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Windows 8

Guide To Windows 8.1 System Image Backup

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win8logoGuide To Windows 8.1 System Image Backup

This article covers:
1 – Introduction
– What is a System Image
– The Great Windows System Image Program Hunt of 2013
2 – Launching System Image Backup From Command Line
3 – Create A Shortcut To System Image Backup
4 – Creating A System Image
5 – Running System Image Backup From Command Line
6 – Scheduling A System Image Backup
7 – Create a Recovery Drive
8 – How To Restore a Windows System Image
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My Thoughts On Windows 8.1 RTM

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win8logo*Note – This is an opinion piece, not a review. And a short one at that.

I put a poll up last week to see what the regulars who stop by here think. Here are the results (as of this writing):
What is your opinion of Win 8.1 RTM?
No Windows 8 for me. (42%)
Waiting for Oct. 18th. (30%)
Meh. (11%)
It sucks. (9%)
It Rocks. (8%)
(Yes, I am aware this is an unscientific poll.)
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Start8 1.20

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start8logoStardock has released Start8 1.20.
This program adds a Windows 7 style Start Menu to Windows 8. It is my personal favorite. Cost is $4.99 (U.S.).
Product Page
Download
Release Notes

Start8 1.20 Changelog
-Updated for Windows 8.1 Preview build compatibility
-Start8 allows customizing the Start button image AND provides a desktop Start menu
-Added new prompt on first run to select a default button image. Upgrade installs will not see this prompt.
-When running on Windows 8.1 Preview, respect the OS configuration for “boot to desktop”
-When used with Stardock WindowBlinds, you can also override the Start button in use with the WB setting for “always use the OS” button
-Options for showing the Windows 8.1 Start screen in other than full-screen mode are disabled in this version of Start8

How To Downgrade Windows 8

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no8I’m not advocating it, but I understand some people may want to downgrade Windows 8. Here is how to do it:
See: Microsoft – Understanding Downgrade Rights

Downgrade only supported from from Windows 8 Pro to Windows 7 Pro (or Vista Biz, LOL).

Steps:
1 – You must have Windows 8 Pro (with license key)
2 – You’ll need a Windows 7 DVD or ISO.
You can download ISO’s here:
Windows 7 Professional with SP1 32-bit
Windows 7 Professional with SP1 64-bit
To create a DVD from an ISO use CDBurnerXP.
To create a bootable flash drive see: Windows 7 USB/DVD download tool. (If you have issues with this see here.)
3 – Install Windows 7 Pro. Do a clean install via instructions here: Installing Windows 7
4 – Activation. When entering key you will probably need to use the “Activation Support phone number” as per the Understanding Downgrade Rights above. Explain what you are doing. They will give you an activation code.
5 – That’s it!