Windows 8

Windows 8 is a major release of the Windows NT operating system developed by Microsoft. It was released to manufacturing on August 1, 2012, made available for download via MSDN and TechNet on August 15, 2012, and generally released for retail on October 26, 2012.

Windows 8 introduced major changes to the operating system's platform and user interface with the intention to improve its user experience on tablets, where Windows competed with mobile operating systems such as Android and iOS. Many of these features were adapted from Windows Phone, and the development of Windows 8 closely parallelled that of Windows Phone 8.

Windows 8 received a mostly negative reception. Although the reaction to its performance improvements, security enhancements, and improved support for touchscreen devices was positive, the new user interface was widely criticized as confusing and unintuitive, especially when used with a keyboard and mouse rather than a touchscreen. Despite these shortcomings, 60 million licenses were sold through January 2013, including upgrades and sales to OEMs for new PCs.

Development

Development of Windows 8 started in 2008, before Windows 7 was released. In January 2011, at the Consumer Electronics Show, Microsoft announced that the next version of Windows would support ARM processors, in addition to the existing 32-bit processors made by AMD and Intel. Early builds of Windows 8 showed changes like a new start screen and a touch-friendly design to work better on tablets.

Microsoft shared more features and changes at conferences in 2011. The first public beta version, called the Developer Preview, was released in September 2011. Later betas, including the Consumer Preview and Release Preview, introduced more changes like a new Windows logo and the removal of the traditional Start button. Windows 8 was officially completed on August 1, 2012, and became available to the public on October 26, 2012. Microsoft promoted Windows 8 with a large advertising campaign and special events to show off new devices like their Surface tablet.

New and updated features

Main article: Features new to Windows 8

Windows 8 brought several new features to make the computer easier to use, especially on tablets. It started up faster and had a new lock screen with a clock and notifications. Users could also create special versions of Windows that could run from a USB stick.

The file management tool, now called File Explorer, got a new look with a ribbon at the top. It made it easier to see details about files, pause file transfers, and handle conflicts when copying files. There was also a new way to back up files called File History, and a feature called Storage Spaces to manage hard disks better.

The Task Manager was redesigned to show more details about what the computer was doing. It used colors to show how much of the computer's resources were being used and grouped programs together. The famous Blue Screen of Death, which appeared when the computer had a serious problem, was made simpler and less technical.

Windows 8 made it easier to keep things safe. Users could now use a picture password or a PIN instead of just a regular password. There were new tools to help parents manage what their children could do on the computer. Windows also had ways to fix itself if something went wrong, and could recover from a USB drive if needed.

Windows 8 worked better with online services. Users could sign in with a Microsoft account to sync their settings and apps across different computers. There were new apps for music, video, and games, and it was easier to connect with friends on Facebook and Flickr. The web browser, Internet Explorer 10, came in two versions: one for the desktop and one optimized for touchscreens. It supported modern web standards and had special settings to save bandwidth on mobile networks.

Windows 8 introduced a new kind of app called Windows Store apps. These apps were designed for touchscreens and could run in full screen or be pinned to the side of the screen. They could show updates on their tiles and work together through sharing and search. These apps ran in a safe environment and needed permission to access certain features like the internet or camera.

The way Windows looked changed a lot. There was a new Start screen with tiles for apps and programs, some of which showed live updates. Apps could be pinned to the side of the screen for easy access. There was a new toolbar called the charms that appeared from the right side of the screen and gave quick access to search, sharing, devices, settings, and the Start button. The traditional desktop was still there, but it looked simpler and flatter than before.

Removed features

Main article: List of features removed in Windows 8

Windows 8 removed some features to focus on newer technologies. For example, playing DVDs was no longer supported by default in Windows Media Player because of licensing costs, especially for devices without DVD drives. Instead, people could use online streaming services or buy special add-ons to get DVD playback back.

The old Backup and Restore tool was also changed. It still worked but was harder to find, and it no longer saved older versions of files on your personal computer. Instead, it could only help with files stored on a Windows Server. Some older display adapter drivers were removed to make the system more stable and secure.

Hardware requirements

The minimum system requirements for Windows 8 are higher than those of Windows 7. The CPU must support certain features and have at least two cores. Windows Store apps need a screen resolution of 1024×768 or higher.

For tablets and convertible devices, Microsoft set specific hardware requirements. These devices must have a screen resolution of at least 1024×768. Later updates required certified devices to have a 720p webcam, better speakers and microphones, and support for Bluetooth and Trusted Platform Module 2.0 chips.

Editions

Windows 8 came in three editions. The basic version, just called Windows 8, and Windows 8 Pro were sold in stores or pre-loaded on new computers. Windows 8 Pro added features like BitLocker, Hyper-V, and the ability to join a domain. There was also a Windows 8 Enterprise edition for businesses, available only through special licensing.

Windows 8 could be bought on DVD or downloaded digitally. At first, Microsoft offered a special deal on Windows 8 Pro upgrades. Later, Windows 8.1 replaced Windows 8 and could be installed even without an older version of Windows already on the computer.

Software compatibility

Windows 8 came in different versions to work on many types of computers. Some versions could run on machines using older technology, while others needed newer, more powerful parts. The system was designed to work smoothly with both older and newer programs.

One special version, called Windows RT, was made just for tablets and could only run certain apps, like a version of Office, to make sure everything worked well on those devices.

Reception

When Windows 8 was introduced, it faced many different opinions from users and experts. Some people liked the new touch-friendly design, especially for tablets, while others found it confusing or difficult to use on regular computers with a mouse and keyboard. The change was intended to help Windows compete with tablets like the iPad, but it also made some traditional Windows users unhappy.

The new Windows Store was another point of discussion. Some creators of games and software were concerned because the store was controlled by Microsoft, unlike the more open ways people usually got computer programs. Despite these mixed feelings, Windows 8 included several useful new features that improved how the computer worked, such as better file management and security updates.

Windows 8.1

Windows 8.1 was a feature update to Windows 8, announced by Microsoft on May 14, 2013. It was released as a free upgrade through the Windows Store on October 17, 2013. Windows 8.1 made several changes to improve the user experience, such as adding a visible Start button, allowing more apps on one screen, and letting users choose to start on the desktop.

The update also included new features like support for 3D printing, Miracast media streaming, NFC printing, and Wi-Fi Direct. It improved the search system and added new apps to help users get started with the operating system. Microsoft treated Windows 8.1 like a service pack, meaning users needed to upgrade to continue receiving support and updates.