Windows 8 is an operating system developed by Microsoft as part of the Windows NT family of operating systems. It was released to manufacturing in August 2012 and reached general availability on October 26, 2012. Windows 8 introduced major changes to the traditional Windows user interface optimized for touchscreen devices such as tablets, while also retaining desktop functionality for conventional PCs. Some of the major new features and improvements in Windows 8 included an updated Start screen with touch optimization, greater cloud integration, enhanced security features, and updated bundled applications.
Redesigned Start Screen and UI
One of the most obvious changes in Windows 8 was the dramatically redesigned Start screen. It replaced the traditional Start menu and desktop in prior Windows versions with a full-screen display optimized for touch input. Apps and programs on the Start screen were represented by tiles that could be dynamically updated with new information. Users could customize the layout of these tiles and group them into sections.
The normal desktop environment was still accessible in Windows 8 by clicking on a tile or button on the Start screen. However, Microsoft encouraged developers to optimize apps for the new "Modern" interface with full-screen windows, touch support, and minimal screen elements. Many bundled apps like Mail, Calendar, Photos, and Music were redesigned in this "Modern" style. The traditional desktop with smaller windows and mouse input was still available for running legacy applications.
Enhanced Cloud Integration Features
With Windows 8, Microsoft aimed to position Windows as an effective platform across all devices - PCs, laptops, tablets, and even smartphones. To facilitate this, Windows 8 integrated a number of cloud-based features for syncing settings and data across devices:
- Your Microsoft account could be used to sync personalization settings across different Windows 8 devices.
- Storage spaces enabled syncing documents and files to SkyDrive (now OneDrive) cloud storage.
- Internet Explorer 10 was optimized for synchronization of browsing history, favorites, and tabs across PCs and tablets.
- Shared Windows 8 app data and roaming app data capabilities allowed apps to sync data across devices.
These cloud integration features allowed users to have a more seamless experience when using multiple Windows 8 machines.
Improved Security Features
Windows 8 introduced several notable security improvements:
- Secure boot utilized the UEFI firmware to prevent unauthorized programs like rootkits from modifying the boot process.
- SmartScreen filter was expanded to check app installations in addition to browser downloads.
- Malware resistance was improved by running applications in isolated sandbox environments by default.
- BitLocker disk encryption could optionally encrypt the entire system drive, rather than just user data.
- Windows Defender, an integrated antivirus program, was added based on Microsoft Security Essentials.
Taken together, these enhancements made Windows 8 one of Microsoft's most secure operating system releases yet.
Updated Bundled Apps
Windows 8 came with updated native applications for common tasks like email, photos, videos, music, and more. Key changes included:
- The mail app supported Exchange and multiple email providers with HTML messaging support.
- Photos app allowed basic editing and organization with touch, pen, or keyboard input.
- Music app enabled playback from local libraries or streaming services like Xbox Music.
- Video app supported playback of local and streaming video content from apps like Netflix and Hulu.
- Internet Explorer 10 included faster JavaScript performance and anti-phishing filters.
- Xbox integration allowed Xbox Music, Video, and SmartGlass apps to work seamlessly with Xbox consoles.
These refreshed apps were designed to provide a smoother experience across the new touch-optimized Windows 8 interface.
Reception and Impact on the PC Market
The radically redesigned Windows 8 proved to be a controversial release, with mixed reviews and reception from consumers and enterprise users. Critics argued the new touch-centric interface was less intuitive with only a keyboard and mouse. But touchscreen adoption was still limited on traditional PCs at the time of release. Other usability complaints included the removal of the familiar Start menu.
However, others saw Windows 8 as a necessary step towards an OS that could work across PCs, tablets and smartphones. Windows 8 sold over 60 million licenses in its first month, outpacing Windows 7. But one analysis found Windows 8 contributed to a decline in PC sales rather than spurring demand. This led to several revisions in Windows 8.1 to address desktop usability complaints. Over time, Windows 8 settled into a niche as an operating system for touchscreen devices like Microsoft's own Surface tablet until the release of Windows 10.
Major New Features in Windows 8
Some of the key new features and capabilities introduced originally in Windows 8 included:
- Start screen - The revamped, tile-based Start screen with touch optimization for tablet devices.
- Windows store - A store for downloading Modern UI apps integrated into Windows.
- Snap view - Support for snapped side-by-side apps with split-screen multitasking.
- Charms bar - A hidden menu with system functions like search, share, devices.
- Hyper-V - Client hypervisor built into Windows 8 Pro and Enterprise.
- Storage spaces - Virtual drives with spaces that combine multiple disks.
- New copy dialog - Enhanced file copying with pause, resume, and error recovery.
- Windows To Go - Feature to create bootable USB drives for Windows 8 Enterprise.
- Reset and refresh - Options to reinstall or reset Windows 8 without losing data.
- UEFI secure boot - Secure startup using hardware root of trust with UEFI.
For most consumers, the headline features of Windows 8 were focused on bringing touch support and mobility to Windows. But for businesses, capabilities like virtualization hypervisors, storage spaces, and UEFI security also offered compelling enhancements for desktop and server environments.
Transitioning to Windows 8
For enterprise customers, migrating to Windows 8 required planning and preparation:
- Hardware readiness - Windows 8 required verified compatible hardware, with at least 1 GHz CPUs and 1-2 GB RAM. Touch capabilities were also recommended.
- Application compatibility testing - In-house and commercial apps had to be tested and verified as compatible with Windows 8 and IE 10.
- Driver testing - All peripheral devices needed Windows 8-compatible drivers, which manufacturers may not have provided immediately.
- Deployment testing - IT departments tested pilot Windows 8 deployments on representative hardware builds before broader rollouts.
- Training - User education on Windows 8's new UI paradigm and gestures was crucial to ease the transition.
- Policy setting - Group policies were configured to preserve desired behavior and interfaces where feasible.
With proper planning, many enterprise customers succeeded in transitioning to Windows 8 for improved security, mobile readiness, and supporting diverse form factors. But businesses with custom LOB apps or significant legacy compatibility needs often delayed or avoided migrating to Windows 8.
The End of Mainstream Support
Microsoft officially ended mainstream support for Windows 8 on January 9, 2018. This marked the end of free security updates and non-security hotfixes for the operating system. Windows 8 systems could still receive paid extended support until January 10, 2023. But with the release of Windows 8.1 and Windows 10, Microsoft encouraged consumers and businesses to upgrade to one of these newer generations for ongoing support.
Legacy Windows 8 systems could still work long after support expiration. But organizations typically sought to upgrade prior to the end-of-life date to maintain a supported and compliant environment. For consumers, the mainstream support retirement provided further motivation to move on from Windows 8 to newer versions.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Windows 8 represented a major strategic shift for Microsoft's flagship operating system towards mobility and touch capabilities across devices. It was a visionary yet polarizing release, introducing fundamental UI changes that many desktop users resisted initially. However, Windows 8 did find a niche on tablets like Microsoft's own Surface. The groundwork Windows 8 laid in cloud integration, security, and supporting multiple hardware forms ultimately evolved into today's unified Windows 10 OS. And while widespread Windows 8 adoption was relatively short-lived in retrospect, it marked an important transitional period in the Windows ecosystem.