Win 8.1 Preview

Anyone downloaded the Win 8.1 Preview, any issues to report?

Mimikyu

This post has been deleted.

Captain Morgan

Captain Morgan wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

I read on Google+ it could be down to region restrictions.[/QUOTE]

I'm getting the same message

Just been onto MS, they know of the issue and are currently working on a fix, not a good start.

clacks

Workaround here for anyone feeling brave. Just trying it now http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows8_1_pr-windows_install/error-the-update-is-not-applicable-to-your/342136ba-1f64-42c4-a344-d7e7e33ea868

testicle

Are ye on 8 Enterprise by any chance? It's not applicable to that, you've to use the iso which should be out tomorrow

There seems to be two issues at play here. Windows 8 Pro with Media Center isn't supported yet, and UK English versions aren't either. So unless you have the US English version of Windows 8 you're probably stuck.

jamesccp

ive been looking forward to tryin this out for a while now. awell have to go back to the anglo tapes then

Karsini

Karsini wrote: »

UK English versions aren't either.

that's my problem, hopefully the ISO will work when it's released.

Overheal

I'll look into it within the next 48 hours. Currently uploading a bunch of files I'd rather not interrupt, but the downloader is ready

cookie1977

Is it not the case that unless you have US English version you need to install using the ISO once it's been released?

beauf

won't install for me either.

ISOs now available. US English versions again.

English 64-bit (x64) Download (3.3 GB) 0xD76AD96773615E8C504F63564AF749469CFCCD57

English 32-bit (x86) Download (2.5 GB) 0x8BED436F0959E7120A44BF7C29FF0AA962BDEFC9

unkel

Link to all the ISOs here

jamesccp

hello lads, im downloading the iso now. Any have it installed whats the thoughts ?

jamesccp

jamesccp wrote: »

hello lads, im downloading the iso now. Any have it installed whats the thoughts ?

Downloading it myself now, from what I've been reading so far about it it's very unstable.

Overheal

using the published method (windows update, then "app" in store BS) I can't work this. Screw it. I'm on vacation

cookie1977

I'm trying this:
http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/how-to/windows/3455141/how-upgrade-windows-81-uk/
at the moment. Will post how I get on.

Update:
Got a "The windows 8.1 preview isn't available right now. Please try again later" so I'm trying this:
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows8_1_pr-windows_store/the-windows-81-preview-isnt-available-right-now/274c3506-19f8-4bc1-ae32-9f35e855915b

Update2:
Well after all of the above it's installing from the store. Will keep you posted

trellheim

GO PA

Rambo

hellboy99 wrote: »

Downloading it myself now, from what I've been reading so far about it it's very unstable.

I have installed it on a vmware using the iso file

first problem i ran into, was trying to create a local account not very obvious
gave a error then created one

The start menu is just a Microsoft symbol it brings you back to tile start menu when pressed, right click on it and it brings up a control panel
to shutdown and other pc settings WOULD NOT CALL THIS START MENU
just a short cut menu

other new features right click on task panel on desktop
then click properties the click navigation and you have the option
how the new tile start menu starts ups.
cant see why this is not in pc settings

Computer is now called This PC a little bit silly to me.
and they have not rename computer every where
if you right click on desktop click Personalization
then click on change desktop icons, computer conflicts with the name this pc


The tile start menu is a little better for finding you apps and organize them
its getting to be more usable

I would use the tile start menu more if it had little things like clock,wifi signal beside my logon name like a phone has

Rambo

Rambo wrote: »

The tile start menu is a little better for finding you apps and organize them its getting to be more usable

I would use the tile start menu more if it had little things like clock,wifi signal beside my logon name like a phone has

Got it installed last night, haven't spent much time on it yet, the Start Menu is far better and this is what Win 8 should of been released with in the first place.

As for the "return of the Start button", that's all it is a button that brings you back to the Start Menu :rolleyes:

testicle

hellboy99 wrote: »

As for the "return of the Start button", that's all it is a button that brings you back to the Start Menu :rolleyes:

What exactly were you expecting by the "return of the Start button"?

beauf

Return of the Mack was much more impressive.

I don't think this will be replacing Classic Start for me anytime.

unkel

The start button on the desktop brings you straight back to.....modern UI. WTF? :mad:

(posting this from 8.1)

Rambo

testicle wrote: »

What exactly were you expecting by the "return of the Start button"?

shortcuts to windows apps at lest

so you can be in desktop mode to fire up a windows 8 app

col.in.Cr

unkel wrote: »

The start button on the desktop brings you straight back to.....modern UI. WTF? :mad:

(posting this from 8.1)

Right click it

col.in.Cr

I installed 8.1 last night using the iso image,all went well no problems
Download the iso,right click and mount enter Key and hit setup.

unkel

col.in.Cr wrote: »

Right click it

Right click and the same thing happens when you right click on the non-existing start button (left bottom of screen) in W8.0...

Giblet

Yep, it's no different to pressing win+x in Win8.0, just a few more options.

col.in.Cr

unkel wrote: »

Right click and the same thing happens when you right click on the non-existing start button (left bottom of screen) in W8.0...

what more do you want?

col.in.Cr

col.in.Cr wrote: »

what more do you want?

This:

col.in.Cr

How about we go back to this?

trellheim

why not ? anybody with any recent knowledge of windows could use it from w7 back to NT4 or farther . Basic and gets the job done, no stupid mandatory UI change

unkel

Looks the €3 I paid for Start8 is still a sound investment

col.in.Cr

unkel wrote: »

Looks the €3 I paid for Start8 is still a sound investment

If it does the trick for you its a bargain

Installed 8.1 on my laptop, typing this from it actually.

I like the improvements to the Start screen, the down arrow to access all applications is a lot easier than the "right-click and choose All Apps" in Windows 8. The return of the button will make my life easier too, I find Windows 8 a pain in that sense, especially when connected to it via a windowed RDP session.

I see they've also replaced Command Prompt in the Win+X menu with PowerShell.

The only thing I really don't like at the moment is the This PC changes. I don't use any of the default user folders except the Desktop. While you can collapse them in the actual folder, they remain on top in the folder tree. So when you're browsing an open or save dialogue you have to scroll down to see your drives in the tree.

worded

I think I will stick with Win NT

Dan_Solo

Really loved Windows 8 with the tweak prog (no corners/charms) and the reg hack to skip the lock screen etc.
But if 8;1 has the same driver set it won't be worth a ****e on this Dell so I'll still have to pass.

Kynareth

col.in.Cr wrote: »

How about we go back to this?

Been there done that:(though I don't prefer it this way)
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/21623584/XPStyle.png

beauf

Personally I clean up my folders so they are grouped logically. Though I have all most common stuff pinned to the task bar.

Overheal

huh.

"To install Windows 8.1 Preview from an ISO file, you must first convert the ISO file into installation media stored on a DVD or a USB flash drive.

If you're using Windows 8, follow these steps to install Windows 8.1 Preview from an ISO file:

Download the ISO (.iso) file.

Double-tap or double-click the ISO file.

Double-tap or double-click setup.exe and follow the steps.

If you're using Windows 7, the easiest way to convert an ISO file to a DVD is to use Windows Disc Image Burner. On a PC running Windows XP or Windows Vista, a third-party program is required to convert an ISO file into installable media—and DVD burning software often includes this capability."

Wasnt aware 8 had native ISO support like that. Thats new and exceptionally useful

Capt'n Midnight

Overheal wrote: »

Wasnt aware 8 had native ISO support like that. Thats new and exceptionally useful

So they finally copied that from everyone else ?

I remember looking for an app to backup a CD in Linux and then finding out you just use dd :rolleyes:


Anyway
Cdburn.exe: ISO CD-ROM Burner Tool
has been in the Windows Server 2003 Resource Kit Tools for ages for those still using 32 bit XP
https://www.microsoft.com/en-ie/download/details.aspx?id=17657

and 7zip will happily read iso's


and of course this
www.microsoft.com/en-ie/download/details.aspx?id=38780
This utility enables users of Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7 to mount ISO disk image files as virtual CD-ROM drives.

dloob

I may try the ISO in a VM.
If the windows store version worked without hacks I'd try it on my main machine.

I'm most looking forward to the unified search.
My main interaction with the start menu in Windows 7 is to press the start key and type the first few letters of what I want.
That's pretty unchanged in Windows 8 except the control panel items are separate and I need to tab to select them.
So having it all together again will make things smoother.

The start screen is growing on me, especially now that I have Steam Tile which makes my steam games all pretty.
Not having everything I install adding icons for me to unpin will be nice too.

Overheal

Ive noticed the ISOs are designed for Enterprise and Volume license users... but the "windows store" method kept throwing up a generic error...

I couldn't mount them, it kept throwing up a generic error. Created a bootable USB and ran it in windows and it got stuck at 57% before a generic crash error

booted it from BIOS and a handful of times it didn't recognize it as a bootable, until I flicked on legacy modes in the BIOS, then it told me I couldn't install 8.1 because it wasn't a GPT hard drive (??) and only after I was done wiping my install. Yay!

Then the recoverydrive I made wouldn't seem to work, they said the hard drive was locked and I would need to unlock it. OEM recovery tools appeared to reimage the drive but the laptop would boot and yell at me that there was nothing to boot to.. until I reset the BIOS to default and it was out of the box mode again.

this is a lot of shyte to go through for early release preview. a lot of shyte.

now attempting the clean install. ran updates in 8, removed OEM antivirus (bleh. McAfee) and its downloading in the store now.

Between this and my previous horror story with Office license activations (some of you may remember my rant about that..) I'm getting fed up with the troubleshooting aspect of Windows. When it works it works, but when it doesn't work holy moly. Unlike the Office thing however, they did to their credit warn me when I did this that Preview isn't for the faint of heart.

emokin

would I be able to use 8.1 as a normal os? Just until I get windows 7.

Overheal

you mean with no previous license?

emokin

Yes, it would be an install over linux. (lol)

unkel

Yep fully legal. Valid until mid January '14

emokin

thanks.

emokin

emokin wrote: »

thanks.

So I installed windows server 2012, and it's looking great. It's pretty much a desktop computer now, all my previous windows apps installed. And I got it for 180 days.

Thanks for the tip. It's good to be home.

cookie1977

Looks like it's available to all users now no matter what language pack you have:
http://news.softpedia.com/news/Windows-8-1-Preview-Now-Available-for-All-Users-365280.shtml