Windows 8

Windows 8 is fast approaching, with Microsoft relying on gradual revelations to keep the operating system in contention in an increasingly fragmented world.

With the company pushing Metro as its answer to the Android and iOS experience, and Windows itself in danger of becoming marginalised in a cloudy, mobile future, Windows 8 has to build on Windows 7's success.

A repeat of Vista could be fatal to Microsoft as we know it, but if Windows 8 fulfils its promise, the company will ready to fight back against competitors old and new.

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David Meyer

Microsoft warns Metro developers over API rules

Developers should refrain from using any non-sanctioned APIs in their Windows 8 Metro-style apps,...

18 May, 2012 by David Meyer
David Meyer

Windows 8's NTFS health model to be 'less intrusive'

The corruption-fixing tool in Windows 8 will be a lot less intrusive than in earlier versions of...

11 May, 2012 by David Meyer
David Meyer

Windows 8 skips built-in DVD playback

The version of Windows Media Player that will accompany Windows 8 will not be able to play back...

4 May, 2012 by David Meyer
David Meyer

Microsoft to allow UK-only apps into Windows Store

Developers will soon be able to submit UK-specific apps to Microsoft's Windows Store, the...

20 April, 2012 by David Meyer
Tom Espiner

Microsoft recycles features in Windows 8 Enterprise

Microsoft has announced a partial list of features of Windows 8 Enterprise, with the majority...

19 April, 2012 by Tom Espiner
Simon Bisson and Mary Branscombe

Windows 8 name and editions revealed

In a post on the Windows Blog, Microsoft announced that Windows 8 would be called Windows 8, and...

17 April, 2012 by Simon Bisson and Mary Branscombe
Simon Bisson and Mary Branscombe

Getting to the root of things

I got up the other morning to find that my network wasn't behaving at all well. Somewhere along...

2 April, 2012 by Simon Bisson and Mary Branscombe
Simon Bisson and Mary Branscombe

2002 Ultrabooks & tablets, more memory for Windows 8?

Windows 8 won't run on every XP-era PC; watch out for PAE Looking for a PC in the office that...

23 March, 2012 by Simon Bisson and Mary Branscombe
Jack Clark

Windows 8 applications get a lift from Azure

Microsoft has made the Windows Azure Toolkit for Windows 8 compatible with Windows 8 consumer...

14 March, 2012 by Jack Clark
Simon Bisson and Mary Branscombe

Upgrading the Samsung Series 7 Slate to Windows 8

How to get past the 'oops, upgrade failed' message but still be stumped by rotation. UPDATE:...

8 March, 2012 by Simon Bisson and Mary Branscombe
Jack Schofield

Windows 8 To Go: businesses should start here and now

Today, Microsoft is releasing a Consumer Preview version of Windows 8, but don't be misled by the...

29 February, 2012 by Jack Schofield
Simon Bisson and Mary Branscombe

The Windows 8 logo is a widescreen tablet

New version of Windows, new logo; it's pretty routine. Except for Windows 7 which pretty much...

19 February, 2012 by Simon Bisson and Mary Branscombe
David Meyer

Microsoft scraps MIX due to 'event fatigue'

Microsoft has axed its web developer-focused MIX conference, saying it no longer makes sense to...

25 January, 2012 by David Meyer
Ben Woods

Windows 8 aims to simplify mobile networking

The next version of the Windows operating system will make it far easier for users on the move to...

23 January, 2012 by Ben Woods
David Meyer

Microsoft explains pro Windows 8 setup

Microsoft has outlined how IT professionals will be able to set up Windows 8 using a flash drive,...

23 November, 2011 by David Meyer

Latest in Windows 8

Mozilla accuses Microsoft of shutting Firefox out of WOA

News Mozilla's top lawyer has said that Microsoft threatens to repeat browser history by only allowing Internet Explorer to run on its Windows On ARM operating system Read more

10 May, 2012 by Stephen Shankland 13 comments

Microsoft tees up Windows 8 'Release Preview' for June

News Microsoft has announced that a 'release preview' version of Windows 8 will be available from the first week of June Read more

24 April, 2012 by Steven Musil

Windows 8 to support iPad-style Retina display

News If manufacturers follow suit, Windows 8 tablets and hybrids will sport displays that rival, or exceed, the Retina Display on Apple's new iPad, Microsoft has said Read more

23 March, 2012 by Brooke Crothers 1 comment
Report: Windows 8 set for October launch

Report: Windows 8 set for October launch

News Microsoft will finish the Windows 8 operating system in the summer in time for a launch in October, according to reports Read more

20 March, 2012 by Jay Greene

Microsoft to offer IE10 in Metro and classic varities

News Microsoft has talked up its Metro-style version of Internet Explorer 10 in Windows 8, although people will still be able to use a more traditional desktop version Read more

15 March, 2012 by Lance Whitney

Businesses embrace iPads as Windows 8 waits in wings

News A survey has found iPad adoption in the corporate sector is gathering pace, as Microsoft readies its tablet-friendly Windows 8 operating system Read more

14 March, 2012 by Jay Greene

Microsoft: OnLive's Windows-for-iPad tool breaks rules

News The software giant says OnLive's desktop-as-a-service, which includes virtualised versions of Windows 7 and Office for tablet users, is not properly licensed Read more

9 March, 2012 by David Meyer

Microsoft talks up Windows 8 business features

News Microsoft has given more information on Windows 8 in a keynote speech designed to allay concerns about Windows 7 compatibility and show off some of the operating system's enterprise capabilities Read more

6 March, 2012 by Jack Clark 1 comment
Screenshots: Windows Server 8 Beta

Screenshots: Windows Server 8 Beta

Photo Windows Server 8 can be installed with or without a GUI, uses the Metro look-and-feel, and runs the show from the new Server Manager. Find out more in our screenshot gallery. Read more

5 March, 2012 by Simon Bisson
Windows Server 8 Beta

Windows Server 8 Beta

Preview Private clouds are the main focus of Windows Server 8, which is now available as a public beta. However, there's something in it for everyone from the smallest home office to the largest international company. Read more

5 March, 2012 by Simon Bisson

Qualcomm and Nvidia to hand out WOA test PCs

News The chip makers will provide test PCs running Windows On ARM to select developers so they can fine-tune apps for Windows 8 PCs and tablets Read more

1 March, 2012 by Brooke Crothers

Microsoft takes wraps off Windows 8 consumer preview

News The release is available for download, giving Microsoft a chance to act on feedback before the full Windows 8 launch later this year Read more

29 February, 2012 by David Meyer 1 comment
Windows 8 Consumer Preview

Windows 8 Consumer Preview

Preview The Consumer Preview is a major milestone for Windows 8. Microsoft's fine-tuning makes more sense of its Metro user interface, and the result is something very close to what should be the final release Read more

29 February, 2012 by Simon Bisson 7 comments

HP readies Windows 8 products for year's end

News Chief executive Meg Whitman has revealed that HP has a number of products lined up ready for Windows 8 on x86 Read more

23 February, 2012 by Brooke Crothers 1 comment

SkyDrive to get Metro-style app in Windows 8

News Microsoft's cloud storage service will gain a desktop app with a Metro interface in the forthcoming Windows 8, the software giant has said Read more

21 February, 2012 by Steven Musil 1 comment

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