Windows 8 is built on the rock-solid foundation of Windows 7, and it features many improvements in performance, security, privacy, and system reliability. Everything that consumers, developers, and IT pros
have come to love about Windows 7 is still there – only better. Refinements to the kernel improve system
responsiveness, security, and performance. Improvements in the driver model and tools chain for driver development improve system stability and reliability. And Windows now runs on ARM devices as well as
x86 and x64. You’ll benefit from innovative security features and your apps run faster on Windows 8.
Fundamentals System requirements Windows 8 works great on the same hardware that powers Windows Vista and Windows 7:
1 gigahertz or faster 32-bit or processor 1 gigabyte (GB) RAM (32-bit) or 2 GB RAM (64-bit) 16 GB available hard disk space (32-bit) or 20 GB (64-bit) DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver
Of course, taking advantage of touch input requires a screen that supports multi-touch.
Apps run on ARM, x86, and x64 architectures In addition to running on x86 and x64 devices, Windows 8 delivers even greater flexibility by running on ARM devices. Depending on the technology you use, write your Metro style apps once and they can run on any supported architecture. You can also take advantage of the unique capabilities of your customers’ PCs.
Connectivity
Many apps benefit when you’re connected. For example, Windows automatically switches to the network connection with the best quality and enables your apps to throttle down their bit rate, which enables your apps to deliver the best possible user experience. On certain networks, as network usage approaches a customer’s usage limit (typically set by their internet service provider), Windows can automatically block further network connections to protect your customer from overage charges.
Wi-Fi and mobile broadband
Windows 8 improves mobile network connectivity by making it easier to use Wi-Fi hotspots as an alternative to mobile broadband connections. Windows 8 treats a mobile broadband network as a metered connection.
Windows 8 also includes an integrated set of radio controls so you can turn network radios on and off, as
well as control all of them at once via a convenient ‘flight mode’ switch.
Devices
Metro style device apps
Device companion apps launch when a user connects a Windows certified device, like a camera or TV, to a Windows 8 PC. Hardware manufacturers can now use the device metadata XML to specify a Metro style device app that automatically downloads and launches when the device is plugged into the PC. These apps can provide more enjoyable customer experiences, such as sharing photos from a camera or connecting to a social network. Plus you don’t have to manage app distribution and updates. You can even design the Metro style device app to provide a unique experience for each country or region.
Class drivers
Windows 8 includes new built-in drivers that support a broad range of devices, including printers, sensors, touch-input devices, and displays. That means that, in many cases, you won’t even need to produce a device driver to accompany your hardware because Windows provides a class driver for you. When users set up their device, it will just work.
The new HID class driver supports common sensors such as heat, light, temperature, pressure, current, and motion. In addition, this driver allows a hardware manufacturer to integrate unique sensors, like a blood-pressure monitor or a glass-breakage sensor. Guidelines for developing HID-compatible devices are available on the Windows Dev Center.
Security
Metro style apps run in a more secure environment
Metro style apps run in a security context with restrictions that control runtime access to sensitive resources. An app declares its required capabilities in its manifest, and the customer can view the capabilities in the app summary in the Windows Store. When customers buy the app, they provide consent for the app to use only those capabilities. The app can also ask them to use the resources they previously agreed to, giving customers further control over their data. So when they use the app, there can be a consistent interface to control ongoing app access to resources like a microphone or webcam.
Apps can read and write to user data stores with an improved data-access model, and the app’s user data is isolated to that app and to that user. All of the user’s connected devices can access this app data.
If you write your Metro style apps in HTML5 and JavaScript, the security model is similar to browser-based
scripts. These apps can access content stored in a local or web-based compartment. If script files packaged
with the app download any content from the Web, that content can run only with restricted capabilities.
Cryptography made simple
Cryptography is now much easier to use. A simplified programming interface enables you to effortlessly encrypt, decrypt, and digitally sign content. You can also create certificate requests and install issued certificates. You can use certificates stored locally or on smart cards.
If your web service is secured using, for example, SSL and is using the new APIs to develop a Metro style app
that can use your service, you can easily create and install certificates that are specific to your package. This
can help ensure a seamless and error-free experience for your customers without requiring you to purchase
certificates from a certification authority.
SmartScreen filter
SmartScreen is a set of sophisticated technologies to help protect you from malicious websites and programs. Whether you’re downloading or running a new program on the desktop, SmartScreen has you covered. SmartScreen continues to provide protection from phishing and socially engineered malware attacks using URL and application reputation and removes unnecessary warnings for programs and publishers with an established reputation. To add another layer of protection, SmartScreen is now integrated with program launch to screen programs downloaded from the web. It also shows new warnings before higher-risk programs can run and will block known malware.
Windows Defender
To ensure legitimate antimalware protection to all users, Windows 8 provides Windows Defender. It monitors and protects against viruses and other malware in real time and detects and removes malware if your computer becomes infected. With Windows 8, third-party antimalware software becomes even more effective: by loading approved antimalware drivers during the boot process, antimalware software can start from a known good state and continue its vigilant watch over your PC from that point on.
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