Microsoft Virtualization Secrets

Exploring the New Features in Windows 8

Windows 8 represents a major shift in the Windows operating system, driven by changes in the consumer space that have in turn affected the enterprise. In other words, the organization has had to respond to changes in what users want and expect from devices and operating systems. The rapid adoption of very small slate devices that are controlled primarily with touch means using minimal hardware and as little power as possible to provide long battery life on devices, helping to minimize their physical size. To enable very small devices such as ARM-based devices and even system on a chip (SoC), a special version of Windows 8, Windows RT, will be available. This final section of the chapter explores some of the new Windows 8 features. However, although this information is accurate at the time of writing, keep in mind that it is based on the consumer preview of Windows 8 and is therefore subject to change.

Metro Interface, Touch, and Navigation

The Start menu, taskbar, system tray, and all the features introduced in the Explorer shell were first introduced in Windows 95, which was designed in 1993, 20 years ago. Times have changed, of course, and just as changes necessitated the introduction of the Explorer shell to replace Program Manager, current technology necessitates a change in the user interface because of changes to how Windows is used and the new types of hardware—in particular, touch-centric interfaces and easier access to applications. ...