When something new comes out in the computing market, people tend to always look out for “revolutionary” features – something radically different from what was had or experienced in the past. When talking about fundamentals, Microsoft evidently went seriously this time around with its latest release, Windows 8. The new product contains functionalities and features too compelling and incomparable that people would think that this isn’t a Windows reiteration they’re dealing with anymore, but rather an all-new operating system. Here are some of them.

Windows 8 Features

1. Faster Boot Time

Window 8 features a drastically improved and laudable boot time through an all-new booting technique that involves preserving a part of the last session to initialize the next startup faster. It’s been a long time coming Microsoft, but this gesture is greatly appreciated. Besides, if you want to change the perception of customers regarding your product’s performance, you have to start somewhere – like starting up the system. See the graphic below to understand how it works:

2. Minimalistic Interface

Windows OS sheds the beveled, shiny look it had for ages with the new Windows 8. The altered appearance of the latest OS features a minimal, simplified look, which completely departs from the glass-like, Web 2.0-ish look of previous releases. Users can expect this subdued UI to draw more attention to function and content over a mash-up of effects and extra elements the public has come to identify with Microsoft.

3. Pretty Lock Screen

Windows 8’s lock screen, evidently patterned after the Windows Phone lock screen, sports better visuals: a beautiful picture plus a few widgets that don’t give everything away (essentially, your PC or lappy is still on its “locked” state). Touchscreen users can swipe up to unlock while desktop or keyboard users can just hit the spacebar to proceed to type their passwords. There are other advanced means of unlocking optimized for touch-enabled Windows 8 machines, like drawing invisible gestures or using photos as references to go into your system.

4. New Task Manager

Windows 8 streamlines yet another essential feature: the Task Manager. The new Task Manager is optimized for completing common tasks such as killing apps and processes through a functional interface in which both basic and power users would surely benefit. For the basic users, gone are the tabs, the menu bar, and the statistics that provide unneeded information; only the running (or unresponsive) applications remain. The advanced users, meanwhile, can access more vital on-goings within their system by clicking the “More details” button on Task Manager, which reveals a familiar tabbed view (albeit the regrouped information) of all your processes.

5. Spiffy Windows Explorer

On Windows 8, expect to see an “upgraded” Windows Explorer patterned after the Ribbon interface first introduced in Microsoft Office 2007. Instead of toolbars and menus, you’ll find Ribbon panes like Home, Share, View, and Manage. If you’re exploring a special folder designated for a certain file type like the “Music” library, for instance, you’ll get additional Ribbon panes for common tasks like playing a file, playing all files, and adding files to a playlist. In addition, Windows Explorer in Windows 8 now offers native mounting of ISO files and marks the return go-up-one-folder button featured in XP back in the day.

6. Built-In Antivirus

For the first time in Windows OS history, Microsoft throws in antivirus software to Windows 8’s Windows Defender so you won’t need to get third-party antivirus software from the likes of McAfee or Norton, thus saving you a lot of money. Early evaluations reveal, however, that the antivirus function isn’t as efficient as those from trusted antivirus suites whose detection rates go as high as 99.9 percent, so it’s still advisable to use third-party options. Say, give Microsoft’s antivirus feature to mature in a year or so.

7. Native USB 3.0 Support

Windows 8 incorporates native support for USB 3.0, meaning they will work with any generic USB 3.0 controllers without having to install device drivers that are manufacturer-supplied. This shouldn’t be surprising as many new computers have integrated USB 3.0 support into their chipsets due to the revised connectivity standard’s faster data transfer speeds and seamlessly reliable performance.

8. Cleaner OS Refresh and Restore

People are so accustomed to “resetting” OS installations over time, and Microsoft perfectly understands this need. Thus, the introduction of Windows 8 Refresh, a feature which lets restores your Windows 8 installation to an earlier, cleaner state without having to reinsert your installation media. If reselling your machines or devices after a while is your thing (perhaps for to upgrade or to satiate your wallet), then this feature would make you all giddy.

Do you know any other fresh features of Windows 8, don’t forget to share it with us in form of comments below.

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