Windows 8 Release Preview

[Lloyd_mcse]

Windows 8 Release Preview can be downloaded from here

If you are a TechNet subscriber you can also download it from Subscriber Downloads.

It's Windows reimagined and reinvented from a solid core of Windows 7 speed and reliability. It's an all-new touch interface. It's a new Windows for new devices. And it's easy to try now—whether you're installing it for the first time, or moving from Windows 8 Consumer Preview.

[Lloyd_mcse]

I'm just installing on my laptop, I'll share my thoughts later....

[Lloyd_mcse]

My first impressions are very mixed. I'll start with the likes ....
Once you get to the desktop there's a lot to like, the task manager is much better, Windows Explorer has alot more going for it, you have a ribbon style layout that users of Office 2007 and 10 will be familiar with.
There's loads of access to BitLocker which is great.

Now the dislikes ... where to start .... oh yes the Start Menu! Just dreadful, I am sure it will be great on a tablet but on a normal PC/Laptop ... just no! In my opinion there should be an install option for Tablet, PC and Laptop, the PC and laptop get a windows 7 style start menu and the tablet gets the Metro style.
Or just add a normal start menu too.
There's been so many people saying exactly the same thing that I'm very surprised MS hasn't rectified this.
I'm going to try and use it for a while to get a good feel of it. I'll post more thoughts later.

[Lloyd_mcse]

So far I have got

Adobe Acrobat X Pro
Microsoft Office 2010 Pro Premium
Directory Opus 10.0.5.0 x64
Norton Internet Security 2012 for Win 8 Preview
WinRar 4.2 x64
WinZip 16.5
The KMPlayer
SkyDrive

installed without any issues.
The only software specifically designed for Windows 8 is Norton. By default you get Windows Defender, not the normal Windows 7 Defender, it's actually Microsoft Security Essentials just renamed.

I am having an issue with the AMD 6470 Graphics driver, mainly because Dell have hacked it up so much the AMD driver no longer works for it (Argh), but then that was the same in Windows 7.
Sound, Intel Graphics on the i3, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are all fine. In fact the sound is much better than on windows 7; I can now hear it!

The new Windows Explorer is superb, lots of new features, it's now a fully featured File Manager. You can now right click on a ISO and mount it right in Explorer.
I still need Opus for all my Secure FTP connections.

I have added some screenshots of Windows Explorer and Task Manager. See the added functions along the ribbon in explorer.

It's taking some time to get used to everything, but I do like the crisp clean look of everything.
I'm going to look into customizing the Start Menu soon.

[=ETS= GeneralClev]

Nice mate, have you got any images of the start bar? You mention you are not happy with it

Would like to see it, will need to format My machine in the next couple of days, thinking of installing this

[Lloyd_mcse]

Here's a screenshot of the Desktop and Start Menu, to get it you have to hover over the bottom left corner at which point a small preview screen will appear which you have to click to get to the start menu. You can also right click to bring up some control panel features. To get back to the desktop you do the same - hover and click the bottom left corner. Or as you can see there is a "Metro" Style button on the Start Menu.
The Start Menu is basically a seperate screen/desktop. Personally I don't see why the Metro style buttons can't be embeded in the desktop, and the start menu be a more normal style.

[=ETS= GeneralClev]

I would have thought when they release it to retail there would be a way to have one or the other. Just can't see how the wall tiles would be useful in a business environment. I think I will install it to give it a go.

[Lloyd_mcse]

From what I hear there will be no way to force an old style Start Menu, which is a real shame.
Yeah I would give it a go, it's really growing on me. Especially on my laptop that has a pretty slow hard drive .. it makes it feel very responsive.

[Lloyd_mcse]

I've been having a look at the Start Menu today, and customizing it.
Basically you have to organize everything into columns, very tricky to get it organized in any real way, but I'm getting there, my OCD will prevail
If you right click on the start menu you can get to "All Programs" (see second screenshot)
I've been getting quite a few compatibility issues with IE10, I hope it's not this bad when launched.
Here's a couple more screenshots for you all...

[Merzai]

How is W8 with printer drivers?

[Lloyd_mcse]

I just tried to install my HP Photosmart C7280 Multifunction Printer with the driver package from HP with no luck!
I had to go through Control Panel -> Devices & Printers -> Add Printer it didn't have my driver locally so I had to click update and the select the driver for the 7200 series from there it installed just fine.

While moving between my Business network and my Home network I noticed there is no Wi-Fi Connection Manager to add networks manually or move them up and down the order to which they connect, which is a real pain.

Installation Issues So Far
Chrome
HP Printer Driver Package

[Lloyd_mcse]

Something else I'm looking into is where do you put start up items for RealTemp and Pageant ( for.ppk files) now?
I will post back when I find out!

[Lloyd_mcse]

I just spoke to HP Support and this was the response ..

@Lloyd_mcse News on Windows 8 drivers will get available around the official launch of Windows 8

[Lloyd_mcse]

I just installed Chrome 20 with no issue
I was lost without my tweet and Like buttons

[Lloyd_mcse]

Something else I'm looking into is where do you put start up items for RealTemp and Pageant ( for.ppk files) now?
I will post back when I find out!

I found it,

C:\Users\<Your_Username>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup

same as Windows 7, except it's not shown on the start menu. You can manually add it to the Start Menu by right clicking on the folder and "Pin to Start".