Windows 8 new features and challenges. Closing Metro apps. Synchronization with a Microsoft account

Windows 8.1 is an operating system developed by Microsoft. The company introduced many new changes to it, and many people found the operating system difficult to use. Windows 8.1 is very similar to Windows 8.

The company has released many versions of the Windows OS over the years. The most popular ones are Windows 7 (released in 2009), Windows Vista (2006) and Windows XP (2001). Read about the types of operating systems in. The versions of Windows listed are for desktops and laptops only. And Windows 8 is also designed for tablets, . Therefore, the interface of the eighth version is simplified and can work with touch screens.

The operating system manages all the hardware and software in a computer. To understand more about operating systems, study the lessons: and in the section

How is Windows 8 different from previous versions?

There are many new features and changes in Windows 8. These are mainly a redesigned interface, networking capabilities, and improved security.

Interface changes

The first thing you'll notice about Windows 8 is that it's completely different from its predecessors. The completely new interface includes new features such as the start start screen(Start Screen), live tiles(Live Tiles) active corners(Hot corners).

Other Features of Windows 8


How to work in Windows 8?

It can take time to get used to Windows 8. And remember that Microsoft is the undisputed leader among OS manufacturers. And the new version in the Windows line is designed to make your work at the computer more convenient and easier.

For example, in previous versions of Windows, we used to work through the Start button. Windows 8 uses start screen, instead of the start button. But you can still use your familiar desktop to work with files and folders, and open programs. You can also use the Internet without leaving the start screen.

Most people will use both the Start screen and the desktop, depending on their tasks. However, if you use your computer primarily for web browsing, you may end up spending almost all of your time on the start screen.

Should I upgrade to Windows 8?

As you understand, Windows 8 is very different from previous versions. This is not just a new version with new features, in many ways it is completely different operating system. Is it worth upgrading? The choice is always yours. The next lesson will have a lot more useful information that you should know before upgrading or installing Windows 8.

Differences between Windows 8 and Windows 8.1

In 2012, when Windows 8 was released, many users complained that Windows 8 was confusing and difficult to use, especially when compared to older versions of Windows. Then, some time later, the Windows 8.1 update came along which includes a number of improvements and features that solved many problems with Windows 8. Below are some of the changes in WIndows 8.1:

Start Button: Windows 8 removed the Start button on the desktop. Many users complained about the missing Start button and in Windows 8.1 brought it back to the desktop. Clicking on the button will launch the start screen, which can be used for many tasks.

in Windows 8, after loading the operating system, the start screen was launched. Windows 8.1 has the ability to boot directly to your desktop, just like previous versions of Windows. This is especially useful if you are not interested in using the start screen, or use it very infrequently.

Programs and applications: On the Windows 8 start screen, there is no way to open and view more than two applications at the same time. Windows 8.1 fixes this shortcoming and allows you to open and view multiple applications at the same time. Desktop programs work the same as in previous versions.

If you have Windows 8 installed, then you definitely need to switch to. Your system may update automatically, but you can also update manually. To update manually, open the app Windows Store from the start screen, then select Windows Update.

They stood on our computers for about 4 months and we managed to get to know the new brainchild from Microsoft. At the moment, the RTM version is available, which can be considered final, and which is positioned as a version for developers. But we will still focus on the Release Preview, since the RTM version does not contain Russian (there are about 8 languages, but Microsoft apparently has a high opinion of Russian developers, and believes that there are no language barriers for them :). The first thing the user sees when the system starts up is the Start menu of the Metro interface. Regardless of which of the two interfaces you choose to use, the first thing you'll see is the Metro-style shell.

Switching to normal mode, the user will immediately find that the old Start menu is no longer there. Not even the Start button that we've been contemplating in Windows for over 16 years. Instead of the Start menu, it's now the Metro main screen. Opening it, we see that it does not have the usual access to system utilities and standard programs, such as Pain, Notepad and Calculator. And this is beginning to alarm: how are we going to run all these applications now? However, not everything is as bad as it seems at first glance. Indeed, without an analogue of the Start menu, working in Windows will be very difficult and unusual, and there is actually such an analogue in Windows 8. But the fact is that the start menu is not only the first screen that we see when the system boots! The old Start menu appeared in Windows 8 as a pair of Merto screens: Start + All Apps. The names, as we see, have remained the same, but the look and format of the presentation has changed, and you need to get used to it. Watch the video review below.

Rice. 1. Those items in the Start menu that do not have a separate folder and are displayed at the very top of the list have moved to the "Applications" screen in the block with metro programs.

Common Windows 8 interface

There is nothing to get used to, in general, except for the absence of the Start button, to which at first the hand involuntarily reaches out. The Start menu is now opened by clicking in the lower left corner of the desktop. Windows have become angular, with the same angular buttons for closing and minimizing the window. Also, windows are now less transparent. The Aero Shake feature came from Windows 7 unchanged. That is, you can grab a window, and by shaking it in different directions, remove all other windows from the desktop. But the Aero Peek function is no longer available. Let me remind you that in Windows 7, when you hover the cursor in the lower right corner, all windows became transparent, now with this action, a panel with search and settings is pulled out.

The Aero Snap feature has changed significantly. Previously, this function stretched the window vertically by half the screen when dragged to the side edges, and maximized the window to full screen when dragged to the top edge. All this remains, and about its new features, see the second part of the video review.

The task manager has changed, in which processes are now divided into categories, which is very convenient. The old task manager can also be found, but there is not much point in using it - the new one is better. File Explorer now has a ribbon toolbar that was previously only found in Office and Paint. Now the main file operations are presented in this panel. Shutting down and restarting the computer is done through the sidebar in the "Settings" item.

Programs for Windows 8

Many software developers are already adding support for Windows 8 to their products. Apparently, by the time the final release of the system is released, most of the software on the market will be optimized for the new OS. Although even without official support for the new system, many programs work quite stably - they simply do not notice that they are installed in Windows 8 :).

Since the release of test builds, systems have begun to appear, which are designed to change the interface of Windows 8 and, in particular, to bring it to a more familiar look that was in Windows 7. There are several applications that restore the old Start menu. You can also find utilities that display special tiles for shutting down the computer on the Start screen (after all, now the options for shutting down and restarting the machine are hidden a little deeper).

If you still decide to try the new system from Microsoft on your desktop computer, then below you can see detailed installation instructions.


Rice. 2. Since the installation package contains only Russian, you don't have to choose anything. Just click next.


Rice. 3. The product key for Windows 8 Release Preview is: TK8TP-9JN6P-7X7WW-RFFTV-B7QPF. Enter and click next.


Rice. 4. Accept the license agreement and click Next.


Rice. 5. Type "Update" is designed to install the system instead of the existing one. If you select this type, then some system and personal data will be saved and transferred to the new system. If you need to select exact parameters, such as a hard disk partition, then select the "Custom" type.


Rice. 6. Select the desired partition of the hard disk. Under "Disk Setup" there is an option to format the partition.


Rice. 7. We are waiting for all the files to be copied, after which the system will be rebooted. A window will appear saying "System preparation in progress" and after some time there will be another reboot.


Rice. 8. Choose a color for the future Metro-style interface and a computer name. The color and background of the Metro interface can also be changed after installation.


Rice. 9. If you press the "Configure" button, you will see three more screens with settings, which are presented below.







Rice. 10, 11, 12. Setting up system security settings, sending data to Microsft and solving problems on the Internet.


Rice. 13. If you don't have a Microsoft account, you can click the "Sign in without a Microsoft account" link and then create a standard Windows user. However, keep in mind that a Microsoft account may be needed later when installing Metro-style apps from the Store, but it can be registered after the installation of the system.


Rice. 14. Click the "Local Account" button to create a new user in Windows.


Rice. 15. Enter the username to create a new account in Windows.


Rice. 16. System installation is complete.

Until now, the most talked about aspect of Windows 8 has been the Metro interface. Designed for touchscreens and tablets, and built to use HTML5 and CSS3, Metro is connected to Internet apps like SkyDrive and Flickr.

As with Windows Phone 7, you can use gestures to navigate panels that present live information from the web (such as stock tickers and news) just like you would in more traditional apps.

But Pund-IT analyst Charles King questioned whether businesses would really see value in Metro, saying it was just a new graphical skin for the existing Windows interface.

“Metro is also an additional interface that employees need to learn and get used to,” he says. “In the current economic climate, businesses will see this as more of an inconvenience than an advantage.”

Some features in Windows 8 have clear business value, according to King and other analysts. After spending a few months studying the Windows 8 Developer Preview, I identified 13 features and discussed them with experts, trying to figure out which, if any, would be a plus for the new OS.

fast loading

No extra words or fanfare. In my tests, the preview build of Windows 8 loaded in 6 seconds, which is an absolute record for my Digital Storm ODE desktop. For comparison, booting Windows 7 on the same machine took about 90 seconds.

It is possible that such a fast loading is due to a stripped-down build of Windows 8 Developer Preview, which does not have all the beauty of a full-fledged OS. But Microsoft has promised to significantly reduce boot times in Windows 8, so seeing the Windows logo on boot screens may be a thing of the past.

Booting and restoring Windows 7 from hibernation is already fast, according to Gartner analyst Michael Silver, but even faster boot times would still be a plus.

This will especially appeal to those who often restart their computer (for example, after installing applications), or laptop owners who have to constantly turn off their device (to conserve battery) and then boot up again.

Verdict: If such speeds come to the release version of Windows 8, then everyone will benefit.

Reset and update

Several recent releases of Windows have included the ability to revert the OS to its original state. Windows 8, on the other hand, introduces quick step-by-step methods for Resetting the operating system (returning to the original installation, losing all data and applications) and Refreshing it (returning to default settings for faster and more reliable operation, but retaining all data and applications).

Reset

If home users have both features at their disposal, then the business can configure their computer policies so that users can perform the Update themselves, while they need an administrator to Reset.

Reinstalling the OS and returning the computer to its original state in Windows 8 is easier than ever.

Update

“A reset will allow administrators to quickly return computers to their factory state, while deleting all user data along the way. It would be handy if you need to reconfigure and restore the system. The update allows users to quickly restore a damaged PC without deleting or corrupting any of their data or settings. It's easy to imagine a plethora of scenarios where businesses could benefit from this,” said Charles King, an analyst at Pund-IT.

Verdict: These simple features will help end users solve computer problems themselves, which is a boon for them and for administrators.

Windows to Go

Many people often use several computers in their work. And it's often difficult to duplicate everything that's on those computers—including the applications and settings you use every day.

Clouds allow you to store data or use applications on the Web, but some organizations are understandably hesitant to store all of their data on the Internet. Also, cloud services won't help if your accounting software is installed locally.

The Windows to Go feature should help solve this problem. The idea behind this feature is that an IT administrator can download a local custom installation of Windows (including applications and everything else) onto a flash drive. Then the user can connect it to any other computer and get a duplicate of his working environment.

However, Windows to Go is not for everyone. This feature will be a Windows Server 8 option, not consumer Windows 8.

“Organizations increasingly want user data and settings and applications to be more portable. In addition to increased productivity among those who travel without a PC, the Windows to Go capability should also help with future Windows migrations and with every new PC purchase,” said Gartner analyst Michael Silver.

King sees another use for this possibility. “Windows to Go will make life easier for workers in a large number of firms who don't have separate rooms or workspaces. Users could plug their Windows to Go USB sticks into any PC and get to work.”

He also notes that Windows to Go could be used by mobile workers or contract workers with limited access to company networks. “VMware has been offering a similar product called VMware ACE since 2007, so Microsoft entered the scene just in time,” says King.

Verdict: Mobile workers and the IT staff who support them will find Windows to Go very convenient.

Windows Store

The Windows Store, integrated into Windows 8, will resemble Apple's App Store, making it easier to find, purchase, and install apps for the OS.

Microsoft already has a Windows Phone Marketplace that offers mobile apps for Windows Phone 7. The upside of this store is that many apps and games offer their free trials there.

The Windows Store was not included in the Windows 8 Developer Preview, so I didn't have a chance to look at it. Microsoft is due to launch the Windows Store in February, along with the release of the Windows 8 Consumer Preview.

In the meantime, the company has shared information on its work. As with the Windows Phone Marketplace, apps will need to be certified by Microsoft in order for apps to appear in the store. Developers will also be able to offer trial versions of their programs.

“Microsoft will run the store and, in theory, all apps will be secure,” says Silver. Licensing will be per user, he adds, and once a licensed user can download and install the same application on multiple PCs. “This, however, may have as yet undiscussed implications for companies,” he notes.

The key to the success of the Windows Store will be whether companies in various industries decide to support it, King said. So, for example, software developers will have to agree to restrictions, and the business world will have to decide whether to allow their employees to download applications from the store; setting policies on how employees can use the store will be a big help here.

Verdict: The convenience and security of Microsoft's app store with free trials and per-user licensing is great for casual users, but businesses will need to be careful and establish clear store usage policies.

Ribbon Interface

A few years ago, Microsoft shocked the world with a brand new interface for its popular office suite, Office 2007, which replaced the familiar menu and toolbar system.

The interface was named Ribbon. It groups features and tools into separate sections. This controversial change infuriated many longtime Office users, while others, once they got used to the new interface, found it more efficient to use.

Ribbon is now coming to Windows 8. You'll see it in Windows Explorer where it provides an easy way to view file attributes and sort them. That being said, if you don't like the new interface, you can disable it with just one click.


“Right now, Microsoft can call the Ribbon interface a success,” says Silver. “Most average users will find that Ribbon helps them with their tasks that previously caused them uncertainty. Experienced users will find that much of the knowledge they have for file manipulation and the like. will work".

But King still doubts. “Some businesses believe that productivity suffers from having to learn new commands and processes in Windows 7 and Office 2010,” he says. "This capability could actually deter businesses from migrating to Windows 8."

Verdict: Overall, for home users and some business users, Ribbon is a plus - especially since it can be easily disabled.

Windows 8 is an operating system developed by Microsoft. It became available to users on October 26, 2012, when it went on sale. It should be said that over the past time it has become the second most popular OS in the world, as it was preinstalled on most new devices when they were sold. Statistics show that 21.3 users have chosen Windows 8 to work on their device. In just an incomplete year of sales, 100 million copies were sold. Now, this number has increased significantly.

Development history

It should be said that the first information about the start of work on the new operating system began to appear as early as April 2009 - this was even before the release of its predecessor - the seven. Then Microsoft posted an open announcement inviting programmers and testers to become participants in the creation of Windows 8. During this period, one could hear about the code name Midori, but there were other options (Mojave, Orient).

Development was carried out over a very long period of time. At regular intervals of several months, authorized persons gave interviews regarding the general progress of the work. The information was always vague and the details remained a trade secret. Very interesting is the fact that before the first presentation in 2010, there was a leak of materials. They concerned the main features of the OS being developed.

Over the next two years, several major conferences and presentations took place. The final release date was announced as February 29, 2012. During the first days, 4 million copies were sold, and a month later this number exceeded 40 million.

Windows 8.1

It is impossible not to mention the global update of Windows 8.1. It was released on October 17, 2013 and contained a number of important improvements and improvements. The update is absolutely free for all those who use the official version.

System requirements

To install Windows 8 on a device, the following system requirements must be met:

  1. Processor with a clock frequency of 1 GHz (must be supported by PAE, NX and SSE2)
  2. The amount of RAM for a 32-bit system - 1 GB, 64-bit - 2 GB
  3. Free disk space for 32-bit system - 16 GB, 64-bit - 20 GB
  4. A video card that supports DirectX 9 or higher.

It should be said that the system requirements of this version of Windows are lower than for its predecessor, the seven. This is due to the use of new work algorithms and a large list of other advantages.

The most important innovations

About all the improvements and improvements in Windows 8 compared to its predecessors, you can write a very voluminous book. We will not consider this issue in detail and simply list the most important elements:

  • Using a Microsoft account. The parameters are being synchronized. Live ID is used to enter, which greatly simplifies online interaction.
  • Windows Store app store. Here you can buy a fairly large number of a wide variety of programs. It should be said that initially the owners of Steam were afraid for the future of their store, after reports of an analogue from Microsoft. Now such fears seem unfounded.
  • Using new approaches for user authentication - a special picture with a password or a 4-character code. For touch devices, it is possible to use biometric systems.
  • Completely redesigned task manager. Now it's much easier and more convenient to see what your computer's resources are spent on. Particularly noteworthy is the control over running programs.
  • Improved conductor. Now it works more efficiently and is able to prevent most of the conflicts that can arise during the transfer of files.
  • Improved System Restore. For example, now it is allowed to return the OS to its original settings - that is, to transfer to its original state. Reset provides a deeper impact - the computer returns to the factory state.
  • The fastest loading of the operating system. This is achieved by using UEFI instead of BIOS. This is a bold approach, he was able to prove himself just fine. The main factor is to check the stability of key elements of the OS.
  • Hyper-V based virtualization system. This innovation is more focused on a professional audience. Some problem is the fact that the SLAT function is required for successful operation, and not all processors provide its support.
  • Improved search. Now it starts already in the course of typing, which greatly speeds up the discovery of the necessary elements. A similar system has already been used before, but here it is further refined.
  • Control Panel. It will allow you to more quickly and efficiently perform the installation of various system parameters. This makes the setup process easier and more user-friendly.

New Metro interface

Such a moment should be singled out separately, since it is of high importance. The system uses a fundamentally new interface, which provides for a departure from the standard design. It is expected to appear immediately after the device is started. The functionality of the interface gives a lot of similarities with the desktop. It is supposed to be developed directly for touch screen devices. Despite this, you can operate quite comfortably on conventional devices.

Designers took into account user requests and you can always return to the classic scheme, which has undergone minimal modifications. In general, Windows 8 took a lot from the 7th version and "relies" on it in most areas. This is the right approach, since the seven is considered the most popular OS in the world.

Criticism of Windows 8

If you read the opinions about this operating system, you can see quite a lot of negative reviews associated with the use of the Metro interface. As mentioned earlier, it is a departure from the traditional approach to the design of Windows. Such a serious change could not but cause a similar reaction. Either way, it will take some time to get used to. Within a few weeks, it will not be difficult to adjust to the new interface.

Speaking of criticism of Windows 8, we can note the following similar complaints:

  • Replacing one Start button with a whole screen. This has been covered before and is a feature of the Metro interface.
  • The taskbar has been removed and it will be useful for users of mobile devices and tablets, but not laptops or computers.
  • Pop-up panels and menus. A similar decision is taken from the web, but even there it has always been controversial. As a result, it is required to devote much more time to simple actions than they deserve.

The system had other shortcomings, but at the moment they are eliminated.

Editions of Windows 8

The developer offered five editions of this operating system. They differ in their functionality, as well as their cost. It is necessary to consider in more detail each and available options and list their key features.

Windows RT

The simplest version, which is used on devices with ARM architecture. Apps can only be installed from the Microsoft Store. This introduces serious limitations and does not allow efficient use of the system's capabilities. A feature of this edition can be called the fact that it is not sold separately. Despite serious limitations, there is a free Office 2013.

Windows 8 (Basic)

An inexpensive and fairly functional option that allows you to use the main features of this operating system. Well suited for ordinary users whose requests are small. Quite often purchased for home devices - computers and laptops.

Windows 8 Pro (Professional)

Developed specifically for business users. Orientation to the corporate sector provides quite ample opportunities. New features include server functionality, support for file system encryption and group policies, and improved visualization. Quite often, buyers are advanced users who need all the features of the system.

Windows 8 Pro N

It is intended for the European market. Due to the presence of certain features of the antimonopoly legislation, some programs were cut out. An example would be Windows Media Player. In all other respects, there are no differences from the previous edition.

Windows 8 Enterprise

Entirely focused on requests from corporations. This edition is considered the most complete - nothing is cut or limited. Additionally, there are a large number of different possibilities.

Windows 8.1 (formerly known as "Windows Blue") is a comprehensive update to Windows 8. In the new version, Microsoft does not deviate from the Modern UI interface (the correct name for the interface formerly called Metro). Windows 8.1 adds a lot of tweaks to the user interface, along with some new and updated apps, all to help users enjoy the new Windows environment longer.

OS name: Microsoft Windows 8.1
Official site: www.microsoft.com
Developer:
Interface language: Russian, English, etc.
Treatment: Required.
System requirements: ()
Processor: 1 GHz or higher with PAE, NX and SSE2 support
RAM: 1 GB (for 32-bit system) or 2 GB (for 64-bit system)
Free hard disk space: 16 GB (for 32-bit system) or 20 GB (for 64-bit system)
Graphics: Microsoft DirectX 9 with WDDM driver
Screen resolution min: 1024 x 768 pixels
Internet access (fees may apply)
Some features require a Microsoft account

The official way to download the original Windows 8.1 ISO image for free from the Microsoft website.

Where to download the original image of Windows 8.1 for free?


For owners of genuine Windows 7, 8, 8.1 and 10.
Many users are wondering - Where to download the original image of Windows 8.1 for free?
On the Internet on many sites you can find Pirated builds of Windows, which have a changed theme, disabled, removed or changed features, images built into the system, signatures of assembly authors, pre-installed programs and other applications that the user will not need.

How to download the original image of Windows 8.1 for free

Attention! Our instruction (read below) was released at a time when it was possible to download the Windows 8.1 image from the Microsoft website only in this way, namely “Downloading the tool”. Now it's even easier, you don't need to download anything first, just select the edition we need and download it to your computer!

  • First, you need to go to the Microsoft website, to the Window 8.1 download software download page and click "Download Tool" (Fig. 1).
Fig.1
  • A file will be downloaded to your computer (Fig. 2) Media Creation Tool is a proprietary utility from Microsoft Corporation that allows you to create boot images of the Windows 8.1 operating system directly from the company's server.

Fig.2

This program has made it much easier to get the version of Windows you need, without requiring complex settings and providing the ability to choose the desired architecture.


Fig.3
  • After launching the utility, select the OS language (Fig.3), edition type (home, Pro, etc.) (Fig.4) and architecture (32-bit or 64-bit) (Fig.5).

Fig.4
Fig.5
  • Further, when we decided on the choice of the operating system, in this case we chose, the language is Russian, the bit depth is X-64. (Fig.6)

Fig.6
  • We select the location on the computer where we save the image of the operating system. If you have a USB flash drive inserted, you can immediately write to it (Fig. 7). If you select USB flash drive, a bootable USB flash drive will be created without a preliminary ISO image. A bootable USB flash drive prepared in this way can be used at any time, on any computer, to update or.

Fig.7
  • To write an image to dvd disc, or just save the original image of Windows 8.1 on the computer, select item 2 - ISO file(Fig.8)

Fig.8
  • Choose where we want to save the ISO image (Fig. 9)

Fig.9
  • Click "Save", then the original image of Windows 8.1 will be loaded (Fig. 10, 11, 12). It will take some time for the image to fully download from the Microsoft website to your computer, it all depends on your Internet speed. By the way, you can check the speed of the Internet.

Fig.10
Fig.11
Fig.12
  • When the image is completely downloaded, a window will appear (Fig. 13), where you can click "Finish".

Fig.13
  • You can insert a blank DVD into your drive to immediately burn Windows 8.1 to a disc (you need to click " Open DVD Burner”) (Fig.14). Thus, the disc you burn will not differ in any way from the licensed disc bought in the store.
    The only thing you need during the installation process is key product to your version of Windows, and after installation Activation of the system itself.

Fig.14
  • Now that you have original image of Windows 8.1 Professional, burned to disk or made a bootable USB flash drive, and of course the purchased key, plus activation in your name, you can safely install the fresh original Windows 8.1 operating system.

Attention! If you are installing an operating system for the first time, you will need a Windows product key (xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx) that you purchase from the Microsoft website (License Key).

System description:

(formerly known as "Windows Blue") is a comprehensive update for Windows 8. In the new version, Microsoft does not deviate from the Modern UI interface (the correct name for the interface formerly called Metro). Windows 8.1 adds a lot of tweaks to the user interface, along with some new and updated apps, all to help users enjoy the new Windows environment longer.

Additional Information:

Additional Information:
Windows 8.1 brings the familiar desktop with taskbar and Start button, and a stylish new Start screen where you can add your favorite apps, people, and sites to get to them with a single tap.

Plus, you can use the built-in cloud storage to access your photos and files anywhere, anytime, enjoy a convenient full-screen browsing experience with Internet Explorer 11, and an exclusive collection of built-in apps like Photos and Mail. More apps can be downloaded from the Windows Store.

  • What's new:
    Quick Start: We've brought the Start button back to the desktop - tap or click to go to the home screen. If you like, you can switch to the desktop immediately after turning on the computer, or use the same background for both the desktop and the home screen. You can also go to the list of all downloaded applications.
  • Smart search:
    Bing Smart Search searches everywhere at once - across the web, settings, files, and apps on your device - and lets you quickly navigate to results. Play a song, call a friend, open an app or your favorite website. (Not all features are available in some regions.)
  • Get more done:
    Chat while you play, shop while watching a movie, and work to music. Depending on the screen size, you can have up to four apps open at the same time and easily switch between them.
  • Download more apps:
    In the updated Windows Store, you'll find apps built specifically for Windows 8.1 and new recommendations. This update also includes new pre-installed apps such as Reading List and Cooking. Now you can install apps on all your Windows 8.1 tablets and computers.
  • All files at hand:
    Automatically save documents, photos and other files to SkyDrive, and they will be at hand, wherever you are, from any device. They will never be lost, even if something happens to your device.
  • Enjoy Surfing:
    Internet Explorer 11 loads sites faster, allows you to open two sites in full screen mode, place them side by side and view them at the same time. The new browser also notifies you of updates to your favorite sites right on the home screen.
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