The latest version of the Microsoft Windows OS - Windows 8 is expected to release on the 26th of October in a special event at the New York City. At the moment several Beta versions of Windows 8 are available that allow the users to taste the new operating system before its final release. Overall the users and experts' reviews about the Windows 8 are quite pleasant, which is a really healthy sign for the Microsoft. In this post I'm going to share top 10 features of the Windows 8 that helps you understand the new features of the Windows 8 that we are missing in the Windows 7.
1) Metro User Interface:
The Windows 8 comes along with a new UI known as Metro that replaces the traditional Windows 7 UI and Start button. Actually the Metro interface is the default home screen of the Windows 8 that displays the Windows 8 applications and programs with live information in a series of colorful tiles. The Metro interface is also quite customizable, so you can easily change the Metro style, color scheme, and the way in which it will share your information. More importantly you can also add new apps or remove current apps to provide more control of your device.
2) New Task Manager:
Along with other features Microsoft also updates the Task Manager brings some new features and more importantly it is easier to use than the Windows 7 Task Manager. The Windows 8 Task Manager has the ability to show your IP address, App history, startup programs, and services as well. The thing that I really like about the Windows 8 Task Manager is the way it shows the performance of your machine with elegant color schemes including the performance of CPU, Memory, Disk, and Network (both Ethernet and Wi-Fi).
3) Fast Startup Mode:
One another greater feature of the Windows 8 is Fast Startup Mode that reduces the booting time up to 30-70 percent. Windows 8 uses a technique of hibernating the system kernel every time you shut down your CPU, this is a hybrid state between a standard cold boot and restoring the PC form the hibernate. Because of this memory portion of the closed session quickly reinitialized, thus allowing you speedy boot time.
4) Windows To Go:
Windows To Go allows the users to make an image of their OS consisting of their personalized settings, apps, files, and wallpapers into a USB drive. Later-on this image can be deployed to any Windows 8 PC by just connecting the USB to that PC, which let you to use your personal files and settings on that PC. This is one of the most convenient features of the Windows 8 for the users.
5) Refresh/Reset Your PC
Windows 8 Refresh feature allows the users to make a fresh installation of the Windows 8 and kept all of your personal files and settings so you don't lose any of your personal data and you don't require to take your backup and make the required settings again. On the other hand, Windows 8 Reset feature allows the users to perform a clean Windows 8 installation with default settings.
How To Refresh/Reset Your Windows 8 PC
How To Refresh/Reset Your Windows 8 PC
6) Picture Password:
In Windows 8, Microsoft comes up a new way to set a password and it is known as Picture Password, which allows the users to set gesture on the picture and then later-on use it to unlock their PCs. Users can use any picture of their like in addition to the available pictures that make it more user-friendly and more secure. The Picture Password feature also saves your time as you don't need to type anything, all you need to draw that combination to unlock the PC.
7) Charms:
Windows 8 Charms is a toolbar that can be accessed from anywhere displays a small box above the task bar on the left side of the screen and a vertical bar on the right side of the screen. The small box displays Date and Time, Network Connectivity, and Battery Sataus, while right vertical bar allows you five basic options of Search, Share, Start, Devices, and Settings. On a non-touch machine Charms can be accessed by moving your mouse cursor to the top or bottom right corner of the screen, then move the cursor up or down, while on the touch devices one can simply access the Charms by swiping the screen from the right edge towards the center of the screen. There is a relatively easy way to access Charms using the keyboard via a shortcut key of WinKey+C.
8) ARM Support:
Earlier version of the Windows including Windows 7 are only compatible with x 86 systems, thus you can't use any of these Windows OS on your ARM-based devices. However, Windows 8 also provide support for ARM processors too therefore, you can also enjoy Windows 8 on ARM tablets and smartphones as well, and I'm quite sure that Metro UI will provide a great user experience to users on ARM devices.
9) Microsoft Account Integration:
In Windows 8 users can sign-in via their Microsoft account as Windows 8 come up with deeper Microsoft account integration. This feature allows the Windows 8 users to recover their lost password by receiving an email from the Microsoft. Microsoft account integration makes the Windows 8 more robust unlike the Windows 7 in which we need to set up a new password using the command prompt from Windows 7 Recovery, in case if you lost your current password.
10) Windows 8 Control Panel:
Windows 8 Control Panel is also changed a bit and comes with some new options including Personalize, Users, Wireless, Notifications, General, Privacy, Search, and Share. Using the Personalize one can easily change the settings of the Metro style apps.
Hopefully you liked the post, if yes do share your comments with us and don’t forget to mention your favorite Windows 8 features.
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