Windows8 - 8.1 - Windows Threshold Tips Questions and Solutions

[Asyn]

Why does people miss the start menu so much? Personally if I had a windows 8 pc I wouldn't get the start menu back.

Because they're used to it.

[schmidthouse]

So far I like Windows8.
The Laptop was given to me with this installation: 'Release Preview Evaluation copy. Build 8400'
I'm guessing this validation will only last for so long (I don't know how long??) and then a Key will need to be purchased.
So I decided to through the 'buy key online' function and continually get this 'error'
Any ideas/solution?
Anyone  else have this problem?

Hey any input about my issue

[essexboy]

I do not believe the preview can be upgraded and unlocked

[schmidthouse]

I do not believe the preview can be upgraded and unlocked

Thanks essexboy, but I'm not sure I understand.
Totally new to this process
How do I get from this Preview installation to "Windows8 Pro"?? 

[gdiloren]

So far I like Windows8.
The Laptop was given to me with this installation: 'Release Preview Evaluation copy. Build 8400'
I'm guessing this validation will only last for so long (I don't know how long??) and then a Key will need to be purchased.
So I decided to through the 'buy key online' function and continually get this 'error'
Any ideas/solution?
Anyone  else have this problem?


I upgraded to win 8 Pro from a licenced Win 7 Home Premium. So far, if you haven't bought any Windows product, you'll have to purchase the Win 8 Pro CD-ROM. Another option is to try Linux Ubuntu for example if you're comfortable with that. It's free!

[bob3160]

I do not believe the preview can be upgraded and unlocked

Thanks essexboy, but I'm not sure I understand.
Totally new to this process
How do I get from this Preview installation to "Windows8 Pro"?? 

A new install. 

[gdiloren]

Personnal opinion. May be the hardware transition is not yet there (tactile monitor, drivers for ethernet and network cards...) but I'm disappointed with Windows 8 on desktops and laptops and wouldn't recommend it for now. It looks like Microsoft marketing and offensive is to grab some of the Apple market (but they failed). I'm worried now about Microsoft's future although it's still in shape in the NASDAQ,,,!

[bob3160]

Personnal opinion. May be the hardware transition is not yet there (tactile monitor, drivers for ethernet and network cards...) but I'm disappointed with Windows 8 on desktops and laptops and wouldn't recommend it for now. It looks like Microsoft marketing and offensive is to grab some of the Apple market (but they failed). I'm worried now about Microsoft's future although it's still in shape in the NASDAQ,,,!

As someone who has used it for almost a year, I disagree with you. If your system was able to run Windows 7,
It will run Windows 8. There are some things that run on windows 8 that could not run on Windows 7.
Yes, there is a learning curve but there was also a learning curve when XP was released.

[CraigB]

Why does people miss the start menu so much? Personally if I had a windows 8 pc I wouldn't get the start menu back.

Because they're used to it.

Plus Start8 and Classic Start also give's the feature of booting straight to the desktop rather than the modern UI

[bob3160]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_oKbLrl2Q4

[schmidthouse]

So far I like Windows8.
The Laptop was given to me with this installation: 'Release Preview Evaluation copy. Build 8400'
I'm guessing this validation will only last for so long (I don't know how long??) and then a Key will need to be purchased.
So I decided to through the 'buy key online' function and continually get this 'error'
Any ideas/solution?
Anyone  else have this problem?


I upgraded to win 8 Pro from a licenced Win 7 Home Premium. So far, if you haven't bought any Windows product, you'll have to purchase the Win 8 Pro CD-ROM. Another option is to try Linux Ubuntu for example if you're comfortable with that. It's free!

Thanks, I appreciate it.

@Bob  Ah crap.

[bob3160]

@ schmidthouse,
It really isn't that big a deal. Your personal (user) information is always easy to bring over.
The only thing that's more troublesome are re-installing your programs.
Since it usually saves your old information in the 'Old Windows' folder, it makes that task very simple.
If the program doesn't need registry entries or store anything in the Windows folder, simply copy the entire folder from
'Old Windows\ Program Files to the current Program Files folder. 
The rest will need to be re-installed.
I just went through that when I decided to go from Windows 8 Enterprise to Windows 8 Pro.
It was also a good way to get rid of some of the crap I had accumulated. 

[schmidthouse]

@ schmidthouse,
It really isn't that big a deal. Your personal (user) information is always easy to bring over.
The only thing that's more troublesome are re-installing your programs.
Since it usually saves your old information in the 'Old Windows' folder, it makes that task very simple.
If the program doesn't need registry entries or store anything in the Windows folder, simply copy the entire folder from
'Old Windows\ Program Files to the current Program Files folder. 
The rest will need to be re-installed.
I just went through that when I decided to go from Windows 8 Enterprise to Windows 8 Pro.
It was also a good way to get rid of some of the crap I had accumulated. 

Thanks Bob.
Now please bare with me as I have now caught my breath( having not known/expected) when I received the laptop. Anyway its all good. 
Now, I intend to buy the Windows8 Pro Pack delivered on Disk. I certainly don't want to take to a tech. I'm sure there's help here
How do I uninstall this existing Preview copy?
Can I/do I simply input the New Windows8 Pro Disk and the process will take care of uninstalling "Preview Eval Copy" and then installing Validated Version.
Thanks for any input

[bob3160]

If you're doing a clean install then everything else will be gone.
Make sure that you have access (a backup on an external media)  to any personal stuff you want to restore later.


(Why not download the .iso file, burn it yourself and save some money.)

[gdiloren]

I'm having a hard time with Win 8 Pro, especially from installing third party antivirus (their forums are reporting issues with Win , From http://www.eightforums.com/#windows-8-forums I learned that Win 8 protects from 85% of viruses you normally get in other Win OS. Furthermore, WD has an antivirus function in Win 8 so they push us to use their embedded solution!