Microsoft to Release Windows 8 Developer Preview Today

According to the official "Building Windows 8" blog, Microsoft will be releasing a developer preview of Windows 8 "later tonight". The OS preview will be available in both 32-bit (x86) and 64-bit (x64) builds, bundled with dev tools and a demo application suite. Upgrading from Windows 7 unfortunately isn't supported, so you'll have to do a clean install. The blog stresses that this is only a developer preview, rather than a beta release.

You probably want to try out the preview release—and you can. Starting later tonight you can download the Windows 8 Developer Preview. This includes a 64-bit (x64) build with development tools to build apps, and a 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) build without development tools. The releases also include a suite of sample applications (please note these are merely illustrations of potential apps, not apps that we intend to ship with Windows 8). The ISOs are linked to from http://dev.windows.com.

[Building Windows 8]

Windows 7 on iPad

Imagine you’ve traveled to another universe for a moment where Apple and Windows have switched roles entirely. The result? Windows 7 on the iPad. Using the same methods we showed you for running Mac OSx on the iPad, this user utilized a VNC desktop-sharing client which allows him to control a Windows 7 computer using the iPad. A neat trick for now, but perhaps we’ll see it for real when the iPad is hacked.

Disable Driver Signing in Windows 7

If you want to turn off device driver signing in Windows 7 completely, do the following.

Hit the Win+R keys together to open the run dialog. Type gpedit.msc to open the local groups policy editor.

Expand ‘Administrative Templates’ (it’s under ‘User Configuration’). Expand ‘System’. Click ‘Driver Installation’.

In the right panel, double click on ‘Code Signing for Device Drivers’.

Choose ‘Enabled’ in the window that appears. In the underlying options, choose ‘Ignore’. This disables drivers signing in Windows 7, and now you can install unsigned drivers in Windows 7.

Click Apply, OK. Restart your computer to install unsigned drivers.

Windows 7 Tip

Yesterday I was searching for the Run button on the start menu (I use Windows 7) but it wasn't there. Confused, I searched for it under the programs menu and I found it; but I still wondered if I could have it back on my Start menu.

I did some exploring on my start menu's properties and I found the option where you can put the Run button back on the start bar. I will show you how in the next few steps:

1- Right click the start button

2- Click "Properties"

3- On the "Start Menu" tab click the "Customize" button

4- A list will pop up on the screen

5- Towards the bottom of the list there will be a checkbox to put the Run command onto your start menu. Check the box

Note: This guide applies to Windows 7, I do not know how well this works with other Windows OSes.

HP Slate Device Unveiled

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer debuted the HP Slate tablet computer during the CES 2010 keynote address last night, and while it was only a teaser, there were a few details and pictures available.

During what might have been the highlight of last night’s speech (apparently not everyone was impressed), Ballmer hinted that we’ll be seeing a prototype some time later this year. (Seriously, there haven’t been enough definite release dates at CES this year.)

In what could have been a great debut (and steal Apple’s thunder before they ever come out with that darn tablet of their own), there weren’t many concrete details beyond that.

But what did the world learn about the HP Slate? It will run on Windows 7, runs Amazon Kindle for PC, and the color touchscreen is in between 10 and 12 inches. It also apparently plays Frogger.

Get Windows 7 Free

Get Windows 7 Ultimate for free... by throwing a party

Dying to throw a party where everyone goes home alone? Microsoft's got you covered. Redmond's looking for Windows 7 fans to throw launch parties from October 22-29, and if you're chosen, you'll get a free "Signature Edition" of Windows 7 Ultimate, free party favors, and a chance to win a PC valued at $750. Sure, you'll have to suck up your pride and invite your friends to a party with a theme like "setting up with ease" or "family friendly fun," but if you're willing to throw a party where everyone is apparently supposed to sit around a laptop and then go out and buy something, well, we're guessing you don't have too much pride to begin with.

Info: http://houseparty.com/windows7