A look at the black underbelly of Windows 8.1 'Blue'

As Windows 8.1 Milestone Preview testers push and prod their way into the dark corners of Windows 8.1 "Blue," they're finding a bunch of things that go bump in the night. From new and likely unwelcome features, to nudges into the Microsoft data tracking sphere, to entire lopped-off pieces of Windows 8, it looks like Microsoft is changing Windows to further its own agenda.
Microsoft Accounts bare its fangs
With Windows 8, you're encouraged to set up every new Windows user with a Microsoft Account -- which is to say, it's easy to set up a new user by employing an email address that's been registered with Microsoft. It's possible to create a new Win8 user without providing a Microsoft Account, but you need to click a few rather obscure links in the setup routine to get around the restriction.
If I were to speculate, I'd say that Microsoft ripped out the Facebook and Flickr parts of Metro Photos and, in a hurry, took out SkyDrive and network folder support. It's inconceivable to me that Microsoft would release a Metro Photos app without copious connections to SkyDrive -- if only to sell more SkyDrive space.
About the same time this observation hit the fan, Microsoft announced, quite unexpectedly, that Facebook would finally build a Metro Facebook app.
I think we're seeing a quid pro quo in action -- Facebook finally agrees to join the Windows Store and, in exchange, Microsoft agrees to drop Facebook integration from Metro Photos. If true, might other Microsoft Metro apps follow suit? And where's the Metro Flickr app?
Times really have changed if Facebook can arm-wrestle Microsoft into submission.
A look at the black underbelly of Windows 8.1 'Blue' | Microsoft windows - InfoWorld
 
Warning
In order to use Windows 8.1 Preview you must sign in to your PC with a Microsoft account. The option to create a local account will be made available at the final release of Windows 8.1.

This one gets a major "wow" from me. I will never ever do such a thing. Not ever.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win8.1 Pro, Desktop Mode
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Me
    CPU
    AMD FX-8150
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-890GPA-UD3H
    Memory
    8.00 GB Dual-Channel DDR3 (9-9-9-28)
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 6570
    Sound Card
    Creative X-Fi Titanium
    Monitor(s) Displays
    PX2710MW
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080@60Hz
    Hard Drives
    1x1TB Western Digital WDC WD1001FALS-00J7B1 ATA Device Caviar Black -

    4 x 2TB Seagate ST32000542A -
    1 x 4TB Seagate External
    Case
    Antec
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D14
    Keyboard
    Logitech Illuminated Keyboard K740
    Internet Speed
    60meg cable
    Browser
    Cyberfox
    Antivirus
    AVG Security Suite
The option to create a local account is in place now. All you have to do is make sure the PC or laptop isn't connected to the internet during the OS installation and you will be prompted to create a local account. This option isn't available if you are connected, and you will be forced to log in with a Microsoft email account.

Disclaimer: I'm not a Win8 / 8.1 supporter and I have no plans to use this garbage. But the info might be helpful to someone.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 7 Pro x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Alienware M18xR2
    CPU
    i7 3820qm
    Motherboard
    Alienware / Dell
    Memory
    16gb Corsair ddr3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Dual GTX 675m
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 120gb SSD
    1tb storage drive
    Internet Speed
    Not nearly fast enough
It looks like WEI is gone.
Nobody knows for sure -- and Microsoft hasn't commented at all -- but it appears the WEI is dead. Nazmus Khandaker on the McAkins Online blog puts it this way:
Microsoft removed the Experience Index from Windows RT but kept it on the original release of Windows 8 in October of 2012. However with Windows 8.1, Microsoft has decided to kill off the Experience Index completely. I have tested this on several PCs (touch and non-touch). Before upgrading my PCs, I was able to view the Experience Index on Windows 8.0. After upgrading to Windows 8.1, they were no longer present.
One possible reason for its sudden disappearance: The lofty and expensive Microsoft Surface Pro gets a 5.6 on the WEI scale. That would've been a good score three or four years ago on a middle-of-the-road PC. I have an old single-core i3 machine with a Windows 8 WEI of 7.0.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win7/8 Mint
    System Manufacturer/Model
    lenovo W530
    CPU
    intell i7
    Motherboard
    Lenovo
    Memory
    16gb
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    512 gb ssd
    Other Info
    Around 13 million employes
The option to create a local account is in place now. All you have to do is make sure the PC or laptop isn't connected to the internet during the OS installation and you will be prompted to create a local account. This option isn't available if you are connected, and you will be forced to log in with a Microsoft email account.

Disclaimer: I'm not a Win8 / 8.1 supporter and I have no plans to use this garbage. But the info might be helpful to someone.

No, that's not true. All you have to do is enter a bad email address first, then it will give you the option.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    CPU
    Intel i7 3770K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Z77X-UD4 TH
    Memory
    16GB DDR3 1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia GTX 650
    Sound Card
    Onboard Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Auria 27" IPS + 2x Samsung 23"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440 + 2x 2048x1152
    Hard Drives
    Corsair m4 256GB, 2 WD 2TB drives
    Case
    Antec SOLO II
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000
    Mouse
    Logitech MX
The option to create a local account is in place now. All you have to do is make sure the PC or laptop isn't connected to the internet during the OS installation and you will be prompted to create a local account. This option isn't available if you are connected, and you will be forced to log in with a Microsoft email account.

Disclaimer: I'm not a Win8 / 8.1 supporter and I have no plans to use this garbage. But the info might be helpful to someone.

No, that's not true. All you have to do is enter a bad email address first, then it will give you the option.

I did that 3 times and never received the option. I gave up and started the installation again and discovered what I wrote. Its one of those "things that make you go WTF?" moment.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 7 Pro x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Alienware M18xR2
    CPU
    i7 3820qm
    Motherboard
    Alienware / Dell
    Memory
    16gb Corsair ddr3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Dual GTX 675m
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 120gb SSD
    1tb storage drive
    Internet Speed
    Not nearly fast enough
It looks like WEI is gone.
Nobody knows for sure -- and Microsoft hasn't commented at all -- but it appears the WEI is dead. Nazmus Khandaker on the McAkins Online blog puts it this way:
Microsoft removed the Experience Index from Windows RT but kept it on the original release of Windows 8 in October of 2012. However with Windows 8.1, Microsoft has decided to kill off the Experience Index completely. I have tested this on several PCs (touch and non-touch). Before upgrading my PCs, I was able to view the Experience Index on Windows 8.0. After upgrading to Windows 8.1, they were no longer present.
One possible reason for its sudden disappearance: The lofty and expensive Microsoft Surface Pro gets a 5.6 on the WEI scale. That would've been a good score three or four years ago on a middle-of-the-road PC. I have an old single-core i3 machine with a Windows 8 WEI of 7.0.
it was destined to be vanished. because no one would like some wei above of 9.9 or whatever...
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 pro with WMC x86 & windows Blue preview x86 with Windows 7 Ultimate SP1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    custom-build PC
    Motherboard
    INTEL DH55PJ MOTHERBOARD
    Browser
    google chrome
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky Pure 3.0
I did that 3 times and never received the option. I gave up and started the installation again and discovered what I wrote. Its one of those "things that make you go WTF?" moment.

By bad, I mean not a valid email format.. like just putting asfdasdfdf in there. Not entering something like nobody@nowhere.com
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    CPU
    Intel i7 3770K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Z77X-UD4 TH
    Memory
    16GB DDR3 1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia GTX 650
    Sound Card
    Onboard Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Auria 27" IPS + 2x Samsung 23"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440 + 2x 2048x1152
    Hard Drives
    Corsair m4 256GB, 2 WD 2TB drives
    Case
    Antec SOLO II
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000
    Mouse
    Logitech MX
So not that bad ! Still surviving !

:doh:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10.0.10122
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    My Build - Vorttex Ultimate
    CPU
    Core i7 @ 4500 MHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS Z87-Plus
    Memory
    32GB DDR3 @ 1822 MHz (OC)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon R9 280X 3GB @ 1180 / 6800 MHz
    Sound Card
    7.1 HDA
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LCD LG 22" + CRT LG 17"
    Screen Resolution
    1760 x 1320 / 1280 x 960
    Hard Drives
    1 x 240 GB SSD (System)
    3 x 500 GB HDD (Data/Media)
    1 x 2000 GB e-HDD (Backup)
    PSU
    ThermalTake 1000W PSU
    Case
    Corsair Carbide R300
    Cooling
    Corsair H60 (Push-Pull)
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Wireless Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Wireless Mouse
    Internet Speed
    60 Mbps (Down) 5 Mbps (Up)
    Browser
    IE, FF, Chrome
    Antivirus
    AVG Internet Security 2015
    Other Info
    Some wired stuff
It looks like WEI is gone.
Nobody knows for sure -- and Microsoft hasn't commented at all -- but it appears the WEI is dead. Nazmus Khandaker on the McAkins Online blog puts it this way:
Microsoft removed the Experience Index from Windows RT but kept it on the original release of Windows 8 in October of 2012. However with Windows 8.1, Microsoft has decided to kill off the Experience Index completely. I have tested this on several PCs (touch and non-touch). Before upgrading my PCs, I was able to view the Experience Index on Windows 8.0. After upgrading to Windows 8.1, they were no longer present.
One possible reason for its sudden disappearance: The lofty and expensive Microsoft Surface Pro gets a 5.6 on the WEI scale. That would've been a good score three or four years ago on a middle-of-the-road PC. I have an old single-core i3 machine with a Windows 8 WEI of 7.0.
it was destined to be vanished. because no one would like some wei above of 9.9 or whatever...

It was very seldom used and was next to meaningless. Agreed
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win7/8 Mint
    System Manufacturer/Model
    lenovo W530
    CPU
    intell i7
    Motherboard
    Lenovo
    Memory
    16gb
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    512 gb ssd
    Other Info
    Around 13 million employes
The option to create a local account is in place now. All you have to do is make sure the PC or laptop isn't connected to the internet during the OS installation and you will be prompted to create a local account. This option isn't available if you are connected, and you will be forced to log in with a Microsoft email account.

Disclaimer: I'm not a Win8 / 8.1 supporter and I have no plans to use this garbage. But the info might be helpful to someone.

No, that's not true. All you have to do is enter a bad email address first, then it will give you the option.

Yep!

That worked for me. No problems at all.

As an aside, I did experiment with an install the other day using my MS (Hotmail) account. It worked without any problems. I then attempted to create a local account from within Windows. I was able to do so, and was able to set it as an Admin account. But every second thing you try to do, you must get permission (enter password) from the MS account.

Annoying way beyond words (at least, beyond words I'm allowed to use on here), and totally counter-productive and pointless. It's like a form of UAC, but it is yourself you must seek permission from, not the UAC. And you get stuck with the unwanted and unused Sky-Drive rubbish, whereas when using a local account from the start you never even get to see it if you don't want to. I gave up in disgust, and did the current install using the dodgy email address, and the fault (and I believe it is a fault) went away.

Strangely, if you do a local a/c install, and THEN create/log-in with an MS a/c, the Sky-drive rubbish comes back, but once logged back into the local a/c it goes away. Do it the other way around, and the local a/c is hopelessly 'nobbled', and is WAY more frustrating than UAC ever was, even Vista's UAC and that''s saying something!

Sorry MS, but, whether this is a bug or whether it's intentional, this is a fail, and I do hope it's rectified in the RTM.


Wenda.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 'Ultimate' RTM 64 bit (Pro/WMC).
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer AS8951G 'Desktop Replacement'.
    CPU
    i7-2670QM@2.2/3.1Ghz.
    Motherboard
    Acer
    Memory
    8GB@1366Mhz.
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce GT555M 2GB DDR3
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD w/Dolby 5.1 surround.
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Built-in. Non-touch.
    Screen Resolution
    18/4" 1920x1080 full-HD.
    Hard Drives
    Toshiba 750GBx2 internal. 1x2TB, 2x640GB, 1x500GB external.
    PSU
    Stock.
    Case
    Laptop.
    Cooling
    Stock.
    Keyboard
    Full 101-key
    Mouse
    USB cordless.
    Browser
    IE11, Firefox, Tor.
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, MalwareBytes Pro.
    Other Info
    BD-ROM drive.
It's better to stay with Win 8 than using preview with " Local account" because some features won't function.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire E1-571
    CPU
    i5-3230m
    Motherboard
    Acer Type-2
    Memory
    8GB DDR3 1333MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD 4000
    Sound Card
    High Definiton Audio Device
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Generic
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 850 Pro 256GB
    PSU
    Generic
    Keyboard
    QWERTY
    Mouse
    ELANTECH Touchpad
    Internet Speed
    12.68Mbps
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
It's better to stay with Win 8 than using preview with " Local account" because some features won't function.

Yes, but I really don't feel that vulnerable using a MS account in 8.1. What annoys me is the synchronization option turned on by default.

:mad:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10.0.10122
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    My Build - Vorttex Ultimate
    CPU
    Core i7 @ 4500 MHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS Z87-Plus
    Memory
    32GB DDR3 @ 1822 MHz (OC)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon R9 280X 3GB @ 1180 / 6800 MHz
    Sound Card
    7.1 HDA
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LCD LG 22" + CRT LG 17"
    Screen Resolution
    1760 x 1320 / 1280 x 960
    Hard Drives
    1 x 240 GB SSD (System)
    3 x 500 GB HDD (Data/Media)
    1 x 2000 GB e-HDD (Backup)
    PSU
    ThermalTake 1000W PSU
    Case
    Corsair Carbide R300
    Cooling
    Corsair H60 (Push-Pull)
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Wireless Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Wireless Mouse
    Internet Speed
    60 Mbps (Down) 5 Mbps (Up)
    Browser
    IE, FF, Chrome
    Antivirus
    AVG Internet Security 2015
    Other Info
    Some wired stuff
It's better to stay with Win 8 than using preview with " Local account" because some features won't function.


The only 'feature' that isn't 'working' on my local a/c installation is Sky-Drive.

And I'm fine with that, because I don't want it, and won't use it.

Everything else works fine, as it did in W8.


Wenda.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 'Ultimate' RTM 64 bit (Pro/WMC).
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer AS8951G 'Desktop Replacement'.
    CPU
    i7-2670QM@2.2/3.1Ghz.
    Motherboard
    Acer
    Memory
    8GB@1366Mhz.
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce GT555M 2GB DDR3
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD w/Dolby 5.1 surround.
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Built-in. Non-touch.
    Screen Resolution
    18/4" 1920x1080 full-HD.
    Hard Drives
    Toshiba 750GBx2 internal. 1x2TB, 2x640GB, 1x500GB external.
    PSU
    Stock.
    Case
    Laptop.
    Cooling
    Stock.
    Keyboard
    Full 101-key
    Mouse
    USB cordless.
    Browser
    IE11, Firefox, Tor.
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, MalwareBytes Pro.
    Other Info
    BD-ROM drive.
I don't use SkyDrive all that much so it's not a big deal to me. I do like having it available when I need to transfer a file to a friend or group of friends and it's too large for an e-mail attachment.

I rather like the automatic synchronization of settings bewteen Windows 8 machines. When I set up my second Windows 8.1 machine it ended up looking just like the first one. Some things, like Windows Store apps, didn't seem to sync up, so maybe it only synchronizes settings like the desktop background and other "look and feel" items. It's not a big deal one way or the other.

I had not noticed the inability to use a local account in 8.1 but that's interesting. I hope they fix that in the final release: they almost have to if they expect any ultimate adoption of Windows 8.1 in the business world.

It's hard to judge the final product on a preview version, but let's hope MS is paying attention and that they're going to fix these issues in the final release. If they don't, they might be scrambling to get "8.2" out there to satisfy a lot of unhappy customers.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 x64
It's better to stay with Win 8 than using preview with " Local account" because some features won't function.


The only 'feature' that isn't 'working' on my local a/c installation is Sky-Drive.

And I'm fine with that, because I don't want it, and won't use it.

Everything else works fine, as it did in W8.


Wenda.
Frequent sites and Calendar not working for me.

EDIT: Correction, enabling suggested sites in Internet Options made Frequent sites to work.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire E1-571
    CPU
    i5-3230m
    Motherboard
    Acer Type-2
    Memory
    8GB DDR3 1333MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD 4000
    Sound Card
    High Definiton Audio Device
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Generic
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 850 Pro 256GB
    PSU
    Generic
    Keyboard
    QWERTY
    Mouse
    ELANTECH Touchpad
    Internet Speed
    12.68Mbps
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
I did that 3 times and never received the option. I gave up and started the installation again and discovered what I wrote. Its one of those "things that make you go WTF?" moment.

By bad, I mean not a valid email format.. like just putting asfdasdfdf in there. Not entering something like nobody@nowhere.com

Ok, I understand; I didn't try it that way. Thanks.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 7 Pro x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Alienware M18xR2
    CPU
    i7 3820qm
    Motherboard
    Alienware / Dell
    Memory
    16gb Corsair ddr3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Dual GTX 675m
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 120gb SSD
    1tb storage drive
    Internet Speed
    Not nearly fast enough
It was very seldom used and was next to meaningless. Agreed


I always found it quite useless. I have a top end Alienware laptop with SSD's, 16gb of fast DDR3 memory, and top end dual graphics cards. My WEI is listed at 6.3, which I find absolutely ridiculous.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 7 Pro x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Alienware M18xR2
    CPU
    i7 3820qm
    Motherboard
    Alienware / Dell
    Memory
    16gb Corsair ddr3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Dual GTX 675m
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 120gb SSD
    1tb storage drive
    Internet Speed
    Not nearly fast enough
I don't think it was great deal of use either. Nevertherless, the reason for it's removal may well be this:

One possible reason for its sudden disappearance: The lofty and expensive Microsoft Surface Pro gets a 5.6 on the WEI scale.

That would have been unwelcome - good reason for MS to get rid of it.

I did notice there was no S3 sleep option - until I installed the nvidia drivers. (Clean install - don't waste your breath posting up it worked for you after in-pace upgrade )

Interestingly that is what happens with Vista - I need to install the nvidia drivers, then run wei - only after that does S3 function.

Win 7 doesn't suffer from that "feature"
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
you guys and gals need to buy an old dell OptiPlex 745,. everything works great ,on both 7&8 & 8.1 ,never mine those new fangled comps with video card and stuff, danged thing I got nutting to complain about ,

just kidding of course
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win8.1.1 enterprise
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Hinze57
    CPU
    AMD FX 6100 6core 3.30gHz
    Motherboard
    gigibyte ga-78lmy-s2p
    Memory
    4gig ddr3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radon hd5000 Series
    Sound Card
    onboard realtek hd
    Monitor(s) Displays
    19" viewsonic/ 22"Samsung
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    128gig ssd Kingston
    80gig WD 10000 rpm spinner
    Case
    micro
    Keyboard
    microsoft curve 200
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless M215
    Internet Speed
    high speed 20
    Browser
    ie 11
    Antivirus
    windows defender
    Other Info
    updated enterprise apr 2/14
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