Microsoft Windows 8.1
Prepared By: Kamaluddin Khilji
What is Software
• Computer software, or simply software is any set of machinereadable instructions that directs a computer's processor to
perform specific operations. Computer software contrasts with
computer hardware, which is the physical component of
computers.
What is System Software
• System software is a type of computer program that is designed
to run a computer's hardware and application programs. If we
think of the computer system as a layered model, the system
software is the interface between the hardware and user
applications.
Some Examples:
• 1) Microsoft Windows
2) Linux
3) Unix
4) Mac OSX
5) DOS
6) BIOS Software
7) Data Recovery Software’s
8) Device Driver Software i.e Graphics Driver etc
History of Windows
MS-DOS
(1975–1981)
• In June 1980, Gates and Allen hire Gates’
former Harvard classmate Steve Ballmer to
help run the company. The next month,
IBM approaches Microsoft about a project
code-named "Chess." In response, Microsoft
focuses on a new operating system—the
software that manages, or runs, the
computer hardware and also serves to
bridge the gap between the computer
hardware and programs, such as a word
processor. It’s the foundation on which
computer programs can run. They name
their new operating system "MS-DOS."
History of Windows
(Cont)
1982–1985: Introducing Windows 1.0
1987–1990: Windows 2.0–2.11—More windows, more speed
1990–1994: Windows 3.0–Windows NT—Getting the graphics
1995–1998: Windows 95—the PC comes of age (and don't forget
the Internet)
• 1998–2000: Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows Me—Windows
evolves for work and play
•
•
•
•
• 2001–2005: Windows XP—Stable, usable, and fast
• 2006–2008: Windows Vista—Smart on security
• 2009: Windows 7 introduces Windows Touch
History of Windows
(Cont)
2012: Windows 8 features apps and tiles
• Windows 8 is a reimagined operating system, from the
chipset to the user experience, and introduces a totally new
interface that works smoothly for both touch and mouse and
keyboard. It functions as both a tablet for entertainment
and a full-featured PC for getting things done. Windows 8
also includes enhancements of the familiar Windows
desktop, with a new taskbar and streamlined file
management.
• Windows 8 features a Start screen with tiles that connect to
people, files, apps, and websites. Apps are front and center,
with access to a new place to get apps—the Windows Store—
built right in to the Start screen.
• Along with Windows 8, Microsoft also launches Windows RT,
which runs on some tablets and PCs. Windows RT is designed
for sleek devices and long battery life, and exclusively runs
apps from the Windows Store. It also comes with a built-in
version of Office that's optimized for touchscreens.
History of Windows
(Cont)
2013: Windows 8.1 expands the Windows 8 vision
• Windows 8.1 advances the Windows 8 vision of providing a powerful
collection of apps and cloud connectivity on great devices; it’s everything
people loved about Windows 8, plus some enhancements.
• Windows 8.1 combines Microsoft's vision of innovation with customer
feedback on Windows 8 to provide many improvements and new features:
more Start screen personalization options that sync across all devices, the
option to boot directly to the desktop, Bing Smart Search so you can find
what you're looking for across the PC or the web, a Start button to
navigate between the desktop and Start Screen, and more flexible options
for viewing multiple applications at once on one or all screens. There are
also several new built-in apps such as Bing Food & Drink, Bing Health &
Fitness, and great utility apps like Reading List, Calculator, and Alarms.
Many of the great apps shipped in Windows 8 are back and even better,
making your experience more enjoyable right from the start.
• In addition to these user experience changes, Windows 8.1 includes new
and improved features like Workplace Join and Work Folders that enable
Windows devices to connect more easily to corporate resources.
New Features in Windows 8.1
1. Speedy Boot Time
• The load and boot up speed has improved significantly over Windows’
predecessors. This is partly due to the better resource allocations to
applications and the system. When compared to Windows 7 desktop CPU,
Windows 8 has an even speedier boot time.
2. Innovative & Dynamic Desktop
• The tiles-based interface, or the Metro UI, will be the first thing you see upon
logging in to Windows 8. At first glance, the UI seems to go intuitively with
touchscreen devices like tablets and smartphones. Indeed, in such devices,
you tap on those apps to open them. The grid layout seems to facilitate such
interactions. Needless to say, you can customize your grid by adding and
arranging applications.
New Features in Windows 8.1
(Cont)
3. Improved Search Function
• 8 has no search box at the bottom of the Start menu. Heck, it doesn’t even have the
trademark Start menu! That doesn’t mean that there’s no convenient search function
available. All you need to do is to type anything, and a search box will appear from
the right and give you the results. The search capability is even stronger this time,
displaying all the matching apps and files instantaneously.
4. Windows To Go
• Of the entire list here, this is one feature that offers the most convenience to users.
Windows To Go allows users to make a copy of their OS complete with their settings,
wallpapers, files and even apps, into a USB thumb drive. Plugged it into another
computer with Windows 8 already installed, and you can boot up the PC and make it
look exactly alike the OS you normally use, with all settings intact.
New Features in Windows 8.1
(Cont)
5. Windows Live Syncing
• Similar to Windows To Go, the new Windows 8 will provide
Windows Live syncing, such that users can login on any Windows 8
PC with ‘Live ID’ and get back their own personalized settings on
it. The desktop will look the same every time the user login on a
PC with their Windows Live account. Migrating to a new PC is
probably made easier when the user has all the essential settings
synced.
New Features in Windows 8.1
(Cont)