News Microsoft launches Windows 8 Release Preview

Until there's a hack or addon that disables Metro by default and allows it to boot straight to my desktop I have zero interest in Win8. I will use Win7 until it becomes obsolete, then probably move to a Mac.. as much as that saddens me to do so. I cannot stand this relentless shift towards tablet and mobile style interfaces. I need a proper computer to perform proper high end tasks and I don't want a OS that adds any barriers between me and a properly functional desktop environment. An os that treats the desktop like an optional app that I have to "run" can just go and **** itself.

 

I wouldn't worry too much Pook, I'll be amazed if this isn't hacked prior to retail release. If it's not then MS will probably end up releasing an update that allows it to be disabled soon after release. Public opinion on this scale really can make a difference, it's akin to forcing W7 to boot into media centre instead of the desktop - fine for a limited number of specialist devices, bht useless for the majority.

 

Might check out this final preview, but my hunch is that I'll skip Windows 8 and wait until Windows 9 with a free Windows 7 mode comes out..

 

Not been reading the whole thread, but I did notice some people talking about giving the final release a chance when it comes out. Well, this is about as final as it gets before going RTM.

Although it's called "Release Preview" this is what is usually referred to as a release candidate. Meaning that it is feature complete and identical to what will ship as the release version. Only bugs will be ironed out now.

I know some people (myself included) would call Metro its biggest bug, but don't count on that particular showstopper being addressed. It's a particular shame that Microsoft didn't even feel the need to improve Metro mouse/keyboard usage over the Consumer Preview. Needless to say this version of Windows will probably never be installed outside a VM on my computer.

 

Except it is not entirely true - the replacement for Aero UI didn't make it in RP.

 

Greetings!

There will be a proper RTM version late July\August. That is the one where I expect to have all Aero features removed and completetly metrofied.

 

Adverts? What are they? I've been viewing the web ad-free since ad blocker plus came out on Firefox...now I use it on Google Chrome and it's lovely - the freedom and liberation from corporate guise.

The Internet looks horribly claustrophobic when I am on a friend's computer or a public computer!

 

why do people have such a loathing for the metro interface, you're all luddites, lol, live tiles, the os is very quick to load even with a harddrive, you can spend all day on the desktop if that takes your fancy.

 

"limiting the availability and diversity of Internet content and services for consumers."

LOL! as if advertising was content. advertising people really are the worst kind of people next to justin bieber and dictators.

 

Lol classic. Would be nice to add in EA though too.

 

Tiles belong in the bathroom. Oh., and on phones.

 

On my news feeds for months I've been seeing comments about how Win8 will be "revolutionary" and "amazing".

I'm not getting that impression from this thread though. But I do like the sound of getting rid of the traditional desktop and having live panels.

 

Because it limits what I can do.

My only complaint is that it's not OPTIONAL. If I chose not to use it (which MS acknowledge as you can still get to a normal desktop environment should you want to) I should also have the choice of whether it boots into Metro or not.

 

surely though you wouldn't write off an OS completely based on the 2 extra seconds it'll take you to go from metro to desktop?
i agree it's not ideal, but if the win8 brings in a host of tangible improvements, then booting into metro is just a tolerable little nuisance.

 

Even if it's just a minor nuisance (and I think it's more than minor) I'd avoid Win8 on principle. I certainly wouldn't want to confirm Microsoft's belief that Metro on the desktop is a good idea when it clearly is not.

 

Doesn't it have an autostart function?
Couldn't you "autostart" the switch to desktop-mode?