Windows 8 Release Preview

Microsoft has released the Windows 8 Release Preview on 31st May 2012 and it has been almost 2 months now.  I have couple of installation of the Release Preview version and it is so far working perfectly fine on couple of my computers.

For those who has not try out Windows 8, I would encourage to try out this pre-release software,Windows 8 Release Preview which is available for download on the official Microsoft Windows 8 Release Preview website.  There are two editions available for download, the 32-bit and 64-bit.  The Windows 8 works great on your current Windows XP or Windows 7 hardware and most Windows 7 applications works fine on Windows 8.

Windows 8 Consumer Preview, 32-bit (x86) First Look

Microsoft has released The Windows 8 Consumer Preview on 29th Feb 2012 and I have done a fresh installation of Windows 8 Consumer Preview on both Hyper-V and physical computer, the installation was smooth, fast and quite similar to Windows 8 Developer Preview released September last year. 

The Windows 8 Consumer Preview ISO Image is available for download at http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/iso

And I have captured Installation screenshot to share with you in this post and my next post will look at the look and feel comparison between both Windows 8 Consumer Preview and Developer Preview.

Installation Walk-through

This is the first screen after boot up from ISO, a new screen which has not been seen in Developer Preview.

Insteresting!  A fish picture on the screen.

Language selection

Select Install now to proceed

Setup is starting

Product key is required on the Consumer Preview, key is available on ISO download page

 As usual, accept the license term to proceed

Select the installation type to proceed

Select and setup the space for installation

Windows setup installation in progress

Installation should proceed accordingly

Windows Setup prompt for restart to complete installation

Windows restart and getting system ready

Personalization of Windows

Follow by Settings of Windows

Finalizing settings

A small wecome screen before the Metro UI screen

Here you go, the Windows 8 Consumer Preview Desktop / Metro UI !!  I see some new interesting tiles on the screen :)

Stay tunned for more about Windows 8 Consumer Preview.

The Internet Explorer 6 Countdown

Check out the Internet Explorer 6 Countdown page, it is a website dedicated to watching Internet Explorer 6 usage drop to less than 1% worldwide!  Let's join the world to move Internet Explorer 6 usage below 1%!

And there are lots of education articles on Why shall we move off of Internet Explorer 6? for both consumer and corporate user.  Enjoy reading :)

Compare browsers to Internet Explorer 9

If you are now planning for justification for Internet Explorer upgrade to standardized and to improve your environment and at the sametime looking for Internet Explorer 9 vs older version of Internet Explorer(s) comparison, you may now check out the ready made comparison of Internet Explorer 7, 8 & 9 on the official Microsoft Internet Explorer website - Compare browsers to Internet Explorer 9. 

It helps a lot!!!  :)

Internet Explorer 10 Platform Preview 4 Test Drive

The Internet Explorer 10 Platform Preview 4 is available for download now.  The Internet Explorer Platform Preview requires the Windows 8 Developer Preview and it is not available for Windows 7 yet.  You will get the below error by trying to install IE10 on Windows 7 :)

- Platform Preview Breaking Changes & Known Issues is available on the Release Note page
- Internet Explorer 10 Guide for Developers can be viewed here.

Check out and feel free to share your comment :)

Experience Windows Phone on your Android or iPhone ... Awesome demo!

Microsoft has released a webpage that allow iPhone and Android smartphone to experience Windows Phone interface and features. The demo works well on iPhone and Android smartphone, awesome demo!  Thanks to the team who created this demo.

Below are few screenshots captured from an iPhone:

The front page of the Windows Phone webpage - tap on Demo now to launch the Windows Phone demo:

Welcome screen with instruction given on screen & Windows Phone demo is ready to start from this screen:

Here you go, the Windows Phone main Tiles menu demo on my iPhone (I have tried the demo on a Android smartphone and it works perfectly fine)

The tap and swipe works well when changing to next/other tile and you just got to try it on your smartphone :)

The Messenging menu:

Note: The demo does not on desktop or laptop based on the platform tested so far.

Microsoft Windows Intune

Have you heard of Windows Intune?
Microsoft Windows Intune was introduced in mid of 2011, it is cloud-based subscription desktop management solution where it allows to manage your desktop via browser anywhere, anytime.


Personally, I feel that Windows Intune is good to start with the below situation as these are the computers where IT Administrator face challenges:

• branches with limited IT resources
• branches with limited bandwidth
• non-domained joined computers
• on the road (roaming) computers

And since it is based on subscription basis with an monthly payment at approximately US$11 per PC per month, so you can forecast expenditures more accurately.  :)
 

For detail and free trial, check out official Windows Intune at http://www.microsoft.com/malaysia/cloud/Productivity/WindowsIntune/Default.aspx?gclid=COeR5Oj56qwCFch56wodZG-zNA