Recently, Windows 8 Consumer Preview was released by Microsoft which crossed one million downloads in just 24 hours. Perhaps, if you’re a Windows 8 tester using the re-imagined Windows as your primary OS, then here is something useful for you. These Windows 8 keyboard shortcuts officially provided by MS, help users control various settings and toggle functions in Windows 8 quickly with the ease of your keyboard.

Below are listed some of the efficient Windows 8 Keyboard Shortcuts (list compiled by Rob Margel of MSDN Blogs).

· Windows key – Brings up the Metro start screen. You can start typing to search for an app, just like the Win7 start menu.

· Win + B – Switch to the (classic) Windows desktop and select the tray notification area.

· Win + C – Brings up the Charms menu, where you can search, share, and change settings.

· Win + D – Brings up the old Windows desktop.

· Win + E – Launch Windows Explorer with Computer view displayed.

· Win + F – Brings up the Metro File search screen.

· Win + H – Opens the Metro Share panel.

· Win + I – Opens the Settings panel, where you can change settings for the current app, change volume, wireless networks, shut down, or adjust the brightness.

· Win + J – Switches focus between snapped Metro applications.

· Win + K – Opens the Devices panel (for connecting to a projector or some other device)

· Win + L – Lock PC and return to Lock screen.

· Win + M – Minimize all Windows on the desktop

· Win + O – Locks device orientation.

· Win + P – Choose between available displays.

· Win + Q – Brings up the Metro App Search screen.

· Win + R – Switch to the (classic) Windows desktop and display the Run box.

· Win + U – Switch to the (classic) Windows desktop and launch the Ease of Access Center.

· Win + V – Cycles through toasts.

· Win + W – Brings up the Metro Settings search screen.

· Win + X – Launch Start Menu.

· Win + Y – Temporarily peek at the desktop.

· Win + Z – Opens the App Bar for the current Metro application.

· Win + Page Up / Down – Moves tiles to the left / right.

· Win + Tab – Opens the Metro application switcher menu, switches between applications.

· Win + , (comma) – Aero Peek at the desktop.

· Win + . (period) – Snaps the current Metro application to one side of the screen. (Right side)

· Win + Shift + . (period) – Snaps the current Metro application to the other side of the screen. (Left side)

· Win + Space – Switch input language and keyboard layout.

· Win + Shift + V – Cycles through toasts in reverse order.

· Win + Enter – Launches Narrator

· Win + Arrow Keys – Switch to the (classic) Windows desktop and enable Aero Snap

If these aren’t enough, then check out the comprehensive list of Windows 8 keyboard shortcuts displayed in the image below. (Click on the image to view it in full size.)

For printing, download the file in PDF or XPS format.

Do share your favorite Win 8 keyboard shortcuts below in the comments section.

via [The Windows Blog]

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• How to Get Back Old Start Menu in Windows 8
• Windows 8 Developer Preview Keyboard Shortcuts
• Tweak Windows 8 Interface easily with Metro UI Tweaker
• Start8 by Stardock – Adds Back Start Menu to Windows 8
• Official list of Keyboard shortcuts for Windows 7, Vista & XP

Following the release of Windows 8 Consumer Preview (Windows 8 Beta), Microsoft has also released Visual Studio 11 Beta and .NET Framework 4.5 Beta. No matter the size or complexity of your organization or project, Visual Studio 11 Beta can help you turn your ideas into software. There is no MSDN subscriber account required to download Visual Studio 11 Beta, anyone can download and try it for Free to experience what’s new!

“Visual Studio 11” offers an improved developer experience that includes a simplified user interface designed to keep developers focused on their work, with fewer distractions and easier access to the tools they need.

Visual Studio 11 Beta is available in 4 editions namely: Ultimate, Premium, Professional, and Test Professional. Use the comparison table to identify which edition of Visual Studio 11 Beta is the best solution for your application development needs and practices. Below are the official links for Offline installer of Visual Studio 11 Beta. Download the desired edition as an ISO image file, mount or burn it to a DVD and proceed with installation.

Visual Studio 11 Beta – [Direct Download Links]

Visual Studio 11 Ultimate Beta is the comprehensive ALM offering for organizations developing and operating highly scalable software applications and services.

Download Visual Studio 11 Ultimate Beta – English (ISO)

Visual Studio 11 Premium Beta offers an integrated ALM solution to bring together stakeholders, users, and software development functions to deliver compelling applications as a unified team.

Download Visual Studio 11 Premium Beta – English (ISO)

Visual Studio 11 Professional Beta is a unified development experience that enables developers to create multi-tier applications across the web, cloud, and devices.

Download Visual Studio 11 Professional Beta – English (ISO)

Visual Studio 11 Test Professional Beta is ideal for testers, business analysts, product managers, and other stakeholders who need team collaboration tools, but not a full development IDE.

Download Visual Studio 11 Test Professional Beta – English (ISO)

Other Stuff:

• Download Visual Studio 11 Ultimate Beta Language Pack – English
• Download Visual Studio 11 Beta Product Guide [PDF]
• Download .NET Framework 4.5 Beta

Supported OS:

• Windows 7 (x86 and x64)
• Windows 8 Consumer Preview (x86 and x64)
• Windows Server 2008 R2 (x64)
• Windows Server 8 Beta (x64)

References:

• ‘Visual Studio 11’ Beta and .NET Framework 4.5 Beta Make Software Development Fast, Collaborative and Focused
• Welcome to the Beta of Visual Studio 11 and .NET Framework 4.5

Related Posts:

• Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 RTM released! [Download a full Trial version]
• Download Visual Studio 11 Developer Preview & .NET Framework 4.5 Developer Preview
• Download Microsoft Windows SDK for Windows 7 and .NET Framework 3.5 SP1
• Download Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 Beta 2 [Free]
• Download "Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 Express Editions with SP1" All-In-One DVD image

Microsoft has finally released the much awaited update for Windows 8 in an event at Barcelona, following the initial release of Windows 8 Developer Preview in late 2011. Windows 8 Consumer Preview is available to everyone for free who wants to try it out. With Windows 8, the whole experience of Windows has been re-imagined and it offers a more robust experience. This brand new OS is designed to work on a variety of devices, ranging from touch-enabled tablets, to laptops, desktops, etc. Download it now to try and experience the new features and included apps at no cost!

The doors for “Windows Store” (currently in beta) has also been opened with the availability of Windows 8 Consumer Preview. The store serves various new Metro style apps from both third-party developers and Microsoft. It’s available worldwide for download in English, French, German, Japanese and simplified Chinese languages.

Windows 8 Consumer Preview [Video]

Video: Windows 8 Consumer Preview Official Demo

Windows 8 Consumer Preview System Requirements:

• 1 GHz or faster processor
• 1 GB RAM (32-bit) or 2 GB RAM (64-bit)
• 16 GB available hard disk space (32-bit) or 20 GB (64-bit)
• DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver
• 1024 x 768 minimum screen resolution

>> It should be noted that Windows 8 Consumer Preview is a pre-release version of Windows 8 that may encounter bugs. Hence, it’s recommended not to use it as your primary OS but for testing purposes and providing your feedback.

Download Windows 8 Consumer Preview at http://preview.windows.com or visit http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/iso for its ISO images, available in both 32-bit (x86) and 64-bit (x64). The product key is meant to activate your beta copy.

• 32-bit (x86) [Size: 2.5 GB]
• 64-bit (x64) [Size: 3.3 GB]

Product Key:  DNJXJ-7XBW8-2378T-X22TX-BKG7J  (English)

Check below references articles for detailed information:

• Microsoft Announces Availability of Windows 8 Consumer Preview

• Introducing Windows 8 Consumer Preview

Related Posts:

• Download Windows 8 Consumer Preview Product Guide
• Download & Try Windows 8 Developer Preview for Free
• Download Visual Studio 11 Beta [Standalone Installers]
• Nightfall and Starlight Panoramic Theme [First Official Windows 8 Theme]
• Internet Explorer 9 Final now available for Download

Christmas (Xmas) and New Year 2011 is just a couple of weeks away, considering which Microsoft has added a pair of themes to Windows 7 personalization gallery. The two new and official Windows 7 themes released just in time are available for Free. Download them now to give your desktop a beautiful and enticing new look! All the desktop backgrounds packed are in high-resolution of 1920×1200.

Decorating the Trees theme

Bringing a note of holiday cheer to forest and garden, these festive ornaments brighten trees’ winter robes of snow and ice. Download this free Windows 7 theme to decorate your desktop for the season.

Download Here

Decking the Halls theme

Fa-la-la-la-la! ‘Tis the season to be jolly, join the chorus, and don your most festive apparel. And don’t forget to decorate your PC with colorful ornaments, gold ribbon, and candles for this joyous time by downloading this free holiday Windows 7 theme for your desktop.

Download Here

Additional Sources:

• 50 Christmas And New Year Desktop Wallpapers [Hongkiat]
• Roundup: 40 HD Christmas Wallpapers [Crispme]
• Desktop Wallpapers: Christmas Edition [Smashing Magazine]

Related Posts:

• Download New Windows 7 Themes – Arctic & Fireworks
• Download Holiday Lights – Official Windows 7 theme
• Download Windows 7 Christmas Theme Pack
• Beautiful Merry Christmas HD Wallpapers & 8 MP3 Mix Songs [Featured Download]
• 3 New Windows 7 Themes – Winter, Snow Angels, Narnia

Windows Phone 7 devices are gaining substantial popularity and would be soon competing neck to neck with the top smartphone OS platforms, iOS and Android. The official Windows Phone twitter channel (@WindowsPhone) recently tweeted a link to webpage, allowing the iPhone and Android users to try and experience a quick demo of Windows Phone on their mobile browser.

Windows Phone official demo page is specially meant for non-Windows Phone devices, so that other mobile platform users can virtually have hands-on with the interface and basic functions of Windows Phone OS. The demo also works perfectly on Google Chrome browser, allowing everyone to test it without owning an actual Windows Phone (WP7) device. Alternatively, you can chose to install Windows Phone SDK that includes Windows Phone Emulator, in case you’re interested in having a detailed demo of the same.

The WP7 demo page offers access to the default Metro UI home screen with main phone widgets actively working such as Phone, Messaging, Calendar, Pictures, People, etc. You can continue checking other options and functions by tapping the blue button or swiping between screens. The interface look simply awesome, just give it a try out!

Link - http://aka.ms/wpdemo

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• Download Opera Mobile 10.1 Beta for Android
• Download Opera Mobile emulator to Run Opera Mobile 10 on Windows, Mac and Linux
• Turn your Android Phone Home Screen into an iPhone 4S
• Powerful Control – Enhanced Power Control Android Widget [Brings Notification Widgets to Ice Cream Sandwich]
• Opera Mini 5.1 Final for Android available

Halloween is approaching on Oct 31st and Microsoft has released two new Windows 7 themes just in time to celebrate the Halloween. One of the theme features beautiful illuminated pumpkins whereas the other one carries some dark and scary backgrounds. All the desktop wallpapers are in high-resolution of 1920×1200.

Trick or Treat theme

Dress up your desktop for Halloween with the cheerfully glowing jack-o’-lanterns and sweet candy treats in this free Windows 7 theme.

Download Here

Ticket to Fear theme

The theme packs a total of 8 fearsome wallpapers and also an Autumn sound theme.

Open the creaking door to a virtual haunted house with this free Windows 7 theme. These ghastly ghouls are guaranteed to send a Halloween shiver up your spine, so don’t blame us if you scream!

Download Here

We wish all our spooky readers a Happy Halloween in advance.

Related Posts:

• How to Extract wallpapers from Windows 7 theme pack
• Grab New Windows 7 Themes – Lightning & Eerie Autumn
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Microsoft has recently added a couple of new themes to Windows 7 personalization gallery of which the most spectacular one is “Forza Motorsport 4 theme”. MS has released this theme to celebrate the release of the new highest-rated racing game ‘Forza Motorsport 4’ for their Xbox 360 gaming console. The theme features stunning in-game images of some of the world’s most exotic cars. Certainly, this theme is a must download for all the crazy car fanatics out there!

The Forza Motorsport 4 is an incredibly awesome theme for Windows 7 that comes packed with a collection of 17 fantastic desktop backgrounds featuring some the best and super cars like McLaren F1, Jaguar XFR, Mercedes Benz SLS AMG. All the wallpapers have a high-resolution of 1920×1200, so you can easily use them on big monitors.

List of 16 Car Wallpapers included in ‘Forza Motorsport 4’ Theme Pack -

• 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa
• 2011 Tesla Roadster Sport
• 2010 Jaguar XFR
• 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG
• 2002 Ferrari Enzo
• 2011 Koenigsegg Agera
• 2010 Mosler MT900S
• 1993 McLaren F1
• 2011 AlfaRomeo Giulietta
• 2012 BMW M5
• 2011 Ruf Rgt8
• 2008 Lamborghini Reventon
• 2011 Mini Clubman
• 2010 Aston Martin V12 Vantage
• 2011 BMW 1M Coupe
• 2010 Ferrari 458 Italia

Download Forza Motorsport 4 Theme

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• How to Extract wallpapers from Windows 7 theme pack

Microsoft has released an official Hotmail app for Android devices that gives you easy and instant access to Windows Live Hotmail so you never miss an email. The app is free, comes loaded with a variety of features and settings to customize it as desired.

Key Features include:

- With push email get messages on your phone without delay
- Synced calendar and contacts
- View your folders in Hotmail, including sub folders
- Send pictures from your phone using Hotmail
- Supports multiple Hotmail accounts
- Send, receive and view attachments

Requires Android 2.1 and above.

Download Here [Market link]

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