Windows 8 RTM: What You Need to Know

Microsoft has put the final touches on Windows 8, and has released the RTM version of the operating system to device makers, developers, and IT pros.

That doesn't mean you can go out and buy Windows 8 right now, but it does mean there won't be any more changes to the operating system from now until its October 26 ship date. Here's what you need to know about the latest release, and what it means for the finished product:

What's New in Windows 8 RTM?

Most of the major changes for the final version of Windows 8 were revealed weeks or months ago. There's no more Aero interface, there are some new background pattern options for the Start screen, and that the desktop has received some new features, including a File History backup application and updates to the Movie Maker and Photo Gallery programs.

Engadget also notes that there's a Bing app in the final version of Windows 8, which shows search results as a horizontally-scrolling list of tiles. (This is separate from Windows 8's master search function, which looks through apps and local files as well.)

Most of the other changes are minor interface tweaks or under-the-hood improvements.

Has Access to Windows 8 RTM?
 
For now, Windows 8 is only available to third-party developers through the Microsoft Developer Network, to IT professionals through TechNet for evaluation purposes, and of course to device makers who are finalizing their Windows 8 PCs. Over the next couple weeks, it'll go out to businesses who need volume licensing, and to resellers and solution providers in the Microsoft Partner Network. Starting October 26, consumers will be able to upgrade to Windows 8 from Windows XP or higher for $40.

Is There Any Way to Try the Final Version Now?

Sort of. Microsoft is currently offering a 90-day trial of Windows 8 Enterprise, which has all the features of the final version, plus some additional tools for IT pros. It's not really meant for consumers, and there's no way to upgrade from the trial version without a clean installation, but if you want to try it, there's nothing stopping you. Alternatively, you can still try the Windows 8 Release Preview, which doesn't have all the changes listed above.

What Are the Early Reviews Saying?
 
Microsoft has provided copies of Windows 8 RTM to some members of the press (including PCWorld), so a few reviews are starting to roll in.

Naturally, Microsoft's hybrid desktop-tablet approach has some detractors. Computerworld's Preston Gralla, for example, thinks Windows 8 is an "excellent operating system" for tablets, but that it "doesn't work nearly so well" for desktops.

Our own Lloyd Case, however, didn't seem as bothered by that approach. "The user interface is easier to navigate than I'd feared, and the whole affair seems to hang together pretty well," he wrote.

Still, even RTM reviews feel a bit like early impressions, since no final Windows 8 hardware is available. The true test will come once devices like Microsoft's Surface tablet hit the mark

pcworld

Microsoft Delivers a Blow to Open Source with Visual Studio 11

Microsoft has already ruffled more than a few feathers with the exclusionary potential of its forthcoming Windows 8 operating system, and this past week the open source community has been up in arms again

The cause this time has been its Visual Studio 11 product line, new details about which the company published earlier this month.

Specifically, it looks like the free, Express version of the upcoming new product--widely used by many developers to create open source desktop applications for Windows--will no longer offer support for desktop-style applications. Rather, users of Visual Studio 11 Express will only be able to develop Metro applications.

Metro Only

“Visual Studio 11 Express for Windows 8 provides tools for Metro style app development,” notes Microsoft's Visual Studio website. “To create desktop apps, you need to use Visual Studio 11 Professional, or higher.”

Visual Studio 11 Professional, of course, is far from free, with its $499 price.

Microsoft's Visual Studio 2010 Express products will still be available for free download, the company notes, but they lack a number of key features coming to Visual Studio 11, including improved standards compliance.

Another version called Visual Studio 11 Express for Web will focus on HTML and JavaScript websites.

Meanwhile, to make sure there's no cheating, the Windows SDK for Windows 8 no longer ships with a complete command-line build environment, Microsoft says.

A Strike Against Open Source

Now, it's no mystery why Microsoft would want to push developers towards Metro, apps for which will obviously play a key role in the adoption of the forthcoming OS.

Taken in conjunction with the Secure Boot restrictions that appear to be on the way in Windows 8, however, it's hard to see this latest move as anything other than a strike against open source software.

Bottom line? Microsoft may be pledging new allegiance to open source, but such steps are a bit difficult to take seriously when moves like this are happening at the same time.

See Original Article at PCWorld

Microsoft Envisions 80-Inch Windows 8 Tablets

If you thought Samsung's 11.6-inch Windows 8 preview tablet was on the large side, it's nothing compared to the touch screen Steve Ballmer has in his office.

The CEO of Microsoft uses an 80-inch touchscreen with Windows 8 for communications and productivity, Wired UK reports. “He's got rid of his phone, he's got rid of his note paper,” spokesman Frank Shaw said. “It's touch-enabled and it's hung on his wall.”

An 80-inch Windows 8 touchscreen may sound like an exclusive luxury for Microsoft's boss, but Shaw said the company eventually plans to sell the device, though he wouldn't name the manufacturer, the price or a release date.

Microsoft lists 27 inches as the largest common screen size it expects for Windows 8 PCs, envisioning these large touchscreens as “family hub” devices. “Families might opt for an all-in-one desktop with a huge touch screen to view and organize all of the family photos,” Microsoft senior program manager David Washington wrote in a March blog post.

Much larger Windows 8 touchscreens would likely be aimed at commercial uses, at least at first. "It's not a consumer thing now, but we know historically that that's how all things start," Shaw told Wired UK. "The idea that there should be a screen that's not a computer, we'll laugh at that in two years.”

Microsoft experimented with large touchscreens as tabletops when it introduced Surface five years ago. Harrah's Entertainment offered video games on the tabletop touchscreen in its casinos. We haven't heard much about it for a few years, but apparently Ballmer found an application for the big touchscreen.

Of course, in two years Windows may not resemble its current form. Though I don't doubt that Microsoft wants to get gigantic Windows-based touchscreens into people's homes, my bet's on some type of convergence with Xbox for that purpose instead of the straight-up PC software that Ballmer currently enjoys.

See Original Article at PCWorld

Run XP Software in Windows 7

SIUC asked the Windows forum about running software intended for Windows XP in Windows 7.
For the most part, it should just work. I've rarely run into programs that run fine in XP but have trouble in Windows 7.

But if you've run into one of those rare programs, try running it in XP Compatibility Mode  




* Right click the .exe file or the shortcut and select Properties.

* Click the Compatibility tab.

* Check Run this program in compatibility mode for and select an appropriate option.

If this doesn't work, there's another work-around: XP Mode. (And yes, I know it's silly that the two solutions are called XP Compatibility Mode and XP Mode.) Unfortunately, this option is only available for Windows 7 Business and Ultimate editions.

You'll need to download and install Windows XP Mode and Windows Virtual PC (be patient; it's a big download).

Once you're finished, you'll be able to actually run XP inside a virtual machine in Windows 7. It's not as smooth as simply running the programs in Windows 7--you're in an entirely different environment. Even the hard drive that XP boots from and runs off of is a virtual one.

But you won't be entirely cut-off from Windows 7. You will be able to access the real hard drive from within XP, and both versions of Windows will share the same clipboard.

See Original Article at PCWorld

Windows 8 Security tools

Windows 8 operating system is a stylish and comfortable OS. They hope to give a strong security system for consumer's privacy protection. So now, we hope to talk about those news of important additions. The modern Start screen and Metro style apps will be change your monitor interface. Also, they improve ability to combat viruses and malware.

Antivirus Comes Preinstalled        

Microsoft decide to add them own Windows Defender to new Version as a preinstalled software.  They launched Microsoft Security Essentials antivirus program on 2009 for protect windows against viruses, spyware, Trojan horses, rootkits, and other malware. Microsoft Security Essentials is very success virus gourde as well as Norton and Kaspersky. If you didn’t satisfy, you can use another antivirus utility.

Two New Password Types

Windows 8 expect to introduce 2 password types that you can use when logging in to your Windows account: a 4 digit PIN and a "picture password." the picture password has three gestures system and it’ll be change traditional password culture.  You shall use your regular password too. Another effect is you shall use the PIN, the picture, or your regular password when you need administrative approval for changing 

system settings as a standard user.

Microsoft will begin to promote a new type of boot method called UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface). Your PC will start up more quickly in as little as 8 seconds.  Windows 8 will give approval to using Linux distributions or dual booting multiple operating systems

.

New windows version has preinstalled Internet Explorer 9 and you shall use Firefox, Chrome, or any other browser for your internet actions. They added filtering system to help detect and block unknown and potentially malicious programs that you download.

The enhanced Windows Defender, SmartScreen, boot system, and password protection are the most noticeable security improvements in Windows 8.

source : PCWORLD

Windows 8 Tablets Expected for 2012 Holiday Season

This time you shall celebrate Christmas with a lovely Windows 8 tablet. These tablets based on Intel architecture and it will be release in November. The Windows tablets provide for ARM based hardware platforms.

Win 8 tablets will design as well as the Samsung Galaxy Tab or Apple iPad around ARM architecture because there are the leading tablets in the market.  Windows is the most famous operating system in the world. But, Microsoft should use an extra energy to publish Windows 8. Due to that, customers thought windows 8 is a complex product. Intel Designers hope to add a more powerful battery and low power consuming system with heavy format to design. Anyway, you should save your expectation to 6 months for another attractive tab trend.