Windows 8

Windows 8
Part of the Microsoft Windows family
Developer
Microsoft Corporation
Website windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/release-preview
Releases
Initial release October 26, 2012 [ info ]
Stable release 6.2.9200.16384 ( RTM ) (August 1, 2012 ) [ info ]
License Proprietary commercial software
Kernel type Hybrid
Update method Windows Update
Platform support IA-32 , x86-64 , and ARM [ 1 ]
Preceded by Windows 7
Further reading
*. Features new to Windows 8
*. List of features removed in Windows 8
*. Windows 8 editions
*. Windows Store
Windows 8 is an operating system produced by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops , laptops , tablets , and home theater PCs .
Development of this operating system started before the release of its predecessor in 2009. Its existence was first announced in January 2011 at Consumer Electronics Show . During its development and test phases, Microsoft released three pre-release versions: Developer Preview (September 13, 2011), Consumer Preview (February 29, 2012), and Release Preview (May 31, 2012). On August 1, 2012, Windows 8 graduated from the development stage and was released to manufacturing . Windows 8 is slated for general availability on October 26, 2012.
Windows 8 introduces significant changes to the operating system's graphical user interface and platform; such as a new interface design incorporating a new design language used by other Microsoft products, a new Start screen to replace the Startmenu used by previous versions of Windows, a new online store that can be used to obtain new applications, along with a new platform for apps that can provide what developers described as a "fast and fluid" experience with emphasis on touchscreen input. [ 2 ] Additional security features were also added to the operating system, such as a built-in antivirus program and a secure boot feature on systems with UEFI firmware . Secure boot requires the operating system to be digitally signed to protect malware from infecting the boot process. The implementation of this feature has sparked controversy among supporters of free software . Windows 8 also introduces an edition of the operating system designed to runon devices that utilize the ARM architecture , known as Windows RT .