Windows 8 Beta due soon

[RabbieBurns]

With the windows 8 beta due soon, could anyone point me in the direction of a file name I might search for for a recent interim build to test with some tablets.

The developer preview from september is obviously a bit old now, and im impatient for the real beta ;p

[Arthur]

Not long to go until the official beta is released. The build number will be 8200.winmain_win8b1 apparently.

[DrCheese]

Nothing has leaked post developer preview, which is unusual. I'm afraid that's all you've got access to for now :P

[burgemaster]

8222.0.winmain_win8beta.120131-1912 is apparently the final first beta that should be out as an ISO this week... as you can see it was compiled on Monday

[Michael]

I thought the end of February was the official beta? And the latest news is Microsoft have removed the Start Menu Orb. It re-appears when you move your cursor over to the bottom left.

Tagging applications at the bottom of the screen is the way forward, but it just makes me think Microsoft are moving more and more towards the 'Apple' look. What's wrong with shortcuts on the ol' desktop?

[Arthur]

I thought the end of February was the official beta?

Correct...

Windows 8 Consumer Preview due February 29

[AngryTechnician]

What's wrong with shortcuts on the ol' desktop?

EVVERRYYTHIINNGGG!

(I despise shortcuts on the desktop.)

[Blue_Cookeh]

I'm not impressed with the whole "shoehorning" of the tablet UI to work with Desktop systems, I'm looking forward to seeing what changes they make between now and RTM to the UI to be honest.

EVVERRYYTHIINNGGG!

(I despise shortcuts on the desktop.)

Good thing I haven't posted a screenshot of my school desktop anywhere... I only have about 4 spaces left for shortcuts!

[edutech4schools]

EVVERRYYTHIINNGGG!

(I despise shortcuts on the desktop.)

Surely the tiles are just great big icons.

[AngryTechnician]

I'm still torn on the whole tile system myself, but the big difference is that you won't have to minimise/close every program currently open in order to get to a tile.

[X-13]

I'm still torn on the whole tile system myself, but the big difference is that you won't have to minimise/close every program currently open in order to get to a tile.

Winkey + M for desktop

Winkey + Tab for what I'm doing [alt + tab if it only one thing]

[AngryTechnician]

Winkey + M for desktop

Winkey + Tab for what I'm doing [alt + tab if it only one thing]

Without a magic key to get everything restored exactly as it was before, this doesn't really solve the problem, it just makes the problem faster to accomplish.

[X-13]

Without a magic key to get everything restored exactly as it was before, this doesn't really solve the problem, it just makes the problem faster to accomplish.

Winkey + D show desktop

Winkey + D [again] restore hidden programs.

[AngryTechnician]

Winkey + D show desktop

Winkey + D [again] restore hidden programs.

Only if you don't open anything in between! If you Win+D, then double-click an icon on the desktop and open a program, the next Win+D will just minimise that program and give you the desktop again.

My basic point is that if you want to open a program and maintain all your other programs, the best way to do that is the Start Menu. Relying on desktop icons forces you to disrupt your workspace.