Windows 8 User thread

Man of Honour
Joined
11 Mar 2004
Posts
76,637
Download http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/home
Remember this is a very early version Pre-Developer so is likely to be unstable and missing features

ISO to USB burner program to make a bootable USB drive to install windows from
http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msstore/html/pbPage.Help_Win7_usbdvd_dwnTool

Min Specs
official minimum requirements
1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor
1 gigabyte (GB) RAM (32-bit) or 2 GB RAM (64-bit)
16 GB available hard disk space (32-bit) or 20 GB (64-bit)
DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver

Installing on VMware
Only. Works on VMware 8

To get it working in VMware 8:

Make a Windows 7 machine and point it to the ISO and do the usual steps to make the machine.

When it's done power off the VM (it automatically turns it on)

Remove the floppy drive (or the attached floppy) this is where it runs the autounattend.xml from and tries to enter a CD Key (even though it's not required, etc. which causes the OS to crash).

Guide http://www.mywindowsclub.com/resources/5081-Install-Windows-VMWare-Workstation.aspx

Shortcuts
•Just start typing with a keyboard in the Start screen to quickly search and launch applications.

•Find additional applications (e.g. accessories generally found in the Start menu) can be found in the application list by clicking on the “Search” charm.

•New shell keyboard shortcuts:
-Windows Logo Key + Spacebar – Switch input language and keyboard layout
Windows Logo Key + Y – Temporarily peek at the desktop
Windows Logo Key + O – Locks device orientation
Windows Logo Key + V – Cycles through toasts
Windows Logo Key + Shift + V – Cycles through toasts in reverse order
Windows Logo Key + Enter – Launches Narrator
Windows Logo Key + PgUp – Moves tiles to the left
Windows Logo Key + PgDown – Moves tiles to the right
Windows Logo Key + Shift + . – Moves the split to the left
Windows Logo Key + . – Moves the split to the right
Windows Logo Key + F – Opens File Search App
Windows Logo Key + C – Opens Charms Bar
Windows Logo Key + I – Opens Settings charm
Windows Logo Key + K – Opens Connect charm
Windows Logo Key + H – Opens Share charm
Windows Logo Key + Q – Opens Search pane
Windows Logo Key + W – Opens Settings Search app
Windows Logo Key + Z – Opens App Bar

•Most old shell keyboard shortcuts also work: e.g. WIN+D activates desktop, WIN+R opens “Run”, WIN+L locks user. WIN+E opens Explorer.

•In mouse mode, activate the options/charms by moving the mouse to the bottom left edge (where the Windows button used to be).

•In mouse mode, right clicking activates in-app options.

•With a keyboard, you can use the arrow keys and page up/down to select tiles. Enter launches them. The “menu” button (the key with a drop down) selects them.

•Make sure to check the “settings” charm in applications to reveal app-specific settings.

•Enable the “high contrast” mode in Control Panel > Ease of Access to see a dark themed Start screen (above)

Metro UI
Needs a minimum of 1024x768 for tiles and apps to work.
And 1366x768 for all features to work.
More info on screen resolutions.
http://blogs.synergex.com/psg_blog/2011/09/08/windows-8-and-screen-resolution/


Split screen
Place mouse on left hand side, hold left mouse button down and drag to the right, if its not the app you want, move mouse back to the left and it'll switch to the next app. Hover it over the different areas of screen and you will see what it does.
unlednup.jpg


Keynotes #1
http://channel9.msdn.com/Events/BUILD/BUILD2011/KEY-0001

If you say it only a New UI wath the video, infect anyone who instals a pre-developer editions Gould watch this video. Gives you some idea how to do stuff and what it's all about and the possibilities. Realty is worth the watch.
 
Last edited:
Ill try and update OP as and when people post stuff.

How do you name Metro screens with keybord and mouse?
The split screen is sweet, not really supported by much though. Those who have 27" screens will love it.
 
Last edited:
After using it for a while it seems like "Classic" Windows and Metro don't mesh together very well. There needs to be an absolute switch between the UI's rather than the current hybrid. Or Metro strictly for tablets with the desktop version maintaining the Metro aesthetic.

By the way I've found a cool patch that allows you to boot Windows 7/8 from a USB drive. You need to install it from a SATA port and apply the patch but after doing so it works fine. As I'm using a laptop it's very useful. Can post the required files here if anyone wants them.
 
Back
Top Bottom