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{{Short description|none}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2015}}
{{Windows 8}}
The transition from [[Windows 7]] to [[Windows 8]] introduced a number of
==Development platform==
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===Language and standards support===
[[File:Windows 8 - Xbox Music and Photos together.png|thumb|250px|Snap feature: Xbox Music app, along Photos app snapped into a [[sidebar (computing)|sidebar]] to the right side of the screen]]
Windows 8 introduces the new [[Windows Runtime]] (WinRT) platform, which can be used to create a new type of application officially known as [[Windows Store app]]s and commonly called ''Metro-style apps''.<!--This name is used throughout the article.--> Such apps run within a secure [[Sandbox (computer security)|sandbox]] and share data with other apps through common [[Application programming interface|API]]s. WinRT, being a COM-based API, allows for the use of various programming languages to code apps, including [[C++]], [[C++/CX]], [[C Sharp (programming language)|C#]], [[Visual Basic .NET]], or [[HTML5]] and [[JavaScript]].<ref>{{cite web |url=
In Windows 8 up to two apps may snap to the side of a [[widescreen]] display to allow multi-tasking, forming a sidebar that separates the apps. In Windows 8.1, apps can continually be resized to the desired width.<ref name=ars-wblue /> Snapped apps may occupy half of the screen.<ref name=verge-blueleak /> Large screens allow up to four apps to be snapped.<ref name=verge-blueleak /> Upon launching an app, Windows allows the user to pick which snapped view the app should open into.<ref name=verge-blue-file-explorer />
The term "Metro-style apps" referred to "[[Metro (design language)|Metro]]", a [[design language]] prominently used by Windows 8 and other recent Microsoft products. Reports surfaced that Microsoft employees were told to stop using the term due to potential [[trademark]] issues with an unspecified partner. A Microsoft spokesperson however, denied these reports and stated that "Metro-style" was merely a [[codename]] for the new application platform.<ref name=verge-metrotm>{{cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2012/8/2/3215039/microsoft-metro-name-dispute-developers |title=Microsoft advises developers to stop using 'Metro' name in apps following possible trademark dispute |date=August 2, 2012 |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |work=[[The Verge]]
Windows 8 introduces APIs 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 |url=http://www.istartedsomething.com/20110917/nfc-windows-8s-hidden-connection-to-tags-and-devices |title=NFC: Windows 8's hidden connection to tags and devices |last=Zheng |first=Long |date=September 17, 2011 |work=istartedsomething |access-date=March 3, 2015 |archive-date=September 9, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150909055158/http://www.istartedsomething.com/20110917/nfc-windows-8s-hidden-connection-to-tags-and-devices/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
===Windows Store===
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==Shell and user interface==
[[File:Windows 8 pre-login.png|thumb|The revised lock screen interface in Windows 8]]
Windows 8 features a redesigned user interface built upon the [[Metro (design language)|Metro design language]],<ref name="Pietroforte">{{cite web |url=http://4sysops.com/archives/windows-8-new-features-the-complete-list-updated/ |title=Windows 8 new features – The complete list (updated) |last=Pietroforte |first=Michael |work=4sysops |date=August 28, 2012
[[Metro-style apps]] can either run in a full-screen environment, or be snapped to the side of a screen alongside another app or the desktop; snapping requires a screen resolution of 1366×768 or higher.<ref name=zdnet-smallertab>{{cite news|title=New Windows 8 hardware specs hint at 7-inch tablets and a Microsoft Reader|url=
[[File:Windows 8
The interface also incorporates a taskbar on the right side of the screen known as "[[Windows shell#Charms|the charms]]" (lowercase), which can be accessed from any app or the desktop by sliding from the right edge of a touchscreen or compatible touchpad, by moving the mouse cursor to one of the right corners of the screen, or by pressing {{key press|Win|C}}. The charms include Search, Share, [[Start menu|Start]], Devices and Settings charms. The Start charm invokes or dismisses the Start screen. Other charms invoke context-sensitive sidebars that can be used to access app and system functionality. Because of the aforementioned changes involving the use of [[screen hotspot|hot corners]], user interface navigation in Windows 8 is fundamentally different when compared with previous versions of Windows. To assist new users of the operating system, Microsoft incorporated a tutorial that appears during the installation of Windows 8, and also during the first sign-in of a new user account, which visually instructs users to move their mouse cursor into any corner of the screen (or swipe the corners on devices with touchscreens) to interact with the operating system.<ref name="Windows8OOBE">{{cite web |url=http://www.neowin.net/news/windows-8-to-get-oobe-tutorial |title=Windows 8 to get OOBE tutorial |last=Sams |first=Brad |publisher=Neowin |date=May 3, 2012 |access-date=February 23, 2015 |archive-date=April 5, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150405133937/http://www.neowin.net/news/windows-8-to-get-oobe-tutorial |url-status=live }}</ref> The tutorial can be disabled so that it does not appear for new user accounts.<ref name="DisableT">{{cite web |url=http://windowsitpro.com/windows-8/stop-windows-8-intro-animation-users |title=Stop the Windows 8 Intro Animation for Users |last=Savill |first=John |date=April 14, 2013 |publisher=[[Penton]] |work=Windows IT Pro |access-date=February 23, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150916083456/http://windowsitpro.com/windows-8/stop-windows-8-intro-animation-users |archive-date=September 16, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Windows 8.1 introduces navigation hints with instructions that are displayed during the first use of the operating system, and also includes a help and support app.<ref name="Help+Tips">{{cite web |url=http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/hands-windows-81-help-tips |title=Hands-On with Windows 8.1: Help + Tips |last=Thurrott |first=Paul |author-link=Paul Thurrott |date=August 17, 2013 |publisher=[[Penton (professional information services)|Penton Media]] |work=Supersite for Windows |access-date=February 22, 2015 |archive-date=March 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150317015345/http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/hands-windows-81-help-tips |url-status=live }}</ref>▼
In Windows 8.1, the aforementioned hotspots in the upper right and the upper left corners can be disabled.<ref name="verge-81handson">{{cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2013/6/26/4465888/windows-8-1-preview-video |title=Windows 8.1: a first look at what Microsoft is changing |last=Rodgers |first=Evan |date=June 26, 2013 |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |work=[[The Verge]] |access-date=February 26, 2015 |archive-date=April 18, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150418173326/http://www.theverge.com/2013/6/26/4465888/windows-8-1-preview-video |url-status=live }}</ref>▼
▲[[File:Windows 8 Tutorial.png|thumb|The tutorial that appears after the installation of Windows 8 and when a new user signs in for the first time]]
▲The interface also incorporates a taskbar on the right side of the screen known as "[[Windows shell#Charms|the charms]]" (lowercase), which can be accessed from any app or the desktop by sliding from the right edge of a touchscreen or compatible touchpad, by moving the mouse cursor to one of the right corners of the screen, or by pressing {{key press|Win|C}}. The charms include Search, Share, [[Start menu|Start]], Devices and Settings charms. The Start charm invokes or dismisses the Start screen. Other charms invoke context-sensitive sidebars that can be used to access app and system functionality. Because of the aforementioned changes involving the use of [[screen hotspot|hot corners]], user interface navigation in Windows 8 is fundamentally different when compared with previous versions of Windows. To assist new users of the operating system, Microsoft incorporated a tutorial that appears during the installation of Windows 8, and also during the first sign-in of a new user account, which visually instructs users to move their mouse cursor into any corner of the screen (or swipe the corners on devices with touchscreens) to interact with the operating system.<ref name="Windows8OOBE">{{cite web |url=http://www.neowin.net/news/windows-8-to-get-oobe-tutorial |title=Windows 8 to get OOBE tutorial |last=Sams |first=Brad |publisher=Neowin |date=May 3, 2012 |access-date=February 23, 2015}}</ref> The tutorial can be disabled so that it does not appear for new user accounts.<ref name="DisableT">{{cite web |url=http://windowsitpro.com/windows-8/stop-windows-8-intro-animation-users |title=Stop the Windows 8 Intro Animation for Users |last=Savill |first=John |date=April 14, 2013 |publisher=[[Penton]] |work=Windows IT Pro |access-date=February 23, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150916083456/http://windowsitpro.com/windows-8/stop-windows-8-intro-animation-users |archive-date=September 16, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Windows 8.1 introduces navigation hints with instructions that are displayed during the first use of the operating system, and also includes a help and support app.<ref name="Help+Tips">{{cite web |url=http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/hands-windows-81-help-tips |title=Hands-On with Windows 8.1: Help + Tips |last=Thurrott |first=Paul |author-link=Paul Thurrott |date=August 17, 2013 |publisher=[[Penton (professional information services)|Penton Media]] |work=Supersite for Windows |access-date=February 22, 2015}}</ref>
Pressing {{key press|Win|X}} or right-clicking on the bottom left corner of the screen opens the Quick Link menu.<ref name="KeyboardShortcuts">{{cite web |url=http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/new-keyboard-shortcuts/?v=t |title=New keyboard shortcuts for Windows 8 and Windows RT |publisher=Microsoft |access-date=February 21, 2015 |archive-date=February 19, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150219184512/http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/new-keyboard-shortcuts/?v=t |url-status=live }}</ref> This menu contains shortcuts to frequently used areas such as [[Control Panel (Windows)|Control Panel]], [[File Explorer]], Programs and Features, Run, Search, Power Options and [[Task Manager]].<ref name="PowerUserMenu">{{cite web |url=http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/windows-8-feature-focus-power-user-menu |title=Windows 8 Feature Focus: Power User Menu |last=Thurrott |first=Paul |author-link=Paul Thurrott |date=November 23, 2012 |publisher=[[Penton (professional information services)|Penton Media]] |work=Supersite for Windows |access-date=February 26, 2015 |archive-date=February 23, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150223134613/http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/windows-8-feature-focus-power-user-menu |url-status=live }}</ref> In Windows 8.1, the Quick Link menu includes options to shut down or restart a device.<ref name="8.1PowerUserMenu">{{cite web |url=http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/hands-windows-81-power-user-menu |title=Hands-On with Windows 8.1: Power User Menu |last=Thurrott |first=Paul |author-link=Paul Thurrott |work=SuperSite for Windows |publisher=[[Penton (professional information services)|Penton Media]] |date=June 26, 2013 |access-date=February 25, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130806200856/http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/hands-windows-81-power-user-menu |archive-date=August 6, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
▲In Windows 8.1, the aforementioned hotspots in the upper right and the upper left corners can be disabled.<ref name="verge-81handson">{{cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2013/6/26/4465888/windows-8-1-preview-video |title=Windows 8.1: a first look at what Microsoft is changing |last=Rodgers |first=Evan |date=June 26, 2013 |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |work=[[The Verge]] |access-date=February 26, 2015}}</ref>
===Bundled apps===
[[File:Windows 8.1 Calculator.png|thumb|The [[Calculator (Windows)|Calculator]] app running in Windows 8.1]]
A number of apps are included in the standard installation of Windows 8, including [[Mail (Windows)|Mail]] (an [[email client]]), [[People (Windows)|People]] (a [[contact manager]]), [[Calendar (Windows)|Calendar]] (a [[calendaring software|calendaring app]]), Messaging (an [[Instant messaging|IM client]]), [[Microsoft Photos|Photos]] (an [[image viewer]]), [[Xbox Music|Music]] (an [[Audio player (software)|audio player]]), [[Xbox Video|Video]] (a [[Video player (software)|video player]]), [[Windows Camera|Camera]] (a [[webcam]] or [[digital camera]] client), [[
Windows 8.1 adds Calculator,<ref name=verge-blueleak /> Alarm Clock,<ref name=verge-blueleak /> Sound Recorder,<ref name=verge-blueleak /> Reading List, Food & Drink, Health & Fitness,<ref>{{cite web|title=Microsoft demonstrates new apps and devices for Windows 8.1|url=https://www.theverge.com/2013/6/7/4405604/microsoft-computex-2013-windows-8-1-demo-devices-video|work=[[The Verge]]|publisher=[[Vox Media]]|access-date=June 14, 2013|date=June 7, 2013|archive-date=June 10, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130610064820/http://www.theverge.com/2013/6/7/4405604/microsoft-computex-2013-windows-8-1-demo-devices-video|url-status=live}}</ref> Help + Tips,<ref name="Help+Tips"/> Scan,<ref name="UtilityApps">{{cite web |url=http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/hands-windows-81-new-utility-apps |title=Hands-On with Windows 8.1: New Utility Apps |last=Thurrott |first=Paul |author-link=Paul Thurrott |date=June 26, 2013 |publisher=[[Penton (professional information services)|Penton Media]] |work=Supersite for Windows |access-date=March 2, 2015 |archive-date=June 10, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610082312/http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/hands-windows-81-new-utility-apps |url-status=live }}</ref> and a file manager integrated in the SkyDrive app.<ref name=verge-blue-file-explorer>{{cite web|last=Warren|first=Tom|title=New Windows 8.1 leak includes 'Metro' file explorer and improved multitasking|url=https://www.theverge.com/2013/4/17/4233796/windows-8-1-metro-file-explorer-multitasking-screenshots|work=[[The Verge]]|publisher=[[Vox Media]]|access-date=April 18, 2013|date=April 17, 2013|archive-date=April 18, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130418070633/http://www.theverge.com/2013/4/17/4233796/windows-8-1-metro-file-explorer-multitasking-screenshots|url-status=live}}</ref>
Windows 8 also includes a Metro-style system component called [[Settings (Windows)|PC Settings]] which exposes a small portion of [[Control Panel (Windows)|Control Panel]] settings. Windows 8.1 improves this component to include more options that were previously exclusive to Control Panel.<ref name=ars-wblue>{{cite web |first=Peter |last=Bright |title=Windows Blue leaks: More Metro, more multitasking |url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2013/03/windows-blue-leaks-more-metro-more-multitasking/ |work=[[Ars Technica]] |publisher=[[Condé Nast]] |date=March 25, 2013 |access-date=January 20, 2014 |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112025931/https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2013/03/windows-blue-leaks-more-metro-more-multitasking/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=infoworld-bluedesktop /> Windows 8.1 Update adds additional options to PC Settings.<ref name="W8.1UReview"/>
===Start screen===
{{Main|Start menu#
[[File:Windows 8 Start Screen.png|thumb|The new Start screen in Windows 8 replaces the Start menu seen in previous versions of Windows.]]
Windows 8 introduces a new form of [[start menu]] called Start screen, which resembles the home screen of [[Windows Phone]], and is shown in place of the desktop on startup. The Start screen serves as the primary method of launching applications and consists of a grid of app tiles which can be arranged into columnar groups; groups can be arranged with or without group names.<ref name="DesignStartScreen">{{cite web |url
Windows 8.1 makes the following changes to the Start screen:
* The "All Apps" section, now accessed with a hidden downward arrow or upward touch gesture, features a visible search bar which can display results for apps or other items.<ref name="OptimizeDesktop">{{cite web |url=http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/windows-81-tip-optimize-desktop |title=Windows 8.1 Tip: Optimize for the Desktop |last=Thurrott |first=Paul |author-link=Paul Thurrott |date=July 1, 2013 |publisher=[[Penton (professional information services)|Penton Media]] |work=Supersite for Windows |access-date=February 25, 2015 |archive-date=February 16, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150216035043/http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/windows-81-tip-optimize-desktop |url-status=live }}</ref> The section is dismissed by a similar button with an upward arrow.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/blue-quicker-apps-access |title=In Blue: Quicker Apps Access |last=Thurrott |first=Paul |author-link=Paul Thurrott |date=April 24, 2013 |publisher=[[Penton (professional information services)|Penton Media]] |work=Supersite for Windows |access-date=February 26, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130427092846/http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/blue-quicker-apps-access |archive-date=April 27, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> An option to display the "All Apps" section automatically instead of the Start screen is available.<ref name="OptimizeDesktop"/>
* On high-resolution display monitors with sufficiently large physical screen sizes, an option to display additional tiles on the Start screen is available.<ref name="ShowMoreTiles">{{cite web |url=http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/windows-81-tip-show-more-tiles |title=Windows 8.1 Tip: Show More Tiles |last=Thurrott |first=Paul |author-link=Paul Thurrott |date=June 29, 2013 |publisher=[[Penton (company)|Penton Media]] |work=Supersite for Windows |access-date=April 20, 2015 |archive-date=April 29, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150429150838/http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/windows-81-tip-show-more-tiles |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Start screen tiles can be locked in place to prevent accidental manipulation of tiles.<ref name=PCWorld-Blue-Deep-10>{{cite web|last=Chacos|first=Brad|title=Deep inside Windows Blue: 10 coolest features in Microsoft's leaked OS|url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/2031946/deep-inside-windows-blue-10-coolest-features-in-microsofts-leaked-os.html|work=[[PC World]]|publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]]|access-date=April 23, 2013|date=March 25, 2013|archive-date=April 24, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130424060150/http://www.pcworld.com/article/2031946/deep-inside-windows-blue-10-coolest-features-in-microsofts-leaked-os.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* The uninstall command allows [[Windows Store apps]] to be uninstalled from multiple computers.<ref>{{cite web |first=Paul |last=Thurrott |author-link=Paul Thurrott |title=In Blue: Multi-PC App Uninstall |url=http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/blue-multi-pc-app-uninstall |work=Supersite for Windows |publisher=[[Penton (professional information services)|Penton Media]] |date=April 24, 2013 |access-date=January 20, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131220015237/http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/blue-multi-pc-app-uninstall |archive-date=December 20, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* More size options for live tiles on Start screen: small, medium, wide, and large.<ref name=verge-blueleak>{{cite web|title=Windows Blue: a video preview of what's next for Windows 8|url=https://www.theverge.com/2013/3/25/4144618/windows-blue-video-preview-screenshots|work=[[The Verge]]|date=March 25, 2013 |publisher=[[Vox Media]]|access-date=March 26, 2013|archive-date=March 27, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130327022633/http://www.theverge.com/2013/3/25/4144618/windows-blue-video-preview-screenshots|url-status=live}}</ref> The "small" size is one quarter of the default size in Windows 8.<ref name=ars-wblue /><ref name=infoworld-bluedesktop />
* Expanded color options on the Start screen, which now allows users to customize a color and a shade of one's own choice instead of choosing from limited colors.<ref name=verge-blueleak />
* New background options for the Start screen, including animated backgrounds and the ability to use the desktop wallpaper.<ref>{{cite web |last=Thurrott |first=Paul |author-link=Paul Thurrott |title=Windows 8.1 Preview ... Visually |url=http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/windows-81-preview-visually |work=Supersite for Windows |publisher=[[Penton (professional information services)|Penton Media]] |date=June 5, 2013 |access-date=January 20, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130608150415/http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/windows-81-preview-visually |archive-date=June 8, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* Enhanced synchronization settings, including those for app tile arrangement, tile sizes, and background.<ref name="StartScreenSync">{{cite web |url=http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/blue-s-clues-start-screen-sync |title=Blue's Clues: Start Screen Sync |last=Thurrott |first=Paul |author-link=Paul Thurrott |date=March 27, 2013 |publisher=[[Penton (professional information services)|Penton Media]] |work=Supersite for Windows |access-date=February 22, 2015 |archive-date=March 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150317211058/http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/blue-s-clues-start-screen-sync |url-status=live }}</ref>
* In a [[multi-monitor]] configuration, Windows 8.1 can optionally display the Start screen only on the primarily display monitor instead of the currently active monitor when the {{keypress|Win}} key is pressed.<ref name="OptimizeDesktop"/>
* Multiple desktop applications can be selected from the Start screen and pinned to the taskbar at once, or multiple desktop applications and Metro-style apps can be selected from the "All Apps" view and pinned to the Start screen at once.<ref name="Personalize">{{cite web |url=http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/windows-81-tip-personalize-start-screen |title=Windows 8.1 Tip: Personalize the Start Screen |last=Thurrott |first=Paul |author-link=Paul Thurrott |date=October 2, 2013 |publisher=[[Penton (professional information services)|Penton Media]] |work=Supersite for Windows |access-date=March 11, 2015 |archive-date=March 11, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150311081908/http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/windows-81-tip-personalize-start-screen |url-status=live }}</ref> Windows 8.1 Update augments this capability by allowing Metro-style apps to be pinned to the taskbar.<ref name="Tutorial">{{cite web |url=http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/start-screen-tutorial |author=Microsoft |title=Start screen - Windows tutorial: Page 3 of 11 |access-date=March 11, 2015 |archive-date=March 9, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150309123914/http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/start-screen-tutorial |url-status=live }}</ref> The Start menu in previous versions of Windows allowed only one desktop application to be selected and/or pinned at a time.
* By default, Windows 8.1 no longer displays recently installed apps and their related entries on the Start screen; users must manually pin these items.<ref name="FindApps">{{cite web |url=http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/windows-81-tip-find-your-installed-apps |title=Windows 8.1 Tip: Find Your Installed Apps |last=Thurrott |first=Paul |author-link=Paul Thurrott |date=September 11, 2013 |publisher=[[Penton (professional information services)|Penton Media]] |work=Supersite for Windows |access-date=February 25, 2015 |archive-date=February 23, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150223165820/http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/windows-81-tip-find-your-installed-apps |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Windows 8.1 introduces options to categorize apps listed within the "All Apps" section of the Start screen. Apps can be categorized by their name, the date they were installed, their frequency of use, or based on their categories.<ref name="SortBy">{{cite web |url=http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/29154-apps-screen-sort-windows-8-1-a.html |title=Apps Screen - Sort By in Windows 8.1 |last=Brink |first=Shawn |date=August 2, 2013 |access-date=February 14, 2015 |archive-date=February 21, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150221204528/http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/29154-apps-screen-sort-windows-8-1-a.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="AppsView">{{cite web |url=http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/hands-windows-81-apps-view |title=Hands-On with Windows 8.1: Apps View |last=Thurrott |first=Paul |author-link=Paul Thurrott |date=June 26, 2013 |publisher=[[Penton (professional information services)|Penton Media]] |work=Supersite for Windows |access-date=March 2, 2015 |archive-date=March 18, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150318024910/http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/hands-windows-81-apps-view |url-status=live }}</ref> When sorted by category, desktop applications can optionally be prioritized within the interface.<ref name="OptimizeDesktop"/> Windows 8.1 Update allows additional app tiles to be displayed within the "All Apps" section of the Start screen.<ref name="PFE">{{cite web |url=http://blogs.technet.com/b/askpfeplat/archive/2014/04/07/exploring-windows-8-1-update-start-screen-desktop-and-other-enhancements.aspx |title=Exploring Windows 8.1 Update – Start Screen, Desktop and Other Enhancements |last=Hildebrand |first=Michael |date=April 7, 2014 |publisher=Microsoft |work=TechNet Blogs |access-date=February 20, 2015 |archive-date=February 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150217022705/http://blogs.technet.com/b/askpfeplat/archive/2014/04/07/exploring-windows-8-1-update-start-screen-desktop-and-other-enhancements.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref>
* The ability to highlight recently installed apps has been enhanced in Windows 8.1 Update, which now displays the total number of recently installed apps within the lower-left corner of the Start screen in addition to highlighting.<ref name="WhatsNew">{{cite web |url=http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/whats-new |title=What's new in Windows 8.1 Update and Windows RT 8.1 Update? |publisher=Microsoft |access-date=February 14, 2015 |archive-date=February 15, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150215020629/http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/whats-new |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="MoreApps">{{cite web |url=http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/43181-apps-screen-show-more-apps-windows-8-1-update.html |title=Apps Screen - Show More Apps in Windows 8.1 Update |last=Brink |first=Shawn |date=March 23, 2014 |access-date=February 14, 2015 |archive-date=February 21, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150221211128/http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/43181-apps-screen-show-more-apps-windows-8-1-update.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In contrast, the Start menu interface included in previous versions of Windows only highlighted apps. Windows 8.1 Update also enables semantic zoom upon clicking or tapping the title of an app category.<ref name="PFE"/>
Windows 8.1 reverts two changes that were featured in Windows 8. Windows 8 removed the [[Start button]] on the [[taskbar]] in favor of other ways of invoking the Start screen. Windows 8.1 restores this button.<ref name=pt-win8startbutton>{{cite web |last=Thurrott |first=Paul |author-link=Paul Thurrott |title=Coming in Blue: Boot to Desktop, Start Button, and More! |url=http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/coming-blue-boot-desktop-start-button-and-more |work=Supersite for Windows |publisher=[[Penton (professional information services)|Penton Media]] |date=May 29, 2013 |access-date=January 20, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130607181355/http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/coming-blue-boot-desktop-start-button-and-more |archive-date=June 7, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=pt-startisback>{{cite web |last=Thurrott |first=Paul |author-link=Paul Thurrott |title=In Blue: Start Experience Changes |url=http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/blue-start-experience-changes |work=Supersite for Windows |publisher=[[Penton (professional information services)|Penton Media]] |date=May 29, 2013 |access-date=January 20, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130530005326/http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/blue-start-experience-changes |archive-date=May 30, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Windows 8 also showed the Start screen upon logon, as opposed to other editions of Windows that show the desktop. In Windows 8.1, user may now choose which one to see first.<ref name=pt-win8startbutton/> Windows 8.1 Update boots to the desktop by default on non-tablet devices<ref name="PFE"/> and introduces the ability to switch to the taskbar from the Start screen or from an open Metro-style app by directing the mouse cursor toward the bottom of the screen.<ref name="WhatsNew"/>
Windows 8.1 introduces a new "slide to shutdown" option which allows users to drag their partially revealed [[lock screen]] image toward the bottom of the screen to shut down the operating system.<ref name="SlidetoShutdown">{{cite web |url=http://blogs.msdn.com/b/amar/archive/2014/05/20/slide-to-shutdown-in-windows-8-1-great-for-touch-devices.aspx |title=Slide to shutdown in Windows 8.1 – great for touch devices |last=Nityananda |first=Amar |date=May 19, 2014 |publisher=Microsoft |work=MSDN Blogs |access-date=February 28, 2015 |archive-date=April 2, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402154026/http://blogs.msdn.com/b/amar/archive/2014/05/20/slide-to-shutdown-in-windows-8-1-great-for-touch-devices.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> Windows 8.1 Update introduces a visible power button on the Start screen.<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> This power button does not appear on all hardware device types.<ref name="PowerShutdown">{{cite web |url=http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2959188 |title=Power/shutdown button may be missing from the Windows 8.1 start screen |publisher=Microsoft |access-date=February 20, 2015 |archive-date=February 22, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150222060416/http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2959188 |url-status=live }}</ref> By default, new account profiles in Windows 8.1 Update also receive four additional tiles pinned to the Start screen: This PC, PC Settings, [[My Documents|Documents]], and Pictures. In [[Windows RT]], only the PC Settings tile is added.<ref name="PFE"/>
===Search===
In Windows 8, searching from the Start screen or clicking on the Search charm will display search results within a full-screen interface. Unlike previous versions of Windows where searching from the Start menu returned results from multiple sources simultaneously, Windows 8 searches through individual categories: apps, settings, and files.<ref name="DesigningSearch">{{cite web |url=http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2011/10/18/designing-search-for-the-start-screen.aspx |title=Designing search for the Start screen |date=October 18, 2011 |publisher=Microsoft |work=Building Windows 8 |access-date=February 23, 2015 |archive-date=February 10, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150210182800/http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2011/10/18/designing-search-for-the-start-screen.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> By default, Windows 8 searches for apps after a user begins searching from the Start screen or Search charm, but can also search other categories from the user interface or via keyboard shortcuts.<ref name="DesigningSearch"/> Pressing {{key press|Win||Q}} opens the Search charm to search for apps, {{key press|Win||F}} searches for files, and {{key press|Win||W}} searches for settings.<ref name="KeyboardShortcuts"/> Search queries can also be redirected between specific categories or apps after being entered. When searching for apps, Windows 8 will display a list of apps that support the Search charm; frequently used apps will be prioritized and users can pin individual apps so that they always appear.<ref name="PinFavoriteApps">{{cite web |url=http://winsupersite.com/article/windows8/favapps336-144625 |title=Windows 8 Tip: Pin Favorite Apps in Start Search |date=October 25, 2012 |publisher=[[Penton (company)|Penton]] |work=SuperSite for Windows |access-date=November 15, 2015 |archive-date=November 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117063619/http://winsupersite.com/article/windows8/favapps336-144625 |url-status=live }}</ref> The Search charm can also search directly within apps if a user redirects an entered search query to a specific app or presses {{key press|Win||Q}} from within an app that is already open.<ref name="Windows8TipSearch">{{cite web |url=http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/windows-8-tip-find-anything-search |title=Windows 8 Tip: Find Anything with Search |last=Thurrott |first=Paul |author-link=Paul Thurrott |date=June 18, 2012 |publisher=[[Penton (professional information services)|Penton Media]] |work=Supersite for Windows |access-date=February 24, 2015 |archive-date=February 15, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150215180928/http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/windows-8-tip-find-anything-search |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="SearchMetroApps">{{cite web |url=http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/windows-8-tip-searching-metro-style-apps |title=Windows 8 Tip: Searching in Metro-Style Apps |last=Thurrott |first=Paul |author-link=Paul Thurrott |date=June 10, 2012 |publisher=[[Penton (professional information services)|Penton Media]] |work=Supersite for Windows |access-date=February 25, 2015 |archive-date=April 3, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403135107/http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/windows-8-tip-searching-metro-style-apps |url-status=live }}</ref> When searching for files, Windows 8 will highlight words or phrases that match a search query and provide suggestions based on the content and properties of files that appear. Information about the files themselves, such as associated programs and sizes, appear directly beneath [[filename]]s. If a user hovers over a file with the mouse cursor or long presses with a finger a [[tooltip]] will appear and display additional information.<ref name="DesigningSearch"/>
In Windows 8.1, searching no longer opens a full-screen interface; results are instead displayed in a Metro-style flyout interface. Windows 8.1 also reinstates unified local search results, and can optionally provide results from [[Bing (search engine)|Bing]]. Dubbed "Smart Search," Windows 8.1 and Bing can optionally analyze a user's search habits to return relevant content that is stored locally and from the Internet.<ref name="Bing">{{cite web |url=http://www.bing.com/explore/windows8search |title=Smart Search: Reinvented for Windows 8.1 |publisher=Microsoft |access-date=February 21, 2015 |archive-date=February 22, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150222071934/http://www.bing.com/explore/windows8search |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="ConfigureSmartSearch">{{cite web |url=http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/windows-81-tip-configure-smart-search |title=Windows 8.1 Tip: Configure Smart Search |last=Thurrott |first=Paul |author-link=Paul Thurrott |date=September 27, 2013 |publisher=[[Penton (professional information services)|Penton]] |work=Supersite for Windows |access-date=February 25, 2015 |archive-date=March 10, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150310222618/http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/windows-81-tip-configure-smart-search |url-status=live }}</ref> When enabled, Smart Search exposes additional search categories within the user interface: web images and web videos,<ref name="ConfigureSmartSearch"/> and can be accessed via a new keyboard shortcut, {{key press|Win||S|}}.<ref name="Win+S">{{cite web |url=http://blogs.office.com/2013/06/27/windows-8-1-preview-and-a-workaround-for-your-favorite-wins-shortcut-key/ |title=Windows 8.1 Preview and a workaround for your favorite Win+S shortcut key |publisher=Microsoft |work=Office Blogs |date=June 27, 2013 |access-date=February 24, 2015 |archive-date=February 20, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150220031431/http://blogs.office.com/2013/06/27/windows-8-1-preview-and-a-workaround-for-your-favorite-wins-shortcut-key/ |url-status=live }}</ref> A new full screen "hero" interface powered by Bing can display aggregated multimedia (such as photos, [[YouTube]] videos, songs/albums on [[Xbox Music]]) and other content (such as news articles and [[Wikipedia]] entries) related to a search query.<ref name="verge-81handson"/><ref name="SmartSearch">{{cite web |url=http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/hands-windows-81-smart-search |title=Hands-On with Windows 8.1: Smart Search |last=Thurrott |first=Paul |author-link=Paul Thurrott |date=June 26, 2013 |publisher=[[Penton (professional information services)|Penton]]
Windows 8.1 Update enhances the Bing Smart Search feature by providing support for [[Natural language user interface|natural language queries]], which can detect misspellings and display apps or settings relevant to a query. For example, typing "get apps for Windows" will display a shortcut to the Windows Store.<ref name="W8.1UReview"/><ref name="MakingSmartSearchSmarter">{{cite web |url=http://blogs.bing.com/search/2014/04/30/making-smart-search-smarter/ |title=Making Smart Search Smarter |publisher=Microsoft |work=Bing |date=April 30, 2014 |access-date=February 25, 2015 |archive-date=February 14, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214055245/http://blogs.bing.com/search/2014/04/30/making-smart-search-smarter/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Windows 8.1 Update also introduces a visible search button on the Start screen that acts as a shortcut to the Metro-style flyout interface.<ref name="PFE"/>▼
▲In Windows 8.1, searching no longer opens a full-screen interface; results are instead displayed in a Metro-style flyout interface. Windows 8.1 also reinstates unified local search results, and can optionally provide results from [[Bing (search engine)|Bing]]. Dubbed "Smart Search," Windows 8.1 and Bing can optionally analyze a user's search habits to return relevant content that is stored locally and from the Internet.<ref name="Bing">{{cite web |url=http://www.bing.com/explore/windows8search |title=Smart Search: Reinvented for Windows 8.1 |publisher=Microsoft |access-date=February 21, 2015}}</ref><ref name="ConfigureSmartSearch">{{cite web |url=http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/windows-81-tip-configure-smart-search |title=Windows 8.1 Tip: Configure Smart Search |last=Thurrott |first=Paul |author-link=Paul Thurrott |date=September 27, 2013 |publisher=[[Penton (professional information services)|Penton]] |work=Supersite for Windows |access-date=February 25, 2015}}</ref> When enabled, Smart Search exposes additional search categories within the user interface: web images and web videos,<ref name="ConfigureSmartSearch"/> and can be accessed via a new keyboard shortcut, {{key press|Win||S|}}.<ref name="Win+S">{{cite web |url=http://blogs.office.com/2013/06/27/windows-8-1-preview-and-a-workaround-for-your-favorite-wins-shortcut-key/ |title=Windows 8.1 Preview and a workaround for your favorite Win+S shortcut key |publisher=Microsoft |work=Office Blogs |date=June 27, 2013 |access-date=February 24, 2015}}</ref> A new full screen "hero" interface powered by Bing can display aggregated multimedia (such as photos, [[YouTube]] videos, songs/albums on [[Xbox Music]]) and other content (such as news articles and [[Wikipedia]] entries) related to a search query.<ref name="verge-81handson"/><ref name="SmartSearch">{{cite web |url=http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/hands-windows-81-smart-search |title=Hands-On with Windows 8.1: Smart Search |last=Thurrott |first=Paul |author-link=Paul Thurrott |date=June 26, 2013 |publisher=[[Penton (professional information services)|Penton]] |work=Supersite for Windows |access-date=February 21, 2015}}</ref> Like its predecessor, Windows 8.1 allows users to search through setting and file categories, but the option to search through a category for apps is removed from the interface; the keyboard shortcut previously associated with this functionality, {{key press|Win||Q}}, now displays unified search results. The Search charm also can no longer search from within apps directly or display a list of compatible apps. To search for content within apps, users must first open an app and, if available, use a search feature from within that app's interface.<ref name="ConfigureSmartSearch"/>
The ''Kind'' property introduced in Windows Vista to express a more friendly notion of file type has been expanded to include support for ''Playlist'' (where items are playlists) in Windows 8. In Windows 8.1, ''Unknown'' (where the kind of item is not known) is also introduced.<ref name="SystemKind">{{cite web |url=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/properties/props-system-kind |title=System.Kind |date=January 7, 2021 |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |work=[[Microsoft Developer Network|MSDN]] |access-date=December 1, 2022}}</ref>
▲Windows 8.1 Update enhances the Bing Smart Search feature by providing support for [[Natural language user interface|natural language queries]], which can detect misspellings and display apps or settings relevant to a query. For example, typing "get apps for Windows" will display a shortcut to the Windows Store.<ref name="W8.1UReview"/><ref name="MakingSmartSearchSmarter">{{cite web |url=http://blogs.bing.com/search/2014/04/30/making-smart-search-smarter/ |title=Making Smart Search Smarter |publisher=Microsoft |work=Bing |date=April 30, 2014 |access-date=February 25, 2015}}</ref> Windows 8.1 Update also introduces a visible search button on the Start screen that acts as a shortcut to the Metro-style flyout interface.<ref name="PFE"/>
===User login===
Windows 8 introduces a redesigned lock screen interface based on the Metro design language. The lock screen displays a customizable background image, the current date and time, notifications from apps, and detailed app status or updates.<ref name="LockScreen">{{cite web |url=http://winsupersite.com/article/windows8/windows-8-feature-focus-lock-screen-144656 |title=Windows 8 Feature Focus: Lock Screen |date=October 28, 2012 |publisher=[[Penton (professional information services)|Penton Media]] |work=Supersite for Windows |access-date=February 21, 2015 |archive-date=March 12, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170312124405/http://winsupersite.com/article/windows8/windows-8-feature-focus-lock-screen-144656 |url-status=live }}</ref> Two new login methods optimized for touch screens are also available, including a four-digit [[Personal identification number|PIN]], or a "picture password," which users allow the use of certain gestures performed on a selected picture to log in.<ref name="PicturePassword">{{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 |date=December 16, 2011 |publisher=Microsoft |work=Building Windows 8 |access-date=February 23, 2015 |archive-date=February 25, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150225143503/http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2011/12/16/signing-in-with-a-picture-password.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> These gestures will take into account the shape, the start and end points, as well as the direction. However, the shapes and gestures are limited to tapping and tracing a line or circle. Microsoft found that limiting the gestures increased the speed of sign-ins by three times compared to allowing freeform methods.<ref name="PicturePassword"/> 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 name="PicturePassword"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://channel9.msdn.com/events/BUILD/BUILD2011/KEY-0001 |title=Keynote #1 | BUILD2011 | Channel 9 |publisher=Channel9.msdn.com |date=September 13, 2011 |access-date=November 7, 2011 |archive-date=September 28, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928044944/http://channel9.msdn.com/events/BUILD/BUILD2011/KEY-0001 |url-status=live }}</ref>
Windows 8.1 introduces the ability to display a photo slide show on the lock screen.<ref name="LockscreenSlideshow">{{cite web |url=http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/windows-81-tip-use-photo-slide-show-your-lock-screen |title=Windows 8.1 Tip: Use a Photo Slide Show on Your Lock Screen |last=Thurrott |first=Paul |date=September 30, 2013 |publisher=[[Penton (professional information services)|Penton Media]] |work=Supersite for Windows |access-date=February 21, 2015 |archive-date=February 19, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150219003318/http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/windows-81-tip-use-photo-slide-show-your-lock-screen |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="SlideshowRSS">{{cite web |url=http://blogs.windows.com/buildingapps/2014/02/20/creating-a-slide-show-for-your-lock-screen/ |title=Creating a slide show for your lock screen |date=February 20, 2014 |publisher=Microsoft |work=Building Apps for Windows |access-date=February 23, 2015 |archive-date=February 11, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150211063625/http://blogs.windows.com/buildingapps/2014/02/20/creating-a-slide-show-for-your-lock-screen/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The feature can display images from local or remote directories, and includes additional options to use photos optimized for the current screen resolution, to disable the slide show while the device is running on battery power, and to display the lock screen slide show instead of turning off the screen after a period of user inactivity.<ref name="LockscreenSlideshow"/> The lock screen can also display interactive [[Pop-up notification|toast notifications]]. As examples, users can answer calls or instant messages received from [[Skype]] contacts,<ref name="AnswerCalls">{{cite web |url=http://www.winbeta.org/news/microsoft-highlights-skype-windows-81-answer-calls-and-see-ims-lock-screen |title=Microsoft highlights Skype for Windows 8.1, answer calls and see IMs from the Lock screen |author=Ron |date=September 9, 2013 |publisher=WinBeta |access-date=February 21, 2015 |archive-date=April 2, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402131405/http://www.winbeta.org/news/microsoft-highlights-skype-windows-81-answer-calls-and-see-ims-lock-screen |url-status=live }}</ref> or dismiss alarm notifications from the lock screen.<ref name="SilverlightShow">{{cite web |url=http://www.silverlightshow.net/items/Windows-8.1-Alarm-and-Lock-screen-call-toasts.aspx |title=Windows 8.1: Alarm and Lock screen call toasts |last=Boschin |first=Andrea |date=December 16, 2013 |publisher=SilverlightShow |access-date=February 21, 2015 |archive-date=February 6, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150206211839/http://www.silverlightshow.net/items/Windows-8.1-Alarm-and-Lock-screen-call-toasts.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> Users can also take photos without dismissing the lock screen.<ref name="8.1">{{cite web |url=http://blogs.windows.com/bloggingwindows/2013/10/23/8-1-reasons-to-love-windows-8-1/ |title=8.1 reasons to love Windows 8.1 |last=S |first=David |publisher=Microsoft |work=Blogging Windows |date=October 23, 2013 |access-date=February 21, 2015 |archive-date=March 5, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150305051021/http://blogs.windows.com/bloggingwindows/2013/10/23/8-1-reasons-to-love-windows-8-1/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
===Notifications===
[[File:Windows 8 Notification.png|thumb|A Windows 8 toast notification informing the user that a removable drive has been attached. Clicking or tapping the notification brings up the [[AutoPlay]] dialog, allowing users to configure actions that Windows should take after the insertion of a removable media device.]]
Windows 8 introduces new forms of notifications for [[Metro-style apps]] and for certain events in [[File Explorer]].<ref name="NotificationsOverview">{{cite web |url=http://blogs.msdn.com/b/jimoneil/archive/2012/08/02/windows-8-notifications-overview.aspx |title=Windows 8 Notifications: Overview |last=O'Neil |first=Jim |date=August 2, 2015 |publisher=Microsoft |work=MSDN Blogs |access-date=March 6, 2015 |archive-date=March 22, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150322014510/http://blogs.msdn.com/b/jimoneil/archive/2012/08/02/windows-8-notifications-overview.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref>
* '''Toast notifications:''' alert the user to specific events, such as the insertion of removable media
Line 89 ⟶ 90:
* '''Badge notifications:''' display numeric counters with a value from 1-99 that indicate certain events, such as the amount of unread e-mail messages or amount of available updates for a particular app. Additional information may also be displayed by a badge notification, such as the status of an [[Xbox Music]] app.
The PC Settings component includes options to globally disable all toast notifications, app notifications on the lock screen, or notification sounds; notifications can also be disabled on a per-app basis. In the Settings charm, Windows 8 provides additional options to suppress toast notifications during 1 hour, 3 hour, or 8 hour time intervals.<ref name="GuidingTech">{{cite web |url=http://www.guidingtech.com/14628/control-windows-8-notifications-tiles-toast/ |title=Understanding Windows 8 Notifications and How to Control Them |last=Mundhra |first=Ashish |work=Guiding Tech |date=September 12, 2012 |access-date=April 9, 2015 |archive-date=March 18, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150318020022/http://www.guidingtech.com/14628/control-windows-8-notifications-tiles-toast |url-status=live }}</ref>
Windows 8.1 introduces a Quiet Hours feature, also available on Windows Phone, that allows users to suppress notifications based on the time of day (e.g., notifications can be disabled from 12:00 AM to 6:00 PM).<ref name="QuietHours">{{cite web |url=http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/32486-quiet-hours-enable-disable-windows-8-1-a.html |title=How to Enable or Disable Quiet Hours in Windows 8.1 |last=Brink |first=Shawn |date=October 7, 2013 |access-date=February 22, 2015 |archive-date=March 27, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150327050121/http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/32486-quiet-hours-enable-disable-windows-8-1-a.html |url-status=live }}</ref>{{unreliable source?|date=April 2015}}
===Microsoft account integration===
Windows 8 allows users to link profiles with a [[Microsoft account]] to provide additional functionality, such as the synchronization of user data and settings,<ref name="8SS">{{cite web |url=http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/windows-8-feature-focus-settings-sync |title=Windows 8 Feature Focus: Settings Sync |last=Thurrott |first=Paul |date=November 8, 2012 |publisher=[[Penton (professional information services)|Penton Media]] |work=Supersite for Windows |access-date=February 21, 2015 |archive-date=February 23, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150223150154/http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/windows-8-feature-focus-settings-sync |url-status=live }}</ref> including those belonging to the desktop, and allows for integration with other Microsoft services such as [[Xbox Live]], [[Xbox Music]], [[Xbox Video]] (for gaming and multimedia) and [[OneDrive|SkyDrive]] [[online file storage]].<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 |access-date=February 11, 2012 |archive-date=July 7, 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120707022207/http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2011/09/26/signing-in-to-windows-8-with-a-windows-live-id.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Sinofsky|first=Steven|title=Connecting your apps, files, PCs and devices to the cloud with SkyDrive and Windows 8|url=http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2012/02/20/connecting-your-apps_2c00_-files_2c00_-pcs-and-devices-to-the-cloud-with-skydrive-and-windows-8.aspx|work=Building Windows 8|publisher=Microsoft|access-date=July 24, 2012|date=February 20, 2012|archive-date=February 24, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120224065038/http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2012/02/20/connecting-your-apps_2c00_-files_2c00_-pcs-and-devices-to-the-cloud-with-skydrive-and-windows-8.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Display screen===
[[File:Windows 8 on two monitors.png|thumb|Windows 8.1 displaying the multi-monitor taskbar in "Duplicated on all taskbars" mode]]
Windows 8 includes improved support for multi-monitor configurations; the [[taskbar]] can now optionally be shown on multiple displays, and each display can also show its own dedicated taskbar. In addition, options are available which can prevent taskbar buttons from appearing on certain monitors. Wallpapers can also be spanned across multiple displays, or each display can have its own separate wallpaper.<ref name="MultipleMonitors">{{cite web |url=http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2012/05/21/enhancing-windows-8-for-multiple-monitors.aspx |title=Enhancing Windows 8 for multiple monitors |publisher=Microsoft |work=Building Windows 8 |date=May 21, 2012 |access-date=February 22, 2015 |archive-date=February 22, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150222084457/http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2012/05/21/enhancing-windows-8-for-multiple-monitors.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref>
Windows 8.1 includes improved support for high-resolution monitors.<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://download.microsoft.com/download/1/1/6/116B9895-EC9C-4174-8A85-A28146CF8B6A/Windows_8-1_Product-Guide.pdf |title=Windows 8.1 Preview product guide |publisher=Microsoft |year=2013 |access-date=July 17, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130818093506/http://download.microsoft.com/download/1/1/6/116B9895-EC9C-4174-8A85-A28146CF8B6A/Windows_8-1_Product-Guide.pdf |archive-date=August 18, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> A desktop scaling feature now helps resize the items on the desktop to solve the visibility problems on screens with a very high native resolution.<ref>{{cite web|last=Thurrott|first=Paul|title=Hands-On with Windows 8.1: Desktop Display Scaling|url=http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/hands-windows-81-desktop-display-scaling|work=Paul Thurrott's SuperSite for Windows|publisher=[[Penton (professional information services)|Penton Media]]
===File Explorer===
{{Further|File Explorer}}
[[File:Windows Explorer Ribbon.png|thumb|right|The new File Explorer interface in Windows 8]]
Windows Explorer, which has been renamed as File Explorer, now incorporates a [[Ribbon (computing)|ribbon]] toolbar, designed to bring forward the most commonly used commands for easy access. The "Up" button (which advances the user back a level in the folder hierarchy) that was removed from Explorer after [[Windows XP]] has also been restored.<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 |publisher=Microsoft |date=August 2011 |access-date=August 30, 2011 |archive-date=November 7, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111107021845/http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2011/08/29/improvements-in-windows-explorer.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> Additionally, File Explorer features a redesigned preview pane that takes advantage of widescreen layouts.<ref name="Explorer Improvements" /> File Explorer also provides a built-in function for mounting [[ISO image|ISO]], [[IMG (file format)|IMG]], and [[VHD (file format)|VHD]] files as virtual drives.<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 |access-date=August 30, 2011 |archive-date=November 6, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151106080406/http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2011/08/30/accessing-data-in-iso-and-vhd-files.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> For easier management of files and folders, Windows 8 introduces the ability to move selected files or folders via [[drag and drop]] from a parent folder into a subfolder listed within the [[Breadcrumb (navigation)|breadcrumb]] hierarchy of the [[address bar]] in File Explorer.<ref name="DragandDrop">{{cite web |url=http://www.eyeonwindows.com/2011/04/28/windows-8-drag-and-drop-icons-into-breadcrumb-links/ |title=Windows 8 drag and drop icons into breadcrumb links |last=Amobi |first=Onuora |publisher=Nnigma Inc. |work=Eye on Windows |date=April 28, 2011 |access-date=February 21, 2015 |archive-date=February 22, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150222050555/http://www.eyeonwindows.com/2011/04/28/windows-8-drag-and-drop-icons-into-breadcrumb-links/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
Progress windows for file operations have also been redesigned; offering the ability to show multiple operations at once, a graph for tracking transfer speeds, and the ability to pause and resume a file transfer.<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 |access-date=August 30, 2011 |archive-date=February 17, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120217174043/http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2011/08/23/improving-our-file-management-basics-copy-move-rename-and-delete.aspx |url-status=live }}</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 |publisher=Microsoft |date=August 2011 |access-date=September 17, 2011 |archive-date=July 7, 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120707235033/http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2011/08/26/designing-the-windows-8-file-name-collision-experience.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[Features new to Windows 7#Libraries|Libraries]]
HomeGroup has been updated in Windows 8 to display in the navigation pane the user profile photo of each member sharing content in the homegroup; in Windows 7, only a generic user icon for each user was displayed in the navigation pane.
===Internet Explorer===
Windows 8 ships with [[Internet Explorer 10]], which can run as either a desktop program (where it operates similarly to [[Internet Explorer 9]]), or as an app with a new full-screen interface optimized for use on touchscreens. Internet Explorer 10 also contains an integrated version of [[Adobe Flash Player|Flash Player]], which will be available in full on the desktop, and in a limited form within the "Metro" app.<ref name="winsupersite1">{{cite web | url = http://www.winsupersite.com/article/windows8/windows-8-release-preview-internet-explorer-10-143034 | work = Paul Thurrott's Supersite for Windows | title = Windows 8 Release Preview: Changes to Internet Explorer 10 | author = Paul Thurrott | date = May 31, 2012 | access-date = August 26, 2012 | archive-url = https://
Windows 8.1 ships with [[Internet Explorer 11]]<ref name=ars-wblue /><ref name=infoworld-bluedesktop>{{cite web |title=Windows Blue: Demise Of The Desktop? |url=http://www.informationweek.com/software/operating-systems/windows-blue-demise-of-the-desktop/240151656 |work=[[InfoWorld]] |publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]] |access-date=March 26, 2013 |archive-date=October 24, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131024202043/http://www.informationweek.com/software/operating-systems/windows-blue-demise-of-the-desktop/240151656 |url-status=live }}</ref> which includes tab syncing, [[WebGL]] and [[SPDY]] support, along with expanded developer tools. The Metro version also adds access to favorites and split-screen snapping of multiple tabs;<ref name=ars-wblue /><ref name=cnet-ie11dev>{{cite web|title=Latest Windows 8.1 build beefs up IE developer tools|url=http://news.cnet.com/8301-10805_3-57582508-75/latest-windows-8.1-build-beefs-up-ie-developer-tools/|work=CNET|access-date=May 29, 2013|archive-date=July 27, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130727020307/http://news.cnet.com/8301-10805_3-57582508-75/latest-windows-8.1-build-beefs-up-ie-developer-tools/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=verge-ie11webgl>{{cite web|title=Microsoft teases Internet Explorer 11 WebGL support on Vine|url=https://www.theverge.com/2013/5/22/4355942/internet-explorer-11-webgl-support-teased-on-vine|work=The Verge|date=May 22, 2013 |access-date=May 29, 2013|archive-date=June 7, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130607055004/http://www.theverge.com/2013/5/22/4355942/internet-explorer-11-webgl-support-teased-on-vine|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=pt-ie11review>{{cite web|title=Hands-On with Windows 8.1: Internet Explorer 11|url=http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/hands-windows-81-internet-explorer-11|work=Paul Thurrott's Supersite for Windows|access-date=September 16, 2013|archive-date=September 22, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130922052915/http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/hands-windows-81-internet-explorer-11|url-status=live}}</ref> an additional option to always display the address bar and tabs is also available.<ref name="ShowAddressBarTabs">{{cite web |url=http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/32039-internet-explorer-11-modern-show-address-bar-tabs.html |title=Internet Explorer 11 Modern - Show Address Bar and Tabs |last=Brink |first=Shawn |date=September 27, 2013 |access-date=February 21, 2015 |archive-date=February 22, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150222052403/http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/32039-internet-explorer-11-modern-show-address-bar-tabs.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The Metro version can also detect and highlight phone numbers on a web page and turn them into clickable links that, when clicked, initiate a call with a compatible app such as Skype.<ref name="PhoneNumbers">{{cite web |url=https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ie/dn265018(v=vs.85).aspx |title=Phone number format recognition |publisher=Microsoft |access-date=February 21, 2015 |archive-date=January 10, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150110220129/http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ie/dn265018(v=vs.85).aspx |url-status=live }}</ref>
===Task Manager===
[[File:Windows 8 task manager.png|thumb|The new [[Windows Task Manager|Task Manager]] in Windows 8 offers a detailed look at how system resources are being used.]]
Windows 8 includes an overhauled version of [[Windows Task Manager|Task Manager]], which features the following changes:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2011/10/13/the-windows-8-task-manager.aspx |title=The Windows 8 Task Manager |date=October 2011 |publisher=Microsoft |access-date=March 24, 2012 |archive-date=January 25, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130125002701/http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2011/10/13/the-windows-8-task-manager.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Task Manager defaults to a simple view which only displays a list of [[computer program]]s with a [[window (computing)|window]]. The expanded view is an updated version of the previous Task Managers with several tabs.
* Resource utilization in the Processes tab is shown using a [[heat map]], with darker shades of yellow 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 may show data for each [[Non-uniform memory access|NUMA]] node.
** The CPU tab 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 | access-date=October 29, 2011 | archive-date=November 6, 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151106090910/http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2011/10/27/using-task-manager-with-64-logical-processors.aspx | url-status=live }}</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 graph shows the [[Non-uniform memory access|NUMA]] node of that processor and its ID.
* The new Startup tab lists startup programs and their impact on boot time. [[Windows Vista]] included a feature to manage startup applications that was removed in [[Windows 7]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/what-happened-to-software-explorer-in-windows-defender |title=What happened to Software Explorer in Windows Defender? |publisher=Windows.microsoft.com |access-date=July 9, 2013 |archive-date=July 2, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130702060509/http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/what-happened-to-software-explorer-in-windows-defender |url-status=live }}</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. A new option to restart File Explorer upon its selection is provided.
** Task manager recognizes when a [[Windows Runtime]] application is in "Suspended" status.
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===Touch keyboard===
Windows 8 introduces a revised virtual (also known as on-screen) keyboard interface optimized for touchscreen devices that includes wider spacing between keys and is designed to prevent common typing errors that occur while using touchscreens.<ref name="OSK">{{cite web |url=http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2012/07/17/designing-the-windows-8-touch-keyboard.aspx |title=Designing the Windows 8 touch keyboard |publisher=Microsoft |work=Building Windows 8 |date=July 17, 2012 |access-date=February 22, 2015 |archive-date=February 3, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150203175114/http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2012/07/17/designing-the-windows-8-touch-keyboard.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> Pressing and holding down a key reveals related keys which can be accessed via a press or swipe,<ref name="OSK"/> and suggestions for incomplete words are available.<ref name="HandsOn">{{cite web |url=http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/hands-windows-81-touch-keyboard |title=Hands-On with Windows 8.1: Touch Keyboard |last=Thurrott |first=Paul |author-link=Paul Thurrott |date=July 9, 2013 |publisher=[[Penton]] |work=Supersite for Windows |access-date=February 22, 2015 |archive-date=March 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150317011306/http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/hands-windows-81-touch-keyboard |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Emoji|Emoji characters]] are also supported.<ref name="OSK"/> Windows 8.1 introduces the ability to swipe the [[space bar]] in the desired direction of a suggested word to switch between on-screen suggestions.<ref name="HandsOn"/>
Windows 8.1 Update introduces a new gesture that allows users to tap twice and hold the second tap to drag and drop highlighted text or objects.<ref name="PFE"/> A visible option to hide or show the virtual keyboard is also available.
===Password input===
Windows 8 displays a "peek" button for password [[text box]]es which can optionally allows users to view passwords as they are entered in order to ensure that they are typed correctly.<ref name="LittleDetails">{{cite web |url=http://blogs.microsoft.com/next/2012/11/12/little-details-windows-8-passwords/ |title=Little Details: Windows 8 passwords |last=Clayton |first=Steve |publisher=Microsoft |work=Next at Microsoft |date=November 12, 2012 |access-date=February 23, 2015 |archive-date=March 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150324051622/http://blogs.microsoft.com/next/2012/11/12/little-details-windows-8-passwords/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The feature can be disabled via [[Group Policy]].
==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=[[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 |website=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 |website=[[ZDNet]] |publisher=[[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 |website=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) |website=[[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 |website=[[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… |website=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> Windows 8 adds support for [[Human interface device|HID]] over [[I²C|I2C]].<ref>[https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/drivers/hid/hid-over-i2c-guide Introduction to HID over I2C]</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 |website=[[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>
A [[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 |website=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>
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>
Windows 8.1 adds native support for [[NVM Express]]. Windows 8.1 adds support for Precise Touchpad, which allows operating system to management gestures of USB and I2C [[touchpad]]s.<ref>{{cite web | title=Windows precision touchpad devices - Compatibility Cookbook | url=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/compatibility/precision-touchpad-devices }}</ref>
Windows 8 adds support for UEFI Secure Boot, and [[Trusted Platform Module|TPM]] 2.0. UEFI with secure boot enabled is a requirement on computers shipped with Windows 8.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.networkworld.com/article/738394/microsoft-subnet-next-gen-boot-spec-could-forever-lock-linux-off-windows-8-pcs.html | title=Next-gen boot spec could forever lock Linux off Windows 8 PCS }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2011/09/windows-8-secure-boot-will-complicate-linux-installs/ | title=Windows 8 secure boot could complicate Linux installs | date=September 21, 2011 }}</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 | website=[[InformationWeek]] | publisher=[[UBM plc|UBM]] | 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=[[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|website=Tom's Guide|date=August 4, 2012 |publisher=Purch Inc.|access-date=July 8, 2014|archive-date=April 11, 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130411235048/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 |website=[[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://
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"/>
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===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 "
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=January 29, 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130129041854/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|date=June 26, 2013 |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===
[[File:Windows To Go USB Drive.png|thumb|Bootable [[Windows To Go]] USB flash drive]]
{{Main|Windows To Go}}
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 magazine |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 |magazine=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 |date=September 15, 2011 |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>
==Maintenance==
The [[Action Center]] introduced in Windows 7 is expanded to include controls and notifications for new categories,
PC Settings app in Windows 8 can be used to interact with [[Windows Update]], although the traditional interface from Control Panel is retained. Windows 8 is able to distribute firmware updates on compatible devices and can be configured not to automatically download Windows updates over metered networks.<ref name="Windows8Updates">{{cite web |url=http://blogs.msdn.com/b/olivnie/archive/2013/04/05/updates-and-maintenance.aspx |title=Windows 8: Updates and Maintenance |last=Niehus |first=Oliver |date=April 5, 2013 |publisher=Microsoft |work=Oliver's Blog |access-date=March 3, 2015 |archive-date=February 28, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150228141700/http://blogs.msdn.com/b/olivnie/archive/2013/04/05/updates-and-maintenance.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> A new set of [[Windows PowerShell]] cmdlets enable adding or removing features of Windows, as ''Programs and Features'' applet in Control Panel does.<ref name="Windows8Updates"/> The [[Windows Imaging Format#DISM|Deployment Image Servicing and Management]] (DISM) utility in Windows 8 includes all features that were previously available in [[Windows Imaging Format#ImageX|ImageX]] and is able to periodically check for component store corruption and repair it. It can report the amount of disk space in use by [[WinSxS]] folder and can also determine if a cleanup should be performed.<ref name="DetermineSize">{{cite web |url=https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dn251566.aspx |title=Determine the Actual Size of the WinSxS Folder |publisher=Microsoft |date=October 20, 2013 |work=[[Microsoft TechNet|TechNet]] |access-date=March 3, 2015 |archive-date=April 11, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150411092737/https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dn251566.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Servicing">{{cite web |url=http://blogs.technet.com/b/askcore/archive/2014/03/06/what-s-new-in-windows-servicing-part-1.aspx |title=What's New in Windows Servicing: Part 1 |editor-last=Marlin |editor-first=John |first=Aditya |last=Kapur |date=March 6, 2014 |publisher=Microsoft |work=Ask the Core Team |access-date=March 3, 2015 |archive-date=March 8, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150308151211/http://blogs.technet.com/b/askcore/archive/2014/03/06/what-s-new-in-windows-servicing-part-1.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref>
Windows 8 can now detect when a system is experiencing issues that have been preventing the system from functioning correctly, and automatically launch the Advanced Startup menu to access diagnostic and repair functions.<ref name="bw8-bootfasterdesign"/>
For [[recovery partition|system recovery]], Windows 8 introduced new functions known collectively as "Push-button reset",<ref name=technet-wimbootoverview/> which allows a user to re-install Windows without needing to use installation media. The feature consists of "Reset" and "Refresh" functions, accessible from within the advanced boot options menu and PC Settings. Both of these options reboot the system into the [[Windows Recovery Environment]] to perform the requested operation; Refresh preserves user profiles, settings, and Windows Store apps, while Reset performs a clean installation of Windows. The reset function may also perform specialized [[disk wiping]] and [[Disk formatting|formatting]] procedures for added security. Both operations will remove all installed desktop applications from the system. Users can also create a custom disk image for use with Refresh and Reset.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2012/01/04/refresh-and-reset-your-pc.aspx |title=Refresh and reset your PC |work=Building Windows 8 |editor-first=Steven |editor-last=Sinofsky |first=Desmond |last=Lee |publisher=Microsoft |date=January 2012 |access-date=February 17, 2012 |archive-date=February 24, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120224005154/http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2012/01/04/refresh-and-reset-your-pc.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Peter |last=Bright |url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2011/09/making-the-lives-of-it-easier-windows-8-refresh-reset-and-windows-to-go/ |title=Making the lives of IT easier: Windows 8 Refresh, Reset, and Windows To Go |work=[[Ars Technica]] |publisher=[[Condé Nast]] |date=September 19, 2011 |access-date=June 14, 2017 |archive-date=September 12, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170912234417/https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2011/09/making-the-lives-of-it-easier-windows-8-refresh-reset-and-windows-to-go/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Security==
===Address space layout randomization improvements===
[[Address space layout randomization]] (ASLR) introduced in Windows Vista<ref name="ASLRVista">{{cite web |url=http://blogs.msdn.com/michael_howard/archive/2006/05/26/608315.aspx |title=Address Space Layout Randomization in Windows Vista |last=Howard |first=Michael |date=May 26, 2006 |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |work=[[Microsoft Developer Network|MSDN]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060529215417/http://blogs.msdn.com/michael_howard/archive/2006/05/26/608315.aspx |archive-date=May 29, 2006 |access-date=March 20, 2023}}</ref> was improved in Windows 8<ref name="Security8">{{cite web |url=https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dn169048.aspx |title=What's Changed in Security Technologies in Windows 8 |author=[[Microsoft]] |date=April 12, 2013 |work=[[Microsoft TechNet|TechNet]] |access-date=April 19, 2015 |archive-date=July 8, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150708125243/https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dn169048.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> and has been updated in Windows 8.1 to allow randomization to be unique across devices.<ref name="Security8.1">{{cite web |url=https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dn344918.aspx |title=What's Changed in Security Technologies in Windows 8.1 |author=[[Microsoft]] |date=July 24, 2013 |work=[[Microsoft TechNet|TechNet]] |access-date=April 19, 2015 |archive-date=February 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150217073244/https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dn344918.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref>
===Biometrics===
Windows 8 introduces virtual [[smart card]] support. A [[public key certificate|digital certificate]] of a smart card can be stored onto a user's machine and protected by the Trusted Platform Module, thereby eliminating the need for the user to physically insert a smart card, though entering a PIN is still required. Virtual smart card support enables new [[two-factor authentication]] scenarios.<ref name="Security8"
Windows 8.1 features pervasive support for biometric authentication throughout the operating system,<ref name="What'sNewIT">{{cite web |url=https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/dn140266.aspx |title=Windows 8.1 - What's New, IT Pro Features, Devices, UI |publisher=Microsoft |work=TechNet |access-date=February 23, 2015 |archive-date=February 11, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150211024857/https://technet.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/dn140266.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> includes a native [[fingerprint]] registration feature,<ref name="Biometrics">{{cite web |url=https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dn344916.aspx |title=What's New in Biometrics in Windows 8.1 |publisher=Microsoft |work=TechNet |date=July 24, 2013 |access-date=February 22, 2015 |archive-date=January 29, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150129164454/https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dn344916.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> and enables the use of a fingerprint for tasks such as signing into a device, purchasing apps from the Windows Store, and consenting to authentication prompts (e.g., [[User Account Control]]). Windows 8.1 also introduces new WinRT APIs for biometrics.<ref name="SecurityRevisited"/><ref name="Biometrics"/><ref name="BiometricsPFE">{{cite web |url=http://blogs.technet.com/b/askpfeplat/archive/2014/01/20/biometrics-in-windows-8-1.aspx |title=Biometrics in Windows 8.1 |last=Morowczynski |first=Mark |date=January 19, 2014 |publisher=Microsoft |work=TechNet Blogs |access-date=February 23, 2015 |archive-date=April 2, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402151123/http://blogs.technet.com/b/askpfeplat/archive/2014/01/20/biometrics-in-windows-8-1.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref>
===Device encryption===
On Windows RT, logging in with a Microsoft account automatically activates passive device encryption, a feature-limited version of [[BitLocker Drive Encryption|BitLocker]] which seamlessly encrypts the contents of mobile devices to protect their contents. On Windows 8.1, device encryption is similarly available for x86-based Windows devices, automatically encrypting user data as soon as the operating system is configured. When a user signs in with a Microsoft account or on a supported Active Directory network, a recovery key is generated and saved directly to the user's account. Unlike BitLocker, device encryption on x86-based devices requires that the device meet the [[Connected Standby]] specifications (which among other requirements, requires that the device use [[solid
===Device lockdown===
Windows 8.1 introduces Assigned Access, formerly called Kiosk mode, which restricts the Windows device to a running a single predetermined Metro-style app.<ref>{{cite web|last=Rivera|first=Rafael|title=Blue's Clues: Enabling Kiosk Mode|url=http://withinwindows.com/within-windows/2013/4/23/blues-clues-enabling-kiosk-mode|work=Within Windows|access-date=April 24, 2013|date=April 23, 2013|archive-date=April 26, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130426014014/http://withinwindows.com/within-windows/2013/4/23/blues-clues-enabling-kiosk-mode|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Paul |last=Thurrott |author-link=Paul Thurrott |title=Blue's Clues: Kiosk Mode |url=http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/blue-s-clues-kiosk-mode |work=Supersite for Windows |publisher=[[Penton (professional information services)|Penton Media]] |access-date=April 24, 2013 |date=January 20, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130426034817/http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/blue-s-clues-kiosk-mode |archive-date=April 26, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Windows 8.1 / Blue Renames Kiosk Mode to "Assigned Access"|url=http://news.softpedia.com/news/Windows-8-1-Blue-Renames-Kiosk-Mode-to-Assigned-Access-349854.shtml|work=[[Softpedia]]|publisher=SoftNews|access-date=June 30, 2013|date=May 1, 2013|archive-date=May 4, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130504005905/http://news.softpedia.com/news/Windows-8-1-Blue-Renames-Kiosk-Mode-to-Assigned-Access-349854.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>
Windows 8.1 was slated to include a Provable PC Health feature which would allow owners to subject devices connected to a network to remote PC analysis. Under Provable PC Health, connected devices would periodically send various configuration-related information to a cloud service, which would provide suggestions for remediation upon detection of an issue.<ref name="Security8.1"/> However, the feature was dropped before the operating system's general availability.<ref name="WhatHappened">{{cite web |url=http://www.notebookreview.com/news/a-windows-8-1-security-feature-goes-missing-why/ |title=A Windows 8.1 Security Feature Goes Missing: Why? |last=Emigh |first=Jacqueline |date=November 25, 2013 |publisher=[[TechTarget]] |work=Notebook Review |access-date=May 16, 2015 |archive-date=July 10, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150710053623/http://www.notebookreview.com/news/a-windows-8-1-security-feature-goes-missing-why/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
===Family Safety===
Windows 8 integrates [[Windows Live Family Safety]] into the operating system, allowing parents to restrict user activity via web filtering, application restriction, and computer usage time limits.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2012/05/14/keeping-your-family-safer-with-windows-8.aspx | title=Keeping your family safer with Windows 8 | publisher=Microsoft | work=Building Windows 8 | date=May 14, 2012 | access-date=May 16, 2013 | first1=Phil | last1=Sohn | editor-first=Steven | editor-last=Sinofsky | archive-date=May 21, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130521140319/http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2012/05/14/keeping-your-family-safer-with-windows-8.aspx | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.engadget.com/2012/05/14/windows-8-family-safety-feature-chaperones-underage-users-thro/#disqus_thread | title=Windows 8 'Family Safety' feature chaperones underage users through the World Wild Web | publisher=[[Engadget]] | work=[[Aol]] | date=May 14, 2012 | access-date=May 16, 2013 | first1=Joseph | last1=Volpe | archive-date=June 6, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130606193005/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/14/windows-8-family-safety-feature-chaperones-underage-users-thro/#disqus_thread | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/255582/microsoft_win8_simplifies_improves_parental_monitoring_of_kids_computer_activities.html | title=Microsoft: Win8 Simplifies, Improves Parental Monitoring of Kids Computer Activities | PCWorld Business Center | publisher=[[PC World]] | work=[[International Data Group|IDG]] | date=May 14, 2012 | access-date=May 22, 2013 | first1=Juan Carlos | last1=Perez | archive-date=May 25, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130525092553/http://www.pcworld.com/article/255582/microsoft_win8_simplifies_improves_parental_monitoring_of_kids_computer_activities.html | url-status=live }}</ref> Certain [[
===Protected processes===
Protected processes introduced in Windows Vista for [[digital rights management]] have been extended in Windows 8.1 to support additional scenarios along with a new ''Protected Process Light'' scheme. In Windows Vista, processes for digital rights management were either protected or unprotected. With the new scheme in Windows 8.1, processes can be assigned varying levels of protection, and core operating system components such as the [[Local Security Authority Subsystem Service]] can be protected by this scheme to prevent reading memory and code injection by non-protected processes.<ref name="LSA">{{cite web |url=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/security/credentials-protection-and-management/configuring-additional-lsa-protection |title=Configuring Additional LSA Protection |date=September 30, 2022 |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |access-date=March 14, 2023}}</ref>
===Startup security===
Windows 8 introduced four new features to offer security during the startup process: [[UEFI secure boot]], Trusted Boot, Measured Boot and Early Launch Anti-Malware (ELAM).<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url = https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/dn168167.aspx|title = Securing the Windows 8 Boot Process|access-date = 19 December 2020|website = [[Microsoft TechNet|technet.microsoft.com]]|publisher = [[Microsoft]]
Of the four, secure boot is not a native feature of Windows 8; it is part of [[Unified Extensible Firmware Interface|UEFI]]. At startup, the UEFI firmware checks the validity of a [[digital signature]] present in the Windows Boot Loader (bootmgfw.efi), which is signed with Microsoft's public key. This signature check happens every time the computer is booted and prevents malware from infecting the system before the operating system loads.<ref>{{cite web |
Trusted Boot is a feature of Windows boot loader and ensures the integrity of all Microsoft components loaded into memory, including ELAM, which loads last. ELAM ensures that all third-party boot drivers are trustworthy; they are not loaded if ELAM check fails. ELAM can use either Windows Defender or a third-party compatible antivirus.<ref name=":0" /> During the 2011 [[Build (developer conference)|Build conference]] in [[Anaheim, California]], Microsoft showed a Windows 8 machine that can prevent an infected [[USB flash memory]] from compromising the boot process.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.cnet.com/news/windows-8-to-offer-built-in-malware-protection/|title = Windows 8 to offer built-in malware protection|date = September 15, 2011|website = [[CNET]]|publisher = [[CBS Interactive]]|last = Whitney|first = Lance|access-date = February 16, 2015|archive-date = August 5, 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140805102618/http://www.cnet.com/news/windows-8-to-offer-built-in-malware-protection/|url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url =
Measured Boot can attest to the state of a client machine by sending details about its configuration to a remote machine. The feature relies on the attestation feature of the [[Trusted Platform Module]] and is designed to verify the boot integrity of the client.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/hh848050%28v=vs.85%29.aspx |title=Measured Boot |website=[[Microsoft Developer Network|msdn.microsoft.com]] |access-date=19 December 2020 |date=6 September 2012 |archive-url=https://
====Windows Platform Binary Table====
Windows Platform Binary Table allows executable files to be stored within UEFI firmware for execution on startup. Microsoft states this feature is meant to "allow critical software to persist even when the operating system has changed or been reinstalled in a 'clean' configuration"; specifically, anti-theft security software; but this has also been mis-used, including by [[Lenovo]] with their "[[Lenovo#Lenovo Service Engine|Lenovo Service Engine]]" feature.<ref name=ars-windowsantitheft>{{cite web|title=Lenovo used Windows anti-theft feature to install persistent crapware|url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2015/08/lenovo-used-windows-anti-theft-feature-to-install-persistent-crapware/|website=Ars Technica|publisher=Conde Nast|access-date=22 September 2015|date=12 August 2015|archive-date=December 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201181615/https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2015/08/lenovo-used-windows-anti-theft-feature-to-install-persistent-crapware/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=techrepublic-wpbt>{{cite web|title=Windows and UEFI anti-theft mechanism makes systems less secure|url=http://www.techrepublic.com/article/windows-and-uefi-anti-theft-mechanism-makes-systems-less-secure/|website=TechRepublic|publisher=CBS Interactive|access-date=6 February 2017|date=13 August 2015|last=Sanders|first=James|archive-date=September 10, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910160044/http://www.techrepublic.com/article/windows-and-uefi-anti-theft-mechanism-makes-systems-less-secure/|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Windows Defender===
{{See also|Microsoft Defender#History}}
In Windows 7, Windows Defender was an [[anti-spyware]] solution. Windows 8 introduced Windows Defender as an [[antivirus]] solution (and as the successor of [[Microsoft Security Essentials]]), which provides protection against a broader range of [[malware]]. It was the first time that a standard Windows install included an antivirus solution.<ref name="BottBook">{{cite book |last1=Bott |first1=Ed |author-link1=Ed Bott |title=Introducing Windows 8.1 for IT Professionals - Technical Overview |year=2013 |publisher=[[Microsoft Press]] |publication-date=15 October 2013 |access-date=22 December 2020 |isbn=978-0-7356-8427-0 |url=https://download.microsoft.com/download/E/5/3/E5395265-D2CD-4451-A2BB-B4504C000E80/Microsoft_Press_ebook_Introducing_Windows_ITPro_PDF.pdf |archive-date=December 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201204016/https://download.microsoft.com/DOWNLOAD/E/5/3/E5395265-D2CD-4451-A2BB-B4504C000E80/MICROSOFT_PRESS_EBOOK_INTRODUCING_WINDOWS_ITPRO_PDF.PDF |url-status=live }}</ref>{{rp|53|q="Windows 8 was the first version of Windows to ship antimalware software in the box"}} Windows 8.1 augments it with [[Intrusion detection system|network behavior monitoring]], a new feature for Windows Defender.<ref name="BottBook" />{{rp|53|q="In Windows 8.1, Windows Defender for the first time includes network behavior monitoring."}} For Microsoft Security Essentials, this feature has been present since July 2010.<ref>{{cite web |first=Brandon |last=LeBlanc |title=Beta for Next Version of Microsoft Security Essentials Now Available |url=https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2010/07/20/beta-for-next-version-of-microsoft-security-essentials-now-available/ |website=Blogging Windows |date=20 July 2010 |access-date=22 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141016035623/http://blogs.windows.com/bloggingwindows/2010/07/20/beta-for-next-version-of-microsoft-security-essentials-now-available/ |archive-date=16 October 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref>
==Keyboard shortcuts==
Line 253 ⟶ 262:
* {{Keypress|Win|S}} Opens the Search charm to search for apps.
* {{Keypress|Win|Z}} Shows available app commands.
* {{Keypress|Win|+}} and {{Keypress|Win|-}} respectfully activate and deactivate semantic zoom.<ref name="KeyboardIbach">{{cite web |url=http://blogs.msdn.com/b/cdnstudents/archive/2012/09/04/some-useful-keyboard-shortcuts-for-windows-8.aspx |title=Some useful keyboard shortcuts for Windows 8 |last=Ibach |first=Susan |date=September 4, 2012 |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |work=MSDN Blogs |access-date=April 23, 2015 |archive-date=June 18, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150618064749/http://blogs.msdn.com/b/cdnstudents/archive/2012/09/04/some-useful-keyboard-shortcuts-for-windows-8.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref>
* {{Keypress|Win|Space bar}} Switches the user's [[Input method|IME]].
* {{Keypress|Win|Ctrl|Space bar}} Reverts to a previous IME.
Line 264 ⟶ 273:
* {{Keypress|Win|Shift|.}} Snaps an open Metro-style app to the left side of the screen.
* {{Keypress|Win|.}} Snaps an open Metro-style app to the right side of the screen.
* {{Keypress|Win|[[Print screen]]}} Takes a screenshot of the entire screen and saves it to a Screenshots folder within the Pictures directory.<ref name="Screenshot">{{cite web |url=http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/take-screen-capture-print-screen#take-screen-capture-print-screen=windows-8 |title=Take a screen capture (print your screen) |publisher=Microsoft |access-date=February 28, 2015 |archive-date=June 22, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160622082224/http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/take-screen-capture-print-screen#take-screen-capture-print-screen=windows-8 |url-status=live }}</ref> On a tablet, this feature can be accessed by simultaneously pressing a button with the Windows logo and a button that lowers the volume of the device.
==Virtualization==
[[Hyper-V]], a [[Hypervisor#Classification|native hypervisor]] previously offered only in [[Windows Server]], is included in Windows 8 Pro, replacing [[Windows Virtual PC]], a [[Hypervisor#Classification|hosted hypervisor]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.cnet.com/8301-10805_3-20103376-75/windows-8-to-include-hyper-v-virtualization/ |title=
== Storage ==
=== 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 [[Logical Volume Manager (Linux)]], [[RAID0]], [[RAID1]] or [[RAID5]], but at a higher abstraction level.<ref name="B8_storage_spaces">{{cite web|last=Sinofsky|first=Steven |title=Virtualizing storage for scale, resiliency, and efficiency|url=http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2012/01/05/virtualizing-storage-for-scale-resiliency-and-efficiency.aspx
A storage space behaves 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, that can span multiple disks of different sizes, performance or technology (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 [[disk mirroring]] or [[data striping|striping]] with [[Parity bit|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 the 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=January 16, 2012|access-date=January 17, 2012|archive-date=May 26, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130526085329/http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2012/01/16/building-the-next-generation-file-system-for-windows-refs.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref>▼
A review in ''[[Ars Technica]]'' concluded that "Storage Spaces in Windows 8 is a good foundation, but its current iteration is simply too flawed to recommend in most circumstances."<ref>{{cite web |last=Cunningham |first=Andrew |url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2012/10/storage-spaces-explained-a-great-feature-when-it-works/3/ |title=Storage Spaces explained: a great feature, when it works |website=[[Ars Technica]] |publisher=[[Condé Nast]] |date=October 28, 2012 |access-date=January 20, 2014 |archive-date=January 10, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140110181411/http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2012/10/storage-spaces-explained-a-great-feature-when-it-works/3/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Microsoft MVP]] Helge Klein also criticized Storage Spaces as unsuitable for its touted market of [[small office/home office|SOHO]] users.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://helgeklein.com/blog/2012/03/windows-8-storage-spaces-bugs-and-design-flaws/ |title=Windows 8 Storage Spaces: Bugs and Design Flaws |first=Helge |last=Klein |website=Helgeklein.com |date=March 26, 2012 |access-date=January 20, 2014 |archive-date=June 18, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160618090154/https://helgeklein.com/blog/2012/03/windows-8-storage-spaces-bugs-and-design-flaws/ |url-status=live }}</ref>▼
▲A storage space behaves 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, that can span multiple disks of different sizes, performance or technology (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 [[disk mirroring]] or [[data striping|striping]] with [[Parity bit|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 the 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=January 16, 2012}}</ref>
Storage Spaces was further enhanced in [[Windows Server 2012 R2]] with tiering and caching support,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://technet.microsoft.com/en-US/library/dn387076.aspx |title=What's New in Storage Spaces in Windows Server 2012 R2 |website=[[Microsoft TechNet|TechNet]] |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |date=September 11, 2013 |access-date=January 20, 2014 |archive-date=January 22, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140122233745/http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dn387076.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> which can be used for [[hybrid array|caching to SSD]];<ref>{{cite web |last=Posey |first=Brien |url=http://redmondmag.com/articles/2013/10/28/ssd-write-back-cache.aspx |title=Using Windows Server 2012's SSD Write-Back Cache |website=Redmond Magazine |publisher=1105 Media |date=October 28, 2013 |access-date=January 20, 2014 |archive-date=February 6, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140206021406/http://redmondmag.com/articles/2013/10/28/ssd-write-back-cache.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> these new features were not added to Windows 8.1. Instead Windows 8.1 gained support for specific features of [[Hybrid drive|SSHD]] drives, e.g. for host-hinted LBA caching (TP_042v14_SATA31_Hybrid Information).<ref name="Heron">{{Cite web |first=Andy |last=Herron |title=Advancements in Storage and File Systems in Windows 8.1 |url=http://snia.org/sites/default/files2/SDC2013/presentations/FileSystems/AndyHeron_Enhancements_To_Win81_Storage.pdf |work=Storage Developer Conference |publisher=SINA |year=2013 |___location=Santa Clara |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140110193117/http://snia.org/sites/default/files2/SDC2013/presentations/FileSystems/AndyHeron_Enhancements_To_Win81_Storage.pdf |archive-date=January 10, 2014 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>▼
▲A review in ''[[Ars Technica]]'' concluded that "Storage Spaces in Windows 8 is a good foundation, but its current iteration is simply too flawed to recommend in most circumstances."<ref>{{cite web |last=Cunningham |first=Andrew |url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2012/10/storage-spaces-explained-a-great-feature-when-it-works/3/ |title=Storage Spaces explained: a great feature, when it works |website=[[Ars Technica]] |publisher=[[Condé Nast]] |date=October 28, 2012 |access-date=January 20, 2014}}</ref> [[Microsoft MVP]] Helge Klein also criticized Storage Spaces as unsuitable for its touted market of [[small office/home office|SOHO]] users.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://helgeklein.com/blog/2012/03/windows-8-storage-spaces-bugs-and-design-flaws/ |title=Windows 8 Storage Spaces: Bugs and Design Flaws |first=Helge |last=Klein |website=Helgeklein.com |date=March 26, 2012 |access-date=January 20, 2014}}</ref>
▲Storage Spaces was further enhanced in [[Windows Server 2012 R2]] with tiering and caching support,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://technet.microsoft.com/en-US/library/dn387076.aspx |title=What's New in Storage Spaces in Windows Server 2012 R2 |website=[[Microsoft TechNet|TechNet]] |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |date=September 11, 2013 |access-date=January 20, 2014}}</ref> which can be used for [[hybrid array|caching to SSD]];<ref>{{cite web|last=Posey |first=Brien |url=http://redmondmag.com/articles/2013/10/28/ssd-write-back-cache.aspx |title=Using Windows Server 2012's SSD Write-Back Cache |website=Redmond Magazine |publisher=1105 Media |date=October 28, 2013 |access-date=January 20, 2014}}</ref> these new features were not added to Windows 8.1. Instead Windows 8.1 gained support for specific features of [[Hybrid drive|SSHD]] drives, e.g. for host-hinted LBA caching (TP_042v14_SATA31_Hybrid Information).<ref name="Heron">{{Cite web |first=Andy |last=Herron |title=Advancements in Storage and File Systems in Windows 8.1 |url=http://snia.org/sites/default/files2/SDC2013/presentations/FileSystems/AndyHeron_Enhancements_To_Win81_Storage.pdf |work=Storage Developer Conference |publisher=SINA |year=2013 |___location=Santa Clara |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140110193117/http://snia.org/sites/default/files2/SDC2013/presentations/FileSystems/AndyHeron_Enhancements_To_Win81_Storage.pdf |archive-date=January 10, 2014 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
===NVM Express===
Windows 8.1 gained support for [[NVM Express]] (NVMe), a new industry standard protocol for [[PCIe]]-attached storage, such as PCIe flash cards.<ref name="Heron"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.myce.com/news/windows-8-1-to-support-hybrid-disks-and-native-nvme-driver-68663/ |title=Windows 8.1 to support hybrid disks and adds native NVMe driver |website=Myce.com |date=September 6, 2013 |access-date=January 20, 2014 |archive-date=January 10, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140110200352/http://www.myce.com/news/windows-8-1-to-support-hybrid-disks-and-native-nvme-driver-68663/ |url-status=live }}</ref>▼
▲Windows 8.1 gained support for [[NVM Express]] (NVMe), a new industry standard protocol for [[PCIe]]-attached storage, such as PCIe flash cards.<ref name="Heron"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.myce.com/news/windows-8-1-to-support-hybrid-disks-and-native-nvme-driver-68663/ |title=Windows 8.1 to support hybrid disks and adds native NVMe driver |website=Myce.com |date=September 6, 2013 |access-date=January 20, 2014}}</ref>
Windows 8.1 also supports the [[TRIM (computing)|TRIM]] command for PCI Express SSDs based on [[NVM Express|NVMe]] (Windows 7 supported TRIM only for [[AHCI]]/[[SATA]]) drives and only the ones which were connected internally via the [[M.2]] or SATA/[[Parallel ATA|IDE]] connectors. Windows 8.1 supports the [[SCSI]] unmap command which is a full analog of the SATA TRIM command for devices that use the SCSI driver stack. If external SSD drives as well as the device [[firmware]] in the bridge chip both support TRIM, Windows 8.1 can perform a TRIM operation on these external SATA and NVMe SSDs that connect via [[USB]] as long as they use the [[USB Attached SCSI]] Protocol (UASP).
Windows 8.1 also introduces a manual TRIM function via [[Microsoft Drive Optimizer]] which can perform an on-demand user-requested TRIM operation on internal and external SSDs. Windows 7 only had automatic TRIM for internal SATA SSDs built into system operations such as Delete, Format, Diskpart etc.
However, Windows 8.1 built-in NVMe driver does not support NVMe passthrough protocol. Support for NVMe passthrough protocol was added in Windows 10.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NVMe_Support – smartmontools |url=https://www.smartmontools.org/wiki/NVMe_Support }}</ref>
==See also==
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==External links==
* [https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/archive/blogs/b8/ Building Windows 8 Blog]
{{Microsoft Windows family}}
[[Category:Windows 8]]
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