Probably a silly question-Why does Microsoft watermark the Windows 8 Consumer Preview?

This is probably a silly question, as you read on the title, but why do they do this? I know it's a Consumer Preview, so they don't have to announce it every time I'm on the desktop. It's not aggravating it's kind of annoying seeing that. Do you guys know why they do this?

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watermark question microsoft silly preview consumer windows8

asked Apr 23 '12 at 00:02

DJ Scooby Doo
9.5k●237●281●380

4 Answers:

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never knew why they did it either, but I guess it may be due to the idea that in the process of going insane, you begin to lose your ability to think rationally, and thus someone may end up putting unnecessary watermarks on software.

I ended up removing the OS before I could figure out how to remove it, the metro crap got too annoying.

answered Apr 23 '12 at 03:46

Razor512
15.8k●35●81●247

^^^^^^^^^

Exactly! I did that too, installed 7 within 2 weeks of installing it, but I installed it back again because they added new features and I wanted to test em out. Metro is a pain in the ass, and it sucks. I wish in the RC's they'll give me an option to disable Metro as I'm on a non-touch based laptop and not a tablet.

(Apr 23 '12 at 13:36) DJ Scooby Doo

It's important to remember that Windows 8 is still in development. The version you're using right now is not a final product. It is intended to be used as a test copy to find in a bunch of problems that may exist. In or to keep track of what they're doing, Microsoft will add a build number to each commitment of Windows they create. It's there front and center so was completely clear what version of Win 8 you're using. It also makes it clear to people watching a demonstration of the UI and features.

answered Apr 23 '12 at 05:04

Griff
1.4k●1●5●25

while that is the goal of a preview, it should be clear that those using it will understand that. while the average/ entry level user may not even know which OS their computer is running, for a user that knows enough to head to the microsofts windows 8 consumer preview page, then download the consumer preview iso, then partition their hard drive in order to install the consumer preview, then register the consumer preview in order to receive a cd key in order to activate the consumer preview, I find it hard they they will suddenly forget that they installed a consumer pveview.

(Apr 23 '12 at 12:36) Razor512

Yeah, I know it's not a final product, and yes I like seeing the build number, I can see it under the System Properties tab. But I don't need to see it like that though. As @Razor512 said, I had the brains to go and download the software, wait for the iso to download and to put it on a flash drive. It's not like I'm dumb, I know what I'm running whether it's 2000, XP, Vista, 7, etc.

(Apr 23 '12 at 13:38) DJ Scooby Doo

I imagine that they would greatly prefer it not to be passed off as the real thing by the less scrupulous amongst us!

answered Apr 23 '12 at 09:02

Cornelia Cornflake
880●2●3●16

Refer back to @Razor512's comment on @Griff's post. That's exactly how I feel.

(Apr 23 '12 at 13:39) DJ Scooby Doo

Why go through the trouble of passing off a consumer preview as the final release when you can just sell a system with the notification disabled and just use the trial extension to put the system past a 30 day return period.

A common trick done to people who are unfortunate enough to buy a prebuilt gaming PC from ebay. The fact they they are buying a prebuilt system that the seller simply purchased the cheapest components they could find, shows that the buyer only understands a small amount about the details of a computer and thus easily fall victim to the scam.

(Apr 23 '12 at 16:01) Razor512

Yeah, I mean when I buy pre-used computers, I do wipe out the OS, and put in my own Windows XP/Vista/7/8 installation. Who knows what they put inside.

(Apr 24 '12 at 13:53) DJ Scooby Doo

If you are testing it, it is nice to know the build you are currently running. things change quickly in beta testing, which is what this is.

answered Apr 23 '12 at 12:58

trueb
15.4k●53●104●260

Still, you can see it under the system properties tab, though. I think it's just annoying that a little square space is dedicated to what OS and what build I'm running. It's just a little bootlegged to me. I think that square means that I'm running a pirated copy of Windows usually because that's what happens if that happens. They put a little infobox on your desktop. It's only natural for me to think that. But, I can't complain. I got this for free, from Microsoft. I should be happy I had the chance to test this out. Oh well.

(Apr 23 '12 at 13:41) DJ Scooby Doo

OR it is on your desktop making it easier to read and quicker then going to system properties...

(Apr 23 '12 at 16:55) trueb

Sure, that's fine too. But I mean did previous Windows installations have that notification in bold or whatever? I mean it's pretty meaningless to me, since I'm not programming any programs to run on 8, but yeah. I'm just saying though.. also if you go to the command prompt, you can see it there as well.

(Apr 24 '12 at 13:55) DJ Scooby Doo

I believe that they did. Although I can't speak for XP I believe the Windows 7 builds all had labels on the desktop.

(Apr 24 '12 at 18:44) Zbob750

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