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Happy Windows 8 Consumer Preview day! Or, rather, happy day-after-Windows-8…. you get the idea. As an astute Maximum PC reader, you’re no doubt itching to get your hands on a not-quite-final build of Windows 8 to tinker around with.
But here’s the problem: You like using your current operating system. In fact, you probably have a great number of files, applications, and games all intertwined with your current operating system. And the absolute last thing you want to do – aside from learning how to use the Metro UI (we kid, we kid) – is back up everything within your operating system, wipe your drive, and introduce a fresh-faced Windows 8 into your life as your primary OS. Just think of all the application reinstallations you’ll have to go through! (Ninite is your friend, but we digress)
Luckily, you have two awesome options when it comes to testing out Windows 8 without mucking up your primary Windows installation, settings, files, or any of that. You can split your current hard drive storage setup to create an extra, blank partition – Windows 8 goes there. Or, if you just want to monkey around in a self-contained environment within your current operating system, you can install Windows 8 onto a virtual PC.
Which do you pick? It’s entirely up to you. A dedicated installation on a new partition gives Windows 8 the full attention of your system’s mighty resources. The downside? You’ll have to suffer through the boot menu every time you load your PC; You won’t be able to access your true “primary” operating system from Windows 8; Any changes (or issues) you create are permanent, as you don’t really get a chance to “roll back” that which you’ve done.
Virtualization, on the other hand, costs you system resources and overall speed – it can be a real hog – but it allows you to marry Windows 8 to your existing operating system. Transferring files is easy; Jumping between the two operating systems is easier; You can test out apps in Windows 8 and still be able to use them in your existing OS if things go sour; And, most importantly, you can quickly revert back to prior versions of the OS and easily delete your virtual Windows 8 once you’re done toying around.
That’s a super-quick overview of some of the pros and cons of dual-booting versus virtualization. Here’s how you do both:

Dual-Booting

Grab the Windows 8 Consumer Preview setup file and give ‘er a run. While your version of the operating system downloads (32-bit or 64-bit, depending on what the setup program picks for your PC), go check your available hard drive space in Windows explorer. You’ll need to have at least 16 free gigabytes for a 32-bit installation of Windows 8 or 20 free gigabytes for a 64-bit installation.
Once finished, Windows will prompt you to install Windows 8 by giving you three options to pick from: “Install Now,” “Install on another partition,” and “Install later.” Pick option number two (partition), and the subsequent screen will ask you how you want to go about creating the installation media you’ll need to use.

While we always recommend that you let Windows 8 create an installation vehicle out of a USB key when possible (it’s just so speedy), your success in getting this approach to actually install Windows 8 entirely depends on just how well your motherboard supports USB-based installations. In other words, it might not work for you: We’ve previously run into problems when plugging our flash drives into USB 3.0 slots to perform the installation, so avoid that if you find yourself hitting your head against the wall when trying to install Windows 8 using a USB drive.
The Windows Consumer Preview setup program will automatically format your key and slap the necessary files on it. As this process chugs along, fire up your control panel (Windows 7 users) and click on the Administrative Tools icon. From there, double-click on “Computer Management,” and then select the “Disk Management” option on the left-hand sidebar. Roll up your shirtsleeves: It’s time to partition your hard drive.

Everyone’s hard drive setup can vary, so we’ll just walk you through the basics of splitting a single drive partition into two. Right-click on the graphical storage “chunk” that’s home to your primary NTFS volume (C:) and select “Shrink Volume.” Input just how much you want to shave off your primary operating system’s partition – remember, 1,024 megabytes equals one gigabyte -- and hit the “Shrink” button.
What do you get? A new chunk of black, unallocated space to the right of your once-larger primary partition. Right-click on this empty space and select “New Simple Volume.” The prompts are fairly self-explanatory after this point – just make sure to give your new partition a recognizable name and format it as an NTFS partition. Voila. You’re ready to install Windows 8.



Once the Windows Consumer Preview setup program has finished with your USB key, restart your computer. As it reboots, watch your boot sequence for any prompts related to “booting” or “boot order” – in our case, we only have to hit the F12 key to access a “select where you want to boot from” menu. But since your motherboard is surely different, this option might be mapped to another key. Or, worse, you might have to go into your BIOS settings and change the order of how your system boots off of its various devices. Again, this setting is found in different places on different motherboards, so you’re on your own for this small – but critical – step.
Select the correct option – USB HDD, in our case – reboot your computer, and the official Windows 8 installation program should automatically fire up. Click on the “Install Now” button, enter you product key (that you received way back when creating your USB Windows 8 installer), accept Microsoft’s license terms, and select the option for a “Custom” installation. Pick the partition you previously created (hence the importance of giving it a good and noteworthy name), click on “Next,” and go make yourself a pleasant beverage while you wait for the installer to work its magic.
From there, it’s all downhill: Windows 8 will reboot your system a few times before the installation finishes, and it’ll then ask you a series of questions to help you personalize your operating system prior to the first official run – including asking you to log into your official Microsoft account, if you so choose. One last tip, however: When you go to reboot your system to actually load Windows 8 for the first time, take out your USB key during your motherboard’s boot sequence. If not, and if you set your system to always boot off any available USB devices before your hard drive, you’ll find yourself continually looping back to the Windows 8 installation program. That’s just silly.

Virtualizing

Who needs partitions when you can just run your new operating system within your operating system? Once you’ve downloaded the Windows 8 Consumer Preview installation files and the setup program is asking you where you’d like to slap ‘em – on a USB key or as an ISO file to burn to a DVD – you’re going to want to pick the ISO option this time. Save the ISO file somewhere on your computer, but don’t go reaching for the DVDs just yet – no need.
Head on over to the official website of the (free) virtualization software Oracle VM Virtualbox (hereafter called simply “Virtualbox”) and download the setup file. Why are we not using Windows Virtual PC, you Windows 7 users might ask? Simple: It doesn’t support 64-bit installations of operating systems. Virtualbox does, and is every bit as free as Microsoft’s app.
Once you’ve installed Virtualbox, click on the big ol’ “New” button in the app’s upper-left-hand corner. Enter a good name for your virtual machine on the next prompt and make sure that both Microsoft Windows and Windows 8 are selected within the corresponding “OS Type” drop-downs (it goes without saying).

From here, there aren’t a lot of options that you really need to edit – you can pass through most using the default options that VirtualBox has already selected on your behalf, save for those we mention below.
Click Next until you’re given a slider that asks you to adjust how much memory you want to assign to you virtual operating system. Windows 8 require a minimum of one gigabyte to run; If you can spare it, up your virtual machine to at least two gigabytes (2,048 megabytes).
Now, where are you going to physically store your operating system’s files? On a virtual hard drive, of course! The option to “Create new hard disk” is selected by default once you reach VirtualBox’s Virtual Hard Disk screen. That’s great. Click Next until you reach the screen where you’re asked to set your hard drive’s size. Remember: 16 gigabytes minimum for a 32-bit installation, 20 gigabytes minimum for a 64-bit installation. Adjust your size as you see fit, then click Next (selecting all the default prompts from that point forward) until you’re taken back to the main Oracle VM VirtualBox Manager screen. Almost there!

Highlight your new Virtual Machine and click on the big “Settings” icon above. While you can fiddle with a number of advanced settings to boost the performance of your to-be-Windows 8 installation – like adding support for more of you CPU’s cores within the “System” menu – the most critical piece of the puzzle that you need to set into place is your Windows 8 installation CD. Or, in this case, the ISO you previously made that your Virtual Machine will need to mount to install the OS.
Click on the “Storage” option on the left-hand menu on the Settings window. Under “IDE Controller,” you should see a big fat “Empty” next to an icon of a DVD. Click on "Empty." Then, click on the icon of a CD that appears next to the “CD/DVD Drive” drop-down menu on the right portion of the Settings window. Go find your ISO file. Click “OK” to mount the disc and exit out of the Settings window.
Ready? Click on the big green “Start” arrow after you’ve clicked on your Windows 8 virtual machine. Run through the Windows 8 installation process (it’s easy, since you’re just custom-installing the operating system to a single virtual hard drive), run through the Windows 8 personalization process, and enjoy your new OS within an OS.

Wrap-up

Sounds simple? Installing the Windows 8 Consumer Preview is a piece of cake. But if you just want a quick checklist for both dual-booting and virtualizing the operating system, well, we aim to please:
Dual-Boot

• Run the Windows 8 Consumer Preview Setup Program. Download the OS and use a USB key for the installation.
• Fire up your Computer Management window (under Administrative Tools in you Control Panel).
• Shrink your primary partition by at least 16 or 20 gigabytes (more, if you can afford it).
• Create a new, simple NTFS volume on your new block of unallocated space. Give it a good name.
• Reboot your system and jam the appropriate key during the boot sequence to access your motherboard’s boot selection list (or BIOS settings, if you have to adjust the boot order manually).
• Boot onto your USB key. Punch in your Windows key, select a custom installation to your new partition, and let ‘er rip.
• Run through Windows 8’s litany of personalization options. Try to figure out the new Metro UI.

Virtualization

• Run the Windows 8 Consumer Preview Setup Program. Make an ISO out of the installation files and save it somewhere on your desktop.
• Download and install VirtualBox.
• Create a new Virtual Machine. Make sure you’ve selected Windows 8 as the OS type.
• Give yourself enough RAM (at least 1 GB) and Virtual Hard Drive space (16 or 20 gigabytes)
• Mount your Windows 8 ISO within you Virtual Machine’s Settings window
• Launch your Virtual Machine; Install Windows; Try to figure out the new Metro UI.

Three Best Tools To Ease Your Windows - Not much different with the development of other technology goods, computer jobs created for helping people who need them. But for some people, computers are goods that are difficult to use. Thats why they reasoned that they could not work fast in use. 

It was a spur humans to create a device that can quickly finish the job. Be it software or hardware. Here Any Tricks will review a little software application that will allow you to manage your PC.

FreeCommander is an alternative to the default Windows file manager. This application will help you a daily struggle with Windows. With this FreeCommander application, youcan find the necessary functions to manage data stored on your hard disk. You can also take FreeCommander anywhere. Things you need to do is copy the installation directory to a CD or flash so it can use it on another PC. You can Download the official website located at www.freecommander.com 

Lets say you think, that you like from windows ekplorer complexity can be reduced. That picture explorer2lite. This application has two versions of the pro and lite. In comparison to its Pro version, lite version is much simpler. But important as are all of his remains. Xplorer2Lite offer two panels and tab folders, a feature to the efficiency of the Windows file management work. Features - features that are not owned flagship Windows Explorer, among others, synchronize folders, view side-by-side and internet search. Xplorer2lite advantage is that its interface can be adjusted as needed. Download in www.zabkat.com/x2lite.htm 

This application is one of the Network Protocol Analyzer is the most widely used. This program lets you capture and interactively browse the computers on the network traffic. If youre an IT practitioner, Wireshark is one of the tools you need to have compulsory. Beyond that, it is possible this program can be use by a novice user, for example by parents who want to keep an eye on your home activities. You can go straight to the official website at www.wireshark.org / download.html to download it.

Hopefully with Three Best Tools To Ease Your Windows, can increase your desire to manage your PC. However, many applications are almost similar to the one mentioned above. But most often used is the author of three applications.

Simple Performance Optimization of Windows with Boost - Talk about Windows optimization, we may not be familiar with the term "Tweaking" or"tweaking", the term to enable or disable hidden features. Previously I had to reviewvarious software tweaks for windows such as Mz Ultimate Tools, X-Setup Pro, RegToy,TweakNow also Ultimate Windows Tweaker.

Despite all the above tools can be said to be complete, but the majority of all the optionswe have to choose yourself. Although it gives us the freedom which will be onoptimization, but not infrequently some of us are confused or do not know / understandwhat is going on optimization. Therefore there is now a much simpler alternative, and wedo not need to be confused when they want to make tweaks to optimize Windows, Simple Performance Boost.

With a small program, free and portable Simple Performance Boost, we can furtheroptimize Windows XP, 2003, Vista, Windows 7, 8 or Windows 2008. The program isdesigned to perform system optimization (both stability and speed), but still done by selecting the most secure way, so to minimize the negative effects are undesirable.

Each "tweak" conducted by the program is only a small effect, but when many parts areoptimized, the performance obtained can be quite large.

When first run this software, it creates a registry backup (system configuration) to be changed, so that when there is a problem after using this software, it will easily be restored to its original state.

There are 4 view (tab) provided: Welcome, General Tweaks, Tweaks Networking & Service and Visual Tweaks. Start of Welcome, we can just click Next, Next to the endand kQ Apply Tweak it, after that restart and see how the optimization that we get. Buthere are some general explanation of each tab are available:

For those who already understand some tweaks that are provided, can sort out which ones will be optimized as needed. But for the beginners, the choices included is enough and can directly perform the optimization with the click Apply Tweaks. Optimization of only a few require restarting the computer next to the effect seen.

How to tell windows to increase performance? If we do not feel the performanceincrease, one way to check whether there is an effect or not is through the use of Memory(RAM). Check through Task Manager (Ctrl+Alt+Del) and select the Performance tab,and then compare it with previous use of Memory.

Download Simple Portable Performance Boost (380 KB)

Windows 8 Release Preview ISO images

Windows 8 Release Preview ISO files (.iso) are provided as an alternative to using Windows 8 Release Preview Setup. If you are on a PC running Windows and want to install the release preview on another partition, another PC, or a virtual machine, we recommend you download Windows 8 Release Preview Setup and use the built-in tools for converting an ISO image into installation media, such as a DVD or USB bootable flash drive. You can find additional information, including a list of supported upgrades, in the FAQ.


Note before you download: Windows 8 Release Preview is prerelease software that may be substantially modified before it’s commercially released. Microsoft makes no warranties, express or implied, with respect to the information provided here. Some product features and functionality may require additional hardware or software.


ISO images

An ISO image must be converted into installation media stored on a DVD or a USB flash drive. Instructions are provided on this page. Developer tools are available for download from Windows Dev Center.
Important: If you decide to go back to your previous operating system, youll need to reinstall it from the recovery or installation media that came with your PC, which is typically DVD media. If you don’t have recovery media, you might be able to create it from a recovery partition on your PC using software provided by your PC manufacturer. Check the support section of your PC manufacturer’s website for more information. After you install Windows 8, you won’t be able to use the recovery partition on your PC to go back to your previous version of Windows.


After you install Windows 8, you won’t be able to use the recovery partition on your PC to go back to your previous version of Windows.
English

64-bit (x64) Download (3.3 GB) Sha 1 hash — 0xD76AD96773615E8C504F63564AF749469CFCCD57

32-bit (x86) Download (2.5 GB) Sha 1 hash — 0x8BED436F0959E7120A44BF7C29FF0AA962BDEFC9

Product Key: TK8TP-9JN6P-7X7WW-RFFTV-B7QPF


Arabic

64-bit (x64) Download (3.3 GB) Sha 1 hash — 0x0C07A0501840517AE789B4EA82EDE061F4E42CE9

32-bit (x86) Download (2.5 GB) Sha 1 hash — 0x95B8948DB8AF1559B03ADA5A85B7987CFD456544

Product Key: TK8TP-9JN6P-7X7WW-RFFTV-B7QPF


Chinese (Simplified)

64-bit (x64) Download (3.4 GB) Sha 1 hash — 0xC21B69413E08FCFB756EEDB2B99D0C0472486D1C

32-bit (x86) Download (2.6 GB) Sha 1 hash — 0xF9FAF5910275832EA03F630CD5803565C03C8F31

Product Key: TK8TP-9JN6P-7X7WW-RFFTV-B7QPF


Chinese (Traditional)

64-bit (x64) Download (3.4 GB) Sha 1 hash — 0x1556802DEA81A7B3E3159E99F911C1C855B20B24

32-bit (x86) Download (2.6 GB) Sha 1 hash — 0xC617D24A48E5A5A2329CBA5DED2B08EBB7463FD0

Product Key: TK8TP-9JN6P-7X7WW-RFFTV-B7QPF


French

64-bit (x64) Download (3.3 GB) Sha 1 hash — 0x132ED51FAD11EF626BD330288822D68603C5C560

32-bit (x86) Download (2.5 GB) Sha 1 hash — 0x2F434DDD06ADDD38A972E3E71CA059BD9A4416CD

Product Key: TK8TP-9JN6P-7X7WW-RFFTV-B7QPF


German

64-bit (x64) Download (3.3 GB) Sha 1 hash — 0xC0117244B5E018BBF01F6242BF9020D27918A12F

32-bit (x86) Download (2.5 GB) Sha 1 hash — 0x019E239D0990B8C04505F5248DDBD067FC3CAF42

Product Key: TK8TP-9JN6P-7X7WW-RFFTV-B7QPF


Japanese

64-bit (x64) Download (3.3 GB) Sha 1 hash — 0x6393BA8BC2DD3CBD7B55D00B9D9587843BDB05CD

32-bit (x86) Download (2.5 GB) Sha 1 hash — 0xE28666272702351491CCB713DC66E064D88BA994

Product Key: TK8TP-9JN6P-7X7WW-RFFTV-B7QPF


Korean

64-bit (x64) Download (3.3 GB) Sha 1 hash — 0xC4CFD5F2DD54CDC44FCFE5D69122931DEDA57DF6

32-bit (x86) Download (2.5 GB) Sha 1 hash — 0xB605E1428852503C0E7E3490815E96A3101F2C55

Product Key: TK8TP-9JN6P-7X7WW-RFFTV-B7QPF


Portuguese (Brazil)

64-bit (x64) Download (3.3 GB) Sha 1 hash — 0x90B07E56008FAB64AD9CA47F86CC6D99150FBF8A

32-bit (x86) Download (2.5 GB) Sha 1 hash — 0x91AE86FACBBC4D6FAFED0239D15542C28F37827D

Product Key: TK8TP-9JN6P-7X7WW-RFFTV-B7QPF


Russian

64-bit (x64) Download (3.3 GB) Sha 1 hash — 0x10F9F738593BC740561DA8AB247F5CEF3ABA65BB

32-bit (x86) Download (2.5 GB) Sha 1 hash — 0x7A473B0D7F5DB3E949915D2A2F361FAE92A52538

Product Key: TK8TP-9JN6P-7X7WW-RFFTV-B7QPF


Spanish

64-bit (x64) Download (3.3 GB) Sha 1 hash — 0x6E6C4B9D5788BF2BF72E1AC8F1F1D6FA0241311C

32-bit (x86) Download (2.5 GB) Sha 1 hash — 0x533CA552681DFC9F347633F2BA1B5224BEF22EB3

Product Key: TK8TP-9JN6P-7X7WW-RFFTV-B7QPF


Swedish

64-bit (x64) Download (3.3 GB) Sha 1 hash — 0x632DB171AAD356E52930A745D92328055128CB8D

32-bit (x86) Download (2.5 GB) Sha 1 hash — 0x0BBB1EC6F68D4D0DAB0130853B5C6543882ED256

Product Key: TK8TP-9JN6P-7X7WW-RFFTV-B7QPF


Turkish

64-bit (x64) Download (3.3 GB) Sha 1 hash — 0x9086CAA101C872DAB529CA8A01F7C7370986837B

32-bit (x86) Download (2.5 GB) Sha 1 hash — 0x509E6D4331F965BCA4102968016E5AD6B05769BF

Product Key: TK8TP-9JN6P-7X7WW-RFFTV-B7QPF



System Requirements

Windows 8 Release Preview works great on the same hardware that powers Windows 7:

• Processor: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster
• RAM: 1 gigabyte (GB) (32-bit) or 2 GB (64-bit)
• Hard disk space: 16 GB (32-bit) or 20 GB (64-bit)
• Graphics card: Microsoft DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM driver

Additional requirements to use certain features:

• To use touch, you need a tablet or a monitor that supports multitouch.
• To access the Windows Store and to download and run apps, you need an active Internet connection and a screen resolution of at least 1024 x 768.
• To snap apps, you need a screen resolution of at least 1366 x 768.
• Internet access (ISP fees might apply)

How to install Windows 8 Release Preview from an ISO image

The easiest way to convert an ISO file to a DVD in Windows 7 is to use Windows Disc Image Burner. On a PC running Windows XP or Windows Vista, a third-party program is required to convert an ISO file into installable media—and DVD burning software often includes this capability. One option is the USB/DVD download tool provided by the Microsoft Store. You can also download Windows 8 Release Preview Setup, which includes tools that allow you to create a DVD or USB flash drive from an ISO file (Windows Vista or Windows 7 required).

Nokia recently announced two Windows Phone 7 devices. The Lumia 800 and the Lumia 710. This marked an interesting change for Nokia as they were previously reluctant to leave an operating system that was their own. Windows Phone OS may be just the push they need to remain strong in the market.
Let’s take a closer look at both phones.



Lumia 800

The Lumia 800 isn’t all that bad looking. It’s similar to the N9.  The corners are a bit sharp, but it has a cool seamless design. The body is one smooth piece, which is very cool looking. It somewhat reminds us of the older iPod Nano that was made from a single piece of metal. The phone, however, is polycarbonate. Polycarbonate is lightweight and shatter-resistant.
The handset comes in three colors: cyan, magenta and black. The Lumia 800 houses a 1.4GHz single-core processor, but is said to be nice and speedy.
Dimensions – The handset is .47 inches thick,  2.4 inches wide and 4.58 inches long. Nice little compact size.
Display – The screen is 3.7 inches, which is just a hair larger than the iPhone display (3.5-inch). Of course it’s a capacitive AMOLED touchscreen. The resolution is 400 x 800.  It records 720p HD video at 30fps.
Camera – 8MP. This is about average these days.
Battery – The Lumia 800 is advertised as such: 9.5 hours talk time (3G), 335 hours standby time (3G). 55 hours music playback and 7 hours of video playback. It’s powered by a 1450mAh battery.
Storage - 16GB
RAM – 512MB
We obviously don’t have one in our hands, but if we had to say at a glance that we have any problems with it, it’s something that plagued the iPhone 4. The screen isn’t recessed in the slightest. In fact, it almost seems to protrude based on the images we’ve seen. Anyone who has dropped a phone knows what that can mean.

Tech Specs via Nokia’s Website




Lumia 710
This is another nice little smartphone with a clean design. It doesn’t have the single-piece body of the 800, but it still looks pretty.
Dimensions - The handset is .49 inches thick,  2.4 inches wide and 4.68 inches long. Like the 800, it’s a nice, compact smartphone.
Display -  It’s loaded with a 3.7 inch TFT capacitive touchscreen, which is just a hair larger than the iPhone display (3.5-inch) and the exact same size as the 800. It’s a ClearBlack, anti-glare screen. The resolution is 480 x 800.  It records video at 1280 pixels by 720 pixels at 30fps, just like the Lumia 800.
Camera – 5MP. This is a bit lower than many current phones, but nothing to be disappointed at. In fact, as we’ve heard, MP count doesn’t tell the whole story.
Battery - The Lumia 710 is advertised as such: 7.6 hours talk time (3G), 400 hours standby time (3G). 38 hours music playback and 6 hours of video playback. It’s powered by a 1300mAh battery.
Storage - 8GB
RAM - 512MB
What’s kind of cool about this handset is that it has swappable covers. Definitely a nice extra.
Tech Specs via Nokia’s Website


A Chance for both Windows Phone 7 and Nokia
Windows Phone 7 definitely needs a strong push in the market. It doesn’t quite have that yet, and these are the kinds of phones Microsoft needs to get their mobile OS in the hands of consumers. Nokia, on the other hand, needs to put something awesome together if they want to stay in the smartphone race. Now they are running with an OS that is current, and they seem to be doing it very well at this point. Let’s see if things pick up.