I would have preferred a link to an Iso, but I guess it will download the necessary files. I will stop it before it install Windows over my current installation, I plan on using VirtualBox.
Why do you care ? Your win8 license covers both versions of the software for your personal use. It might be a redundant choice for you, but some may use it.
I think the problem is that you can't update from a 32-bit version to a 64-bit version without doing a clean install. There are still plenty of people running 32-bit systems so it would be a huge hassle if people were forced to do a clean install.
I guarantee that they changed their minds, assuming that was ever the case. With tablets the target, and ARM support being a new feature, the x86 tablets will almost certainly be 32 bit due to their modest hardware. Besides, it's not like their trying to defragment the platform, they're adding ARM support, so now it's Windows, WOW64, and WOA. At least Itanium's done for.
I doubt the issue with dropping 32-bit x86 has anything to do with hardware any more. I'm pretty sure the number of machines out there that could reasonably expected to run Windows 8 that aren't 64-bit capable is vanishingly small; all the current low-power x86 CPU's that might be used in a Win8 tablet are 64-bit capable as well.
The issue continues to be legacy software. Home users probably don't run into anything stuck on 32-bit that really matters, but businesses often depend on ancient software that just isn't going to run on 64-bit windows for one reason or another; XP Mode and other compatibility solutions aren't always compatible or practical either. Sure, one day those old programs will have to be replaced, but in the meantime Microsoft isn't going to want to have sales of Windows held back because of this issue.
Since I don't have a computer with an ARM chip in it, what is the point of this update again?
Since there is no Mediacenter there is no reason for me to EVER move to 8. In fact, there is a good chance that Win7 will be the last Microsoft platform I will ever own. They shat on me when the updates WHS and it appears they are going to do a repeat on Win8. Ever since Microsoft destroyed PC gaming there are scant reasons to stick with Windows. By the time my Win7 hardware is replaced there will be no need for MS. A PS4, a NAS, and a future generation of the Asus Transformer should be able to meet my computing needs.
This Win8 is by FAR the worst OS I have used in my entire life. I've been messing around with it for hours now and still can't even do basic stuff. Where the HELL is the start menu? Where are the applications, where is the control panel, where are all the abilities to customize that I had in Xp/Vista/7? And how in the world do I get rid of that stupid-as-shit home screen or whatever it's called? I don't want that crap anywhere near my desktop, you've got to F-ing kidding me with this horse crap. MS, you had damn well better be scouring the threads reading posts and user feedback. I'm a developer of 15 years and have been heavily in the MS camp, but if this OS even comes close to being what you release later in the year I'll be looking elsewhere. This current OS is total FUBAR from what I can tell. It's a dumbed down impossible UI that gets in the way of managing files and launching applications....WHICH IS THE ONLY THING AN OS IS SUPPOSED TO DO. Yes, I am yelling!
I clicked on IE from the shitty start screen and it went into this full screen mode that I could NOT get out of. I was stuck in hell. On a 26" monitor who in the world opens up a browers to full screen lol? On a 20" monitor who opens up to full screen? Only newbie idiots, that's who. Apparently MS is making their OS only for toddlers, because I was so fed up after being in that full screen interface that I won't go back into Win8 until that is all GONE. If it doesn't go away, I will never be back. This is just one of the horrible UI changes that will make Win8 go down as the worst OS in history... assuming they don't make MAJOR changes between now and launch. Oh my.
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kensiko - Wednesday, February 29, 2012 - link
I would have preferred a link to an Iso, but I guess it will download the necessary files. I will stop it before it install Windows over my current installation, I plan on using VirtualBox.kensiko - Wednesday, February 29, 2012 - link
ah I found a link to the Isos:http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/iso
Andrew.a.cunningham - Wednesday, February 29, 2012 - link
All of it's on the page. Enjoy!kensiko - Wednesday, February 29, 2012 - link
Downloaded, installed, running 5 minutes later ! That's what I call a fast installation ! (VirtualBox and ISO and SSD)1wizard4u - Friday, March 2, 2012 - link
Try this one:http://windows.microsoft.com/en-GB/windows-8/iso
n0b0dykn0ws - Wednesday, February 29, 2012 - link
I thought Windows 7 was the last release with a 32 bit version. Or did they change their mind?n0b0dykn0ws
ananduser - Wednesday, February 29, 2012 - link
Why do you care ? Your win8 license covers both versions of the software for your personal use. It might be a redundant choice for you, but some may use it.Kristian Vättö - Wednesday, February 29, 2012 - link
I think the problem is that you can't update from a 32-bit version to a 64-bit version without doing a clean install. There are still plenty of people running 32-bit systems so it would be a huge hassle if people were forced to do a clean install.freedom4556 - Wednesday, February 29, 2012 - link
I guarantee that they changed their minds, assuming that was ever the case. With tablets the target, and ARM support being a new feature, the x86 tablets will almost certainly be 32 bit due to their modest hardware. Besides, it's not like their trying to defragment the platform, they're adding ARM support, so now it's Windows, WOW64, and WOA. At least Itanium's done for.johnsonx - Wednesday, February 29, 2012 - link
I doubt the issue with dropping 32-bit x86 has anything to do with hardware any more. I'm pretty sure the number of machines out there that could reasonably expected to run Windows 8 that aren't 64-bit capable is vanishingly small; all the current low-power x86 CPU's that might be used in a Win8 tablet are 64-bit capable as well.The issue continues to be legacy software. Home users probably don't run into anything stuck on 32-bit that really matters, but businesses often depend on ancient software that just isn't going to run on 64-bit windows for one reason or another; XP Mode and other compatibility solutions aren't always compatible or practical either. Sure, one day those old programs will have to be replaced, but in the meantime Microsoft isn't going to want to have sales of Windows held back because of this issue.
Ryan Smith - Wednesday, February 29, 2012 - link
Windows 8 is very specifically intended to run on anything that Windows 7 ran on. Which means a 32bit version is necessary.mcnabney - Thursday, March 1, 2012 - link
Since I don't have a computer with an ARM chip in it, what is the point of this update again?Since there is no Mediacenter there is no reason for me to EVER move to 8. In fact, there is a good chance that Win7 will be the last Microsoft platform I will ever own. They shat on me when the updates WHS and it appears they are going to do a repeat on Win8. Ever since Microsoft destroyed PC gaming there are scant reasons to stick with Windows. By the time my Win7 hardware is replaced there will be no need for MS. A PS4, a NAS, and a future generation of the Asus Transformer should be able to meet my computing needs.
p05esto - Thursday, March 1, 2012 - link
This Win8 is by FAR the worst OS I have used in my entire life. I've been messing around with it for hours now and still can't even do basic stuff. Where the HELL is the start menu? Where are the applications, where is the control panel, where are all the abilities to customize that I had in Xp/Vista/7? And how in the world do I get rid of that stupid-as-shit home screen or whatever it's called? I don't want that crap anywhere near my desktop, you've got to F-ing kidding me with this horse crap. MS, you had damn well better be scouring the threads reading posts and user feedback. I'm a developer of 15 years and have been heavily in the MS camp, but if this OS even comes close to being what you release later in the year I'll be looking elsewhere. This current OS is total FUBAR from what I can tell. It's a dumbed down impossible UI that gets in the way of managing files and launching applications....WHICH IS THE ONLY THING AN OS IS SUPPOSED TO DO. Yes, I am yelling!p05esto - Thursday, March 1, 2012 - link
I clicked on IE from the shitty start screen and it went into this full screen mode that I could NOT get out of. I was stuck in hell. On a 26" monitor who in the world opens up a browers to full screen lol? On a 20" monitor who opens up to full screen? Only newbie idiots, that's who. Apparently MS is making their OS only for toddlers, because I was so fed up after being in that full screen interface that I won't go back into Win8 until that is all GONE. If it doesn't go away, I will never be back. This is just one of the horrible UI changes that will make Win8 go down as the worst OS in history... assuming they don't make MAJOR changes between now and launch. Oh my.