win8.1 Windows 8/8.1 - Positive experiences, tips, and what would you have added?

[anidais]

Using IE10 desktop, sometimes I am getting a white blank page icon in the taskbar tab previews instead of the picture of the site. Does this happen to anyone else? I'm also getting a quick white flash when switching tabs (specially after I open a tab in the background and then select it). These problems don't occur in other browsers or programs.

[Detection]

I love the new Task Manager. I love the new GUI bit when you are copying files. It certainly feels a lot more responsive. I mean Windows 7 was amazing...This is better so far! And I haven't even had a proper good test of it yet. I didn't use any Betas, Release Previews etc just RTM.

I agree, but I really REALLY HATE the new "Move but keep both files" dialogue box, what was once 1 click is now multiple selection boxes and a severe PITA

[Ice_Blue]

I'm using the Enterprise Evaluation until I can purchase a few copies in October.

Installed flawlessly (and speedily!). Runs even faster and smoother than Windows 7, IMO.

What I would like to be able to change:

Disable taskbar transparency.

The titlebar text colour.

I can live with these as is, but it would be nice if I could change them.

[anidais]

I don't know why Microsoft got rid of some Start screen backgrounds that were previously available in the CP and RP, like the bubbles one. That was probably my favorite. Most of the backgrounds in the RTM are just too busy for my tastes. Being able to use our own backgrounds would've been nice. Maybe they add the feature in the next version of Windows.

[grayscale]

I just noticed that when moving an icon on the Start Screen, if you hover on the lower left corner (while dragging), the screen zooms out which makes moving icons around the start screen easier.

[contextfree]

I just noticed that when moving an icon on the Start Screen, if you hover on the lower left corner (while dragging), the screen zooms out which makes moving icons around the start screen easier.

The entire top and bottom edges of the screen work for this, not just the lower left corner. It's IMO the single coolest "move" in all of Windows 8. Just wish there were a way to drag multiple tiles at once.

[PGHammer]

From the "don't get mad - get even" Department of Sneaky Applications -

Whenever someone accuses us Windows 8 users of running a tablet or "phone" OS, come back with "Windows Phone - or Android?" (And make it stick.)

One free (in beta currently, but will be bundled with ASUS PCs and motherboards in the future - it's downloadable for current ASUS hardware owners today from ASUS and available from the developer for anyone else) is the BlueStacks Android app player for Win32 (basically a customized Android VM).

I've been pointing out that most ModernUI apps have been ports from other OSes (including Android), so why not add *real* Android apps to your arsenal?

Even better, BlueStacks promotes one free Android app a day via their Facebook page (http://apps.facebook.com/BlueStacks) - today's feature is the Bloomberg app for Android.

Okay - why would a Democrat that leans conservative praise anything involving Michael Bloomberg?

Simple - despite the political leanings of Michael Bloomberg, his news service has no leanings, no spin, and is as bone-dry as Dow Jones and Company normally is. (In truth, quite aside from Bloomberg's own reporters - most of whom were, in fact, *poached* from Dow Jones and REUTERS, Bloomberg also backstops their coverage via Dow Jones and Reuters. What's more, the Bloomberg Information Service is the SAME service relied on - rather heavily - by the big cheeses in finance and government.

And until Bloomberg comes out with a ModernUI app, this is the only real alternative to having to keep a browser tab dedicated to Bloomberg.com - or paying through the nose for the Bloomberg service.

[calimike]

http://mobilitydiges...he-apple-store/

[Sergey "hb860"]

I just discovered the hidden tweak which allows to enable an advanced Start Menu Animations. It will play that animations every time you switched to the Start Screen. They are similar to the login animations. See the following (video is better than the thousands worlds):

try right now:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ImmersiveShell\Grid]
"Launcher_SessionLoginAnimation_OnShow"=dword:00000001

My blog post about this, in case you are interested: Enable advanced animations for the Start Screen in Windows 8

[Sergey "hb860"]

More parameters discovered:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ImmersiveShell\Grid]
"Launcher_SessionLoginAnimation_OnShow"=dword:00000001
"Launcher_SessionLogin_IndividualTower_Offset"=dword:00001388
"Launcher_SessionLogin_Tower_Offset"=dword:00001388
"Launcher_SessionLogin_IconText_Offset"=dword:000003e8
"Launcher_SessionLogin_Icon_Offset"=dword:000003e8

[aviator189]

i love it so far, especially how fast it is.

[Buendia]

I like it, it's fast and responsive, although Windows 7 never troubled me with failed updates :D

[hagjohn]

I installed Windows 8 from a clean drive. I formatted the SSD, as I installed 8. Windows 8 is quicker than the release preview and much quicker than 7 on my computer.

I did notice that I had app issues, while I had Chromium as my default driver. Netflix app wouldn't play & apps wouldn't update. I put IE back as my default browser,all the apps updated and Netflix started working. So any of you with app issues....

[+Heartripper Subscriber¹]

I love win 8, but i hate the fact that a window's title is black even if window's color is dark, making it unreadable.

[tyler78]

I love win 8, but i hate the fact that a window's title is black even if window's color is dark, making it unreadable.

Yes, microsoft removed this feature unfortunately. There are some registry tweaks but they don't work. Here is what I use to keep them white:

- Install this. (for windows 8 experimental)

- Download this theme. Extract it to the C:\Windows\Resources\Themes directly.

- Change your theme and restart your computer if necessary(it wasn't for me).

It is the same theme you're using already. Just title colors are different.

[Growled Member]

i love it so far, especially how fast it is.

I love it. It's clean and fast.

[causa45]

What I like most about the OS is the new Desktop interface, which just looks more modern and less childish; it's also very consistent throughout the whole OS. The "Metro" Interface is great for the typical "I have to go soon and want to check what's happening in the world" kind of moment for easy and fast overview about all kinds topics. It also serves as a great way to see which programs are installed, a good replacement for the start menu. Booting and shut down speed are amazing combined with a SSD, a lot faster than Windows 8's. Driver support has also been improved as every driver for each device was found unlike in Windows 7. Overall a very pleasant experience, even as a loyal Android Tablet and Smartphone user, but nothing beats Windows on the good old desktop!

ProTip: Putting a Metro window side by side to the desktop :rofl:

[stockwiz]

No problems here. I think it's interesting that they spent so much time on the aero interface and improving looks for powerful PCs only to go back the other direction, but I don't mind. I honestly have no issues that can't be fixed myself, such as adding an icon to the desktop that shuts down the computer immediately, or other tweaks. I'm very pleased so far.

[davjacobs]

Just to let everyone who has upgraded to Windows 8 know. I downloaded the synaptivs 1.6 ver driver, and now have the windows 8 gesture suite for my old laptop. i.e. Side swipes cycle open apps and toggle and control the charms bar, while a down swipe opens the app bar command. Download the driver here http://www.synaptics.com/resources/drivers

[hagjohn]

No problems here. I think it's interesting that they spent so much time on the aero interface and improving looks for powerful PCs only to go back the other direction, but I don't mind. I honestly have no issues that can't be fixed myself, such as adding an icon to the desktop that shuts down the computer immediately, or other tweaks. I'm very pleased so far.

Or just hitting your power button. It should shut down windows and shut off your computer. Although, I have mine go to sleep.

[*RedBull*]

I don't know if it was stated in all the previous posts, I really don't want to read all of em. Sorry guys...lol

But I just discovered as I setup on my New SSD drive that Win8 ported from the other Laptop a lot of the settings without my initiating anything. I'm totally impressed. Language setting, favorites, background, etc....saved me a bit of trouble...gotta love Windows 8 it is the best windows so far.

[Shane Nokes]

That's the advantage of having a Microsoft Account attached. :)

[George P Global Moderator]

I'm loving it on my Samsung smart pc hybrid device. The touch parts work great and once I pop on the kb dock even the track pad gestures work great once you get used to them. I also have it on my main desktop and it's fast without issues.

[+jamwheat Subscriber²]

One site for some tricks is www.thewindowsclub.com as they give some tricks how to do stuff (like how to manually tell the apps to update, and other goodies). I have been using Win8 exclusivley on desktop and laptop since the consumer preview, and love it. I have a few items I use daily pinned to the taskbar (just a differnet version of "quicklaunch" to me), and have Metro sorted out to my liking. Even my 6yr old can get around in it better than I think he should!

Advanced task manager is GREAT, especially with the startup manager it has. Most everything I have installed works, plus most of my hardware.

Transition from Win7 was a bit difficult at first (like going from Win3.1 to Win95 was) but I picked up on it very quickly. I don't have a touch laptop or anything, but I still have no problems with keyboard and mouse.

[*RedBull*]

I like it, it's fast and responsive, although Windows 7 never troubled me with failed updates :D

I actually had a number of them. And had to get Windows Tech support or apply a fix so I could get updates. So far Windows 8 has been able to fix it on it's own.