Windows 8

Windows 8
Part of the Microsoft Windows family
Screenshot of the Start Screen in the Windows 8 RTM (Build 9200)
Developer
Microsoft Corporation
Website	windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/release-preview
Releases
Initial release	October 26, 2012; 41 days' time
Stable release	6.2.9200.16384 (RTM) (August 1, 2012; 44 days ago)
License	Proprietary commercial software
Kernel type	Hybrid
Update method	Windows Update
Platform support	IA-32, x86-64, and ARM
Preceded by	Windows 7
Further reading
Features new to Windows 8 List of features removed in Windows 8 Windows 8 editions Windows Store

Windows 8 is an operating system produced by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops, tablets, and home theater PCs.
Development of this operating system started before the release of its predecessor in 2009. Its existence was first announced in January 2011 at Consumer Electronics Show. During its development and test phases, Microsoft released three pre-release versions: Developer Preview (September 13, 2011), Consumer Preview (February 29, 2012), and Release Preview (May 31, 2012). On August 1, 2012, Windows 8 graduated from the development stage and was released to manufacturing. Windows 8 is slated for general availability on October 26, 2012.
Windows 8 introduces significant changes to the operating system's graphical user interface and platform; such as a new interface design incorporating a new design language used by other Microsoft products, a new Start screen to replace the Start menu used by previous versions of Windows, a new online store that can be used to obtain new applications, along with a new platform for apps that can provide what developers described as a "fast and fluid" experience with emphasis on touchscreen input. Additional security features were also added to the operating system, such as a built-in antivirus program and a secure boot feature on systems with UEFI firmware. Secure boot requires the operating system to be digitally signed to protect malware from infecting the boot process. The implementation of this feature has sparked controversy among supporters of free software. Windows 8 also introduces an edition of the operating system designed to run on devices that utilize the ARM architecture, known as Windows RT.

Development history

Early announcements

Windows 8 development started before Windows 7 had shipped in 2009. In January 2011, at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), that Microsoft announced that Windows 8 would be adding support for ARM microprocessors in addition to the x86 microprocessors from Intel, AMD and VIA. On June 1, 2011, Microsoft officially unveiled Windows 8's new user interface as well as additional features at the Taipei Computex 2011 in Taipei (Taiwan) by Mike Angiulo and at the D9 conference in California (United States) by Julie Larson-Green and Microsoft's Windows President Steven Sinofsky. A month before the BUILD conference was held, Microsoft opened a new blog called "Building Windows 8" for users and developers on August 15, 2011.

Developer Preview

A screenshot of Windows 8 Developer Preview running on a multi-monitor system, showcasing many features

Microsoft unveiled new Windows 8 features and improvements on the first day of the BUILD conference on September 13, 2011. Microsoft also released the Windows Developer Preview (build 8102) of Windows 8 the same day, which included SDKs and developer tools (such as Visual Studio Express and Expression Blend) for developing applications for Windows 8's new interface. According to Microsoft, there were more than 500,000 downloads of the developer preview within the first 12 hours of its release. The Developer Preview also introduced the Start screen. The Start button in the desktop opened the Start screen instead of the Start menu.
On 16 February 2012, Microsoft postponed the expiration date of the developer preview. Originally set to expire on 11 March 2012, this release is now set to expire on 15 January 2013.

Consumer Preview

The new File Explorer interface in Windows 8

On 29 February 2012, Microsoft released Windows 8 Consumer Preview, the beta version of Windows 8, build 8250. For the first time since Windows 95, the Start button is no longer present on the taskbar, though the Start screen is still triggered by clicking the bottom-left corner of the screen and by clicking Start on the Charm bar. Windows president Steven Sinofsky said more than 100,000 changes had been made since the developer version went public. The day after its release, Windows 8 Consumer Preview had been downloaded over one million times. Like the Developer Preview, the Consumer Preview is set to expire on January 15, 2013.

Release Preview

At Japan's Developers Day conference, Steven Sinofsky announced that the Windows 8 Release Preview (build 8400) would be released during the first week of June. On May 28, 2012, the Windows 8 Release Preview (Standard Simplified Chinese x64 edition, not China-specific version, build 8400) was leaked online on various Chinese and BitTorrent websites. On May 31, 2012, the Windows 8 Release Preview was released to the public by Microsoft.
Major items in the Release Preview included the addition of Sports, Travel, and News apps, along with an integrated version of Flash Player in Internet Explorer. Unlike the Developer Preview and the Consumer Preview, the release preview is set to expire on January 16, 2013.

Final version

On August 1, 2012, Windows 8 (build 9200) was released to manufacturing. Microsoft plans to release Windows 8 for general availability on October 26, 2012. However, only a day after its release to manufacturing, a copy of the final version of Windows 8 Enterprise N (produced for European markets) leaked to the web and several days later there were Professional and Enterprise leaks both x86 and x64. On August 15, 2012, Windows 8 was made available to download for MSDN and TechNet subscribers. Windows 8 was made available to Software Assurance customers on August 16, 2012. Windows 8 was made available for student downloads (with a DreamSpark Premium subscription) on August 22, 2012, earlier than advertised.
Relatively few changes were made from the Release Preview to the final version. A tutorial explaining how to use the new Metro interface was included and the look and feel of the desktop was subtly changed to be more in line with the Metro interface. Some included apps were also changed slightly.^[27]

New features

Desktop and shell

Windows 8 employs a new user interface based on Microsoft's Metro design language. The environment features a new tile-based Start screen similar to that of the Windows Phone operating system, which has replaced the previous Start menu entirely. The Start screen displays a customizable array of tiles linking to various apps and desktop programs, some of which can display constantly updated information and content through "live tiles". As a form of multi-tasking, apps can also be snapped to the side of a screen.
A vertical toolbar known as the charms bar (accessed by swiping from the right edge of a touchscreen, or pointing the cursor at hotspots in the right corners of a screen) provide access to system and app-related functions, such as search, sharing, device management, settings, and a Start button. The traditional desktop environment for running desktop applications is accessed via a tile on the new Start screen. The Start button from previous versions of Windows has been removed from the taskbar in favor of a hotspot in the bottom-left corner (but can still also be activated via a button on the device if applicable, or on the charms bar).
Apps and the desktop can be switched between by either swiping from the left edge of a touchscreen, clicking in the top-left corner of the screen, using Alt+Tab, or by pointing in the top-left corner and moving the cursor down to reveal a thumbnail list of active apps.

Windows Store

A music app for Windows 8, shown snapped like a sidebar to the Windows Desktop

Windows 8 introduces a new style of application, Windows Store apps; Microsoft developer Jensen Harris intends these apps to provide a "fast and fluid" experience; referring to their optimization for touchscreen environments and their smaller scope in relation to desktop applications. Apps can run either in a full-screen mode, or be docked directly to the side of a screen. They can also provide notifications and a "live tile" on the Start screen for dynamic content. Apps can also use "contracts"; a collection of hooks to provide common functionality that can integrate with other apps, such as search and sharing. These apps are primarily distributed and updated through its namesake Windows Store, a new distribution platform comparable to the App Store and Google Play.
The apps run within a new set of APIs known as the Windows Runtime (WinRT), which supports programming languages such as C, C++, VB.NET, C#, along with HTML5 and JavaScript. Apps written for WinRT are also cross-compatible with both Intel-compatible and ARM versions of Windows.
To ensure stability and security, they run within a sandboxed environment, and require permissions to access certain functionality, such as accessing the internet or a camera. For quality and security reasons, retail versions of Windows 8 will only be able to install these apps through the Windows Store; the enterprise version will allow system administrators to deploy internally-developed apps.
Windows Store apps were originally known as "Metro-style apps" during the development of Windows 8. The term was reportedly phased out in August 2012; a Microsoft spokesperson denied rumors that the change was related to a potential trademark issue, and stated that "Metro" was only a codename that would be phased out prior to Windows 8's release. Following these reports, the terms "Modern UI-style apps", "Windows 8-style apps" and "Windows Store apps" began to be used to refer to the new apps. On September 12, 2012, Soma Somasegar (vice president of Microsoft's development software division) officially confirmed in an interview that they would be known as "Windows Store apps".

Integration with online services

Windows 8 provides heavier integration with Microsoft's online services. Users can now log in with a Microsoft account (formally known as a Windows Live ID), which can allow for various user settings to be synchronized between multiple computers. Windows 8 ships with an app for Microsoft's SkyDrive cloud storage service as well, and also allows apps to save files directly to SkyDrive. A SkyDrive client for the desktop and File Explorer is not included in Windows 8, and must be downloaded separately. Windows 8 also includes integration with Xbox Live, including Xbox-branded apps for games, music and video, and the SmartGlass app which can serve as a companion for content on a Xbox 360 video game console. Apps can also integrate with online services; the People app can connect to a variety of different social networks and services, while the Photos app can aggregate photos from services such as Facebook and Flickr.

Other features

Bootable Windows To Go USB flash drive

• Internet Explorer 10 is included as both desktop program and as a touch-optimized app. The latter does not support plugins or ActiveX components, but includes a version of Adobe Flash Player that is optimized for touch and low power usage and works only on sites included on a whitelist.
• It is now possible to log into Windows using a Microsoft account (formerly known as a Windows Live ID). This allows the user's profile and settings to be synchronized over the Internet and accessible from other computers running Windows 8, as well as integration with SkyDrive.
• Two new authentication methods have been added: picture password, which allows users to log in by drawing three gestures in different places on a picture, and PIN log in, which allows users to authenticate using a four digit pin.
• File Explorer includes a ribbon toolbar, and has its file operation progress dialog updated to provide more detailed statistics, the ability to pause file transfers, and improvements in the ability to manage conflicts when copying files.
• Hybrid Boot uses hibernation technology to allow faster startup times by saving the Windows core's memory to the hard disk and reloading it upon boot.
• Windows To Go allows Windows 8 Enterprise to boot and run from a bootable USB device (such as a flash drive).
• Two new recovery functions are included, Refresh and Reset. Refresh restores all Windows files to their original state while keeping settings, files, and apps, while reset takes the computer back to factory default condition.
• USB 3.0 is now supported natively.
• A new lock screen displays a clock and notifications while the computer is locked.
• Task Manager has been redesigned.
• Xbox Live integration (including Xbox Live Arcade, Xbox SmartGlass, Xbox Music, and Xbox Video)
• Storage Spaces allows users to combine different sized hard disks into virtual drives and specify mirroring, parity, or no redundancy on a folder-by-folder basis.
• Family Safety is intended to allow parents to protect their children on the Internet, as well as monitor and control their PC and Internet activities and usage.
• Windows Defender now has anti-virus capabilities, similar to those of Microsoft Security Essentials. It is intended to replace the Security Essentials package and functions as the default anti-virus program.

Removed features

Hardware requirements

PCs

The minimum system requirements for Windows 8 Enterprise edition are slightly higher than those of Windows 7.

Minimum hardware requirements for Windows 8 Enterprise edition

Architecture	IA-32 (32-bit)	x86-64 (64-bit)
Processor	1 GHz (with PAE, NX and SSE2 support)
Memory (RAM)	1 GB	2 GB
Graphics Card	DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver
Storage	20 GB

To run Windows Store apps, a screen resolution of 1024×768 or higher is required. A minimum resolution of 1366×768 is required to run their snapping feature. To receive logo certification, Microsoft requires that an Intel-compatible system resume from standby in 2 seconds or less.
Windows 8 Consumer Preview may be run on Hyper-V, VMware Workstation 8.0.2 for Windows, VirtualBox 4.1.8 for Windows, Parallels Workstation 6 for Windows, Parallels Desktop 4 for Windows, and XenDesktop 5.5. It cannot be run on Microsoft Virtual PC, Windows Virtual PC, Microsoft Virtual Server and VMware Workstation v7.x or earlier.

Tablets and convertibles

Microsoft released minimum hardware requirements for new tablet and convertible devices designed for Windows 8, and defined a convertible form factor as a standalone device that combines the PC, display and rechargeable power source with a mechanically attached keyboard and pointing device in a single chassis. A convertible can be transformed into a tablet where the attached input devices are hidden or removed leaving the display as the only input mechanism.

Hardware certification requirements for Windows tablets

Graphics Card	DirectX 10 graphics device with WDDM 1.2 or higher driver
Storage	10GB free space, after the out-of-box experience completes
Standard buttons	'Power', 'Rotation lock', 'Windows Key', 'Volume-up', 'Volume-down'
Screen	Touch screen supporting a minimum of 5-point digitizers and resolution of at least 1366x768. The physical dimensions of the display panel must match the aspect ratio of the native resolution. The native resolution of the panel can be greater than 1366 (horizontally) and 768 (vertically). Minimum native color depth is 32-bits.
Camera	Minimum 720p
Ambient light sensor	1–30k lux capable with dynamic range of 5–60K
Accelerometer	3 axes with data rates at or above 50 Hz
USB 2.0	At least one controller and exposed port.
Connect	Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0 + LE (low energy)
Other	Speaker, microphone, magnetometer and gyroscope. If a mobile broadband device is integrated into a tablet or convertible system, then an assisted GPS radio is required. Devices supporting near field communication need to have visual marks to help users locate and use the proximity technology. The new button combination for Ctrl + Alt + Del is Windows Key + Power.

Secure boot

See also: Unified Extensible Firmware Interface#Secure boot and Hardware restrictions#Windows 8

Secure boot is a feature of UEFI that can verify the integrity of operating system files using public-key cryptography, preventing unauthorized programs from running at boot time. Support for this feature in Windows 8, however, has proven controversial.
Hardware makers who choose the optional Microsoft Certification are required to implement UEFI secure boot. Microsoft also requires that manufacturers offer the ability to turn off the secure boot feature on x86 hardware, but they must not offer such an option on ARM hardware. No mandate is made regarding the installation of third-party certificates that would enable running alternative software.
In September 2011, Matthew Garrett, an employee of competitor Red Hat, raised the possible risk of Microsoft locking out alternative systems,leading to media coverage. Microsoft addressed the issue in a blog post, stating that "At the end of the day, the customer is in control of their PC. Microsoft’s philosophy is to provide customers with the best experience first, and allow them to make decisions themselves", with the promise that disabling SecureBoot on Windows 8 devices would be possible. In January 2012, Microsoft released certification requirements for Windows 8 specifying that non-ARM devices must have "the ability to disable Secure Boot", whereas for ARM-based devices, disabling Secure Boot "must not be possible." By prohibiting Windows 8 from running on ARM systems that allow the user to disable Secure Boot, Microsoft raised concerns, particularly in the Linux community, who are concerned that this marks an attempt by Microsoft to exclude competing operating systems from computers built to be compatible with Windows 8.
Fedora Linux has resolved this issue by purchasing a security key from VeriSign for US$99. The Free Software Foundation has commented on the issue, covering the use of GRUB and both Ubuntu and Fedora's approaches.

Software compatibility

BSOD in Windows 8

Windows 8 for IA-32 and x64 processors runs most software compatible with previous versions of Windows, with the same restrictions as Windows 7: 64-bit Windows 8 runs 64-bit and 32-bit software while 32-bit Windows 8 will be able to run 32-bit and 16-bit software (although some 16-bit software may require compatibility settings to be applied, or not work at all).
Windows RT, a version of Windows 8 for systems with ARM processors, only supports applications included with the system (such as a special version of Office 2013), supplied through Windows Update, or Windows Store apps. Windows RT does not support running existing IA-32 or x64 desktop applications to ensure the quality of apps available on ARM. Windows Store apps can either be cross-compatible between Windows 8 and Windows RT, or compiled to support a specific architecture.

Upgrade offers

On July 2, 2012, Microsoft announced that once Windows 8 will be released on October 26, from then till January 31, 2013, there will be two (one costing $69.99, and one costing $39.99) ways to upgrade to Windows 8 Pro from earlier Windows versions. These two methods come on the heels of Microsoft's confirming, in late May 2012, that it would offer a $14.99 Windows 8 Pro upgrade to purchasers of new PCs with Windows 7 pre-installed on them.
In none of Microsoft's announcements or confirmations of these promotional prices did it specify what are the long-term, permanent upgrade pricing for Windows 8 and Windows 8 Pro.
Though Microsoft had earlier announced that Windows Media Center is not be included in Windows 8, this promotion allows users to install Windows Media Center for free once they've completed the upgrade.
The Windows 8 upgrade for Windows 7 users is easiest and most seamless of the upgrade paths because all user settings, personal files, and applications will remain intact. For those upgrading from Windows Vista, only user settings and personal files are preserved, but not applications; and for those upgrading from Windows XP, only personal files (but not user settings or applications) survive. Applications which are removed as part of the process may be re-installed following the installation.
Those who purchase qualifying Windows 7 PCs between June 2, 2012 and January 31, 2013 will be eligible to register and download an upgrade to Windows 8 Pro, via the Windows Upgrade Offer website, for $14.99, through February 28, 2013. A qualified PC is a new PC purchased during the aforementioned June 2 through January 31 promotional period with a valid Windows 7 OEM Certificate of Authenticity and product key for, and preinstalled with, the following editions:

• Windows 7 Home Basic
• Windows 7 Home Premium
• Windows 7 Professional
• Windows 7 Ultimate

The Windows 7 Starter and Enterprise editions are ineligible for the US $14.99 upgrade. The upgrade must be performed via registration on the Microsoft Windows Upgrade Offer website. After registration on the site (which must be done from the eligible PC so that its copy of Windows 7 may be validated), registrants receive a confirmation email. Then, after Windows 8's general release, said customers receive another email with a promotion code and instructions for purchasing and downloading the Windows 8 Pro upgrade; which promotion code is redeemed during the upgrade ordering process to receive the promotional $14.99 price.
An optional installation DVD will also be available for an additional fee. Those who download the Windows 8 Pro upgrade are be able to create their own bootable installation media on DVD or USB flash drive from the downloaded Windows 8 Pro upgrade.
The Windows 8 Pro upgrades obtained via these promotional prices includes 90-days of no-charge support from Microsoft which begins at the moment the Windows 8 is installed and activation is completed.

Logo

On February 18, 2012, Microsoft confirmed that in Windows 8 the Windows logo will be significantly updated to reflect the new Metro design language. The logo was designed by Pentagram partner Paula Scher. The formerly flag-shaped logo has been transformed into four window panes, perspective was added, and the entire logo will be rendered in a single solid color, which will depend on the user's personalization changes.

Editions

On April 16, 2012, Microsoft announced that Windows 8 will be available in four main editions. Windows 8 and Windows 8 Pro will be available for retail sale to consumers in most countries. The other editions are not available in retail. The new Windows RT edition will only be available preinstalled by OEMs on ARM-based devices while the Enterprise edition will only be available through volume licensing.