AWS

Some are concerned that Microsoft’s coming Windows 8 secure-boot technologies and policies could result in users being unable to dual-boot Linux alongside Windows 8. Microsoft officials aren’t commenting on whether the worries are unfounded or grounded. Source: All About Microsoft

Microsoft will begin pushing the Windows Phone Mango operating system update to existing Windows Phone users in another week or two, officials said on September 21. Source: All About Microsoft

Howdy and welcome.

Skype for Windows now supports Microsoft’s Windows 8, Microsoft’s next Windows release, which is available to testers in Developer Preview form. Source: All About Microsoft

Microsoft and Casio Computer have signed a patent-protection deal, resulting in Casio paying Microsoft an undisclosed amount for IP coverage for Linux-based devices. Source: All About Microsoft

Windows 8 Metro-style apps and Desktop apps are going to offer two different experiences. But both kinds of apps are going to be available on both x86/x64 and ARM PCs and tablets. Source: All About Microsoft

Microsoft has introduced a new developer concept known as “Contracts” with Windows 8. Think of it as a universal clipboard for apps and services that ties back to Internet Explorer 10. Source: All About Microsoft

Microsoft’s official architectural diagram of Windows 8 has been a source of controversy since it debuted last week at Build. Here are some attempts to redraw and re-explain what’s going on under the covers with Windows 8 from around the Web. Source: All About Microsoft

Just pick the correct forum to post in and we'll help you.

There should be a setting to never allow Outlook to check or change the default email. Check in the mail settings of the main settings group.

Microsoft is eliminating the “Senior Vice President” title across the company. Here’s why, according to company officials. Source: All About Microsoft

Microsoft released a new developer preview of IE 10 this week for Windows 8 testers only. The new platform preview can work as a plug-in-free “Metro-style” app, or a Desktop app that still supports plug-ins. Source: All About Microsoft

Howdy and welcome.

Sessions at the Microsoft Build conference are yielding interesting tidbits on the coming Windows 8 store, the Windows To Go feature, WinRT programming interface, security, and Xbox Live support. Source: All About Microsoft

Here’s a live feed of the Build Blogger Bash, with lots of special guests. Join in if you’re not in Anaheim! Source: All About Microsoft

Welcome and make yourself at home.

Microsoft Financial Analyst Meeting is being held at its Windows 8 Build conference. Surprisingly, the line-up doesn’t have any Windows, Phone or Xbox execs. Source: All About Microsoft

Microsoft is making available to testers preview versions of its Windows Server 8, Visual Studio 2012 tool suite and other new toolkits this week at the Build developers conference. Source: All About Microsoft

We’re live blogging the Day 2 keynote from the Microsoft Build developers conference in Anaheim, Cali. Join us at 9 am PT and chime in with your comments. Source: All About Microsoft

I just got back from the Anaheim Convention Center where I got to see thousands of developers receiving their Samsung prototype PC with Windows 8 Developer Preview. http://freepchelp.forum/data/MetaMirrorCache/cb1b1182f5bd12d4548af76f794471b0._.gif[/img] Source: Windows Team Blog

That's right. Windows 8 client and server are now available for download. The downloads are developer preview builds and come in both x86 and x64. There are 2 version of Windows 8 you can download. One with developer tools and one without. There is no upgrade path so a clean install is required. Follow the links below to grab the copy of Windows 8 that you prefer. These are direct download links to the Windows 8 ISO. Windows 8 Developer Preview with developer tools English, 64-bit (x64) (4.8GB) Sha 1 hash - 6FE9352FB59F6D0789AF35D1001BD4E4E81E42AF 64-bit Windows Developer Preview Windows SDK for Metro style apps Microsoft Visual Studio 11 Express for Windows Developer Preview Microsoft Expression Blend 5 Developer Preview 28 Metro style apps including the BUILD Conference app Windows 8 Developer Preview English, 64-bit (x64) (3.6GB) Sha 1 hash – 79DBF235FD49F5C1C8F8C04E24BDE6E1D04DA1E9 Includes a disk image file (.iso) to install the Windows Developer Preview and Metro style apps on a 64-bit PC. Windows 8 Developer Preview English, 32-bit (x86) (2.8GB) Sha 1 hash - 4E0698BBABE01ED27582C9FC16AD21C4422913CC Includes a disk image file (.iso) to install the Windows Developer Preview and Metro style apps on a 32-bit PC. These builds can be installed on the same hardware that Vista and Windows 7 can be installed on.

We wanted to see what other members of the Windows team like most about Windows 8 so we asked some of our Windows engineers. Check out what they say in this video below. Based on what you saw today from the BUILD keynote and reading here in my blog post I am curious to hear what you are most excited about for Windows 8? Be sure to also check out http://freepchelp.forum/data/MetaMirrorCache/d1e10537d4be33699747784e623fba11._.gif[/img] Source: Windows Team Blog

The keynote finished a few hours ago at its not[/i]. You can pin your favorite contacts, photo albums, music playlists, websites and more to the Start screen as well. Essentially you can pin items from within apps to the Start screen. In the Windows 8 Developer Preview, some of this functionality isnt there yet though. [url=http://windowsteamblog.com/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer-Blogs-Components-WeblogFiles/00-00-00-59-23-metablogapi/7635.Skydrive_2D00_Chris_2D00_Jones_2D00_and_2D00_Steven_5F00_676AFD67.jpg">http://windowsteamblog.com/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer-Blogs-Components-WeblogFiles/00-00-00-59-23-metablogapi/0880.Skydrive_2D00_Chris_2D00_Jones_2D00_and_2D00_Steven_5F00_thumb_5F00_31F23B42.jpg During the keynote today, you saw several Live-connected apps such as Mail, Calendar, Photos, People, and Messaging that were demoed these are not included in the Windows 8 Developer Preview. I can customize the Start screen too. When I first logged into Windows 8, the Start screen was populated by apps that were included in the Windows 8 Developer Preview which included a handful of sample apps developed by interns that are designed to show off what can be done with apps in Windows 8. Below is a photo of many of those interns in the front row at todays BUILD keynote! [url=http://windowsteamblog.com/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer-Blogs-Components-WeblogFiles/00-00-00-59-23-metablogapi/6180.Interns_5F00_3407_5F00_188A3808.jpg">http://windowsteamblog.com/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer-Blogs-Components-WeblogFiles/00-00-00-59-23-metablogapi/8244.Interns_5F00_3407_5F00_thumb_5F00_29FA98E0.jpg Those apps include a weather app, stock app, news app, Tweet@rama, Socialite and more. It also included all the developer tools needed to begin making Windows 8 apps. Some of the apps I did not personally want on my Start screen. To remove those apps, all I had to do was take my finger and swipe down on the tile. 3 app commands appear from the bottom where I can choose to unpin the app. [url=http://windowsteamblog.com/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer-Blogs-Components-WeblogFiles/00-00-00-59-23-metablogapi/8267.win8_5F00_small_5F00_tile_5F00_3E7FE85E.jpg">http://windowsteamblog.com/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer-Blogs-Components-WeblogFiles/00-00-00-59-23-metablogapi/0247.win8_5F00_small_5F00_tile_5F00_thumb_5F00_700B55F3.jpg Tiles can either be large (rectangular) or small (square). To resize a tile, you do the same thing as you would to unpin it by swiping your finger down over the tile. Of the apps included in the Windows 8 Developer Preview, I really like Tweet@rama because I do a lot of tweeting (and reading tweets) and I have grown quite fond of the game Word Hunt where you use your finger to swipe out words under a certain time. And I also like Socialite. [url=http://windowsteamblog.com/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer-Blogs-Components-WeblogFiles/00-00-00-59-23-metablogapi/4885.win8_5F00_tweetarama_5F00_3DA78274.jpg">http://windowsteamblog.com/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer-Blogs-Components-WeblogFiles/00-00-00-59-23-metablogapi/8203.win8_5F00_tweetarama_5F00_thumb_5F00_0424727D.jpg[url=http://windowsteamblog.com/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer-Blogs-Components-WeblogFiles/00-00-00-59-23-metablogapi/7446.win8_5F00_word_5F00_hunt_5F00_75E5F98C.jpg">http://windowsteamblog.com/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer-Blogs-Components-WeblogFiles/00-00-00-59-23-metablogapi/8130.win8_5F00_word_5F00_hunt_5F00_thumb_5F00_3C62E995.jpg These apps are what were calling Metro style apps (and they are different than your desktop app like Adobe Photoshop). They are full screen and completely immersive in the experience of the app. With Metro style apps, you can immerse yourself in the experience without having chrome getting in your way. When I swiped from right to left on the right side of the screen with my finger, I noticed the clock and date showed up which includes icons for wireless connectivity and battery life on the lower left and then also a series of commands that slides out from the right. This icon bar has 5 of what were calling charms that provide access to essential Windows features: Search, Share, Start, Devices, and Settings. [url=http://windowsteamblog.com/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer-Blogs-Components-WeblogFiles/00-00-00-59-23-metablogapi/2350.charms_5F00_2E2470A5.jpg">http://windowsteamblog.com/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer-Blogs-Components-WeblogFiles/00-00-00-59-23-metablogapi/2671.charms_5F00_thumb_5F00_46B40DF5.jpg If I ever want to search my PC for something, all I have to do is bring up charms and choose the Search charm. From there, I can search my PC for anything I want including apps, settings, and of course files. [url=http://windowsteamblog.com/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer-Blogs-Components-WeblogFiles/00-00-00-59-23-metablogapi/1538.search_5F00_14503A76.jpg">http://windowsteamblog.com/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer-Blogs-Components-WeblogFiles/00-00-00-59-23-metablogapi/6013.search_5F00_thumb_5F00_2CDFD7C6.jpg However I can also search within apps too. For example I wanted to check out all the latest tweets from BUILD using the #bldwin hashtag. I typed #bldwin into the search box, chose Tweet@rama and got tweets from people using that hashtag. [url=http://windowsteamblog.com/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer-Blogs-Components-WeblogFiles/00-00-00-59-23-metablogapi/6740.search2_5F00_7A7C0446.jpg">http://windowsteamblog.com/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer-Blogs-Components-WeblogFiles/00-00-00-59-23-metablogapi/1565.search2_5F00_thumb_5F00_04CD28A7.jpg Everyone is sharing content with loved ones whether its photos in email or to Facebook or links to articles found online in a tweet. Windows 8 makes it easy for apps to share to each other. In my case, I wanted to share the link to the BUILD website from within Internet Explorer to Twitter. [url=http://windowsteamblog.com/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer-Blogs-Components-WeblogFiles/00-00-00-59-23-metablogapi/0508.share1_5F00_0056A7E0.jpg">http://windowsteamblog.com/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer-Blogs-Components-WeblogFiles/00-00-00-59-23-metablogapi/2577.share1_5F00_thumb_5F00_2AC2D8FD.jpg I brought up the charms and clicked on the Share charm and then chose Tweet@rama and it automatically placed the link to the BUILD website into a message I then tweeted to my followers. The idea here is that Windows 8 can enable apps to work together to complete scenarios. [url=http://windowsteamblog.com/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer-Blogs-Components-WeblogFiles/00-00-00-59-23-metablogapi/1106.share2_5F00_636D830A.jpg">http://windowsteamblog.com/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer-Blogs-Components-WeblogFiles/00-00-00-59-23-metablogapi/2117.share2_5F00_thumb_5F00_70D39610.jpg The Start charm is an easy way back to the Start screen. With the Devices charm, this is where I can choose certain devices on which to share my photos, music, or videos or manage printers. I didnt have any devices around me when I wrote this blog post to try this out unfortunately. Our hardware partners can write their own Metro style apps that can be utilized to manage their devices which can happen directly through this charm. And of course the Settings charm gives me quick access to the settings within each app but also access to wireless networks, volume control, screen brightness, notifications (turn them off) and to shut down or restart your PC or put it to sleep. [url=http://windowsteamblog.com/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer-Blogs-Components-WeblogFiles/00-00-00-59-23-metablogapi/5165.nw_5F00_cp_5F00_297E401E.jpg">http://windowsteamblog.com/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer-Blogs-Components-WeblogFiles/00-00-00-59-23-metablogapi/1440.nw_5F00_cp_5F00_thumb_5F00_1DE882DF.jpg To configure my PC just the way I want it Windows 8 has a Metro style Control Panel app for quick access to what matters to customers, things like personalizing your Windows 8 PC by changing your user tile photo or lock screen background. I changed my lock screen background to one of my favorite shots of Mt. Rainier I recently took. [url=http://windowsteamblog.com/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer-Blogs-Components-WeblogFiles/00-00-00-59-23-metablogapi/3122.2011_2D00_09_2D00_13_2D00_Win8_2D00_002_5F00_28A5DA34.jpg">http://windowsteamblog.com/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer-Blogs-Components-WeblogFiles/00-00-00-59-23-metablogapi/4101.2011_2D00_09_2D00_13_2D00_Win8_2D00_002_5F00_thumb_5F00_6F22CA3C.jpg In regards to the lock screen I discovered as I was going through options for the lock screen that you can choose a special app that displays a detailed status on the lock screen and up to 6 other apps that would display status badges. I can imagine seeing a status badge for a Twitter app letting me know I received a Direct Message or a @ reply. [url=http://windowsteamblog.com/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer-Blogs-Components-WeblogFiles/00-00-00-59-23-metablogapi/6663.2011_2D00_09_2D00_13_2D00_Win8_2D00_001_5F00_3CBEF6BD.jpg">http://windowsteamblog.com/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer-Blogs-Components-WeblogFiles/00-00-00-59-23-metablogapi/3146.2011_2D00_09_2D00_13_2D00_Win8_2D00_001_5F00_thumb_5F00_27614155.jpg Windows 8 also allows you to create a Picture Password to unlock your PC from the locks screen (see above shot). Choose a photo and 3 points or gestures on that photo that will unlock your PC instead of using a password (although you can switch to password if you need to). Other options in the Metro style Control Panel are wireless (you can put your PC into airplane mode when traveling), privacy for controlling which and how apps access your personal info, search history, share and send options, devices, PC sync, HomeGroup and Windows Update just to name a few. Speaking of notifications, I got a first-hand look at how notifications work in Windows 8 by plugging in a USB drive. A little notification popped up at the lower right hand corner with a familiar Windows ding. [url=http://windowsteamblog.com/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer-Blogs-Components-WeblogFiles/00-00-00-59-23-metablogapi/3157.win8_5F00_notif_5F00_74FD6DD5.jpg">http://windowsteamblog.com/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer-Blogs-Components-WeblogFiles/00-00-00-59-23-metablogapi/7271.win8_5F00_notif_5F00_thumb_5F00_7FBAC52A.jpg It asked me what I wanted to do with the storage device I just plugged in. I clicked on the notification and gave me a list of options to choose from. [url=http://windowsteamblog.com/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer-Blogs-Components-WeblogFiles/00-00-00-59-23-metablogapi/5611.win8_5F00_notif2_5F00_6D71FE68.jpg">http://windowsteamblog.com/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer-Blogs-Components-WeblogFiles/00-00-00-59-23-metablogapi/4555.win8_5F00_notif2_5F00_thumb_5F00_5409FB2E.jpg Here is what the alarm notification looks like from the alarm sample app: [url=http://windowsteamblog.com/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer-Blogs-Components-WeblogFiles/00-00-00-59-23-metablogapi/3581.alarm_5F00_45CB823E.jpg">http://windowsteamblog.com/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer-Blogs-Components-WeblogFiles/00-00-00-59-23-metablogapi/2018.alarm_5F00_thumb_5F00_657A5C06.jpg I cant talk about Windows 8 without talking about Internet Explorer 10. In Windows 8, there is a Metro style version of Internet Explorer that makes web browsing so fast and fluid especially with touch. [url=http://windowsteamblog.com/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer-Blogs-Components-WeblogFiles/00-00-00-59-23-metablogapi/7142.ie10_5F00_2544428C.jpg">http://windowsteamblog.com/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer-Blogs-Components-WeblogFiles/00-00-00-59-23-metablogapi/3426.ie10_5F00_thumb_5F00_6097A84A.jpg Internet Explorer 10 builds upon the awesome work we did with Internet Explorer 9 with web standards and GPU-accelerated HTML5. Web sites load quickly. Youll notice in the above screenshot that I can easily switch between tabs in Internet Explorer on Windows 8. I can also pin my favorite websites directly within Internet Explorer or to my Start screen. I found myself tweeting in Tweet@rama and someone I follow mentioned the weather in Seattle. Being that Im in Anaheim, I wanted to check the weather here. Because I had opened the weather app earlier, to bring it up again all I had to do was swipe my finger from the left to right on the left side of the PC. Doing this lets me quickly go through my open apps. [url=http://windowsteamblog.com/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer-Blogs-Components-WeblogFiles/00-00-00-59-23-metablogapi/3750.snap_5F00_6B54FF9F.jpg">http://windowsteamblog.com/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer-Blogs-Components-WeblogFiles/00-00-00-59-23-metablogapi/3857.snap_5F00_thumb_5F00_5FBF4260.jpg However, I can also slowly pick a app from the left and snap it while using another app so they run side by side. Youll notice in the above screenshot, Metro style apps can run in a smaller window size when running snapped to another app (the main app). I was able to quickly look at the weather in Anaheim AND keep tweeting at the same time. So what about desktop applications? Applications that ran on Windows 7 will run just fine on Windows 8. Matter a fact, for the writing of this blog post I went and downloaded Paint.NET for my screenshots. It installed flawlessly and once it was finished installing, it appeared on my Start screen just like any Metro style app would. I tapped on it and it fired up in Windows desktop just as it would in Windows 7. You still have your Windows desktop in Windows 8. It just behaves like an app on the Start screen. One other thing to highlight: everything I talked about above was done using touch however I also went through the same scenarios and used a mouse and keyboard as well and it works just as well. Eventually, developers building Windows 8 apps will be able to make their apps available for purchase and download via the Windows Store. However, the Windows Store is not available in the Windows 8 Developer Preview. There is so much more in the Windows 8 Developer Preview than I can cover in this post. However Ive decided to keep this focused on the new user experience of Windows 8. The Start screen is like what the Start button was to Windows 95. It really is a reimagining of Windows. I have to say that Windows 8 will change how I use the PC. For a long time, I will remember the first time I logged in to Windows 8 and saw the Start screen come up. The Start screen is what I am most excited about right now with Windows 8 but then again Ive only had less than a day to play with it. There is so much more to discover. Source: Windows Team Blog

Best thing to do is download a LInux boot cd and boot to it and erase format the partition using the tolls on the disk.

Silverlight and .Net are not dead (yet). But Metro is really the future for Windows 8, Microsoft is telling developers on the opening day of Build. Source: All About Microsoft