Opera on Windows 8

September 15, 2011 · by Aleksander Aas

The development version of Windows 8 was just released, available for free testing from Microsoft Development Center. If you are like us and want to know how Opera runs on Windows 8, check out these awesome screens. A huge thanks to Bergschaap who shared these with us!

Readers' comments 68

Left under the original article, as archived.

ouzowtfThursday, September 15, 2011 12:58:56 PM
Looks like expected!?
Aleksander AasThursday, September 15, 2011 1:09:35 PM
Originally posted by ouzoWTF:

Looks like expected!?

To be honest: I love Windows 7, as for Windows 8? It looks like Windows 7 with a stupid Xbox boot screen
Andries FikkertThursday, September 15, 2011 1:15:00 PM
I'm running Windows 8 for a day now and didn't see any crazy things in Opera till now

But not everything in Windows 8 is ready! I set Opera as standard browser, but that didn't work for thinks I start with the metro GUI.
HenryThursday, September 15, 2011 1:40:54 PM
KORraNThursday, September 15, 2011 1:41:55 PM
What's the point of this entry? Opera looks like Opera, nothing more
DanieleThursday, September 15, 2011 2:00:27 PM
Originally posted by Aleksander:

Windows 8? It looks like Windows 7 with a stupid Xbox boot screen

Ahahaha! you're absolutely right Aleksander! Also, is anyone here that knows how to restore an "unpinned" app into the metro Ui? I've unpinned Opera and other apps, but I haven't figured out how to restore them into the "Xbox boot screen"! :-p
Andries FikkertThursday, September 15, 2011 2:12:13 PM
Also, is anyone here that knows how to restore an "unpinned" app into the metro Ui? I've unpinned Opera and other apps, but I haven't figured out how to restore them into the "Xbox boot screen"! :-p

When you are in the metro UI just type "Opera" Then right click on Opera and pin it again to the Metro UI
MConorThursday, September 15, 2011 2:17:12 PM
Originally posted by Aleksander:

To be honest: I love Windows 7, as for Windows 8? It looks like Windows 7 with a stupid Xbox boot screen

I never thought I'd see the day where Windows 7 was held in high regard Personally, I think it'll do wonders for Microsoft, especially for Tablets and touch PC's, where Windows has been lagging behind dramatically. As for the developer preview, I'm waiting for the Beta before I download.
Porto86Thursday, September 15, 2011 2:18:48 PM
why use windows if there is a much better os for free? ubuntu linux ftw!
techlawsamThursday, September 15, 2011 2:29:06 PM
awesome
Harish LakshminarayanaThursday, September 15, 2011 2:30:38 PM
Opera Next was the first thing i installed on win8 dev build x86, works just fine...
Thu WinThursday, September 15, 2011 2:32:55 PM
What does pressing the Win8 "start button" do? Bring it up to the stupid new "start screen"?

I heard flash won't run in the start screen apps. Can you confirm.

Also, does the kernel restart during a reboot? From what I heard, the kernel simply hibernates when the PC is turned off and then resumes when it is turned off. Is there a way to turn off/restart the kernel as well?
Gavin TThursday, September 15, 2011 2:32:57 PM
Im not quite sure what these screenshots are supposed to show?
we know what Opera looks like on Windows already.

Better screenshots would have included the task manager, and showed how opera performs when browsing websites, handling some javascript heavy sites, 3d animation, playing a video etc.

I'll try to take a couple like this tonight if I get chance.
Gavin TThursday, September 15, 2011 2:33:45 PM
Originally posted by wikipedian:

What does pressing the Win8 "start button" do? Bring it up to the stupid new "start screen"?

yes it does, its really annoying.
Thu WinThursday, September 15, 2011 2:34:31 PM
Originally posted by Aleksander:

Originally posted by ouzoWTF:

Looks like expected!?

To be honest: I love Windows 7, as for Windows 8? It looks like Windows 7 with a stupid Xbox boot screen

Anyways to switch off the stupid Xbox boot screen? Startup tone still like Win7/Vista (da da da dum ) ?

Video on YouTube
Thu WinThursday, September 15, 2011 2:36:14 PM
Originally posted by gavtaylor:

Originally posted by wikipedian:

What does pressing the Win8 "start button" do? Bring it up to the stupid new "start screen"?

yes it does, its really annoying.

Any way to turn it off?
NicoThursday, September 15, 2011 2:39:02 PM
Have you also seen first screenshots of Internet Explorer 10?

http://winfuture.de/screenshot,1315928558.html

The new tabs look a lot like Visual Tabs for Opera

I need to try out Windows 8 as soon as I find some time. But I don't see the point of running fullscreen Apps all the time on a normal Desktop PC with a 24" monitor, so I guess that I will mainly stick to the classic Desktop, rather than the new start screen.
Francis Adu-GyamfiThursday, September 15, 2011 2:39:50 PM
I'm wondering if Opera might get the Chromeless browsing experience in a future update before Windows 8 final?
Thu WinThursday, September 15, 2011 2:41:13 PM
How about IE10 for Windows 7?
Thu WinThursday, September 15, 2011 2:42:12 PM
Originally posted by icewalker2g:

I'm wondering if Opera might get the Chromeless browsing experience in a future update before Windows 8 final?

Doubt that's possible. I think IE10 is the only browser alloable in the Metro/new start screen. Other browsers must launch in the classic desktop.
Abhishek DilliwalThursday, September 15, 2011 2:46:39 PM
I am on winXp and I would continue on this.. opera runs like a charm as always!... well I boot my ubuntu 11.04 also and the same opera rocks there as well
Ben TreinThursday, September 15, 2011 2:50:35 PM
I'm following Windoze development from a distance. I saw some really weird screenshots earlier, and was not really impressed. This looks even worse - disregarding the Opera bit; Opera looks like Opera indeed...

I also don't use Ubuntu though; I'm hooked on the great competition: Fedora. Also great...
KI5Thursday, September 15, 2011 2:52:14 PM
posting this from IE in win8 dev :S

i have tried opera next on this win release and almost nothing works... opera link is having probs, transparent skins are only transparent on top half of the screen, it crashes every few minutes without any warning or error report...

there is a problem with interference of win 8 left edge screen menu with opera panels... etc i hope everything will be fixed when Opera12 and win8 meet in their full releases :S

ps metro gui sucks if you are a power user or just a user how has stuff to do, not just look at little rectangles of crap...
KI5Thursday, September 15, 2011 2:56:43 PM
Originally posted by wikipedian:

Originally posted by icewalker2g:
I'm wondering if Opera might get the Chromeless browsing experience in a future update before Windows 8 final?
Doubt that's possible. I think IE10 is the only browser alloable in the Metro/new start screen. Other browsers must launch in the classic desktop.

opera can lunch from start screen also

http://i.imgur.com/D2tLI.jpg
Ben TreinThursday, September 15, 2011 2:59:10 PM
Originally posted by KI5:

ps metro gui sucks if you are a power user or just a user how has stuff to do, not just look at little rectangles of crap...

So go for Gnome3; nothing on the screen but what you're working on!
Thu WinThursday, September 15, 2011 3:00:06 PM
Originally posted by KI5:

Originally posted by wikipedian:

Originally posted by icewalker2g:

I'm wondering if Opera might get the Chromeless browsing experience in a future update before Windows 8 final?

Doubt that's possible. I think IE10 is the only browser alloable in the Metro/new start screen. Other browsers must launch in the classic desktop.

opera can lunch from start screen also

http://i.imgur.com/D2tLI.jpg

But it would throw you back to the classic desktop, wouldn't it?
KI5Thursday, September 15, 2011 3:02:01 PM
Originally posted by wikipedian:

What does pressing the Win8 "start button" do? Bring it up to the stupid new "start screen"?

I heard flash won't run in the start screen apps. Can you confirm.

Also, does the kernel restart during a reboot? From what I heard, the kernel simply hibernates when the PC is turned off and then resumes when it is turned off. Is there a way to turn off/restart the kernel as well?

no flash. not even in IE if you lunch it over start screen
KI5Thursday, September 15, 2011 3:03:22 PM
Originally posted by wikipedian:

Originally posted by KI5:
Originally posted by wikipedian:

Originally posted by icewalker2g:

I'm wondering if Opera might get the Chromeless browsing experience in a future update before Windows 8 final?

Doubt that's possible. I think IE10 is the only browser alloable in the Metro/new start screen. Other browsers must launch in the classic desktop.

opera can lunch from start screen also

http://i.imgur.com/D2tLI.jpg
But it would throw you back to the classic desktop, wouldn't it?

yeah, but some apps wont even start from this new screen, only from aero desktop...
Thu WinThursday, September 15, 2011 3:03:59 PM
I doubt you can unpin IE10 from the start screen and make opera takes its place.

I believe MS wants to act like Apple.
Thu WinThursday, September 15, 2011 3:04:54 PM
Originally posted by KI5:

Originally posted by wikipedian:

Originally posted by KI5:

Originally posted by wikipedian:

Originally posted by icewalker2g:

I'm wondering if Opera might get the Chromeless browsing experience in a future update before Windows 8 final?

Doubt that's possible. I think IE10 is the only browser alloable in the Metro/new start screen. Other browsers must launch in the classic desktop.

opera can lunch from start screen also

http://i.imgur.com/D2tLI.jpg

But it would throw you back to the classic desktop, wouldn't it?

yeah, but some apps wont even start from this new screen, only from aero desktop...

Not like IE10, which works in this new metro screen. I believe the new metro screen is like Win phone 7, with no chance to change default browser from IE.
Thu WinThursday, September 15, 2011 3:05:22 PM
From current screenshots, Win8 is looking eyuck for me!
Z1-AV69Thursday, September 15, 2011 3:05:33 PM
I'm not very keen using the metro-UI on the desktop. But I'd still advice Opera to have a metro version of Opera ready when Win8 is released. You don't gain market share if your application looks outdated. The transition from XP to Vista/7 look took much too long for Opera.
Thu WinThursday, September 15, 2011 3:06:50 PM
Originally posted by Z1-AV69:

I'm not very keen using the metro-UI on the desktop. But I'd still advice Opera to have a metro version of Opera ready when Win8 is released. You don't gain market share if your application looks outdated.

Maybe they can't run in the new Metro screen (only IE10 can). MS is forcing all other browsers to switch to the tradational desktop and run there.
Stephen TurrellThursday, September 15, 2011 3:08:19 PM
I take it nothing much is happening at Opera at the moment & you were desperate to post anything at all hence the 3 screen-shots of Opera looking exactly the same as on Windows 7.
Aleksander AasThursday, September 15, 2011 3:08:40 PM
I'm loving the discussions here. Do note that Opera has done nothing in regards to Windows 8 as of now, so who knows what the future holds. (Not a tease, I've not seen a single screen so far.)
Originally posted by MConor:

I never thought I'd see the day where Windows 7 was held in high regard

I love Windows 7. I run it on my personal laptop and desktop at home. I prefer it to Lion on my work laptop. There are a few minor things I think is tricky, the best example being network sharing. Being a avid gamer it's hard to go for any other OS. Windows is simply the best OS for gaming.
Originally posted by Porto86:

why use windows if there is a much better os for free? ubuntu linux ftw!

Again, for me the deciding factor is gaming. I guess I could run a dual boot, but that's just to much hassle i guess
glennbearThursday, September 15, 2011 3:08:55 PM
I
think that a metro style opera might look like opera mobile,
KI5Thursday, September 15, 2011 3:09:20 PM
Originally posted by wikipedian:

I doubt you can unpin IE10 from the start screen and make opera takes its place.

I believe MS wants to act like Apple.

just tried, it can be unpinned, guess opera just needs metro ui to integrate properly
Z1-AV69Thursday, September 15, 2011 3:09:20 PM
Originally posted by wikipedian:

Maybe they can't run in the new Metro screen (only IE10 can). MS is forcing all other browsers to switch to the tradational desktop and run there.

As far as I know applications need to be written especially for the metro-UI. Therefor I'm asking for this.
glennbearThursday, September 15, 2011 3:09:39 PM
I
think that a metro style opera might look like opera mobile,
Thu WinThursday, September 15, 2011 3:11:13 PM
Originally posted by Z1-AV69:

Originally posted by wikipedian:

Maybe they can't run in the new Metro screen (only IE10 can). MS is forcing all other browsers to switch to the tradational desktop and run there.

As far as I know applications need to be written especially for the metro-UI. Therefor I'm asking for this.

Ah. I thought the metro screen is akin to Win phone 7, where all the app are MS own apps (i.e. Opera cannot replace IE as the "default browser in the metro screen).
Thu WinThursday, September 15, 2011 3:11:54 PM
Win8 startup sound? Still like Win vista?
NicoThursday, September 15, 2011 3:11:59 PM
Originally posted by wikipedian:

Ah. I thought the metro screen is akin to Win phone 7, where all the app are MS own apps (i.e. Opera cannot replace IE as the "default browser in the metro screen).

I think it's just because as of today, IE10 is the only browser that supports the new Metro design/approach.
dirkThursday, September 15, 2011 3:31:56 PM
Originally posted by Aleksander:

It looks like Windows 7 with a stupid Xbox boot screen

that's the best description I've read so far ... what an ugly design ... the good looking thing on this will be Opera ... like on XP to Win7 ... good to have so many more choices in LInux
Julian Salas LópezThursday, September 15, 2011 3:34:39 PM
Hey don't forget us the Linux users
KarenThursday, September 15, 2011 3:55:04 PM
Stephen TurrellThursday, September 15, 2011 5:51:52 PM
Installed Linux recently theres a lot to like about it , why can't Win 7 pin Windows on top same as Linux thats a glaring omission.
If I'd tried Linux a couple of years ago when I was struggling with Vista I'd have probably stuck with it but overall Win 7 is better for my needs.
Thu WinThursday, September 15, 2011 6:07:19 PM
Originally posted by Nerak:

Isn't that XP Logo?

So it should be:

I
Thu WinThursday, September 15, 2011 6:09:30 PM
Please continue Win8 discussion here: http://my.opera.com/community/forums/topic.dml?id=1098022
Rafael LuikThursday, September 15, 2011 6:15:12 PM
Originally posted by wikipedian:

MS is forcing all other browsers to switch to the tradational desktop and run there.
I think you shouldn't throw information without confirmation like that...

Originally posted by wikipedian:

akin to Win phone 7, where all the app are MS own apps (i.e. Opera cannot replace IE as the "default browser in the metro screen).
Somebody could confirm this?

Originally posted by wikipedian:

So it should be:
I
It should be:
I

About the post: one screenshot would be enough.
Ramasubramanian KrishnamurthiThursday, September 15, 2011 6:35:43 PM
When can we get Opera browser for Windows 8 with Metro UI??