Windows 8 is an operating system produced by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops, tablet, and home theater PC.
Development of the operating system is started before the release of its predecessor in 2009. Its existence was first announced in January 2011 at the Consumer Electronics Show. During its development and testing phase, Microsoft released three pre-release version: Developer Preview (September 13, 2011), Consumer Preview (29 February 2012), and Preview Release (31 May 2012). On August 1, 2012, Windows 8 graduates from the stage of development and will be released to manufacturing. Windows 8 is scheduled for general availability on October 26, 2012.
Windows 8 introduces significant changes to the operating system's graphical user interface and platform, such as a new interface design includes a new design language used by other Microsoft products, a new Start screen to change the Start menu used previous versions of Windows, a new online store that can be used to get new applications, including a new platform for apps with an emphasis on the touchscreen input. Additional security features have been added to the operating system, such as a built-in antivirus program and a secure boot feature in system with UEFI firmware. Secure boot requires the operating system to protect digital sign malware from infecting the boot process. The implementation of this feature has sparked controversy one of the supporters of free software. Windows 8 introduces an edition of the operating system designed to run on devices that use the ARM architecture, known as Windows RT.
Early announcements
Windows 8 development started before Windows 7 was sent in 2009. In January 2011, the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Microsoft announced that Windows 8 will be adding support for ARM microprocessors in addition to the x86 microprocessors from Intel, AMD and through. On June 1, 2011, Microsoft officially unveiled Windows 8 new user interface as well as additional features in the Taipei Computex 2011 in Taipei (Taiwan) by Mike Angiulo and the D9 conference in California (United States) by Julie Larson-Green and Microsoft Windows President Steven Sinofsky. A month before the build conference was held, Microsoft opened a new blog called "Building Windows 8" for users and developers on August 15, 2011.
