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ie8 fix

Windows 8

How to bypass the Windows 8 log-in screen

Windows 8 runs a tight ship by throwing up a lock screen and a log-in screen before you can dive in. But you can easily bypass those screens so you don't have to type your password every time. Here's how:

From the Start screen, type netplwiz. The command for netplwiz, aka the User Accounts Control Panel, appears in the search results in the left pane. Click that command. In the User Accounts Control Panel, select the account you wish to use to log in automatically. Click off the check-box above the account that says "Users must enter … Read more

Windows Phone 8 shipping on new phones this fall

Windows Phone 8, the successor to its Windows Phone 7.5 Mango mobile operating system, will ship on handsets starting this fall, according to Microsoft.

Windows Phone 8, code-named Apollo, will feature support for multicore processors, NFC with a mobile payments wallet, and support for three screen resolutions and microSD card slots.

Furthermore, the next Windows Phone OS will share a common kernel with the PC version of Windows 8, which will -- again, according to Microsoft -- allow for easier cross-platform software development between all versions of Windows 8.… Read more

Surface tablets: Microsoft's tabletop downsized?

Microsoft officials have been hinting for a couple of years that they hoped to someday shrink down the table-sized multitouch Surface technology and make it available in a tablet form factor.

So when Microsoft announced plans for not one, but two Surface tablets on June 18, my first thought was: Are these Surfaces in anything other than name? In other words, did Microsoft actually manage to shrink its multitouch table into a multitouch tablet?

The short answer: No.

Here's a bit of background on the Surface.

Microsoft introduced the Surface 1.0 technology, formerly codenamed "PlayTable" and then "Milan," … Read more

Surface touches the right keys, but not a complete picture

Editor's note: For CNET's complete analysis of Microsoft's new tablets, check out our First Take of the Surface RT.

LOS ANGELES--Microsoft debuted the Surface line of tablets here today, part of Windows 8's attempts to be all things to all people. The tablets are Microsoft's most aggressive entry to the tablet market to date, but the company has yet to do more than whet our interest.

Two Surface-branded tablets were announced today. One will be running Windows RT, the other Windows 8 Pro. There are some sharp differences between the two versions of Windows 8, … Read more

Just what is Windows RT, anyway? (FAQ)

Note: This story was originally published on June 15, 2012. It was republished on October 12, 2012 with additional details about Windows RT.

Coming off of our previous coverage, you may have heard about Windows 8 (read CNET's review) and Windows RT as being different. While Microsoft has made a point of cutting down on the number of Windows 8 versions available when compared with previous Windows releases, the company is also making a feature-limited Windows 8 version to run on ARM processors called Windows RT. Windows RT is more like Microsoft's attempt to do a Windows version … Read more

Microsoft charges tablet OEMs $80 or more for Windows RT?

Windows RT could become the platform that helps Microsoft gain tablet market share. But before that can happen, vendors are going to have to pay a hefty sum just to get their hands on it, according to a new report.

Tech site VR-Zone reported yesterday that it recently spoke with several tablet vendors at last week's Computex trade show in Taiwan. And in those discussions, it found that Microsoft is charging between $80 and $95 for Windows RT, the company's ARM-ready operating system. The majority of those vendors said that they were quoted $85.

Microsoft is facing an … Read more

Reading the Windows 8 tea leaves

The Taiwanese tech confab Computex has revealed the first trickle of Windows 8 hardware, offering a little clarity to the muddy waters of the operating system's future.

Most of the Windows 8 devices on display were prototypes only. Few manufacturers released detailed specs, and fewer allowed attendees to even hold the prototypes. Nevertheless, there's some important things we can glean about how the new hardware will meld with the new operating system.

First, thin is in. Way in, and that bodes well for device weight. Even Asus' unusual and unique dual-screen Taichi is expected to come in at … Read more

Navigate the Windows 8 Start screen via mouse and keyboard

The more apps you install in Windows 8, the more crowded and wider the Metro Start screen becomes. But PC users can easily steer across the Start screen using just their trusty mouse and keyboard.

By Mouse:

Move your mouse right and left to move to the right and left edges of the Start screen. Moving your mouse's scroll wheel up and down will also move you left and right on the Start screen.

Laptop users can tap into their trackpad. Swipe your fingers up and down the trackpad to move left and right on the Start screen. And … Read more

How to turn Windows 8 Metro live tiles on and off

One of the benefits of the Metro Start screen are live tiles, which can display the latest info from your e-mail, calendar, contacts, and other apps. How do you enable that feature?

You first need to open and potentially set up the app for which you want to see a live tile. Among the apps in the new Windows 8 Release Preview that can tap into this feature are Mail, People, Calendar, Photos, Weather, News, and Sports.

Just opening certain apps will turn on the live tile feature. For example, open the News and Weather apps and then return to … Read more