Windows 8 32 & 64 bit Download free
Early announcements
Windows 8 development started before Windows 7 had shipped in 2009. In January 2011, at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), that Microsoft announced that Windows 8 would be adding support for ARM microprocessors in addition to the x86 microprocessors from Intel, AMD and VIA. On June 1, 2011, Microsoft officially unveiled Windows 8's new user interface as well as additional features at the Taipei Computex 2011 in Taipei (Taiwan) by Mike Angiulo and at the D9 conference in California (United States) by Julie Larson-Green and Microsoft's Windows President Steven Sinofsky.A month before the BUILD conference was held, Microsoft opened a new blog called "Building Windows 8" for users and developers on August 15, 2011.Developer Preview
On 16 February 2012, Microsoft postponed the expiration date of the developer preview. Originally set to expire on 11 March 2012, this release is now set to expire on 15 January 2013
Final version
On August 1, 2012, Windows 8 (build 9200) was released to manufacturing. Microsoft plans to release Windows 8 for general availability on October 26, 2012.However, only a day after its release to manufacturing, a copy of the final version of Windows 8 Enterprise N (produced for European markets) leaked to the web and several days later there were Professional and Enterprise leaks both x86 and x64. On August 15, 2012, Windows 8 was made available to download for MSDN and TechNet subscribers Windows 8 was made available to Software Assurance customers on August 16, 2012.Windows 8 was made available for student downloads (with a DreamSpark Premium subscription) on August 22, 2012, earlier than advertised.Relatively few changes were made from the Release Preview to the final version. A tutorial explaining how to use the new Metro interface was included and the look and feel of the desktop was subtly changed to be more in line with the Metro interface. Some included apps were also changed slightly.
New features
Main article: Features new to Windows 8
| This section needs additional citations for verification. (September 2012) |
Desktop and shell
Windows 8 employs a new user interface based on Microsoft's Metro design language. The environment features a new tile-based Start screen similar to that of the Windows Phone operating system, which has replaced the previous Start menu entirely. The Start screen displays a customizable array of tiles linking to various apps and desktop programs, some of which can display constantly updated information and content through "live tiles". As a form of multi-tasking, apps can also be snapped to the side of a screen.A vertical toolbar known as the charms bar (accessed by swiping from the right edge of a touchscreen, or pointing the cursor at hotspots in the right corners of a screen) provide access to system and app-related functions, such as search, sharing, device management, settings, and a Start button. The traditional desktop environment for running desktop applications is accessed via a tile on the new Start screen. The Start button from previous versions of Windows has been removed from the taskbar in favor of a hotspot in the bottom-left corner (but can still also be activated via a button on the device if applicable, or on the charms bar).
Apps and the desktop can be switched between by either swiping from the left edge of a touchscreen, clicking in the top-left corner of the screen, using Alt+Tab, or by pointing in the top-left corner and moving the cursor down to reveal a thumbnail list of active apps.
Apps
A music app for Windows 8, shown snapped as a sidebar to the Windows Desktop
The apps run within a new set of APIs known as the Windows Runtime (WinRT), which supports programming languages such as C, C++, VB.NET, C#, along with HTML5 and JavaScript. WinRT also provides "contracts", a system which allows apps to to integrate with other apps to provide functionality such as search and sharing. Apps written for WinRT are also cross-compatible with both Intel-compatible and ARM versions of Windows.
To ensure stability and security, WinRT apps run within a sandboxed environment, and require permissions to access certain functionality, such as accessing the internet or a camera. For quality and security reasons, retail versions of Windows 8 will only be able to install these apps through the Windows Store; the enterprise version will allow system administrators to deploy internally-developed apps.
Originally described as "Metro-style apps", the term was reportedly phased out in August 2012; a Microsoft spokesperson denied rumors that the change was related to a trademark issue, and stated that "Metro" was only a codename that would be phased out prior to Windows 8's release. Following these reports, the terms "Modern UI-style apps", "Windows 8-style apps" and "Windows Store apps"began to be used in some areas to refer to the new apps.
Integration with online services
Windows 8 provides heavier integration with Microsoft's online services. Users can now log in with a Microsoft account (formally known as a Windows Live ID), which can allow for various user settings to be synchronized between multiple computers. Windows 8 ships with an app for Microsoft's SkyDrive cloud storage service as well, and also allows apps to save files directly to SkyDrive as well. A SkyDrive client for the traditional desktop and File Explorer is not included in Windows 8, and must be downloaded separately.Windows 8 also includes integration with Xbox Live, including Xbox-branded apps for games, music and video, and the SmartGlass app which can serve as a companion for content on a Xbox 360 video game consoleApps can also integrate with other online services; the People app can integrate with a variety of different social networks and services, while the Photos app provides support for photos from services such as Facebook and Flickr.
Other features
Bootable Windows To Go USB flash drive
| This article is in a list format that may be better presented using prose. (September 2012) |
- Internet Explorer 10 is included as both desktop program and as a touch-optimized app. The latter does not support plugins or ActiveX components, but includes a version of Adobe Flash Player that is optimized for touch and low power usage and works only on sites included on a whitelist.
- It is now possible to log into Windows using a Microsoft account (formerly known as a Windows Live ID). This allows the user's profile and settings to be synchronized over the Internet and accessible from other computers running Windows 8, as well as integration with SkyDrive.
- Two new authentication methods have been added: picture password, which allows users to log in by drawing three gestures in different places on a picture, and PIN log in, which allows users to authenticate using a four digit pin.
- File Explorer includes a ribbon toolbar, and has its file operation progress dialog updated to provide more detailed statistics, the ability to pause file transfers, and improvements in the ability to manage conflicts when copying files.
- Hybrid Boot uses hibernation technology to allow faster startup times by saving the Windows core's memory to the hard disk and reloading it upon boot.
- Windows To Go allows Windows 8 Enterprise to boot and run from a bootable USB device (such as a flash drive).
- Two new recovery functions are included, Refresh and Reset. Refresh restores all Windows files to their original state while keeping settings, files, and apps, while reset takes the computer back to factory default condition.
- USB 3.0 is now supported natively.
- A new lock screen displays a clock and notifications while the computer is locked.
- Task Manager has been redesigned.[further explanation needed]
- Xbox Live integration (including Xbox Live Arcade, Xbox SmartGlass, Xbox Music, and Xbox Video)
- Storage Spaces allows users to combine different sized hard disks into virtual drives and specify mirroring, parity, or no redundancy on a folder-by-folder basis.
- Family Safety is intended to allow parents to protect their children on the Internet, as well as monitor and control their PC and Internet activities and usage.
- Windows Defender now has anti-virus capabilities, similar to those of Microsoft Security Essentials. It is intended to replace the Security Essentials package and functions as the default anti-virus program.
Removed features
Main article: List of features removed in Windows 8
Hardware requirements
To run Metro-style apps, a screen resolution of 1024×768 or higher is required. A minimum resolution of 1366×768 is required to run Metro-style apps in sidebar using snap feature. To receive logo certification, Microsoft requires that an Intel-compatible system resume from standby in 2 seconds or less.
Windows 8 Consumer Preview may be run on Hyper-V, VMware Workstation 8.0.2 for Windows, VirtualBox 4.1.8 for Windows, Parallels Workstation 6 for Windows, Parallels Desktop 4 for Windows, and XenDesktop 5.5. It cannot be run on Microsoft Virtual PC, Windows Virtual PC, Microsoft Virtual Server and VMware Workstation v7.x or earlier.Tablets and convertibles
Microsoft released minimum hardware requirements for new tablet and convertible devices designed for Windows 8, and defined a convertible form factor as a standalone device that combines the PC, display and rechargeable power source with a mechanically attached keyboard and pointing device in a single chassis. A convertible can be transformed into a tablet where the attached input devices are hidden or removed leaving the display as the only input mechanism.| Graphics Card | DirectX 10 graphics device with WDDM 1.2 or higher driver |
|---|---|
| Storage | 10GB free space, after the out-of-box experience completes |
| Standard buttons | 'Power', 'Rotation lock', 'Windows Key', 'Volume-up', 'Volume-down' |
| Screen | Touch screen supporting a minimum of 5-point digitizers and resolution of at least 1366x768. The physical dimensions of the display panel must match the aspect ratio of the native resolution. The native resolution of the panel can be greater than 1366 (horizontally) and 768 (vertically). Minimum native color depth is 32-bits. |
| Camera | Minimum 720p |
| Ambient light sensor | 1–30k lux capable with dynamic range of 5–60K |
| Accelerometer | 3 axes with data rates at or above 50 Hz |
| USB 2.0 | At least one controller and exposed port. |
| Connect | Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0 + LE (low energy) |
| Other | Speaker, microphone, magnetometer and gyroscope. If a mobile broadband device is integrated into a tablet or convertible system, then an assisted GPS radio is required. Devices supporting near field communication need to have visual marks to help users locate and use the proximity technology. The new button combination for Ctrl + Alt + Del is Windows Key + Power. |
Secure boot
See also: Unified Extensible Firmware Interface#Secure_Boot_2 and Hardware restrictions#Windows 8
Secure boot is a feature of UEFI that prevent unauthorized programs from running at boot time. The inclusion of this feature in Windows 8, however, has proven controversial.Hardware makers who choose the optional Microsoft Certification are required to implement UEFI secure boot. Microsoft also requires that manufacturers offer the ability to turn off the secure boot feature on x86 hardware, but they must not offer such an option on ARM hardware. No mandate is made regarding the installation of third-party certificates that would enable running alternative software.
In September 2011, Matthew Garrett, an employee of competitor Red Hat, raised the possible risk of Microsoft locking out alternative systems, leading to media coverage. Microsoft addressed the issue in a blog post, stating that "At the end of the day, the customer is in control of their PC. Microsoft’s philosophy is to provide customers with the best experience first, and allow them to make decisions themselves", with the promise that disabling SecureBoot on Windows 8 devices would be possible. In January 2012, Microsoft released certification requirements for Windows 8 specifying that non-ARM devices must have "the ability to disable Secure Boot", whereas for ARM-based devices, disabling Secure Boot "must not be possible." By prohibiting Windows 8 from running on ARM systems that allow the user to disable Secure Boot, Microsoft raised concerns,particularly in the Linux community, who are concerned that this marks an attempt by Microsoft to exclude competing operating systems from computers built to be compatible with Windows 8.
Fedora Linux has resolved this issue by purchasing a security key from VeriSign for US$99. The Free Software Foundation has commented on the issue, covering the use of GRUB and both Ubuntu and Fedora's approaches.
Software compatibility
BSOD in Windows 8
Windows RT, a version of Windows 8 for systems with ARM processors, only supports applications included with the system (such as a special version of , supplied through Windows Update, or applications acquired through the Windows Store. Windows RT does not support running existing IA-32 or x64 desktop applications to ensure the quality of apps available on ARM.
Metro-style applications can either be cross-compatible between Windows 8 and Windows RT, or compiled to support a specific architecture.
Upgrade offers
Logo
On February 18, 2012, Microsoft confirmed that in Windows 8 the Windows logo will be significantly updated to reflect the new Metro design language. The logo was designed by Pentagram partner Paula Scher. The formerly flag-shaped logo has been transformed into four window panes, perspective was added, and the entire logo will be rendered in a single solid color, which will depend on the user's personalization changes.System requirement
Processor= 1.4GHz (32Bit)
For 64Bit 1.8GHz
RAM= 1GB (32Bit)
For 2GB (64Bit)
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