Microsoft Offering ISO For Windows 8.1 Preview Too
There may be an USO for dual-boot Preview testing.
A forum post on MyDigitalLife reveals that not only will Microsoft provide Windows 8.1 Preview as a direct update in Windows Store, but will also provide a downloadable ISO so that customers can burn the update on a bootable DVD or Blu-ray disc. This will allow users to install the preview on a separate partition so that they can choose to load Windows 8 or 8.1 Preview separately.
"Installing from the Store will upgrade the existing Windows 8 OS on that partition to Windows 8.1 Preview," reads Microsoft's Q&A. "You will not be given the opportunity to select another partition, so you would need to already have a dual boot system installed in order to install Windows 8.1 Preview as a dual boot through Windows Store."
Microsoft warns that the Preview build should work with the same devices and programs that work with Windows 8 and Windows RT. However in some cases, the device or program might not work or may require an update. Users may even need to uninstall some programs and then reinstall them after installing the Preview build.
The company also warns that Windows 8 Pro users with Media Center installed can keep Windows Media Center without reinstalling it once users download the Preview through Windows Store. However by using the ISO, Media Center will be removed and must be reinstalled using the original Windows 8 Pro pack or Windows 8 Media Center Pack product key.
"Drivers for basic functionality are available 'in-box'", the company states. "This includes drivers for storage, networking, input and display. These drivers allow you to complete the Windows installation and connect to the Internet. You can get more drivers from Windows Update or from the device manufacturer once you're online."
Should customers simply wait for Windows 8.1 to roll out later this year, or take the Preview plunge on Wednesday? Sorry Microsoft, but it sounds like the latter option will be a real pain for most, especially with all the app install and reinstall going on.
Does it not lie about, for instance, a 1TB drive being 931GB when it really means 931GiB? Get your units straight Microsoft
How can you compare speed and accuracy by accessing only one version at a time? For somebody who wants lab rats, MS seems hellbent on providing a closed maze.
I really hope this ISO will permit a true side-by-side 2-machine different account setup. Unless of course, MS doesn't really want our help.
Give it a shot, its free, and pretty awesome.
http://tools.atechmate.com/2000/how-windows-8-can-be-improved.html
The 32bit with 1GB RAM on a Gateway kept giving me an error; numbers referring to a corrupted registry. But the drive was first wiped clean!? I suspect the download was bad. Will get a fresh copy and retry.
The 64bit with 2GB RAM on a Dell installed without any problems.
I wonder if I can use the same product key on both systems when I get the two running.
P.S. First note - "Start button" is a scam. It's just the Metro Tile button anchored to the toolbar and a Shutdown feature added. No menu available yet. I still needed to add a Programs toolbar to get a Program menu.
At this rate, Julie Larson-Green will have no problem taking over Steve Ballmer's job by the fall. Ballmer needs to step down due to chronic hearing loss.