Tag Archives: Windows 8

Windows

Download Windows 8 Beta : Consumer Preview

Microsoft has been working a lot on polishing the developer preview of Windows 8 that it had released last September. In only 24 hours, it was downloaded over 500,000 times. Windows is the most widely used operating system on a computer and with Windows 8, things are going to get a lot better. The company just announced the final version of the Windows 8 beta and has called it the Windows 8 Consumer Preview. I have given Windows 8 beta download link at the end of the article, and in case if you are not interested in knowing what’s new in consumer preview version of Windows 8, you can skip directly to Download windows 8 beta section at the bottom.

Windows 8 consumer preview

 

Windows 8 Consumer Preview

A lot is new in this consumer preview than the developer preview, a lot of bugs have been taken care of and it’s much more complete with lots of new apps, features etc. The Windows 8 beta also has the new logo for the operating system that the company had chosen few days ago. I’m sure you’ll be dying with excitement to try out the new Windows 8 consumer preview. You can do so by using the official download links at the end of this page. Before that, let me tell you something more about the new consumer preview. How it’s better than the developer preview and how it will make your Windows experience better.

Windows 8 consumer preview apps

Quite honestly, Windows 8 developer preview had a lot of bugs, very less apps and crashed a lot. However, it had some plus points too. Everyone, I believe, loved the new Metro layout that Microsoft has chosen for it’s latest operating system. If you don’t remember, then you can read our review on the Windows 8 developer preview to see what the next OS from Microsoft brings to the table.

So, the Consumer Preview or the final Windows 8 beta, that was released few hours ago has plenty of new features and is almost ready for daily use. I’m going to talk about them in short and try to cover almost all that’s new with the consumer preview. The hardware requirements remain the same and there are two versions, 32bit and 64bit, that you can download and try out. Microsoft has finally gotten rid of the Start button, like it was rumored it would. Instead, the new layout has something called as the ‘Charms’ bar and four corner gestures that take care of all the tasks!

windows 8 consumer preview Charms

The Charms bar pops out from the right hand side of the screen when you point your mouse on the right-bottom or top corner. It has the Start, Search, Share, Devices and Settings buttons. Performing a right click in any app will bring the top and bottom options instead of the old Right-click options. Left bottom corner will bring up the start menu on non-touch devices that can be clicked to view all the apps currently installed. Oh yes, there are numerous new apps with the Consumer preview, so that’s another plus.

The Internet Explorer is still like the one in the developer preview, IE 10 I mean and then you have SkyDrive(Microsoft’s own cloud storage service), X-box Live and again, new apps.

Where to Download Windows 8 Beta:

Windows 8 Consumer Preview downloads

After reading all that, I’m sure you just can’t wait to download windows 8 beta version and try it out on your system. If you’re already running Windows 8 developer preview, then you probably can run this new version (build 8250). Below are the download links for both the 64 bit and 32 bit versions of the latest Windows 8 beta. Both are ISO files, so you’ll need to either burn them to a DVD or mount them on to USB. You can follow our tutorial on how to create a Windows 8 bootable USB and get it done.

  • Download Windows 8 Consumer Preview 64bit 
  • Download Windows 8 Consumer Preview  32bit 

Once you’re done installing, do let us know what you think of the Windows 8 consumer preview. Check out the official page of the Windows 8 beta to learn more about it and also find out what apps are available.

[ Image Credit : Engadget]

Windows

Best Windows 8 Transformation Pack for Windows 7

Microsoft released the first Windows 8 developer preview a few weeks ago, and most of us have already tried it. I’ve also written a complete review of all the new features that you’ll find in the developer preview. One of the main reasons that millions of users have already installed and tried the developer preview is the Metro UI based start menu.

However, there are millions more out there of the other kind too, who don’t want to install or try the developer preview because they’re afraid their system may lock up. Some people don’t even know that Microsoft has released an official developer preview that people can actually download for free and try. These people look for other alternatives, such as a Windows 8 transformation pack. And believe me, there are plenty of those, but most of them are always buggy and don’t work as they should. Here’s one that will work and it simulates the Metro UI of Windows 8 pretty well and it’s called Windows 8 UX pack for Windows 7.

This Windows 8 transformation pack brings more than just the Metro UI Start screen. It also adds the Windows 8 font, visual styles, wallpapers, colors etc. It doesn’t modify any system settings, so when you uninstall the pack, your Windows 7 will return to its original looks and feel.

Windows 8 UX Pack will give you Windows 8 UI improvements such as theme and logon screen without touching system files at all so it won’t have such risk to harm your system at all. In this package, you’ll have Windows 8 inspired themes and applications to make your system resembles Windows 8 as much as possible without modifying system files. Give your desktop a visual boost with the Windows 8 UX Pack.

Upon installation, you’ll be asked to choose between a Windows 8 Aero interface or the Windows 8 Lite and from there onward, your start screen will look a lot different. This is one of the best ways to experience Windows 8 on Windows 7, without the need to install the developer preview.

Download Windows 8 Transformation pack – Windows 8 UX Pack

Windows

Few Windows 8 Shortcuts You Should Know About

We told you where to download the new developer preview of Windows 8, we told you about all the new features and changes in it and we also told you how to create a bootable USB flash drive with the iso. If you’ve done all that and installed Windows 8 on your notebook or desktop PC using your bootable USB flash drive, then it’s time that you learnt some basic shortcuts that’ll come handy with the new Metro UI home screen and other new features.

Below are some Windows 8 shortcuts that can be used to toggle various things;

  • WIN + Q – search for an application.
  • WIN + W – search the complete system, Apps, Files, Settings, Internet etc.
  • WIN + I – open Settings.
  • WIN + O – disable screen rotation (for tablets)
  • WIN + C – Open Start Menu.
  • WIN + D – Jump to desktop from anywhere.

Windows Explorer Hotkeys: You’ll have to use the ALT key + one of the following to use shortcuts in Explorer.

  • A – to open the “special features”
  • C O – to copy the selected items.
  • C P – copy the path to the file/folder.
  • C F – copy the folder (use the drop-down list)
  • D – delete files.
  • E – edit files.
  • H – to show the history of file versions.
  • M – move the files (using the drop-down list)
  • P S – insert label
  • P R – open properties.
  • P E – Open With …, select the application again using a drop-down list.
  • S A – select all.
  • S N – deselect.
  • S I – invert the selection.
  • R – rename a selected file (s).
  • T – cut
  • V – to paste.
  • W – to create a new document, choose the template – using the drop-down list.
There are loads more. So it’d be better if you visit Win Review, who provided the list for most of the known shortcuts.
Windows

How-to Create Windows 8 Bootable USB Flash Drive

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In under 24 hours, the Windows 8 developer preview operating system was downloaded more than 500,000 times. Even though it’s only a developer version, an OS in beta, regular users still want to try it out on their system. You can download Windows 8 preview iso and try it out yourself, but before that, you’ll have to know how to get started. What are you going to do once you get hold of the iso?

There are two ways paths that you can choose from here, well three actually, but the third one is something not advisable. After you’ve downloaded the iso, either 64-bit or 32-bit, you’ll need to burn it on to a disc or write it on to a USB flash drive. The easiest is to create a Windows 8 bootable USB flash drive. It doesn’t require much knowledge of things and there are free softwares available. Before you begin, make sure you have a working USB flash drive lying around, preferably 8GB or more.

Step by step guide to Create Windows 8 Bootable USB

The first thing you’d want to do is download a tool called Windows 7 USB/ DVD download tool. After downloading, install it and then run it. You’ll be presented with something like this.

Windows 8 Bootable USB

Click on Browse and select the Windows 8 iso that you downloaded. Once you’re sure that the selected file is the iso and not some other file, click on Next.

You can also click on Start over to roll back everything in case you aren’t sure that you selected the right iso. In the above screen click on USB device, because that’s what we are going to use as our Bootable device.

In the next screen use the drop down menu to select your USB flash drive and then click on Begin Copying. After this, your flash drive will be formatted and the copying process will begin. It will take some time, say 5-10 mins for the process to complete.

That’s it. You’re done. You now have a Windows 8 Bootable USB flash drive!! You can check out my full review of Windows 8 and be inspired to install it on your system too.

Windows

Where to Download Windows 8 Developers Preview [Update]

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Microsoft has finally launched the first developer preview for their code-named operating system Windows 8 and it will be available for download later today. Remember the preview of this amazing operating system that was showcased at the D9 conference earlier this year. Windows 8 is a completely redesigned and cross-platform operating system that will change Windows forever. The whole user interface is based on the Metro UI, I’m sure you’ve heard of it or even used that before.

Earlier today, on September 13, Microsoft unveiled this operating system to developers, bloggers, journalists and the media at their Build conference. We’re going to write a complete review on all the features later today, so stay tuned for that. Here are few screenshots of the latest build will look on your desktop if you plan on trying it out.

For now, all you have to be excited is ‘ where to download the Windows 8 developer preview ‘ from. All the attendees of the conference were also presented with a Samsung built Tablet PC running on the developer preview, you know, so the rest of the world can be jealous about it. It runs on an Intel Core i5 processor, has a 11.6 IPS display from Samsung, 64GB SSD and lots of RAM. So Jealous!!

Well, don’t worry folks. So what if you were not presented with a tablet, you can still check this out on your own system. Be sure that you make a new partition, just in case you blow up your dear computer.

You can download Windows 8 developer preview from Microsofts developer website dev.windows.com and then install it on your system. It will be available for download in a few hours. Be sure to keep an eye on the website. Also, no activation required. If you were wondering how to watch the Windows 8 keynote online, you can do the same by visiting www.buildwindows.com.

UPDATE: As promised, the Windows 8 developer preview can now be downloaded from dev.windows.com.

You can also download Windows 8 preview by using these direct links.

Windows Developer Preview with developer tools English, 64-bit (x64) – 4.8GB

Windows Developer Preview English, 64-bit (x64) – 3.6GB

Windows Developer Preview English, 32-bit (x86) – 2.8GB

Have fun with Windows 8.

Windows

Download Windows 8 Transformation Pack

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Recently we told you where you can download the Windows 8 wallpaper from, now you can also customize your Windows 7 to look like Windows 8. We have some interesting news for Windows 7 customization freaks and average user alike. You can now transform your Windows 7 user interface into Windows 8.  A DeviantArt User has created a Windows 8 Skin Pack 1.0 for Windows 7. With this transformation pack you can have Windows 8 UI and features on your Windows 7. More details after the break.

Windows 8 Transformation

If you look at the screenshots above, the interface looks similar to that of Windows 8, based on the leaks that is. We cannot be sure how the final version of Windows 8 will look like. It’s not clear how many of the Windows 8 features are included as it’s still under development. Nevertheless, this transformation pack for windows 7 does a great job of beautifying your existing OS perfectly.

Some of the features of this transformation pack are:

  • Taskbar User Tile
  • Aero Lite
  • Windows 8 Aero Theme
  • Aura Beta 2

Download Windows 8 Transformation Pack for Windows 7

Note: Please proceed at your own risk. We advise you to backup your OS, create a system restore point and then proceed.

Also check out: Windows 8 Wallpaper

Windows

Download Windows 8 Wallpaper

Windows 8 is finally out, and no matter if it’s being loved or hate, Windows 8 is stylish. This was however foreseen, as before, when Microsoft has ever tried to launch a new operating system many have tried to leak the beta versions and so on.  There aren’t going to be any drastic changes with the new Windows 8 operating system, but just a few minor ones that mainly include some UI tweaks, some additional software and a new browser perhaps.

Download Windows 8 Wallpaper< Image Credit >

Since the topic has gone viral, everyone wants to get their hands on any leaked builds of Windows 8, transform their Windows 7 into 8 or get the wallpaper at least. The Windows 8 wallpaper is available for download from many locations, but beware that most of them are just photoshop edited ones or are just fake. The one I’m about to share with you today is the original Windows 8 wallpaper that is available at DownloadSquad for download. Check out the Windows 8 wallpaper below.

windows 8 m3 wallpaper

According to sources, the existing build(Windows 8 milestone 3)has leaked just this wallpaper and a new TwinUI interface file named as TWINUI.DLL. These are the only two things that you can get your hands on right now, but there are people who claim they have the beta builds of Windows 8 other than those official Microsoft Connect guys. We are not sure how accurate they are, but we will keep you updated if a beta version does get leaked.

You can download the Windows 8 wallpaper from here.

What do you think of this wallpaper and the whole bunch of Windows 8 rumors ?