View source for Features new to Windows 8

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'''[[Windows 8]] introduced several new features''', including [[USB 3.0]] support, Live ID integration, the [[Windows Store]], the ability to run from USB Flash drives with [[Windows To Go]], and easier system restore options, among others.

== Development platform ==
===Language and standards support===
Windows 8 has a new developer platform according to Microsoft Vice President Julie Larson-Green, who called it "our new developer platform, which is...based on [[HTML5]] and [[JavaScript]]."<ref>{{cite web |url= http://arstechnica.com/microsoft/news/2011/06/html5-centric-windows-8-leaves-microsoft-developers-horrified.ars |title=Why Microsoft has made developers horrified about coding for Windows 8 |author=Peter Bright |publisher=Arstechnica |date=2011-06-13 |accessdate=2011-06-28}}</ref>
The new applications developed for Windows 8 could be easily ported as a [[Metro (design language)|Metro]]-style application and developers could use any existing Windows Application Development language to port applications as a Metro-style app (by adding minimal amount of code). This is possible because of the architectural changes done to the Windows platform. All applications developed – whether using [[C Sharp (programming language)|C#]], [[Microsoft Foundation Class Library|MFC]], or HTML5/JavaScript – will translate into the [[Windows Runtime|WinRT]] APIs,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/apps/hh464942.aspx |title=The Windows Runtime |work=Microsoft |date=February 2012}}</ref> which sits directly above the Windows kernel. The new applications run in full-screen, but two of them can be displayed side-by-side using "Snap". Examples of new applications that were demoed include a [[Twitter]] client, a weather application, a stock-tracking application, an [[RSS]] news feeder, and a virtual piano.

The new platform is primarily designed for [[16:9]] screen resolutions, with 1366×768 and larger screens able to display two Windows 8 "Metro-style" applications side-by-side by "snapping". 1024×768 screens can display one application in full-screen, and 1024×600 screens can only use the traditional desktop applications.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.infopackets.com/news/business/microsoft/2011/20110603_microsoft_demos_windows_8_at_first_public_event.htm | title=Microsoft Demos Windows 8 at First Public Event |publisher=Infopackets.com |date=2011-08-20 |accessdate=2011-09-08}}</ref>

Windows 8 also introduces [[API]]s to support [[near field communication]] (NFC) on Windows 8 devices, allowing functionality like launching URLs/applications and sharing of information between devices via NFC.<ref>{{cite web|title=NFC: Windows 8′s hidden connection to tags and devices|url=http://www.istartedsomething.com/20110917/nfc-windows-8s-hidden-connection-to-tags-and-devices/|publisher=istartedsomething.com|accessdate=19 September 2011}}</ref>

=== Windows Store ===
{{Main|Windows Store}}
Microsoft has confirmed the introduction of a Windows Store on Windows 8, similar to the [[Ubuntu Software Center]], and [[Mac App Store]], that allows developers to publish their Metro-style applications on Windows 8 devices. The Windows Store will also allow developers to publish their Win32 or "traditional desktop" applications, however, the store will only provide links to the application on their website. Ted Dworkin, a Partner Director of Program Management on the Windows Web Services team highlighted that the Windows Store will be the only means of distributing Metro-style apps to users to allow Microsoft to scan apps for security flaws and malware.<ref>{{cite web|last=Tom|first=Warren|title=Microsoft details and demos the Windows Store for Windows 8|url=http://www.winrumors.com/microsoft-details-and-demos-the-windows-store-for-windows-8-video/|publisher=Winrumors.com|accessdate=19 September 2011}}</ref>

== Shell and user interface ==
===Metro style===

<!--[[File:Win8 lock screen.png|thumb|240px|right|Metro-style lock screen]]-->
[[Image:Windows8102MultiMonitorAndApp.png|thumb|240px|right|Screenshot showing Windows 8's ability to pin apps and show different wallpapers on different monitors, as well as displaying the new Explorer file browser interface, Task Manager, and multi-monitor taskbar (in "Duplicated on all taskbars" mode).]]
Windows 8 features an extensively redesigned "[[Metro (user interface)|Metro]]-style" user interface, optimized for touchscreens as well as mice and keyboards. A new "Start screen", similar to the one in [[Windows Phone 7]], includes live application tiles. The start screen replaces the Start menu, being triggered by the Start button or Windows key, and is also the first screen shown on start up. The user can go to the regular desktop, which is treated as a Metro app with its own "Desktop" tile on the Start screen. Starting a traditional desktop-based application also switches to the desktop. The Start screen also displays the user's name and picture.

Windows 8 features a new login/lock screen that shows the date and time and notifications, along with a customizable background.

===Picture password===
Instead of typing a password, a new authentication method allows users to use a set of gestures in the selected picture to login. These gestures will take into account the shape, the start and end points, as well as the directionality. However, the shapes and gestures are limited to tapping and tracing a line or circle. Microsoft found that limiting the gestures improved the speed of sign-ins by three times compared to allowing freeform methods. Wrong gestures will always deny a login, and it will lock out the PC after five unsuccessful attempts, until a text password is provided. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://channel9.msdn.com/events/BUILD/BUILD2011/KEY-0001 |title=Keynote #1 &#124; BUILD2011 &#124; Channel 9 |publisher=Channel9.msdn.com |date=2011-09-13 |accessdate=2011-11-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2011/12/16/signing-in-with-a-picture-password.aspx |title=Signing in with a picture password |publisher=Microsoft |date=December 2011 |author=Zach Pace}}</ref>

===Taskbar===
Windows 8 provides a configurable taskbar in the traditional Windows desktop that spans multiple monitors. The Multiple Monitor Taskbar can be turned on and off and is used to display the minimized windows. Similarly, Windows 8 provides the user with the ability to show different wallpapers on different monitors, or the same wallpaper stretched across multiple monitors.

===Windows Explorer===
Similar to [[Microsoft Office 2010]] and [[Windows Live Essentials]], the re-designed Windows Explorer will use the [[Ribbon interface]] to enhance discoverability of commands and bring relevant commands to users depending on their file selection. For example, selecting photos in a folder brings up tools to rotate the photos and to start a slide show. The interface was selected to bring forward the most commonly used commands for easy access.<ref name="Explorer Improvements">{{cite web |url=http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2011/08/29/improvements-in-windows-explorer.aspx |title=Improvements in Windows Explorer |work=Microsoft |date=August 2011}}</ref>

Additionally, Windows Explorer features a redesigned preview pane that takes advantage of widescreen layouts and the "Up" button removed from Windows Explorer in [[Windows Vista]] and [[Windows 7]] is now included in the interface.<ref name="Explorer Improvements" />

Windows Explorer will feature a new user interface for copying and moving files, offering both a simplified interface and an advanced interface for users to monitor the speed of the operations. Users now view all simultaneous file operations in one consolidated window, and can pause file operations in progress.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2011/08/23/improving-our-file-management-basics-copy-move-rename-and-delete.aspx |title=Improving our file management basics: copy, move, rename and delete |work=Microsoft |date=August 2011}}</ref> A new interface has also been introduced for managing file name collisions in a file operation, allowing users to easily control which conflicting files are copied.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2011/08/26/designing-the-windows-8-file-name-collision-experience.aspx |title=Designing the Windows 8 file name collision experience |work=Microsoft |date=August 2011}}</ref>

Windows Explorer can now mount [[ISO image|ISO]], [[IMG (file format)|IMG]], and [[VHD (file format)|VHD]] files as virtual drives through simple right-clicks or the Explorer toolbar<ref>{{cite web|title=Accessing data in ISO and VHD files |url=http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2011/08/30/accessing-data-in-iso-and-vhd-files.aspx |work=Microsoft |date=August 2011}}</ref> as compared to Windows 7 where VHDs could be mounted in a less-discoverable way, via the Disk Management section in the Computer Management MMC, or by using <code>diskpart</code> from the command line.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/ee872416.aspx |title=Create and Use a Virtual Hard Disk on Windows 7 |work=Microsoft |accessdate=February 2012}}</ref>

===Task Manager===
A new Task Manager replaces [[Windows Task Manager]] (though the old version is also included). 

The following changes were made:
*The tabs are hidden by default. This view only shows applications.
*Resource utilization in the Processes tab is shown with various shades of yellow, with darker color representing heavier use.
*The Performance tab is split into CPU, memory, disk, Ethernet, and wireless network (if applicable) sections. There are overall graphs for each, and clicking on one reaches details for that particular resource.
**The CPU tab no longer displays individual graphs for every logical processor on the system by default. It now can show data for each [[Non-uniform memory access|NUMA]] node.
**The CPU tab now displays simple percentages on heat-mapping tiles to display utilization for systems with many (64 or more, up to 640) logical processors.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2011/10/27/using-task-manager-with-64-logical-processors.aspx | title=Using Task Manager with 64+ logical processors | accessdate=October 29, 2011}}</ref> The color used for these heat maps is blue, with darker color again indicating heavier utilization.
**Hovering the cursor over any logical processor's data now shows the NUMA node of that processor and its ID.
*A new Startup tab has been added that lists startup applications.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.itproportal.com/2011/10/24/how-get-most-out-new-windows-8-task-manager/ | title=How to Get the Most out of New Windows 8 Task Manager? | accessdate=October 29, 2011}}</ref>
*The Processes tab now lists application names, application status, and overall usage data for CPU, memory, hard disk, and network resources for each process.
**The new task manager recognizes when a [[WinRT]] application is in "Suspended" status.
**The normal process information found in the older Task Manager can be found in the new Details tab.

==Infrastructure==

===File History===
'''File History''' is a [[continuous data protection]] component. File History automatically creates [[incremental backup]]s of files stored in Libraries, including those for users participating in a [[Features new to Windows 7#HomeGroup|HomeGroup]], and user-specified folders to a different storage device (such as another internal or external hard drive, Storage Space, or network share). Specific revisions of files can then be tracked and restored using the "History" functions in File Explorer. File History replaces both [[Backup and Restore]] and [[Shadow Copy]] (known in Windows Explorer as "Previous Versions") as the main backup tool of Windows 8.<ref name="File History">{{cite web |url=http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2012/07/10/protecting-user-files-with-file-history.aspx |title=Protecting user files with File History |last=Raciborski |first=Bohdan |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |work=Building Windows 8 |editor-first=Steven |editor-last=Sinofsky |editor-link=Steven Sinofsky |date=July 10, 2012 |access-date=February 27, 2015 |archive-date=September 24, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120924235223/http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2012/07/10/protecting-user-files-with-file-history.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> Unlike Shadow Copy, which performs block-level tracking of files, File History utilizes the [[USN Journal]] to track changes, and simply copies revisions of files to the backup location.<ref name="FileHistoryExTech">{{cite web |url=http://www.extremetech.com/computing/132628-using-file-history-windows-8s-built-in-backup-tool |title=Using File History, Windows 8's built-in backup tool |last=Anthony |first=Sebastian |date=July 11, 2012 |publisher={{w|Ziff Davis Media}} |work=ExtremeTech |access-date=February 26, 2015 |archive-date=August 14, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120814011114/http://www.extremetech.com/computing/132628-using-file-history-windows-8s-built-in-backup-tool |url-status=live }}</ref> Unlike Backup and Restore, File History cannot back up files encrypted with [[Encrypting File System|EFS]].<ref name=FileHistoryEFS>{{cite web|last=Lyakhovitskiy|first=Grigory|title=File history backup on bitlocker protected target|url=http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/722cd7b7-34cb-4aa0-a1c9-412fc0a43578/file-history-backup-on-bitlocker-protected-target|access-date=January 7, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004213609/http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/722cd7b7-34cb-4aa0-a1c9-412fc0a43578/file-history-backup-on-bitlocker-protected-target|archive-date=October 4, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Hardware support===
Windows 8 adds native support for [[USB 3.0]], which allows for faster data transfers and improved power management with compatible devices.<ref>{{cite web |first=Dennis |last=Flanagan |editor-first=Steven |editor-last=Sinofsky |editor-link=Steven Sinofsky |url=http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2011/08/22/building-robust-usb-3-0-support.aspx |title=Building robust USB 3.0 support |work=Building Windows 8 |publisher=Microsoft |date=August 2011 |access-date=February 17, 2012 |archive-date=February 24, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120224014118/http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2011/08/22/building-robust-usb-3-0-support.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.zdnet.com/blog/microsoft/microsoft-to-provide-usb-30-support-for-better-battery-life-in-windows-8/10396 |title=Microsoft to provide USB 3.0 support for better battery life in Windows 8 |work={{w|ZDNet}} |publisher={{w|CBS Interactive}} |date=August 2011 |access-date=August 30, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110926134525/http://www.zdnet.com/blog/microsoft/microsoft-to-provide-usb-30-support-for-better-battery-life-in-windows-8/10396 |archive-date=September 26, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> This native stack includes support for the newer, more efficient [[USB Attached SCSI]] (UAS) protocol,<ref>{{cite web |first=Jerome |last=Myers |url=http://plugable.com/2012/10/25/usb-3-0-support-on-windows-8 |title=New USB 3.0 Support Built-In to Windows 8 |publisher=Plugable |date=October 25, 2012 |access-date=January 20, 2014 |archive-date=February 1, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201154348/http://plugable.com/2012/10/25/usb-3-0-support-on-windows-8 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/hardware/dn423379%28v=vs.85%29.aspx#loadeddriver |title=USB in Windows - FAQ (Windows Drivers) |work=[[MSDN]] |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |date=November 16, 2013 |access-date=January 20, 2014 |archive-date=January 5, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140105230801/http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/hardware/dn423379(v=vs.85).aspx#loadeddriver |url-status=live }}</ref> which is turned on by default even for USB 2.0 devices,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/hardware/jj248714.aspx |title=USB Attached SCSI (UAS) Best Practices for Windows 8 |work=[[MSDN]] |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |format=[[Office Open XML]] |page=6 |date=July 24, 2012 |access-date=January 20, 2014 |archive-date=February 6, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130206235329/http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/hardware/jj248714.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> although these must however have supporting firmware/hardware to take advantage of it. Windows 8.1 enhanced support for power saving features of USB storage devices, but this addition was not without problems, with some poorly implemented hardware degrading user experience by hangs and disconnects.<ref>{{cite web |first=Jim |last=Bovee |url=http://blogs.msdn.com/b/usbcoreblog/archive/2013/11/01/help-after-installing-windows-8-1-my-usb-drive-disappears-or-file-transfers-stop-unexpectedly-r-a-post-title.aspx |title=Help! After installing Windows 8.1, my USB drive disappears or file transfers stop unexpectedly… |work=Microsoft Windows USB Core Team Blog |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |date=October 31, 2013 |access-date=January 20, 2014 |archive-date=January 22, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140122103020/http://blogs.msdn.com/b/usbcoreblog/archive/2013/11/01/help-after-installing-windows-8-1-my-usb-drive-disappears-or-file-transfers-stop-unexpectedly-r-a-post-title.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref>

Support for [[Advanced Format]] hard drives without emulation is included for the first time.<ref>{{cite web |title=Advanced format (4K) disk compatibility update (Windows) |url=http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/hh848035(v=vs.85).aspx |work=[[MSDN]] |publisher=Microsoft |date=November 28, 2012 |access-date=January 3, 2013 |archive-date=January 11, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130111233631/http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/hh848035(v=vs.85).aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> Windows 8 also adds support for UEFI Secure Boot, and [[Trusted Platform Module|TPM]] 2.0. Windows 8.1 adds native support for [[NVM Express]].

A {{w|porting|port}} of Windows for the [[ARM architecture]] was also created for Windows 8. Known as [[Windows RT]], it is specifically optimized for mobile devices such as tablets. Windows RT is only able to run third-party Windows Store apps, but comes with a preinstalled version of [[Office 2013]] specially redesigned for touchscreen use.<ref>{{cite web |first=Brandon |last=LeBlanc |url=http://blogs.windows.com/windows/b/bloggingwindows/archive/2012/04/16/announcing-the-windows-8-editions.aspx |title=Announcing the Windows 8 Editions |work=The Windows Blog |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |date=April 16, 2012 |access-date=January 20, 2014 |archive-date=March 11, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130311222307/http://blogs.windows.com/windows/b/bloggingwindows/archive/2012/04/16/announcing-the-windows-8-editions.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> On the x86 architecture, Intel Corporation and AMD continued their work on low-power SoC designs that support Windows.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2011/jan11/01-05SOCsupport.mspx |title=Microsoft Announces Support of System on a Chip Architectures From Intel, AMD, and ARM for Next Version of Windows: January 5, 2011 |publisher=Microsoft.com |date=2011-01-05 |accessdate=2011-11-07}}</ref>

Windows 8.1 improves hardware support with [[DirectX]] 11.2.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/windows/apps/bg182410 |title=Windows 8.1 Preview: New APIs and features for developers |work=[[MSDN#Library|MSDN Library]] |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |date=June 26, 2013 |access-date=June 27, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130628080725/http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/windows/apps/bg182410 |archive-date=June 28, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Installation===
Alongside the existing [[WinPE]]-based [[Windows Setup]] (which is used for installations that are initiated by booting from DVD, USB, or [[Preboot Execution Environment|network]]), '''Upgrade Assistant''' is offered to provide a simpler and faster process for upgrading to Windows 8 from previous versions of Windows. The program runs a compatibility check to scan the device's hardware and software for Windows 8 compatibility, and then allows the user to purchase, download, generate installation media with a DVD or [[USB flash drive]] and install Windows 8. The new installation process also allows users to transfer user data into a clean installation of Windows.<ref name="microsoftrevealsprice">{{cite web | first=Paul | last=McDougall | url=http://www.informationweek.com/windows/microsoft-news/microsoft-reveals-windows-8-upgrade-pric/240003119 | title=Microsoft Reveals Windows 8 Upgrade Price | work={{w|InformationWeek}} | publisher={{w|UBM plc|UB}} | date=July 3, 2012 | access-date=July 4, 2012 | archive-date=August 10, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120810013404/http://www.informationweek.com/windows/microsoft-news/microsoft-reveals-windows-8-upgrade-pric/240003119 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=bw8-improvingsetup>{{cite web|title=Improving the setup experience|url=http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2011/11/21/improving-the-setup-experience.aspx|work=Building Windows 8|publisher=Microsoft|access-date=September 18, 2012|archive-date=September 10, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120910061633/http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2011/11/21/improving-the-setup-experience.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> A similar program, branded as '''Windows 8 Setup''', is used for installations where the user already has a product key.<ref name=supersite-81iso>{{cite web|title=Windows 8.1 Tip: Download a Windows 8.1 ISO with a Windows 8 Product Key|url=http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/windows-81-tip-download-windows-81-iso-windows-8-product-key|work=Paul Thurrott's Supersite for Windows|access-date=October 20, 2013|archive-date=October 20, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020175536/http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/windows-81-tip-download-windows-81-iso-windows-8-product-key|url-status=live}}</ref>

Windows 8 implements OEM Activation 3.0, which allows Microsoft to digitally distribute Windows licenses to [[original equipment manufacturer]]s (OEMs). Windows 8 devices store [[product key]]s directly in firmware rather than printed on a Certificate of Authenticity (CoA) sticker. This new system is designed to prevent OEM product keys from being used on computers they are not licensed for, and also allows the installer to automatically detect and accept the product key in the event of re-installation.<ref name=cnet-productkey>{{cite web|last=Whitney|first=Lance|title=Windows 8 moves to BIOS-based product keys|url=http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-33642_7-57554240-292/windows-8-moves-to-bios-based-product-keys/|work=CNET|publisher={{w|CBS Interactive}}|access-date=November 29, 2012|archive-date=November 29, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121129045741/http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-33642_7-57554240-292/windows-8-moves-to-bios-based-product-keys/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=toms-oema3>{{cite web|title=Windows 8 to Feature New OEM Activation Method|url=http://www.tomshardware.com/news/Windows-8-OEM-OA-3.0-Piracy-Genuine-Microsoft,16636.html|work=Tom's Guide|date=August 4, 2012 |publisher=Purch Inc.|access-date=July 8, 2014|archive-date=September 25, 2012|archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6Ax3p4JfK?url=http://www.tomshardware.com/news/Windows-8-OEM-OA-3.0-Piracy-Genuine-Microsoft,16636.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Windows 8.1 Update adds a new installation mode known as "WIMBoot", where the [[Windows Imaging Format|WIM image]] that contains the Windows installation is left compressed rather than being extracted, and the system is configured to use files directly from within the system image. This installation method was primarily designed to reduce the footprint of the Windows installation on devices with small amounts of storage. The system image also doubles as the recovery image, speeding up Refresh and Reset operations.<ref name=msdn-wimboot>{{cite web|title=What is Windows Image Boot (WIMBoot)?|url=http://blogs.windows.com/windows/b/springboard/archive/2014/04/10/what-is-windows-image-boot-wimboot.aspx|work=Springboard Series Blog|publisher=Microsoft|access-date=April 11, 2014|archive-date=April 13, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413124550/http://blogs.windows.com/windows/b/springboard/archive/2014/04/10/what-is-windows-image-boot-wimboot.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> It is only supported in systems with a [[Unified Extensible Firmware Interface]] (UEFI), where Windows is located on a [[solid-state drive]] or [[eMMC]].<ref name=technet-wimbootoverview>{{cite web|title=Windows Image File Boot (WIMBoot) Overview|url=https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dn594399.aspx|work=TechNet|publisher=Microsoft|access-date=April 11, 2014|archive-date=April 12, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140412001236/http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dn594399.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Networking===
Windows 8 incorporates improved support for [[mobile broadband]] as a "first-class" method of internet connectivity. Upon the insertion of a [[Subscriber identity module|SIM card]], the operating system will automatically determine the user's carrier and configure relevant connection settings using an [[Access Point Name]] database. The operating system can also monitor mobile data usage, and changes its behavior accordingly to reduce bandwidth use on [[Bandwidth cap|metered networks]]. Carriers can also offer their own dedicated Windows Store apps for account management, which can also be installed automatically as a part of the connection process. This functionality was demonstrated with an [[AT&T]] app, which could also display monthly data usage statistics on its live tile. Windows 8 also reduces the need for third-party drivers and software to implement mobile broadband by providing a generic driver, and by providing an integrated [[airplane mode]] option.<ref name=bw8-broadband>{{cite web|title=Engineering Windows 8 for mobile networks|url=http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2012/01/20/engineering-windows-8-for-mobility.aspx|work=Building Windows 8|publisher=Microsoft|access-date=19 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180504225626/https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/b8/2012/01/20/engineering-windows-8-for-mobile-networks/|archive-date=4 May 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://channel9.msdn.com/Posts/Engineering-Windows-8-for-mobility |format=MP4 |title=Engineering Windows 8 for mobility |last=Beaver |first=Roxanne |work=[[Channel 9 (Microsoft)|channel9.msdn.com]] |date=21 January 2012 |access-date=19 December 2020 |archive-date=August 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808171349/https://channel9.msdn.com/posts/Engineering-Windows-8-for-mobility |url-status=live }}</ref>

Windows 8 supports [[geolocation]].<ref name="LocationAwareApps">{{cite web |url=http://blogs.msdn.com/b/windowsappdev/archive/2013/05/22/create-location-aware-apps-using-geolocation-and-bing-maps.aspx |title=Create location aware apps using geolocation and Bing Maps |last=Heise |first=Ross |date=May 22, 2013 |publisher=Microsoft |work=Windows 8 app developer blog |access-date=February 23, 2015 |archive-date=March 4, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150304201855/http://blogs.msdn.com/b/windowsappdev/archive/2013/05/22/create-location-aware-apps-using-geolocation-and-bing-maps.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="SmarterApps">{{cite web |url=http://blogs.windows.com/buildingapps/2013/08/20/creating-smarter-apps-with-geofencing/ |title=Creating smarter apps with geofencing |publisher=Microsoft |work=Blogging Windows |date=August 20, 2013 |access-date=February 23, 2015 |archive-date=January 15, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150115081344/http://blogs.windows.com/buildingapps/2013/08/20/creating-smarter-apps-with-geofencing/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Windows 8.1 adds support for [[Near field communication|NFC]] printing,<ref name="windows1">{{cite web |url=http://blogs.windows.com/windows/b/business/archive/2013/06/03/modern-business-in-mind-windows-8-1-at-teched-2013.aspx |title=Modern Business in Mind: Windows 8.1 at TechEd 2013 |publisher=Blogs.windows.com |date=3 June 2013 |access-date=19 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130603182625/http://blogs.windows.com/windows/b/business/archive/2013/06/03/modern-business-in-mind-windows-8-1-at-teched-2013.aspx |archive-date=June 3, 2013 |last=Visser |first=Erwin |url-status=live }}</ref> mobile broadband [[tethering]],<ref name="windows1"/> auto-triggered [[Virtual private network|VPN]]<ref name="windows1"/> and [[geofencing]].<ref name="Networking">{{cite web |url=https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/apps/bg182884.aspx |title=Networking |publisher=Microsoft |work=Windows Dev Center |access-date=February 22, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150325013242/https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/apps/bg182884.aspx |archive-date=March 25, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Windows 8.1 Update provides options for the "Network" Settings charm to show the estimated data usage for a selected network, and to designate a network as a metered connection.<ref name="BloggingWindows">{{cite web |url=http://blogs.windows.com/bloggingwindows/2014/04/10/some-tips-and-tricks-for-using-the-windows-8-1-update-updated/ |title=Some tips and tricks for using the Windows 8.1 Update [UPDATED!] |last=LeBlanc |first=Brandon |date=April 10, 2014 |publisher=Microsoft |work=Blogging Windows |access-date=February 20, 2015 |archive-date=February 21, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150221212103/http://blogs.windows.com/bloggingwindows/2014/04/10/some-tips-and-tricks-for-using-the-windows-8-1-update-updated/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Startup===
<!--[[File:Windows 8 booting.png|thumb|The default Windows 8 [[boot screen]]; OEMs can replace the Windows logo above the [[throbber]] with their own logo in firmware]]-->
Windows 8 defaults to a "Fast startup" mode; when the operating system is shut down, it [[Hibernation (computing)|hibernates]] the [[kernel (operating system)|kernel]], allowing for a faster boot on the subsequent startup.<ref>{{cite web|title=How to, uh, turn Windows 8 off|url=http://news.cnet.com/8301-10805_3-57389397-75/how-to-uh-turn-windows-8-off/|work=CNET|access-date=September 12, 2012|archive-date=August 23, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120823085204/http://news.cnet.com/8301-10805_3-57389397-75/how-to-uh-turn-windows-8-off/|url-status=live}}</ref> These improvements are further compounded by using all processor cores during startup by default.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.winsupersite.com/blog/supersite-blog-39/windows8/microsoft-touts-incredible-windows-8-boot-times-140515 | title=Microsoft Touts Incredible Windows 8 Boot Times | access-date=September 9, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329125702/http://www.winsupersite.com/blog/supersite-blog-39/windows8/microsoft-touts-incredible-windows-8-boot-times-140515 | archive-date=March 29, 2012 | url-status=dead }}</ref> To create a more seamless transition between the [[Power-on self-test]] and Windows startup process, manufacturers' logos can now be shown on the Windows boot screen on compatible systems with [[UEFI]].<ref name=reengineering-boot/>

The Advanced Startup menu now uses a graphical interface with mouse and touch support in place of the text-based menu used by previous versions. As the increased boot speed of devices with UEFI can make it difficult to access it using keyboard shortcuts during boot, the menu can now be launched from within Windows—using either the PC Settings app, holding down Shift while clicking the Restart option in the Power menu, or by using the new "-o" switch on [[shutdown.exe]].<ref name=reengineering-boot>{{cite web|title=Reengineering the Windows boot experience|url=http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2011/09/20/reengineering-the-windows-boot-experience.aspx|publisher=Microsoft|access-date=September 12, 2012|archive-date=May 9, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120509201107/http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2011/09/20/reengineering-the-windows-boot-experience.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=bw8-bootfasterdesign>{{cite web|title=Designing for PCs that boot faster than ever before|url=http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2012/05/22/designing-for-pcs-that-boot-faster-than-ever-before.aspx|publisher=Microsoft|access-date=September 12, 2012|archive-date=September 12, 2012|archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6AcmOBdal?url=http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2012/05/22/designing-for-pcs-that-boot-faster-than-ever-before.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> though the legacy version of the Advanced Startup menu can still be enabled instead.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/hardware/ff542202%28v=vs.85%29.aspx |title=BCDEdit /set (Windows Drivers) |work=Windows Dev Center |publisher=Microsoft |access-date=July 23, 2013 |archive-date=July 24, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130724064850/http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/hardware/ff542202(v=vs.85).aspx |url-status=live }}</ref>

UEFI firmware can be exposed to Windows via [[class driver]]s. Updated firmware capsules can be distributed as an update to this "[[device drivers|driver]]" in a signed package with an [[INF file]] and security catalog, similarly to those for other devices. When the "driver" is installed, Windows prepares the update to be installed on the next boot, and [[Windows Boot Manager]] renders status information on the device's boot screen.<ref name=ms-uefiplatform>{{cite web|title=Windows UEFI Firmware Update Platform|url=http://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/download/details.aspx?id=38405|publisher=Microsoft|access-date=October 9, 2013|format=[[Microsoft Word|DOCX]]|archive-date=August 12, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150812073951/http://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/download/details.aspx?id=38405|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Video subsystem===
Windows 8 includes [[Windows Display Driver Model|WDDM]] 1.2 and [[DirectX Graphics Infrastructure]] (DXGI) 1.2. The [[Desktop Window Manager]] now runs at all times (even on systems with unsupported graphics cards; where DWM now also supports [[software rendering]]), and now also includes support for [[stereoscopy|stereoscopic 3D]] content.<ref name=dwm-alwayson>{{cite web|title=Desktop Window Manager is always on|url=http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/hh848042%28v=vs.85%29.aspx|work=Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012 Compatibility Cookbook|publisher=MSDN|access-date=September 4, 2012|archive-date=July 28, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120728004613/http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/hh848042(v=vs.85).aspx|url-status=live}}</ref>

Other major features include [[preemptive multitasking]] with finer [[granularity#Computing|granularity]] ([[Direct memory access|DMA]] buffer, primitive, triangle, pixel, or instruction-level),<ref>{{cite web |url=https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/hh404504 |title=DXGI_Graphics_Preemption_Granularity Enumeration |publisher=Microsoft |work=[[Microsoft Developer Network]] |date=November 16, 2013 |access-date=February 23, 2015 |archive-date=October 23, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023201730/http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/hh404504 |url-status=live }}</ref> reduced memory footprint, improved resource sharing, and improved timeout detection and recovery. 16-bit color surface formats (565, 5551, 4444) are mandatory in Windows 8, and Direct3D 11 Video supports YUV [[chroma subsampling|4:4:4/4:2:2/4:2:0/4:1:1]] video formats with 8, 10, and 16-bit precision, as well as 4 and 8-bit palettized formats.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/bb173059 |title=DXGI_FORMAT enumeration |publisher=Microsoft |work=Microsoft Developer Network |date=November 16, 2013 |access-date=February 23, 2015 |archive-date=October 23, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023201736/http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/bb173059 |url-status=live }}</ref> Display-only and render-only WDDM drivers were also supported. Display-only WDDM drivers allow basic 2D-only video adapters and virtual displays to function while contents are rendered by existing renderers or a software rasterizer. Render-only WDDM drivers will render screen contents to specified display processors, commonly seen on laptops with dedicated GPUs. Otherwise, a full graphics WDDM driver will function as both of the display and rendering.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/drivers/display/wddm-in-windows-8 |title=WDDM 1.2 and Windows 8 |publisher=Microsoft |work=[[Microsoft Docs]] |date=December 15, 2021 |access-date=May 31, 2022 |archive-date=March 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220321075957/https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/drivers/display/wddm-in-windows-8 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Windows 8.1 introduces WDDM 1.3<ref name="WDDM1.3">{{cite web |url=https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/hardware/dn265512%28v=vs.85%29.aspx |title=What's new for Windows 8.1 display drivers (WDDM 1.3) |publisher=Microsoft |access-date=February 21, 2015 |archive-date=April 2, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402113112/https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/hardware/dn265512%28v=vs.85%29.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> and adds support for [[Miracast]], which enables wireless or wired delivery of compressed [[SD video|standard-]] or [[high-definition video]] to or from desktops, tablets, mobile phones, and other devices.<ref name="windows1"/>

===Printing===
Windows 8 adds support for printer driver architecture version 4. This adds a Metro friendly interface as well as changes the way the architecture was written.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2012/07/25/simplifying-printing-in-windows-8.aspx | title=Simplifying printing in Windows 8 | publisher=[[Microsoft]] | work=Building Windows 8 | date=July 25, 2012 | access-date=June 4, 2013 | first=Adrian | last=Lannin | editor-first=Steven | editor-last=Sinofsky | editor-link=Steven Sinofsky | archive-date=May 28, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130528051733/http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2012/07/25/simplifying-printing-in-windows-8.aspx | url-status=live }}</ref>

Windows 8.1 adds support for [[Wi-Fi Direct]] printing,<ref name="windows1"/> [[Near field communication|NFC]] printing,<ref name="windows1"/> and native APIs for [[3D printing]] through the [[XML]]-based [[3D Manufacturing Format]] (3MF).<ref name=engadget-81-3dprinting>{{cite web|title=Windows 8.1 to support 3D printing through native API|url=https://www.engadget.com/2013/06/26/windows-8-1-to-natively-support-3d-printing/|work=Engadget|access-date=August 6, 2013|archive-date=August 25, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130825201936/http://www.engadget.com/2013/06/26/windows-8-1-to-natively-support-3d-printing/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=windowsex-3dprinting81>{{cite web|title=3D Printing Support in Windows 8.1 Explained|url=http://blogs.windows.com/windows/b/extremewindows/archive/2013/08/22/3d-printing-support-in-windows-8-1-explained.aspx|work=Extreme Windows|publisher=Microsoft|access-date=August 22, 2013|archive-date=August 22, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130822184811/http://blogs.windows.com/windows/b/extremewindows/archive/2013/08/22/3d-printing-support-in-windows-8-1-explained.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Windows PowerShell===
{{Main|Windows PowerShell}}
Windows PowerShell is Microsoft's task automation framework, consisting of a [[command-line shell]] and associated [[scripting language]] built on .NET Framework. PowerShell provides full access to COM and WMI, enabling administrators to perform administrative tasks on both local and remote Windows systems. Windows 8 includes Windows PowerShell v3.0.<ref>{{cite web|title=Installing Windows PowerShell|url=https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh847837.aspx|work=[[Microsoft TechNet|TechNet]]|publisher=Microsoft|access-date=September 15, 2013|archive-date=September 18, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130918031402/http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh847837.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref>  Windows 8.1 comes with Windows PowerShell v4.0 which features a host of new commands for managing the Start screen, Windows Defender, Windows components, hardware and network.<ref>{{cite web|last=Rivera|first=Rafael|title=Windows 8.1, PowerShell 4.0, and new cmdlets|url=http://withinwindows.com/within-windows/2013/4/7/windows-81-powershell-40-and-new-cmdlets|work=Within Windows|access-date=April 25, 2013|date=April 24, 2013|archive-date=May 30, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130530193208/http://withinwindows.com/within-windows/2013/4/7/windows-81-powershell-40-and-new-cmdlets|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Windows To Go===
{{Main|Windows To Go}}
[[File:Windows To Go USB Drive.png|thumb|240px|right|Bootable [[Windows To Go]] USB flash drive]]
Windows To Go is a feature exclusive to the Enterprise version of Windows 8 which allows an organization to provision [[Live USB|bootable USB flash drive]]s with a Windows installation on them, allowing users to access their [[Standard Operating Environment|managed environment]] on any compatible PC.<ref>{{cite web |author=Gregg Keizer |url=http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9220004/Windows_8_will_run_from_USB_thumb_drive?taxonomyId=125 |title=Windows 8 will run from USB thumb drive |work=Computerworld |access-date=September 16, 2011 |archive-date=October 12, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012085732/http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9220004/Windows_8_will_run_from_USB_thumb_drive?taxonomyId=125 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/232480/scitech/windows-8-fits-on-a-thumb-drive |title=Windows 8 fits on a thumb drive - Technology - GMA News On-line - Latest Philippine News |publisher=Gmanews.tv |access-date=September 16, 2011 |archive-date=April 2, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402093419/http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/232480/scitech/windows-8-fits-on-a-thumb-drive |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.softpedia.com/news/Windows-8-Running-on-a-USB-Windows-To-Go-221470.shtml |title=Windows 8 Running on a USB – Windows To Go - Softpedia |date=September 13, 2011 |publisher=News.softpedia.com |access-date=September 16, 2011 |archive-date=October 4, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004135900/http://news.softpedia.com/news/Windows-8-Running-on-a-USB-Windows-To-Go-221470.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2011/04/15/windows-8-to-feature-usb-runnable-portable-workspaces-sales-of/ |title=Windows 8 to feature USB-runnable Portable Workspaces, sales of 16GB thumb drives set to soar |publisher=Engadget |date=April 15, 2011 |access-date=September 16, 2011 |archive-date=August 28, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110828165858/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/15/windows-8-to-feature-usb-runnable-portable-workspaces-sales-of |url-status=live }}</ref> Windows 8.1 updates this feature to enable booting from a USB composite device with a storage and a smart card function.<ref name="Security">{{cite web |url=https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/apps/bg182886.aspx |title=Security |publisher=Microsoft |work=Windows Dev Center |access-date=February 22, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150324225208/https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/apps/bg182886.aspx |archive-date=March 24, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Windows Live ID integration==
One big change is that user accounts do not have to be local-only anymore, but can be linked up to one's [[Windows Live ID]]. This has the advantage that users will not lose their settings and files, as they move from their home computer to their work laptop or to any other computer also using Windows 8, and signing in via Windows Live ID.<ref>{{cite web |title=Signing in to Windows 8 with a Windows Live ID |url=http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2011/09/26/signing-in-to-windows-8-with-a-windows-live-id.aspx |work=Microsoft |date=September 2011 |quote=Saved settings are available when you sign in to your account on any Windows 8 PC}}</ref>

==Storage Spaces==
Storage Spaces is a [[storage virtualization]] technology which succeeds [[Logical Disk Manager]] and allows the organization of physical disks into logical volumes similar to [[RAID1]] or [[RAID5]], but on a higher level.  <ref name="B8_storage_spaces">{{cite web|url=http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2012/01/05/virtualizing-storage-for-scale-resiliency-and-efficiency.aspx|title=Virtualizing storage for scale, resiliency, and efficiency|publisher=Building Windows 8 blog|date=2012-01-05}}</ref>

A storage space will behave like a physical disk to the user, with [[thin provisioning]] of available disk space. The spaces are organized within a storage pool, i.e. a collection of physical disks, which can span multiple disks of different sizes and different interfaces (USB, SATA, SAS). The process of adding new disks or replacing failed or older disks is fully automatic, but can be controlled with [[PowerShell]] commands. The same storage pool can host multiple storage spaces. Storage Spaces have built-in resiliency from disk failures, which is achieved by either mirroring or striping with parity across the physical disks.  Each storage pool on the [[ReFS]] filesystem is limited to 4 PB (4096 TB), but there are no limits on total number of storage pools or the number of storage spaces within a pool.<ref name="B8_ReFS">{{cite web|url=http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2012/01/16/building-the-next-generation-file-system-for-windows-refs.aspx|title=Building the next generation file system for Windows: ReFS|publisher=Building Windows 8 Blog|date=2012-01-16}}</ref>

== Other features and changes ==
===Activation===
Mike Angiulo confirmed at Computex 2011 that Windows 8 will use OEM Activation 3.0 instead of OEM Activation 2.1 (used by Windows 7), which supposedly makes it less prone to cracks.

===Virtualization===
Windows 8 will also include Microsoft's [[Hyper-V]] virtualization software.  Previously only offered in Windows Server, Hyper-V will now be available in client versions of Windows for the first time.  The system requirements for Hyper-V are a 64-bit processor, a 64-bit version of Windows 8, and a minimum of 4 GB of RAM.  Hyper-V also requires a 64-bit system that has [[Second Level Address Translation]] (SLAT), a feature that helps with memory management.  Many of Intel's and AMD's recent processors support this feature, including many of Intel's i-Series processors (with [[Extended Page Table]]) and AMD's 10h family processors.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.cnet.com/8301-10805_3-20103376-75/windows-8-to-include-hyper-v-virtualization/ |title= Microsoft announces Hyper-V in Windows 8 |publisher=cnet.com |date=2011-09-08}}</ref>

===Shorter boot times===
On September 8, 2011, Microsoft announced that Windows 8 has short boot times, because it saves the [[Kernel (computing)|kernel]]'s memory to the hard disk on shutdown (similar to the existing [[Hibernation (computing)|hibernate]] option) and reloads it on start up.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.winsupersite.com/blog/supersite-blog-39/windows8/microsoft-touts-incredible-windows-8-boot-times-140515 | title=Microsoft Touts Incredible Windows 8 Boot Times | accessdate=September 9, 2011}}</ref>

===Boot security===
Windows 8 will support the [[Unified Extensible Firmware Interface|UEFI]] secure boot feature.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2011/09/22/protecting-the-pre-os-environment-with-uefi.aspx|title=Protecting the pre-OS environment with UEFI}}</ref>  This will enable a new foundation for an architecturally neutral approach to platform and firmware security. It is based on a [[public key infrastructure]] (PKI) process to validate firmware images before they are allowed to execute.  A secure boot helps reduce the risk of boot loader attacks.

==WDDM==
Windows 8 includes WDDM 1.2 and DXGI 1.2. New features were first previewed at the Windows BUILD conference and include performance improvements as well as support for stereoscopic 3D rendering and video playback.

Other major features include preemptive multitasking with finer granularity (DMA buffer, primitive, triangle, pixel, or instruction-level), reduced memory footprint, improved resource sharing, and faster timeout detection and recovery. 16-bit color surface formats (565, 5551, 4444) are mandatory in Windows 8, and Direct3D 11 Video supports YUV 4:4:4/4:2:2/4:2:0/4:1:1 video formats with 8, 10, and 16-bit precision, as well as 4 and 8-bit palletized formats.

==See also==
*[[Features new to Windows XP]]
*[[Features new to Windows Vista]]
*[[Features new to Windows 7]]
*[[Windows Server 2012]]

== References ==
{{reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20120804063828/http://blogs.msdn.com:80/b/b8/ Building Windows 8] at [[Microsoft Developer Network]] (archived 2012-08-04)
*{{w}} at Wikipedia
{{wikipedia|Features new to Windows 8}}
[[Category:Windows 8]]
[[Category:Microsoft Windows]]