Windows 8 Features & Free Beta Download
Windows, being one of the most used OS, brings great challenges for
Microsoft to keep its users impressed in the next version of Windows.
Although Windows 7 has done exceptionally well since its release,
Microsoft has been constantly working to make the next version of
Windows a better one by further improving upon the existing features,
and have added new impressive Windows 8 features along with a stunning
UI.
Microsoft released the early version of Windows 8 on a prototype tablet last week. Those of you who would like to taste and experience the all new Windows 8,
you can download the Developer Preview, which is currently in pre-beta
version. The developer version shows off the current stage of the OS. It
is available for free download, and comes in three different packages:
- (1) 64-bit version – Only the OS
- (2) 32-bit version – Only the OS
- (3) 64-bit version with developer tools
Windows 8 Features
Windows 8 offers a number of new Windows 8 features from its all new
UI to Windows App Store and improvised security features. Here’s a list
of new features and improvements which will arrive with Windows 8:
Support for both x86 PCs and ARM tablets
Windows 8 is the first edition of Windows which will work on both ARM
based tablets and traditional x86 (as well as x32 and x64) PCs based on
ARM processors from Intel and AMD.
“Support for ARM-based chipsets, touch, and sensors makes Windows 8
work beautifully on your choice of a full spectrum of devices, such as
10-inch slates with all-day battery life, ultra-lightweight laptops, and
powerful all-in-ones with 27-inch high-definition screens,” Microsoft
contends, in a Windows 8 Guide distributed with Windows Developer Preview
Windows To Go
The “Windows To Go” seems to be an exciting feature that basically
allows Windows 8 to boot from a USB device (called as Live USB),
including user’s programs, settings and files. The feature is designed
to work with both USB 2.0 and USB 3.0, and on both legacy NIOS and UDFI
firmware. However, Microsoft says that a user will not be able to
“Hibernate” with this feature.
“Windows
To Go is a new feature in Windows 8 that enables enterprise
administrators to create USB drives containing complete, managed Windows
images that users can use to boot and run Windows on any Windows 7 or
Windows 8 capable computer. Windows To Go makes it possible for
employees to use a managed device whether they work from home, a client
office or in a free seating environment. This session will discuss
Windows To Go, its hardware requirements and building compatible and
complementary software.”
Another interesting thing about this feature is that, if the USB
drive is removed, Windows will automatically freeze, but will continue
to operate if the USB drive is inserted back in the next 60 seconds
after removal.
Windows Store
To compete with Apple, Windows has confirmed the introduction of a
Windows Store, similar to Mac App Store, which allows users to browse
through Windows applications, while developers can publish their
Metro-style apps on Windows 8 devices.
Few days back, Microsoft gave a strategic view of its app store, and
gave a quick demo on how it works. Microsoft revealed that the Windows
App Store will be the only place where users can access the Metro-styled
apps. Here’s a quick demo that shows how users will be able to buy
their apps:
Windows 8 User Interface
Speaking about the UI, Windows 8 certainly has got a mind blowing
interactive UI, which has been extensively redesigned to a “Metro-style”
design, which shows the most important information to you, embodies
simplicity, and gives you full control over it. The UI is designed to
provide a fluid and intuitive interaction and navigation with touch, or a
mouse and keyboard.
Julie Larson-Green, Corporate Vice President, Windows who stated:
“Everything that’s great about Windows 7, is better in Windows 8,” gave a
quick hands on look at the Windows 8 user-interface. Here are some of
the screenshots she released:
Windows Logon Screen – Unlike the traditional way of entering a
password to unlock the screen, Windows 8 can be unlocked by just tapping
on the right areas of the screen.
Windows 8 Start Screen – The Start screen is yet another impressive
UI. The screen basically groups all your applications together, which
you can easily drag and drop, or add new things.
Control Panel
Playing Videos in Windows 8
Windows 8 Task Manager
Improved Windows Defender
The Windows Defender which was first released with Windows Vista is
getting a security upgrade with the upcoming Windows 8. This would
probably edge-our third-party antivirus and anti-malware programs.
Windows Defender will become a full-fledged anti-malware solution for
Windows 8. This will include protection against all types of malware
such as virus, worms, trojans and rootkits.
In addition to that, Windows Defender will provide real-time
detection and protection from malware threats using a file system
filter, and will interface with Windows secured boot, which is another
security feature.
Internet Explorer 10
The developer preview of Windows 8 comes with a Metro version of
Internet Explore (IE) 10. Since it is a preview version, it does not
support any browser plugins and extension – including Adobe Flash and
Microsoft Silverlight. However, it will feature full screen browsing
mode by default, implements several new HTML5 capabilities, turbocharges
HTML5 performance, and adds some security options for Web applications.
Windows 8 Minimum System Requirements
It is reported that Windows 8 is expected to have the same system
requirements as Windows 7, and will run on existing PCs/laptops that run
Windows 7. Here are the following minimum system requirements to run Windows 8:
Processor: 1GHz or faster 32-bit or 64-bit processor
RAM: 1GB (32-bit) or 2GB (64-bit)
HD Space: 16GB for 32-bit (or 20GB for 64-bit)
Windows 8 Release Date
We can expect Windows 8 to be launched sometime in mid-late 2012,
however, it’s too early to predict the Windows 8 release date, since it
is still under development. Nevertheless, the only question that haunts
each and every one of us – Will Windows 8 win the battle against Apple
which it had lost several years back?
