Microsoft announces Windows 8 Release Preview!

[winlonghorn]

I think it's more purple than blue. Regardless, this is good news.

I'd like to know if "release preview" is another name for "release candidate".

Yes it is. :)

I honestly wonder what would have changed between what we have now an the release preview?

It will be more stable (less bugs) and maybe a few UI tweaks here and there, but I wouldn't expect much because (as the name implies), it is a preview of what to expect in the final release. ;)

[Dot Matrix]

I honestly wonder what would have changed between what we have now an the release preview?

Yes it is. :)

It will be more stable (less bugs) and maybe a few UI tweaks here and there, but I wouldn't expect much because (as the name implies), it is a preview of what to expect in the final release. ;)

Actually, there are still plenty of changes coming.

[firey]

Hmm, this will be the first beta/preview/leaked release since Windows Longhorn (aside from Server) that I don't even bother installing. Unless MS is like: "Oh yea, we also included an off switch for the metro screen, and added the start-menu back into the desktop", that is.

[winlonghorn]

Actually, there are still plenty of changes coming.

Possibly. I was just using past experience as a basis for my reply above. I know they are updating explorer with a metro-like UI.

Hmm, this will be the first beta/preview/leaked release since Windows Longhorn (aside from Server) that I don't even bother installing. Unless MS is like: "Oh yea, we also included an off switch for the metro screen, and added the start-menu back into the desktop", that is.

Enjoy not using it. We are all entitled to our own opinion. Personally, I will definitely be using it and enjoying it!

[Dot Matrix]

You guys need to get over this Start Menu BS. Just as, if not more, silly than the Save XP campaign that was waged a while back. Your opinion is your opinion, but it's gone, andnot coming back. Continually bitching about it either, isn't going to bring it back.

[pack34]

Hopefully this means we'll see updates to the new essentials suite soon.

[Ci7]

Hopefully this means we'll see updates to the new essentials suite soon.

i bet they would abandon it , since Windows 8 has them all built-in (technically live Wave 5)

[Woelfel]

I want to know what color they use for the default background in this release. Green for Developer Preview, Blue for Consumer Preview, Red? Yellow? Orange? Black? for Release Preview. Oh and of course I'll be wondering what other features and enhancements they have made during the past couple of months.

[pack34]

i bet they would abandon it , since Windows 8 has them all built-in (technically live Wave 5)

That's what I meant. Mail, Messaging, People, etc. They've had the App Preview tag on them since the CP rolled out but I haven't seen a single update for them. I'd love to be able to use Metro full time (for most things at least) but the apps are far too incomplete to be really all that useful so I keep having to fall back on the desktop.

[Dot Matrix]

Lol. Sorry, but the crappy Pictures app, doesn't even come close to the functionality of Live Photo Gallery.

[Ci7]

Lol. Sorry, but the crappy Pictures app, doesn't even come close to the functionality of Live Photo Gallery.

it is still work in progress still , they have from now till RTM time

the best thing they did so far is integrating A/V at least would help to reduce zombification of computer

[Japlabot]

I'm still running Developer Preview on my main computer, have not had a chance to upgrade to Consumer Preview. I might skip CP completely and go straight to RP.

[Dot Matrix]

I'm still running Developer Preview on my main computer, have not had a chance to upgrade to Consumer Preview. I might skip CP completely and go straight to RP.

:|

[Brandon H Supervisor]

Hmm, this will be the first beta/preview/leaked release since Windows Longhorn (aside from Server) that I don't even bother installing. Unless MS is like: "Oh yea, we also included an off switch for the metro screen, and added the start-menu back into the desktop", that is.

why not just install something like classic shell to bring back the start menu?

metro aside there are a lot of improvements made both front end and back end on Windows 8

don't be put off by something as trivial as the start screen when the problem can easily be worked around

[patseguin Global Moderator]

just formatted and reinstalled windows 7. i tried windows 8 for 1.5 months and will probably never go back. i enjoyed the little subtleties, but the start menu was not one of them. at least not until all the major apps go metro.

You should dual boot so you can use both!

[McKay]

Heres hoping I can upgrade install over Windows 8 CP. Hopefully that wont derp everything up, as I'm already running it as an upgrade over Windows 7.

[Dot Matrix]

Heres hoping I can upgrade install over Windows 8 CP. Hopefully that wont derp everything up, as I'm already running it as an upgrade over Windows 7.

Upgrades are cheap though, especially beta code. I would plan on doing a clean install on a secondary machine over an upfrade, but that's me.

[0nyX]

I certainly hope that they have listened at least some of the feedback from the users and i am eagerly waiting to see the changes that will be introduced.

Very excited about the RP.

[+John Teacake MVC]

Awesome!!! Full pack at Windows Dev Day show :pinch: giant blue remind me of Blue Screen of Death :woot:

Half of them look asleep!!!

[ThePitt]

prometheus and this, seems like june gonna be a hot month

[neufuse Veteran]

Paul Thurrott says yes.

Thurrott is an idiot, he's said that before with Vista and Windows 7 and nothing changed

[Growled Member]

I've been meaning to try Windows 8 but have never got around to it. Am I the only person alive that hasn't tried it yet?

[Andrea Borman]

Well I have been getting on well with Windows 8 CP. As readers will know I did not like Windows 8 CP at first,when I found out you could not disable the Metro theme.

But then I installed Start Menu 7 and then when Classic Shell was updated to work in Windows 8 CP,I switched to Classic Shell. I now have my Windows XP start menu on Windows 8. And all of the Windows XP and Windows Vista software works on Windows 8.It is very easy to run your Windows XP software like Windows Movie Maker 2.1 and even WMP 5.1,Mplay32,by copying the program files over from your Windows XP computer.My latest achievement is the Windows XP screen savers and sound scheme on Windows 8.

Last time when Windows 8 CP came out, I made the mistake of rushing to install it the first day it was released. Without reading the tutorials on the web first. This time,when Windows 8 RP come out I would wait about a week. And then read the posts and forums and tutorials on the new Windows 8 RP. That way you will be more familiar with the new version and find out what software works in Windows RP and what does not.

From what I read the start button will not be coming back in Windows 8 RP nor will you be able to disable the Metro theme. But you can install a third part software like Classic Shell to get the Windows 7 and Windows XP start menu back. They say Windows 8 RP will be similar to Windows 8 CP. So all of the Windows XP and Windows Vista software will work. And I will be installing classic Shell or Start Menu 7.To get the Windows 7 start menu,of course. Andrea Borman.

[Singh400]

I've been meaning to try Windows 8 but have never got around to it. Am I the only person alive that hasn't tried it yet?

Nope, never tried it here either!