Windows 8: See What's Different In Microsoft New Operating System (PICTURES)

Windows 8, which was fully unveiled at the Windows Build Conference in Anaheim, California, is here, and it looks much, much different from Windows 7. Sure, it has the start-bar-and-icon "Desktop" look that Windows users are familiar with, but it also has a new, touchscreen-optimized interface called 'Metro,' which looks more like the Windows Phone operating system and which looks like the future of Microsoft Windows from here on out.

The touch-optimized interface was all Stephen Sinofsky, President of Windows, and Julie Larson-Green, Corporate Vice President of Windows, were talking about when they showed off Windows 8 to developers at the conference. (They did not, however, mention when the new OS would be available to users.)

Here are some screenshots of the new Windows 8 from Sinofsky and Larson-Green's presentation, along with explanations of the newest features and interfaces that users can expect on their new tablets and PCs.

Which of these features are you most excited for? Share your thoughts about Windows 8 in the comments, then take a look at our slideshow of the features we're most excited about.

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Comments

[Fionn]

01:14 PM on 09/25/2011

If a computer is shipped with Windows 8 -- that means the UEFI in the BIOS is turned on.

Will there be a way to turn it off at the hardware level?

Otherwise we won't be able to use unsigned software on those computers.

[Pankaj Sharma]

12:47 AM on 09/22/2011

To like it or not - its all about personal choices. By the looks of it I can only comment on the design interface which i liked. Well no one can comment whether its bad or good until someone use it. May be it would be an awesome operating system. Windows mobile users will adapt to it frequently than regular xp, vista or 7 users, because it would cost them a bit of change and time. Sometimes change is good. :)

[princess120news]

11:08 AM on 09/19/2011

This is just annoying. Just when Microsoft has got it right with Windows 7, they screw it all up again. These industries have to realize, not everyone has a Facebook or Twitter account and even if they do, not everyone wants to be connected to it ALL the time. It's just annoying and depressing at times. The only thing I like about all this is the new lock screen and the universal spell check. If this is how Windows 8 is going to be like? I am not going to buy it when it comes out. I'm sticking with Windows 7.

[MrColdheart]

01:31 AM on 09/19/2011

I guess people who have never used a smart phone or tablet will be afraid of the new Windows.

[Robson]

03:53 PM on 09/18/2011

Asking myself.....do I really want to learn another MS operating system that inevitably will have bugs and in the end creates an aggravating second career just to keep it running?

I have an XP Pro and (2) w Vista. The XP system was top of the line Dell 8250 in 2002. 3Ghz P4, 1G high speed ram and bus, and it still does what I want it to do. In the late 80s and through the 90s you really needed to upgrade every two three years to keep on top of changes. For most I don't see it as currently necessary but then I'm getting older and less willing to face change for the sake of change.

Before I upgrade I'd likely go with Apple.

[mherrera]

01:57 PM on 09/18/2011

"Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame, uh, you can't get fooled again."

[WHOGIVESADAMN pluh]

11:49 PM on 09/17/2011

Why, oh why, would I want to be another more than likely botched Windows, when XP Pro is pretty much perfect? Oh, that's right, I don't want to...

[Robert SF]

11:10 PM on 09/17/2011

All that stuff is "entertainment" crap that adds no value whatsoever. Meanwhile, File Explorer gets dumber with every version, and File Search continues to be broken.

[Alexis Elizabeth Drob]

09:33 PM on 09/17/2011

In my own personal opinion, Windows XP Pro was the best OS there ever was or ever will be and I miss it so much. I am now stuck with Windows Vista which is absolutely horrible and not worth the space it takes up. I would never ever reccommend Vista to anyone, I could never be that hateful!!!

[moutonnoir]

01:21 PM on 09/18/2011

move to windows 7. XP is like 10 years old - and while it is still in fairly wide use, the new hardware is better served by a modern 64 bit windows 7 os.

if you dont have or need modern computer hardware, then stick with XP...

[princess120news]

11:26 AM on 09/19/2011

I agree with you. I think Windows Vista is crap and XP is too old. Windows 7 is the best in my opinion.

[Gabe A Davis]

10:27 AM on 09/19/2011

Windows 7 is their best OS. I been using since Windows 3.0 (DOS with Graphics). Yes it looks similar to Vista. but running wise a very good system. Then again I have never really had any problems with thier OS maybe with the exception of WindowsMe. Now THAT one sucked.

[puzzled500]

06:09 PM on 09/17/2011

I am so sick of learning to use new versions that become obsolete in no time flat, and with each new version Microsoft includes more useless crap that's hard to get rid of. This version even looks hideous. I'm not upgrading any time soon.

[pickles n pops]

04:58 PM on 09/18/2011

It looks like Windows Media Center, which looks great, but has never operated as intended on my computer. It would be much better for MS to fix deficiencies in the existing OS. For example, MS made a big deal about providing "fax and scan" in W7, but neglected to permit the user to fax more than one page at a time -- something that was never a problem with XP.

[DomainDiva]

04:47 PM on 09/17/2011

This is a social-network-where-the -heck-is-my data nightmare. I can't even imagine using this junk in a business setting unless it can be customized. Even then it's gonna by ugly. Looks like the zuckerberg crowd took over design and function.

[cjcfleur]

07:35 AM on 09/17/2011

This is where an old baby-boomer throws in the towel and thank God I do not have to move futher into cyber space than my old vista. I am in no hurry, I blog a bit, read the news, read my mail, order some things, watch some reruns, I am happy.

[ProudToBeVeryLiberal]

03:58 PM on 09/17/2011

If you're happy, you really don't need to upgrade to Win 8. But Win 7 will definitely give you a smoother ride. So, here's an idea: wait until Win 8 is released and then upgrade to Win 7 at a super-discounted price. If you know how to use Vista, you will not find 7 hard to learn. It basically works exactly like Vista, only with a few more options (for example: if you like gadgets, now you're free to move them around the desktop and they don't need to stay on the extreme right of the screen.) Plus it will give you massive internal improvements that will be totally transparent to you.

[cittidude2]

09:52 PM on 09/17/2011

Thats right! Let the "I gotta be first!" people beta test.

I never buy 1st edition software.

[sandy burger]

09:45 PM on 09/16/2011

Good god this looks awful. Not that I've heard too many good things about OS X Lion either, but I mean... you can make a fairly safe bet that this will suck just by looking at it.
It's ugly and not at all suitable for a desktop/laptop. Tablets would work I guess, but the interface is still hideous.

[Nero]

05:07 AM on 09/16/2011

Micrsofty continues to release new OSs because it fills their tills. I will stay with my non-crashing Windows 7 load until it proves to be a hindrance.

[thoughtfull1]

12:19 PM on 09/15/2011

Big surprise that " milk-you-soft"....has come up with yet ANOTHER "new and improved" OS , the features of which are USELESS to the vast majority of users ( touch screen stuff) .
Simply their latest "we need another few billion for our stockholders" move, I have little doubt though, that it has been made even more difficult to neuter ( remove/disable invasive and controlling "services" ,programs, etc. ) is even more bloated with crapware, tons more "phone home" garbage etc.

[allwarisbad]

02:28 PM on 09/15/2011

( touch screen stuff) USELESS ?
Are you an Apple enthusiast? Decide :)