October, 2012

Some fun from the Windows folks in Norway

thank to Magnus for the tip

Rob

Check out the new and improved Windows Compatibility Center covering over 115K (at time of writing) in 17  markets Worldwide:

You should see improvements in many areas including:

· Improved overall navigation and user experience

· Consolidated experience for data covering Windows 8, Windows RT and Windows 7

· Improved catalogue for search accuracy and relevance

· Enabled search suggestions to help you easily find your products

· Dynamic filters powered by the service - helps narrow down your results set when browsing or searching

· You can view compatibility discussions relevant to the product - enabling help and support from community members

Learn more about Windows 8 and Windows RT

Thanks to Merzin for the tip

Rob

Then download this very cool 1 page poster that “Provides an overview of Windows Azure features, services, and common uses.”

“Windows Azure is an open and flexible cloud platform that enables you to quickly build, deploy and manage applications across a global networks of Microsoft managed datacenters”

Download the Windows Azure Poster

Very handy guide around online fruad : Online Fraud: A Consumer’s Guide to Prevention, Detection, and Recovery

“A 2,000 to 2,500 word educational booklet for consumers on protection from online fraud, including background on the global cybercrime economy; advice for consumers on prevention, detection, and recovery from online fraud; and Microsoft’s efforts to combat online fraud”

Learn more about security and Windows

Rob

Handy table of Windows 8 Upgrade Paths on Technet.com below, but also you should check out the Windows Upgrade Advisor  before you start that we recommend you run:

“Before upgrading to Windows 8, we recommend that you run the Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant. It scans your current PC to see if it is ready for Windows 8 and then provides a compatibility report and optional steps for you to buy, download, and install Windows 8.”

The following table shows the settings, personal files, and applications that you can keep during an upgrade to Windows 8…

Get the full details on Windows 8 Upgrade Paths - Technet

Rob

Way back with the Consumer Preview launch of Windows 8 we also released a new Panoramic theme that works across dual monitors* in Windows 8 and also Windows RT (Nightfall and Starlight panoramic theme for Windows 8)

and now with the release of Windows 8 we have another 6 of these super cool panoramic themes for you to download and enjoy: (I have picked out some of my favourite pictures from these themes to show you a quick taste of what you will get, but you really have to see them across a dual monitor to get the full experience…)

Bridges Panoramic – “Iconic bridges stretched across the skylines of some of the world’s most beautiful and picturesque cities—including Tokyo, Paris, and San Francisco—will expand the view on your desktop with this free panoramic theme for Windows 8 and Windows RT designed to span dual monitors”

Pont Neuf at dusk, Paris, France

Download Bridges Panoramic for Windows 8 and Windows RT

Cityscapes Panoramic – “Bring stunning imagery of some of the most fantastic skylines in the world to your desktop. Hong Kong, London, Vancouver, and Kuala Lumpur will span your screen in full panoramic splendor in this free theme for Windows 8 and Windows RT designed to stretch across dual monitors. “

Panoramic view from Victoria Tower on Houses of Parliament and  London skyline at night, London, U.K.

Download Cityscapes Panoramic theme for Windows 8 and Windows RT

Forests Panoramic – “Experience the solitude and serenity of the forest with this free panoramic theme for Windows 8 and Windows RT designed to span dual monitors. Ancient beech trees in the autumn glow, redwoods wreathed in flowering rhododendron, a babbling woodland brook, all in full panoramic splendour”

Lady Bird Johnson Grove of old growth redwoods surrounded by rhododendrons and trillium, Humboldt County Redwood National Park, California, U.S.

Download Forests Panoramic theme for Windows 8 and Windows RT

Horizons Panoramic – “From Pacific beaches, to mountains, to a wondrous sunrise over the Grand Canyon—the panoramic images in this free theme for Windows 8 and Windows RT were designed to stretch across dual monitors. Put a little vacation on your desktop”

Yosemite Valley winter scene, California, U.S.

Download Horizons Panoramic theme for Windows 8 and Windows RT

Majestic Mountains Panoramic – “Bring spectacular shots of the world’s most magnificent mountain ranges to your Windows 8 or Windows RT desktop with this free panoramic theme designed to span dual monitors. All that majesty and you don’t have to climb a step”

Panorama of Himalayas, including Ama Dablam and Makalu

Download Majestic Mountains Panoramic theme for Windows 8 and Windows RT

Waves Panoramic – “Ride the rolling waves in this free theme for Windows 8 and Windows RT, in which stunning seascapes span your dual monitors for a truly panoramic effect. Features seaside sounds such as the cries of seagulls and pounding surf … even a distant foghorn. The only things missing are sand between your toes and a salty breeze. “

Waves breaking on the coast, Tahiti, French Polynesia

Download Waves Panoramic theme for Windows 8 and Windows RT

Rob

*Panoramic images will automatically extend across both displays of a dual-monitor setup if both monitors have the same resolution settings. If the displays are different sizes or have different resolution settings, a different image will appear in each monitor. Panoramic themes can be used on single monitor setups, but only the center part of the image will be visible.

Download the Windows 8 and Windows RT Product Guide

“The Windows 8 and Windows RT Product Guide describes the many new and improved features in Windows 8 and Windows RT. Whether you’re working or playing, at home, in the office, or on the go, Windows is designed for you. The reimagined Start screen brings together your sites, people, and apps that you care about. You can get all kinds of different apps for free or to buy in the Store. With Windows 8 and Windows RT, you can get the protection, speed, and reliability you’re used to from Windows and then some”

Download the Windows 8 and Windows RT Product Guide

Learn more about Windows 8 and Windows RT

Rob

Available from Dell is this really handy (and free) e-book Windows 8 for Dummies, Dell Pocket Edition, all you have to do is register on the site and it is yours for free…

It has 7 Chapters that cover:

1. The New Start Screen

2. The Traditional Desktop

3. Storage: Internal, External and in the Sky

4. Working with Apps

5. Engaging the Social Apps

6. Getting Connected and Having Fun through the Start Screen

7. Ten things You’ll Hate about Windows 8 (And How to Fix Them)

Download the Windows 8 for Dummies, Dell Pocket Edition

Learn more about Windows 8

Rob

“Windows Help (WinHlp32.exe) is a Help program that has been included with Microsoft Windows versions starting with the Microsoft Windows 3.1 operating system. However, the Windows Help program has not had a major update for many releases and no longer meets Microsoft's standards. Therefore, starting with the release of Windows Vista and continuing in Windows 8, the Windows Help program will not ship as a feature of Windows. If you want to view 32-bit .hlp files, you must download and install the program (WinHlp32.exe) from the Microsoft Download Center”

Download the Windows Help program (WinHlp32.exe) for Windows 8

For additional information about this download, including known issues and development recommendations, please refer to the Knowledge Base article, "Windows Help program (WinHlp32.exe) is no longer included with Windows".

Of course don’t forget that you can also hit the Windows Key and F1 to launch the Windows Help and Support directly from within Windows 8, and also checkout the Support section of our website

Rob

Check out these great limited edition versions of the Windows 8 Pro pack that come with a Wedge touch mouse and in 3  characters themes

thanks to Yuki for the tip

learn more about the Windows 8 Pro Pack

Update:more info on the characters at http://www.animenewsnetwork.co.uk/interest/2012-10-11/microsoft-windows-8-2-new-japanese-moe-mascots-revealed (thanks to Alex for the tip)