What Does Windows 8 Look Like

Lesson 2: Windows 8.ane Features

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What is Windows 8.ane?

Windows viii.i is an operating system designed by Microsoft. Windows 8 introduced a lot of new changes, and many people found information technology difficult to apply. Windows 8.one is very similar to Windows eight, simply information technology addresses some of the problems people had with Windows 8.

There have been many dissimilar versions of Windows over the years, including Windows 7 (released in 2009), Windows Vista (2006), and Windows XP (2001). While previous versions of Windows mainly ran on desktop and laptop computers, Windows 8 is also designed to run on tablets. Because of this, the interface has been simplified so it will work with touchscreens.

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An operating system manages all of the hardware and software on a reckoner. Without it, the computer would be useless. To learn more about how operating systems piece of work, check out Understanding Operating Systems and Getting to Know the OS in our Figurer Basics tutorial.

How is Windows 8 different from before versions?

There are many new features and changes in Windows viii, both small and large. These changes include a redesigned interface, online features, and improved security.

Interface changes

The first thing you'll notice about Windows viii is that it looks totally different from previous versions of Windows. The all-new interface includes features similar the Starting time screen, live tiles, and hot corners.

Start screen: The primary screen yous'll employ is called the Start screen, and it displays all of your apps as tiles. Y'all can personalize your Start screen past changing the colour scheme, choosing a background image, and rearranging your tiles.
Apps on the Start screen
Alive tiles: Some apps use live tiles, which let you see information without even clicking on the app. For example, the Atmospheric condition app displays the current atmospheric condition on its tile, and you can click on information technology to run across more details.
Live tiles
Hot corners: You'll navigate through Windows 8 by using hot corners. To use a hot corner, but hover the mouse in the corner of the screen, and it volition open a toolbar or tile that you can click. For instance, to switch to another open up app, you lot can hover the mouse in the top-left corner and then click. If you're using a tablet, you'll swipe from the left or right instead of using hot corners.
Hot corners
Charms bar: Many of your computer's settings are at present found in a toolbar called the Charms bar. You can access it by hovering in the top-right or bottom-right corner of the screen. If you're using a tablet, you can swipe from the right to open the Charms bar.
The Charms bar

Online features in Windows 8

Many people are starting to salvage their files and other information online (also known every bit the cloud). One way to do this is with Microsoft's OneDrive service (previously telephone call SkyDrive). Windows 8 is designed to connect seamlessly to OneDrive, also equally to other online services like Facebook and Twitter.

Sign in with Microsoft account: Instead of creating an business relationship on your computer, you can sign in with your free Microsoft account. This will bring all of your OneDrive files, contacts, and more into your Start screen. Yous tin can even sign in to a dissimilar computer that has Windows viii, and all of your important files will be there.
Signing in with a Microsoft account
Social networking features: You tin connect your Facebook, Twitter, and Flickr accounts to Windows 8, assuasive yous to see your friends' updates straight from your Start screen or from the congenital-in People app.
The People app

To learn more than about Microsoft's online services, bank check out our Microsoft Account and OneDrive and Office Online tutorials.

Other Windows 8 features

Simplified Desktop for increased speed: Microsoft hasn't removed the Desktop, and you tin still employ it to manage your files or open up many of your existing programs. However, it has removed some of the transparency effects that often caused Windows vii and Vista to run slowly. The new Desktop should run more smoothly on nigh computers.
The Desktop
Beginning menu has been replaced: The Kickoff card was an important characteristic in earlier versions of Windows, merely it has been replaced with the Start screen. You'll utilise the Start screen to open programs or search your computer. Some people may observe it disorienting to employ Windows without the Commencement bill of fare.
Improved security: Windows eight has a congenital-in antivirus plan chosen Windows Defender, which can besides protect you from other types of malware such as spyware. The built-in Windows Store too helps to keep you lot and your estimator rubber past showing you lot what information each app volition have access to. For instance, some apps have access to your location, so if you're uncomfortable sharing your location you lot tin decide not to download those apps.
An app that has admission to your location and net connection

Updating Windows viii to Windows eight.i

When Windows viii was released in 2012, many users complained that it was difficult and confusing to use, peculiarly compared to older versions of Windows. Windows viii.1 is an update for Windows 8 that includes a number of improvements and features to address some of these issues. Beneath are some of the most helpful and notable features:

Start Button: Windows 8 removed the Kickoff button from the Desktop. Many users complained most the missing Start button, so Windows 8.ane adds it back to the Desktop. Clicking the Beginning button on the Desktop will launch the Starting time screen, which y'all'll use to open programs and search for files.
Boot to Desktop: Rather than launching the Starting time screen when yous turn on your device, Windows 8.1 now gives you lot the option to boot directly to the Desktop, much like older versions of Windows. This is especially helpful if you're not interested in using the Showtime screen very often.
Snap Start Screen Apps: Windows 8 introduced full-screen apps for the Start screen, but it did not let yous to view more than two apps at once. Windows 8.one allows you to view several dissimilar Start screen apps and snap them to unlike parts of the screen. Traditional desktop apps withal work the fashion they did in earlier versions of Windows: They'll appear in private windows that you can move and resize.

If you already have Windows 8, you should now able to upgrade to Windows 8.i. Your reckoner may be updated to Windows 8.1 automatically, just you tin also update it manually. To do this, open the Windows Store app from the Start screen, and then select Update Windows.

Screenshot of the Windows Store Updating Windows viii to Windows eight.1

Yous can also review this page from Microsoft if you're having trouble updating to Windows 8.1.

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