Microsoft blocks Windows 8 Start button, boot-to-desktop hacks

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bekdik

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http://www.computerworld.com/s/arti...op_hacks?source=CTWNLE_nlt_dailyam_2012-08-07

Computerworld - Microsoft has blocked a popular work-around that let users boot directly to the Windows 8 desktop, a co-author of an upcoming book on the operating system confirmed today.

"Microsoft made some changes to Windows that prevent the .scf hack from working correctly," said Rafael Rivera in an email reply to questions. Rivera blogs at WithinWindows.com and along with Paul Thurrott, is the co-author of Windows 8 Secrets, a book slated for release next month.

The ".scf hack" Rivera referred to was first disclosed in April, and allowed users of Windows 8 Consumer Preview to circumvent the tile-based Start screen and automatically shift to the familiar desktop after logging on.
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Microsoft REALLY don't want menus!!!
 
Going to backfire on them big time.

Windows 8 (metro) will work just peachy with touch-screen devices, but NOT with oldstyle (mouse/touchpad) devices.

Expect hacks and "unofficial fixes" to become the norm once it goes RTM.
 
Well that's the dumbest move they've made since trying to change the UI so drastically. People who didn't really have an issue with it will no doubtedly revolt against the man and install these hacks they are trying to avoid.
 
Windows 8 is going to cause a stir, the OS interface is completely different. Sure you can get around it if you have a clue but the majority of 'my internet button is always here' users are going to get a shock.
 
The_Librarian said:
Going to backfire on them big time.

Windows 8 (metro) will work just peachy with touch-screen devices, but NOT with oldstyle (mouse/touchpad) devices.

Expect hacks and "unofficial fixes" to become the norm once it goes RTM.
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I can't disagree with that!

I just don't understand it when a company refuses to let its customers use their products in accordance with the customer's preferences; especially when it doesn't affect the company!!! kinda of like 'You can have any colour you like and we'll stop you from spraying it differently!"
 
bekdik said:
I just don't understand it when a company refuses to let its customers use their products in accordance with the customer's preferences; especially when it doesn't affect the company!!! kinda of like 'You can have any colour you like and we'll stop you from spraying it differently!"
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Talking about Apple?
 
The_Librarian said:
Windows 8 (metro) will work just peachy with touch-screen devices, but NOT with oldstyle (mouse/touchpad) devices.
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Win8 is RTM.

I don't care much for Metro since I live in a very large Desktop all day. And Win8 is great on a multi-monitor power-desktop, with mouse and keyboard. Occasionally I have to drop back to Win7 on other systems, and, compared to Win8, Win7 feels clunky, cluttered, and a little dated and even awkward. I don't run any Metro apps, but can't wait for Win8. Should be here any day now, for MSDN/TechNet/MAP subscribers.
 
Arthur said:
Talking about Apple?
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No, Apple haven't deviated from their policies, Microsoft have - In a really stupid way, the issue just isn't important enough to annoy the paying public over.

MS are making this into a major issue and their opponents will take advantage over time. A bit like walking up to someone, sticking your chin out and saying "Hit me. Go on, hit me." and then they do.
 
I don't see any point in upgrading to Win8. ( I develope in win 8 ATM)

There isn't anything you'd want anyway and no improvement AFAIK.
 
I'll believe Windows 8 when I see it, but from what I saw in the Consumer Preview, it wasnt good. I dont know why MS is so hellbent on railroading a tablet interface onto desktop consumers.
 
Ow damn, I guess windows 7 is the last OS to use the Start button.

I am going to install Windows 8 Release Preview 64 Bit today. I just hope it wont be slow as I will be choosing the upgrade option where it keeps your programs, settings and docs.

Time Remaining: 5 Hours, 30 Minutes @ 46Kb/s on 384kbps.
 
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bekdik said:
No, Apple haven't deviated from their policies, Microsoft have - In a really stupid way, the issue just isn't important enough to annoy the paying public over.

MS are making this into a major issue and their opponents will take advantage over time. A bit like walking up to someone, sticking your chin out and saying "Hit me. Go on, hit me." and then they do.
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Wow.

You might not agree with the reasoning, but MS is doing this for business reasons. It has realised for many years that it can't go on just doing more of the same thing, with evolutionary tweaks every few years. By 2020, things will be very different from now, and doing the same means signing your own death warrant.

What we are seeing is the start of a radical transition. It's very risky indeed, and MS knows very well that its entire future is at stake.

Besides--

* Most corporates have just moved to Win7, and will skip Win8 anyway, even if Win8 was a super-Win7. Those that don't will use the Win8 downgrade licence to install Win7.
* Win8 is primarily about the Consumer space - people who barely understand the issues we talk about every day.
* Outside of corporates, 98% of Win licences are on new PCs, and they will be Win8. Of course they know some retro geeks will downgrade to Win7, but not nearly on the scale of Vista-to-XP.
* MS must address the devices market (tablets, smartphones, etc) space before it's shut out permanently by Apple (Android just isn't cutting it in tablets; Nexus 7 is mainly to stab at Kindle Fire). The opportunity in the devices space is considerably larger than the desktop space. The next two years will be decisive. iPad-style users will like WinRT devices (ARM), and businesses will go for Intel version.

MS is going through a profound, radical change.
* The Office licensing model is transitioning from licensing a device to licensing a person. With the next Office consumers get 5 licences, and you decide where you want to install - and that will include IOS and Android versions. With WinRT and OfficeRT, version numbers and year models disappear ... you always get the latest version with your subscription. You also get 365 minutes of Skype credit (ie calling paid phones; normal free Skype continues).
* Servers, Exchange, SQL and other key platforms are changing deeply.
* Online/Cloud integration with local/device systems is coming together in a way that radically changes the whole game.

R0.02.
 
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Nether said:
I don't see any point in upgrading to Win8. ( I develope in win 8 ATM)

There isn't anything you'd want anyway and no improvement AFAIK.
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Apart from faster boot times and lower resource consumption. No reason to upgrade whatsoever.
 
Arthur said:
Wow.

You might not agree with the reasoning, but MS is doing this for business reasons. It has realised for many years that it can't go on just doing more of the same thing, with evolutionary tweaks every few years. By 2020, things will be very different from now, and doing the same means signing your own death warrant.

What we are seeing is the start of a radical transition. It's very risky indeed, and MS knows very well that its entire future is at stake.
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I am not at all against the intention, just the implementation. Maybe you can give a good reason to block people from using the OS the way in which they prefer to? If the business reasons are good enough, they will stand up on their own recognisances and there is no reason to be stupid about it. OTOH, if you don't have the courage of your convictions then you need to bring out the big guns.

R0.02.
 
@Arthur

I see what you are saying, and you have some good points.

I suppose what feels odd to me is that Win8 feels like the first time MS has released a major operating system that specifically caters to casual users/consumers at the expense of power users. I know some power users enjoy it, but myself, I felt like my work would be hampered in Win8 compared to Win7. The requirement that my computer must transition between two completely different GUI states for a lot of the time just seems so odd that I cant imagine how it could help productivity.

So... in a way it makes sense for the future of MS and for the consumer/tablet/device market, but then I feel that MS should perhaps have been a little more... direct in their marketing, to let developers like me know that we arent out in the cold. Or power users at least. I know Win8 has a huge amount of API changes that will make our lives easier, but I'm not sold on its GUI changes at all. And I'd feel happier if MS was honest and said "we know power users wont be happy, but dont worry, this release is not targeted at you anyway."

Or Win8 enterprise should be a different beast entirely to Win8 Home/RT.
 
Ancalagon said:
...at the expense of power users. I know some power users enjoy it, but myself, I felt like my work would be hampered in Win8 compared to Win7. The requirement that my computer must transition between two completely different GUI states for a lot of the time just seems so odd that I cant imagine how it could help productivity.
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Don't transition between the two. As a power user, I never see Metro. My systems are on 24/7. My Metro is customised to have exactly what I want, nothing more. It's even easier than Start > App. And the Win8 Desktop is neater, faster, cleaner, better multi-mon support. It took about two weeks to get round to tailoring Metro, and since then it's actually easier and faster than Start orb.

Ancalagon said:
So... in a way it makes sense for the future of MS and for the consumer/tablet/device market, but then I feel that MS should perhaps have been a little more... direct in their marketing, to let developers like me know that we arent out in the cold. Or power users at least. I know Win8 has a huge amount of API changes that will make our lives easier, but I'm not sold on its GUI changes at all. And I'd feel happier if MS was honest and said "we know power users wont be happy, but dont worry, this release is not targeted at you anyway."

Or Win8 enterprise should be a different beast entirely to Win8 Home/RT.
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Yeah. Microsoft has always sucked at communicating. It's main dev teams actually make about 150 major blog posts A DAY, detailing all the stuff ... but who has the time to go through it all and pull it together? They owe the world a fuller explanation, I agree. And the story is a helluvu lot more exciting than most people are guessing.

For high-level overview, I find various people like Paul Thurrott (winsupersite), Rafeal Rivera (withinwindows) and Mary-Jo Foley (allaboutmicrosoft) very useful. I listen to/watch several hours of podcasts a week, like What the Tech, and Windows Weekly with Leo Laporte. Now's a bad time because people are on holiday in the northern summer.
 
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