Hands On: Windows 8 Developer Build

Alright guys I have a very exciting article for you today. I am going to go hands on with Windows 8 (Developer Build). This could be a bumpy ride so hang on!

Note: This post is coming from within the developer build

So I am going to attempt to give a good description based on what it's supposed to be (an alpha build) rather than what it's going to be in a year or so.

At the initial install you're greeted with a similar install screen to that of Windows 7. After which you are given some options for partitioning, deleting, and formatting drives (using the same Windows 7 screen). Most of the initial setup screens remain the same, however in the developer build you aren't asked a lot of questions at the first startup (such as time/date settings and all of that). In fact, all you are asked is PC Name, Username, Password and Password Hint.

Once you login for the first time you are greeted with a very rich and colorful UI, called Metro UI, by Windows:

Metro UI is Windows' new stylish interface.

You can scroll around and look at the 28 free developer applications that come with the build. There are plenty of fun little demo apps to get you started in the world of Windows 8 from games to social apps. Lightweight applications will be a welcome addition to Windows 8 if this is any proof of how they will run.

Labyrinth, one of Windows' demo apps.

Bitbox, a music sampling application.

Another thing you will notice is that Windows 8 has a different set of instructions. At first, without guidance, it may take you a bit to realize where all your bars and menus are. The "Start" menu is hidden in the bottom left corner, only to be shown wen you hover the mouse over it (this may be a setting switch, but I couldn't find it anywhere in this build). You may also find that getting to a normal looking desktop only takes one click (on the "Desktop" application), Here, you are greeted with a Windows 7 styled desktop. The difference is, where the round start button used to be, there is a square button with the windows logo. Upon clicking this button you are brought back to the Metro UI screen. So any apps that would normally be in a start bar, are now tiles on the Metro screen.

The start menu is tucked away in the bottom left corner.

 

One thing that confused me at first, and required some research, was the lack of application exiting. When in the desktop view you can exit any and all normal programs using the same "x" we all know and love. The Metro screen is another story. Upon exiting an app, your only option is to go the bottom left of the screen and hit start which will take you back to the metro screen which doesn't give you the sense that you're actually closing the app and that's because, well, you're not. Windows 8 does something different here. With the low powered apps that run on the Metro screen, Windows takes over and decides when to cut the power based on a timeline and power consumption by more recent apps. However if you have a backlog of apps running and you decide to check it out in the Task Manager (still found under Ctrl+Alt+Delete) you will see that the apps you quit a while ago are in a "suspended" state. A sort of freezing method where Windows only has to remember small pieces of data in order to bring the app back up to speed when you reenter it.

The new Task Manager "suspends" applications.

Windows 8, isn't clunky like evolving operating systems tend to be. In fact, Windows 8 (even just being the developer build) is incredible at task management within itself. Windows 8 has been shown to run less processes than Windows 7 as well as managing cores and CPU speeds better and more efficiently. This makes Windows 8 a snappy, and smooth experience.

In fact, once you get used to hidden menus and out of the ordinary task management, the experience becomes totally refreshing, rather than stressful as you may think it is upon first startup. I've had a lot of fun in Windows 8 in the last 24 hours, testing every single app, downloading some programs of my own, and really digging into the system.

Speaking of which, the control panel is another interesting note. At first, you get a control panel that is rather plain, and has only simple controls, but at the bottom of the Control Panel screen, is a button that will take you to the classic Windows 7 control panel if the option you need isn't displayed in the Metro Control Panel. While this may seem like a poor way of doing things, I found that many of the basic options a user would need are there, without confusing them with Hardware management and all of that stuff. (Trying to get to device manager to install my built in Wi-Fi driver is what clued me in to the new Control Panel)

The Metro Control Panel doesn't have all the options up front.

The Classic Control Panel is still here though.

Essentially, Windows 8 will be everything you loved about Windows 7 with a flashier "Start" menu and app browser, as well as incredible task management. I would expect Windows 8 to sell as well, if not better, than Windows 7 did.

By putting out a public download, they made it easier for developers, and experienced users, to offer suggestions about what to change in Windows 8. Right now, I believe I haven't spent enough time with new OS to complain. Everyone knew it had a tad bit of a learning curve (not like switching to a Mac, but what you would expect it to be by looking at the pictures) but from my experience it has only taken me a day to get used to the setup and (while I'm not positive) I feel that there is or will be an option to return you to a fairly classic desktop experience.

I will continue to bring you updates about my findings with Windows 8 in the hopes that together we can make it an incredible OS. The addition of apps will make this edition of Windows a very universal and easily developed platform. Windows 8 is expected to run on PCs and Tablets, as well as a trimmed version for phones.

In case you are wondering about the specs I am running this on:

Windows 8 Developer Build x86 (I will be downloading and triple booting x64 soon)
AMD Phenom II x6 1055t Processor
4GB RAM
1 TB Hard Drive (50GB partitioned to Windows 8)
Integrated Graphics (HD Radeon 4200)
TrendNet Wireless N Wi-Fi card (needed drivers from their site to operate)

Aside from the Wi-Fi, Windows 8 quickly recognized everything I plugged in to it (wired and wireless USB keyboards, wireless USB mouse, 250GB external HDD, Canon Powershot SX30 IS). I don't currently have any USB 3.0 devices to test my 3.0 ports but I would assume that support is built in, even in this build.

Overall, Windows 8 gets my approval and, while I don't think it's ready for market, I believe that they should have no issues getting a Beta out by late first, early second quarter next year and with their attitude lately, they could have the OS out easily by this time next year.

If you want to give Windows 8 a shot just click HERE to download it legally from Windows.
If you aren't too adventurous you can always Google how to run it in a virtual machine.

Posted in: Microsoft,Windows 8