ABSTRACTWindows 8 represents a major departure from previous versions of Windows because it is based on the Metro design language, which facilitates a touchscreen UI (user interface) similar to the ones found in mobile phones and tablet computers. Microsoft's Surface tablet, released in early 2013, runs Windows 8.

Rizwan Ansari

ASSIGNMENT ON WINDOWS

INDEX

Table of Contents

S.No. Name of Contents Page No.

1 INTRODUCTION 02-05

2 WHAT IS WINDOWS 06-06

3 WINDOWS' KEY BENEFITS AND FEATURES 06-08

4 USER INTERFACE 09-16

5 DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WINDOWS 7 AND WINDOWS 8

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Windows 8 is a Microsoft operating system that was released in 2012 as part of the company's Windows NT OS family. Windows 8 represents a major departure from previous versions of Windows because it is based on the Metro design language, which facilitates a touchscreen UI (user interface) similar to the ones found in mobile phones and tablet computers. Microsoft's Surface tablet, released in early 2013, runs Windows 8.

The basic version of Windows 8, suitable for most users, works with touch screen devices as well as with traditional keyboard-and-mouse systems. A version called Windows RT supports the ARM processor

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INTRODUCTION

architecture. Another version, Windows 8 Pro, is aimed at business and technical professionals who desire encryption, virtualization, PC management and domain connectivity.

The Windows 8 screen is tile-based, with each tile representing a specific app. The taskbar has no Start button, although users can bring up a Start screen by touching or clicking the lower-left corner of the display. The Windows 8 Release Preview contains a Metro version of Internet Explorer 10, along with apps for news, sports, and travel. It also offers an updated Windows Explorer, an updated Task Manager, and picture password capability.

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The newest version is Windows 8.1, which contains a few improvements on the first Windows 8. Operating systems support a computer’s basic functions and allow programs to be run. The first version of Windows was released way back in 1983, and each new version has been an update on the last, each time keeping many consistent features so that it’s not too confusing for those used to the previous version.

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As well as operating systems for computers and the ever-popular Office programs.Microsoft have moved into a number of different fields over the years,

including the highly successful Xbox games console and Windows smartphones, the looks of which are believed to have influenced this latest version of Windows. Reactions to the new Windows have been largely favourable, with many citing it as a bold move and a faster

experience.

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WHAT IS WINDOWS ?

Windows is a collection of programs known as an operating system (OS) that controls a PC (personal computer). First produced by Microsoft in November 1985, it has been frequently updated since, as computer memory has got bigger, as processing chips have got faster and, of course, when the internet was invented. Prior to Windows, PCs were operated by a series of text commands.

Windows' key benefits and features

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• Allows the user to interact with the computer (through the keyboard, mouse, microphone, etc.

• Controls the storage of data (images, files, music).

• Controls hardware attached to the computer such as webcams, scanners and printers.

• Helps to open and close programs (word processors, games, photo editors, etc.), and gives them part of the computer’s memory to allow them to work.

• Controls what access to a computer different users have and the computer's security.

• Deals with errors and user instructions, and issues simple error messages.

• Promotes multitasking by allowing the user to do several things on the computer at once – for example, watch a video while writing a letter.

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Other operating systems are available, notably the Apple OS X used in Mac computers. In addition, with the increased use of smartphones, notepads and tablets, there are systems aimed directly at mobile devices. However, most people who learn to use computers do so on a system running Windows.

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USER INTERFACE

When Windows 8 was first introduced to the public in 2011, Microsoft branded its new touch-friendly interface "Metro." Due to potential trademark issues with a German partner company, Microsoft has since dropped that name in favor of simply calling the new Windows UI or the Windows 8 UI.

There's no longer a Start menu

Rather than using a menu interface to access applications, Windows 8 has switched to a graphical tile display. You can access this new Start screen display by clicking the lower-left corner of your desktop where you'd expect the Start button to be.

Windows 8 creates rectangle links to your apps known as tiles. If you have a program installed but don't see a tile for it, you can right-click the background on the Start screen and click "All Apps" to see everything

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installed on your computer. This all-encompassing view will likely be more comfortable for you if you're jonesing for a menu.

Your regular applications still work

While Microsoft is really pushing the exciting new Windows 8 apps, the full version of the operating system will support most programs you could use with Windows 7.

You'll want to be wary though as a Windows 8 version known as Windows RT, which runs exclusively on mobile devices, limits its users to Windows 8 apps only.

The Windows Store has all the modern apps you can handle

If you want to try out new Windows 8 apps, you can download them from the Windows store.

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Look for a green tile on your Start screen labeled Store. You can search through the available applications and download them to your device.

Windows 8 apps don't have the standard menus you might expect

To open a Windows 8 app, you just click or tap its tile on the Start screen. These apps are always full-screen and they don't have the menu buttons you'd use to close a desktop application.

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To close a Windows 8 app you can switch away from it (see below), you can click the top of the window and drag it to the bottom of the screen, or you can right-click or long-press it in the switcher menu and click close. Of course, you can also kill it from the Task Manager.

You'll need to use the four corners of Windows 8

If you've never heard of the four-corners of Windows 8, you'll see it mentioned when you first setup your Windows 8 OS. This simply refers to the fact that in Windows 8, placing your cursor in one of the four corners of your screen will open something.

• Bottom or Top-right - Placing your cursor in one of the right corners opens the Charms menu. This menu provides links to tools and utilities you'll use on a regular basis such as app settings, PC settings and the search charm.

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• Bottom-left - The bottom-left corner opens a link to the Start screen.

• Top-left - The top left corner opens a link to the last app you had in focus. This allows for rapid switching between apps. Swipe down from the top-left corner to open a Switcher menu that displays all open apps. You can then select an app from the list to bring it into focus.

Though it's optimized for touch, the Windows 8 UI works great with a keyboard and mouse

While the Windows 8 UI is at its best in a touch-enabled environment, it still works great on a desktop or laptop with a mouse or track pad.

The lock screen may confuse desktop users

If you find yourself confused when trying to log in to your account because you don't see a place to enter your password or select your user

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account, don't worry. Windows 8 uses a lock screen that displays a unique background and configurable notifications.

Where Do I Find

Shut down - Move your mouse to the upper right corner of the screen, and move your mouse down until you see your charms appear. Click Settings. Then click Power, and Shut Down.

Desktop - When you log into Windows 8, you will be taken to the Metro Start Screen. There you will see various apps. Click on the app labeled Desktop.

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Run Command - You can get to Run a few ways. First, you can right-click anywhere on the start screen that isn’t an app and click All Apps on the bottom toolbar. Scroll over until you find Run.

You can also move your mouse to the upper right corner of the screen, move your mouse pointer down, and then click Search. Enter ‘Run’ in

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the search box, click Apps and then click Run. The easiest way to get to Run is to press the Windows key + R.

Control Panel - Move your mouse to the upper right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, and then click Search. Enter Control Panel in the search box, click Apps and then click Control Panel.

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DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WINDOWS 7 AND WINDOWS 8

If you have bought a new computer recently, the chances are that you are now trying to get to grips with Windows 8. This is the latest Microsoft operating system which has been installed on all new Windows computers since the latter part of 2012.

Windows 8 looks quite different from Windows 7. This is because it is designed to also work with touchscreen computers and tablets.

The main differences

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When you log in to Windows 8, the first screen you see is the new ‘Start Screen’, also known as ‘Metro’. It still has the familiar ‘Desktop’ as well but we’ll come to that in a minute.

Instead of Icons, the new Start screen has ‘Tiles’. You click these to open your ‘Apps’ (short for Applications). If you can’t find a particular tile, do a right mouse click in the space at the bottom of the screen and click All Apps.

In Windows 8 we can use apps and programs. Apps open full screen in Metro ; programs open on the Desktop just as they did in Windows 7.

Additional apps can be downloaded from the Windows Store.

Apps don’t have to be closed by clicking a X in the corner – instead, just press the Windows key on your keyboard to return to the Start Screen. Optionally, an app can be closed by dragging it down from the top of the screen with your mouse, with the left button held down – or with your finger if you are using a touchscreen.

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Windows 8 doesn’t have a Start Menu. Instead, it has a ‘Charms Bar’ (see right) which is where you go to shut down and use other tools such as ‘Search’.

Whereas in Windows 7 you might have used Windows Live Mail for your email, Windows 8 has a new ‘Mail’ app.

Instead of having separate contacts for email, Skype and social networking e.g. Facebook, you will find all your contacts together in the new 'People' app.

As mentioned above, Windows 8 does still have a Desktop similar to Windows 7. To find this, click the Desktop tile. Traditional programs such as Microsoft Word open on the desktop in the normal way and still have to be closed using the X in the top right hand corner .

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Windows 8 includes two versions of Internet Explorer 10, one which opens from a tile on the Start screen and also one which looks more like version 9 and opens from an icon on the Desktop.

Programs can still be pinned to the taskbar by right clicking your mouse on an icon in the taskbar and choosing Pin this program to taskbar.

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