News - Microsoft readying another Windows 8 preview

[HEXUS]

Release Preview scheduled for the first week of June.

Read more.

[billybear]

If I can't switch off the Metro interface, then I'm sticking to W7. I can see W8 being the new "Vista".

[J3FFW1SH]

I really have high hopes for Windows 8 but I'm with billybear on this one, I don't have or want a touch-screen PC.

[shaithis]

It has to be a metro-less test.

They must be aware of the huge backlash against it.

[cheesemp]

It has to be a metro-less test.

They must be aware of the huge backlash against it.

I don't know. Microsoft are betting a lot on Metro - They want to push a unified customer experience across phone, console, tablet and PC. They also desperately want a slice of the App sales pie. The only problem for them I can see is a) Lots of people don't like metro (myself included), b) They aren't apple so people won't rush out and happily buy their next release no matter what (think how bad sales of Vista got by word of mouth).

If Metro is forced on users I can see it being Vista Mk2 for sure.

[andrewuk]

Metro is great... on a tablet. But if I can't use it as a proper desktop OS on my desktop PC then I won't be bothering to upgrade over W7. I doubt many business users will, either.

[TheAnimus]

I think Microsoft know that the biggest competetitor to windows 8, is windows 7, then windows XP.

They also are not giving a crap in this release for the home enthusiast user, which is fair enough really because 7 does everything I need, I wouldn't mind better power management stuff for my laptop, but a lot of that happens best in metro, so I can just run 8 on that.

Remind me, what are all the "Oh I don't want metro" people wanting from a new version of windows? There hasn't really been anything interesting in desktop OS's for ages imsho.

[shaithis]

Remind me, what are all the "Oh I don't want metro" people wanting from a new version of windows? There hasn't really been anything interesting in desktop OS's for ages imsho.

There are a few small things that are nice (new task manager and new multi-monitor support to name 2)......and as I have technet I could upgrade without incurring a cost....but with forced Metro? No way.

And what they seem to be missing is: When IT professionals like us don't want to touch it, what chance is there of others upgrading? I know a slew of people who always ask me "Is it worth upgrading?" and "Whats new?".........as it stands, I know my answers will not make them want to part with cash.

[Brewster0101]

Whats the chances of Windows 7 and 8 co existing together? 7 meets all the modern needs of everyone while 8 meets the needs of one OS/eco system to cover various devices.

[watercooled]

I'm with what I assume to be the majority on this, i.e. hope for a big red 'get this touchscreen nonsense OFF my PC' button. As for why I'd prefer if it were an alternative to 7 - the improved scheduler for AMD CPUs which they seem adamant they won't port back to 7 being one thing, along with other under-the-hood improvements. Beyond that I've not shown much interest in it because of the monstrosity that is Metro.

[Spud1]

Great, an excuse to re-install again in a months time then

Metro has really grown on me - mainly as I don't need to use it that often. As a power user most things I do are via shortcuts anyway, so metro doesn't bother me that much anymore. I do like how "Live Tiles" are actually live in W8 though, rather than being limited to 30min updates like on WP7. My biggest issue with it is the stupid methods for shutting down your PC - it's needlessly longwinded and a pain in the backside to get to that menu when you have 2+ monitors.

Don't get me wrong the exact opposite has happened w/r to the Metro UI concept itself - my WP7 has made certain of that - but it's not going to put me off Windows 8 x64 if I can't disable it.

Biggest new feature for me though? It's the multi-monitor support..I no longer require Ultramon to be installed

[shaithis]

Metro has really grown on me - mainly as I don't need to use it that often. As a power user most things I do are via shortcuts anyway, so metro doesn't bother me that much anymore.

Power users use shortcuts? That's a new one on me.

I recently caved and made myself start using the search box to find apps so that I didn't need to clutter my desktop with shortcuts........now there was a feature that was great...yet has not lasted very long

[watercooled]

Agreed, I use search frequently.

[anselhelm]

If I can't switch off the Metro interface, then I'm sticking to W7. I can see W8 being the new "Vista".

Same here. Whilst some of the improvements coming with Windows 8 intrigue me, there's not a chance in hell that I'm using that interface on a desktop PC.

In any case, Windows 7 works absolutely amazingly, so I'd need a big incentive to want to switch rather than a disincentive like metro.

[Spud1]

Power users use shortcuts? That's a new one on me.

Keyboard shortcuts

[ypsylon]

W8 is (not will be, already is) another WinMe. I don't get it why people are so obsessed with Vista. I think that Vista (with Aero turned off of course) was best OS from MS for a very long time. I find it much better, much more stable than W7. Never had a single crash/BSOD. With W7 and same configuration I have periodical problems. Unfortunately there is no life left in Vista because MS killed support for it (or soon will). W8 with Classic Shell, Total Commander installed and voila. Problem of bloody Metro solved.