Windows Developer Preview downloads

[Nightwalker83]

Hi,

I don't know if this has been posted before but here are the download links for Windows Developer Preview downloads.

Enjoy,


Nightwalker

[pukisoft]

So, I can't use the preview of VS 2011 with a 32 bits processor?
I don't see it listed to 32 bits downloads.

[techgnome]

Huh? are you sure? I see "Windows Developer Preview English, 32-bit (x86)" ... third option down....

there's a 64-bit with dev tools.... a 64-bit plain vanilla.... a 32-bit plain vanilla... if you have VS2011 32-bit, that's the one you would need... just need to install VS yourself...

-tg

[pukisoft]

No, I mean, I see that. It's just that in the 64bits download it lists VS 2k11 specifically, whereas in the 32 bits download it doesn't. I guess I'll have to find out and install vs myself if necessary as you said.

[techgnome]

so? there's also a 64-bit sans VS as well... it shouldn't be that big of a deal... maybe they just haven't put one together just yet...

-tg

[chint]

32-bit doesnt include VS 11.

[dilettante]

Or we might find that VS 11 will work in a 32-bit machine in theory but be impractical to use unless you have a newer machine with 4+ GB RAM and other upscale specs associated with x64.

On early beta and pre-beta versions VS often has worse performance than after it gets cleaned up for RTM though. So maybe while it needs a "big" machine at this stage it will still be usable on 32-bit machines when it goes gold.

[pukisoft]

I can't find a link to vs 2k11 express. I guess I'll have to update hardware soon. Can anyone provide a link Please?

[techgnome]

That's because there is no such thing as VS2011 Express... it's VB2011 Express, C#2011 Express, Web Dev 2011 Express.... the only way to get VS with everyting all-inclusive is to buy it or get an MSDN subscription....

But you should be a ble to find VB2011 Express no problem...

-tg

[dilettante]

Hoping to add clarity instead of confusion...

VS 11 will be VS 2012 from what I've read. There is no VS 2011, VB 2011, etc.

[RobDog888]

More clarity, the "11" in VS 11 is the version number as in 11.0 and not the year release.
VS 2010 just happened to be version 10.0 and VS 2008 was version 9.0

Look at the "Version History" section.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microso...ersion_history

[techgnome]

dilettante - thanks for that... yes, that clears up the confusion on my part... I saw VS11 and thought VS2010 .... *facepalm* At least that explains where there is no download link to be found for it any where.

-tg

[dilettante]

Well it could be worse, could be code names based on stuffed animals like over at Apple.

[RobDog888]

Well it could be worse, could be code names based on stuffed animals like over at Apple.

Windows Tigger?

[techgnome]

Windows Pooh.... :P

-tg

[RobDog888]

Looks like this is how to get the Windows 7 Start Menu - http://blogs.msdn.com/b/lgmorand/arc...windows-8.aspx

[pukisoft]

Hoping to add clarity instead of confusion...

VS 11 will be VS 2012 from what I've read. There is no VS 2011, VB 2011, etc.

And there lies the problem... And why I couldn't find it. Thanks.
It seems I'll have to use the 64bits iso if I want to preview it.

[Nightwalker83]

Wow! I only posted this thread yesterday and already there are 17 replies.

@ pukisoft

It said this under "System Requirements":

1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor

[dilettante]

Looks like this is how to get the Windows 7 Start Menu - http://blogs.msdn.com/b/lgmorand/arc...windows-8.aspx

Very helpful.

I got tired of looking for the switch in Local Group Policies.

[dilettante]

Another tidbit: Windows and Windows Server Developer Preview Compatibility Cookbook

[Nightwalker83]

Damn, I am trying to install the "Windows Developer Preview download" on a virtual Machine but I keep encountering an error:

Windows failed to start. A recent hardware or software change might be the cause. The fix the problem:

1. Insert the Windows installation disk and restart your computer.
2. Choose your language settings then click "Next".
3. Click "Repair your computer".

If you do not have the disk contact your system administrator or computer manufacturer for assistance.

File: msrpc.sys

status: 0xc0000017

Info: Windows failed load because a required file is missing, or corrupt.

[dilettante]

It can be a little touchy about the VM product and its VM settings. What are you using?

[Nightwalker83]

It can be a little touchy about the VM product and its VM settings. What are you using?

VMWare Work Station 7.1.4 build 385536

[dilettante]

You might look at some of the settings for the "motherboard" then. Chipset, PAE, etc.

[Nightwalker83]

I have finally managed to start installing the Windows 8 Beta on the Virtual Machine. Although, it took me a couple of attempts because I kept download the wrong files such as the 64bit version of the beta and the 64bit VM VMware-workstation-full-8.0.0-471780.exe or the Linux version of the setup when I needed the 32bit version.

After some research I found this page that said the older version of VMWare such as 7.1, etc would have issues with running the Windows 8 Beta and that I need to download version 8 of the workstation package as mentioned above. So, I did that and installed it only to find the Workstation would not let me run the virtual machine unless I entered a product key (if I didn't already have version 7.1 plus product key) I might have purchased the key for version 8 every though it cost $199 US.

So I tried running the virtual machine in VMWare Player which worked.

Edit:

I had to change the number of cores to 2 instead of 1, for some reason it had trouble loading when using a single core.

Windows 8 properly shouldn't be installed on my computers or Virtual Machines! It is running as slow as a wet wig.

[Nightwalker83]

Well that is stupid! Microsoft still haven't added an option for usb when using the reset password option. It still only lists the default disk drive which, is a pain if you don't have disk drive in your computer and have access to a usb slot or two.

[dilettante]

Well that is stupid! Microsoft still haven't added an option for usb when using the reset password option. It still only lists the default disk drive which, is a pain if you don't have disk drive in your computer and have access to a usb slot or two.

Hmm, both Vista and Windows 7 do that, but I don't know of anybody who has used this reset disk thing in years. Perhaps you don't have virtual USB ports working with your Win8 VM?

[Nightwalker83]

I'm attempting to install Windows 8 Beta on my flash drive since I stupidly deleted the 32bit I had downloaded and don't want to overwrite my Windows 7 install on my laptop. I just hope I can choose where I can install Windows 8 and not have it automatically overwrite the default operating system. Does anyone know anything about this?

[dilettante]

This is a Developer Preview, the product isn't a Beta version yet. More of a very late Alpha.

There are blog posts and such out there on dual-booting Windows 8 and another OS, you might want to search on that.

What I do know is that here are some sorry suckers out there who blindly installed the Win8 DP over the top of their existing OS and data. They've been posting all over the Web asking how to get their "stuff" back!

Don't even mess with this if you don't have a good reason. It isn't for the Average Joe even though they all seem to be downloading it for some reason. Wait for the Public Beta in a few months and until then watch the video demos and webcasts, and read the stuff on MSDN.

[Nightwalker83]

This is a Developer Preview, the product isn't a Beta version yet. More of a very late Alpha.

OOPS! Silly me.

What I do know is that here are some sorry suckers out there who blindly installed the Win8 DP over the top of their existing OS and data. They've been posting all over the Web asking how to get their "stuff" back!

Yeah, I tried installing it on my laptop (64bit) after deleting the 32bit Windows Developer Preview, I still have the 64 bit version on my usb. Luckily, for me it did not install and erase Windows 7.

[dilettante]

Luckily, for me it did not install and erase Windows 7.

Whew! That's good at least.

Those poor guys who trashed their whole hard drives.. I feel bad but what can you do? They probably didn't even try to keep most data on a second partition and had no significant backups at all.

Goodbye last photos of Grandma, goodbye to a lot of stuff.

[Nightwalker83]

Whew! That's good at least.

Yeah, I went through the step including installation then the laptop reboot but the installation did not continue afterwards but instead Windows 7 continued as normal.

Edit:

Hello from Windows 8 Alpha! Yes, I finally manage to install it on my pc after burning the 32bit iso of the Windows Developer Preview to dvd then booting from the dvd and installing. My pc is now tri-boot, Windows Vista\Windows 8\OSX Leopard.

Damn! I think I spoke too soon it looks like Windows 8 killed OSX.

[techgnome]

I'm sure this isn't going help... makes me a bit nervous about installing Win8...
http://www.computerworld.com/s/artic...t_loading_tech

-tg

[dilettante]

Yeah, we knew about this a couple of days back. Posted on it in the chitchat thread about booting.

As far as I can tell the "secure boot" option is entirely optional.

De-FUDdler posted yesterday: Protecting the pre-OS environment with UEFI

Who is in control?

At the end of the day, the customer is in control of their PC. Microsoft’s philosophy is to provide customers with the best experience first, and allow them to make decisions themselves. We work with our OEM ecosystem to provide customers with this flexibility. The security that UEFI has to offer with secure boot means that most customers will have their systems protected against boot loader attacks. For the enthusiast who wants to run older operating systems, the option is there to allow you to make that decision.

[Nightwalker83]

I'm sure this isn't going help... makes me a bit nervous about installing Win8...
-tg

I reckon that could be the case because before I installed Windows 8 I had Windows Vista dual Boot with OSX: Leopard. After, I found out that Windows 8 had take over my boot menu spot for Leopard so instead of:

Windows Vista
OSX Leopard

the boot menu read:

Windows Vista
Windows 8

[dilettante]

No, the item in question is talking about using secured boot in UEFI. Everything there happens before any bootloader code starts.

[Nightwalker83]

Well, I am trying to convince a guy trying to run GrandTheftAuto IV on the Alpha that it IS an Alpha NOT a Beta. Beside this guy already contacted Rockstar support and they said they would release support Windows 8 when it has finally been released. Some person ust don't want to believe what you tell them even if there is evidence from the authors of the product themselves.

[dilettante]

It really isn't for anyone but developers, but Microsoft made it widely available so people shouldn't whine too much. At least they can take a look at it.

A public beta should be out before too long though. I'm not sure they'll change a lot before then though either.

[Nightwalker83]

I really wish they would keep the stuff meant for developer separate from the general public. Meaning that you should only be able to download the developer stuff if you are a developer or IT Student and have joined one of the official Microsoft services such as MSDN, etc.

[Doogle]

Having read a few threads here, regarding Windows 8 have I got the 'basic' understanding correct? In particular (and in no particular order):

1. There are two 'styles' of Applications; Metro, which lend themselves towards touch screen applications, such as can be seen on Tablets and Mobile 'phones, and the 'traditional' .exe applications.

2. These Metro applications will be 'distributed and managed' via a Microsoft 'shop'.

3. In order to distribute a Metro Style application it is going to be necessary (required) to, at some point in time, pay someone (eg Microsoft) for them to 'test' it and 'allow' it to be distributed. Some sort of Licence (for each Application (or Installation?)) will be required. There are quite a few 'hoops' the Developer will have to jump through.

Does this mean that, if I want to deploy a Metro style application over my private IntrAnet I'm going to have to pay someone, or have I misunderstood?

4. By default, in the Developer Preview, the Start Menu is 'Metro' style (but can be changed to the 'old' style).

5. There is no intended 'restriction' regarding traditional .exe applications - we can continue to develop using Managed Code (or even, perhaps, VB6) and distribute in the way we've been used to in the past. From a 'business computing' point of view, eg. back office commercial systems, nothing much will change, unless someone comes up with a 'killer' Touchscreen Metro application.

6. (Now i'm getting into muddy waters) Windows 8 will 'run' on ARM processors and will have all the 'bells and whistles' required but, obviously, a compiled application for Intel cannot be loaded onto an ARM system (and vice versa). (begs the question; whatever happened to Windows on Mac?)

7. The Developer Preview has the VB6 Run-times included, implying perhaps, that although not supported, VB6 Applications will run as is. (Has anyone installed the VB6 IDE yet ?)

8. (Even muddier waters) Windows 8 requires a particular BIOS which 'restricts' the ability to have more than one Operating System loaded on a given PC, and once on, it can't be removed (short of re-formatting).

9. Loading Windows 8 onto a PC that already has an Operating System and user data will destroy both, so it's advisable (necessary) to back-up everything and have your recovery DVDs to hand.

Is that a reasonable summary ? (have I missed anything 'important'?)

I think I'm going to have to find a 'spare' PC and have a look myself.