Windows 8 Test Drive Part 2

 

 

Windows 8 Test Drive Part 2

Brought to you by Niall Mulrine, Pc Clean.

 

Following up to the previous article on my experience and others experienceswith the new test drive of Windows 8 Consumer Preview edition. Windows 8 is not available for normal use just yet, but anyone can download it free and try it on either a virtual desktop environment or try on a scrap computer that you are not worried about causing harm. Microsoft appreciates the feedback from users testing Windows 8, as they would appreciate all problems to be notified now so they can launch the perfect system when it is finalised. IF you are using Windows 8 CP, please go to the following link and join Microsoft forum http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_8 If there are issues you are having, chances are lots of others are having the same issues and have found solutions to these issues.

 

A few surprises I came across were, when I first started after the installation. I was landed at a picture which took full screen and watched this in the same position for another 2 minutes to no avail. Then by a slap of the ESC button, a logon screen appeared!!! First scare navigated from danger ok. Then, the much advertised screen appears with all the applications as tiles not the normal Start Menu list of programs we have been used to from the early Windows editions back as far as Windows 95! What we have are Apps, that once launched can run in the background at minimal power. People, Mail, Internet Explorer 10 (Metro), Photos and many more Apps can be downloaded via App Store. Once open, you will notice there is no red X button to kill the application, but not worry, we can always go back and visit the App at any time and it will come from a sleep state to a full working App in a matter of seconds.

There is a strange transition moving from old style applications to Metro Apps, but like Facebook, changes are good and they will just take time for us to get used to.

The “Search” Function has changed from the Windows Start button to a full Metro kit search. The search will return keywords broken down into 3 categories; Apps, Settings and Files. This is a great distinction for quick access. I know we had this in Vista and Windows 7 in a similar matter, but the method of listing all results on the screen easier and quicker, makes it a better tool.

 

Ever get annoyed when working on a Word file and you delete all the old text and add a few lines of new text and click SAVE, that all the old work is gone and replaced by the new project. This can be a torture, as you may want to refer back to the original document, but now it’s overwritten by new details. A feature called File History allows the user to go back to previous versions of file name. This is not a new feature, but the setup and backup is lot more versatile. The file history can be setup to put all files on an external drive, USB Pen Drive, Network folder or another internal drive. The plus points of this, is not only have you a file history, but if that drive dies; the files are backed up on another location. Say hello to “less chance of losing data” technique only on Windows 8. This will be a welcome feature. But remember, this must be setup by user to begin with.

I know I always talk about File backup being important, it may not seem so at the time, but when disaster happens, then you can relax!!!! If that don’t work better ring 00353-862377033!!!

 

 

To catch up on any missed articles written by Niall Mulrine of Pc Clean, go to www.PcClean.ie

 

 

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