King Files

Windows 8 Consumer Preview is available Tomorrow

Are you ready? I know that I am. The consumer preview is scheduled to hit tomorrow and I have an HP Slate 500 waiting to handle that business.

Available link for download

Windows 8 Consumer Preview coming Feb 29

Did you notice that I never mentioned the word Beta? Neither is Microsoft when referring to what is technically a Beta software release. Beta is a term used from the beginning of time to refer to the phase of development a piece of software was in. First there is the Alpha, typically a very early build of the software, just kind of standing it up and feeling it out. Beta, the second testing phase where the product is tested more thoroughly by more people in hopes of finding problems with the software, the RTM ( Release to Manufacturer) where the product is given to manufacturers for their first taste of it, pretty much finished but changes can still be made if needed. Then Gold, usually the final shipping version of the product. Well apparently, Betas have become passé. Google leaves the beta tag on their products for years, and Apple appears to have stop using the term as well (Siri anyone), thus Microsoft is jumping off of the bridge as well. Now, as least for Microsoft, it may be different because the version set to release on Feb 29 will be as close to a release version than many people thought possible. It is reportly going to come loaded with pre-installed Metro UI apps, Camera, Messaging, Mail, Calendar, SkyDrive, People, Photos, Video and Music. Read what Ed Bott has to say about over at ZDNet.

Available link for download

Watch the Windows 8 Consumer Preview Event the Mobile World Conference Live via The Verge Live Blog

http://live.theverge.com/Event/Microsofts_Windows_8_Consumer_Preview_event_at_MWC_2012

Available link for download

Windows 8 Consumer Preview Install on HP Slate 500

Caveat Emptor - Even though this release is called a “Consumer Preview” I would not recommend it for the average consumer. The first step to this process is, if you are running Windows 7:

1. Research. Scour the Internet with searches involving your computer and Windows 8. This will give you some ideas and insight as to what problems you may or may not run into.
2. Run the Easy Transfer Wizard. This will copy your files so that the can be imported back when you get Windows 8 up and going. Yes, Windows 8 does have a version of the Easy Transfer Wizard.
3. Find/make your recovery disk. This is incase you have to return to Windows 7 with your tail tuck in-between your legs because you cannot get it operational. Remember, there is no shame in this as this is not finished software, hence the use of words like Beta and Preview. 
4. Make sure you go to your computers manufacturer’s website and download all of the drivers your computers. This is the trickiest step as there is no guarantee that these drivers will work in Windows 8 until you try to install them. Example, the HP Slate has a 4 point digitizer, but there is not a driver ( yet according to the maker’s, N-Trig in this case) that will install in Windows 8. Good news, I can still use touch, but at only point at a time and my stylus is an inkless pen now. Again, caveat emptor.

First thing Windows 8 does is attempt to go out to the Internet for updates.

Even though this is a “beta”, you will need a product key. This is found on the Windows Consumer Preview Download Site.

License agreement and EULA

Since I am performing an in-place install from inside of the Windows 7, the installation is giving me the choice of retaining my files and settings or starting from scratch.

After the installation checks out my computer, it determines that Display Port driver/software and the Microsoft Security Essentials has to be removed. The Latter is built in the Windows 8 Defender package, so it is not needed.

After I removed the first product, the installation ask if it can pick up where it left off and I select yes. 

Again it finds Microsoft Security Essentials and this time I remove it.

Now all of the offending software has been removed, it is ready to install.

Here is the first reboot after the install into the new OS

Here is the new login screen.

Available link for download