I don't need on my desktop, but I can totally see my next laptop to be a laptop/tablet mix if the OS can really run great on both mode it would be fantastic.
It shouldn't be available for anybody yet. The Windows 8 launch event is in another 30 minutes in New York, and official sales don't start until tomorrow.
Nice. I like the colorful Windows 7 box on the right hand side.
But two things are bugging me: The "Download Pro for .." link at the bottom of the page is not working (the "http:// is missing the "h"), and the system requirements "Internet Access (fees may apply)" sounds too legalese.
I really doubt that do any of Microsoft employee really care about the page.Seems they even don't check whether the page is functioning properly or not.
I've been a MSDN/Technet junkie for most of my professional life, so maybe I got this wrong and just haven't noticed before...
But is this the first time Microsoft actually put up a download page for their OS. A simple page where people can just go, buy and download stuff, without the need for any special MSDN/Technet account?
Not to mention that this is a major update unlike the minor addons that Apple use to justify an upgrade. I would live very happy with snow leopard, the only reason I upgrade is because Apple force us in order to keep developing on latest iOS devices.
Windows 7 is available through direct download, but the presentation / ease-to-buy wasn't as slick as this.
Another cool thing it had was that you could upgrade the OS (e.g. from Pro to Ultimate) or activate a pirated version from the OS itself, over the air.
Well obviously Microsoft wouldn't want to give a cut to Apple but the underlying idea is not so bad. Parallels Desktop and VMware (virtualization software for the OSX) already include an easy Windows purchase option in their installation process. I'd love to purchase a 'Windows 8 for Mac' edition directly from Microsoft if it means they'll have drivers and everything supported. I'm waiting for proper Windows HiDPI support in Bootcamp for my Macbook Pro retina as it is.
I just purchased it, and it appears to be downloading now. Note that I had pre-applied for a reduced price offer since I had just purchased a new Windows 7 PC. The URL I used was through here: https://www.windowsupgradeoffer.com/en-US/MyOrder
It is currently downloading through a "Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant" program. This program took all of my information and charged my credit card, and is downloading the files as I write this. ETA 15 minutes total.
Depends if you want to play Metro based games or not. Not sure how many there are and if the ones that exist will play well on a PC rather than tablet.
There's also some performance benefits like faster bootup etc, depends if these are valuable to you or not.
There are certain games that will not run on Windows 8. The only one I've personally run into was Grand Theft Auto 4. I had Windows 8 installed on my desktop, could not get the game to run, and moved back to Windows 7.
The trouble with GTA seemed to be in the Securom DRM. With GTA5 on the way and knowing the business Securom operates in, I wouldn't be surprised if a patch never came.
However, all of the other games I've tried have worked with Windows 8 on my laptop. It does make me wonder about the future of companies like Securom in a Windows 8 world.
Faster cold boots, less power usage (and longer battery life if it's a laptop), some serious security improvements, new Explorer, faster file copies... It's a whole new OS, not just a new UI.
It seems that you can buy the upgrade version through "Windows Upgrade Offer" right now, as some other users are reporting. I can confirm that I am able to download the upgrade assistant with my code, but I don't have access to the laptop I am upgrading right now, so I can't actually run it.
Your screen's aspect ratio doesn't really matter. Desktop apps work like they used to. "Modern" apps expand to fit the space given. The minimum resolution for such apps is 1024x768, which is 4:3.
Yes, and the "snap view" feature practically demands it. They made an interesting compromise with their new Surface tablet to accommodate it. http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2012/10/microsofts-first-stab...Sinofsky said that this [10.1" screen] made Windows' snapped view, where two Metro applications run side-by-side, too small. 11.1-inch screens solved that problem but used more power... The 10.6-inch screen is supposed to make snap view big enough while also permitting "all-day" battery life. You'll only need a 13" diagonal 4:3 screen to be as wide as a 10.6" 16:9 screen, but then you'll probably be using it from further away... So it might look awkward but you should be able to see all the content just fine.
No idea, but you could try it in a VM (it runs in VirtualBox and in VMWare as well) if you are really curious (and don't want to install it on bare hardware before it). There's beta still available http://windows.microsoft.com/is-IS/windows-8/download
The old alt+f4 in desktop works too (or at least worked in all dev builds I tried. I rebooted a lot so I just used win+d, alt+f4, scroll to the last option and pressed enter.
If we count the number of clicks then there is no difference. In win 7 too user had to do two clicks and only after the first click would you see shutdown button. Same goes for win 8.
I'd start by looking at the extensions you've got installed. You seem to have a bunch (and also a custom skin?). 413 is a strange error code to be getting. I would try disabling all extensions and see if the problem goes away.
If that doesn't do it, try clearing cookies, as corrupt oversized cookies might cause this (or so some random forum claims).
Looks like the download version is an upgrade not a full retail license.
It doesn't make it clear whether the 'shipped' version is a full stand alone thing or not.
I have an existing boxed copy of Windows 7 Retail that is installed on a PC. I'd like to install Windows 8 on there but free up the Windows 7 license to put in a VM or on another PC.
If it's anything like the Windows 7 upgrade licences, since I was doing a clean install, wiping out the existing XP installtion, the way I got it installed was to install it once, then upgrade the existing installation.
I seem to recall this was even a Microsoft endorsed upgrade path.
> Or you can get Windows 8 Pro shipped to you for $69.99
That's the full version as far as I can tell (and you can't get it yet via that link).
Also, the "upgrade" version only works for 64-bit versions of installed media... If you're running a 32-bit Windows version, you'll have to wait for the full version.
> Can I upgrade from a 32-bit version of Windows to a 64-bit version of Windows 8?
> Yes, but you can't do this using Upgrade Assistant. If your PC has a 64-bit capable processor (CPU) but is currently running a 32-bit version of Windows, you can install a 64-bit version of Windows 8, but you'll need to buy Windows 8 as a DVD.
I guess not, otherwise you'd be able to just burn a full version DVD and boot from that.
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[ 1.7 ms ] story [ 159 ms ] threadBut two things are bugging me: The "Download Pro for .." link at the bottom of the page is not working (the "http:// is missing the "h"), and the system requirements "Internet Access (fees may apply)" sounds too legalese.
But is this the first time Microsoft actually put up a download page for their OS. A simple page where people can just go, buy and download stuff, without the need for any special MSDN/Technet account?
If so, that's both cool and about time.
I'm a Mac and PC person ... I'd download this if it was similarly priced to the OS X downloads.
Whose at fault .. their UI and messaging I say.
(And Apple doesn't need to make money from their OS, Microsoft does)
Another cool thing it had was that you could upgrade the OS (e.g. from Pro to Ultimate) or activate a pirated version from the OS itself, over the air.
It is currently downloading through a "Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant" program. This program took all of my information and charged my credit card, and is downloading the files as I write this. ETA 15 minutes total.
Screenshot: http://cl.ly/image/2t3T2M261P2a
Mind sharing where you're located? Perhaps MS is pulling a $ENTERTAINMENT_COMPANY and restricting downloads to certain countries.
There's also some performance benefits like faster bootup etc, depends if these are valuable to you or not.
However, all of the other games I've tried have worked with Windows 8 on my laptop. It does make me wonder about the future of companies like Securom in a Windows 8 world.
I only use windows for games so I only tend to upgrade when I find a game that wont work.
So this OS is specifically designed around 16:9?
Any ideas how well it would work on a 4:3 monitor if at all?
Well, hopefully they won't do Pan & Scan. ;-)
minimum to run modern apps with snap view (1/3 | 2/3 side-by-side): 1366 × 768
1024 x 768 - no
1366 x 1024 - yes
"Refers to programs built for mouse and keyboard that run in the classic Windows desktop environment."
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/compare
Scroll down to the "* * *"
1) Escape doesn't bring up the shutdown menu 2) Windows key doesn't 3) Mouse to the left, top or bottom doesn't 4) Mouse to the start menu doesnt
Only to the right will you find the menu. Why a simple button couldn't have been added defies me.
If that doesn't do it, try clearing cookies, as corrupt oversized cookies might cause this (or so some random forum claims).
It doesn't make it clear whether the 'shipped' version is a full stand alone thing or not.
I have an existing boxed copy of Windows 7 Retail that is installed on a PC. I'd like to install Windows 8 on there but free up the Windows 7 license to put in a VM or on another PC.
I seem to recall this was even a Microsoft endorsed upgrade path.
That's the full version as far as I can tell (and you can't get it yet via that link).
Also, the "upgrade" version only works for 64-bit versions of installed media... If you're running a 32-bit Windows version, you'll have to wait for the full version.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/upgrade-to-wind...
> Can I upgrade from a 32-bit version of Windows to a 64-bit version of Windows 8?
> Yes, but you can't do this using Upgrade Assistant. If your PC has a 64-bit capable processor (CPU) but is currently running a 32-bit version of Windows, you can install a 64-bit version of Windows 8, but you'll need to buy Windows 8 as a DVD.
I guess not, otherwise you'd be able to just burn a full version DVD and boot from that.