Windows 8

What’s new and why I’m Afraid

Short History of Windows (…blunders)

• 1995 – Microsoft released Microsoft BOB as an alternative to Windows 95 and NT Program manager. – BOB used a cartoon desk with common items that launched programs

associated with those items (pen and ink means Word Processor)• 1998 – Windows 98 is released with integrated web browser and

media functions.– Suffered from severe memory leaks and security issues

• 1999 – Microsoft releases Windows ME– A hasty release with many bugs and memory holes to tide over the

initial incompatibilities with 2000 and existing FAT based programs• 2006 – Microsoft releases Windows Vista

– Microsoft failed in its initial Longhorn project and started from scratch in 2004.

– Windows Vista was released with underestimated minimum specs to manufacturers resulting in worse performance than the previous version of Windows on new systems.

Windows GUI Evolution

Windows 3.1

Windows 95

Windows XP

Windows 7

Windows 8

Feature name Windows 8 Windows 8 ProWindows

RT

Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote)     x

Internet Explorer 10 x x x

Device or Drive encryption   x x

Connected standby x x x

Desktop x x x

Installation of x86/64 and desktop software x x  

Updated Windows Explorer x x x

SmartScreen x x x

Enhanced Task Manager x x x

Storage Spaces x x  

Windows Media Player x x  

Exchange ActiveSync x x x

File history x x x

Play To x x x

Remote Desktop (client) x x x

BitLocker and BitLocker To Go   x  

Client Hyper-V   x  

Domain Join   x  

Group Policy   x  

Remote Desktop (host)   x

What’s new in 8?

• Faster boot times (as fast as 4 seconds)• Enhanced* Windows Explorer• Improved Task Manager• Full support and integration with capacitive

touch screen computers• Access to leaner more efficient “apps”

from the new Microsoft Store• Easy access to programs and settings

through “charms”

The Start Menu, A Eulogy.

Oh start menu, you revolutionized the desktop computing experience as it positioned all applications and major functions of the computer accessible in one place. Anything needed to be done on my computer was done through you. You shall be missed.

Where did it go?

• Shutdown and restart functions are under settings – power options

• Full control panel is accessible through Windows Explorer

• Closing programs is done through the start charm

• Msconfig is now part of Task Manager.

Live Demonstration