Windows 8 / RT – Metro Internet Explorer 10 flash whitelist to be replaced by a blacklist

Up until now in Windows 8 and Windows RT, the Metro version of Internet Explorer 10 would only run flash on websites that were whitelisted in the Internet Explorer Compatibility View list. Even though you could add websites to the whitelist (I even made a script for it), most people didn’t knew it or just aren’t that handy with computers to fix this themselves. This ofcourse leads to a bad user experience.

Now Microsoft has decided to allow all flash websites and only blacklist some that don’t meet the standard (apparently less than 4% of the tested websites). You can read more about it here: http://blogs.msdn.com/b/ie/archive/2013/03/11/flash-in-windows-8.aspx

I think this is a good move, because it gives an advantage over other tablets. I think this should’ve been this way from the start, but better late than never.

 

 

Windows 8 – Use Windows 8 apps when behind a proxy including the Windows 8 Store

In the past I’ve heard numerous people mention they couldn’t get the Windows 8 Store from behind a proxy on the corporate network. Many even thought it was a design flaw by Microsoft and that it wasn’t possible.

A colleague of mine Kuo Wei Lau informed me about this article that specifies how to configure the proxy for metro apps in Windows 8.

So it is possible to use Windows 8 apps from behind a proxy, but I have to admit that in my opinion the configuration is hidden in a not very obvious location. Nevertheless, it is possible

Apparently there are also other solutions and apparently there are also some issues to take into account. So you might want to take a look at these articles as well:

http://www.thewindowsclub.com/setup-proxy-metro-application-windows-8
http://drdebmath.blogspot.nl/2012/11/use-proxy-windows8-iitg.html
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2778122

 

Review – Acer Iconia Tab W700 tablet – NT.L0EEH.002

Beware: It seems there are different models of the Acer Iconia Tab W700 in different regions around the world, so pricing and specs may differ. This article covers the NT.L0EEH.002 model with an I3 processor as sold in the Netherlands.

Click the image for a slide show

First of all, for me it was obvious my type of use would require a Windows 8 tablet. An iPad, Android or Windows RT tablet would not meet my needs. For more information about differences, please read my previous post.

Since I was looking for a Windows 8 tablet, I’ve tried many different ones intended either for consumers or companies/professionals. My favorite among all these tablets was the new Samsung Series 7 slate with a i5 processor and a S-pen for digital note taking/writing.

Still I decided to order an Acer Iconia Tab W700 tablet (NT.L0EEH.002) because of the specifications, price and all the included extras:

+Full Windows 8 (not Windows RT).
+Good specs (i3 CPU with Intel HD Graphics 3000, 4GB RAM, 64GB SSD, 11.6″ screen, 1920*1080 resolution).
+Dock, keyboard and proper brown cover are included.
+No other Windows 8 tablet with similar specs and peripherals comes even close to its price (599 euros at the time I bought it).
+Micro HDMI.
+Included adapter Micro HDMI to VGA-out.
+Charges quickly.
+No proprietary stuff.

There are however some compromises I accepted as well:

-CPU is not an i5 or i7 CPU.
-No GPS.
-No built-in 3G (can use USB dongle though).
-No memory card slot (can use USB flash drive / USB disk though).
-No digitizer in the screen / pen support.
-Keyboard is separate Bluetooth device (not a docking, and therefore also no additional battery life and more difficult to carry around).
-The tablet can become warm to the touch. Not noticeable when using the included cover.
-It is not fanless and if you listen very good, you can hear the fan sometimes.
-It might be a bit on the thick and heavy side for some.
-The plastic dock is a nice extra, but the build quality could’ve been better.
-Screen is reflective (as most devices nowadays)
-The power adapter is relatively big.
-Boot from USB flash drive doesn’t seem to be supported. Reinstall requires USB CD/DVD drive.

Even though I don’t need it yet, I would have really enjoyed to be able to expand the storage using a memory card slot. I would also have liked the digitizer/pen, because this would make life easier sometimes when I have to do some stuff in the regular Windows 8 interface.

Besides the specs, I can also say that it’s not just specs. The device feels solid, looks great, boots quickly, has a beautiful screen, has a responsive touch screen and the battery life is good as well (6-10 hours depending on the use). All in all it just works great and it’s a very complete package, so you don’t need to buy any additional stuff.

After using it for about 1,5 months I can honestly say that I don’t want to be without a Windows 8 tablet anymore, because it gives me much more freedom to do stuff when and where I want.

I personally use it mainly in tablet mode to:

• Browse the internet (mainly Facebook, Twitter, Tweakers.net but also other websites)
• Watch video learning online / live seminars (some require flash or Silverlight, which other tablets do not support).
• Watch 720p and 1080p movies and TV series (MKV x264).
• Check and send e-mails.
• Play games.
• Chat.
• RDP to other systems.

I also have a good desktop and laptop, but if you don’t have either … this tablet can be used as a replacement. You might however want to attach a bigger screen of course.

You might also want to check out other reviews of the Acer Iconia Tab W700. The only one of the same model I have is in Dutch: http://www.tabletguide.nl/review/acer-iconia-tab-w700-review/

You could also check these international reviews, but once again keep in mind that they review different models with another CPU, a different size SSD and also a different price:

• Acer Iconia W700 review: Tablet, meet desktop
• Review: Acer’s Iconia W700 is an Ultrabook in a tablet’s body
• Acer Iconia W700 review: a Core i5 Windows 8 slate that doesn’t skimp on battery life
• Microsoft Surface Pro vs. Acer Iconia W700 Tablet: Specs Compared
• Laptop power in a tablet package

If you still have any questions, please leave a comment and I will get back to you.

 

Microsoft – Surface Pro 128GB sold out in many places despite the not overly positive reviews

Today Microsoft has released its Surface Pro and despite the not overly positive reviews, the 128GB model has apparently sold out in many places.

I personally really like the Windows 8 tablets (I own an Acer W700), but I think the pricing for the Surface Pro is still too steep at the moment for the majority of people. Still it should be enough to get people to think about all the great possibilities with Windows 8 tablets.

So let’s wait and see what 3rd parties will do and what will happen to prices over time. I do expect businesses to adopt Windows 8 tablets quite quickly though. Especially since the sales of regular PC’s aren’t doing that well.

For now, I will leave you with links to a couple of reviews so you can see what other people think:

• AnandTech – Microsoft Surface Pro Review
• BGR – Microsoft Surface Pro Review
• Business Insider – REVIEW: Microsoft’s New Tablet, The Surface Pro
• Cnet – Smart almost-laptop nearly gets it right
• Engadget – Microsoft Surface Pro Review
• Forbes – First Impressions: Microsoft Surface Pro
• Gizmodo – Microsoft Surface Pro Review: Too Much Future?
• PCworld – Review: Surface Pro is the world’s best Windows tablet, but still can’t close the deal
• Techcrunch – The Microsoft Surface Pro Proves That The PC Is Back
• Techland – Review: Microsoft Surface Pro, the Surface That’s More PC than Tablet
• Techradar – Hands on: Microsoft Surface Pro review
• The New York Times – It’s a Tablet. No, It’s a PC. Surface Pro Is Both.
• The Seattle Times – Review: Microsoft’s Surface Pro
• The Verge – Microsoft Surface Pro Review
• Wall Street Journal / All things digital – Surface Pro: Hefty Tablet Is a Laptop Lightweight

 

Microsoft – Security Compliance Manager 3.0 (SCM) has been released

Microsoft has released the Security Compliance Manager 3.0 (SCM). This version includes support for Windows Server 2012, Windows 8, and Internet Explorer 10.

SCM enables you to quickly configure and manage computers and your private cloud using Group Policy and Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager. It provides ready-to-deploy policies and DCM configuration packs based on Microsoft Security Guide recommendations and industry best practices, allowing you to easily manage configuration drift, and address compliance requirements for Windows operating systems and Microsoft applications.

Basically in SCM 3.0 you can use predefined baselines, customize them or create completely new ones. Then you can export it from SCM 3.0 and apply it using an Active Directory GPO. To do this, create a new GPO in Group Policy Management, right click the GPO, import settings and complete the wizard.

You can also export existing GPO and then import it into SCM 3.0 and compare the differences.

 

Windows 8 – Last chance to use the Windows 8 Upgrade Offer and to get the free Windows 8 Media Center Pack

Last chance ….

At the 31st of January these special Windows 8 related offers are ending:

• Upgrading to Windows 8 Pro for newly bought computers (prices differ,15 euros in the Netherlands)
• Upgrading to Windows 8 Pro by downloading from the Microsoft Store (prices differ, 30 euros in NL)
• A free key to add Windows 8 Media Center Pack to Windows 8 Pro. Also needs to be used before Februari 1st 2013.

This means that the Windows 8 (Pro) upgrade will be much more expensive:
http://blogs.windows.com/windows/b/bloggingwindows/archive/2013/01/18/update-on-windows-8-pricing.aspx

On the Microsoft Store it looks like it’s current upgrade price of 30 euros will become 280 euros.
So even if you don’t need/want Windows 8 yet, it might be worth considering to just buy it right now.

For more information, including how to perform a clean install when you’ve bough the upgrade, please check my previous post.

 

Windows 8 – Running Windows 8 from USB stick or USB hard disk using Windows To Go (WTG)

Summary of what Windows To Go (WTG) is

In short, Windows To Go is a Windows 8 Enterprise feature that allows you to boot and run Windows 8 from a USB flash drive (USB stick).

Potential reasons and scenarios for using Windows To Go

There are many potential reasons and scenarios for using Windows To Go, but here are some of them from the top of my head:

 

Home LAB – How to use Windows 8 Client Hyper-V and VMware Workstation on the same machine

In yesterday’s post I described that for my purposes it was still necessary to run VMware Workstation sometimes despite having Client Hyper-V installed on my Windows 8 machine.

What you have to keep in mind though, is that you’re already running a hypervisor when you have Client Hyper-V installed in Windows 8. Installing and running VMware Workstation might cause problems. So unfortunately you cannot run them at the same time. This is also true for other virtualization products like by example virtualbox.

As a workaround you can either uninstall or (temporarily) disable Hyper-V. When you want to switch between Hyper-V and VMware Workstation it is ofcourse best to just temporarily disable Hyper-V.

In this forum post, a couple of methods are described to (temporarily) disable Hyper-V. It includes creating a seperate boot menu entry to boot with Hyper-V disabled and modifying the setting either through registry or a command. All methods do require a reboot however.

PS:

• This kind of configuration is ofcourse not supported and should only be used for testing purposes in non production environments.
• Depending on both your hardware and what your planning to do, you might also want to consider:
  • Running VMware ESXi from a USB stick
  • Running Windows 8 from a USB stick with Windows To Go (WTG).
• It should also work on Hyper-V in Windows Server 2008 and up, but I haven’t tested it.

 

Windows 8 – Windows 8 Upgrade Offer (15 euros) and free Windows Media Center offer ending 31st of January

As some of you might know, at the 31st of January some special Windows 8 related offers are ending:

• Upgrading to Windows 8 Pro for newly bought computers (prices differ,15 euros in the Netherlands)
• A free key to add Windows 8 Media Center Pack to Windows 8 Pro

For more information, including how to perform a clean install when you’ve bough the upgrade, please check my previous post.

 

Security – Java releases update for major Java vulnerability

Last sunday I warned about a major vulnerability in Java.

It wasn’t expected that Java would come have an update available this quickly, but it is good that they did. So be sure to update to Java 7 Update 11 : http://java.com