Microsoft issues critical security update for Windows
Microsoft has issues a critical security update for all versions of Windows to patch a vulnerability that could give hackers complete access to your PC Reuters

Microsoft Corp. launched the first version of the now hugely popular Windows operating system (Windows 1.0) more than two decades ago. The current version of their software (Windows 7) was launched in 2009.

Today, the rumour mills are abuzz with news that its latest version (Windows 8), which has yet to be officially released. Microsoft has announced it will unveil the Windows 8 Consumer Preview - a test version - at the 2012 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain. The event is scheduled to start on Feb. 29.

Microsoft, on June 1, at the D9 Conference, demonstrated the operating system for the first time. According to the company's claims, it has re-imagined some of the software's features.

Finally, it has claimed that Windows 8 will be equally suitable for desktops, laptops and slates, according to a post in itvoir.com.

Check Out a Few Aspects of Microsoft's Newest Operating System...

- The new Windows 8 has replaced the Start menu with fast-launching apps from a tile-based Start screen, along with a customizable and scalable full-screen view of the same

- Windows 8 has live tiles with notifications that always show updated information from your apps

- The running apps in Windows 8 are said to switch between the other smoothly and fluidly

- The new version of Windows has the ability to snap and resize an app to the side of the screen, which makes it easier to multitask

- The Web-connected and Web-powered apps built using HTML5 and JavaScript have access to the full processing power of the PC

- Windows 8 has fully touch-optimized browsing boosted by the power of the hardware-accelerated Internet Explorer 10

More details here...

Brief Insights into the New Apps...

- Metro Style - The new metro style interface introduced in Windows 8 has a personalized layout with clean typography and animations to enable fluid and intuitive interaction with the PC. The interface is built for touch. For immediate access, the new start screen puts all apps before a person hence one need not remember the location of the apps. Windows 8 is useful for easier navigation.

- Windows App Store - It is easy to find apps, from new games to productivity tools, in the new app store. One can browse and compare thousands of apps and some apps can be trialed before purchase. Downloaded apps are screened and checked for viruses and ready to be installed once bought.

- Picture Password - In order to provide better security, Microsoft has used a user authentication process that integrates images and gestures. One needs to select an image upon which a gesture can be performed. This can be done through tapping on something in the picture, encircling something or drawing a line between two points in the image.

More details here...

- Multi-tasking - The new multi-tasking capabilities allow a tablet user to drag a second application and pin it to either side of a currently running programme and swap between the two by swiping from the left edge of the screen.

More details here...

- Apps That Travel - A user's Metro style apps and settings will be transferred when he/she signs in with a connected Microsoft account to a system also running Windows 8. In addition, he/she will also be signed in to all the Web sites previously used. The connected account is more like a portable Personal Computer that appears on any Windows 8-based PC being used.

- Secured Boot - Windows 8 is more resistant to low-level attacks due to a verification of boot components that stops malware. If the component isn't correctly signed by Microsoft, Windows will begin remediation and start the Windows Recovery Environment, which will automatically try to fix the operating system, according to the information on the Microsoft Web site.

- Synchronisation with laptops, desktops and tablets - Microsoft claims Windows 8 will be compatible with laptops and tablets, as also for other touch-screen devices, according to itvoir.com. Moreover, the new software has reportedly been designed to work on ARM-based processors, which power most smartphones and tablets.

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