Understanding Windows Live Integration in Windows 8
Windows 8 introduces a new, deep integration with its Windows Live service. Windows Live provides a collection of services and software products, but one of its primary features is Windows Live ID, which provides a single sign-on identity service that enables a user with a Windows Live ID to sign on to many Microsoft websites. Traditionally, in order to log on to a Windows computer you needed to log on with a local user account that is stored in the computer’s local security account database or with a domain account. Provided that a Windows 8 computer is connected to the Internet, it is possible to log on directly using a Windows Live ID, which simplifies the process of logging on and account management for many home users.
The data associated with the Windows Live service is stored using the SkyDrive cloud-based storage service, but it is not possible to browse the data stored in SkyDrive for the synchronization of settings using the standard UI.
What makes Live ID a truly great feature is that in addition to logging on with a Live ID, you can configure synchronization of user settings to the Windows Live service. Once synchronization is configured, users can log on to any Windows 8 computer with their Live ID and have the same settings available. Figure 6-3 shows the Sync your settings page of the new Metro-style Windows 8 PC settings interface. To access the PC settings interface, select the Settings charm from the Start ...
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