Windows 8 Consumer Preview: a fresh start
Summary: A close-up look at the Windows 8 Consumer Preview.
Image 1 of 31
After more than 15 years of service, the Windows Start button--that orb in the lower left corner--is gone, and it's not coming back. In Windows 8, tapping the Windows key (or the Windows button on a slate) reveals a row of five charms along the right. These subtle white icons appear automatically if you aim the mouse at the upper or lower corners on the right side of the display.
That's just the beginning. This screenshot gallery offers a hint of how this "reimagined" Windows works. If you're intrigued by (or skeptical of) what you see here, remember that static screenshots are no substitute for hands-on experience.
Are you curious about the default background image? That's a betta fish, which debuted as Microsoft's mascot for beta Windows releases in Windows 7. The fish has, of course, just blown an air bubble in the shape of an upside-down number 8. And look carefully on the left side of the screen as well for another number 8. (Most of the upper half of the number is visible; the left side and bottom have been cut off.)
And no, "Your name here" is not the default user name. I created a user with that name just for this screenshot.
See Ed Bott's full report on Microsoft's Windows 8 Consumer Preview.
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Talkback
Image 9
LOL
Looks Promising
God Damn that's FUGLY
No sir. I cannot agree.
Now that I have seen these particular pic's...well. I for one am convinced. Far far from "FUGLY", it gives me a feeling of serious control just looking at it. Its one of those things where someone who dosnt have a clue looks at a Marussia B1 and because they have no way of putting performance and looks together in their mind says the Marussia B1 is "FUGLY". Well, its not and neither is Windows 8. Windows 8 looks like the Marussia B1 of OS's.
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=russian+sports+car&view=detail&id=32F15565511834901A534FC934DFE3B5D99FF70E&first=0&FORM=IDFRIR
If Windows 8 performs like it looks, it will be a sweet ride.
@agree with you
Slide 14...
Funny - the one tweak that looked useful pertains to the virtual keyboard
Except this is the desktop version of Win 8 and a virtual keyboard will encounter extremely limited use in that envirnoment.
You're confused, I think
But you already knew that, didn't you?
as if you were taken more seriously than another
I was thinking about WOA tablets.
Irregardless, my original comment was in error. I meant to differentiate between using this version of Windows 8 (as opposed to the version installed on WOA machines or the Windows 8 server version of the OS) on a traditional desktop system having a separate keyboard, mouse and non-touch enabled monitor and on slate, tablet and hybrid tablet/laptop convertible systems.
Windows 8 Looks cool, but...
How?
Its the Start Menu enlarged to full screen! That makes it easier. And search is right there just like on the old Start Menu. The old one you have to hit start, move up to all programs, then carefully move over to the long list, then, once you found it, click on what is usually a folder that its in, then launch the application.
The new Start Menu is like the old Start Menu and Desktop Icons combined into one.
Why would I want the menu on the desktop
My wife is still a Windows XP user and refuses to even look at Windows 7. She will never go for this. I have barely accomodated myself to the irritations of Windows 7, and I am a programmer by occupation. My co-workers have invented new curse words for Windows 7. These additional changes are NOT going to go over well.
I have always been a big windows fan but now it looks like to get a windows desktop I am going to have to use linux.
Windows 8 is cool......
I've loved Windows since 3.1
I seriously beg your pardon.
Come on, If there is one thing this dosnt look like is a gimmick. It looks like an OS that means serious business. If anything that should be cut and dried. It screams serious user interface. What I would be far far more worried about is the sheer lack of gimmickyness to it that made Windows a Joe Average pleaser in the past as opposed to the "power user" look it clearly has now.
Serious business? Are you kidding?
There is nothing serious or business in that horrible L&F. It looks like it was created by the imagination of somebody's 3 year old kid.
@Cayble: Serious business?
Do elaborate, and keep it simple, use simple words, avoiding glossy adjectivals such as "serious business".
Serious Business?!! Seriously???