Windows 8 First Look
Microsoft released the first preview release of Windows 8. There is lots of new stuff you can find in Windows 8. The all new Windows 8 will be much lighter and more versatile than Windows 7. But the biggest change that you’ll notice the new tile based Metro Interface. The new default interface in Windows 8. It is now based on the excellent Metro interface from Windows 7 phone.
Features of Windows 8
- Metro Interface – the new default interface in Windows 8, keep reading for everything about this.
- Faster Boot Times – Boots within 8 to 10 seconds boot much faster than Windows 7.
- Less Memory Usage than Windows 7. That’s right. Microsoft is saying that not only will this version use less RAM than Win7, it also uses less running processes.
- Windows Explorer overhauled, now has the Ribbon UI, Revamped File Copying, and ISO mounting.
- ARM processors are now supported, which will lead to an entirely new class of low-power, battery-efficient tablets.
- All Windows 7 applications will run natively on Windows 8
- Security update notifications have been minimized to the lower right of the log-in screen
- Refreshed Windows Task Manager suspends apps when they're not running on-screen
- New "Reset and Refresh PC" functions enable simplified system wipe and restore
- Hyper-V virtualization software comes pre-loaded on Windows 8
- Multi-monitor support now enables a single background across screens, as well as monitor-specific task bars
- Multi-touch support enabled for Internet Explorer 10
- Magnifier function enhanced for desktop manipulation
- Optional thumb-by-thumb input mode
- SkyDrive storage support integrated into all cloud-based apps
- Metro-style refresh for Mail, Photos, Calendar and People apps with Windows Live ID
- Settings roam allows for preferences to sync across a user's Windows 8 devices
- Even a Lenovo S10 (first-gen Atom + 1GB of RAM) can "run" Windows 8
- There's "no overlays" with Windows 8; Metro-style goodness is baked into the core
- Windows 8 devices equipped with an NFC chip will be able to use a tap-to-share feature to either send content from one device to another, or simply receive content from something like an NFC-equipped card.
- Taskbar can now span multiple monitors – this very simple feature has finally made it into Windows.
- Logins will use a photo-based system
- Apps will be able to natively connect and understand one another (if written as such)
- Built-in antivirus software will ship in Windows 8
- There will not be a different edition of Windows 8 for tablets, and presumably, not for Media Centers either
- Universal Spell Check across Metro applications.
- Windows Store will let you purchase Windows apps all in a single place.
- The Live SDK provides a set of controls and APIs that enable applications to integrate Single Sign on (SSO) with Windows Live ID and access information from SkyDrive, Hotmail and Windows Live Messenger.
Windows 8 requirements
The Windows 8 system requirements are basically the same as Windows 7. A higher configuration is always good for better performance. Minimum requirements for windows 8 are
- 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
- Taking advantage of touch input requires a screen that supports multi-touch
How to get Windows 8
You can download developer copy from this link
Note: You can't uninstall the Windows Developer Preview. To reinstall your previous operating system, you must have restore or installation media.
How to Burn the image file.
All the download files are in an .iso image You may need to download the USB/DVD Download Tool, which can put the ISO image onto a bootable flash drive for installation all you have to do is choose the ISO, choose the drive, and wait for it to finish copying. You can also use any third party software to be converting an .iso file into installable media.
The installation procedure is as similar as Windows 7. Just follow the steps. Wish you Good Luck.
Metro User Interface
Metro User Interface is a killer features in Windows 8 no doubt about it. And another new feature in Windows 8 is a ribbon for explorer. This interface was first released on Windows Phone, and while it’s definitely ideal for a touchscreen environment, it’s also quite usable with the keyboard and mouse—though you will find that scrolling multiple pages is much more tedious using just the mouse than using a simple swipe on the screen.
Lock Screen
Lock Screen is inspired from Windows 7 phone and is optimized for both tablets and PC users. The new Lock Screen includes two main components; the lock screen image with dynamic battery and network icons & application status message badges and login screen to enter password in order to login to Windows 8.The notification feature is highly configurable; you can either all supported applications to send notifications to Lock Screen or manually choose applications from App list.
Touch screen password unlock
Start Screen
The inspiration of Windows Phone 7's Metro interface is clear in the interface the Windows 8 Start screen which completely replaces the Start menu. (The classic bas “Desktop” view is still available). Users can scroll side-to-side for different group of application.
With the Metro Interface, you can use Groups instead of folders to organize your apps and files. Media, games, social networking, work…make a group and add your apps to the pile. This makes it easy to find what you need without having to dig.
Zoomed out View
Users can zoom out from this view to see all of their apps at once. This is also where you can move entire blocks at a time closer to the home screen.
On Screen Keyboard
The Windows 8 onscreen keyboard does have some impressive features. When auto-suggest items appear as you type. The onscreen keyboard also has a split configuration for use on larger tablets, so you can simply use your thumbs to type. It works surprisingly well. The new Windows 8 still works, of course, with mouse and physical keyboard, but this is an option for those on tablets or touchscreen PCs.
Control Panel
The new control panel, in Metro view. Beyond revamping the Windows task manager, Microsoft has also redesigned the control panel for Windows 8. New options include Personalize, Users, Wireless, Notifications, General, Privacy, Search, and Share.
Built-in RSS Feed
An RSS reader in Metro view very scrollable and visual. Most news sites have an RSS feed to give you instant updates and quick information. Previously you had to have your own browser-based tool to view these. RSS capability is now native in Windows 8. All of your favorite sites can now be previewed on one screen as soon as your computer powers up. Users can scroll up and down within articles or left and right to switch between articles.
Social Network
A view of a hypothetical social network, in a pane interface. Socialite is a social app for windows 8 where you can do all social activities. Newsfeed is a part of Socialite apps where you can read the latest updates from your friends.
Video Player and Settings
Windows 8 takes a different approach to multitasking. Instead of resizable windows, each app carves out its own nook on the screen so it can be viewed in conjunction with others. The example below shows how you can watch a video and Green turned up the volume via in the collapsible sidebar settings panel.
You can view two apps or windows at once on your tablet by dragging them together and letting them "snap" together. Seen above, a scannable News Feed flanks a paragliding video, letting the viewer work while enjoying media entertainment.
Starting up Internet Explorer in Metro mode. Here you can see the most visited pages and Favorites pinned to the page.
Internet Explorer With On-Screen Keyboard
Typing a web address into Internet Explorer using the on-screen explorer.
A webpage viewed in Internet Explorer.
Windows 8 uses gestures from all sides of the screen to accomplish tasks. For example, if you swipe from the top or bottom in most apps, a toolbar appears. Swipe from the right side to bring up what Microsoft calls the “charms”: icons for searching, sharing, getting to the Start screen, accessing devices and settings. Swipe from the right to switch between running apps.
Select a piece of text, image, video or whole webpage and choose a contact in your address book you want to send that information to.
Cloud Computing (Your settings travel with you).
When you create an account in Windows 8 you will have the option to make your account a local account or a Windows Live ID. If you choose to create a local account, then this account will only be able to logon to your local computer and your information will not be synchronized with other computers you may use. On the other hand, if you choose to create a Windows Live ID account then Windows 8 will synchronize certain data, such as app settings, profile pictures, and passwords data to the Microsoft Cloud. This data will then be synchronized to other computers that you use with the same Windows Live ID allowing a desktop experience that travels with you from computer to computer.
In order to use this feature you will need to have the same Windows Live ID account on every computer you use. You will then need to enable synchronization through the Sync PC settings area. Once synchronization is enabled you can then fine tune what you want synchronized between the various computer.
Cloud Services in Windows 8
New Metro style apps for Mail, Photos, Calendar, People - Connects to Live and the services you use.
Sync across your PC devices and phone - Enables clean start on new device and roaming between devices.
SkyDrive for the information you create and Care about - Stores and shares your photos, documents, and files to the cloud.
Live APIs for SkyDrive - Build your own connected Metro style apps.
Windows 8 app store
Microsoft introduced a new Windows Store. This store will allow you to purchase Apps that are designed to operate in the Metro interface. Similar to the iTunes Store, you will be able to login to the Windows Store and download free Apps and trials that you can run on your computer. If you decide to purchase an app, then it will be automatically downloaded and installed on your computer and you will be able to use it on other Windows 8 computers as well.
Windows Store will let you purchase Windows apps all in a single place. Windows App Store looks very similar to the Apple App Store
Universal Spell Check
Universal Spell Check, which proofs words typed in any Windows 8 app.
Universal Search
Speaking of Mac, Windows 8 will have a spotlight-style universal search, which will let the user browse through the entire system for a search query. The search bar can also scan through any of your apps, including apps like Bing that search online.
Reinstall Windows without Losing Anything
The new Control Panel has a button called System Refresh, which essentially reinstalls Window 8, but leaves all of your documents, music, photos, and other files in place.
Odd and Ends
Other things they’ve finally added are universal spell check (not sure what the hold up on that was), universal zoom (allows you to magnify/shrink the screen with the mouse wheel or a pinching motion), and an easy Share feature that lets you share media and web items with your social media friends via drag and drop. All of this and it runs on half the memory of Windows 7. How ’bout that!
Metro Keyboard Shortcuts
Below listed are a few keyboard shortcuts which are very handy to use.
· Win + Spacebar : Switch the input language and keyboard layoutBelow listed are a few keyboard shortcuts which are very handy to use.
· Win + C : Open the Charms
· Win + D : Show the desktop
· Win + E : open Windows Explorer
· Win + F : Open the Search panel
· Win + H : Open the Share charm
· Win + I : Open the Settings charm
· Win + K : Open the Connect charm
· Win + L : Lock the computer
· Win + O : Lock the screen rotation
· Win + Q : Open the search pane
· Win + R : Open run
· Win + V : Cycle through toasts
· Win + W : Opens the Settings search panel
· Win + Y : Peek at the desktop
· Win + Z : open the app bar
· Win + Shift + V : Reverse cycle through toasts
· Win + Enter : Launch the narrator
· Win + PgUp : Move tiles to the left
· Win + PgDn : Move tiles to the right
· Win + Shift + . : Move the split to the left
· Win + . : Move the split to the right
· Window button – To bring up the Metro Start screen when you’re in any other application
Disable Metro Feature in Widows 8
You can disable Metro feature by registry hack or manual DLL renaming to get back the same Windows 7 start look in Windows 8 but is very tedious process for non – technical user. Other way is you can download a Metro Controller tool and run.
Manual Method
Open registry editor and change the value of
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\RPEnabled (Change to 0 instead of 1) to disable metro feature.
Software Method
Run the downloaded program. You can find options to disable metro feature
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