Windows 8 is a version of Microsoft's Windows computer operating system. Windows 8 was released everywhere on October 26, 2012. The president of the Windows Division, Steven Sinofsky, said: "With this system we shall make the biggest change from Windows 95", as they have removed the "Start" button and designed a new tile-based user interface to replace the "Start" menu (which first appeared in Windows 95).

Several versions of Windows 8 were made available to software developers well before the final release. The first of these, the Developer Preview, came out in September 2011. On February 29, 2012, Microsoft released a beta version of Windows 8.0 known as the Consumer Preview. Anyone could register online to download this version for free. After the Consumer Preview, a final preview named "Release Preview" was released on May 31, 2012. 

On October 26, 2012, Windows 8, as well as a version for devices using ARM processors, called Windows RT and unable to run most Windows applications, both became available to the general public. On the same day, Microsoft also put new devices running Windows 8, including its newly-created Surface tablets up for sale in stores and online.

An update for Windows 8 was released on October 17, 2013, and it is called Windows 8.1. Windows 8.1 returns the normal "Start" button to the taskbar. During development, Windows 8.1 was known as "Blue".

Windows 10 was made to replace Windows 8, and it came out on July 29, 2015. Users who owned Windows 7 with Service Pack 1 installed, or Windows 8.1, were able to upgrade to Windows 10 for free until July 29, 2016.

Features 

One new feature in Windows 8 is the Windows Store. The Windows Store lets users buy new computer programs, or download them for free.

Windows 8 adds a new graphic user interface – Modern (also called Metro) – that is meant to be suitable for smartphones, tablets, notebooks, and desktop computers. This interface shows “tiles”, which work as links and also as interactive widgets (tools you can look at, like RSS feeds, weather, e-mails). The Modern interface is best used with a touchscreen, but can be controlled by a mouse or keyboard. Windows 8 still offers the classic desktop interface through the "Desktop" tile.

Microsoft reworked the booting process, replacing the classic BIOS with a new system called UEFI. This provides Secure Boot, a feature that only lets the computer start by using software its manufacturer has allowed.

Windows To Go allows users to run the complete Windows system from a USB drive.

Although Windows 8 is faster than Windows 7, it demands more pixels on the screen. The minimum is 1366 x 768 pixels, which affects many laptops that have a maximum resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels. Some users with older hardware have continued to use Windows 7 for this reason. Windows 8 will work on resolutions lower than this, but some of its features will be unavailable.

File Explorer, formerly called Windows Explorer, has a new ribbon bar interface. It can stop and restart a file transfer, and makes it easier to save files that have the same name. 

Windows 8 lets users log in using face detection, voice control, or hand gestures using a camera.

Hardware requirements

PCs

Tablets and convertibles

Windows 8.1 

Two months after Windows 8 was released, there were rumors that Microsoft was making a major update to be code-named "Blue". In May 2013, Microsoft announced that "Windows Blue" was going to be called "Windows 8.1".

On June 26, 2013, Microsoft released build 9431 as the Windows 8.1 Preview, which could be downloaded.

On August 14, 2013, Microsoft announced that Windows 8.1 would be released digitally on October 17, and released in stores and in new computers on October 18. It included greater customization, and new Modern apps, such as a calculator, sound recorder, and file manager.

In April 2014, Microsoft released an update for Windows 8.1 with improvements for keyboard and mouse users. This update pins the Windows Store to the taskbar by default. Each Modern app has a bar at the top and can be closed the same way desktop apps are closed.

References

Sources 
Windows 8 news microsoft.com
Computer Magazine
Technet.cz
Microsoft Windows 8 preview microsoft.com
Windows 8 system requirements microsoft.com

 

Microsoft operating systems