Windows 8 Preview users can upgrade to final version for $39.99

if metro and/or lack for start button pisses you off, you can use www.google.com to find guide and regedit hacks to restore win7 style(not metro) start button and disable metro interface.

I'm sort of on the fence but lean more towards lawfer's side of the argument. I think it's fairly undebatable that Windows 8 is going to be a compromise for desktop users in order to provide better functionality for tablets, despite Microsoft's assurances that Metro is perfectly suited for all form factors. However, there's nothing wrong with the idea of scrapping the Start Menu and replacing it with something better suited to modern computer-usage in principle, and all the anti-Windows 8 ranting is almost universally just pathetic luddite whining; largely from people who haven't even tried the preview for any length of time.

What I assume will happen though, is that Microsoft will look at the telemetrics and user feedback once Windows 8 is out in the wild and tweak Windows 9 accordingly, and then by that time all the luddite crybabies will be on board and we'll have the same situation as Vista/7, where everyone cries about it being the worst OS ever, how they'll stick with the previous version forever, etc. etc. then once the polished successor comes out they'll be saying how much they love it.

Seriously, this website has to post this information as a major news headline? Its basically the same article they posted a few days ago.

http://www.techspot.com/news/49231-microsoft-will-offer-digital-windows-8-pro-upgrades-for-3999.html

Seems more like propaganda than news reporting but what do I know.

For one, the start screen is not superior to the start button. For a power user it is the opposite. I've tried both the consumer preview and the release preview. The start screen is terrible, it covers the whole screen, you have to use the mouse to click on "settings" to search for settings related stuff, and you if you by mistake open a metro app (as you find them both in the same search menu) you end up in the metroworld again.
Also, have you ever played a console ported game on a PC? Simply put, they are terrible, and if you are a skilled player, they are even worse! The same thing seems to be the case with metro. If you are like me, that likes to have several windows open at the same time, or even place them side by side (windows explorer as an example). At times when I use Chrome or Firefox I have several windows open and several tabs in each of them. In metro that would be "somewhat" problematic.
The fact that poweruser and normal users complain is the only way Microsoft can take to their senses and understand that metro is great for tablets and phones, but certainly not desktops and workstations.

Yes, but I am afraid Microsoft is arrogant enough to block it:
http://www.myce.com/news/final-version-of-windows-8-will-have-start-menu-code-removed-61930/
Dark times we are headed too... ^^

You forgot the option of bypassing 'Windows 8' all together. What the hell is the point of installing a new operating system if one's main goal is to make it "look" and "behave" like the OS that is already installed?

Here's my question: If someone is content/happy with Windows 7, why should they upgrade to Windows 8, "other than", its shiny and new, like a virgin(but not)?

@lawfer & Rick

Its been years since I've stopped using 'start' button, it is just a relic from the ancient times at bottom of my notebook/pc screen, so I can see where you are going. TBH having tried W8x64 preview releases, I am pretty certain of one thing, it is damn fast to find and launch a program in W8 compared to windows 7, so for me, change of UI doesn't present any 'learning challenge' and I may well a) switch to W8, b) buy my first ever tablet I.e. Surface

Your kidding right? Your telling everybody who reads this thread that the overriding reason you "may" switch to Windows 8 is because it's faster to launch a program in Windows 8 than when compared to Windows 7? How long exactly does it take you to double-click a shortcut on a Windows 7 desktop??? How much memory does your current computer have...how many services are you running at startup?? What speed is your hard disk? What CPU you are running?? How much faster is it? Does launching an app in 500 milliseconds versus 600 milliseconds really have that big an impact on your life? Are these posts for real or has Microsoft realized what deep trouble its in thereby having their own employees go make posts on websites like this? This post is hilarious.

And on another note, yeah, lets just rip anything out of the Operating System that isn't used on a daily basis by at least 99% of users on Windows based PCs. Because if it isn't used on a daily basis, who needs it. To hell with it. RIP IT OUT!!!!!!!

Hell, in fact, as long as I can watch YouTube videos and download my MP3s that's all the functionality I need in 'Windows 8'. RIP EVERYTHING ELSE OUT!!!. That way the Operating System will boot 2 seconds faster so it's a win-win for everybody!!!


Your gonna have to start ripping out more than just a 'Start' button.

Because it's faster. They have managed to cut out a huge chunk of processes making the OS faster and more efficient.

Response to "ThatGuy":
You can't be serious right...Did you ever think of maybe upgrading your CPU, or your memory, or you hard disk(maybe get an SSD), or you graphics card, or your motherboard, or your monitor, defragging the hard disk, trimming down the startup programs and running services, if all you wanted was a faster OS?

I am assuming that you are using 'Windows 7' now and its not fast enough for you, am I right? Maybe you are okay with Windows 7 booting up in less than 3 minutes but, DAMMIT Already!!!, a 2 1/2 minute bootup time is what life is all about. And all that's required to get there is installing an operating system that was built with a cellphone/tablet interface in mind. Well hell yeah. Where do I sign? Show me the dotted line. Im sold!!!!

to the guy saying to say nothing about windows 8. If people don't voice their concerns over something then how in the world would Microsoft know about it? They will say "ah no one's saying anything about it so it's all good" you do not have the right to ask people to shut up. That's just like how Microsoft in a couple of years forcing everyone to upgrade to windows 8 just cus they think it's a good move. I'm sure there will be some attempt to do something like that in the future. such as cutting off updates and security patches. It will be a sad day indeed if people shut up about it

Wow so aggressive, did mummy take away your favourite toy? go look at speed tests and compare the lists of processes running in win 8 and win 7 oh and whilst your at it go compare it to xp, that is if you know how to do that seeing as from your writing you seem about 8. Here's a speed test for you - http://lifehacker.com/5841702/windows-8-speed-tests-its-faster-at-pretty-much-everything it's the first one I found because quite honestly I'm not wasting more time on you after that immature response (and yes I know my response here was immature but its 2 am and he/she gets what he dished out).

Hem bringing hardware into a debate that's purely focused on the OS what a great argument there. Of course those things make a bigger difference however this debate is focused on the merits of Win 8 compared to Win 7 where the difference in speed and RAM requirements happen to be some of those merits discussed. I'm sure you are capable of spending the two seconds needed to download a great 3rd party start menu. Windows 8 was not built with a cellphone/tablet in mind, otherwise there wouldn't be a special tablet version. The metro interface is great, it takes some getting used to but I personally find it useful and I basically never touched my start menu for anything other then search and the vast majority of people in the world probably use the start menu a similarly small amount or Microsoft would not do this ( they do undertake market research you know). Heck most people just pin the programs to either the taskbar or the desktop and when they need them press show desktop and select the needed program from the tiles there (kind of similar to metro)? Just because it does not suit you is no need to call it crap when a lot of people will find it great.

With windows 7 users didn't need to wait for the service pack to upgrade, but I'm afraid that many will wait for the service pack for windows 8. I'm still hoping they will manage to make the start screen NOT ALWAYS FULLSCREEN. If they gave users the option to change between fullscreen and a window then 75% of the people that are complaining now would have loved the new OS.
I know they that need to force us to use metro so that developers actually have a user base to tap into, but I just don't like it.
I'm using the Start8 application so that I can have a start button and I also made a custom toolbar with my most used programs for quicker access.

So whats the big deal about a touch screen GUI its the kernel that matters, everything else is just fluff.. You can set up an APP in Windows 7 to do the same touch screen thing.. You can also make your screen emulate Windows 7 in Windows 8.. Says it will let you go from XP x 32 to Windows 8 x 64 for $40 BUCKS !!! I say COOL BEANS !!! Seems to slightly out perform 7 and use slightly less system resources.. Had a 3 ghz 64 bit work station running 32 bit Windows 7 and slapped this on it in the 64 bit flavor.. Big boost to be sure................

I tried Win8RP and the debate of better or worse is a mute point in my book. The real problem I saw was PRIVACY issues during the install. Tell me why I should have to give MS two e-mail addresses and phone numbers to install an OS that will then track and report to MS everything I do on my system up to and including key logging. Yes some of these can be opted out of but some can't and those that can will be turned back on the first time the OS updates.
The majority of users will get this OS preinstalled on a new system and won't have a clue that they have just given their soul to MS and even less of a clue as to how to stop it.
I am very surprised more people have not complained about this issue.
Dark times indeed.

The thing that bothers me the most about the Metro UI, is the back and forth between it and the classic desktop, which makes the Metro UI seem like a 3rd party add on.

ie: if you want to view the task manager, it needs to open in the classic desktop to view it.

Well, I finally got a copy installed. I put the DVD into the drive, set the install drive and let it go, did the whole thing by itself without any additional prompting from me.

So far I'm not super impressed out of the box. Still tinkering with it, probably going to check out a few web sites now to see some tips and tricks. But the whole first impression thing is not that great. With Vista and 7 I liked what I saw from the start. Seemed like an improvement over the old, this, not so much.

I can see it scaring off older users who don't like too many changes. But have to admit, pretty much did everything by itself as far as installation is concerned. Once I get the system customized a bit more, I'll see how useful it is compared to before. I did not install it on my main system but my backup one, which I pretty much use for downloading, burning and multimedia.

I think it's a really nice offer, install the RP get full OS for $40, It will come in handy for a HTPC build I have planned.

This would be the "power user" that put up consecutive posts because they couldn't work out how to use the "Edit" button?