Windows 8 introduced a new Modern UI start screen and removed the traditional start menu. It added new features like the Windows Store, new security features, and support for touchscreens. Many personalization options and desktop gadgets were removed. File Explorer received a ribbon toolbar, and Media Center was made a paid add-on rather than included by default. Overall, Windows 8 shifted the interface to focus on touch-optimized apps and de-emphasized the traditional desktop.

1. Windows 8
First Part: New Features
I. Development Platform
1. Language and standards support
Windows Runtime (WinRT) allowscreatingapplications which run on a secure sandbox. WinRT is a COM-based API.
It's possible to develop on C++, C++/CX, C#, Visual Basic .NET, or HTML5 and JavaScript. Moreover, it's now
possible to develop application's which use near field communication (NFC) allowing communicating with
compatible objects (such as credit card or smartphone). Furthermore,it's possible to use active applications in two
or more screens on the same Windows session with at least a 1366x768 resolution. In case of 1024x768resolutions,
just one new Windows 8 application (metro apps) can be used and no one withlower resolution (only traditional
desktop application can be displayed). On Windows beta version, Microsoft employees told that the direction
decide to nameits actual start screen "Metro" but Metro AG, a Germancompany has threaten Microsoft that if it's
true, there will be a lawsuit against them. Finally, A Microsoft spokesperson told that "Metro" was a code name
and announced later the real name, "Modern UI".
2. Windows Store
Windows Store is an app store service which permit to buy new Windows Store apps and desktop app online, like
the Apple store or the Google store.
There is free and paid app. The cost begins to USD1.49 and reaches $999.99. Microsoft take 30% of app cost and
20% on app which cost more than $25.App must be certified on the compatibility and content. InDecember 2012,
the numbers of app available on the Windows store reached 35,000.

2. II. Shell and user interface
Windows redefined user interface adding Modern Ui start screen and a new lock screen optimized for
touchscreens. Further, clicking inthe top of screen makes the new charm bar appear containing four options
"search", "share", "start", "device" and "settings".

3. Touch on "search" show by default the list of applications installed and a pop-up which came to write something
to search. We can select if it's an app, an OS parameter, a file or something in an app.
"Share"allowssharingsomething in app. User must be in it otherwise it shows that there is nothing to share at the
moment and select an app and try again. Select “start” andon Modern Ui start screen appears. Choose device
offers us to share something with a device.

4. Modern Ui start screen is Brick-shaped with title of app on the left corner of brick app. Also, it's possible to close
new windows 8 apptouching top of left screen or with task manager. These apps are launched in full screen by
default but it's possible to put them on a side. So, we can do multi-tasking more easily.
1. User Logon
The new windows 8 lock screen allows login with many method. The first one and traditional is password logon.
The second one, optimized for tablets and laptop computer is picture password logon. The last onepermits to
logon with a four digit pin. The computer locks out when we enter five times a wrong pin code or wrong picture.
It's possible to use it again with a text password.

5. 2. Microsoft account integration
A user who has a Microsoft account can sign in all windows 8 computer in addition of traditional local connection.
He can update his local account with a Microsoftaccount. Otherwise he will not be administrator but a simple user
with limited accessesfiles and applications. For this, he needs an authorization delivered by a local computer's
administrator.
3. Multi-monitor support
Microsoftadds function to taskbar. When the screen is shared with another one, the taskbar is dedicated to its
own screen. The wallpaper can be dedicated or not.

6. 4. File Explorer
Microsoft has rebuilt windows explorer which name's now file explorer. It has a ribbon toolbar which looks like
office 2010.
Also, it's possible to natively mount ISO, IMG and VHD files as virtual drives.

7. Additionally, many data are shown when a file is transferred like a graphicrepresenting speed transfer, the
possibility to aggregate multiple operations at once and the ability to pause and resume file transfer.
5. Internet Explorer
a) Internet Explorer was updated to version number 10. There are a desktop app and a metro app which is
displayed in full screen and optimized for touchscreen. Flash player is now included with IE.

9. 6. Task Manager
Task Manager was rebuilt. It has a simple and detail view. On the simple view, only apps are displayed. This view
represents the App tab in windows 7 and it is the default view of task manager.

10. Detail view contains process, performance, app history, startup, users, details and services. Process tab has more
detail than windows 7 process tab. Indeed, processes are organized by default by app, background process and
windows process but it can be disabled in view option. It showsthe part that app take from the CPU, RAM, HDD
and network (in percentage). Now, all Windows processes are grouped by application. For example, all tab of IE is
showing under IE explorer process.

11. Performance tab display detail of CPU, RAM, primary HDD and Network (like Ethernet, WI-FI, Bluetooth...).
However, more details are shown in resource monitor.
App history tab shows a list of application launched with many details (CPU times, Network, Usage network cost
and thumbnail update).

12. Startup tab shown the app launched with windows start with many detail such as app name, editor name, statute
(enable/disable) and system impact (low/middle/high).
Users tab shows the list of system users with detail such as status, process, RAM, HDD and network.

13. Detail tab display app name, PID number, status, user name, CPU, Memory and description.
Services tab shows the name of service, PID number, Description, status and group. However, more details and
options are present in service monitor.

14. 7. Family Safety
Family Safety is now included natively with windows 8. It permits Administrator to make some usage reports and
restrict eventually user activity.
III. Infrastructure
1. File History
This featureprotects user and system data. The goal is to create incremental backups of library folder and user
specified folder to an external storage device. The user can restore later data. Also, file history use USN journal
method to track changes and simply new version of files.
2. Hardware support
Mass storage with USB version 3 is now supported natively by windows 8 which allowed faster data transfers and
better power management.Also, there is a port which was created on windows 8 especially for tablet running
Windows RT. On it, traditional desktop appsare not supported because the CPU is ARM, it is possible to execute
only windows store app. Only office 2013 was created on both.
3. Installation
Microsoft has reviewedits upgrade assistant. It allowed purchasing, downloading, installing windows 8 but also
creating an USB key and DVD of it and checking the computer compatibility (hardware and software) directly from
the desktop. Moreover, it's still possible to install windows 8 at the computer start, before an OS is starting. Now,
the product key is directly included in firmware and no more printed below computer.

15. 4. Networking
Now it's possible to connectinternet using mobile broadband with a SIM card and Windows detects automatically
the user's carrier name. However carriers can create their own app to connect users at internet.
5. Startup
The startup has changed. Indeed, when shut down is pressed, the system hibernate the kernel. This method allows
a faster boot on the system.Also, it is possible to use "-o" with shutdown.exe or holding shift + restart to access
UEFI settings. It had been made because the system is so fast than human have no time to access UEFI settings
with classic method.
6. Repair and recovery
Microsoft allowed resetting the system with or without erasing personal data and programs and without the
installation files. Indeed, the refresh option preserves user profiles, settings, and apps whereas reset option erases
all data present in the HDD and reinstall the system.
7. Security
Windows Defender has now an anti-virus function in addition of anti-malware. It is include natively with windows
8.However, a user can install his own protection. In this case windows defender will be disable automatically but it
will be enable again if a user removes, disables it or license expires. Also, Windows 8 supports secure boot. This
mode was created to prevent incoming intrusion before the system start.
8. Windows To Go
“Windows To Go” allows booting Windows from an external mass storage device. However, all devices are not
compatible yet. Microsoft supplies a list of compatible devices.
IV. Virtualization
1. Hyper-V
Windows Virtual PC has been substituted by Hyper-V, the Microsoft supervisor which is include natively in
Windows 8 while it was only in Microsoft OS server.

16. Second Part: Removed Features
I. Windows Shell
1. Start Menu
The start menu has been replaced by the start screen. It misses some important options like the recent document
menu or the most frequently used program list.
2. Start Button
The start buttonchanged. Up to windows 7, start menu shows a little popup with many shortcuts. Now, start
button sends to the modern ui start screen. It is no longer available on task bar but on the charm bar with moving
mouse on bottom or top right of screen. The Windows key on keyboard has the same function.
3. Windows Desktop Gadget
Windows Desktop Gadget was removed. This featureshows in right screen bar (windows vista) or in all screen
(windows 7) some gadgets like Weather or clock.

18. II. Personalization and DVM
1. Windows Flip 3D
Windows Flip 3D has been removed. However, it was substituted by metro app (⊞Win+Tab↹).
2. Aero Glass Theme
Aero Glass Theme was deleted but some elements are still present.

19. 3. Desktop Window Manager
There is no more longer Windows Classic theme present in windows 8 but high contrast theme is still present
(cf. picture above).
4. Advanced Appearance Settings
To change windows backgrounds color, users have to apply a high contrast theme under personalize option (cf.
picture above).
III. File Explorer
1. Command bar
The new Ribbon UI replaces the classic command bar. However, some control panel applets still use the old user
interface
2. status bar
Status bar has been curtailed.

20. 3. Briefcase option
The Briefcase optiondisappears after having a left click and selecting "New".

21. IV. Games
All Windows games are removed. However some of them are available on the windows store.
V. Networking
1. dial-up networking
"Redial attempts" and "Redial if line is dropped" were deleted in redialing options.

22. 2. Wireless
Manage Wireless networks option (The IIIII icon) is no longer available like set up a wireless ad hoc even if it is still
present innetsh command line.
3. Bluetooth
Shortcuts of Bluetooth file wizard were removed but it can be recovered with fsquirt.exe.
VI. User Accounts and Security
1. User account pictures
User account pictures are not available anymore.

23. 2. Parental Controls
Parental Controls is replacedby Family safety.
3. Windows CardSpace
Parental Controls isreplaced by Family safety.
4. Windows Defender
Microsoft Security Essential isreplaced by Windows Defender.
VII. Media Features
1. Windows Media Center
Media center is no present natively in Windows 8. It's an add-on of pro version. Until January 31st, Microsoft
offered media center for free. Now user must pay to get it. Media center is not available onWindows startup.
2. Windows Media Player
Windows Media player is no longer able to play DVD because Microsoft decided to realize some economy with
surrender DVD license. However, Windows Media Center is still available to play DVD but it is no free. Also, Media
Guide feature was deleted.

24. 3. MPEG-2 video codec
MPEG-2 video codec is not installed natively, but available with Media center add-on.
4. Windows DVD Maker
Windows DVD maker was removed.
VIII. File System
1. Backup and Restore control panel
The feature was replaced by File History.
2. Persistent shadow copies
The feature was replaced by File History (cf. picture above).
IX. Other
1. Stop errors
When Windows crashes, now only some technical stop errors are displayed.

25. 2. Windows XP Mode
Windows XP mode is not available anymore.
3. touch-based pointing devices
There is no optionto enable/disable touch-based pointing devices.
4. Sounds
The log in and log off sounds was removed and startup sounds was disable by default.