Manage updates with the Download AppCNET Editors' review
Windows 8. It sounds so innocent.
Windows 8 almost ready to serve
The name of Microsoft's coming operating system implies just another version of an OS once much loved and now much maligned. But Windows 8 means much more to Microsoft: It's a bold attempt to build an Apple-proof operating system, to unify devices that have so far been separate, and to reclaim its right to envision the future of computers.
For Microsoft to succeed with Windows on all platforms, Windows 8 has to work. The changes in today's Release Preview take a step in the right direction, tightening up the operating system and introducing new apps to showcase just what Windows 8 can do. But Microsoft isn't there yet. This is more "beta two" than "release candidate."
Read CNET's full First Take on the Windows 8 Release Preview to see what works so far and what must be improved before the general release later this year.
Publisher's Description
From Microsoft:
More than two out of three PCs today are mobile devices - laptop, netbooks, notebooks, tablets, and slates. Nearly every PC is capable of wireless connectivity. Screens range from under ten inches to wall-mounted monitors to multiple HD screens. Storage has grown from megabytes to terabytes and is moving to the cloud. Multi-core processing and powerful graphics are normal. Touch screen mobile phones with the rich capabilities they bring together have changed the way we view computing. The explosion of social technologies, cloud-based services, and access to the web services through apps give people powerful new ways to connect and share. Modern computing focuses much more on people and apps than on the operating system. These changes in the landscape motivated the most significant changes to Windows.
The next version of Windows (codenamed Windows 8) is being designed to build on what is great about Windows 7., delivering richer security features, faster startup, and longer battery life that runs on a wider choice of devices and chipsets. Windows 8 extends these fundamental features with a new touch-optimized interface. Windows 8 also provides the platform to create whole new generation of full-screen apps that are based on modern web standards and available through the new windows Store. We've redesigned the Windows experience and built on everything you already love.
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All versions:
2.6 starsout of 44 votes
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Current version:
2.2 starsout of 22 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"Hate Windows 8"
Version: Windows 8 Release Preview release candidate
Pros
Can't think of any
Cons
Extremely difficult to use. No Start Menu. Hard to find the "usual" items such as Documents. Would not download my printer. Am going back to Win7 until MS gets a more user friendly OS for people who use laptops.
Summary
For people who like the usual Windows operating system this is NOT a user friendly system and it is very difficult to find things that are at the touch of the Start Menu button. Absolutely hate Windows 8!
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"Very hard for the majority of us"
Version: Windows 8 Release Preview release candidate
Pros
If you are used to an Android tablet, you would love it.
Cons
Many, many, many...
1. Hard to use with regular desktop or laptop that is not touch-screen
2. Very hard to navigate from screen to screen
3. No user friendly desktop, which is what most of us are used to and love.
4. No Start menuSummary
I had to buy a new laptop for work and it came with Windows 8, hated it and still do. It is not like a regular windows computer, I love to work out of my desktop and even that is hard. Missing the Start menu is a pain but I found the following program and for $4.99 installed a start menu button Start8. It works and since I have no choice and have to keep the Windows 8 operating system, at least it makes it look like the stuff I'm used to.
Microsoft, you blew it. -
"neat but does not work with productive programs"
Version: Windows 8 Release Preview release candidate
Pros
fast start up, nice for personal devices
Cons
Will not work with Microsoft Publisher, some Office features, Quickbooks, Corel Photoshop, Garmin GPS. HP says, yep, we've got problems with that sort of thing. I am getting a new harddrive with Win7 from HP, with their appologies. It's a neat toy, but is not designed to do actual computer WORK.
Summary
I will rebuild and update my last Win 7 Computer until MS comes out with Win9, which HP says is supposed to fix the problems.
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"very disappointing."
Version: Windows 8 Release Preview release candidate
Pros
8 is greater than 7
Cons
hard to use, main features are hidden. minimal visual affordance, cluttered, too many useless features and not enough useful ones, confusing, boring, and many others
Summary
I'm surprised they made something like this. I think it was Microsoft's plan to make windows 7 look better by comparison. And they definitely succeeded!
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"Microsoft's Best OS ever"
Version: Windows 8 Release Preview release candidate
Pros
Easy to Install
Fast Booting & Shutdown
Start Menu
Live Start Menu Tiles
Excellent Apps Like Chat & People i.e., Facebook
Action Centre includes PC Maintenance
Automatic Driver Detection
Includes IE 10
No Quick Launch as in XP & Vista
Programs can pin to taskbar
No Bugs
Fast Operating
No Hang out
TO access all programs from start menu, do the following:
Cut all files & folders from C\Program Data\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs
&
Paste it into C\User\Apps\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs
You will find complete programs in start menu by either click on start menu page & clicking "All Apps" OR clicking Ctrl + Tab key.Cons
Boot Screen Not attractive
Start Menu Button missing
Taskbar is not transparent in W8 RTM as in W8 Release Preview
No Options are given relating to customization of font size, window border & padding, Enable transparency option in taskbar
File/Folder deletion error incase deleting many items including items which cannot be deleted.Summary
Windows 8 is basically complete New Look to Windows, some old users of Microsoft's OS, might don't like this, as they don't like to change their Thinking, their working style, their OLD PC CONFIGURATION.
Mostly users around 65% are still addicted to XP. They don't want to upgrade their PC.
Upgraded in many ways than windows 7, but customisation options are missing.
Not only meant for Tablets, can be a new charm to Desktop also.
Please Give comments if u like or dislike.
Thanks for reading -
"one giant crap"
Version: Windows 8 Release Preview release candidate
Pros
none that i can see
Cons
many that i can see
Summary
crap, waste of time to even use, stick to Windows 7 and see if Microsoft gets they act together with Windows 9
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"If you Use Desktop/Laptops it can give you nightmares"
Version: Windows 8 Release Preview release candidate
Pros
I don't find anything better compared to Windows 7
Cons
* No star menu, can't shutdown easily,[Well done Microsoft]
* Can't navigate to programs easily [no start menu]
* pressing start gives you the metro UI [I hate it]
* Software's [Antivirus] not compatible and it freezes sometimes for no reason.
* Metro UI is totally unnecessary though [should be optional]Summary
Good for Touch computers otherwise it's totally crap
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"Best OS Ever"
Version: Windows 8 Release Preview release candidate
Pros
Fast booting
Instant access to all the information you need upon booting (Metro)
Looks really nice
All rounded quickness
Faster graphics accelerated processingCons
Legacy App icons in Metro look terrible
Summary
This is Microsoft's best operating system to date.
Actually I think you can just go to the start screen and start typing the program name to find it
The metro UI is fast fluid and does a great job of getting the information you need straight to you. It also serves as a higher functional replacement to the classic start menu
The UI works equally well with a mouse & keyboard as well as touchscreen, the thing to note is that with touchscreen you're swiping from the sides and with a mouse your using the corners.
Definitely on my upgrade list :D
Updated on Sep 9, 2012 -
"Win 8 is best Win ever - without metro"
Version: Windows 8 Release Preview release candidate
Pros
new ntfs, new file manager, new security, new kernel
Cons
metro metro metro
Summary
there are several 3rd party apps that make metro unnecessary and give back the start menu
If you are not savvy enough to do as I suggest stay away from win 8! -
"Another Microsoft Sham..."
Version: Windows 8 Release Preview release candidate
Pros
None whatsoever...
Cons
This OP will lose the older generation.
Summary
I have been playing with your new Windows 8 Release Preview now for about a week, now... and am very disappointed and frustrated. I am a pc tech with my own business in Indianapolis, In and understand operating systems. I have been in business here since 1998. A good portion of my regular clientele consists of Retired Folks and I mainly deal with Windows based pc's. Getting my clients to get used to Windows 7 was enough of a challenge. With 8, I fear they are doomed. I wonder if all of the "smart people" in your employment have even considered, or given a single thought, to the older generation of folks that depend on their pc's to keep in contact with their families. I truly believe you are intentionally trying to force out the "Retired" crowd of pc users... and that is Sad.
I know the name of the game is to "make a buck"... but, where is the integrity? Windows 8 reminds me of Windows Millennium and Vista... "God Awful" operating systems, yet, they were released... in the name of "Profit". And to boot, manufacturers were producing and selling systems that were not even capable, hardware-wise, of running those systems efficiently. Shame on them!
I am urging Microsoft to consider including some Win8 tweaks that will allow the hundreds of thousands of Senior Windows Users to be able to make their Windows 8 pc's behave similarly to their Windows 7 machines. If not, I will start recommending Apple computers. Why not? If they have to "relearn" everything, they may as well switch to a machine that is virtually problem free and impervious to computer malware... unlike Windows based machines.
Thank you for your consideration!
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