Team “Xenon”

An OPERATING SYSTEM (OS) is a collection of software that manages computer hardware resources and provides common services for computer programs. The operating system is a vital component of the system software in a computer system. Application programs require an operating system to function. For hardware functions such as input and output and memory allocation, the operating system acts as an intermediary between programs and the computer hardware. Operating systems can be found on almost any device that contains a computer—from cellular phones and video game consoles to supercomputers and web servers. Examples of popular modern operating systems include Android, BSD, iOS, Linux, Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows, Windows Phone, and IBM z/OS. All these, except Windows and z/OS, share roots in UNIX.

Microsoft Windows is a series of graphical interface based operating systems developed, marketed, and sold by Microsoft. Microsoft introduced an operating environment named “Windows” on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing Interest in graphical user interfaces (GUIs). Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal computer market with over 90% market share, and overtaking Mac OS, which had been introduced in * The most recent client version of Windows is Windows 8; * The most recent server version is Windows Server 2012; * The most recent mobile version is Windows Phone 7.5.

Today we will discuss about “ Microsoft Windows 8 ”

WINDOWS-8 is an operating system produced by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops, tablets, and home theatre PCs. Development of this operating system started before the release of its predecessor in Its existence was first announced in January 2011 at Consumer Electronics Show. On August 1, 2012, Windows 8, graduated from the development stage and was released to manufacturing. Windows 8 is slated for general availability on October 26, 2012.

The minimum system requirements for Windows 8 are Slightly higher than those of Windows 7. Minimum hardware requirements for Windows 8:-  Processor 1 GHz.  Memory (RAM) 1 GB 2 GB.  GRAPHICS CARD.  DirectX 9 graphics device.  Storage 20 GB.

 STARTUP : The startup or boot is much faster when compared to all other previous versions of Windows OS.  NEW START SCREEN : The start screen is not like the traditional Windows screens, it has live tiles that update with app info such as new mail arrivals, news, weather, stock tickers and many more. There are many default apps that are already in there to provide you all this.

 NEW APP STORE : There is a brand new app store where awesome apps are sold. This apps can run on both Windows 8 tablets and PCs. You can buy all those apps which you would want to have it on your comp based on your needs.  BATTERY LIFE : You’ll notice a great performance on your laptop with respect to the battery. This means that Windows 8 Professional improves the battery life of both laptops and tablets.

 CONNECTED WITH THE CLOUD : Sign in to any of your devices running Windows 8 and your personalized settings and apps are right there. Your apps light up with connections to your friends And family. Info from the services you connect to Hotmail, Messenger, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and many more

If you get bored entering passwords in old-style, then Windows 8 has got something new for you called the “Picture Password”. Windows 8 utilizes a new system that incorporates pictures and gestures in user authentication.

Having a Windows Live ID gives you access to many of the Microsoft’s services. You can access Outlook or Hotmail to check all of your personal mails. You can also check Office Web for online document creation and collaboration, Skydive for online file storage, Live messenger for chatting etc. Well, you can use the same ID even on your Windows 8 Pro to login.

The Windows Store now features apps for purchase, with various price ranges. You can buy all those apps which you feel you may need to have on your computer. The best thing here is that you can reinstall the apps you have bought on any of your PCs. Searching, downloading and installing applications is simple and easy.

It is always better to have a comprehensive contacts list or address book that is accessible wherever you go. With the People App your contacts can be easily imported to your contact list via popular social and professional forums like Hotmail, Twitter, LinkedIn, Gmail and more. The Me page shows your own picture and all the updates and notifications related to your connected accounts, while the What’s New page displays all your friends and all their updates together in one place.

Every one of us like to have portable applications since we can always carry them with us where ever we go. You must have run applications like web browsers, word processors, image editors etc from a pen drive but not Windows. Well, you can now have portable Windows with you. Yes! with Windows 8 Professional, you will even be able to take the entire operating system with you. Enterprise versions of the OS will be capable of running off a flash drive or portable hard disk.

The copying mechanisms that Windows currently uses is totally new. Not only are the ‘copy time’ estimates are erroneous, but even basic features such as pausing a transfer are absent. Windows 8 rectifies this and a number of other issues with improvements in its file management system. I can say that the copy/move progress of window has completely changed.

 The Start menu has been removed in favor of a full screen interface called the Start screen.  The Aero Glass theme, which has been featured in Windows Vista and Windows 7 has been removed from Windows 8 in favor of a Metro-style theme.  Microsoft Gadgets which has been featured in Windows Vista and Windows 7 has been removed from Windows 8.

 The command bar is no longer present, and has been replaced by a new ribbon.  Windows Media Center will no longer be included by default in any version of Windows 8.  The Blue Screen of Death no longer shows as much technical Information about the error that caused the computer to stop.  The Parental Controls feature present in earlier versions of Windows has been removed and replaced by the Family Safety feature.

That’s all.