Microsoft Windows 8: A guide to all its new features

In a bid to challenge its contender, Microsoft has released a trial version of their new operating system called Windows 8 citing it as a “generational change”.

The generation software is hyped as being “Windows 7, only better”.

It is based on Microsoft’s very own Metro interface allowing users to use touch screen facilities comfortably. The touch screen keyboard utilises the user’s default language, allowing easy interaction with the device. However, the system also heeds to the desire of more traditional users who prefer hardware such as keyboard and mouse to communicate, without taking away the effectiveness of Windows 8.

Use of the Microsoft account enables the user to retrieve their personal data from any Windows 8 device, a feat credited to the “cloud connection”, as long as their preferences are saved with their Microsoft ID. Once logged in to their account, they will be greeted with their saved screen featuring the apps, background and themes along with easy access to their mail, photos and files. To put it simply, you have logged in to your computer even though you are using Windows 8 tabloid, a smart phone or even a different PC.

In a touch screen device, a user can choose a series of gestures limited to tapping or tracing – allowing users to sign in three times faster –  on a selected picture as their password. Five unsuccessful attempts locks out the computer until a text password is provided.

Windows 8 also comes with two new recovery functions, refresh and reset, which restores the system with users no longer having to rely on reinstallation. Refresh saves the files and settings whilst removing additional upgrades and reverting the system back to its original state whereas reset removes everything, effectively reinstalling the Windows.

The dilemma of choosing quality over battery life or vice versa is no longer a problem with Windows 8, as the power requirements are relatively low but the data transfer is deemed faster.

The consumer preview of the software can be downloaded here

Rajeeb Gurung