So it’s been a few weeks with the prerelease of Windows 8 and all I can say it’s awesome. There is a learning curve and I had to find drivers. But Windows 8 has about all the drivers you need.
A few things to show you in regards to navigation. From the UI Screen (Microsoft does not own the name Metro so they dropped it) press the windows keyboard to enter the Desktop. It looks like Windows 7. I haven’t missed the start button but I have had to learn a few things. Place the cursor in the bottom right of the screen, to the right of the date and time and this menu shows up. (see Below). It does not stay for long so be quick.
Select settings (the image of the Gear). and you get the following.
The folder on the bottom of the screen opens up the library including the hard drives and USB sticks you may have installed
The OS Installed fast hopefully you have a new enough machine to get drivers. If not, see my article here on how to make drivers work. There is much in the way of compatibility modes.
The cost to purchase this OS is $39 They will include the multimedia files. This is perfect if you have wiped your illegal copy in favor of this beta version because they will allow you to upgrade. (or so they say). I have Windows 8 preview running on my multimedia machine upgraded from XP and to a ten year old Dell laptop. I plan to purchase 4-5 copies for my home. The max is 5. I cannot wait. This OS is Stable. Not one lockup. I was able to modify the UI interface to place whatever I want on it. They have also included some demo Apps, so take it out and give it a spin. I downloaded the 32bit version for my older machines and Microsoft provided a tool to make a bootable USB drive to install from. All without a hitch. So don’t take my word for it,….give it a try. BTW. I did a clean install after backing everything up. I didn’t want to bring along excess baggage. The preview, I understand, is good ’till Jan 2013. For your convenience, you can access the “download link” for Windows 8 prerelease from our main menu: Apps & Drivers//Apps, Tools and Utilities//Windows OS. The release date is Oct 26, 2012. To install the new license version you will have to wipe your machine so backup often. With a week left before release Microsoft is still tweeking the OS. Also think about it….this my be the Last OS you ever buy. What’s next is anyone guess.