Windows 8 build 7899

6.2.7899.fbl_core2_sfs.101209-1900
	Build of Windows 8
OS family
Architecture	x64
Compiled	2010-12-09
Timebomb	2011-07-01 (+204 days)
Works in
About

Windows 8 build 7899 is a build of Windows 8. Two screenshots of this build were included with the original upload of build 7746 on 3 May 2020, and the build itself was eventually shared online on 19 July 2020. Unlike build 7880, the text on the boot screen is condensed.

Editions and keys[edit | edit source]

Edition / SKU	Key
Home Basic	YGFVB-QTFXQ-3H233-PTWTJ-YRYRV
Home Premium	RHPQ2-RMFJH-74XYM-BH4JX-XM76F
Professional	HYF8J-CVRMY-CM74G-RPHKF-PW487
Ultimate	D4F6K-QK3RD-TMVMJ-BBMRX-3MBMV

Changes[edit | edit source]

Setup[edit | edit source]

setupclient.exe has been majorly revamped and is now named setup.exe, replacing the legacy setup launcher. The progress bar at the top has been moved more towards the center and the steps have been rewritten. The legacy setup is still accessible by launching setup.exe in the sources folder.

System crash[edit | edit source]

The blue screen of death has been redesigned in this build, dropping the design seen in Windows XP in favor of a simplified black screen informing the user that their computer requires a restart, along with the bugcode (minus the parameters). This bugcheck screen utilizes the Segoe UI font, leveraging the VBE functionality that was implemented in earlier builds and the BGFX subsystem. However, in the event that the system crashes early in boot before BGFX is initialized, a fallback is used which merely dumps the bugcode parameters along with a short message prompting the user to hold down the power button.

Default user account picture[edit | edit source]

The default user account picture has been updated to that used in Windows Live Messenger.

Removal of Start button[edit | edit source]

Starting with this build, it is possible to remove the Start button from the taskbar. To accomplish this, a new DWORD value in HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer called YouBettaHideYoPearl is required to be made, with its value set to 1. After doing so, log off and log back in. If done correctly, the Start button should be removed.

Redpill[edit | edit source]

Many changes have occurred since build 7880. Accents and backgrounds have been implemented, accessible using a registry key. The Start screen now has multiple views - while this is hinted at in 7880 by the existence of a "Move to Other View" option found while right-clicking on the Start screen tiles, it is unimplemented. This other view is an "Other Programs" view containing all installed programs. As a result of this, there are far less applications in the default Start screen view. Animations have been implemented. Tile colors have been changed to be more uniform.

A user tile is now located at the top of the screen filled with the user's profile picture (replacing the Search button, which was not seen again on the Start screen until Windows 8.1 Update 1 in 2014), as well as a volume icon. To replace the Metro Horizon (removed, although not entirely so, in build 7878), a Desktop tile has been introduced. Clicking it brings the user back to the classic Windows desktop.

There have also been an immense amount of changes outside of the Start screen. An ImmersiveSettings app has been introduced, the ancestor of PC Settings, and several apps have been redesigned to fully use WinRT. Auto Colorization is no longer enabled by default on the Aero theme. ImmersiveBrowser, or IE Metro mode, has also been implemented. Advanced Task Manager, a more advanced version of Task Manager, has been implemented as well. The Metro OOBE also had a major overhaul. The Metro downspace has been dropped in favor of the snap function.

Start screen accent[edit | edit source]

To get the Start screen accent, open Registry Editor, head to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\, create a new key called DWM, make a DWORD called EnableAccent and set its value to 1. Afterwards, log off and then log back on again.

As this build's implementation of the accent is incomplete, visual artifacts may appear across the screen.

Removable media prompt[edit | edit source]

The removable media prompt has been revamped as well, using the new Metro design. It mostly consists of the same actions as the previous removable media prompt used in earlier builds of Windows 7.

Login[edit | edit source]

The login screen was updated and pattern login now works. However, to set a pattern, a password must be created, otherwise it fails to create due to the patterns not matching. Removing the password will still keep pattern login, but choosing the password option instead will instantly log in to the user's account, due to the password being removed. Additionally, when re-logging in, it will keep using the password option and therefore, instantly log in to the user's account.

Immersive apps[edit | edit source]

Immersive Browser: C:\Program Files\Microsoft\Immersive Browser\Microsoft.ImmersiveBrowser\miexplore.exe
Immersive Reader: C:\Windows\System32\glcnd.exe
Metro Control Panel: C:\Windows\System32\SystemSettings.exe
Webcam Application: C:\Windows\System32\webcam.exe

Bugs and quirks[edit | edit source]

Setup[edit | edit source]

The messages shown when setup is starting, installing or upgrading Windows, restarting the computer or preparing the OOBE are cut off.
This build can't be installed or run on newer versions of VirtualBox. It will refuse to boot with a black screen. This bug persists until build 8176.

Arial[edit | edit source]

This build uses the Arial font for the title bar and watermark because of a typo in the aero.msstyles and aerolite.msstyles files.

Start screen[edit | edit source]

Due to issues with the Start screen's accent, there will be rendering issues when using EnableAccent.
The Start screen may be unresponsive for a minute after login.

Explorer crashes in Safe Mode[edit | edit source]

When booting into safe mode, Explorer may crash after logging in.

Login sound[edit | edit source]

Upon logging in, the login sound will play three times instead of once.

Aero Glass on the Home Basic SKU[edit | edit source]

The Home Basic SKU doesn't support Aero Glass borders by default, but it can be enabled, like in build 7880, by clicking on "Windows 7 Standard" color scheme in Window Color and Appearance dialog from the Display control panel item.