So I Have Windows 8, Now What?

While everyone has been focusing their attention on smart phones and tablets, there are people still buying new computers and in the process getting Windows 8.  I have received many questions asking what makes Windows 8 better and some wanting to know if they can go back to Windows 7.
Update: Microsoft says they’ve sold 100 million copies of Windows 8.

Let’s first address the question about installing Windows 7. 
Unless the agreement included in your purchase specifically provided the ability to install Windows 7 you’ll need to purchase a new Windows license. That means you can’t get an upgrade version, you’ll need a complete version of Windows 7. Since you’re doing a full install it’s also reasonable to obtain a less expensive “OEM” or “System Builder” version of Windows 7. Unfortunately as noted by award-winning author Ed Bott, there is some debate if this version provides a valid license for an individual.

 
You’ll want to check with your computer maker before downgrading to make sure a traditional BIOS is supported. If your new computer is Windows 8 Logo approved hardware it won’t have the familiar BIOS that is accessible before you boot into Windows.  New Windows 8 hardware has something called “Unified  Extensible Firmware Interface”. UEFI provides enhanced security called “Early Launch Anti-Malware” preventing malware from taking over your computer immediately as it boots. If you visit some Linux forums you’ll hear many complaints about these changes that prevent the installation of Linux. UEFI has many advantages including fast boot times and remote repairs but since it replaces your BIOS it will need to be disabled.

My recommendation is Don’t Panic. The new “modern” tile interface in Windows 8 isn’t something to fear. While it may not be intuitive and lacks documentation just knowing some basic tricks can help you work around it. If you do downgrade make sure you keep everything you may need to restore Windows 8 including your Microsoft Windows product key.

Windows 8 Basic Tricks You Need to Know
The Windows 8 Modern interface was optimized for touch devices.  If you have a tablet or touch monitor you’ll really like the new interface. If you don’t, you may be ready to throw your new computer out the door. Hopefully I can help.

Windows 8 uses “hot corners” for your mouse which emulate the options available when you swipe the touch interface. I’m not a fan of hot corners and found using  shortcut keys much more consistent. There are plenty of shortcut keys but I’m going to cover the ones that will immediately help if you don’t have a touch device.

Some good news may come soon from Microsoft with an update that will allow you to start your computer in the familiar desktop mode. Until then you can use WinPatrol with it’s trick to start you on the desktop. Even easier, just press the Windows logo key + D and voilà you’re on the desktop.

Windows Key + C  
Opens the “Charms Bar” on the right side. This bar is required to access some settings and especially if you want to shut down your computer. Accessing this touch screen friend swipe can be frustrating with a mouse.  The Charms Bar is application specific so many of the choices, especially Settings, will change depending on what application you’re running. It’s available in both the Modern tile mode and Desktop mode.


Windows Key + X  
Brings up a handy menu that provides easy access to many popular tools. Some applets will be familiar but you’ll notice Explorer is now appropriately named “File Explorer” and is still available with Windows Key + E. This will help its confusion with Internet Explorer.

Task Manager doesn’t look the same and the updated includes much more functionality. Every choice runs in Desktop mode except the new “Search” applet which switches you to the Modern interface. It’s worth learning more about Search.

 

One of the features many miss is being able to find a program or documents by just typing in the part of its name into the Windows 7 Start button menu.
On the left is an example using the Window 7 Start button searching for my WinPatrol program and/or any related documents

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Using Windows 8 you don’t need the Start button. Just press the Windows key, Release and begin typing. The Windows 8 Search will provide similar automatic results that change to narrow down your choices as you type.

The tiles you see on the Start screen are considered “Pinned”. To see all the available applications you can use Windows key + Z and click on “All Apps”. Since this takes two steps it’s quicker to just use the Search shortcut Windows key + Q which provides the same access

Windows 8 Modern Interface Mode
If you’re looking to move tiles around, the mouse interface is actually easier than touching them. Using a mouse you can right-click on a tile and see what options are available.  It’s also easier to slide the tiles around to change their grouping. 

One advantage of this mode is the Microsoft Store. You should certainly browse around for free applications available in the store.  In theory, these applications have been tested to be virus free and won’t sneak a toolbar on your system. Every app must conform to Windows 8 standards including the ability to be removed.  There is some crap but I’ve found some very useful apps like Netflix, IHeartRadio, Kindle, a variety of games along with other typical ways to waste your time.

The most confusing feature of the Windows 8 Modern UI that developers are encouraged to leave out a standard way to Exit or Close a program. Instead apps are expected to always be running but must support a fully suspended mode. When you switch to a new application, the original  app receives a message to save its current status, all its data and be prepared to go to sleep. There are some exceptions but this is how Windows 8 handles having many programs quickly available without using a lot of memory or power. You can still use Windows Key + Tab or Alt-Tab to cycle through open apps. If like me you want to keep your environment tidy you can still used Alt+F4 to exit a program.

Windows 8 Desktop Interface Mode
This is your same old Windows with a few changes.  There’s no Start button although you can find any number of utilities online that provide the same function. Most of the programs you currently use will run in the Windows 8 Desktop mode and work like they always have.

The most annoying thing about this mode is occasionally you’ll chose a feature that will switch you back to the Modern Interface taking up the entire screen. There are duplicate applets for many system settings like power management, network settings and other control panel applets so you can remain in Desktop mode for most operations.

Alt + F4 is also your friend if you want to shut down or re-boot but only in Desktop mode.

Conclusion:   Two for the price of one
The Desktop mode is just like using Windows 7 with a few tweaks. What was added for your protection makes up for what you’ll miss. Think of the Modern interface as a bonus. You can learn about the new Windows at your own pace. When the time comes that you’ll need to use a Windows tablet you’ll already know how to use it.

There is plenty of useful information online.  If you have any questions just search Bing or look on Amazon for books by your favorite authors.

Windows 8: Out of the Box by Mike Halsey

Windows 8 Secrets by Paul Thurrott & Rafael Rivera

Windows 8 Hacks by Preston Gralla

Windows 8 Essentials by Ed Bott

Windows® 8 Step by Step by Ciprian Adrian Rusen & Joli Ballew

Online Help: Beyond the Basics

WinPatrol 28 Responds to User Feedback

For over 15 years WinPatrol has provided a tool that fills a need not available directly in Windows. WinPatrol has evolved from removing simple adware to complex malware infiltrations. By maintaining control over what changes are allowed on a Windows computer this small, non-obstructive application lives on attracting new fans thanks to social networking.

* WinPatrol Maintenance and Reset Tool


Under the PLUS tab, you'll find About/Version information along with your way to activate WinPatrol PLUS once you purchase a lifetime Name and PLUS code. You'll also find a search box so you can look up PLUS Information on files even if they aren't found in any of your lists. This can be used when you want to help a friend find out more about a mystery file on their computer.

There's also a "Reset" link previously used to initialize the PLUS name and code. The clickable Reset link has been expanded to provide useful tools created based on email questions from WinPatrol users.For details on each tool the help button will open the following information...
http://www.winpatrol.com/support/reset.html

* Windows Services -  Automatic (Delayed Start)
One of the possible startup values for Windows Services is Automatic but with Delayed Start. WinPatrol now supports versions of Window and displays the Delayed Start option when available WinPatrol also allows Services to be managed so you can include this option when appropriate.

* User Interface Improvements
Alert screens have been updated to be less annoying and provide most effective information.  Readability has been improved with icons moved to the right side and some buttons have more descriptive text.  Nobody likes alert windows and under normal use you'll never see an Alert message. When you do, WinPatrol will help you decide if a change is required and do what it can to reduce repeating alerts. We've found that 8 out of 10 programs which fight efforts to be removed from the Startup list are legitimate programs, usually designed to provide dangerous automatic updates.

* Registration Improvements
When installing WinPatrol you'll be asked to supply your name, country and email. This information is used for statistical reasons to help BillP Studios understand the rate WinPatrol is installed, how installations react to promotions and especially how we can make WinPatrol PLUS the best possible value. Your name and email is used as a unique identifier and also helps to quickly find any requested PLUS codes that may be lost..
Anyone concerned about privacy didn't have to provide their truthful information but still had to fill in the form to continue.. Even though it's a standard practice to request registration for free software we don't want to alienate any fans of WinPatrol.
Version 28.0 found a new way to provide the same statistics without requiring a name or Email. All registration information is now optional.

* Improved Handling of Invalid Filenames
When programs are uninstalled poorly there can often be left over characters or spaces that frequently trigger WinPatrol alerts that contain no information. This version reduces the possibility of corrupted filenames.

Better Display when File Does Not Exist
Much of the information displayed by WinPatrol comes from registry and our goal is to let users see what's in the registry without having to know how to use regedit.exe. In some cases, programs have been registered but the file no longer exists. Often other security software removes the file but doesn't update registry pointers. This version make it more obvious when a file no longer exists and is no possible threat.

Click to Download WinPatrol 2013 version 28

Check Your Verizon or Other Wireless Bill NOW!

Many of my readers know I'm not a fan of software added to a downloads if you don't read one of the setup screens and uncheck the option. This behavior has been accepted as a legitimate business practice even when the parasitic program blocks attempts at removal.

Large, well known company's like Oracle and Adobe commonly add browsers, toolbars, download managers even to required security updates. They receive a royalty on every successful installation which depends completely on users not paying attention.

Unwanted downloads isn’t the only business with growth projections that  take advantage of consumer ignorance. A number of company’s have established their business on providing ringtone services that we never signed up for. The only way I found out we were unwilling subscribers was by taking the time to read our phone bill. Over $20 was added to our bill for a services I had never heard of.  It turned out to be a subscription so if I hadn’t found it we would have continued to have it on every monthly bill. Reviewing old Verizon Wireless bills I discovered that we had been charged every month since last year.

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The Verizon rep was willing to remove the charge and stop the subscription but hesitated when I said this charge as part of a scam.  During my first call the rep never bothered to review previous phone bills to remove charges while I could still reverse them. Apparently, by providing the billing of this service, Verizon receives sizable revenue.  So the phone company's don’t really care how these ring tone company’s obtain their customers as long as they receive payments for providing the billing. 

The Verizon rep did describe what happen. My wife received a text message welcoming her to a ringtone service and asked her if she wanted to cancel this service.  She never had any connection to this company yet, she had to select No on one of the screens or she was considered a new subscriber. The trouble is my wife doesn't have a smart phone and doesn't even know how to use text messages with her phone. She remembers getting some kind of unrequested message and that she routinely deletes text messages without reading them. Ignoring these messages apparently is the same as agreeing to their terms.

The service rep I spoke to today admitted that besides harvesting your cell phone number from services you give it to, they have software to generate random phone numbers and blast out text messages to millions of cell phones.  If they reach a valid phone and you don’t reply correctly you’re automatically a subscriber. We used to call these “War Games Dialers” after the movie with Matthew Broderick.

In the business world I grew up in this is considered deceptive, near criminal behavior. It doesn’t make me a Verizon fan no matter what other services I love that Verizon provides.

Apparently, Verizon isn’t the only wireless company allowing these scams.  The day I started to write this a friend alerted me to the same problem he experienced with Sprint. He didn’t have the same quick attention II had removing the charges and was fighting his $60 USD bill.

 

Doing just a little background I found my Jamster bill came from a company, Jesta Digital, LLC which used to be the Fox Mobile Group owned by News Corp. They have multiple services that go by the names Jamba, Jamster, Mobizzo, iLove and BitBop.  Apparently, I’m not the first one to experience a problem since someone has created an entire website called Jamsterscam.com. The consumer site contains many similar stories and information on a class action law suit.

Researching other ring tone services wasn’t as easy but eventually led me to similar websites full of complaints, class action lawsuits, patent trolls and behavior so obviously deceptive that many investors hid behind generic limited liability corporations. 

Ultimately, the responsibility falls with wireless companies like AT&T, Sprint, Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile, Virgin Mobile, Cellular One, AWCC, U.S. Cellular and  for some reason Cincinnati Bell kept showing up. Sadly, these companies have not received enough complaints to stop their participation.  All we can do it let our family, friends and neighbors know to check their bills and tell their family, friends and anyone who will listen.

MVP’s Helping MVP’s

I’ve had the honor for 6 years of being a member of a worldwide group sharing an award from Microsoft called “Most Valuable Professional”. MVP’s are described as “exceptional, independent community leaders who share their passion, technical expertise, and real-world knowledge of Microsoft products with others”. This sharing is typically done with other Microsoft customers but recently I needed expertise with a popular Microsoft product. I had the pleasure of experiencing an MVP at their best providing critical assistance for one of my community roles.

This is also my 6th year on the board of a local non-profit called the “Scotia-Glenville Children’s Museum”. We’re also known as the Traveling Museum since, instead of visitors coming to us, our teachers travel to schools and other events in the region providing hands-on programs that are fun and educational. 
This year the museum celebrates its 25th anniversary. I discovered our computer system worked like it was the same one they started with 25 years ago.

The organization recently invested in new computers and now runs quickly and securely on Windows 8. Unfortunately, problems were exposed in class scheduling which depended on an older version of a fantastic program called CRM.  We had just completed an exhausting search for an Executive Director and a broken computer system wasn't the best way to welcome her. Even though our two full-time staff members were ready to work hard manually emailing individual schedules to dozens of teachers every day wasn't an option.

I confess, I didn’t have a clue how CRM worked and only recently learned the amazing potential. While many in my small community think of me as a local computer wiz, my focus these days has been on security solutions. If you wanted help programming Windows or needed to reverse engineer a virus, I'm the guy.  In this case, we desperately needed someone with Server and CRM experience.

Just before traveling to this years annual MVP Summit I posted a call for help on a private forum shared by other MVP’s.  I suspect when other MVP’s heard we were still using CRM 3.0 they figured it was hopeless.  Not so with MVP Donna Edwards. 

Donna specializes in Dynamics CRM but her expertise includes Office365, SharePoint Server and SQL Server. She was the lead author on The CRM Field Guide. She had all the knowledge I lacked to assist the museum staff move ahead. There are kids in upstate NY getting a better education now thanks to a Microsoft MVP in North Carolina.

Donna went out of her way to advise the museum so we could find the least painful upgrade path. She connected to our system and fixed configuration errors created by previous computer firms. Like many non-profits, the Scotia-Glenville Children’s Museum could face extinction without volunteers and the support from folks like Donna. The new software licenses alone were not in this years budget so bringing in a local computer firm was risky and an expense we couldn’t have afforded. Donna even helped us find a required channel distributor willing to work with such a small organization.

Ironically, I never had an opportunity to meet Donna while we were both in Redmond, WA.  Microsoft kept us pretty busy so I’ll have to wait until next year to thank Donna in person. Until then I’m happy to let Microsoft and everyone associated with the MVP program know that it works, it really works!

* CRM stands for Customer Relationship Management.
You’ll now hear it referred to as Microsoft Dynamics CRM.