WINDOWS 8 MYSTERIES AND MISCONCEPTIONS EXPLAINED

1

"WINDOWS 8" MYSTERIES

AND MISCONCEPTIONS

EXPLAINED

http://aztcs.org/

http://apcug.org/

http://tmug.com/

2

Web location for this

presentation:

http://aztcs.orgClick on

“Meeting Notes”

3

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

"Windows 8" is the most

mysterious and misconception-

prone version of "Windows.."

yet, so here are some hype-

busting facts to help you

benefit from the enhancements

in this new-fangled operating

system.

4

TOPICS

• Mystery: The naming of the

"Windows 8" edition of

"Windows 8" is confusing.

5

TOPICS

• Mystery: The 5 uniquely-

different boxes for "Windows 8"

all contain the same two DVDs

inside.

• Mystery: The 5 uniquely-

different boxes for "Windows 8

Pro" all contain the same two

DVDs inside.

6

TOPICS

• Misconception: "Windows 8 Pro

Pack" can be used to upgrade

"Windows XP", "Windows

Vista", and "Windows 7".

7

TOPICS

• Mystery: The "Windows 8 Pro

Pack" does not explain that

"Windows Media Center" is a

separate purchase.

8

TOPICS

• Misconception: You have to use

the new "Start" screen.

• Misconception: You have to run

"Start" screen apps

(="Windows Store apps"

= "Metro Style apps") in the

"Start" screen of "Windows 8",

instead of the "Desktop".

9

TOPICS

• Misconception: "Windows 8"

forces you to use your

"Hotmail" or "Live Mail"

account as your login to

"Windows 8.."

10

TOPICS (continued)

• Misconception: There is no

free trial or evaluation offered

for "Windows 8", you have to

buy an activation key in order

to install "Windows 8".

11

TOPICS (continued)

• Misconception: "Windows 8" has

the same hardware

requirements as "Windows 7".

• Mystery: the free "Windows 8

Enterprise Evaluation"

downloads as a hidden .ISO file!

12

TOPICS (continued)

• Misconception: There is no

"Adobe Flash" player in the

"Start screen" ("Metro") version

of "Internet Explorer 10".

13

TOPICS (continued)• Mystery: For the "Start screen"

("Metro") version of "Internet

Explorer 10" (="Immersive IE"), you

can right-click in non-hyperlinked

space in most Web pages to bring

up the upper and lower "App bars".

However, on some Web pages, you

have to right-click on the top edge

to bring up the two "App bars".

14

TOPICS (continued)

• Mystery: For the "Start

screen" ("Metro") version of

"Internet Explorer 10"

(="Immersive IE"), you get a

one-second display of the top

"App bar" when a hyperlink

opens a new

15

TOPICS (continued)

• Misconception: "Windows

Explorer" has disappeared in

"Windows 8".

16

TOPICS (continued)• Mystery: Switching between the

32-bit and 64-bit versions of

"Internet Explorer 10" ("IE10")

• Mystery: When using the

desktop version of "IE10", you

sometimes have to click on the

compatibility button three times

before Web sites such as

apcug.org work right

http://apcug.org/

17

TOPICS (continued)

• Misconception: Computer

manufacturers have hidden the

"Certificate of Authenticity" label

inside "Windows 8" computers.

18

TOPICS (continued)• Misconception: the "OEM

System Builder" versions of

"Windows 8" are only allowed for

"system builders".

• Misconception: you have to go

through the login screen

whenever you power up a

"Windows 8" computer

19

TOPICS (continued)

• Misconception: There is no way

to shut down a "Windows Store

App".

20

TOPICS (continued)

• Misconception: "Windows

Backup and Restore" is missing

• Misconception: You cannot

make tiles that point to data files

and digital photos in "Windows

8.."

21

TOPICS (continued)• Mystery: Upgrading from the


"Windows 8" might break the

manufacturer-specific part of the

"Windows Store".

22

TOPICS (continued)

• Mystery: When it is running

inside a VMware virtual

machine, "Windows 8" is

duped into "seeing" a virtual

"Solid State Drive", even when

the host computer only has a

mechanical hard drive.

23

TOPICS (continued)

• Mystery: "Windows 8" has

a higher "Windows

Experience Index" when it

is running in a VMware

virtual machine relative to

a host computer.

24

TOPICS (continued)• Mystery: The "Windows" key,

when pressed by itself, changes

its function depending on where

you have been inside your

computer and what is currently

running.

25

TOPICS (continued)

• Misconception: When a

"Storage Spaces" pool of

hard drives fails, it cannot

be repaired because no

software utility programs

are available.

26

TOPICS (continued)

• Mystery:

The hardware configuration of

your USB 3 ports greatly affects

the reliability of Storage Spaces"

composed of "Drive Pools"

consisting entirely of external

hard drives.

27

Mystery: The naming

of the "Windows 8"

edition of "Windows

8" is confusing.

28

Mystery: The naming of "Windows 8"

edition of "Windows 8" is confusing

Four Editions of "Windows

8":

o "Windows 8"

o "Windows 8 Pro"

o "Windows RT"

o "Windows 8 Enterprise"

29

Mystery: The naming of "Windows 8" edition

of "Windows 8" is confusing (continued)o "Windows 8" (edition with fewest features)

o "Windows 8 Pro" (has "Hyper-V", can add

in "Windows Media Center" for +$10)

o "Windows RT" (for tablets with ARM

processor, has "Desktop" but you cannot

install non-Microsoft software into it)

o "Windows 8 Enterprise" (has "Hyper-V",

cannot add in "Windows Media Center", has

"Windows To Go", not available at retail, for

volume sales to organizations, free

evaluation available for everyone!)

30


of "Windows 8" is confusing (continued)

For the details of the differences

between the 4 editions of "Windows

8.." see

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_

8_editions

and http://blogs.windows.com/windows/b/blog

gingwindows/archive/2012/04/16/announc

ing-the-windows-8-editions.aspx

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_8_editions

http://blogs.windows.com/windows/b/bloggingwindows/archive/2012/04/16/announcing-the-windows-8-editions.aspx

31

Windows 8 (Product Name)

Windows RT

(edition)

(Full version preloaded by manufacturer of tablet.

Runs only on ARM processors.)

Windows 8

(edition)· Windows 8 upgrade box with

32-bit and 64-bit installation

DVDs (not available yet)

· Windows 8 OEM System

Builder 32-bit (full version)



Windows 8 Pro (edition) · Windows 8 Pro upgrade box with 32-bit

and 64-bit installation DVDs

· Windows 8 Pro upgrade download with

either 32-bit or 64-bit

· Windows 8 Pro OEM System Builder

32-bit (full version purchased as

download or installation DVD)

· Windows 8 Pro OEM System Builder 64-

bit (full version)

Windows 8 Enterprise

(edition) · Windows 8 Enterprise 32-bit RTM

(full version)

· Windows 8 Enterprise 64-bit RTM

(full version)

· Windows 8 Enterprise Evaluation 32-bit

(full version)


(full version)

32



For the details of the differences

between the 4 editions of "Windows

8.." see

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_

8_editions

and http://blogs.windows.com/windows/b/blog

gingwindows/archive/2012/04/16/announc

ing-the-windows-8-editions.aspx


http://blogs.windows.com/windows/b/bloggingwindows/archive/2012/04/16/announcing-the-windows-8-editions.aspx

33

34



Source for the previous

diagram:

https://partner.microsoft.com/d

ownload/global/40188813

https://partner.microsoft.com/download/global/40188813

35

" Windows RT"

edition of

"Windows 8.."

" Windows 8 Enterprise"

edition of

"Windows 8.."

36

37

" Windows RT"

edition of

"Windows 8.."

" Windows 8 Enterprise"

edition of

"Windows 8.."$140

$140

$100

$99

$200

$112

$120

$10

38

Mystery: The naming of "Windows 8" edition of

"Windows 8" is confusing (continued).

o When a paper or online

advertisement states that a

computer has "Windows

8", it means that it has the

"Windows 8" edition of the

"Windows 8" operating

system.

39

Mystery: The naming of "Windows 8" edition of

"Windows 8" is confusing (continued).

o This gives sales personnel an

opportunity to "upsell" you by

either selling you a copy of the

"Windows 8 Pro Pack" or talking

you into obtaining the services of

the in-store technician staff to

upgrade your new computer from

the "Windows 8" edition to the

"Windows 8 Pro" edition.

40

Mystery: The 5 uniquely-

different boxes for the


"Windows 8" all contain the

same two DVDs inside.

41

Mypstery: The 5 uniquely-different boxes for the

"Windows 8" edition of "Windows 8" all contain

the same two DVDs inside.

o Each of the 5 unique boxes

has a unique Microsoft

product number on the top.


has the same UPC code of

(00)885370395013

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"Windows 8" edition of "Windows 8" all contain

the same two DVDs inside.

o When "Windows 8.." was first released

in October 2012, "Costco" sold all 5

box configurations of "Windows 8 Pro

upgrade" but they did not sell any

configuration of "Windows 8 upgrade".

o Since February of 2013, "Costco" now

only sells one of the 5 uniquely-

different boxes of "Windows

8..upgrade":

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Mystery: The 5 uniquely-

different boxes for the

"Windows 8 Pro" edition of

"Windows 8" all contain the

same two DVDs inside

61


"Windows 8 Pro" edition of "Windows 8" all

contain the same two DVDs inside.

o The 5 uniquely-different boxes

for "Windows 8 Pro" use the

same art themes as the

"Windows 8" edition but the

"Windows 8 Pro" boxes use

gray background background

instead of a white one.

62


"Windows 8 Pro" edition of "Windows 8" all

contain the same two DVDs inside.


has a unique Microsoft

product number on the top.


has the same UPC code of

(00)885370395143

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Misconception: The

"Windows 8 Pro Pack"

can be used to

upgrade "Windows

XP", "Windows Vista",

or "Windows 7"

80

Misconception: The "Windows 8 Pro Pack" can

be used to upgrade "Windows XP", "Windows

Vista", or "Windows 7"

o The "Windows 8 Pro Pack" is

only capable upgrading from

the "Windows 8" edition of

"Windows 8" to the

"Windows 8 Pro" edition of

"Windows 8".

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Computer without existing copy of “Windows

XP SP3”, “Windows Vista” or “Windows 7”,

“Windows 7 Enterprise Evaluation”, or

“Windows 8 Release Preview”

Computer with existing copy of

“Windows XP” , “Windows Vista”, or

“Windows 7”, or “Windows 7 Enterprise

Evaluation”, or “Windows 8 Release

Preview”

“Windows 8"

edition of

“Windows 8..”

“Windows 8

Pro"

“Windows 8

Pro with Media

Center"

“Windows 8 64-bit

OEM System

Builder”

(Personal Use

License

or

OEM System Builder

License)

“Windows 8 Pro 64-

bit OEM System

Builder”

(Personal Use

License

Or

OEM System Builder

License)

“Windows 8”

(upgrade per fine

print on box)

(Microsoft Software

License Agreement)

(both 32-bit and 64-

bit DVD or executable

installation files)

“Windows 8

Pro Pack”

“Windows 8

Media Center

Pack”

(free until Jan.

31, 2013)

“Windows 8 32-bit

OEM System

Builder”

(Personal Use

License

or

OEM System Builder

License)


bit OEM System

Builder”

(Personal Use License

or

OEM System Builder

License)

64-bit

or 32-bit

64-bit

or 32-bit

64-bit processor

64-bit processor

32-bit

processor

32-bit

processor

“Windows 8 Pro”

(upgrade per fine

print on box)

(Microsoft Software

License Agreement)



installation files)

85


Windows 8 RT

(edition)



Windows 8
















bit (full version)



(full version)


(full version)


(full version)


(full version)

86


Windows 8 RT

(edition)



Windows 8
















bit (full version)



(full version)


(full version)


(full version)


(full version)

Windows 8 Pro Pack

upgrades from

"Windows 8" edition to

"Windows 8 Pro" edition

87



Vista", or "Windows 7" (continued)

When you buy the "Windows 8 Pro Pack",

you are buying a 27 alphanumeric

character PIN. You then go to a special

Web site to convert it to a 25-character

product key for upgrading "Windows 8" to

"Windows 8 Pro". See

https://windowspropack8.getmicrosoftkey.c

om/Home/SupportFAQ

https://windowspropack8.getmicrosoftkey.com/Home/SupportFAQ

88



Vista", or "Windows 7" (continued)

For the details of the

differences between the

4 editions of "Windows 8.."

see

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/

Windows_8_editions


89

Mystery: The

"Windows 8 Pro Pack"

box fails to explain that

"Windows Media

Center" is a separate

purchase.

90

Mystery: "Windows 8 Pro Pack" box fails to

explain that "Windows Media Center" is a

separate purchase.

o The prose on the front of the

"Windows 8 Pro Pack" box

implies that "Windows Media

Center" is part of "Windows 8

Pro Pack":

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Misconception: You

have to use the new

"Start" screen

96

Misconception: You have to use the

new "Start" screen

Some folks mistakenly think that you

are stuck here in "Windows 8":

97


new "Start" screen (continued)

• There are at least 50 ways to make

"Windows 8" automatically go the the

legacy "Desktop" when you power up

your computer. Here are our favorite 2

ways:

o Use the "Send Desktop" software utility

that is described at

http://www.7tutorials.com/how-boot-

desktop-windows-8-skip-start-screen

http://www.7tutorials.com/how-boot-desktop-windows-8-skip-start-screen

98



o Create an .scf script as detailed at

http://www.howtogeek.com/108349/how-

to-boot-to-the-desktop-skip-metro-in-

windows-8/ and

http://windows8installation.com/windows-

8-installation/booting-straight-into-your-

windows-8-desktop/

and

http://windows8.iyogi.com/news/you-can-

boot-directly-to-the-desktop-version-of-

windows-8.html

http://www.howtogeek.com/108349/how-to-boot-to-the-desktop-skip-metro-in-windows-8/

http://windows8installation.com/windows-8-installation/booting-straight-into-your-windows-8-desktop/

http://windows8.iyogi.com/news/you-can-boot-directly-to-the-desktop-version-of-windows-8.html

99



• You can use our "Windows 8 Care

Package" to put useful shortcuts onto

the legacy Desktop:

Go to

http://aztcs.org/meeting_notes/winhards

ig/win8/CarePackage/CarePackagefor

Windows8-2013-01-22.zip

and save the .zip file to your Desktop.

Then double-click on it.

http://aztcs.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/win8/CarePackage/CarePackageforWindows8-2013-01-22.zip

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• You can use the "Power User's

Context Menu" (to get access to the

maintenance functions that you used

to access via the "Start" button) by

hovering the mouse cursor over the

lower left-hand corner of the monitor

screen until a thumbnail pops up.

Then use the RIGHT mouse button

to click once.

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new "Start" screen (continued)• For the Taskbar of the legacy

Desktop of "Windows 8", you can

make pop-up toolbars that perform

all functions of the former "Start"

button. See our detailed step-by-

step instructions at

http://aztcs.org/meeting_notes/winh

ardsig/win8/win8-

makingDesktopuseful.pdf

http://aztcs.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/win8/win8-makingDesktopuseful.pdf

107


new "Start" screen (continued)• You can add back in a Start button and

Start Menu by installing a free or not-

free software utility. See

http://www.extremetech.com/computing/

141702-how-to-bring-the-start-menu-

and-button-back-to-windows-8

and

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-33642_7-

57543008-292/win8-startbutton-gets-

your-start-menu-back-in-windows-8/

http://www.extremetech.com/computing/141702-how-to-bring-the-start-menu-and-button-back-to-windows-8

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-33642_7-57543008-292/win8-startbutton-gets-your-start-menu-back-in-windows-8/

108

Misconception: You have to

run "Start" screen apps

(="Windows Store apps"

= "Metro Style apps") in the

"Start" screen of "Windows

8", instead of the "Desktop".

109

Misconception: You have to run "Start" Screen

apps in the "Start" screen (continued)

• You can run "Start" screen apps

in the "Desktop" of "Windows 8"

by installing the "ModernMix"

software program.

See

http://www.stardock.com/produc

ts/modernmix/index.asp

http://www.stardock.com/products/modernmix/index.asp

110

Misconception: "Windows

8" forces you to use your

"Hotmail" or "Live Mail"

account as your login to

"Windows 8.."

111

Misconception: The installation process of

"Windows 8" forces you to use your "Hotmail" or

"Live Mail" account as your login to "Windows 8.."

• Eventually you might want to log into

"Windows 8" with your "Microsoft

account" in order go get the great

integration features with Skydrive,

Hotmail, etc. However, when you first

install "Windows 8..", we recommend

that you do the following to create a

"local" account for "Windows 8.."

112

Misconception: The installation process of "Windows 8"

forces you to use your "Hotmail" or "Live Mail" account

as your login to "Windows 8.." (continued)

• To install "Windows 8" so that

you have a local user account,

please see our how-to

document at

http://aztcs.org/meeting_notes/w

inhardsig/win8/win8-

installinglocal.pdf

http://aztcs.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/win8/win8-installinglocal.pdf

113

Misconception: There is no

free trial or evaluation

offered for "Windows 8", you

have to buy an activation

key in order to install

"Windows 8".

114

Misconception: No free trial evaluation

of "Windows 8"..

• You can download and run the totally-

free "Windows 8 Enterprise Evaluation".

• See our detailed how-to called

Installing and Using the Free

"Windows 8 Enterprise

Evaluation"

PowerPoint .PPT format

Adobe .PDF format

http://aztcs.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/win8/win8enteval.ppt

http://aztcs.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/win8/win8enteval.pdf

115

Misconception:

"Windows 8" has the

same hardware

requirements as

"Windows 7".

116

Misconception: "Windows 8" has the same hardware

requirements as "Windows 7" (continued)

• According Microsoft's Website:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/jj554510.aspx

117



• Many bloggers and

discussion group participants

have stated that the actual

minimum requirement for

RAM for the 32-bit version of

"Windows 8.." is 2 Gigabytes

118


requirements as "Windows 7" (continued).

• Paul Thurrott stated that the 1 Gigabyte

minimum requirement for RAM for the

32-bit version of "Windows 8.." and the

2 Gigabyte minimum requirement for

RAM for the 64-bit version of "Windows

8.." is "ludicrous".

See http://www.winsupersite.com/blog/supersite-

blog-39/windows8/thoughts-windows-8-

system-recommendations-142457

http://www.winsupersite.com/blog/supersite-blog-39/windows8/thoughts-windows-8-system-recommendations-142457

119



120

• September 13, 2011:

"Windows 8 Developer Preview"

(This free "Preview" had the same

hardware requirements as "Windows 7".

Easy to install into old "Pentium 4"

computers.)

• February 29, 2012:

"Windows 8 Consumer Preview"

(This free "Preview" had the same

hardware requirements as "Windows 7".

We were able to install it into our old

"Pentium 4" computers.)

121

• May 31, 2012:

"Windows 8 Release Preview"

(With this free Preview release, Microsoft

toughened up hardware requirements for

running "Windows 8"!)

• August 15, 2012:

"Windows 8 Enterprise Evaluation"

(The currently-available free version of

"Windows 8" has toughened up hardware

requirements!)

• October 26, 2012:

General availability of "Window 8 RTM"

(Has toughened up hardware requirements!)

122



With the third and final publicly-available

"Windows 8 Release Preview" and all

production "RTM" versions of

"Windows 8" including the free

"Windows 8 Enterprise Evaluation",

Microsoft made the hardware

requirements more stringent: All of these

versions of "Windows 8" require a

processor with PAE, NX, and SSE2.

123



• Prior to installing "Windows 8.." you can

test the target computer's processor

with the Microsoft's free "Coreinfo"

software program.

• See

How to Determine If Your Older

"Pentium 4" Computer Can Run

"Windows 8":

PowerPoint .PPT format

Adobe .PDF format

http://aztcs.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/win8/old-computer-Win8.ppt

http://aztcs.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/win8/old-computer-Win8.pdf

124



• You can also use Mirosoft's "Upgrade

Assistant" at

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-

us/windows-8/upgrade-to-windows-8

to determine If your older "Pentium 4"

computer can run "Windows 8".

However it will probably provide you

with misleading information about the

incompability of some of your existing

hardware and software.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/upgrade-to-windows-8

125



• You can also test your old

Pentium 4 computer for

compability with "Windows 8" by

attempting to install the free

"Windows 8 Enterprise

Evaluation" as described in

http://aztcs.org/meeting_notes/w

inhardsig/win8/win8enteval.pdf


126



• One person with a Pentium 4

and only 1 Gigabyte of RAM

was able to install "Windows

8 Pro". See

http://www.youtube.com/watc

h?v=aQAQXUMQ0UA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQAQXUMQ0UA

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128



• Another person with a Dual Core

Pentium and only 1 Gigabyte of

RAM was able to install "Windows 8

Pro". See

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T

TX3gi3dFOA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTX3gi3dFOA

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• However, these two success

stories are rare. This is unlike

"Windows 7" where many

computer users were able to

install it into Pentium 4

computers with 1 Gigabyte of

RAM.

131



• None of the members of the

Tucson Computer Society

have succeeded in installing

the "Release Preview" or the

RTM versions of "Windows 8"

into our old Pentium 4

computers.

132

Mystery: the free "Windows

8 Enterprise Evaluation"

sometimes downloads as a

"hidden" .ISO file (that does

NOT have its "hidden"

attribute set!)

133

Mystery: the free "Windows 8 Enterprise

Evaluation" downloads as a hidden .ISO

file!

• Before or after downloading

the .ISO file for "Window 8

Enterprise Evaluation", you

have to use a trick in "Folder

Options" in the "Control

Panel" to unhide the .ISO file.

134

Mystery: the free "Windows 8 Enterprise

Evaluation" sometimes downloads as a

hidden .ISO file! (continued)

• For the exact steps for

unhiding the .ISO file,

perform Steps 15 through 22

at

http://aztcs.org/meeting_note

s/winhardsig/win8/win8entev

al.pdf


135


"Adobe Flash" player in the

"Start screen" ("Metro")

version of "Internet Explorer

10" (="Immersive IE")

136

Misconception: No Adobe Flash in the "Start

screen" ("Metro") version of "Internet Explorer

10" (IE10)

• This was originally true for the

"Developer Preview" and the

"Consumer Preview" of "Windows

8..". However, flash capability was

added back into the "Start screen"

("Metro") version of IE10 when the

free "Windows 8 Release Preview"

of "Windows 8" was released on

May 31, 2012!

137

Misconception: No Adobe Flash in the

"Start screen" ("Metro") version of "Internet

Explorer 10"(IE10)

• From the release of the "Release to

Manufacturing" versions of

"Windows 8" from October 26, 2012

until March 12, 2013,, flash in

"Start screen IE10" only ran on Web

sites that were listed on a "white

list" of Web sites that were

approved by Microsoft.

138

Misconception: No Adobe Flash in the "Start screen"

("Metro") version of "Internet Explorer 10"(IE10)

• During that time period, users of

"Windows 8" could add Web sites to a

"white list". See

http://www.howtogeek.com/127787/how

-to-use-flash-on-any-website-in-modern-

internet-explorer-10/

and

http://www.zdnet.com/an-inside-look-at-

internet-explorer-10s-mysterious-flash-

whitelist-7000009740/

http://www.howtogeek.com/127787/how-to-use-flash-on-any-website-in-modern-internet-explorer-10/

http://www.zdnet.com/an-inside-look-at-internet-explorer-10s-mysterious-flash-whitelist-7000009740/

139



Explorer 10"(IE10)

• Starting on March 12, 2013, the

"white list" was replaced with a

"black list" so that "Adobe Flash"

player browser add-on will run

by default unless you or

Microsoft places the Web site on

a "black list".

140



Explorer 10"(IE10)

See

http://blogs.msdn.com/b/ie/archive/2013/

03/11/flash-in-windows-8.aspx

http://blogs.msdn.com/b/ie/archive/2013/03/11/flash-in-windows-8.aspx

141



Explorer 10"(IE10)

• Starting on March 12, 2013, the

local copy of the "Windows 8"

iecompatdata.xml "blacklist" will be

located in a <noflash> section at

File:\\%LOCALAPPDATA%\Microso

ft\Internet

Explorer\IECompatData\iecompatda

ta.xml

142



• To add a Web site URL to the new

"blacklist, follow the instructions at

http://betanews.com/2012/11/06/add-

internet-explorer-10-flash-support-for-

any-domain-on-windows-8/

but do the opposite of what they tell you

and put the URL domain for flash

blocking in the <noflash> section

(instead of in the former <flash>

section).

http://betanews.com/2012/11/06/add-internet-explorer-10-flash-support-for-any-domain-on-windows-8/

143



• If you manually edit the <noflash>

blacklist in the iecompatdata.xml file in

your computer, you have to clear the

history of "Start" screen Internet

Explorer 10, before the new blacklist

takes effect.

• Also, if you then get an automatic

update of the <noflash> blacklist, your

manual edits will be overwritten.

144

145

146

147

148

Mystery: For the "Start screen"

("Metro") version of "Internet Explorer

10" (="Immersive IE"), you can right-

click on non-hyperlinked space of most

Web pages to bring up the upper and

lower "App bars". However, on some

Web pages, you have to right-click on

the top edge to bring up the two "App

bars".

149

Mystery:..Right click on Web page versus top edge of

Web page in "Start screen" IE10..(continued)

• When you are using the "Start screen"

version of IE10, you can usually right-

click on non-hyperlinked space on most

Web pages to bring up the upper and

lower "App bars":

The upper "App bars" shows you your

open Web browser "tabs" while the

lower "App bar" is an address filed and

some controls for settings.

150

151

152

Mystery:..Right click on Web page versus top edge of

Web page in "Start screen" IE10..(continued)

• For some Web pages, you cannot

right-click in non-hyperlinked space

to bring up upper and lower "App

bars:you have move the mouse

cursor to the top edge of the page

until it turns into a hand. Then you

have to right-click in order to bring

up the upper and lower "App bars":

153

154

155

156

157

Mystery: For the "Start screen"

("Metro") version of "Internet

Explorer 10" (="Immersive IE"),

you get a one-second display of

the top "App bar" when a

hyperlink opens a new tab

158

159

160

161


Explorer" has

disappeared in "Windows

8"

162

Misconception: "Windows Explorer" has

disappeared in "Windows 8"

• "Windows Explorer" has been

renamed to "File Explorer".

• It's executable file is still

C:\Windows\explorer.exe

• It now has a "Ribbon Bar"

instead of a "Toolbar".

163

Mystery: switching between

the 32-bit and 64-bit

versions of "Internet

Explorer 10"(IE10)

164

Mystery: Switching between the 32-bit and

64-bit versions of "Internet Explorer

10"(IE10)

• "Internet Explorer 10" is actually 4

separate apps:

o 64-bit "Start" screen (Metro) IE10


o 32-bit Desktop IE10


165

Mystery: switching between the 32-bit and

64-bit versions of "Internet Explorer 10"

(IE10)• 64-bit versions of "Windows 8" will

actually have:




166



(IE10)

• 32-bit versions of "Windows 8.." will

only have



167



(IE10)

• For "Start" screen (Metro) IE10:


if you are running a 64-bit version

of "Windows 8"


if you are running a 64-bit version

of "Windows 8"

168



(IE10)

• For "Desktop IE10":

o 32-bit "Deskop IE10" if you are

running a 32-bit version of "Windows

8"

o Default of 32-bit "Desktop IE10" if

you are running a 64-bit version of

"Windows 8" but can use "Enable

Enhanced Protected Mode" to

switch to 64-bit Desktop IE10

169

Mystery: switching between the 32-bit and 64-bit

versions of "Internet Explorer 10" (IE10)

• Bitness of "Windows 8.." determines the

bitness of "Start screen" (Metro) IE10

• If you are using a 32-bit version of

"Windows 8", you only have 32-bit "Desktop

IE10".

• If you are using a 64-bit version of

"Windows 8", it defaults to 32-bit "Desktop

IE10" but you use "Enable Enhanced

Protected Mode*" to switch to 64-bit

"Desktop IE10" but you have to do a reboot

to make the transition occur.

170



(IE10)

• Step 1: Go to the Desktop of

Windows 8.

• Step 2: Start the Desktop

version of IE10.

171

172



(IE10)

• Step 3: Click on the "Gear"

icon near the upper left-hand

corner of the IE10 window:

173

174



(IE10)

• Step 4: Click on "Internet

Options" in the drop-down

menu:

175

176



(IE10)

• Step 5: Click on the

"Advanced" tab:

177

178



(IE10)

• Step 6: Click and then drag

downward in the vertical

scroll bar in order to scroll

downward:

179

180



(IE10)

• Step 7: Look at "Enable advanced

protected mode*". If it already has

a check mark, Desktop IE10 is

already running in it's 64-bit

version. If has no check mark,

Desktop IE10 is currently running

it's 32-bit version.

181

182

183



(IE10)

• Step 8: If it is no checkmarked, you

can initiate a switch to the 64-bit

version of "IE10"by doing the

following: add in a checkmark, click

on "Apply", click on "OK", and

reboot the computer:

184

185

186

187

188

189



• See

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet

_Explorer_10

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_Explorer_10

190

191



• See also

http://www.codeproject.com/Article

s/269356/Internet-Explorer-10-

User-Agent-Strings-On-Windows

http://www.codeproject.com/Articles/269356/Internet-Explorer-10-User-Agent-Strings-On-Windows

192



• See

http://www.ghacks.net/2012/08/24/

want-to-run-64-bit-internet-

explorer-on-windows-8s-desktop-

here-is-how/

• See

http://mingersoft.com/blog/2012/09/

switch-between-32-bit-and-64-bit-

internet-explorer-10-in-windows-8/

http://www.ghacks.net/2012/08/24/want-to-run-64-bit-internet-explorer-on-windows-8s-desktop-here-is-how/

http://www.ghacks.net/2012/08/24/want-to-run-64-bit-internet-explorer-on-windows-8s-desktop-here-is-how/

193



• To determine whether you are

running a 32-bit version or a 64-

bit version of "Desktop IE10",

use your copy of "IE10" to go

http://www.thismachine.info/

to view its "User Agent String".

http://www.thismachine.info/

194



• If you are in "Start Screen

IE10", you can convert to

"Desktop IE10": • Right click in blank Web page space.

• Click on the Wrench icon in the

bottom "App bar".

• Click on "View on the desktop" in the

pop-up context menu

195

Mystery: In Desktop "IE10",

you sometimes have to click

on the compatibility button

three times before Web

sites such as apcug.org

work right:

196

197

198

Misconception: Computer

manufacturers have hidden

the "Certificate of

Authenticity" label inside

"Windows 8" computers

199

Misconception: Computer manufacturers

have hidden the "Certificate of Authenticity"

label inside "Windows 8" computers

• A "Windows 8" computer has

a "Genuine Microsoft Label"

instead of a "Certificate of

Authenticity" label.

200

201

202




(continued)

• See

http://www.microsoft.com/en-

us/howtotell/Hardware.aspx

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/howtotell/Hardware.aspx

203




(continued)• See

http://www.partnerinfo.lenovo

.com/partners/us/resources/d

ownloads/windows8/Window

s-8-License-Verification-and-

Activation.pdf

http://www.partnerinfo.lenovo.com/partners/us/resources/downloads/windows8/Windows-8-License-Verification-and-Activation.pdf

204

Misconception: Computer manufacturers have

hidden the "Certificate of Authenticity" label inside

"Windows 8" computers (continued)

• Product key is now stored encrypted

inside the UEFI in a SLIC table (SLIC

means "Software Licensing"). See

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-

us/library/windows/hardware/hh673514

.aspx

and

http://www.mydigitallife.info/windows-8-

to-have-oem-activation-3-0/

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/hardware/hh673514.aspx

http://www.mydigitallife.info/windows-8-to-have-oem-activation-3-0/

205

Misconception: the "OEM

System Builder" versions of

"Windows 8" are only

allowed for "system

builders".

206

Misconception: the "OEM System Builder"

versions of "Windows 8" are only allowed

for "system builders".

• The "OEM System Builder"

versions of "Windows 8" have a

new license called the

"Personal Use License" in

addition to the legacy "OEM

System Builder License".

207



for "system builders" (continued)

• The misconception is true for all

versions of "Windows.." prior to

"Windows 8.."

• This is the first time that Microsoft

has "allowed" non-system builders

to buy and use "OEM System

Builder" editions of their software.

208

Computer without existing copy of “Windows

XP SP3”, “Windows Vista” or “Windows 7”,

“Windows 7 Enterprise Evaluation”, or

“Windows 8 Release Preview”

Computer with existing copy of

“Windows XP” , “Windows Vista”, or

“Windows 7”, or “Windows 7 Enterprise

Evaluation”, or “Windows 8 Release

Preview”

“Windows 8"

edition of

“Windows 8..”

“Windows 8

Pro"

“Windows 8

Pro with Media

Center"

“Windows 8 64-bit

OEM System

Builder”

(Personal Use

License

or

OEM System Builder

License)


bit OEM System

Builder”

(Personal Use

License

Or

OEM System Builder

License)

“Windows 8”

(upgrade per fine

print on box)

(Microsoft Software

License Agreement)



installation files)

“Windows 8

Pro Pack”

“Windows 8

Media Center

Pack”

(free until Jan.

31, 2013)

“Windows 8 32-bit

OEM System

Builder”

(Personal Use

License

or

OEM System Builder

License)


bit OEM System

Builder”

(Personal Use License

or

OEM System Builder

License)

64-bit

or 32-bit

64-bit

or 32-bit

64-bit processor

64-bit processor

32-bit

processor

32-bit

processor

“Windows 8 Pro”

(upgrade per fine

print on box)

(Microsoft Software

License Agreement)



installation files)

209



for "System Builders" (continued)

• See

http://www.microsoft.com/oem/en/licen

sing/sblicensing/Pages/index.aspx#fbid

=MeXPQMgCEMt

and

http://aztcs.org/meeting_notes/winhard

sig/win8/purchase/Windows8Purchase

Options.pdf

http://www.microsoft.com/oem/en/licensing/sblicensing/Pages/index.aspx#fbid=MeXPQMgCEMt

http://aztcs.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/win8/purchase/Windows8PurchaseOptions.pdf

210

Misconception: you have to

go through the login screen

whenever you power up a


211

Misconception: you have to go through the

login screen whenever you power up a


• You can use the netplwiz command to

make "Windows 8" (and "Windows 7"

and "Windows Vista") log you in

automatically.

• See

http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/wind

ows-vista/make-windows-vista-log-on-

automatically/

http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/make-windows-vista-log-on-automatically/

212


way to shut down a

"Windows Store App" (in the

"Start" screen).

213

Misconception: There is no way to shut

down a "Windows Store App" (in the "Start"

screen).• Using a mouse, drag from the top of

the screen to the bottom of the screen.

• Use a touch screen, drag your finger

from the top of the screen to the bottom

of the screen.

• (This misconception was actually true

for the earlier "Preview" versions of

"Windows 8".)

214

Misconception: There is no way to shut

down a "Windows Store App" (in the "Start"

screen) (continued)• If you are in the "Desktop" of "Windows

8",

you can click and drag from the top

edge of the "Desktop" to the bottom of

the monitor screen to go back to the

"Start" screen.

215


Backup and Restore" is

missing

216

Misconception: "Windows Backup and

Restore" is missing"

• "Windows 7 File Recovery" is the

same as "Backup and Restore"

in "Windows 7".

• "Windows 7 File Recovery" can

backup and restore your entire C:

drive, including the "Windows 8.."

operating system.

217


Restore" is missing (continued)

• Despite this strange name, it

is still the same as the great

"Windows Backup and

Restore" that is available in

"Windows 7".

218



• Microsoft has decided to

"deprecate" "Windows

Backup" which means that it

will probably disappear in

"Windows 9".

219



• See

http://allanjsmithie.wordpress.com/2

012/05/11/back-up-restore-

deprecated-in-windows-8/

http://allanjsmithie.wordpress.com/2012/05/11/back-up-restore-deprecated-in-windows-8/

220


Restore" is missing"• "Windows 7 File Recovery" is an icon in

the "Control Panel" of the "Desktop" in

"Windows 8:

o Hover the mouse cursor over the

lower-left corner of the monitor screen.

When a thumbnail pops up, use the

RIGHT mouse button to click once. OR

press "Windows key" + x:

o When a "Power Users Menu" pops up,

click on "Control Panel".

221

222



o Alternate way to get to

"Windows 7 File Recovery":

From within the "Start" screen

of "Windows 8": type in

"Windows 7" and then click on

"Settings" in the list on the right

side of the "Start" screen.

223

224

225

226

227

228

229

Misconception: There is

no way to "Scan for and

attempt recovery of bad

sectors" for a hard drive

in "Windows 8".

230

Misconception: There is no way to "Scan for and

attempt recovery of bad sectors"..(continued)

In "Windows 7", "Error Checking" for a

hard drive, give you the option to

"Scan for and attempt recovery of bad

sectors:

231



In "Windows 8", "Error Checking" for a hard

drive, does not give you the option to "Scan

for and attempt recovery of bad sectors":

232

233



Note that the dialog box in Windows 8's

"Checking" applet says:

"We haven't found any errors on this

drive."

This is because Windows 8 new "Spot

Verifier" service keeps a real time,

constantly-updated record of the

locations of any hard drive errors.

234



In "Windows 8", the "Scan for and

attempt recovery of bad sectors"

capability is only available when you

perform the following steps:

Step 1:

Press the Windows key + x to get a

pop-up "Power User's Menu":

235

236



Step 2:

Click on "Command Prompt (Admin)":

237

238



Step 3:

Click on the "Yes" button, if a "Use

Account Control" box is displayed:

239

240



Step 4:

Inside the "Command Prompt" window,

type

cd \

and then press the "Enter" key:

241

242

243



Step 6:

A very thorough scan of the selected

hard drive will start up:

244

245



Step 7:

Unlike previous versions of "Windows..",

"Windows 8" allows you to keep using your

computer while doing a thorough "Scan for

and attempt recovery of bad sectors" scan

of the C:\ hard drive where the "Windows 8"

operating system resides. However, it will

cause you computer to be a bit slow.

246

247

Misconception: You

cannot make tiles that

point to data files, and

digital photos.

248

Misconception: You cannot make tiles that point

to data files and digital photos

You cannot add an executable file, a

data file, a folder, a shortcut, or a

batch file directly to the "Start"

screen".

However, you can add shortcuts that

point to any of the above items to the

"Start" screen.

249


to data files and digital photos (continued)

For a detailed "how to" document

on making custom tiles for the

"Windows 8.." "Start screen", see

http://aztcs.org/meeting_notes/win

hardsig/win8/win8-tiles-making.pdf

http://aztcs.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/win8/win8-tiles-making.pdf

250



• See also

http://www.techrepublic.com/b

log/window-on-

windows/quick-tip-create-a-

tile-on-the-windows-8-start-

screen/6933

http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/window-on-windows/quick-tip-create-a-tile-on-the-windows-8-start-screen/6933

251



• You can get even fancier by using the

free "Oblytile" program.

See http://oblytile.en.softonic.com/

and

http://forum.xda-

developers.com/showthread.php?t=1899865

and

http://www.howtogeek.com/135871/how-to-

create-custom-windows-8-tile-icons-for-any-

desktop-program/

http://oblytile.en.softonic.com/

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1899865

http://www.howtogeek.com/135871/how-to-create-custom-windows-8-tile-icons-for-any-desktop-program/

252

Mystery: Upgrading from the


"Windows 8" might break

the manufacturer-specific

part of the "Windows Store"

253

Mystery: Upgrading from the "Windows 8" edition

of "Windows 8" might break the manufacturer-

specific part of the "Windows Store"

See the fine print at the bottom of

http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/mssto

re/pd/productID.266514400

http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msstore/pd/productID.266514400

254

255

Mystery: Upgrading from the "Windows 8" edition of

"Windows 8" might break the manufacturer-specific part

of the "Windows Store"

If you purchase a new PC with

Windows 8 pre-installed and you later

upgrade that PC with Windows 8 Pro

Pack, Windows 8 Media Center Pack,

a volume license edition, or a retail

edition, you will not longer be able to

install apps that were provided

exclusively from your PC manufacturer

through the Windows Store.

256

Mystery: Upgrading from the "Windows 8" edition

of "Windows 8" might break the manufacturer-

specific part of the "Windows Store" (continued)

Workaround:

If you buy a PC with an OEM version of

the "Windows 8" edition of "Windows 8",

download and install all of the

manufacturer's freebie apps from the

Windows Store prior to upgrading the PC

to a higher edition of "Windows 8..".

257

Mystery: When it is running

inside a "VMware" virtual

machine, "Windows 8" is duped

into "seeing" a virtual "Solid

State Drive", even when the

host computer only has a

mechanical hard drive.

258

"VMware Player 5"

fools "Window 8" into

discovering that it is

running on a virtual

solid state drive (SSD)!:

259

In contrast, "VMware Player

5" does NOT fool "Window

7", "Windows Vista", or

"Windows XP" into

discovering that it is running

on a virtual solid state drive

(SSD)!:

274

Mystery: "Windows 8" has a

higher "Windows

Experience Index" when it is

running in a VMware virtual

machine relative to a host

computer.

275

"Windows 8 Pro 64-bit"

in a virtual machine:

276

277

280

"Windows 8 Pro 64-bit"

in a real (host)

computer:

285

Mystery: The "Windows"

key, when pressed by itself,

changes its function

depending on where you

have been inside your

computer and what is

currently running.

286

Mystery: The "Windows" key.. (continued)

• When your "Windows 8" first starts

up and you are at the "Start"

screen, your "Windows" key will do

nothing when you press it.

287


• If you then go to the "Desktop", your

"Windows" key will take you back to

the "Start" screen when you press it.

• If you start a "Windows Store App" in

the "Start" screen, the "Windows"

key will take you back to the

"Desktop".

288


• If you then press the "Windows" key,

it will take you back to the "Windows

Store App".

• If close the "Windows Store App",

you will be back at the "Start

screen".

• If you now press the "Windows" key,

it will take you to the "Desktop".

289


• If you have not gone to either a

"Start Screen App" or the "Desktop",

the "Windows" key will do nothing.

• If you have gone to any "Start

Screen App", the "Windows" key will

toggle between the last "Start

Screen App" that you were inside

and the "Start Screen".

290


• If you implement one of the schemes

to go to the "Desktop" as soon as

"Windows 8" starts up, then the

"Windows" key will toggle you

between the "Desktop" and the

"Start" screen.

291


• (In contrast:

In "Windows XP", "Windows

Vista", and "Windows 7", the

"Windows" key brings up the

"Start" menu. If the "Start" menu

is already being displayed, the

"Windows" key gets rid of the

"Start" menu.)

292

Misconception:

When a "Storage Spaces" pool

of hard drives fails, it cannot be

repaired because no software

utility programs are available.

293

Misconception: When a "Storage Spaces" pool of

hard drives fails, it cannot be repaired because

no software utility programs are available.

See

http://www.storage-spaces-

recovery.com/

and

http://www.prweb.com/releases/

2013/2/prweb10436480.htm

http://www.storage-spaces-recovery.com/

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/2/prweb10436480.htm

294

295

296

297

298

Mystery:

The hardware configuration of

your USB 3 ports greatly affects

the reliability of Storage Spaces"

composed of "Drive Pools"

consisting entirely of external

hard drives.

299

Mystery: The hardware configuration of your USB

3 ports greatly affects the reliability of Storage

Spaces" composed of "Drive Pools" consisting

entirely of external hard drives.

See our analysis of the various

hardware configurations for

"Storage Spaces" at

http://aztcs.org/meeting_notes/win

hardsig/win8/StorageSpaces-

successesand.pdf

http://aztcs.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/win8/StorageSpaces-successesand.pdf

300

An "All PCI-e USB 3 Configuration" That

Causes "Storage Spaces" To Fail

• When you create a "Drive Pool" from

two external USB 3 hard drives that

are both connected to one or more

PCI-e "USB 3" adapters, any two-

way mirrored "Storage Space" that

you create from this drive pool will

fail when the "Storage Space" reachs

between 40 percent and 60 percent

of fill.

301

Computer with "Windows 8" operating system

PCIe

USB 3

Adapter

MotherboardPCIe

USB 3

Adapter

USB 3

External

Hard Drive A

USB 3

External

Hard Drive B

USB Cable USB Cable

Two-Way Mirror "Storage Spaces" fail

at 40 to 60 percent of fill

Drive Pool

"All PCIe USB 3 Configuration"

302

An "All Motherboard USB 3 Configuration"

That Causes "Storage Spaces" to Fail

• When you create a "Drive Pool" from

two external USB 3 hard drives that

are both connected to motherboard-

based "USB 3" adapters, any two-

way mirrored "Storage Space" that

you create from this drive pool will

fail when the "Storage Space" reachs

between 40 percent and 60 percent

of fail.

Motherboard

303


Motherboard-

based USB 3

Adapter

Motherboard-

based USB 3

Adapter

USB 3

External

Hard Drive A

USB 3

External

Hard Drive B

USB Cable USB Cable

Two-Way Mirror "Storage Spaces" fail

at 40 to 60 percent of fill

Drive Pool

"All Motherboard USB 3 Configuration"

304

A "Hybrid Motherboard/PCIe USB 3

Configuration" That Works Reliably

With "Storage Spaces"

• When you create a "Drive Pool" from two

external USB 3 hard drives with one hard

drive connected to a motherboard-based

USB port and the other hard drive

connected to a PCI-e USB 3 adapter,

any two-way mirrored "Storage Space"

that you create from this "Drive Pool" will

work reliably without problems.

Motherboard

305


PCIe USB 3

Adapter

Motherboard-

based USB 3

Adapter

USB 3

External

Hard Drive A

USB 3

External

Hard Drive B

USB Cable USB Cable

Two-Way Mirror "Storage Spaces" work

reliably without problems

Drive Pool

"Hybrid Motherboard/PCIe USB 3 Configuration"

WINDOWS 8 MYSTERIES AND MISCONCEPTIONS EXPLAINED

Documents