Now that the Windows 8 Consumer Preview is out and available for download has anyone tried it with Vegas Pro? Someone's gotta do it :)

I'm ready to try it, where's the download? I have a spare hard drive and would love to give it a shot.

Here's the link: Windows 8 Consumer Preview (http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/consumer-preview)

Don't forget to let us all know what happened!

Thanks Ali. I found it after posting and then cut off the 3.3Gb download by accident, bummer. May be awhile before I install it, but I'm going to download it tonite.

Will be waiting to see what you think about it! Do also install Vegas Pro 11 and see how it works.

burning the iso now
Be running Vegas in a cpl of hrs
:)

Ive been using 8 for about 24 hrs now.
Haven't done much with Vegas, just transcoded a few files, seems ok so far.
It's pretty cool, especially the new look explorer. I'm still finding my way around, but it has potential.
I don't know why MS doesn't pay some geeks to make some apps, their app store is like a ghost town, 20-30 apps in total, its very sad compared to the mac app store.
Time will tell I guess.

Thanks for the update Gerald. How long is this version good for?

Hi

Windows 8 is just Windows 7 with an interface that doesn't belong on a desktop PC!

Running Vegas on Windows 8 is just like running it on Windows 7, there is nothing in Windows 8 that changes anything relating to Sony Vegas or the vast majority of applications.

God help us if Sony decide to turn Vegas into a Metro app though.

Regards

Phil

Jan 2013 is the self destruct I believe, but they are talking about a RC b4 that anyway.
Similarities to 7 are many, but 7 was similar to Vista in a lot of ways too......
I can see what they are aiming for with the metro look and feel, I dont think it will merge into apps/software like Vegas, its more like a change in feel when you navigate AWAY from the app, and how you jump around from app to app.
Macs do it well now, my son for instance, works on a Mac Pro with Logic, watching him swipe windows open and closed and going from Logic to Mail to Finder to Safari and back makes my head spin, its just lots of short cut keys in action.
The Explorer on 8 is far superior already with its ribbons and extra options.
The new task manager has more options and a better layout.
Explorer 10 seems good.
The Metro start screen is cool, ( gee the color options are pretty hideous though ) Just because its a bit different I cant see why its a bad move, very similar to Launchpad on Lion, but prob more useable.
I'm still doing too many clicks to get to places I normally get to quickly, but thats prob my fault not the systems.
IMO they are trying to be a bit more like OSX where you have a system with more apps that intertwine with one another, which will be fine if they can make it all work well together really well, I dont know if they have it together yet though. Time will tell....

Hi

The Metro start screen is cool, ( gee the color options are pretty hideous though ) Just because its a bit different I cant see why its a bad move, very similar to Launchpad on Lion, but prob more useable.

Even on a touch screen device the interface is only passable, it's nothing special, just a grid of icons you swish in and out to launch full screen applications, what so amazing about it? I'd never call it cool unless you like a CGA colour pallet! It would seem the designers at Microsoft are too young, I remember CGA graphics with limited colours and no choice for flat dull icons, the designers obviously don't and think they are being original and then ignoring all the negative feedback. What is the point of LCD screens supporting high colour depths and ever higher resolutions for that?

The biggest problem is on a desktop PC with a large wide-screen monitor the Metro user interface is ridiculous, and none of the "apps" are practical or usable, it's just all white space and huge fonts, so you are just going to download and install your usual applications and use those in the desktop, with the frustration of having to lose your complete work context just to search for another application on the toy-land Metro user interface. It is suppose to be Windows, the whole point of Windows is you can see through and around all your applications and don't have any distractions. In Windows 7 and Vista Microsoft went to great lengths to stop applications taking over, so that currently they now blink in the task bar rather than jumping over the top and taking focus away from what you are working on. Now they are doing their best to destroy what they had been selling to us since Windows 1!

Microsoft will not re-instate the start menu so desktop users can de-active the Metro UI as it is part of a big branding exercise. Microsoft want you to see every PC, mobile phone and tablet PC with their software looking the same and familiar, hence the lack of customisations possible on the Metro UI, people are wanting to have their own background picture but Microsoft don't want that as it dilutes the branding. So much for your PC your way. The branding exercise is so Aunt Maud on wanting to buy a tablet PC immediately recognises it is the same as her phone and buys it without paying much attention to perhaps better options.

I think they are going to end up having to relent and restore the start menu and so giving the option to disable the Metro UI as otherwise it will be like Windows Vista where people use the licence option to downgrade and it gets largely a bad press and ignored by many in the industry. Whereas Vista downgrading to Windows XP was a big step change that might have made many put up with it, downgrading from Windows 8 to Windows 7 loses only the Metro UI and 'apps' advertising which you don't want on a desktop, and not much else, so a no brainer for people to do.

Regards

Phil

I can see all of the points you bring up Phil.
I just think its too early to brush the whole OS. There are more changes than the new Metro look interface.
Yes, the very limited built in Metro apps do seem bland and way to big on 27" monitor, but you dont have to use them anymore than you have to use WMP for all video files on 7, most people use VLC, you just change your preferences.
As I install MY apps/software, they become a shortcut on the Metro wall just like on the desktop, very little useability difference so far.
Anyway, to each their own, if you hate the Metro UI a lot, you can stay with 7 for, maybe another 8 years with full Microsoft support.
I'm not a massive fan of the Metro look so far, I just dont hate it either. I might do a test install of 7 and try to copy the 8 explorer exe into 7, if that works I'd be a happy man.
Another option will be after the release there will be all the hacked versions of Windows 8 from XDark, Prince NRVL, Gamer edition etc. If these appeal, these guys will change the shell and options available most likely for the better.
Also Yamicsoft is working on their Windows 8 Manager
Optimize Windows, Tweak Windows, Repair Windows, Clean Windows, Speed Up Windows - Yamicsoft (http://www.yamicsoft.com/)
Ive found their tools really good for customizing out the things you hate about 7.
Of course if you are happy with Vegas 10, there is always XP......:)

I'm more interested it how it runs applications than on it's appearance. Phil's comments make it sound less user friendly for workstation related functions, I hope that's not the case.

I have it burned to a DVD, just don't have time to fool with it just yet, but I'm anxious to play with it. It's free, doesn't cost a penny to jump in and try on a spare drive.

Hi

Windows 8 is just Windows 7 so there has been no real changes related to application performance, if anything Windows 8 might be slower at this time due to it being less optimised or running in a debug mode to collect data for Microsoft. I've also seen graphic corruption appear in the same way on two different machines (Nvidia graphics and Intel embedded graphics on a laptop) so you might have issues with anything that pushes the GPU at this moment in time.

There is no point upgrading or moving to Windows 8 for desktop applications.

Regards

Phil

Hi

I can see all of the points you bring up Phil.
I just think its too early to brush the whole OS. There are more changes than the new Metro look interface

There are some nice changes to the desktop side but nothing anyone can't live without, and all could be brought to Windows 7 in a service pack or product refresh.


Yes, the very limited built in Metro apps do seem bland and way to big on 27" monitor, but you dont have to use them anymore than you have to use WMP for all video files on 7, most people use VLC, you just change your preferences.

Yes but have to use the Metro UI as a start menu, and other elements from within the desktop launch you into Fisher Price territory when you least expect or want it.


As I install MY apps/software, they become a shortcut on the Metro wall just like on the desktop, very little useability difference so far.
Anyway, to each their own, if you hate the Metro UI a lot, you can stay with 7 for, maybe another 8 years with full Microsoft support.

I agree you can work with the Metro UI just as a start menu, but for someone who uses their PC professionally day in day out the full screen launch swishing in of coloured tiles just to launch a program is distracting and will just become annoying. If you ignore or can tolerate that and just use the desktop and proper programs, you might as well stick with Windows 7.


I'm not a massive fan of the Metro look so far, I just dont hate it either. I might do a test install of 7 and try to copy the 8 explorer exe into 7, if that works I'd be a happy man.
Another option will be after the release there will be all the hacked versions of Windows 8 from XDark, Prince NRVL, Gamer edition etc. If these appeal, these guys will change the shell and options available most likely for the better.
Also Yamicsoft is working on their Windows 8 Manager
Optimize Windows, Tweak Windows, Repair Windows, Clean Windows, Speed Up Windows - Yamicsoft (http://www.yamicsoft.com/)
Ive found their tools really good for customizing out the things you hate about 7.
Of course if you are happy with Vegas 10, there is always XP......:)

Yes someone will come along with an update or hack to make Windows suitable for adults, and if I'm forced to use Windows 8 because it is on a new PC I'll go back to using something I used on Windows XP to quickly launch programs, but didn't need on Windows 7 because MS built in the same functionality in the start menu.

I usually like Microsoft stuff, but this Metro UI forced on us on the desktop will rank along side Microsoft Bob (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Bob) and Windows ME. I don't even think it works that well on smaller form factors. To rub salt into the wounds Visual Studio 11 BETA has seen the interface go to being monochrome! I just think they have lost the plot, although the number of complaints received from developers seems to have them "re-imaging" what a good interface is.

Regards

Phil

It should be noted this is the earliest of versions. Consumer feedback will cause a number of changes to the finished product, I'm sure. I'm also sure they are quite aware the design will piss off some people, and others will like it, and they likely will try to meet somewhere in the middle as they try to move ahead with their vision.

It is way too early to freak out over this, it's not even close to ready for prime time, and as people pick apart it will all be fine, or it won't. I like Windows 7 just fine, but I hope 8 kicks some booty.

We should also remember this is only one version of Windows, they will likely offer others as they always do with added features or flexibility. After all it has to work in the coporate world, and they have a LOT riding on this release.

i think it's a brave (or foolish) man who opts for using a beta / rc / rtm (without sp 1) for anything remotely connected with earning a living.

for fun, hell yes - but don't try to compare a half-baked os against a well established one.

as for metro - it's ghastly, something my grandkids will probably like, and that's who it's aimed for i suppose ;-)

They really can't be serious with this interface can they? I understand the idea of creating a "one size fits all" UI, but that's just doofy...

Having experimented with tablets, there just are too many things you DON'T want to do on them, along with the limits you quickly reach on a phone size screen. Although I have gone over to smaller laptops for convenience, I'm not convinced that the computer is about to be replaced for CREATING content... OR for a "power user"... these "social network" style things are probably great for teens and youth, but not sure they will result in anything more productive than Solitaire...

I think the key word is CONSUMER - these toy like interfaces that a child or a monkey can poke at and "get" are fine for CONSUMING content, but creating it???

We may be looking at the demise of the "computer" as we've known it, replaced with a "toy" for consumption of "whatever" - looking at the "apps"they "featured", I'm thinking to myself that these basic functions aren't anything that special, and will have little or no staying power, and wonder what creators of the traditional PROGRAMS will do with this "design"...

I suppose I will have to download and try this thing out just for giggles, but dang, from the "preview" site, it looks more like something I'd buy for a toddler in the toy section than a "computer"!

I think griping is premature. It's a beta release and nothing more. It offers a Win7 like desktop, and reviews are saying it's zippy, which sounds good.

I ran Windows 7 for about a year before it was released to the public, and it was more stable for me than Vista ever was. This version may, or may not be stable, etc., but I'm anxious to get it installed and find out. I suspect it is quite stable for a beta version, but only time will tell.

Hmmm...i'm itching to install W8 but Leslie's words are scary. I don't have a second system to install W8 for a tryout and not really sure whether I should use my main system as a guinea pig right now. I do suspect that Windows 8 is mostly a cosmetic upgrade rather than anything substantial and looks more geared to tablets and touch interfaces. Its also mostly trying to emulate Apple's operating systems. Not sure whether this is the best way to go though, but hasn't it always been like that?

Anyway, have downloaded the install files. Lets see if I decide to take the plunge. You guys say that Vegas seems to work fine, so that's a good reason, right?

I would heed Leslie's words, if this is your "money maker" machine dont do it.
Stick it on an external HDD to play with.
Or, I used shrink disk and made a small partition on the back end of my C drive ( it says u only need 20gb, but my install took about 19, 30 is realistic).
:)

Hi

I think griping is premature. It's a beta release and nothing more. It offers a Win7 like desktop, and reviews are saying it's zippy, which sounds good.

I ran Windows 7 for about a year before it was released to the public, and it was more stable for me than Vista ever was. This version may, or may not be stable, etc., but I'm anxious to get it installed and find out. I suspect it is quite stable for a beta version, but only time will tell.

Griping is not premature. Isn't the whole point of an early preview to flag up issues or dislikes? If we don't gripe now, it will be too late.

Yes it is an early look, however the developer preview still had a start button, although it threw you into Fisher Price land the same as now, and there were more complaints than praise for it then. Forward to now and the consumer preview that is feature complete so they say, and it's worse, no start button at all!

It's all about branding, brand recognition, micro-payments and downloading silly little apps that might be useful on a mobile device while waiting for a bus but are pointless when you have the power and screen real-estate of a decent computer or laptop.

I can't believe the more traditional start menu is waiting in the wings on a professional version of Windows 8 as surely given the backlash Microsoft would be quick to quieten it with a reassurance that the Metro UI was just a toy for the social networking addicts.

Regards

Phil

Ali, common sense would tell us to install on an extra hard drive, not wipe your current C drive to install it. Leslie's warning is scary if that's what you're thinking of doing. If that's what you're thinking of doing, stop right now.

Install a drive for the purpose of installing Windows 8. Zero out the new drive then install Windows 8. When your're done playing with it switch out drives or whatever. Piece of cake. It costs nothing if you have an extra hard drive.

OK, griping is part of the point Phil, you're right, particularly by those who have played with it.

I'm surprised at the things I'm reading on the web by the legions of folks who hate it that haven't tried it. Shouldn't be surprised though, this is normal isn't it?

I personally will reserve judgement until I've run it myself. The design of Windows 8 looks to me like a natural evolution in this age of social media. While it's too early to tell if it will be successful, I do not blame Microsoft for their attempt to stay relevant, they have no choice. Think about it people.

Anyway, it seems clear that the way to go is to install the Beta, and then in my case I turn off the Metro design, and then run it to see how fast and efficient it is.

I just hate to see panic in the streets over this. I know it's natural for people to resist change. It's frightening to all of us. On the other hand this is where things are headed. I personally do not tweet or even text, and see social media as stupid and a waste of resources, as is the vast majority of web content. Nevertheless, I do not want to see Microsoft fail They manufacture the operating system that I run my computers with, and I have a vested interest in seeing them succeed. If they do good I'm happy, if not I would be disappointed; but not out of love for MS, but because I'm affected by it.

For the next few years, at worst, I will have Windows 7 even if I don't like Windows 8.

Hi

A word of warning, if you install a second hard-drive, Windows 8 will still take over and become the primary way of booting into your computer, in other words it modifies the boot loader on your Windows 7 hard disk, even if you didn't boot from it. This means you will have problems removing the second disk afterwards. Windows 8 will let you boot into Windows 7, but it starts Windows 8 first, almost gets to the end of the boot sequence then asks if you want 8 or 7, if you say 7 it reboots again into 7.

So if you use a second disk, disconnect your first disk.

Also I'd recommend making a system image and recovery disk first if you have a USB drive with enough space, this makes it childs play to get your Windows 7 system. I just re-instated Windows 7 on a laptop I tried Windows 8 on from a system image, no problems at all, and so nice to have got rid of the Metro UI. Feels like an operating system for an adult rather than a Facebook teenager with a short attention span and money to burn on downloading pointless weather apps.

Anyway, it seems clear that the way to go is to install the Beta, and then in my case I turn off the Metro design, and then run it to see how fast and efficient it is.

You can't turn it off, certainly not officially. It isn't any faster or any more efficient than Windows 7, it is just Windows 7 with an interface designed for touch screens and being a driver towards downloading 'apps' for extra MS profit. Unless you are in IT or software and need to see the new interface first hand, it isn't worth bothering with.


I just hate to see panic in the streets over this. I know it's natural for people to resist change. It's frightening to all of us. On the other hand this is where things are headed.

There is no panic, there is no resistance to change, but there is a resistance to seeing things become worse rather than better. There is nothing original or special about the Metro UI, it is just bigger square icons to jab your finger on, and full screen applications with scant functionality being just enough to let you post a picture to Facebook or Tweet you are on the toilet by thumbing a glossy screen covered in dirty greasy finger marks. The problem is Microsoft would do well not to forget the PC and millions of people that use them day in day out and got them where they are today, but they seem to have.

For the next few years, at worst, I will have Windows 7 even if I don't like Windows 8.

Exactly, many millions of people will stick with Windows 7, and many millions more will be downgrading to it no doubt. Metro UI belongs only on smaller form factor touch screens, on anything else it doesn't work any better than what we had before, and for many people they find it worse.

Regards

Phil

Phil, I guess I've done this kind of thing too many times. I would assume anyone would disconnect a primary disc before installing a secondary OS. It's just common sense. You use your current OS to zero out the drive, then you disconnect your primary it and install the Beta on the new disc. You leave the cover off of your box and just plug in the drive you want to use if you're going to switch back and forth. It's really too simple.

I forget there are people that may not know that.. I've done this more times than I can count. I'm no expert, I really don't know anything about software, but there are many ways to do this. You can run the beta from a USB stick you don't even need to use a hard drive, but it would likely be slow as heck I imagine. You can use an esata drive or other external also. People just need to think before they do stuff.

Preferably if you're beta testing, have a dual boot system with two drives, selct from them in BIOS or in bootup (usually via a "F key" on most machines). That way you can just swap back as needed, if you don't know how to set this up, you probably shouldn't be "volunteering" to be a test bunny...

I'll probably set up a "scratch" disk with W7 mirrored/cloned from my "main" drive (Seagate and WD have FREE utilites to "clone" if you have a drive of those brands), then install W8 to see how it goes - it was pretty obvious that W8 wants to just get busy and "take over" when installed... I'll pass, until proper testing protocols can be set up!



As for the "marketplace", I think we all know deep down that for the "average user", the computer is probably passe' - why have a big balky machine that gets viruses and BSOD's when you can have a similarly twitchy (OK, maybe not quite as glitchy, but my Android adventures were not promising...) device that fits in your pocket or purse and gives you connectivity everywhere? And put all your "stuff" in the cloud... (I already have security nightmares... CANNOT see this ending well!). But how many people REALLY need the capability of a traditional computer anymore... it's rapidly becoming a "niche", with cell phones and tablets taking over...

Personally, I'm making a switch to small laptops, which can easily hook to a big screen via HDMI, are portable, and I can easily store my "stuff" on small USB HDDs. My adventures into tablet land and/or using my phone quickly showed that there are limits, which I wasn't willing to accept - a small laptop computer, however, seems to work rather well. AND I can use my "stuff" as I expect to, with an interface that doesn't feel like it's meant for tiny pointy little fingers... Don't get me wrong, I like touchscreen interfaces for many things, cameras included, but there are limits to the functional capabilities of a SMALL screen.



Reviewing the W8 preview site, it was obvious that the design goal of W8 was a "unified" user interface that was to be consistent between any and all "devices" (phones, tablets, computers, whatever). All I can say is my kids and I don't wear the same socks, etc... either in size OR in color/style!

Rather shortsighted of MS to attempt such an interface, as some parts will still be too "big" and others will feel terribly constricted (like big bold/yucky "buttons"?). It's what happens when you try to make one design "do it all"... it will probably do NOTHING well, at best, and most likely achieve stunning mediocrity across the markets it touches.

In the end, it will be stability and performance that make the "decision" - my W7 machines seldom need a hard reboot, I just let them sleep or hibernate and wake when needed. The few glitches are usually easy to work around or wait for a patch. MS security essentials seems to protect well enough against potential threats, with little or no performance hit. They do the job, and replaced XP for all but one lonely box around here... There would have to be some significant performance improvements to get me too excited abut W8, but I'm willing to check it out, aside from the initial reaction to the blucky interface...

For anyone that wants to bypass Metro and have a Start button again...…
ViStart: Free Windows Vista and Windows 7 Start Menu Clone for Windows XP - Tweaking with Vishal (http://www.askvg.com/vistart-a-windows-vista-start-menu-clone-for-windows-xp/)

After all these months how is your life with WINDOWS 8 guys?
Very curious about that as i don't know if i have to buy Win 8 or trying to find Win 7 64 bit!

thx

I updated from Windows 7 Pro to Windows 8 Pro just after the release. The only Vegas issue is that I had to uninstall and reinstall Vegas Pro 12 as it kept asking for registration and didn't show up in the applications list. All seem to be going well now.

Windows 8 runs the same as Windows 7, almost no difference. I ran the beta for a while, then I bought it immediately.

No issues.

that's a good new! I opened a thread asking suggestions to upgrade my Dell precision m6300 from Xp 32 to windows 8 or W7 64 bit...after the purchase of 8GB of RAM.
So do you think i should take advantage of the incredible price of Windows 8?
What's the story behind the start button?
many thanks

There seems to be little discussion about Windows 8 redesign around here at present, so my guess is the re-design is a non-issue for most people. Windows 8 is neither great or horrible, it runs about the same as Windows 7, in my experience. I have used both quite a bit.

Windows 8 works fine. XP is what your machine was designed for, I would stick with it, but that is my opinion. Good luck with your decision.