Windows 8 - a first look (screenshots)
by Ed Bott | September 13, 2011 9:42am PDT | Image 1 of 15
Previous | Next
Microsoft officially took the wraps off of Windows 8, unveiling its radically revised new operating system in front af an audience of software developers. I had a chance to get my hands on the new system (literally) last night. Here’s what you can look forward to.
If you think you know what to expect from Windows 8, just wait till you get your hands on it. After a few hours of increasingly addictive hands-on experience, I am convinced that this new release will indeed be a very big deal.
Image above: Although you can use Windows 8 with a mouse and keyboard, it’s at its best on a touchscreen-equipped tablet like the one I tested.
Screenshots: Microsoft. Click on any image to enlarge
Just In
@mjlaverty@... Therefore MS is copying Apple again?
Or what is your point?
Or what is your point?
@marionspd More like Sugar
http://www.sugarlabs.org/
http://www.sugarlabs.org/
@marionspd
This reminds me of Tetris for the visually challenged.
This reminds me of Tetris for the visually challenged.
I like what I see till now. Windows 8 (or whatever it is finally called) is a strong candidate to take on the mighty iPad. Hope MS is not too late in releasing it, else might have a tough time like Windows Phone.
@sunilgmishra : Windows Phone have not a tough time... What do you talking about??
Microsoft volontarly talk there time to let Windows Phone take its place an they will start the machine at the Windows Phone 7.1 OS Mango release... Microsoft told that clearly...
Microsoft volontarly talk there time to let Windows Phone take its place an they will start the machine at the Windows Phone 7.1 OS Mango release... Microsoft told that clearly...
Am I wrong or do the Control Panel shots remind me of WordPress control screens?
@TomMariner
Yes and not a bad thing I spend more time looking at a WordPress dashboard than anything else
Yes and not a bad thing I spend more time looking at a WordPress dashboard than anything else
i dont like it, not all of us are smartphone die hards...
@barbibphc : You never try it ... You will love it when you will try it... Beleve me.
@barbibphc Count me in. I am also disappointed with the Metro UI 
lame.. while I understand marketing towards 'touchscreens & pads'.. I havent seen much that is neat/new for the good ol' PC. all the 'familiar' zoom and sliding features are for touchscreen and are geared toward smart phone & tablet users. (big deal)..
seems a bit small minded to build a whole OS around those type of users.
(but then again look at ME and Vista.. so this seems par for the course)
seems a bit small minded to build a whole OS around those type of users.
(but then again look at ME and Vista.. so this seems par for the course)
@whispers_z I totally agree. New features that have yet to be proven, which are obviously supposed to be aimed at the pad/phone crowd, are another attempt to get people away from a desktop and look at all the pretty finger boxes. The whole visual experience alone, except for the personal file listing, has convinced me to avoid Win 8 altogether and wait for something that makes more sense and is less insulting to the eyes. they really should have listened to more user input like with seven. To me, this is just another Vista fiasco waiting to get spanked.
@ARGUS733@...
I agree with everything you said. Unfortunately avoiding Win8 and waiting for something that makes more sense will probably mean giving up windows entirely. Microsoft has long wanted to find a way to force computer users to a net based paradigm, and with what I saw Win8 is just that. It is also highly unlikely that Microsoft will include an option to revert Win8 back to a classic style desktop, which in all truth would probably be Win8's only saving grace but I won't be holding my breath on that one.
I agree with everything you said. Unfortunately avoiding Win8 and waiting for something that makes more sense will probably mean giving up windows entirely. Microsoft has long wanted to find a way to force computer users to a net based paradigm, and with what I saw Win8 is just that. It is also highly unlikely that Microsoft will include an option to revert Win8 back to a classic style desktop, which in all truth would probably be Win8's only saving grace but I won't be holding my breath on that one.
@ARGUS733@... : You are wrong ... you will see... just try it and you will adopte it ... To have an Idea just go to Carrier store and ask to try a Windows Phone smartphone, a working one not a stub phone an just try it... Windows Phone has the same Metro UI than Windows 8 will have... THis is so smooth you will love it for sure...
@whispers_z : no! you ar wrong ... The Windows 8 Metro UI ( sliding interface ) will also work perfectly with a mouse...
Oh, goody, a cluttered desktop; just what I always wanted. This is why I passed on the Windows phone.
@tpatric99
Windows Phone 7 is cluttered?
Well, in that case i guess you passed on the iPhone and Android too. What are you using nowadays to make calls? 2 tin cans with a rope in between?
Windows Phone 7 is cluttered?
Well, in that case i guess you passed on the iPhone and Android too. What are you using nowadays to make calls? 2 tin cans with a rope in between?
Is it just more graphics-intensive, requiring more computer horsepower (ie, more 'forced' upgrade$), or does it really improve our lives? For all the hoopla over Vista and Win 7, I see very little actual, functional difference over XP when it comes to using computers as tools to actually accomplish things and get work done.
@vtplannr "I see very little actual, functional difference over XP"... 
Are yo kidding? Didnt you see the keynote demo how you share text or photo? That was revolutionary and makes copy and paste look like a joke.
Are yo kidding? Didnt you see the keynote demo how you share text or photo? That was revolutionary and makes copy and paste look like a joke.
I don;t like what MS is doing here with Windows 8.
The touch interface /metro is nice and a good idea for tablets, but combined with the traditional Windows desktop, looks like a mess.
I forsee applications becoming an issue. Which UI do you code for? Will users not like your traditional app when they try and run it on a tablet, or not not like your metro app when they run it on their desktop.
There is going to be a lot of mess and confusion for the first couple of years while this gets sorted out.
The touch interface /metro is nice and a good idea for tablets, but combined with the traditional Windows desktop, looks like a mess.
I forsee applications becoming an issue. Which UI do you code for? Will users not like your traditional app when they try and run it on a tablet, or not not like your metro app when they run it on their desktop.
There is going to be a lot of mess and confusion for the first couple of years while this gets sorted out.
@yoshipod
I don't have to post now...someone said what was on my mind! Besides, I'm a PC user. I don't care for tablets or smart phones.
I don't have to post now...someone said what was on my mind! Besides, I'm a PC user. I don't care for tablets or smart phones.
@yoshipod I share your trepidation about having to code for several UI because of user demand.
At least I had a reminiscent laugh thinking that Microsoft could resurrect the "Bob" interface as a good April Fool's joke.
At least I had a reminiscent laugh thinking that Microsoft could resurrect the "Bob" interface as a good April Fool's joke.
@jefmud I'll never forget when I ordered an external CD drive online and when I got it and opened the drive there was a Bob CD sitting in it. I guess there was a lot of excess inventory to burn off.
I think they???re missing the point by creating a single OS for all types of devices. I neither need nor want a touch-screen interface for the dual 27??? displays sitting on a desk, some 30??? from my hands.
This is deplorable.
I'm still trying to figure out Windows 7, and now they plan to roll out this crap?
Quite honestly, I still prefer the old XP after most of the bugs were worked out.
Why do they feel the need to make my desktop computer look and act like a tablet. If I want a tablet, I'll get one. Just give us a dependable OS and can all the graphic intensive BS.
I think Microsoft has completely missed the boat on this one.
I'm still trying to figure out Windows 7, and now they plan to roll out this crap?
Quite honestly, I still prefer the old XP after most of the bugs were worked out.
Why do they feel the need to make my desktop computer look and act like a tablet. If I want a tablet, I'll get one. Just give us a dependable OS and can all the graphic intensive BS.
I think Microsoft has completely missed the boat on this one.
@techman1055 My thoughts exactly. I'm still using Vista (and I actually like it). From what I've seen, this may be my last Windoze machine. Maybe Linux?
Another uglier Apple imitation. Can't they think up anything on their own?
@PeterZ1959 Apple imitation in what manner? Please explain.
@PeterZ1959
Last time i looked at the Ipad and Lion OS i didnt looked like that?? Can u explain the imitation ???
It look like more some kind of windows 7 phone interface to me
Last time i looked at the Ipad and Lion OS i didnt looked like that?? Can u explain the imitation ???
It look like more some kind of windows 7 phone interface to me
This is 2011. The new interface looks like it was designed with construction paper and stick-on letters and symbols. It is not apealling or compelling at all. Users in general will not find anything compelling enough to make the switch to this new version. It looks like someone 5 year old put lipstick on a pig and claims that pig looks better and works better.
@billroberts@...
Oooo....Ooooo... big pickshures!!!! Me like!!!!
They think we are all myopic detards.
Oooo....Ooooo... big pickshures!!!! Me like!!!!
They think we are all myopic detards.
they have completely took the worse components and design of other OSes I can't stand and put them in Windows to completely destroy Windows. I guess I might as well move to Linux now.
While most of the general public doesn't know how to customize their Windows-based computers, I'm surprised a few here don't. I use Windows 7 Ultimate (both 64 bit and 32 bit) and it is quite easy to customize the "look and feel" of it. I've basically got mine to look like Windows Vista. One can even make it "feel" like Window XP, 98, bloody 'ell, even Windows 3.11!
Felt as though I was beiong taken through a newspaper - very user unfriendly are this images - no personility touch, OK so its designed with the business crowds in mind, but even they would like a bit more of the personal touch.
Engineering wise probably can't be bettered but the design feels like the product of a recent team of newspapermen "!!!!
Be a bit more friendly - PLEASE???
Engineering wise probably can't be bettered but the design feels like the product of a recent team of newspapermen "!!!!
Be a bit more friendly - PLEASE???
En verdad es un cambio radical y lo que se ve, ser?? m??s f??cil su manejo y seguro.
una excelente impresi??n en estas primeras im??genes, estamos ansiosos por tenerlo para empezar a utilizarlo.
una excelente impresi??n en estas primeras im??genes, estamos ansiosos por tenerlo para empezar a utilizarlo.
"Your fingers are too fat to operate a normal computer. Please mash the middle of your touchscreen to start your web browsing experience."
Bleh. Why have a high res monitor when each "button" is the size of your smartphone itself. Plus, once you cover up the buttons when you have app after app open, what do you do then? Buttons that take up a significant amount of your screen space are appropriate for palm-sized devices. Here, they turn the computer into a hybrid of a 1994 Mac running "At Ease", and the game "Simon". No thank you, MS.
Bleh. Why have a high res monitor when each "button" is the size of your smartphone itself. Plus, once you cover up the buttons when you have app after app open, what do you do then? Buttons that take up a significant amount of your screen space are appropriate for palm-sized devices. Here, they turn the computer into a hybrid of a 1994 Mac running "At Ease", and the game "Simon". No thank you, MS.
it looks like the windows media centere unravelled
nothing for me though...
nothing for me though...
Oh, look. Windows without any actual windows. What if you don't want to put everything in a full screen?
So everything is full screen (with an "extra pane" oooooooooh yay) on a desktop too? Lame, this is going to go over about as well as WP7 - like a lead balloon. Its time to rename the company to MicroFail.
I had Butterflies switching from XP to W7, then I loved it so much I went Ultimate on my ass...
I can see the specific application of this OS for the Tablets & Phones, but I'm very happy with W7 and will not be switching anytime soon. As for C-phones, I've had the same Samsung since '03 - don't need anything else... texts' and all that & the battery lasts 6 days at least. As for a Pad, I spent 150K on my education; if I don't know something when I'm asked, I'll read up on it when I get home, other than that I'll just shut my mouth & look like I might know the answer...
I can see the specific application of this OS for the Tablets & Phones, but I'm very happy with W7 and will not be switching anytime soon. As for C-phones, I've had the same Samsung since '03 - don't need anything else... texts' and all that & the battery lasts 6 days at least. As for a Pad, I spent 150K on my education; if I don't know something when I'm asked, I'll read up on it when I get home, other than that I'll just shut my mouth & look like I might know the answer...
To me it definately looks "Stupiified" and rather ugly. Wow, I wonder what the cert test for it will be like? Do you get to use crayons?
well it does nothing for me win 8 ill stick with linux
Perhaps Microsoft invested way too much in touch-screen technology and now is trying to force the market to buy so they can cash in. I just don't see that many people with touch screens on their desktops and those that do don't seem too impressed with it. Plus, they spread icky germs. Maybe, in the future, when the "touchscreen plague" has wiped out most of modernized society, those that relied on virtual reality gloves and goggles will rule the world with this OS...or not.
in reality, one gets the best of both worlds. But it will not impress apple,linux users.
Some just love to hate. It might suck but one should use before trashed.
Some just love to hate. It might suck but one should use before trashed.
Join the conversation!
The best of ZDNet, delivered
ZDNet Newsletters
Get the best of ZDNet delivered straight to your inbox
Vendor Showcase
