Your general opinions on Windows 8.1 Preview Release

[sygnus21]

That's just too weird. What are you running hardware wise?

And if this is a desktop are you running any software on it to emulate a mobile device - cell/tablet?

You might check your zoom as well - View, Zoom.

BTW how did you install the update?

 

[brummyfan]

CPU utilisation was very high in my IE11(more than 50%) but after increasing the page file size it's back to normal (<10%), I don't know this was coincidence or actual remedy for the high temps and continuously spinning fan, I might try reduce the page file size and see how it responds.

I seriously doubt if IE11 had anything to do with the issues you describe. You might want to check your cooling, perhaps go through the system with a can of compressed air.

Thanks for the suggestion, I'll open up and see but I remember same thing happened when I was using CP as well.

EDIT: I have found another instance of IE11 running as a background process when CPU increases.

 

[caperjack]

found almost everything you mention ,just cant seem to find how you set the old quick launch taskbar ,

edit ,
never mind I see what you did now ,added desktop and pulled it to the left ,,ok

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/5069-quick-launch-add-taskbar-windows-8-a.html

 

[Ztruker]

Wenda, from my point of view, the All Apps screen you show is so jammed with stuff it's useless. How do you ever find anything?

 

[caperjack]

. How do you ever find anything?

alphabetically, and by memory ,like all windows versions ,is my guess

 

[Ztruker]

and by memory ... ah, there's the rub. My memory seems to pick and choose when it will function and when it won't. I still find it much easier to use the Start menu to find things, even for those I can't remember what they are called.

I think having a choice is good though, should make everyone happy.

 

[Wenda]

Wenda, from my point of view, the All Apps screen you show is so jammed with stuff it's useless. How do you ever find anything?

This is why I suggested that more customisation options would be good. I'd like to hide the extraneous icons/tiles, and only show those I choose. But I do feel that, if the traditional menu isn't returning, this could be a worthwhile substitute with a bit more development.

It's already much better than 8 in this respect.


Wenda.

 

[Edwin]

Wenda, from my point of view, the All Apps screen you show is so jammed with stuff it's useless. How do you ever find anything?

This is why I suggested that more customisation options would be good. I'd like to hide the extraneous icons/tiles, and only show those I choose. But I do feel that, if the traditional menu isn't returning, this could be a worthwhile substitute with a bit more development.

It's already much better than 8 in this respect.


Wenda.

I just right click tiles that I don't want to see on the all apps page, 'open file location' then move them somewhere else.
(or delete the link files or help me files)

 

[jetroho]

SIW2
Thanks very much for the Nav Pane and this PC user folder removal tool you posted in #110 . It works perfectly .

 

[SIW2]

You're welcome.

 

[jeffrys]

Any way to remove that fake start button?

Hi there
You gotta love this

Users were complaining that there wasn't a start button -- now they want to remove it. !!!! Have to agree though it doesn't (at least in THIS release) seem to do anything sensible at all.

Cheers
jimbo

Hehehe Jimbo,

SO I WAS RIGHT ALL THE WAY.......from day one

Jeff

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there
I gave up on the standard version of Windows 8.1 -- however the Enterprise version seems to have fixed a number of niggling issues -- can't remember exactly what they all were but I gave up (and that was with a CLEAN install from the TechNet ISO PRO version).

The Enterprise version seems (so far) to be a much better experience now -- There is obviously some difference between the PRO version and the ENTERPRISE version. Enterprise also seems much snappier all ways around and I don't have nearly as much trouble having multiple languages for both WINDOWS itself and OFFICE as the W8.1 PRO version gave.

I'm still running OFFICE 2010 on 8.1 Enterprise and that works. (Incidentally Classic Windows 7 Games work as well !! I prefer the old Spider Solitaire, Hearts etc etc than the store new ones).

With Enterprise though there's some fiddling around before the Store works properly -- but I don't give a monkey's toss about the store anyway -- I haven't needed it in any case. To activate though get into Cmd mode (administrator) and run SLUI 3 and then at the popup choose Change product number -- then enter the Serial number. Product will activate and then normal updates etc will work.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[alphanumeric]

I never really understood that? The TechNet version doesn't ask for a product code during install and you have to jump though hoops to enter your TechNet product code to activate it?
There is no Media Center in Enterprise and no way to add it. That won't matter to most but I thought I'd mention it before someone asks. I do believe enterprise has all the other features you'd find in Pro though, plus a few more.

 

[alphanumeric]

Any way to remove that fake start button?

Hi there
You gotta love this

Users were complaining that there wasn't a start button -- now they want to remove it. !!!! Have to agree though it doesn't (at least in THIS release) seem to do anything sensible at all.

Cheers
jimbo

Hehehe Jimbo,

SO I WAS RIGHT ALL THE WAY.......from day one

Jeff

The way I see it is people wanted the traditional Windows Start Menu but got a Start Button that did what Microsoft wanted it to do. Not what users wanted it to do. Then they said they were listening to customer complaints.

 

[jimbo45]

I never really understood that? The TechNet version doesn't ask for a product code during install and you have to jump though hoops to enter your TechNet product code to activate it?
There is no Media Center in Enterprise and no way to add it. That won't matter to most but I thought I'd mention it before someone asks. I do believe enterprise has all the other features you'd find in Pro though, plus a few more.

Hi there

You DON'T Have to activate the product unless you need to install specific updates from Microsoft. The same method of Activation is used in the Standard version of W8 Enterprise too.

The reason for this is that the ISO is standard for all users who download the product - but the keys are UNIQUE to the individual subscriber who downloads the product - and Ms can keep tables on where and how the keys are used since the Enterprise versions are Multiple Activation.

Also it enables some testing to be performed - so one can "try" to see if it's worth buying. I have a gripe with the standard Windows 8 in that you don't get a reasonable trial -- Windows 7 allowed 30 days before activation so you could perform quite a few changes to your hardware and do some configuration testing and activate after you had it all set up as you wanted to.

As for Media center -- who really wants or needs it -- what's wrong with things like (FREE) VLC and other multi-media programs.

(Actually the START button does exactly "what it says on the tin" -- Launches the START SCREEN. People should have asked for what they really wanted -- a MENU system !!! so be careful what you ask for -- the request might be answered in a different way to what you were expecting !!).

Cheers
jimbo

 

[SIW2]

Exactly. The last thing wanted is something to launch into the despised Metro. The oligophrenic squares are what many are trying to avoid.

A 21 yr old girl with an 8 machine said to me "It is very annoying. I don't want apps on my laptop, that is what my phone is for."

She has recently finished University. She is not stupid or uneducated, maybe that has something to do with it. She could not return the machine as it was a gift.

The other 3 people I know who had win 8 machines have got rid of them.

A button to take them into those ghastly squares would have annoyed them even more, ( if that is possible).

Any way to remove that fake start button?

Hi there
You gotta love this

Users were complaining that there wasn't a start button -- now they want to remove it. !!!! Have to agree though it doesn't (at least in THIS release) seem to do anything sensible at all.

Cheers
jimbo

Hehehe Jimbo,

SO I WAS RIGHT ALL THE WAY.......from day one

Jeff

 

[mdmd]

...A 21 yr old girl with an 8 machine said to me "It is very annoying. I don't want apps on my laptop, that is what my phone is for." ... She has recently finished University ...

Last time I checked, a phone is for talking, a.k.a. the telephone.

 

[SIW2]

You are showing your age......

 

[mdmd]

The way I see it is people wanted the traditional Windows Start Menu but got a Start Button that did what Microsoft wanted it to do. Not what users wanted it to do. Then they said they were listening to customer complaints.

I am disappointed that they brought back the start button in 8.1. I liked it blank.
It is easy to add a menu to Windows.

I am going to miss this.

 

[SIW2]

It is a deliberate and cynical move. MS deserve a bloody nose for it.