Windows 8

[zeustrojanstark]

Internet Explorer 11 on Windows 8.1 has something new that it can run multiple instances of Modern Browser at the same time.
Hope Microsoft provides the developers this feature to allow running of all the apps in multiple instances in Windows 8.1




All Users other than Developers are kindly requested to do a dual-boot or install it in Virtual Hard Disk to be safe with your data, since the upgrade to the final version of Windows 8.1 will erase the C Drive completely.

 

[zeustrojanstark]

The start screen and the start button here:

 

[zeustrojanstark]

Some of the other major updates in Windows 8.1 will include:

Camera app

Alongside the new Paint app, the Camera app has also been updated. It will notably capture a photo before and after you hit the shutter button, ensuring you won't miss a good shot.

Miracast support

Microsoft has confirmed, at TechEd North America, that Windows 8.1 will get Miracast support built in.

"Present your work wirelessly without any dongles needed; simply project your content to a Miracast-enabled device by pairing the device through Bluetooth or NFC. Miracast will then use the available Wi-Fi connection to let you lean back and project wire-free," the company has announced.

NFC tap-to-pair printing

Users in will be able to tap their Windows 8.1 device against an enterprise NFC-enabled printer and you?re all set to print. You don?t need to buy new printers to take advantage of this; you can simply put an NFC tag on your existing printers to enable this functionality.

Wi-Fi Direct printing

Windows 8.1 will allow you to connect to Wi-Fi Direct printers without adding additional drivers or software on your Windows 8.1 device, forming a peer-to-peer network between your device and the printer. Nice.

Broadband tethering

This will let you turn your Windows 8.1 mobile broadband-enabled PC or tablet into a personal Wi-Fi hotspot, allowing other devices to connect and access the internet - handy if you've got a SIM car in it.

Mouse support

Microsoft has made it easier to use Windows without a touchscreen. When you hover a mouse in the corners, for instance, you can customise the function so it brings you to the all apps page or back to a previous app.

 

[SaiSrini]

Upgraded today to Windows 8.1! Before the upgrade, I was using Classic Shell (third party software) to get the Windows Start Menu and the boot to desktop functionality, because I was missing it somewhere down the line even though I got used to Windows 8. But with Windows 8.1, the Classic Shell is not needed anymore. They fixed the major issue with the Start button, and the boot to desktop thing. They have incorporated it in a stealthy way, which means you have to enable it in order for it to work. But heck, after enabling it works perfectly. The Start Menu is now actually the "Apps screen" from Windows 8 which lists the Apps and all the Programs in your computer in a Metro style screen. You can enable your Desktop background for this screen, which makes it a semi-transparent menu over your entire desktop which makes it look really cool. And it has the Search functionality which is useful if you have too many apps/programs in your PC. You can also enable the search to just search for your apps/programs when in Apps view.

These two changes alone makes Windows 8.1 worth upgrading (for free if you already have Windows 8). I havent explored the other new features yet, but so far I am very happy. Note: If you are downloading Windows 8.1 from the Store, don't do any other work in your PC while downloading. And also be really patient to let it install itself completely. If you disrupt the process, you could end up needing Windows 8 disk (installation or recovery) to repair your computer back to normal. I encountered this!

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All Users other than Developers are kindly requested to do a dual-boot or install it in Virtual Hard Disk to be safe with your data, since the upgrade to the final version of Windows 8.1 will erase the C Drive completely.

WHAT?? I didn't have any issues like that where the C drive is erased. I installed the final version of 8.1 only.

 

[zeustrojanstark]

Upgraded today to Windows 8.1! Before the upgrade, I was using Classic Shell (third party software) to get the Windows Start Menu and the boot to desktop functionality, because I was missing it somewhere down the line even though I got used to Windows 8. But with Windows 8.1, the Classic Shell is not needed anymore. They fixed the major issue with the Start button, and the boot to desktop thing. They have incorporated it in a stealthy way, which means you have to enable it in order for it to work. But heck, after enabling it works perfectly. The Start Menu is now actually the "Apps screen" from Windows 8 which lists the Apps and all the Programs in your computer in a Metro style screen. You can enable your Desktop background for this screen, which makes it a semi-transparent menu over your entire desktop which makes it look really cool. And it has the Search functionality which is useful if you have too many apps/programs in your PC. You can also enable the search to just search for your apps/programs when in Apps view.

These two changes alone makes Windows 8.1 worth upgrading (for free if you already have Windows 8). I havent explored the other new features yet, but so far I am very happy. Note: If you are downloading Windows 8.1 from the Store, don't do any other work in your PC while downloading. And also be really patient to let it install itself completely. If you disrupt the process, you could end up needing Windows 8 disk (installation or recovery) to repair your computer back to normal. I encountered this!

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WHAT?? I didn't have any issues like that where the C drive is erased. I installed the final version of 8.1 only.

No idea mate. I read about it in some techie blog i guess. I dont remember the source now, it was a pretty old post. Also where is the update? I did not get any in my Store. Is it out only for America?

 

[SaiSrini]

No idea mate. I read about it in some techie blog i guess. I dont remember the source now, it was a pretty old post. Also where is the update? I did not get any in my Store. Is it out only for America?

Not sure. Go to the Microsoft site and look for Windows 8.1. There should be a page where you have a button that says "Get the update". Clicking on it directs you to the Windows store in your Windows 8 PC and the "Download" page for Windows 8.1 appears. You won't get it as an update notification. You have to download it manually from the Store by searching for it.

 

[zeustrojanstark]

Not sure. Go to the Microsoft site and look for Windows 8.1. There should be a page where you have a button that says "Get the update". Clicking on it directs you to the Windows store in your Windows 8 PC and the "Download" page for Windows 8.1 appears. You won't get it as an update notification. You have to download it manually from the Store by searching for it.

Oh yes, just did that. Its 8.1 Pro and it is 3.63 GB. Hopefully i will get it in an hour and few more minutes.

 

[SaiSrini]

The new Start Menu (which comes up when you click on the Start button, or tap the Windows key). Typing the first letter of the app/program that you are looking for on this screen enables Searching for apps/programs based on the text you enter. And the enabling of the desktop background for this screen makes it very cool!

I think Windows have got it right!

 

[Chewie]

You could always search from the metro interface

 

[SaiSrini]

You could always search from the metro interface

Was trying to say that the search makes it all the more easier to access programs and doesn't feel like the old Start Menu is missing out. If people miss the old Start menu, its probably just nostalgic attachment and the fact that they dont want to change.

 

[Abhas]

This start menu lists programs like windows 7 did or it's just another way of organising the windows 8 menu? I don't see the tiles, so I'm a bit confused what exactly this is.

 

[SaiSrini]

This start menu lists programs like windows 7 did or it's just another way of organising the windows 8 menu? I don't see the tiles, so I'm a bit confused what exactly this is.

The Start Menu you see in my picture above is called "Apps Menu" and replaces the Start Menu that you have in Windows 7. Only difference is, the Windows 7 Start Menu was a fly-out menu, whereas this one is a full screen menu which can be made to look like a semi-transparent layer over the desktop (by choosing the desktop background for the Start menu).

The tile screen is still there, and is called the Start screen. But you can completely avoid the tile screen in Windows 8.1 by booting to the desktop and having the Start button open up the above Start Menu

 

[Chewie]

I actually think the start screen looks much better than that app menu

 

[Abhas]

So this lists *all* the programs I've installed on my computer? The problem I face with the current system is, I have no place to look to see what software I've installed. Eg. If I have say Microsoft office installed, but there are no icons for word, excel, ppt etc. Unless I start typing the program name, I wouldn't know if I have it installed or not. (In the start screen)

 

[aussie1st]

So this lists *all* the programs I've installed on my computer? The problem I face with the current system is, I have no place to look to see what software I've installed. Eg. If I have say Microsoft office installed, but there are no icons for word, excel, ppt etc. Unless I start typing the program name, I wouldn't know if I have it installed or not. (In the start screen)

Yep it shows all the programs, readme, uninstall etc just like you would find in the old start menu just it isn't in folders. Also Windows 8 had this feature you just had to click the all apps button not you just click that down arrow or swipe up with touch screen.