Windows 8

I’m lost. My start globe is missing.

The install screen is a fish with bubbles. No indication of progress. I wait and wait and wait. I press the num-lock key to ensure the computer has not frozen. Not frozen. Hump. I’ll wait some more.

After a couple minutes the the install screen came up. The ensuing install experience is virtually the same as Windows 7.

Start Menu

It’s a new beast. The old one is history.

Task Manager

Much hype has been around the task manager. It’s gotten it’s first makeover. Most will find it easier to read.

Hot Keys

Microsoft has trimmed the fat from Windows. Sometimes in places that need a little fat. For example, the shutdown button is hard to find. Below are hot keys that will help navigate through Windows 8.

• Win + I - Open Desktop Settings (including shutdown)
• Win + W - Show Tablet settings.
• Win + F4 - Kills the application.
• Win + Tab - Cycles through tablet apps
• Alt + Tab - Cycles through all the applications
• Win + E - Opens the explorer window
• Win + D - Hides all open windows

Check out 30 New HotKeys For Windows 8

Conclusion

All in all Windows 8 is a refreshing perspective on the Windows OS. It takes tablet concepts and tastefully melds them into a desktop environment. I am optimistic that Windows 8 will be a good operating system. Overall it’s a refinement of Windows 7. It’s preparing us for the next step: Windows 9. I’m on the edge of my seating in anticipation of Windows 9.

Windows 8 is a faster and smaller version of Windows 7. So much so, that I am not upgrading my hardware. Will Windows 8 have widespread adoption? No, most will stick with Windows 7. I’m saying this now. Windows 7 was the last truly desktop operating system.

Windows 7 is the Windows XP of this decade.