Windows 8 Operating System with SL

[Anaktay]

I am considering buying a new laptop with Windows 8 operating system. Does Windows 8 run well with SL? Please only answer if you know Windows. *Also I use Firestorm.

[Rolig Loon]

Yes, all SL viewers work fine with Win 8.  To have a trouble-free installation, follow the advice of our resident Win 8 expert, KarenMichelle Lane:

1) Manually apply ALL the Required and Important patches for Windows 8 from Microsoft. A new Win 8 PC needs 4-5 iterations of this to get them all. The easiest way to do this is to:

a) Enter Desktop Mode
b) Launch Internet Explorer
c) Right-click on the options area of the Browser and turn on Menu & Status Bar [and any other of the old standards you like]
d) Tools / Windows Update.
e) Select the CUSTOM button so you can monitor and select the downloaded options to install e) Repeat until all are DL'd and installed

Note: Don't install the Bing Desktop. Also, don;t install any Windows Live components unless you have an email account with Microsoft.

2) Identify the Video / Graphics system in your PC and get the Windows 8 drivers direct from the Video System manufacturer.

http://support.amd.com/us/gpudownload/Pages/index.aspx

http://www.nvidia.com/Download/index.aspx?lang=en-us

http://www.intel.com/p/en_US/support/detect/graphics

P.S. I recommend these steps on all Windows 8 PC's and Laptops, specifically designed for Windows 8 with high-end Graphics Sub-Systems or Graphics Cards.

P.S.S. - On Upgraded PC's & Laptops - If your computer was not designed specifically for Windows 7 or Windows 8 these steps may still help. There are many "Designed for Vista" PC's that don't upgrade well to Windows 8. If your PC was designed for Windows XP, Windows 8 is usually NOT a viable option, practically speaking.

[Ori Perl]

My laptop has windows 8, and it runs SL fine.

There's some 'weird-ness', but I think that's just that my laptop doesn't have the best processor, or memory. Possibly my internet isn't that great too.

I use Firestorm too, which seems better for me at least than the regualr SL viewer. I haven't had to change any settings, get anything special. Just downloaded Firestorm, installed, and logged in.

[Monti Messmer]

Windows 8 shouldn´t be the problem but a Laptop can be, only a few are designed to run games. No matter what the makers say.

Monti

[KarenMichelle Lane]

I'll be testing Windows 8.1 tomorrow and post any additional findings soon.