Windows 8 is the codename for the next version of the Microsoft Windows computer operating system following Windows 7.[3] It has many changes from previous versions. In particular it adds support for ARM microprocessors in addition to the previously supported x86 microprocessors from Intel and AMD. A new Metro-style interface has been added that was designed fortouchscreen input in addition to mouse, keyboard, and pen input. Its server version is codenamed Windows Server 8. It will be released in late 2012. Early announcements In January 2011, at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Microsoft announced that Windows 8 would be adding support forARM microprocessors in addition to the x86 microprocessors from Intel and AMD.[4][5] [edit]Milestone leaks . A 32-bit Milestone 1 build, build 7850, with a build date of September 22, 2010, was leaked to BetaArchive, an online beta community, and to P2P/torrent sharing networks as well on April 12, 2011.[6] Milestone 1 includes a ribbon interface for Windows Explorer,[7] a PDF reader called Modern Reader, an updated task manager called Modern Task Manager,[8] and native ISO image mounting.[9] . A 32-bit Milestone 2 build, build 7927, was leaked to The Pirate Bay on August 29, 2011[10] right after many pictures leaked on BetaArchive the day before.[11] Features of this build are mostly the same as build 7955.[12] . A 32-bit Milestone 2 build, build 7955, was leaked to BetaArchive on April 25, 2011.[13] Features of this build included a new pattern login and a new file system known as Protogon, which is now known as ReFS and only included in server versions.[14] . A Milestone 3 build, build 7971, was released to close partners of Microsoft on March 29, 2011[15] but was kept under heavy security. However, a few screenshots were leaked. The "Windows 7 Basic" theme now uses similar metrics to the Aero style, but maintains its non- hardware accelerated design, and also supports taskbar thumbnails. The boxes that encase the "close, maximize, and minimize" buttons have been removed, leaving just the signs.[16] . A 64-bit Milestone 3 build, build 7989, leaked to BetaArchive on June 18, 2011 after screenshots were revealed the previous day. An SMS feature, a new virtual keyboard, a new bootscreen, transparency in the basic theme, geo- location services, Hyper-V 3.0, and PowerShell 3.0 were revealed in this build.[17] [edit]Official announcements At the Microsoft Developer Forum in Tokyo on May 23, 2011, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer announced that the next version of Windows would be released the following year.[18]: “ And yet, as we look forward to the next generation of Windows systems, which will come out next year, there's a whole lot more coming. As we progress through the year, you ought to expect to hear a lot about Windows 8. Windows 8 slates, tablets, PCs, a variety of different form factors. ” However, Microsoft quickly amended Ballmer's words in a statement issued that afternoon:[19] “ It appears there was a misstatement. We are eagerly awaiting the next generation of Windows 7 hardware that will be available in the coming fiscal year. To date, we have yet to formally announce any timing or naming for the next version of Windows. ” On June 1, 2011, Microsoft officially unveiled Windows 8 and some of its new features at the Taipei Computex 2011 in Taipei (Taiwan) by Mike Angiulo and at the D9 conference in California (United States) by Julie Larson-Green and Microsoft's Windows President Steven Sinofsky.[20][21] The main feature that was shown was the new user interface. On August 15, 2011, Microsoft opened a new blog called "Building Windows 8" for users and developers.[22] [edit]BUILD conference and developer preview Windows 8 startup on a laptop in 14 seconds Microsoft unveiled new Windows 8 features and improvements on September 13, 2011, day one of the BUILD developer conference.[23]Microsoft also released a Developer Preview build (Build 8102) of Windows 8 for the developer community to download and start working with. This developer preview includes tools for building "metro style apps", such as Microsoft Windows SDK for Metro style apps, Microsoft Visual Studio 11 Express for Windows 8 Developer Preview and Microsoft Expression Blend 5 Developer Preview.[24] According to Microsoft, there were more than 500,000 downloads of the Windows 8 Developer Preview within the first 12 hours of its release.[25] Microsoft has shown a development roadmap at the BUILD conference stating that they will develop Windows 8 using the same milestones as Windows 7 did. These will be Beta, Release Candidate, RTM, and general availability. [edit]Beta/consumer preview In December 2011, Microsoft held an event in San Francisco to demonstrate Windows Store, through which all Metro style Windows 8 apps will be sold. At the end of the event, Microsoft announced that the public beta will be released sometime in February 2012, along with the Windows Store Beta.[26] However, a few screenshots from a pre-beta build were leaked. New features included an updated setup preparation, a new theme, Aero Lite, a new background on the start screen, and new metro-style apps like Reader, Music, Video, and Photos.[27] Microsoft announced at CES that it would not release a beta but a consumer preview of Windows 8 in late February 2012.[28] [edit]New features Bootable Windows To Go USB flash drive Main article: Features new to Windows 8 Windows 8 will contain a new user interface based on Microsoft's design language named Metro. With the new change, the Start Menu was replaced in favor for the new Start Screen, where there are tiles that contain shortcuts to applications, Metro style applications, and updating tiles, similar to Windows Phone. Metro may be turned off in the Windows Registry settings.[29] A new authentication method allows users to sketch in three different places over the picture to login, instead of typing a password.[30][31] Windows Explorer now uses a ribbon interface, similar to those used in Microsoft Office applications.[32] Another feature expected to be introduced in Windows 8 is native USB 3.0 support, without the need to load drivers.[33] Windows 8 will come with Windows Store, an online marketplace for buying, selling, and advertising applications.[34] Windows 8 can be run from a USB- connected drive, such as a flash drive. This feature is called Windows To Go. It is intended for enterprise administrators to provide users with a Windows 8 image that reflects the corporate desktop; pricing and licensing details were not discussed when the feature was announced.[35][36] WTG is not included in Windows 8 previews. Windows To Go enables users to boot and run Windows on any Windows 7 or Windows 8 capable computer. Windows To Go makes it possible for employees to use a managed device whether they work from home, a client office or in a free seating environment Windows 8 will support multiple monitors with the new ability to natively display different background images on each display and customized taskbar(s) on each of the connected displays. The Developer Preview comes with two new recovery functions.[37] Refresh and Reset, which both make a complete restore easier than a re-installation. The former keeps all the settings and files of the user intact and only reverses all changes to Windows files to their original state while removing all installed programs and apps. The latter deletes all files and effectively re-installs Windows, but without any additional user input such as agreeing to license agreements or selecting a hard disk required. After a reset completes, the user will be asked for the product key and will then proceed to account creation.[38] One big change is that user accounts do not have to be local-only (or from an Active Directory domain) anymore but can be linked up to one's Windows Live ID. This has the advantage that users will not lose their settings as they move from their home computer to their work laptop or to any other computer also using Windows 8.[39] Other new features include a new Welcome screen,[40] a new packaged application model called AppX that is based on Silverlight,[41] and Open Packaging Conventions,[42] as well as a setting to automatically adjust window color to fit the wallpaper.[43] There is also a stripped down "Immersive" version of Internet Explorer, using the similar Metro-based user interface of the mobile version of Internet Explorer 9.[44] The Immersive Version of Internet Explorer 10 does not support ActiveX plugins, in order to be an HTML5-only browser. The Desktop version of IE10 does support ActiveX plugins.[45] A new "Hybrid Boot" option that uses "advanced hibernation functionality" on shutdown to allow faster startup times.[46][47] A new version of Task Manager with a redesigned user interface is also present in pre-release versions of Windows 8. [edit]Hardware requirements Microsoft says that the developer preview works well on hardware suitable for Windows Vista or Windows 7; these system requirements may change in the final release.[48] Minimum hardware requirements for Windows Developer Preview IA-32 (32- x86-64 (64- Architecture bit) bit) Processor 1 GHz Memory (RAM) 1 GB 2 GB DirectX 9 graphics device Graphics Card with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver HDD free 16 GB 20 GB space A multi-touch screen is recommended for touch input (single-touch screens still work but lacking the multi-touch features which may be required by some Metro applications).