Windows 8

[zappaDPJ]

I think more than any software release, the success or failure of Windows 8 is completely unpredictable. However it does to some extent depend on what criteria you use to judge success. For example, Microsoft shifted 20 million copies of Vista within a month of release. I'm still completely undecided whether to upgrade of not.

[psp83]

Here's a list off all the shortcut keys you can use :

http://blogs.msdn.com/b/hyperyash/archive/2012/08/28/windows-8-shortcuts.aspx

[Steve]

Perhaps MS should become a tad more restrictive on the hardware that a new OS will install on, in my ignorance how can you progress an OS when you commit to supporting hardware that's been around for a long long time, XP was the ultimate OS for a 1Ghz processor and 2Gb ram and yet MS is still trying support this with Windows 8. Is this not just 'window dressing ' or new paint.  I'm encouraged by their desire to get into the touchscreen and/or tablet market and I hope they make a success of it.

[Technical Ben]

It's nothing to do with the hardware Steve. It's the software. What do you think needs to change on the hardware front?

[Steve]

My question is - Are MS restricting the progress of future OS developments i.e. Windows 8 by committing to support hardware that's been around for at least 10 years.  Or am I missing something in the fact that Windows 8 on a 1Ghz 2Gb RAM machine is radically different from the same OS on the latest spec. OK I guess its faster with better graphics on the higher spec but is it a different OS and user experience on the higher spec machine.

[Den]

I uninstalled Bullguard and so far W8 has not rebooted (since 12noon). I will see how things go and I might reinstall Bullguard later.    Otherwise W8 runs really well and is even faster than W7.

[Technical Ben]

My question is - Are MS restricting the progress of future OS developments i.e. Windows 8 by committing to support hardware that's been around for at least 10 years.  Or am I missing something in the fact that Windows 8 on a 1Ghz 2Gb RAM machine is radically different from the same OS on the latest spec. OK I guess its faster with better graphics on the higher spec but is it a different OS and user experience on the higher spec machine.

AFAIK Steve, speed makes little difference to the OS's ability to function. There are nice features some hardware can use (suspension modes, quick booting/file loading ect). But AFAIK none of it is required, it's all optional. They can choose not to make it run on a 1GHZ but, think about it, why would people buy a new OS? If MS cannot come up with a feature people need, then customers will stick with the perfectly functional XP. For example, a typewriter is a typewriter, as long as it works.

If there is a really powerful feature that uses a lot of CPU power or RAM space in windows 8 or some future product, I've not heard of it. 
Look at some of the linux Distros, they can run on 300mhz PCs with 64mb ram/HDD space.
I guess it's like cars, no one actually goes around driving at 150mph, and who would need a 250mph engine? So the savings and improvements are put in better MPG, more comfy ride or cheaper production etc. I think the same is happening to PCs and OSs. Take laptops and Tablets for example. Things have gone backwards with CPU speed to some degree, but more use out of the OS running on them (iOS for example ran on a 1GHz, but got more use than most Windows 2000 or some XP machines get ).

[J!ll]

I was so pleased with W8 on my old computer that I bit the bullet last night and installed it on my main one. Then it all went wrong, at first it said Bullguard could not be activated then it could. Then it would not accept my printer and then it started rebooting with error TCPIP.SYS. After playing around for a while it started working OK. This morning when I turned it on all was well and then after a couple of hours it commenced restarting again with the error TCPIP.SYS .
It's now running OK again, any thoughts what it could be? The only thing I can see different is on my old machine I am using windows own security and on this one I am using Bullguard.

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/compatibility/win8/CompatCenter/ProductViewerWithDefaultFilters?TempOsid=win8&Locale=en-us&TextSearch=bullguard&Type=Both&CurrentPage=0&TotalPages=1&ShowCriteria=0&SortCriteria=Relevance&Compatibility=Unknown&LastRequested=14

[Den]

Thanks Jill, mine is version 12 

[J!ll]

 

[Gary]

I was so pleased with W8 on my old computer that I bit the bullet last night and installed it on my main one. Then it all went wrong, at first it said Bullguard could not be activated then it could. Then it would not accept my printer and then it started rebooting with error TCPIP.SYS. After playing around for a while it started working OK. This morning when I turned it on all was well and then after a couple of hours it commenced restarting again with the error TCPIP.SYS .
It's now running OK again, any thoughts what it could be? The only thing I can see different is on my old machine I am using windows own security and on this one I am using Bullguard.

Windows 8 comes with its own AV built in I thought, Den.

[J!ll]

Windows Defender I think, I use it and Avast.

[Gary]

Windows Defender I think, I use it and Avast.

Windows 8 comes with its own anti virus application - Windows Defender. There is no need for a third party anti virus application.

http://www.lockergnome.com/news/2012/09/01/windows-8-antivirus-is-it-necessary/


I think that windows defender is a full blown AV, J!ll it incorporates Microsoft security essentials, in which case you would need to disable it to stop conflicts unless I'm missing something, which is possible 

[J!ll]

I've had no conflicts yet, not on this machine  My new laptop when it arrives has McAfee Internet Security trial, so I'm not sure what I will use yet. You may not see me for some time! 

[Gary]

I've had no conflicts yet, not on this machine  My new laptop when it arrives has McAfee Internet Security trial, so I'm not sure what I will use yet. You may not see me for some time! 

I imagine then that Avast switches off Security essentials, tbh the laptop I had with Windows on it ran well with Microsoft's own AV no need for a third party one. I wonder how many people realise though that Windows 8 comes with antivirus built in compared to windows 7 when you could download security essentials for free from Microsoft.

[J!ll]

Then why does mine have a trial version? it's almost saying you need something else! but yes I agree with you. Will wait and see when mine arrives and let you know, if I can find anything 

[J!ll]

This is for Windows 8


http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/compatibility/win8/CompatCenter/ProductViewerWithUpdatedFilters?TempOsid=win8&Type=Software&ProductCategory=Security&ProductSubcategory=Antivirus&CurrentPage=0&TotalPages=26&SortCriteria=Relevance&ShowCriteria=0&Compatibility=DoesNotWork&LastRequested=10&Locale=en-us

[Gary]

This is for Windows 8


http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/compatibility/win8/CompatCenter/ProductViewerWithUpdatedFilters?TempOsid=win8&Type=Software&ProductCategory=Security&ProductSubcategory=Antivirus&CurrentPage=0&TotalPages=26&SortCriteria=Relevance&ShowCriteria=0&Compatibility=DoesNotWork&LastRequested=10&Locale=en-us

Windows has to offer other AV's otherwise it would upset other vendors and also become a monopoly, but according to all the blurb I have read security essentials is now built in so a third party AV is not really needed unless you want to replace the built in one.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/259876/antivirus_on_windows_8_looking_at_your_options.html

[J!ll]

Thanks, read that yesterday. No I don't want to replace anything! otherwise I will get in a mess  I have a lot to learn as I'm running WinXP so things are going to look very different.

[Gary]

Thanks, read that yesterday. No I don't want to replace anything! otherwise I will get in a mess  I have a lot to learn as I'm running WinXP so things are going to look very different.

Looks like a bit of a learning curve from XP, but I enjoy that myself and I imagine it wont take long to master, its also being touted as the most secure version yet which is good too. Have fun.

[J!ll]

I can't wait!  I've had this desktop for 7 years so need a new one, but decided since our move to a smaller house it had to be a laptop.

[Technical Ben]

Then why does mine have a trial version? it's almost saying you need something else! but yes I agree with you. Will wait and see when mine arrives and let you know, if I can find anything 

The first hit is always free.   
They put "trial" versions of everything under the sun on a new PC/laptop in the hope you/we/people will buy something. Really, 99% of it is not needed. I guess it is still relatively new for MS to do their own Virus scanner, but free ones have been around for around 10 years at least now.

My opinion? Stick to free virus scanner, because if they give you trouble, it's free to try another! Paid for ones your stuck with if they break. :/

[J!ll]

Yes think I will, don't want to break a new laptop do I. 

[Gary]

That's the only think I don't like about windows laptops is the bloatware, I wonder if the 'surface' will come laden with all that too.

[Simon]

Windows 8 comes with its own anti virus application - Windows Defender. There is no need for a third party anti virus application

About time too.