New Features of WINDOWS 8

The much awaited windows 8 is out, and a number of new features have been introduced. First of all, the user interface has been extensively redesigned. A new lock screen has been introduced. The lock screen shows a number of widgets which inform the user about the number of emails and other notifications from various applications. Microsoft has also introduced two new login methods that have been designed for touch screens. These include a picture password. The user can perform certain gestures on a picture to unlock the screen. A new start screen has been added which incorporates live application tiles. Each tile will represent an active application. You can even create your own custom tiles. Windows phone user will find this new home screen to be very similar to the ones in their phones.

The traditional desktop is retained even in the new version. The start button is not present but a task bar has been added which only shows the applications that the user has attached to it. The system tray appears on the right side. The task manager has also been redesigned by Microsoft. The basic task manager is used for basic task killing but more advanced user can also look up detailed information regarding CPU and memory usage. Users can also remove applications that automatically launch at startup directly from the task manager.

Another useful feature incorporated in Windows 8 is the Refresh Your PC tool. This tool allows a simple cleaning of your computer. Just as before, users created restore points, in Windows 8 refresh points can be placed and with a single click your computer will be refreshed. Windows 8 also allows users to integrate their windows with their Microsoft account. This will allow users to store their settings and files and can use them either on their home computer or on their laptop at work. You can also sync up your data on cloud and can open it on any Windows 8 device. You can also sync your contacts with any social networking site.

Another great feature of windows 8 is the Window store. Its display is very similar to the home screen where tiles have been incorporated to respond to various categories and applications. The Windows Store offers applications for tablets as well as the traditional desktop. Currently, there is a huge variety of free applications on the Windows Store provided by Microsoft and its affiliates. After Windows 8 has been officially released, users will be able to browse through numerous free and paid applications.

New changes also include the Windows To Go feature. This feature allows the user to create a boot able USB flash drive. This flash drive is usually referred to as the Lives USB. This USB will carry the user’s settings, files and Windows 8. Another new characteristic that has been confirmed is that Windows 8 will incorporate OEM activation 3.0. This will make the Windows 8 less viable to piracy.  These are a few of the many new exciting features of Windows 8.