Build: First details about Windows 8

Build: First details about Windows 8
On the occasion of today in Anaheim, California beginning developers conference build  for the first time Microsoft has a somewhat more detailed look at the new grants that will come with the next version of Windows.

The most obvious change is a new start screen, its optics  is strongly reminiscent of the Metro-interface of Windows Mobile 7, or the Xbox: It consists of a variety of so-called tiles, which are used on the one hand, to launch specially for Metro programmed Apps .Second, they also provide live information, an e-mail program may, for example, directly indicate the number of messages received, a weather app, the current forecast and so on. The classic Windows desktop is hidden behind one of the tiles - to start it directly, bypassing the metro-surface is not provided. The Metro Home screen takes over completely the role of the familiar Windows Start Menu: The Windows key on the keyboard, it opens just like a newly added button on the desktop, that takes the place of the former start button. Besides Metro, the home screen apps include tiles for traditional Windows applications running on the desktop.

The Metro-surface is optimized to be operated by a multi-touch.You should, however, can also be controlled entirely by mouse, keyboard or pen input. One uses it with his fingers on the screen, she knows the usual gestures of smartphones, including the roles and zooming of the screen. A wipe of the right opens into the screen, the so-called charms, which include the search (not only files but also on the settings, apps, contacts and much more), a metrofizierte Control Panel and a link back are on the home screen. A mop of links means "Back" and lists the most recently used app. Apps within a wipe is from above or from below to open an application-specific menu.

Metro-apps do not have windows - they are always in full screen mode. The only way to simultaneously have two Apps in mind is to use the previously used half to pull out the history and to drop next to the current. In this mode, an application is a choice of left or right quarter of screen space, the other the rest drag and drop between applications is not intended: to communicate with each other apps can invoke so-called Contracts and implement. In this way can call about the gallery apps to select an image or the People app for controlling a contact. Although it appears on the screen usually just an app, multiple applications can run in the background, if they meet the designated contract - normally inactive apps into a sleep mode, so they do not consume CPU time and therefore no electricity, but still can be started quickly.

According to Microsoft's desire to Metro-apps do not contain explicit instructions for storing data, but take the information back up by itself - ideally in the cloud. These apps can connect to your Windows Live account and also take advantage of the current user's SkyDrive. Where a user to access a new PC, it must, ideally, only enter their Windows Live ID, and has all the personal settings, data and relationships in social networks, available immediately.

For developers who want to program the Metro-apps, Windows is a new API called WinRT available that covers the functional blocks and data communications, graphics and media, and printing devices. Benefits can be this API in two ways: First, you can write down the graphical layout of apps in the description language XAML and program the desired functions available in C / C + + or in a NET language like C # or Visual Basic.. The second framework is based on HTML 5, here is programmed in JavaScript. Frameworks for both Microsoft's Visual Studio is in the upcoming version 11 of the right developer and testing tools. Also the next version of the graphic design program, Expression Blend will be at home in both worlds.

Microsoft had already announced that Windows 8 not only on x86-/x64-Hardware, but will also run on ARM processors . An emulation mode to run, the classic desktop applications on ARM CPUs can be, it will not. Thus, the ARM-compatibility is related primarily to newly developed metro Apps. . HTML5/JavaScript programmed them in, or with a NET language, it should run without modification on all hardware platforms, C / C + + programs must be recompiled for each architecture.

Microsoft plans to give developers the ability to market metro apps to a store similar to Apple's App Store or the Marketplace from Windows Mobile. Details about the amount of commissions or whether there will be next to the store are other ways to install apps Metro, but are not yet known. In a distributed on the BUILD developer preview of Windows 8 is "coming soon", the Market Access only from a single screen with the content.

In addition to the Metro-Windows interface is not included several other innovations 8. By some as support for USB 3.0 devices, the virtualization solution, Hyper-V , an acceleration of the boot process or a new ribbon interface for the Windows Explorer was already in the "Building Windows 8 "blog. Another desktop program that has experienced a significant appreciation, the Task Manager process list is considerably more its details of running applications than previously known, it should also be with him also possible to manage the Windows autorun.

With Windows 8, Microsoft will of necessity, the operating system problems reinstalling to announce the fight: If you hold on a Windows-8 computer is booted up the Windows key, you get into a new range of advanced options, among other the entry "PC refresh" contains. This function protects all personal data of the established user accounts, install new windows from specific images on the hard disk and then plays back the user data. This is expanded in the reset function: it enables the complete computer directly into the state back to the Windows installation. This option has wished for, according to Microsoft, especially corporate customers, where system administrators are often busy preparing computers for the handover to a new employee.

Windows 8 will have to install on a USB stick. With this "Windows to go" above function can put his complete work environment in your pocket and run on any PC. A loaded in this way Windows will it survive even if the stick during operation inadvertently withdrawn.Upon request, can encrypt a Windows-to-go installation with Bitlocker.

Microsoft has become the pre-release version of Windows 8 released for download: