. Place youngster in rocking chair near pc. Rock the chair with one food and keep your hands free for computer work. You have no excuses:).
Drt
lol :D
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we probably have biggest share of WP users in the world around here btw :-)
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I register only so I can add my 2 cent about this DMCA take down nonsense.
1-I hope someone will sue the $hit out of Micro$oft for perverting the DMCA in a weapon to impose dictatorial censorship.
2- Windows 8 WILL so badly, epically and miserably fail on desktop in general, and in the corporate sector specifically, that it will most certainly be fatal to Micro$oft. OK, not fatal, but very debilitating.
3- Metro interface on desktop is a fcking plague. A disease. An affliction. A cancer. A motherfcking virulent and purulent infection. Something that need to amputated. To be disinfected. To be incinerated. To be eradicated.
PS: F*UCK YOU, Micro$oft.
PS2: SUE ME!!!Ramon
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@Ramon:
I register only so I can add my 2 cent about this DMCA take down nonsense.
1-I hope someone will sue the $hit out of Micro$oft for perverting the DMCA in a weapon to impose dictatorial censorship.
2- Windows 8 WILL so badly, epically and miserably fail on desktop in general, and in the corporate sector specifically, that it will most certainly be fatal to Micro$oft. OK, not fatal, but very debilitating.
3- Metro interface on desktop is a fcking plague. A disease. An affliction. A cancer. A motherfcking virulent and purulent infection. Something that need to amputated. To be disinfected. To be incinerated. To be eradicated.
PS: F*UCK YOU, Micro$oft.
PS2: SUE ME!!!Ramon
no need to be so angry about things :-)
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I cant believe that Microsoft has filled an DMCA notice to google to remove this thread from google search… I would guess official reason is Metro screenshot and real one is that few people expressed negativity about Metro… that is so freaking strange.
Hi Guys,
NGOHQ.com also received a DMCA takedown notice from Microsoft (to Google) for hosting Windows 8 RTM screenshots. Our forum users (including myself) also criticized Metro (or modern UI or whatever they call it now).
http://www.ngohq.com/news/22246-microsoft-orders-dmca-takedown-for-windows-8-screenshots.html
Cheers,
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NGOHQ.com has a very healthy attitude to this type of thing. nVidia tried this on with them a while back. Luckily, Israeli law prevails. Tain gaz!
DrT
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Hi Guys,
NGOHQ.com also received a DMCA takedown notice from Microsoft (to Google) for hosting Windows 8 RTM screenshots. Our forum users (including myself) also criticized Metro (or modern UI or whatever they call it now).
http://www.ngohq.com/news/22246-microsoft-orders-dmca-takedown-for-windows-8-screenshots.html
Cheers,
and who knows how many did that dont use Google’s webmasters tool and never actually saw the notice or knew about it.
wouldnt be a lot easier for MS to fix those problems that people are referring to?
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Wait a minute…. I just realized I didn’t post any screen shots of win8 rtm or am I losing my mind? I remember posting some elsewhere but not here.
Cool… I think I’m done with MS, if I can’t discuss new software openly, technet is useless. So when they call next year to renew my subscription, I’ll refuse with a quote from Ramon Zarat! :D
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Wait a minute…. I just realized I didn’t post any screen shots of win8 rtm or am I losing my mind? I remember posting some elsewhere but not here.
Cool… I think I’m done with MS, if I can’t discuss new software openly, technet is useless. So when they call next year to renew my subscription, I’ll refuse with a quote from Ramon Zarat! :D
you posted official Press images of Metro, that are also on PCMagazine, etc, etc.
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there is no reason for takedown except to remove negative comments from google search engine…
Wow…… That’s hIlarious!
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Just found out this forum is finally getting the attention it deserves.
But getting back on topic. I installed w8 rtm on a new sdd. It now twice as fast as my win7 was. With a cold boot i’m in windows in 6 seconds.
I can pause my copy actions. USB3 is supported out of the box. I do like the start screen but it takes a few hours to get used to.
The only thing is that ms have to make it a little better when using the mouse. But thats it.
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Just found out this forum is finally getting the attention it deserves.
But getting back on topic. I installed w8 rtm on a new sdd. It now twice as fast as my win7 was. With a cold boot i’m in windows in 6 seconds.
I can pause my copy actions. USB3 is supported out of the box. I do like the start screen but it takes a few hours to get used to.
The only thing is that ms have to make it a little better when using the mouse. But thats it.
New Win8 desktop theme sure looks depressing though, all those gray windows… while on the other hand Metro is so flashy.
Did you like Aero better or Win8 gray?
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Aero does look at bit flashier.
But it’s not bothering me. It sometimes looks even better. Firefox for instance.
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Aero does look at bit flashier.
But it’s not bothering me. It sometimes looks even better. Firefox for instance.
i am running it in VM and it still looks to me like I have disabled hardware acceleration :-).
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It does look a bit like that :)
But how is your performance?
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It does look a bit like that :)
But how is your performance?
its VM, so I dont know… also, my Win7 is always fast when I just install it,but it degrades in performance when many programs are installed after months of usage… I doubt Win8 is very different?
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@ guido
Win 8 uses hibernation out of the box by default. You may not have known this as MSoft have stopped calling it that. It is dangerous and causes disk corruption if one multi-boots as can regular hibernation.
"Based on a number of reports, a quick search of the Microsoft forums, and testing, it’s clear that Win8’s new gimmick, called Fast Startup (hibernate on shutdown), is causing disk corruption. This occurs when partitions visible to Win8 are modified after shutdown (doesn’t affect reboot). It appears that Windows does not clear its cache and remount file systems after resuming from hibernation. This “feature” is enabled in Win8 by default. We highly recommend you disable this new feature to prevent corruption to your partitions. Fast Startup can be disabled using BootIt BM 1.10 or higher via properties of the Win8 partition in Partition Work. You can also enable or disable this option in Win8:
- Open Control Panel.
- Choose Hardware and Sound -> Power Options
- Click on “Choose what the power button does” on left.
- Click on “Change settings that are currently unavailable”.
- Remove the check mark from the “Turn on fast startup (recommended)” under Shutdown settings.
Until Microsoft changes the default, ensure you have a good current image of all your partitions before installing W8".
The above quote is from the Terabyte Unlimited support forums.
Turn off the feature and check your slower boot times.
DrT
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@ guido
Win 8 uses hibernation out of the box by default. You may not have known this as MSoft have stopped calling it that. It is dangerous and causes disk corruption if one multi-boots as can regular hibernation.
"Based on a number of reports, a quick search of the Microsoft forums, and testing, it’s clear that Win8’s new gimmick, called Fast Startup (hibernate on shutdown), is causing disk corruption. This occurs when partitions visible to Win8 are modified after shutdown (doesn’t affect reboot). It appears that Windows does not clear its cache and remount file systems after resuming from hibernation. This “feature” is enabled in Win8 by default. We highly recommend you disable this new feature to prevent corruption to your partitions. Fast Startup can be disabled using BootIt BM 1.10 or higher via properties of the Win8 partition in Partition Work. You can also enable or disable this option in Win8:
- Open Control Panel.
- Choose Hardware and Sound -> Power Options
- Click on “Choose what the power button does” on left.
- Click on “Change settings that are currently unavailable”.
- Remove the check mark from the “Turn on fast startup (recommended)” under Shutdown settings.
Until Microsoft changes the default, ensure you have a good current image of all your partitions before installing W8".
The above quote is from the Terabyte Unlimited support forums.
Turn off the feature and check your slower boot times.
DrT
I changed it thanks. A well this is the price you pay for being one of the first.
I reboot my pc once a month…
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Guido,
Glad to help. It is a real problem for me here as I have one driver dedicated to OSs (seven at last count) and my data partitions are visible to all OSs.
Good name, my real name is the English version.
DrT
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Microsoft has issued a response on this matter: http://www.ngohq.com/news/22271-microsoft-denies-censorship-of-windows-8-criticism.html
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just got notified by Microsoft testing team (PA has been included into their testing for a while now) how one cancel dialogue in installer doesnt look good under 150 dpi - as they are doing Win8 150dpi tests due to the fact that many tablets and laptops will come with 150dpi…
I always find it cool when they notify us of things like that and that they do 3rd party testing to make sure their customers are treated right… so kudos to them :-)
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always great to feel important…
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Sounds like they have really taken a turn and listened to their customer’s. The core to windows 8 is around end user feedback over the past few years.
Its great they are speaking to 3rd party developers.
It also is a sign that PowerArchiver is seen in Microsoft’s eyes as a core 3rd part product.
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@Sir:
Sounds like they have really taken a turn and listened to their customer’s.
I doubt that, if they did listen to their customers “metro” would be history.
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I doubt that, if they did listen to their customers “metro” would be history.
Exactly. By the time I have modified all the Metro crud out of the way and got my start menu back and disabled the quick start/shut down*, all I am left with is a poor version of Windows 7 that accesses the hard disk a LOT when idle. Many of the UI config options have disappeared too.
*It is a version of hibernation and if one multi-boots and has common partitions, one can get massive disk corruption.
DrT
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if they simply give back those two options they had in early betas, with start menu and straight to desktop, nobody would have complained at all.
honestly, my original metro apps by MS dont work anymore… i have no idea why :-)
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honestly, my original metro apps by MS dont work anymore… i have no idea why :-)
Clue = “by MS” :p
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I’ve had MS Windows 8 installed on a Laptop, but must admit I installed Start8 to bring back the menu.
Other than that I’ve had no major issues. Other than it never likes to shut down fully, often hangs.
But hay ho! the standard PC is being killed off, further sales of tablets and smart phones are up and pc sales are down consistently.
We will all be swiping screens in the next 3 to 5 years. :D
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All the colour and desktop options have gone. I hate each window having a 4 unit border padding and not being able to change it or the colours - looks like the pastel default Win XP theme <barf>.</barf>
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Maybe Win Blue will change the tide… and haswell :-)