Installed the Beta

I click on the Apps on my home screen (Maps, Music, Email, etc). The screen opens, it states APP PREVIEW and nothing happens. Then the screen goes back to the home screen

Am I missing something here?

What steps do I need to do in order to activate these and other apps?

As stated in many other threads, the Metro apps are the most unfinished portion of this beta OS. This is an unfinished OS. Perhaps when the RP is released in late spring some of the Metro apps will be more operational.

so what is the point of installing it? And how do I revert back to Windows 7?

slider..for some reason you had a bad install. You might try getting another WCP from a different place and try re-installing it. I personally don't use apps, thats why I'm running WDP and i have the metro start page disabled so that my win 8 looks and operates like win 7 but has all the perks of win 8...good luck

Mine all seems to be working OK. Just installed the Metro Weather app this morning, my email has been working from day one.

After reading your OP, I tried out the Maps app, after a few second wait, it worked, pointed out my home city. Music seems to be working, after the same amount of time, it came up. Then there was the box to fill out for promos, that's where I stopped. Because I don't mess with games (that Xbox thing), that was along with the music, there was no need for me to continue.

You can either go back, wait a few more seconds, click on to App Preview & see if it helps. If it doesn't work, then as Ted stated, just wait for the RC of Windows 8, which should be available within the next couple of months. The rumor is May/June, but keep in mind that's not a guaranteed time frame. But with Windows 8's planned release in October, it can't be much longer, MS has to wrap this thing up for the finished product to be ready.

And remember, just because features works on some computers with this beta OS, it doesn't mean that it will work for all. At some point, screen resolution is going to become a factor. The absolute minimum resolution is going to be 1024x768 (won't support Snap at this one). The recommended resolution (just what mine happens to be) is 1366x768. Microsoft even confirms this.

Ideal Windows 8 screen resolution is 1366x768 - PC & Tech Authority

This is information that you may wish to consider, if you're planning a Windows 8 install in the future. Having an ideal sized monitor will go a long way towards your future Windows 8 install being functional & enjoyable.

Best of Luck,
Cat

I'm running a desktop computer with a 34" monitor and i set my monitor to 1366x768 and it works great

Originally Posted by dnationsr

slider..for some reason you had a bad install. You might try getting another WCP from a different place and try re-installing it. I personally don't use apps, thats why I'm running WDP and i have the metro start page disabled so that my win 8 looks and operates like win 7 but has all the perks of win 8...good luck

That can be done, but there's one issue to be aware of. The final version of Windows 8 is going to be Metro. It's not going to have a Start Orb. It's not going to look & feel like Windows 7, because quite frankly, it's not Windows 7. This is the equivalent of running Windows XP with Windows 7 skins. The user is fooling him/herself, but no one else.

This type of install is fine if one is just planning to run it until support ends, then drop it. One needs the install intended for retail consumers to decide if Windows 8 is the right way to go (& to learn it). The RC (close to the finished product) is going to be released soon. That's the OS one needs to be learning.

Cat

Originally Posted by slider9499

so what is the point of installing it? And how do I revert back to Windows 7?

You didn't backup (image) your Windows 7 install prior to installing Windows 8 CP? If not, your options have been slimmed, but not impossible.

Did you burn your recovery disks when your computer was new? Most, if not all, Windows 7 computers (I don't know about netbooks) has this option. Also, many OEM's still has recovery media for your computer, but it'll cost between $15 to $30. A small price to pay if you haven't backed up your computer & have no other way to install the original OS. You'll need the exact model number for your computer, plus any other requested info.

Cat

Originally Posted by slider9499

so what is the point of installing it? And how do I revert back to Windows 7?

The point is to TEST a beta OS. Did you read any of the warnings plastered around this Forum or indeed on the download sites about this being a beta OS. It sounds as though you installation is corrupt as has been mentioned. Perhaps your original download was corrupt. Did you download the Win 8 CP iso from MS or someone else?

If you overwrote your Win 7 OS with a beta OS, then your only recourse, assuming you did not make an Image as is recommended by everyone is a complete reinstall of Win 7 and all your apps. If you do not have installation media you can download the Win 7 iso file from Digital River, burn it to DVD and install it from the DVD, then update it with the numerous updates issued since this iso was created. At that point you can start installing all you apps and customizations. Once you have completed that. I would suggest checking into Imaging.

With an Up To Date system Image from a good 3rd party Imaging app this entire chore could have been completed in under 10 minutes instead of the full day or more a reinstallation will take.