Boot Speed – First of all, it must be mentioned that improved boot speed, compared to previous Windows releases, is one of the major improvements.
This is due to the better allocations of resources to apps and to the system. Compared to Windows 7, boot time is even speedier. This improvement is because of hibernation of the system kernel. Every previous shutdown, becomes partial hibernation each and every time, so when system reboot, the memory of your previous sessions gets quickly initialize.
Metro UI – Second must mention is the tiles-based interface, or so called Metro UI. This UI is more suitable with touchscreen screen devices ( tablets and smartphones ) and you have to just tap on the app to start them.
Also there is personalization of the desktop apps, according to your business needs, and also displaying real time information trough desktop apps.
Advanced Search – Search function is also improved, Windows 8 doesn’t have search box at the bottom of the classic start menu.
You just need to type anything and search box will appear and give the desired results. This search is even more capable, it displays all the files and apps that are matched.
Also, you can search within applications, the search pane pops out on the right side of the desktop, and contain the list of all the apps that are engaged with the search. For example, if you looking for some word or phrase, just type it in the search box and click on the app to allow search from within that app.
Windows to go – This is one of the features that is most useful to users. Windows to go feature allows to make a copy of OS windows 8 with complete settings, files and apps, wallpapers, into USB memory flash drive. You can plug USB into another computer with already installed Windows 8, and you can boot up the computer and make look like exactly as OS that you normally use, with all other settings intact.
Advantages of this feature is that, crashed and virus-infected system could be restored with just plugging in the USB memory drive with last settings saved along with your files, apps etc. Another advantage is that, users may simply take back their work from the office with that USB memory drive rather that to copy on laptop, or other methods.
Windows Live syncing – Windows 8 also provide Live syncing. User can logon on any windows 8 computer with “Live ID” and get their own settings on it. Their desktop will look the same when user logon on that computer with Windows Live ID account. Also is possible to easy migrate to a new computer, with all the settings synced back.
BitLocker and AppLocker – Users today often use mobile computers, and take confidential files with them. BitLocker in Windows 8 makes simple provision of encrypted devices on variety of computer vendors and storage technologies. This feature include new type, called Encrypted Hard drive. In a computer, equipped with this feature, BitLocker offloads the encryption to the processor in the encrypted Hard drive. This encrypts the drive and improves overall performance of the system by decreasing the demand of computer’s processing power. This feature is possible if hardware vendor support Trusted Platform Module.
AppLocker feature gives complete control over desktop and Windows Store apps that user can run. AppLocker rules apply to the app installer and files that are included with the app. Enough is to create only publisher rule, and a single AppLocker rule can contain collections of rules for desktop apps. Another useful use of AppLocker is to reduce the risk of malware, by running only approved apps.
Source : technologyvista.in