Computerworld Windows 8 News

How to Prepare for Windows 8 Even Though It's Not Coming to Enterprises

(Shane O'Neill) — Mon, 20 May 2013 20:08:00 GMT

Windows 8 won't be adopted as a standard at your business anytime soon, according to a new Forrester report. But that doesn't mean IT shouldn't prepare for it to sneak through the BYOD side door. Here are five ways to be ready for Windows 8.

Windows Blue will be free upgrade for Windows 8 customers

(Juan Carlos Perez) — Tue, 14 May 2013 18:13:00 GMT

Microsoft's Windows 8 update, code-named Windows Blue, will be formally released as Windows 8.1 and will be free for customers who have the new OS installed.

Windows Blue preview due at end of June

(Juan Carlos Perez) — Tue, 07 May 2013 22:03:00 GMT

Microsoft plans to release a preview version of Windows 8's update, code-named Windows Blue, at the end of June, according to Julie Larson-Green, a corporate vice president in charge of the OS's development.

Acer waits for Windows RT 8.1 to make tablet decision

(Agam Shah) — Fri, 03 May 2013 20:43:00 GMT

Acer is waiting for the next version of Windows RT, due in the second half of this year, before deciding whether to release a tablet that runs on that OS.

Three quick ways to ease your transition to Windows 8

(Rick Broida) — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 15:26:00 GMT

Over the past few weeks I've had the opportunity to test-drive a couple Windows 8 laptops, and even though I've used the OS intermittently for months now, I still find it jarring every time the Metro interface (a.k.a. Start screen) appears.

Easy XP-Windows 7 upgrades are over

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 10:00:00 GMT

The easy upgrades from Windows XP are done, migration experts said, predicting that a sizeable number of large enterprises will still be running the aged OS even after Microsoft stops supporting it.

Wall Street Beat: Tech bellwethers report mixed quarter

(Marc Ferranti) — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 19:35:00 GMT

Some of the biggest names in IT including IBM, Microsoft, Google and Intel reported quarterly earnings this week, revealing a picture of the tech sector that, while not as gloomy as had been feared, is nevertheless mixed.

QuickPoll: What do you think is the real reason for sluggish Windows PC sales?

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 18:42:00 GMT

The recent analysis from IDC that 2013's first-quarter PC sales have declined by 14% year over year lays the blame at the feet of Windows 8. Do you think their assessment was correct?

How to enable Family Safety features in Windows 8

(Rick Broida) — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 21:37:00 GMT

The Internet? Kind of a cesspool. And as the parent of kids who are now old enough to operate a Web browser, you can bet I'm keen on checking their activities and filtering out the inappropriate content.

Dell remains committed to Windows RT

(Agam Shah) — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 21:07:00 GMT

Dell remains committed to Microsoft's Windows RT, despite the poor market reception to the OS and a decline in prices of related tablets.

Prices of Windows RT tablets drop, point to failure of OS

(Agam Shah) — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 20:38:00 GMT

Prices of Windows RT devices have started falling, signaling an attempt by PC makers to quickly clear out stock after poor adoption of tablets and convertibles with the operating system.

Windows 8: How to free up disk space on Microsoft Surface tablets

(Tim Greene) — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 22:27:00 GMT

One beef against Microsoft's Surface devices is that they have less usable disk space than the advertised disk size would indicate, but there is a relatively easy way to free up as much 7GB of disk space: Create a USB recovery drive and delete the Windows 8 recovery partition from the hard drive.

Q&A: STW Communications Group CIO, Tom Ceglarek

(Hamish Barwick) — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 22:06:00 GMT

While some CIOs are rushing to put data into an external cloud, STW Communications Group CIO Tom Ceglarek has taken a different approach.

Spanish Linux group hits Microsoft with complaint over 'Secure Boot'

(Katherine Noyes) — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 00:29:00 GMT

It's long been clear that Linux users are more than a little unhappy with the 'Secure Boot' technology implemented by default in Windows 8 hardware, but in Spain, one group has decided to do more than simply try to work around it.

Microsoft hopes to spur Windows app development with cash

(Jared Newman) — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 19:31:00 GMT

Once again, Microsoft has opened its coffers to app developers, offering them up to $2,000 to build new Windows 8 and Windows Phone apps.

How to Downgrade From Windows 8 (Hint: The First Step Is to Know Your Rights)

(Paul Rubens) — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 20:20:00 GMT

For a variety of reasons, some businesses are looking to downgrade from Windows 8 to Windows 7. The good news is that Microsoft's business licenses come with downgrade rights, but the catch is that the rules can be tricky and compliance could become an issue. Here are some clarifications on your rights when downgrading from Windows 8 or standardizing on noncurrent Microsoft software.

Linus Torvalds speaks out on Secure Boot

(Katherine Noyes) — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 13:14:00 GMT

'Instead of pleasing Microsoft, try to see how we can add real security,' the Linux creator urged.

Acer moves ahead with Windows RT tablet for this year

(Agam Shah) — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 21:05:00 GMT

Acer plans to release a Windows RT tablet this year as it looks to aggressively expand its lineup of mobile devices, including smartphones.

Windows 8 picture passwords: Their great untapped potential

(Alex Wawro, Marco Chiappetta) — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 17:20:00 GMT

Love it or hate it, Windows 8 is the bellwether for PCs. Where Microsoft goes, PCs follow. And now Microsoft is making a grab for the mobile market, too. The latest version of Windows is designed with touchscreens in mind, and one bright side of that evolution is the addition of features that make Windows more intuitive and easier to use on all devices.

Windows 8 book authors dish on Windows 8

(Woody Leonhard) — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 16:03:00 GMT

Writing a book about Windows 8 takes a peculiar combination of perseverance, insight, and a high tolerance for pain. Those who write books about Win8 get to dig into the heart of the beast -- they're exposed early and often to inconsistences and difficulties, and they're tasked with making the hard parts of Win8 accessible to regular people. Along the way, book authors acquire an enormous amount of experience with how the product actually works, going far beyond the stunted feature lists, glib reviews, and sound bites we've all come to expect.

Windows 8: Put its hidden security features to work!

(Eric Geier) — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 17:51:00 GMT

Don't let the Windows 8 haters brainswash you: Microsoft actually introduced a few great features in its new operating system, some of which will help keep you safer from malware and other security threats. Though most of these security enhancements are active by default, you still must be proactive to get the most from them. Also, one new Windows 8 feature presents specific security concerns that must be addressed to keep your PC--and your data--as safe as possible. Let's jump in and investigate.

10 Windows 8 tips, tricks and hacks

preston@gralla.com (Preston Gralla) — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 11:00:00 GMT

Starting to get comfortable with Windows 8? Don't stop now: From invoking 'God Mode' to hacking the lock screen, here are 10 ways to make Windows 8 act the way you want.

Set up Windows 8 as a home server

(Eric Geier) — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 16:38:00 GMT

If you have multiple PCs in your home or small office, you can save time and look professional by storing your documents and media on one PC and using network sharing to access them across all your computers and devices. This prevents you from having to store duplicate copies of files and reduces confusion when trying to find which PC a file is stored on. Additionally, you only reallyA need to worry about backing up one PC (though for safety's sake you shouldA alwaysA back up everything on a regular basis.)

Microsoft to ship Surface Pro tablet Feb. 9

(Agam Shah) — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 18:36:00 GMT

Microsoft will ship the Surface Windows 8 Pro tablet with an Intel Core i5 processor on Feb. 9, with prices starting at US$899.

Windows 8 Pro upgrade price to rise to $199.99 after Jan. 31

(Juan Carlos Perez) — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 22:02:00 GMT

The price for upgrading to Windows 8 Pro will shoot up after Jan. 31, when the existing special offers to acquire the new OS lapse.

Microsoft's 13 worst missteps of all time

(Woody Leonhard) — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 11:15:00 GMT

DOS 4.0, Zune, and Windows 8 are but a few of the landmarks among 25 years of failures Redmond-style

Windows 8 fails to lift the PC market in Q4

(Agam Shah) — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 23:52:00 GMT

Microsoft's Windows 8 OS failed to provide a spark to PC sales during last year's fourth quarter, with worldwide unit shipments falling by 6.4 percent compared to the same quarter in 2011, according to research by IDC released on Thursday.

Microsoft: Windows 8 passes 60M licenses sold

(Juan Carlos Perez) — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 23:16:00 GMT

Microsoft has sold more than 60 million Windows 8 licenses so far, a number that is "roughly" in line with the performance of Windows 7 at the same stage of its release three years ago, according to Tami Reller, CFO and CMO of the Windows Division.

Windows 8, Surface Tablets to Lead Microsoft's Fight for Relevance in 2013

(Shane O'Neill) — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 17:17:00 GMT

Microsoft made big bets on Windows 8, Windows Phone and Surface tablets in 2012, and now it needs to make those bets to pay off. As more consumers and businesses go mobile, 2013 will be Microsoft's most challenging year yet.

Customize Windows 8's boot screen with Boot UI Tuner

(Rick Broida) — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 13:43:00 GMT

One thing you might have noticed about Windows 8 is its new boot loader (i.e. the screen that appears shortly after you start your PC). It has a graphical interface, which is nice, but it's not great for anyone who prefers a dual- or multi-boot setup, and it also makes it a little harder to get to advanced boot options.

Ultimate Windows 8 starter guide: Must-know tips, apps and utilities

(Jon Phillips) — Wed, 26 Dec 2012 16:06:00 GMT

The year is drawing to a close, so there's a very good chance that you now find yourself staring straight down the gaping maw of Windows 8.

Make the most of your shiny new tech gift

(Computerworld staff) — Tue, 25 Dec 2012 11:00:00 GMT

Is there a new smartphone, tablet or computer in your life? These Computerworld stories can help you get acquainted with new OSes, find great apps and accessories, safely dispose of your old devices and more.

After 2012 launch splash, Windows 8 faces enterprise skepticism

(Juan Carlos Perez) — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 20:39:00 GMT

Among the raft of recent and upcoming Microsoft upgrades, Windows 8 towers in importance but its chances for success remain cloudy among enterprise customers.

How to activate Windows Defender in Windows 8

(Brad Chacos) — Sat, 15 Dec 2012 23:33:00 GMT

Like every new Windows release, Windows 8 is more secure than the operating systems that came before it. That's due in large part to three major enhancements: An increased emphasis on UEFI Secure Boot optimizations, the extension of the SmartScreen Filter across the operating system, and the default inclusion of a more robust version of Windows Defender, which now protects against all kinds of malware--not just spyware.

8 of 10 customers choose Windows 7, says PC builder

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 11:43:00 GMT

Given a choice, customers of a Pacific Northwest PC system builder overwhelming pick Windows 7 over the newer Windows 8, the company's president said Thursday.

Windows 8 uptake: More like Vista than Windows 7

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Sat, 01 Dec 2012 15:32:00 GMT

After a month on the market, Windows 8's usage uptake resembles 2007's Vista -- ultimately a poor performer for Microsoft -- rather than the eventually successful Windows 7, Net Applications said Saturday.

Microsoft: 40 million Windows 8 licenses sold

(Joab Jackson) — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 22:04:00 GMT

Microsoft has sold 40 million licenses of the Windows 8 OS since its launch a month ago.

How to enable Hibernate mode in Windows 8

(Rick Broida) — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 23:37:00 GMT

Last month I explained how to shut down Windows 8, an option you wouldn't expect to require step-by-step instruction. And yet.

Microsoft reportedly allows pirates to activate unlicensed installations of Windows 8 Pro

(Lucian Constantin) — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 17:03:00 GMT

Users running pirated copies of Windows 8 Pro can reportedly upgrade to a fully licensed and permanently activated version of the OS by simply installing a free Windows 8 Media Center upgrade offered by Microsoft.

Windows 8 PC orders weak, says analyst

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 16:39:00 GMT

Computer sellers have scaled back their expectations of the sales pop they'll get from Windows 8 this year, an analyst said today.

Enterprise interest in Windows 8 half that for Windows 7 in '09

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 19:50:00 GMT

Enterprise IT decision makers are about half as enthusiastic about the new Windows 8 as they were three years ago about the then-just-released Windows 7, an analyst said today.

Mobile app developers say, 'Stick to one platform'

(Shane O'Neill) — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 23:32:00 GMT

Shall it be iOS, Android or Windows 8? It's a tough choice these days for developers. Here are some words of advice from two in-demand developers. Key tip: Don't be a platform jumper.

AT&T to offer Asus Windows RT tablet with LTE for $499

(Agam Shah) — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 03:19:00 GMT

AT&T will start offering the first Windows RT tablet with LTE capabilities on Friday with prices beginning at US$499, the U.S. wireless carrier said on Tuesday.

HP urges consumer customers not to downgrade new PCs to Windows 7

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 17:21:00 GMT

Hewlett-Packard (HP) has advised consumer customers not to downgrade new PCs equipped with Windows 8 to the earlier Windows 7.

Windows 8 presses developers to update skills

(Joab Jackson) — Sat, 03 Nov 2012 00:35:00 GMT

Microsoft likes to talk about Windows 8 as being Windows 'reimagined,' and in many ways it is quite a departure from its predecessors. To allow the operating system's use across a range of touchscreen devices, Microsoft radically redesigned the look and feel of the OS.

Microsoft Build: Wooing Windows 8 developers

(Jonathan Hassell) — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 14:51:00 GMT

At its conference this week, Microsoft pulled out all the stops to convince developers why they should build Windows 8 apps.

What's the price of a new Windows 8 zero-day vulnerability?

(Jeremy Kirk) — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 04:31:00 GMT

It's not exactly the type of advertisement most people would understand.

ARM, Microsoft collaborating on 64-bit Windows version

(Agam Shah) — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 21:05:00 GMT

ARM is working with Microsoft to tune the Windows OS to work on processors based on ARM's 64-bit architecture, an ARM official said this week.

Windows 8 uptake remains listless after public launch

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 15:45:00 GMT

Driven by millions of upgrades, Windows 8's global usage share climbed by a third last month, but the new OS's adoption pace remained lethargic compared to that of its predecessor three years ago.

Microsoft to team with NTT DoCoMo, pitch Windows 8 tablets for business

(Jay Alabaster) — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 10:22:00 GMT

Microsoft said it will team up with Japan's largest mobile operator, NTT DoCoMo, to push Windows 8 on tablets to corporate customers.