official Windows 8 Consumer Preview Discussion

[grunger106]

I'm not yet decided...

Got a couple of things I just can't figure out....

I get that you can group things on the start screen, but how do you label the groups? (With a mouse.)

Likewise with a mouse, how do you see the current tabs in metro IE?

OK got the naming - zoom out and right click....

Still trying to figure tab switching on IE metro

[br0adband]

I'm sorry if this was posted before, but I couldnt find any info out about it and perhaps someone here has run into this problem.

I have done a fresh install on my laptop (Dell Vistro 1400) and everything is fine except for the sound. The driver says it is installed properly yet no sound will come out of the on-board speakers.

However, when I plug headphones into the jack, the sound is coming out just fine! I cant seem to find any settings to change anything (though there shouldnt be anything to change but...)

Anyone else experienced this?

Right click on the Volume icon (on the Taskbar, of course), and choose Playback. Make sure your speakers are the default playback device as using the headphones is considered a temporary one. That should revert the audio back to proper routing to the speakers, hopefully.

[spudtrooper]

OK got the naming - zoom out and right click....

Still trying to figure tab switching on IE metro

To switch tabs in IE metro, just right click and the tab menu drops down. there may be hot keys as well, but i'm too lasy to look them up right now. (or if you're on a tablet swipe down from top)

[shamilbear]

I can't tell if metro is working for me or not. Time to play more.

[ESC@PE]

Right click on the Volume icon (on the Taskbar, of course), and choose Playback. Make sure your speakers are the default playback device as using the headphones is considered a temporary one. That should revert the audio back to proper routing to the speakers, hopefully.

OK Thanks, I will try this. First waiting for the laptop to be Reset... this process is taking quite a bit of time actually! It might be quicker to reformat right from disk!

[grunger106]

To switch tabs in IE metro, just right click and the tab menu drops down. there may be hot keys as well, but i'm too lasy to look them up right now. (or if you're on a tablet swipe down from top)

Nice one - Thank you :)

[King Lizzle]

Now, I can certainly get behind having a shutdown button on the Charms Bar. However, once you know where it is, you know where it is. The thing is, we've gotten used to certain functions. Hitting Start then clicking Shutdown. I would also argue that in Win 8 it's TWO layers from the desktop not three, if we're counting at which point the Shutdown button is revealed. But, that's neither here nor there.

I agree you'd get into the habit of doing it the new way but I don't think it would be particularly optimal. In Vista and 7 I've had all desktop icons hidden and used Stardock ObjectDock to provide quick access to folders/software I need. In those OSes it was more cosmetic/frivolous for me to use it that way, but in Win 8 (thankfully the current version works fine in the CP) I see it as being more of a necessity for me as I prefer to reserve the taskbar for running apps. I've created command shortcuts for shutdown and restart and put those on the dock which I think is the easiest possible way to access them.

But, take this as anecdotal. Do you know how many people I knew that went from Win 3.1 to 95 or got their first computers with Win 95 or 98 that always hit the Power Button to turn off their computer? Ya know why? They didn't know it was under the Start Button.

Start to most people means you're beginning something or in the case of a machine, turning it on. It was only with Windows 2000 did people start to get the hang of it once they actually learned where things were. The Start Button wasn't initially intuitive either. But, here we are.

I must confess my first PC ran Windows 95 so I've never known it to be anywhere else. My first challenge on that PC was working out how to use MS-DOS to get Themepark to run - that's kind of how I feel about the Start Screen, like I'm having to go somewhere alien and completely different to my primary desktop interface which is why I think I find it so jarring. I take your point about the Start button, I don't think it was the best name. I never understood why it wasn't just called the Windows Button, but that's academic now!

Once people figure out a new way of doing things that's when it clicks, no pun intended. That being said, a shutdown button on the Charms Bar itself wouldn't be a bad idea. Or, even in the Jump List that appears when you right-click the bottom left corner.

Yeah I could also get behind it being in the Jump List. Having looked at the folder structure the All Apps menu in the Start Screen is still in the traditional Start Menu/All Programs folder (for compatibility reasons I guess) so to truly have an OS that works on all devices I think the best think MS could do is:

1. Have a Start/Windows Orb in the traditional place.

2. Make it that by default on a non-touch device this brings up a streamlined version of the regular Start Menu complete with the ability to search everything, BUT people who wish to use Metro Apps etc can still hover at the bottom left corner and click to access the Start Screen.

3. Make it that by default on touch devices the Orb brings up the Start Screen but if they prefer they can hover in that corner to access the traditional Start Menu.

4. Have a simple drop box setting in the Taskbar Properties dialog that allows to switch the functionality of the Orb.

That's a relatively simple and straightforward change for MS to implement, but it's the only true "best of both worlds" solution. Everyone will be happy as they can use their computer the way they want to. Both UIs would be sharing the same folder so there's no need for a separate systems. Traditional users like myself could upgrade to WIn 8 as a refined/streamlined version of Win 7 and still have the option to explore Metro apps if ever we wanted. Those with touch devices or who really love the Metro UI need never see a Start Menu again! At least no one on either side of the fence would have anything to complain about.

[georgevella]

I agree you'd get into the habit of doing it the new way but I don't think it would be particularly optimal. In Vista and 7 I've had all desktop icons hidden and used Stardock ObjectDock to provide quick access to folders/software I need. In those OSes it was more cosmetic/frivolous for me to use it that way, but in Win 8 (thankfully the current version works fine in the CP) I see it as being more of a necessity for me as I prefer to reserve the taskbar for running apps. I've created command shortcuts for shutdown and restart and put those on the dock which I think is the easiest possible way to access them.

I must confess my first PC ran Windows 95 so I've never known it to be anywhere else. My first challenge on that PC was working out how to use MS-DOS to get Themepark to run - that's kind of how I feel about the Start Screen, like I'm having to go somewhere alien and completely different to my primary desktop interface which is why I think I find it so jarring. I take your point about the Start button, I don't think it was the best name. I never understood why it wasn't just called the Windows Button, but that's academic now!

Yeah I could also get behind it being in the Jump List. Having looked at the folder structure the All Apps menu in the Start Screen is still in the traditional Start Menu/All Programs folder (for compatibility reasons I guess) so to truly have an OS that works on all devices I think the best think MS could do is:

1. Have a Start/Windows Orb in the traditional place.

2. Make it that by default on a non-touch device this brings up a streamlined version of the regular Start Menu complete with the ability to search everything, BUT people who wish to use Metro Apps etc can still hover at the bottom left corner and click to access the Start Screen.

3. Make it that by default on touch devices the Orb brings up the Start Screen but if they prefer they can hover in that corner to access the traditional Start Menu.

4. Have a simple drop box setting in the Taskbar Properties dialog that allows to switch the functionality of the Orb.

That's a relatively simple and straightforward change for MS to implement, but it's the only true "best of both worlds" solution. Everyone will be happy as they can use their computer the way they want to. Both UIs would be sharing the same folder so there's no need for a separate systems. Traditional users like myself could upgrade to WIn 8 as a refined/streamlined version of Win 7 and still have the option to explore Metro apps if ever we wanted. Those with touch devices or who really love the Metro UI need never see a Start Menu again! At least no one on either side of the fence would have anything to complain about.

We had a discussion at work and concluded with the same idea - restore the start button, at least with the functionality provided in the Dev Preview. We can live with the new metro screen, it becomes quite useful when you get used to its quirks. What we are against tho is the corner areas - they are great for single display environments but when running with two or more screens (most businesses), it's irritating having to travelling to the corners and ending up on the other screen.

[Obi-Wan Kenobi]

after using it in a bootable vhd, and being remoted into my 8 vhd at this very moment...I must say...sure it's got a few problems, but overall, I'm beyond impressed. The speed of this thing is amazing, it just takes a little time to get used to where everything's at...which in my opinion, if you use windows search at all, you can find anything you're looking for. Damn good job, Microsoft! I got that good ol' win98 speed, with all of the advanced features of a future OS...if it could butter my bread, it would be close to perfect!

[Arceles]

Removed secondary hard drive and now set up as a virtual machine.

Just the last things:

is there a way to auto log on in Window 8 Preview? I don't want to input my 13 long password each time.

is there a start menu that acts as a replacement of the old one? as a 3rd party program? Because I really miss it.

is there is a way to disable the new start menu? because, covering the whole screen... is too main stream.

ib4 someone tells me "run Windows 7" I'm running windows 7, this is just a virtual machine.

[Motoko.]

I was immediately ready to judge harshly on Windows 8 but I find I need to take my time with it.

New versions represent change and in some instances different directions and that requires an open mind.

[King Lizzle]

is there a way to auto log on in Window 8 Preview? I don't want to input my 13 long password each time.

Win-key +R, type (without quotes) "control userpasswords2", untick the "Users must enter a username and password..." box and select the account you want to login automatically. Once you click OK to confirm you'll have to enter your password. From then on you'll bypass the login process when Windows boots.

Also you can't disable the Start Screen but you can boot straight to the desktop by doing the following:

Go to C:\Windows\ and search for "Shows Desktop". You can then copy that shortcut to C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup Doing that means that Windows 8 will, in a fashion, boot directly to the desktop so you can bypass the Start Screen initially.

[Arceles]

Win-key +R, type (without quotes) "control userpasswords2", untick the "Users must enter a username and password..." box and select the account you want to login automatically. Once you click OK to confirm you'll have to enter your password. From then on you'll bypass the login process when Windows boots. Also you can't disable the Start Screen but you can boot straight to the desktop by doing the following: Go to C:\Windows\ and search for "Shows Desktop". You can then copy that shortcut to C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup Doing that means that Windows 8 will, in a fashion, boot directly to the desktop so you can bypass the Start Screen initially.

It says that my login failed so I still have to input my password :( but the other tip worked wonders, thanks!

[Sadelwo]

Windows 8 is swift and stable for me. I spend most time in the desktop and my games in Steam and Origin run well... with my headset. I can't for the love of anything get my Asus mb onboard VIA HD audio to work, the drivers install and the app is fully functional but my speakers sound like the darn reapers from mass effect. Tried various drivers from 2007 to the latest, varying compatability modes, inf installs and even tried forcing the built in Microsoft HD Audio driver. No dice. Strange enough it worked perfect in the Developer Preview but giving headaches now.

[ady199]

I hate IE, so I use Chrome - I've set Chrome as my default browser but when I click on a link in an email, it opens IE!

How do I get links in emails, to open in Chrome??

Thanks in advance

Anyone???

Thanks in advance

[Lamp0]

So if the start menu is gone, is there an alternative way to quickly search?

[FalseAgent]

Anyone???

Thanks in advance

try this: right click a .html file, and choose to open it with chrome.

[briangw]

It's crazy to me that people here, any people in fact could ever find this good. I mean professionally in my job I design user interfaces for computer software. That is like my entire job and I'm very good at it and everything I know about user interfaces tells me what Microsoft are doing is just wrong. Apple are way way more innovative and they get it that each input device needs its own user interface. They didn't stick Mac OS X's Aqua on to an iPhone and they didn't put iOS on to a Mac. They let the interfaces (Touch and Mouse/Keyboard) stay true to what they are.

The mouse is an incredibly finite pointing device able to click objects within a few pixels. What Metro does is dumb this down in to a clumsy fat finger pointer with huge boxes. It just doesn't make any logical sense. This kind of interface is for tablets and phones not for desktop computers that lack touch screens and that is how my opinion is going to stay.

I work as a Systems Administrator for a company of 2600 people in MN and worldwide. As a SA, it's my responsibility to keep an eye on end-of-life and software licensing. As such, we go through the cycle of every 5 years of removing an older, unsupported OS both on servers and on workstations. Since you say that you work in software design, that tells me that a) you or your company QAs your software on many different platforms and b), you're SA/Desktop area probably upgrades OS's over time. You're going to have to use this eventually, correct? And who's to say that touchscreen PCs won't become as popular as replacement workstations over time? Obviously, Microsoft knows something and they are sticking to it.

[Ci7]

So if the start menu is gone, is there an alternative way to quickly search?

just open the start screen

and start typing right away , it will automatically start searching for you

[ady199]

I hate IE, so I use Chrome - I've set Chrome as my default browser but when I click on a link in an email, it opens IE!

How do I get links in emails, to open in Chrome??

Thanks in advance

All sorted - I just had to go into 'Default Programs' and change HTTP to Chrome instead of IE :)

[Detection]

Anyone had a Bluescreen yet ?

System started to get a bit sluggish earlier, for about 20 minutes seemed like it was battling with something, then the Happier looking sad face BSOD appeared and rebooted.

I have to say, it was not as painful as the old faithful bluescreen we know and love, but it still sucked

[Am_I_Evil]

i have having the worst luck...i've downloaded it about 5 times so far and its been corrupt everytime...

[crashguy]

This may be a silly question, but can someone explain how to add a second email account to mail? i can't see an option, and it doesn't show up when you right click to bring up the action menu at the bottom. Thanks in advance :-)

[Detection]

i have having the worst luck...i've downloaded it about 5 times so far and its been corrupt everytime...

Sure your RAM / HDD are ok ?

How do you know its been corrupt? Are you checking the HASH ?

[Gio Takahashi]

I can't, for the life of me, figure out how I can change the microsoft account for the 'People' area, no matter where I look, I just can't find it. Does anyone have any idea where it is?