I don't find it surprising that apps in the store are awful. I lot of the built-in apps are marked "App Preview." Many other apps are nothing more than alpha or beta.
I wonder if this will upgrade the public beta, or require a fresh install. Given no real start menu or shutdown button, I'm not sure it's worth the effort!
Windows will end with version 7, which is really pretty good for Windows. This coming from a full time linux user.
The whole Metro UI thing is utter garbage. Conceptually, it's like putting yourself in a playpen. As it's implemented (I've tried the beta), it makes you want to cry blood. Just a wretched abortion from day one and whoever came up with this should be banned from thinking.
The metro UI makes it very clear it is a wrapper on top of Windows 7. Forget what they've changed to the kernel, that can all be called a service pack. The thing we recognize as being unique to Windows 8 is the Metro UI. That's their contribution. I've already said I use linux, so I'm not desperately clinging to old Windows for fear of change. I'm basically not going to use Windows either way, but assuming that MS hires people to watch the news and internet buzz about their products I'll just throw it out there -- it sucks and nobody wants your stupid products.
You clearly have never seen the building windows 8 blog where they mentions dozens of other very impressive features being added. In addition, you seem to be implying that because Metro exists, there is no other way to use the system (such as just using the desktop in almost every way you always could).
Why do you feel the need to talk for the world when the entire world DOE NOT agree with you? You don't like Metro... so what, go play in another park and stay out of this one.
He's not the only one that feels that way. I Hate metro for desktop PCs.
All this could be fixed easily, allow me to boot to desktop so I don't have to look at Metro crap. Plus give me a standard start menu, the one I've been using for 15 years.
Much as I decry the average Linux user's prejudice against all things Microsoft and their constant championing of their favourite almost unusable operating system, I do find it remarkably stupid of Microsoft to have broken Windows 8 - as far as a great many desktop users are concerned - by trying to foist their ghastly Metro interface on the unsuspecting public. Even worse, they have stopped us from getting rid of Metro and reverting to the start button in the recent customer preview version.
This is outrageous.
They have handed the Linux bores a victory they so don't deserve. Somebody must have told the big nobs ( translation = head honchos ) at Microsoft that it was an asinine idea. It's almost as if they don't care what we desktop users think anymore. You know who I mean, those of us who have given all that money to MS over the years to use their products and who have made Microsoft and their founders so very very rich.
The desktop is changing. Metro is the start for MS.
Eventually you will be typing/multi-touch gesturing/pen digitizing on a single flat touch panel HID, or directly on the screen of a docked tablet displaying to a separate monitor. By then the windows experience will have shed the "desktop" entirely and will be something born of the gesture oriented Metro foundation.
You'll likely see warp drives and transporters before that happens. Unless you live in a world created by hollywood, most regular people have real work to do on their computers and not just sit around flicking and gesturing to floating panels and spouting nonsense.
Now if "metro" is just a layer UI, why can't they offer a replacement custom UI that simply replicates some prior functions like your start buttons and older application controls. It doesn't seem like a stretch to do that and make everyone happy.
Are you talking about the Charms bar? Thats not the Start Menu replacement.
The Start Menu replacement is... the Metro UI. Why do you think it has "Start" in big letters on it? It does everything the old Start Menu does and a lot more. I dont know why some idiots are bitching about it. It's for more customisable and powerful than the old Start menu ever was, and is far better and easier at searching for things too. It's always the same, these people just cant accept change even when it's for the better, it scares their tiny little minds.
Step 1: Click the Windows key or click in the lower left corner to bring it up. Step 2: Start typing the name of the program or menu
File search is a little more complicated since you just need to type it in then change the search type by clicking the option on the right side of the screen.
I'm not big on Windows 8 thus far. I think it will be nice for tablets and touch screens but using it with a mouse is counter productive. I will more than likely stick with Windows 7 for the time being unless I jump on the tablet band wagon. I do think in the business space, all tablets will be Windows 8 based within a few years. MS knows that Enterprise IT Managers want to be able to control the content and experience offered to their users. For some reason Apple still hasn't grasped this concept and Android is too open to easily support on a large scale... That may change but it may be too late. The other thing MS can do is allow business users to use the same software they already use for their PCs on their new Windows 8 tablets.
Metro is absolutely, inexcusably BAD for a desktop environment. I don't care what stupid reasoning you try and come up with, it is flat out shit for a mouse and keyboard setup. Tablet? Looks like it'll be damn amazing. PC? What in the name of seven hells are you doing, microsoft? It's huge, it's clunky, its IN THE WAY which your application menu should never be.
Can you still use a desktop environment? Yes. But you'll never excuse the start screen and the abomination that it is. Its baffling to me why microsoft refuses to just incorporate the regular start menu back into the desktop environment.
A good chunk of the population only does do that. Remember, more people who don't think technically use computers than those who do are buying and using PCs today.
And I would agree with you. Look at the gen Y. It's all text messaging, IM, email, facebook, etc... The way of computing is changing. And if you actually look at what these users do with their computer, then you'll right away that the Windows Store and Metro app might actually fit them very well.
I'm liking Windows 8 thus far. Metro is fine, as long as you take the time to learn to use the "Pin to Start" for the applications you use most often. I've seen people bashing on Windows 8 because it 'makes you have to do multiple clicks to get to an admin window for an app.
Well, not if you have properly "Pin to Start"ed that app. Then, you just have to right-click on that apps button and say "Start as Admin". Two (three if UAC is enabled) easy clicks.
The one thing I have to bash on is that right now if you totally disable Windows Firewall (because you are using another application to control applications, such as NIS), you cannot install any apps.
They have to get rid of that interdependency issue.
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38 Comments
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Ichinisan - Tuesday, April 24, 2012 - link
I'll have to find a way to submit feedback ASAP before it's too late...damianrobertjones - Wednesday, April 25, 2012 - link
I hear you... Tell them that they're doing an excellent job and that we love metro!SlyNine - Friday, April 27, 2012 - link
I'll tell them to shove the metro crap and allow me to use it as a traditional desktop.Arsynic - Friday, April 27, 2012 - link
And they'll tell you to just keep using Windows 7...because no one's forcing you to upgrade. I don't want Windows 7 on a tablet.jabber - Monday, April 30, 2012 - link
I have plenty of use for 98% of Windows 8. It's great.I just think that Metro on a desktop PC is a steaming pile of crap and I have zero use for it.
Tried quite a few of the apps and they are awful. If I could uninstall Metro and keep the rest it would be brilliant and the best Windows OS so far.
BehindEnemyLines - Tuesday, May 1, 2012 - link
I don't find it surprising that apps in the store are awful. I lot of the built-in apps are marked "App Preview." Many other apps are nothing more than alpha or beta.jabber - Tuesday, May 1, 2012 - link
Thing is that 90% of the Metro apps make no sense in a desktop environment.Why would I install different Metro apps for weather/news/finance/email etc. etc. when I can get all that already through my web browser in one place?
Oh and I don't have to swap back and forth either.
If moving from just one application to several lesser apps is the new way forward I must be the only one not taking crazy pills.
rlhunts - Tuesday, April 24, 2012 - link
I wonder if this will upgrade the public beta, or require a fresh install. Given no real start menu or shutdown button, I'm not sure it's worth the effort!Andrew.a.cunningham - Tuesday, April 24, 2012 - link
Probably a fresh install is best, though with Win7 there was some trickery you could use to go from Beta to RC to RTM.notposting - Tuesday, April 24, 2012 - link
I upgraded in place with the web installer from the Developer Preview to the Consumer Preview, FWIW.damianrobertjones - Wednesday, April 25, 2012 - link
Shutdown: Change the power button action to Shutdown when pressed. I'm sure that you're smart enough to figure that out on your won.The start menu has moved around to no great negative
joex444 - Tuesday, April 24, 2012 - link
Windows will end with version 7, which is really pretty good for Windows. This coming from a full time linux user.The whole Metro UI thing is utter garbage. Conceptually, it's like putting yourself in a playpen. As it's implemented (I've tried the beta), it makes you want to cry blood. Just a wretched abortion from day one and whoever came up with this should be banned from thinking.
The metro UI makes it very clear it is a wrapper on top of Windows 7. Forget what they've changed to the kernel, that can all be called a service pack. The thing we recognize as being unique to Windows 8 is the Metro UI. That's their contribution. I've already said I use linux, so I'm not desperately clinging to old Windows for fear of change. I'm basically not going to use Windows either way, but assuming that MS hires people to watch the news and internet buzz about their products I'll just throw it out there -- it sucks and nobody wants your stupid products.
ananduser - Tuesday, April 24, 2012 - link
Nobody wants your stupid comments as well.inighthawki - Tuesday, April 24, 2012 - link
You clearly have never seen the building windows 8 blog where they mentions dozens of other very impressive features being added. In addition, you seem to be implying that because Metro exists, there is no other way to use the system (such as just using the desktop in almost every way you always could).Pirks - Tuesday, April 24, 2012 - link
yawn indeed, yet another penguin cock sucker whining about MSLOOOL :))) what a surprise eh :))))) heheee
haar - Thursday, April 26, 2012 - link
@pirks :takes one... to know one...damianrobertjones - Wednesday, April 25, 2012 - link
"It sucks and nobody wants your stupid products."Why do you feel the need to talk for the world when the entire world DOE NOT agree with you? You don't like Metro... so what, go play in another park and stay out of this one.
SlyNine - Friday, April 27, 2012 - link
He's not the only one that feels that way. I Hate metro for desktop PCs.All this could be fixed easily, allow me to boot to desktop so I don't have to look at Metro crap. Plus give me a standard start menu, the one I've been using for 15 years.
Malphas - Thursday, April 26, 2012 - link
Oh wow, a Linux user proclaiming the death of Windows! Never seen that before, better take note of what he says!crispbp04 - Thursday, April 26, 2012 - link
You lost my attention at "full time linux user". You don't matter to the real world.Arsynic - Friday, April 27, 2012 - link
So a "full time linux user" thinks Windows 8 will fail? KTHX, BYE!jibbles - Tuesday, April 24, 2012 - link
Much as I decry the average Linux user's prejudice against all things Microsoft and their constant championing of their favourite almost unusable operating system, I do find it remarkably stupid of Microsoft to have broken Windows 8 - as far as a great many desktop users are concerned - by trying to foist their ghastly Metro interface on the unsuspecting public. Even worse, they have stopped us from getting rid of Metro and reverting to the start button in the recent customer preview version.This is outrageous.
They have handed the Linux bores a victory they so don't deserve. Somebody must have told the big nobs ( translation = head honchos ) at Microsoft that it was an asinine idea. It's almost as if they don't care what we desktop users think anymore. You know who I mean, those of us who have given all that money to MS over the years to use their products and who have made Microsoft and their founders so very very rich.
TGressus - Wednesday, April 25, 2012 - link
The desktop is changing. Metro is the start for MS.Eventually you will be typing/multi-touch gesturing/pen digitizing on a single flat touch panel HID, or directly on the screen of a docked tablet displaying to a separate monitor. By then the windows experience will have shed the "desktop" entirely and will be something born of the gesture oriented Metro foundation.
aguilpa1 - Wednesday, April 25, 2012 - link
You'll likely see warp drives and transporters before that happens. Unless you live in a world created by hollywood, most regular people have real work to do on their computers and not just sit around flicking and gesturing to floating panels and spouting nonsense.Now if "metro" is just a layer UI, why can't they offer a replacement custom UI that simply replicates some prior functions like your start buttons and older application controls. It doesn't seem like a stretch to do that and make everyone happy.
crispbp04 - Thursday, April 26, 2012 - link
aguilpa, you'll get it soon. Metro is the future, and unfortunately some people don't have the vision to see it.SlyNine - Friday, April 27, 2012 - link
I've used Metro, and hate it. Give people a choice and see what they choose, dont force them to use something.Besides, tell me, what is so intutive about Metro that makes it so much better, if any at all, over Windows.
IBM650 - Saturday, April 28, 2012 - link
Metro is the future like Vista was the future, not for anyone who actually has work to do.damianrobertjones - Wednesday, April 25, 2012 - link
" I do find it remarkably stupid of Microsoft to have broken Windows 8"How can they break something that's not even been released yet?
The start button has moved from the bottom left to the middle right... WoooOoOoOOOoo EeeEeee scream and throw your toys out of the cot.
ZzzZzZ
B3an - Friday, April 27, 2012 - link
Are you talking about the Charms bar? Thats not the Start Menu replacement.The Start Menu replacement is... the Metro UI. Why do you think it has "Start" in big letters on it? It does everything the old Start Menu does and a lot more. I dont know why some idiots are bitching about it. It's for more customisable and powerful than the old Start menu ever was, and is far better and easier at searching for things too. It's always the same, these people just cant accept change even when it's for the better, it scares their tiny little minds.
SlyNine - Friday, April 27, 2012 - link
Its far easier then clicking start and typing in the search box??I think you're brain damaged.
overstitch - Friday, April 27, 2012 - link
You still do that with the Metro UI Start Screen.Step 1: Click the Windows key or click in the lower left corner to bring it up.
Step 2: Start typing the name of the program or menu
File search is a little more complicated since you just need to type it in then change the search type by clicking the option on the right side of the screen.
Are you sure you've used it?
Einy0 - Wednesday, April 25, 2012 - link
I'm not big on Windows 8 thus far. I think it will be nice for tablets and touch screens but using it with a mouse is counter productive. I will more than likely stick with Windows 7 for the time being unless I jump on the tablet band wagon. I do think in the business space, all tablets will be Windows 8 based within a few years. MS knows that Enterprise IT Managers want to be able to control the content and experience offered to their users. For some reason Apple still hasn't grasped this concept and Android is too open to easily support on a large scale... That may change but it may be too late. The other thing MS can do is allow business users to use the same software they already use for their PCs on their new Windows 8 tablets.hglazm - Thursday, April 26, 2012 - link
Metro is absolutely, inexcusably BAD for a desktop environment. I don't care what stupid reasoning you try and come up with, it is flat out shit for a mouse and keyboard setup. Tablet? Looks like it'll be damn amazing. PC? What in the name of seven hells are you doing, microsoft?It's huge, it's clunky, its IN THE WAY which your application menu should never be.
Can you still use a desktop environment? Yes.
But you'll never excuse the start screen and the abomination that it is. Its baffling to me why microsoft refuses to just incorporate the regular start menu back into the desktop environment.
B3an - Friday, April 27, 2012 - link
Cool story bro.SlyNine - Friday, April 27, 2012 - link
Agreed. you know what. If these people want the new one, fine make it an option. But why force it on people for NO reason.I guess too many people do nothing with there computer other then surf facebook, google, and send IMs.
overstitch - Friday, April 27, 2012 - link
A good chunk of the population only does do that. Remember, more people who don't think technically use computers than those who do are buying and using PCs today.BehindEnemyLines - Tuesday, May 1, 2012 - link
And I would agree with you. Look at the gen Y. It's all text messaging, IM, email, facebook, etc... The way of computing is changing. And if you actually look at what these users do with their computer, then you'll right away that the Windows Store and Metro app might actually fit them very well.Lerianis - Saturday, April 28, 2012 - link
I'm liking Windows 8 thus far. Metro is fine, as long as you take the time to learn to use the "Pin to Start" for the applications you use most often. I've seen people bashing on Windows 8 because it 'makes you have to do multiple clicks to get to an admin window for an app.Well, not if you have properly "Pin to Start"ed that app. Then, you just have to right-click on that apps button and say "Start as Admin". Two (three if UAC is enabled) easy clicks.
The one thing I have to bash on is that right now if you totally disable Windows Firewall (because you are using another application to control applications, such as NIS), you cannot install any apps.
They have to get rid of that interdependency issue.