Bypass CPU feature checks (PAE, NX, SSE2 etc.) & install Windows 8/8.1 Preview

You should already know that Windows 8 requires the following CPU features: Physical Address Extension (PAE), NX processor bit (NX), and Streaming SIMD Extensions 2 (SSE2). You should be greeted with error code 0x0000005D (Rrocessor not supported) if your processor lacks of one of the above features.

Further more, 64 bit edition of Windows 8.1 Preview requires more features such as CMPXCHG16b, PrefetchW and LAHF/SAHF.

This is problematic for users who have older processors which are capable for running Windows 8/8.1 Preview in theory but don't have one of the above features (Example: most of the Socket 478 Pentium 4 processors).

But spotlight moves to an apparently silent German user from MDL, Jan1 who successfully creates a patch to circumvent all of the CPU feature checks. The main disadvantage of this method is Windows Update may update the patched files & you have to re-apply the patch. Anyway, kudos to Jan1 for making this awesome piece of codes.

Check out the main thread for more info & installation instructions. People who want ready-made ISO, check this contribution by FaiKee@MDL.

Image courtesy: VMWare Community

Windows 8 to Windows Blue Changelog

See here for the detailed list of changelog from Windows 8 to Windows Blue, compiled by Niekess@MDL.

Image source: FaiKee@MDL.

Does BIOS update remove Windows Boot Manager Entry in UEFI mode??

Well, I have just faced a weird issue.

Its one of my cousin's Asus X54C. Windows 8 is installed in UEFI mode. I have updated the bios from 208 to 210 using Winflash. After restart, I am welcomed with a blinking cursor. I have quickly checked the bios and my thinking is right; the NVRAM is cleared so no boot entry is there!!

So I have to rebuilt the Windows Boot Manager entry.

Is it normal?? Doesn't that mean an user have to rebuilt the Windows Boot Manager Entry every time he/she updates the bios?? I have to research more on it...

Installing the .NET Framework 3.5 on Windows 8 and later builds

Long story short, Microsoft has decided not to include .NET Framework 3.5 in Windows 8 since the Preview days. It is not a secret now and its a child's play to install it. Anyway I have decided to post all the available methods and their sources (time pass :D).

• Most of us decide to take the easy route aka install it though Programs and Features (via Windows Update).
• The famous canouna/NTmarta@MDL had posted the dism way on 03 October, 2011(!). Seems that Microsoft didn't want to spread this fact then, so it was distributed with a 'CONFIDENTIAL' tag.
• Both ways (through Windows Update and dism) are discussed in MSDN.
• Some people prefer the reverse integration method i.e install it online/offline, then capture the installation to a WIM and later use the WIM for further installation.
• Dr.Emuler@MDL has decided to make an offline installer where the resources are embedded in it and it doesn't need Windows Installation media. It is revised and currently maintained by abbodi1406@MDL (for 8.1, see here).
• AskVG reader Cedric Poottaren has made a GUI front end of the dism way.
• One VBScript and one PowerShell script are published in Technet. Both cover the online & offline ways.

;)

Post Windows 8 RTM Build list

Windows 9 Public Preview (3 June 2013)
Windows 9 Beta (7 January 2014)
Windows 9 Release Candidate (July 2014)
Build 2014: Windows 9 RTM (October 2014)
November 2014: Windows Release 9

Current Build Status: Milestone 1

Windows 8
6.2.9200.16384.WIN8_RTM.120725-1247
6.2.9201 (Service pack 1 in the works)

Post Windows 8 (Service pack build jump)
6.2.9220.winmain.12xxxx
6.2.9278.winmain.12xxxx
6.2.9289.winmain.12xxxx

Milestone 1
6.3.9300.winmain_bluem1.1301xx
6.3.9304.winmain_bluem1.1301xx
6.3.9314.winmain_bluem1.13012x
6.3.9319.x86fre.fbl_eeap.130208-1820
6.3.9347.winmain_bluem1.130220-1504
6.3.9364.FBL_PARTNER_OUT13.130315-2105_X86FRE_CLIENT
6.3.9369.amd64fre.fbl_partner_out14.130324-1300
6.3.9374.FBL.130326-1800
6.3.9375.FBL_partner_out14.130328-1742_X86FRE_CLIENT

Source

But seems that its not accurate, according to Smorgan@MDL.

Original post by Smorgan@Betaarchive.

Microsoft officially approves the existence of the volume license version of Windows 8 (Core)

Only two editions of Windows 8 can be found through volume licensing; Pro and Enterprise. Those who regularly browse MDL may aware that it is possible to activate Windows 8 (Core) and Windows 8 Pro with Media Center with an emulated KMS server though it gives 30 days renewable activation period instead of the default 180 days.

Anyway, if you read this article you may see something different ;)

Upgrade to Windows Enterprise (Volume License)

You can upgrade to Windows 8 Enterprise (Volume License) from the following operating system editions:

Windows 7 Professional (Volume License) 

Windows 7 Enterprise (Volume License)

Windows 8 (Volume License)

Typo?? You decide...

UpDown8 - Windows 7/8 Upgrade/Downgrade Helper

A nifty app written by me; later improved by woot332@MDL.

Just choose the edition you want to upgrade/downgrade offline. Then insert the installation media & do a 'Upgrade' ~ Done!!!

Supported operating systems to which you can upgrade/downgrade

On Windows 8

Windows 8 Enterprise (Upgrade/downgrade from Evaluation edition too)
Windows 8 Pro
Windows 8 Core

On Windows 7

Windows 7 Enterprise (Upgrade/downgrade from Evaluation edition too)
Windows 7 Ultimate
Windows 7 Professional
Windows 7 Home Premium

Its getting popular... even its featured in MS forums!!

http://forums.mydigitallife.info/threads/36726

Windows Embedded 8 Industry: A Modern OS for Industry Devices

Windows Embedded 8 Industry provides a fixed-image OS that is especially suited to power industry devices, control panels, kiosks, and yes, POS terminals. It provides a single image with lockdown features and embedded enhancements that will make the next generation of industry devices smarter, better connected, more secure, and more user friendly.


Announcement

Download

Blue's Clues: Enabling the new Search Pane

Source: http://withinwindows.com/within-windows/2013/4/2/blues-clues-enabling-the-new-search-pane

Blue is Windows 8.1??

Source: http://withinwindows.com/within-windows/2013/4/2/blues-clues-blue-is-windows-81

Windows 8.1 Build 9375??

After the leak of Windows Blue build 9364, here it is:

http://winforum.eu/Temat-Dyskusja-o-Windows-Blue?pid=14599#pid14599

Credit goes to Faikee@MDL.

How to preserve Windows 8 OEM Activation - Guide

Guide written by me ;)

http://forums.mydigitallife.info/threads/40897