Windows 8/2012 for Virtual Machine users

[AGTDenton]

When I installed the consumer preview version of Windows 8 and the beta version of Server 8 onto a virtual machine it annoyed me that I could not always get to the edge of the screen to show up the hidden menu.
I've now installed the RTM versions of both and the same problem still exists. Both seem inadequate for being controlled on Virtual Machines when not in full screen mode which I rarely use for VM's.

I find the whole method of controlling the Modern UI inconsistent and awkward in a VM. With simple tasks one minute you have to use the mouse, the next you have to use the keyboard. In most cases these simple tasks could be controlled by both mouse or keyboard giving the user flexibility. For example to quit applications within the Modern UI I have to use Alt+F4 or the Windows Key on the keyboard, yet to show the address bar in Internet Explorer you have to right click with the mouse.

Any other fellow VMers having this fun?

I've since installed the free Classic Shell which helps provide more control in the Desktop UI - but in a business environment this is not ideal.

[scaryjim]

... to quit applications within the Modern UI I have to use Alt+F4 or the Windows Key on the keyboard, ...

Switch to a different app or the Start Screen, hover over the top or bottom left corner, move the mouse up to get the apps sidebar, then right click the app's thumbnail and choose close. Works for me in VirtualBox 4.1.12 under Win 7 Pro.

tbh, I think the only thing missing for me is an easy way to pin a link to the start screen to the taskbar. I know MS won't give me a start menu, but seriously, would it be that hard to allow us to pin the start screen?

[AGTDenton]

Switch to a different app or the Start Screen, hover over the top or bottom left corner, move the mouse up to get the apps sidebar, then right click the app's thumbnail and choose close. Works for me in VirtualBox 4.1.12 under Win 7 Pro.

Thanks. I find the corner method awful, personal preference I guess. Also the corner method doesn't close the application, merely switches to another app, from that I've just realised that the Start Button doesn't close the application either, so the only way to close it is Alt+F4. I don't want all these apps eating memory and other resources like smart phones.

[scaryjim]

Once you've opened the list of running apps on the left side you can close them by right-clicking. You need to slowly slide the mouse up the screen if there are several apps to make sure you can see them all, then close the ones you don't need. AFAIK this closes them properly, but I can always test by running task manager and checking.

I don't really like hot-corners for interaction on a mouse-integrated VM: it may be better on an actual machine or running full-screen/mouse-captured, but I'd always prefer something definite to click on. That said, having made an effort to use it a bit more I'm starting to think that maybe 8 isn't all that bad. I don't see any compelling reason to upgrade from 7, but if I get a new machine in a year's time I won't be sad if 8 is the cheapest version of Windows to put on it...

[DDY]

You can use the mouse to drag the tops of apps down to the bottom of the screen to close them, IMO it's still a pain in the ass but a better alternative to Alt-F4 or tumbnail right clicking if your task is mouse centric.

You could also use the task manager to close apps, but that's even more long winded I suppose.

[scaryjim]

I've just tested both the right click and the pull down method, and they both definitely close the app (monitored with Task Manager).

The pull down thing is new to me - I'd discovered you could grab the top of an app but had no idea what was meant to happen with it thereafter! Presumably that's also the method for apps that can snap to one side of the screen or the other?

[Jonj1611]

Don't know if it helps but Stardock have something now that returns the start menu to Windows 8, thankfully.

[DDY]

... I'd discovered you could grab the top of an app but had no idea what was meant to happen with it thereafter! Presumably that's also the method for apps that can snap to one side of the screen or the other?

Aiside from closing apps, you can use that dragging feature to dock apps to the side of your screen or move apps to other monitors. Docking only works on 1366x768 displays or upwards, which excludes 1280x800 annoyingly.

[AGTDenton]

Cheers guys.

Its a lot easier to use not as a VM but in a VM it is a pain, just have to deal with it I guess.
Regarding the resolution I tend to use a 1024x768 Res for the VM, but useful to know, I may even stretch the VM and have a proper play one day. Until a customer gets Windows 8 I'll just have it in waiting.

As a side note, after using Classic Shell for a bit, ive now installed it on all my machines post XP, really handy if anyone is interested.