The Official Windows 8 User Thread

[imagoon]

Biggest thing I am noticing so far is "few extra clicks" for a couple of things and that hot corners suck on a windows VM screen that is not full sized. (think esxi screen with vmware tools where the mouse can fall off the screen) It is mildly annoying that there is what seems to be a 400-500ms delay to get "start" to appear so I can right click to get to I want. I am trying to see the advantage to metro also but it is not coming to me yet. The rest of the OS so far is "ok" since I am still figuring out where they moved things.

 

[blurredvision]

Someone else mentioned this already before, but the only real failing of Windows 8 I've found so far, and it's a big one, is that metro and the regular desktop have absolutely ZERO synergy. Windows 8 is literally two completely separate operating systems, it doesn't make any sense.

 

[MajorMullet]

Here's another annoyance I just found. I opened the media app and tried to browse through my MP3s. It doesn't recognize a vast majority of the tags - it groups them all under "unknown". I view the properties inside of the media player app and it says they're all empty but viewing properties for the same file via windows explorer shows everything populated just fine.

 

[gizbug]

only thing i have not been able to figure out is there is program i want to start with windows but windows will not let it start with it. i have tried permissions by right clicking on the EXE for the program but no luck, yet.

Have this issue with NOD32

 

[lopri]

When I select image files that Windows recognizes (jpg, png, tiff, etc.), the explorer doesn't show me the sizes (width and height, by pixels) of image files. You have to open up the file's property to know the exact size.

Am I doing something wrong?

Edit: Nevermind. Mouse-over does the trick.

 

[hclarkjr]

wow, i noticed my boot time was shorter even more this morning. also found place where it shows what programs are slowing the boot time down ( can't remember where it was at though!!! ).

 

[ViRGE]

wow, i noticed my boot time was shorter even more this morning. also found place where it shows what programs are slowing the boot time down ( can't remember where it was at though!!! ).

That's a new Task Manager feature.

 

[Mem]

Someone else mentioned this already before, but the only real failing of Windows 8 I've found so far, and it's a big one, is that metro and the regular desktop have absolutely ZERO synergy. Windows 8 is literally two completely separate operating systems, it doesn't make any sense.

I miss Aero as well,glad I have my Win7 main PC still,installing Ubuntu 12.04 LTS on my fresh Win8 install , going to dual boot,got a feeling probably end up using Ubuntu a lot more then Win8.

 

[Chiropteran]

I think I'm changing my opinion of Windows 8. I installed Windows 8 Enterprise last night, on my cheap A6 llano based Samsung laptop. Install was a breeze, all devices and drivers detected and setup perfectly.

Had a bit of a learning curve when I had to activate as enterprise, as you can't just use VAMT like you can with Windows 7 (not unless you install SQL server), but then I found the command to change the product key and all was good.

Window key + X has replaced any need for a start menu I might have had. The annoyance of switching between metro and desktop isn't that bad anymore- I previously tested on VMs where the performance caused the switch to take a second or two, but on a physical machine everything is so snappy and quick that it's barely noticeable.

I downloaded and installed Diablo 3 just to see how it performs, and if the default video driver was actually usable, and everything went fine, performance was at least as good as under 7, if not better.

I'm going to install it on my FX-8120 desktop tonight and start using it as my main OS.

 

[Dominato3r]

That's a new Task Manager feature.

Does it replace the MSConfig startup and services menu? I don't have a running Windows 8 install at the moment, but if it doss what you guys say it does, then that's pretty awesome.

 

[hclarkjr]

no msconfig is there

 

[hclarkjr]

there is a definite learning curve with 8 that might discourage some that do not like to explore new things.

 

[Chiropteran]

I'm quickly turning into a believer. The whole metro thing is still kinda silly, but the new shortcuts and basic features of the OS are wonderful. Apparently it remembers that I prefer to have the task bar on the left side of the screen between installs. It also remembers my custom mouse pointer between installs.

I can still see the masses rejecting Windows 8, but IMO if you give it a day or two to grow on you it will.

 

[Dominato3r]

there is a definite learning curve with 8 that might discourage some that do not like to explore new things.

I agree but we're using this is on hardware designed for Windows 7. Once the touchscreens, track pads, keyboards with charms start getting out, those will be more adequate. I have a feeling that everything we run it on now is basically a hack

 

[hclarkjr]

just found out that windows 8 optimizes solid state drives by itself. no need to install intel toolbox. pretty nice http://communities.intel.com/thread/24948

 

[tornadog]

My boss just emailed me my key. We are MS partners and each employee gets 2 keys, one for work and one for home. I already installed it from the leaked rtm, so now I can hopefully activate it without any problem.

 

[tornadog]

just found out that windows 8 optimizes solid state drives by itself. no need to install intel toolbox. pretty nice http://communities.intel.com/thread/24948

Yes that was pretty neat when I saw it the first time. I was googling how to optimize ssd drives, and didnt come up with anything. Also SSD Magician from Samsung did nothing. But when I went to the drive properties, instead of the defragment checker, SSD drives get an optimize option.

 

[hclarkjr]

really starting to like 8 the more i use it. to hell with nay sayers!!!

 

[hclarkjr]

new build of windows 8 being made by MS already http://www.neowin.net/news/first-post-rtm-build-number-for-windows-8-revealed

 

[antef]

no msconfig is there

msconfig is there but the Startup tab just links you to the Startup tab in Task Manager. So yes the Task Manager feature is your new way to manage startup items.

 

[lopri]

A couple of questions:

- When navigating explorer windows mouse clicks (or keyboard tab) no longer make clicky sound. It's not a big deal and I might like it better that way, but is there any way to enable it? Out of curiosity.

- What's the fastest way to get to "accessories," (e.g., Snipping Tool, Notepad, Paint, Disk Cleanup, etc.) without plastering desktop with shortcuts?

 

[Rhonda the Sly]

When navigating explorer windows mouse clicks (or keyboard tab) no longer make clicky sound. It's not a big deal and I might like it better that way, but is there any way to enable it? Out of curiosity.

CPL\Sound\Sounds [Tab]Find 'Start Navigation' in the Program Events list. The sound you're looking for is 'Windows Start Navigation'.

What's the fastest way to get to "accessories," (e.g., Snipping Tool, Notepad, Paint, Disk Cleanup, etc.) without plastering desktop with shortcuts?

First, search. Secondarily, either pin the apps to the Start Screen or use All Apps. Those items are particularly ease to get to as their at the far end of the list, under Windows Accessories.

 

[sequoia464]

Any way for your average citizen off the street that isn't a student or a reseller to get a valid, legal copy early?

I have the trial, but it won't convert over at the end of the 90 days. Looking to move into W8 as soon as possible.

 

[dguy6789]

Technet

 

[dagamer34]

Any way for your average citizen off the street that isn't a student or a reseller to get a valid, legal copy early?

I have the trial, but it won't convert over at the end of the 90 days. Looking to move into W8 as soon as possible.

TechNet, but honestly, I'd wait. Considering the upgrade is only $40 per copy to get the Pro version, unless you plan on going back to Windows 7, it's a much better deal. As far as I know, TechNet only gives you two Windows 8 Pro keys (no Core or Enterprise keys) so if that's all you use it for, that's $100 per copy. They are also starting to crack down on people who buy up keys and sell them for profit, and the ToS clearly states that you should delete software when your subscription is up, so sooner or later Microsoft will actually enforce that policy and you'll have spent $200 for nothing.