Everything you need to know about Windows 8

New Delhi, Oct 27: Microsoft has launched a radical redesign of its world-dominating Windows operating system, the much awaited Windows 8, in the national capital in 37 languages and 140 worldwide markets. The new OS has introduced a touch-enabled interface that attempts to bridge the gap between personal computers and fast-growing mobile devices powered by the company's fiercest competitors. The company says the Windows 8 is a fluid and fast software that allows users to do multitasking due to its crisp and intuitive user interface and clusters of groups of applications — which can all be accessed simultaneously. The software can be used on machines like — desktop PCs, notebook computers and tablets, including Microsoft's new Surface tablet.The debut of Windows 8 heralded the biggest change to the system since 1995, when the company first offered built-in Internet support. And with so much riding on it, the overhaul could be Microsoft's most important product since co-founder Bill Gates won the contract to build an operating system for IBM Corp.'s first PC in 1981.Windows 8 vs Windows 7a) Windows 8 is a much bigger bet for the company since over a billion people use Windows. The first most visible difference is that the Start button which first appeared in Windows 95 and persisted in each new Windows version, is now gone. Instead, there's a hot bottom-left corner of the screen to reveal the hidden Start button.b) At the same time, the Start menu has also gone making way for a full screen interface called the Start screen that uses dynamic tiles instead of static computer icons. It's accessible as a hotspot in the lower left corner of the screen.c) The Metro-style theme has replaced the Aero Glass theme, the graphical centerpiece of Windows Vista and Windows 7.d) Microsoft has removed its no-so-popular feature called Flip 3D, which is used for windows switching (WinKey+Tab). Instead now users will see a Modern UI app switcher, which can be accessed with the movement of the mouse. e) Popular desktop widgets like Clock, Currency Conversion, Calendar, Feed Headlines, Notes, Stocks, Weather, etc. will not be visible as a part of Windows sidebar. However, users can access them through the Start Screen.f) All Windows-Update-related messages will now be shown on the login and lock screens.g) To view the recent documents use Search in Charms bar to find any documents on your Windows 8 PC.How to upgradeThose who have been using Windows (like a Windows XP or a Windows 7 PC), can easily upgrade to Windows 8. Users can pay Rs 699 upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 8 (for those purchased PC from June 2 onwards this year). Others can opt to go for upgrade by purchasing the software for Rs 1999. Ballmer's view on Windows 8Microsoft chief Steve Ballmer said the new OS brings the best of the PC and the tablet. “"What you have seen and heard should leave no doubt that Windows 8 shatters the perception of what a PC really is... It works perfect for work and play and it is alive with your world," he said. “Over 10,000 applications would be available at launch and that Windows 8 devices would be available at a variety of prices,” he added. Ballmer added he expects more Windows devices to be sold this quarter than Apple or Google products. That is not surprising, given that 90 percent of the PCs sold across the world run on Windows."In the case of Windows 8, seeing, touching, clicking and swiping is really believing," Ballmer said. He also predicted that PCs running on Windows 8 would be hailed as the best machines ever made.Balancing act for MicrosoftThe redesigned operating system represents an attempt to pull off a difficult balancing act as Microsoft maintains its highly profitable heritage in software while trying to get a foothold in the newer, more fertile field of mobile devices.So far, the booming mobile device market has been defined by Apple's trend-setting iPhone and iPad, Google's pervasive Android software and Amazon's Kindle Fire tablets. Tablets have been undercutting the sales of desktop and laptop computers since Apple released its pioneering iPad in 2010.Another version of Windows 8 will be released next week for smartphones, which are overwhelmingly dominated by Apple Inc. and Google Inc.'s Android software.Windows 8 StoresMicrosoft is also opening a Windows 8 store featuring applications built to run on the system. The store is similar to the apps stores of Apple and Google and will include many of the same services.More than a billion PCs currently run on Windows, including 670 million that use Windows 7, the last version of the operating system, released in 2009.But the owners of most existing Windows machines aren't expected to switch to Windows 8 for at least a year, maybe longer. That means most of Windows 8's early usage will come from consumers, businesses and government agencies that buy new devices with Windows 8 already installed.What others are saying"This is the biggest gamble they've ever made," said analyst Richard Doherty of the Envisioneering Group. "Does (Windows 8) do more things? Yes ... but it's not that easy to use."Even when users revert to a desktop mode, the redesign discards the familiar "start" button and menu that Windows has had for 17 years, a change that critics believe will almost certainly provoke howls of protest. But many reviewers applaud Microsoft for greeting users with a mosaic of tiles displaying applications instead of relying on the desktop icons that served as the welcome mat for years.Hours after the Windows launch, Apple CEO Tim Cook called the Surface a "fairly compromised, confusing product" that tries to do too many things."I suppose you could design a car that files and floats, but I don't think it would do all those things very well," Cook said Thursday on a call to discuss the company's latest earnings report.Microsoft Surface tablet with Windows 8Some Windows 8 PCs will be hybrids that look like laptops, but also have detachable display screens containing a separate battery so they can work like tablets, too. Those devices will face direct competition from Microsoft's Surface.On Thursday, Microsoft also spent time touting the Surface as a more versatile and durable alternative to the iPad, still the most popular tablet on the market.At one point, a Microsoft executive dropped the Surface on the stage floor to demonstrate how difficult it is to break. In another gimmick, a different Microsoft executive stood on a Surface with wheels to show it even had the strength of a skateboard.The Surface goes on sale Friday, priced at $499 for a Wi-Fi-only tablet with 32 gigabytes of storage. Apple charges the same price for its latest full-size iPad with half the storage capacity. The price for a separate Microsoft "touch cover" that also serves as an attachable keyboard starts at $120.(With Agency inputs)