https://docs.google.com/document/d/1eXeKsVGVwq7jgKLcevgEgWrb9gCV2PNbJvA5ohoEVxo/ Please do not use 8Store or any of his apps as 8NetDude got exposed for being a pedo + much more If you want some context on what he did and what he caused,feel free to read the google doc We dont want these type of people to be roaming around in the community anymore i am honestly disgusted at this
So,you just installed Windows 8.1 or Windows 8.0 on your Laptop,PC,Tablet or Surface,but none of the pre-installed apps work or that you cant install the now-dead developer license?
Well this guide is going to help you out on this as i've used 8.1 since 2023 and i know a lot about these 2 operating systems.
This is going to be a simple survival guide showing the can and can'ts of Microsoft's once popular operating systems
THE METRO SIDE
If you ever want to have the MSN apps functional again,i highly would recommend visiting retiled.xyz as it is the main hub for all things MSN (or Bing for 8.0\pre-8.1 betas)
Want to find an cool app or game or maybe a dead app to use as decoration on YOUR start screen?
appxbox.dankassassin368.com is a cool place for you to download these kind of apps and try them out!
Want to listen to a cool radio station (dedicated app or radio provider),or an Twitter client that is now using Bluetweety or maybe just watch some YouTube via Metrotube,Best Tube For 10 or TubeLite(plus), OR maybe check the forecast via AccuWeather,maybe RT a cool Bluesky post using Tweetro+,Tweetium,Rowi or MetroTwit?
Then you can check out Apptravaganza! (original name Appstravaganza!)
It has everything from the newsXpresso app series (w/ Dailyaha),to iHeartRadio,Tunein (Tunedin),YouTube Clients (Some with YT2009),Even the sample apps from Developer Preview!
It is currently listed in the app bar for easy access on retileds website!
OctoStore - Really cool Store revival,its a fork of 8Store with some improvements and lots of amazing apps and stuff!
# SIDELOADING (PRO)
Want to sideload Windows Store apps without the need of an developer license?
You can try Metro Unlocker https://github.com/Iemand005/MetroUnlocker to install APPX\APPXBundle files as if its 2014 all over again!
All you need to do is run it as admin (by default you can run it as admin without right clicking and choosing "Run as admin",Click on "Unlock!" and it should allow you to install appx files without the This app cant open error
Tired of manually adding certificates and manually add-appxpackaging each appx\appxbundle file individually?
https://github.com/modernw/AppInstallerForWin8/ (Older version)
https://github.com/modernw/App-Installer-For-Windows-8.x-Reset (New repo with improvements + sooo many great features!)
Modernw's App Installer has a cool UI layout simillar to the official App Installer from Windows 10 and up!
It also installs APPX(Bundle) files via IT being signed internally without any need of an extra .cer file!
# Browsers!
Firefox ESR 115 - Neat browser,isnt supported anymore for security updates but hey,you can atleast reskin it with Geckium or Echelon!
Supermium - (Modded?) version of Chromium for older windows! Will run perfectly fine on Windows 8.0 and 8.1,can be degoogled too afaik
https://win32subsystem.live/supermium/
Pale Moon - Awesome fork of Firefox ESR (older version) with lots of modern features + goodies!
It is also free & open source as their site says!
https://www.palemoon.org/
# DESKTOP GAME (LAUNCHERS)!
Steam - Support has ended 2 years ago (Shocker aint it?) in January 1st 2024,you can download the last version of steam via easily searching them on google!
I am not aware of any or other game launchers,as steam is the only one i know!
METRO (Desktop included) APP DEVELOPMENT
# Want to make a cool Windows 8.x app but dont know which program to use?
These 2 Visual Studio versions are recommended for both versions of windows 8!
Visual Studio 2015 Community Edition (Note that this does NOT support the Windows 8 SDK as it only supports the Windows 8.1 SDK)
Visual Studio 2013 Community Edition (Update 5) [Last version of VS 2013,updated during circa 2015 with support for the 8.0 sdk]
Visual Studio Express 2012 For Windows 8 (With/Without Blend) - Probably pre-Release Preview version of Visual Studio,wouldnt mind this to be used to make apps for 8400!
# For the (non-)Metro lovers who want to use the os without the hated flaws of the OS:
if you dont like the start menu or the Metro UI apps and just want a good and simple experience:
You can use Open Shell to switch from the normal start menu to an simple win7 era style one
or change the start button (technically named orb but i prefer button) too!
Manually Uninstall\Debloat all of the metro apps via Powershell (if you have any problems with the apps or the OS in general)
You can use StarDock ModernMix to make Metro apps run windowed if you REALLY hate them being opened full screen
For a clean 8.x minimal experience i recommend using:
Windows 8.1 Embedded Industry Enterprise - Such a classic,i would recommend using this os if you want to install metro apps the traditional way,but for
Windows Server 2012 - for the non metro enthusiasts
Windows Server 2012 R2 - for the non metro enthusiasts,but for 8.1
The esu for these two Server versions will last until October 13th,2026!
If you want your screen to be dimmed kind of like Night Shift on iOS
i recommend getting fl.ux as it has helped me multiple times!
If you have any recommendations,programs,projects or anything for me to add on this guide.let me know in the comments!
Last image is from yesterday,decided to add this as an bonus to show how much of an ahole they are for not moving on like jeez
if your one of the reshit people seeing this,enjoy having your little "gc" leaked ;)
And also now that i have more of their messages regarding this situation,i will soon make an big post as an recap to what happened in the drama for the newbies coming here!