Review of Win 8 RP

[Medico]

I am starting this thread so we can have a place to submit our reviews of Win 8 RP and keep things in one easy to find thread. Hope it works.

Desktop UI:

I have found few differences from Win 8 CP to Win 8 RP. During the install I was given the option of selecting a color scheme. This was a nice addition.

One difference is the loss of automatically switching from the Metro UI to the Desktop UI by adding a command in the Startup Folder. This no longer works. I set IE 10 to always open the Desktop version as I do not appreciate not having access to my add ons in the Metro IE10.

The Power Users menu (Win+X) still works well. Charms seems the same.

With Win CP, I could not create a picture password. With Win 8 RP I can.

My Shutdown, Restart and LogOff shortcuts all worked appropriately and are pinned to the Taskbar in the Desktop.

Metro UI:

The Metro apps appear much more finished. I have set up the Calendar app (this automatically synced with my Hotmail Calendar for me)

The Weather app and Maps app worked fine right out of the box.

I was able to set up the news app to add content quite easily.

Haven't had time to check further items.

[Prescott]

Classic Shell still works, although I have seen reports elsewhere that suggests that Microsoft is gutting the code from Windows 8 that these after-market shells need to work.

I tried to install Solitaire, but it doesn't work. the patch from http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/e.../hh670538.aspx probably needs to be tweeked.

The Telegraph News app is not on the app list in the Store.

[Medico]

I tried to install Solitaire, but it doesn't work. the patch from http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/e.../hh670538.aspx probably needs to be tweeked.

The tweak in this thread still works. I have my Free Cell working.

[handcuff36]

Hello, Ted.
In my setup here, I am so far, unable to get my Larousse french dictionary to work, I tried "pathing" it to the L:\ HD where is W-7 but still nogo.
My Office 2K runs but there is a nag that I can click off and then it is OK, so is Word 2K and Excel 2K.

The dual-booting is a bit of a pain, I do not want it, how can I default to RP ? I chose it as default, at the top of the screen, but I would like a silent boot, unattended to RP. I was able to use "Compatibility" and cure Acrobat 5 along with Paint Shop Pro 6, yes, they are obsolete but so am I. I am an old dog and will not learn new tricks, well, not too many !

I like having a Control Panel icon on my desktop, after a long while, I was able to do this, not straight forward as before but a diligent mind can find that solution too. I got it up in All Apps, placed it on the Taskbar, found the folder that holds it and there found the shortcut.

Getting RP to boot is still a strain, it might smooth itself out after a while, I will let you know.

NB: did you notice the self correction to a typed i that morfs to I by tself ?

[Prescott]

Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool - When I try to install it on Windows 8 it says "This version of Malicious Software Tool is not compatible with the version of Windows you're running ... "

[Prescott]

As it turns out, there is a 64-bit version of the Malicious Software Removal tool, and that will run on Windows 8 64-bit.

[handcuff36]

Prescott, good day.
MSE that was high on W-7 has been replaced by Defender in W-8. It has the same interface but this is a new name. JP.

[Medico]

I list a way to use EasyBCD in this thread to set your MBR to Win 7 style with Win 8 RP as the default OS.

[BATcher]

The Power Users menu (Win+X) still works well. Charms seems the same.

Ted - wish I'd seen your post before mine about "Where have they hidden it this time?"!

I've found the bottom right of the taskbar (the time and date) is completely washed out, being white letters on light grey.

[Medico]

No problem my friend. I also posted the answer to your question in the other thread.

[alan sh]

Trouble is, I really don't like Metro. Is there any way to get it to default to the desktop on a reboot?

Alan

[Medico]

There is not that I am aware of. The posted hack we used in Win 8 CP has been closed and will not work in Win 8 RP. You have to use the old fashioned way. Click on the Desktop Tile or use Win+D. Both are very quick so you spend almost no time in Metro.