It’s not that long ago, really not a distant memory, when Microsoft were hauled before regulators in the US and Europe for several years over the anti-competitive practices of bundling Internet Explorer and Windows Media Player with Windows. Competitors such as Opera and Real Networks (remember them?) said such practices were damaging their own success [...]
- Author: Mike Halsey MVP
- Comments: 9
Can Windows 8 Be All Things to All People? The Case for Splitting It Up!
Yesterday Microsoft finally announced their plans for Windows 8 running on ARM-designed processors. The news came with two very interesting pieces of information… “WOA (Windows on ARM) includes desktop versions of the new Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote. These new Office applications, codenamed ‘Office 15,’ have been significantly architected for both touch and minimized [...]
- Author: Martin Brinkmann
- Comments: 3
How To Bypass SmartScreen Filter (Windows Protected Your PC) In Windows 8
SmartScreen Filter is a security module that is integrated into several Microsoft products such as Internet Explorer or Windows Live Messenger. It basically warns users if they are about to open a potentially dangerous website or file. A warning is displayed and it is up to the user to continue or stop at this point. [...]
- Author: Mike Halsey MVP
- Comments: 8
Windows 8 Consumer Preview Coming February 29th
The beta “Consumer Preview” version of Microsoft’s new Windows 8 operating system could be released on Wednesday 29th February. Microsoft have announced a “Windows 8 Consumer Preview event” in the city, that is also home to the Mobile World Congress expo that week. This looks like a reasonable time to launch the beta given that [...]
- Author: Mike Halsey MVP
- Comments: 8
Why Have Microsoft Been So Quiet About Windows 8
In case you missed it, we’ve had a great Windows 8 discussion going on here at gHacks in the last couple of days, one that is no doubt set to continue for a while yet in various forms as we look forward to the release of the Consumer Preview (beta) at the end of this [...]
- Author: Mike Halsey MVP
- Comments: 18
On Keeping An Open Mind When It Comes To Windows 8 – A Response
Yesterday Martin wrote up his thoughts and concerns about the forthcoming Windows 8 operating system from Microsoft. I’ve spent much more time with Windows 8 so far, have given talks about and I’m current writing two books about how to get the best out of it, one for complete novices and another for IT Pros [...]
- Author: Martin Brinkmann
- Comments: 25
On Keeping An Open Mind When It Comes To Windows 8
As a Windows user, I’m keeping a close eye on all Windows 8 development tidbits and leaks that I can find online and offline. Most of what I know comes from the developer preview version of the operating system that was released last year, and leaks that seem to have picked up in pace recently. [...]
- Author: Mike Halsey MVP
- Comments: 11
The Windows 8 “Consumer Preview”, What’s in a Name?
It is widely expected that when Microsoft launch the Windows 8 beta in a few weeks that it will be labelled the “Windows 8 Consumer Preview”. This has alarmed and concerned many IT Pros who feel that Windows 8 is cutting them out with Microsoft putting all the focus on consumers and tablets with its [...]
- Author: Martin Brinkmann
- Comments: 26
Windows 8 Metro UI Won’t Allow Custom Backgrounds
With the Windows 8 Beta just around the corner, it is becoming easier to see into which direction Microsoft is heading in regards to the final version of the operation system. I have already expressed my concern that Windows 8 could become too tablet centric, and as a result alienate a large part of the [...]