Windows 8 introduces significant changes focused on improving the user experience on mobile devices like tablets. New features include a faster startup, support for USB 3.0 and near field communication, improved file operations, and cloud backup functionality. Additional security features are also added, like PIN login, antivirus in Windows Defender, and Secure Boot protection. Hardware requirements are specified for both traditional PCs and newer tablet devices. The conclusion states that Windows 8 provides strong competition in the mobile market but changes like the Start screen may not be favored by all.

3. CONTENT
1-INTRODUCTION
2-NEW AND CHANGE FEATURES.
3-SAFETY AND SECURITY.
4-HARDWARE REQUIRMENTS.
5- CONCLUSION.

4. INTRODUCTION
Windows 8 is the current release of the Windows operating system,
produced by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and
business desktops, laptops, tablets, and home theater PCs.

5. Windows 8 introduces significant changes to the operating system's
platform, primarily focused towards improving its user experience
on mobile devices such as tablets to rival other mobile operating
systems (such as Android and iOS), taking advantage of new and
emerging technologies (such as USB 3.0, UEFI firmware, near field
communications, cloud computing, and the low-power ARM
architecture), new security features (such as malware
filtering, built-in antivirus software, and support for secure boot, a
controversial UEFI feature which requires operating systems to be
digitally signed to prevent malware from infecting the boot
process), along with other changes and performance improvements.

6. New and changed features
 New features and functionality in Windows 8 include a faster startup.

7.  Windows 8 also adds native support for USB 3.0 devices, which allow for faster
data transfers and improved power management with compatible devices, along
with support for near field communication to facilitate sharing and
communication between devices.
 File operation dialogs have been updated to provide more detailed statistics,
the ability to pause file transfers, and improvements in the ability to manage
conflicts when copying files.
 A new "File History" function allows incremental revisions of files to be
backed up to and restored from a secondary storage device, while
Storage Spaces allows users to combine different sized hard disks into
virtual drives and specify mirroring, parity, or no redundancy on a
folder-by-folder basis.

8. Windows cloud services
We know that Windows Live essential allows users to store data online in
Windows 7 OS as well but with Windows 8 OS, you can store bundle of
data in Windows Live and even provision is made, through which you can
backup your data online.
Windows 8 that enables enterprise administrators to create USB drives
containing complete, managed Windows images that users can use to boot
and run Windows on anY Windows 8 capable computer.
Windows 8 Start Screen – The Start screen is yet another impressive UI.
The screen basically groups all your applications together, which you can
easily drag and drop, or add new things.

10. Safety and security
 Additional security features in Windows 8 include two new authentication
methods tailored towards touchscreens (PIN numbers and picture
passwords).
 The addition of antivirus capabilities to Windows Defender (bringing it in
parity with Microsoft's Security Essentials software) SmartScreen filtering
integrated into the desktop.

11.  Support for the "Secure Boot" functionality on UEFI systems to protect against
malware infecting the boot process.
 Parental controls are offered through the integrated Family Safety software,
which allows parents to monitor and control their children's activities on a device
with activity reports and safety controls.
 Windows 8 also provides integrated system recovery through the new "Refresh"
and "Reset" functions.

12. Hardware requirements
PCs
Architecture
Architecture
Processor
Memory (RAM)
Graphics Card
Storage
IA-32 (32-bit) x86-64 (64-bit)
1 GHz (with PAE, NX and SSE2 support)
1 GB 2 GB
DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM 1.0
or higher driver.
16 GB 20 GB
Minimum hardware requirements for Windows 8

13. Tablets and convertibles
Graphics Card DirectX 10 graphics device with WDDM 1.2 or higher driver
Storage 10GB free space, after the out-of-box experience completes
Standard
buttons
'Power', 'Rotation lock', 'Windows Key', 'Volume-up', 'Volume-
down'
Screen
Touch screen supporting a minimum of 5-point digitizers and
resolution of at least 1366x768.
The physical dimensions of the display panel must match the
aspect ratio of the native resolution.
.Camera Minimum 720p
Ambient light
sensor
1–30k lux capable with dynamic range of 5–60K
Accelerometer 3 axes with data rates at or above 50 Hz
USB 2.0 At least one controller and exposed port.
Connect Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0 + LE (low energy)

14. CONCLUSION:-
Windows 8 give strong competition to mobile computing, especially the
tablet market OS such as Apple OS and Android. So far it has been
quite successful and has got the rival developers moving with new ideas.
Windows 8 provides great experience on large screens and is a wonder
for palm sized smart phones. The fluidity and ease of access is always
there and the apps are well coordinated too.
The desktop computers are quite powerful and have fetched wonderful
speeds and have witnessed quite a number of futuristic apps already.
The Start screen is more innovative and the start menu is definitely
totally different than that in previous versions which might not be
cheered by all Windows enthusiasts. We can hope that other hidden
features of zooming and multimedia control get popularized after the
launch.