This document provides an overview and summary of the new features in the Windows 8 Consumer Preview release from Microsoft. It describes the new Metro interface designed for touchscreens, the Windows Store for apps, updated versions of Internet Explorer and Windows Explorer, and system requirements. The Consumer Preview allows users to experiment with and provide feedback on the new Windows 8 features before the final release.

1. Microsoft
Consumer Preview

2. Contents
 Introduction
 Windows 8
 What’s New
 Major Features
 Sys Requirements
 Final Note

3. Introduction
 Operating Systems from Microsoft Corporation.
 First was Microsoft Windows 1.01 in 1985.
 Windows 8 is Latest OS, to be launched in Q4 of 2012.
 Windows 8 “Developers Preview” Launched in Sep. 2011 .
 Windows 8“Consumer Preview” Launched on 29th Feb. 2012.

4. Windows 8: Overview
 A “New Generation” of Windows OSs.
 Developed for Laptops, Tablets and PCs.
 Built on foundation of Windows 7.
 Primarily focused on Touch Interface.
 Over 100,000 code changes claimed .
 New Navigation Features, Metro Apps and "Charms“.

5. What’s New
 Metro interface and “Charms”.
 Windows Store with an “App Preview” of new apps.
 Internet Explorer 10: the web by touch.
 Connecting to the cloud across Windows PCs &Phones.
 Windows To Go.
 Support for USB 3.0

6. Major Features
 New Lock Screen.
 Faster boot time.
 Reset and Refresh feature.
 New File Copy Confirmation dialog box.
 New Ribbon interface.
 Native support for mounting VHD and ISO disc images.

7. Lock Screen
 New Lock Screen for touch Interface appears just before Login.

8. Charms
 Charms are touch icons “Search, Share, Start, Devices & Settings.”

9. Old Windows Desktop
 “Desktop App” navigates to old Desktop, no “Start” button.

10. Internet Explorer : Web by Touch
 Designed to dedicate entire screen & H/W accelareted.

11. Windows Explorer Ribbon
 Allow users to optimize Explorer for file management tasks.
 Bring back the most relevant and requested features from the
Windows XP era.

12. New File Copy Confirmation Dialog Box
 Designed to make Copy task easier.
 Show individual progress bars for multiple copy operations.
 Allow to pause a copy operation for other operation.

13. Metro based mail App
 The Metro-based Mail app makes it very easy to add and read mail
from multiple mail accounts.

14. System Requirements for PCs.
 1 GHz or faster processor .
 RAM :1 GB (32-bit) or 2 GB (64-bit).
 Hard Disk Space : 16 GB (32-bit) or 20 GB (64-bit).
 DirectX 9 graphics device with Latest driver.
 A minimum of 1024x768 screen resolution.

15. Final Note
 It’s only Prerelease version, finished product yet to come.
 No Activation.
 Who Should try ?
Those who enjoy experimenting with new technology and
comfortable with Troubleshooting.
 Availability of Consumer Preview
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/iso

17.  www.redmondpie.com
 www.techrepublic.com
 www.computerworld.com