REDWOOD CITY, Calif., June 4, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Microsoft has pulled back the curtains on Windows 8 by making the Consumer Preview freely available. According to Microsoft, the new operating system will "change the way you interact with your PC, with improved functionality, speed and performance." The Personal Technology Experts at Support.com (Nasdaq:SPRT), a provider of technology support services and software for consumers and small business, have been testing the preview edition and have identified seven features that deliver on that promise:
1. The new "Metro" User Interface: the "Start" button and desktop shortcuts have been replaced with Windows Phone Metro-style tiles that both launch common applications and display notifications (like received email). You can "pin" any application to the Start screen to create a tile or group common applications into a single tile by dragging them together.
2. New Authentication Methods: there are now four authentication methods, three of which are new: PIN, Windows Live® ID, Picture Password, and the traditional User ID and Password. If you choose a Windows Live ID you have an option to sync your settings between multiple devices running Windows 8. Additionally, with SkyDrive® you can easily share files between all of your devices.
3. Faster Boot Times: Microsoft has introduced a hybrid shutdown and boot process that will take less than 10 seconds for a Windows 8 PC with a SSD (solid-state drive) to go from powered down to the start screen, which is 30% to 70% faster than Windows 7.
4. Refresh and Reset: reinstalling the OS or returning the PC to its original state is easier than ever. Microsoft has introduced an easy-to-use, step-by-step wizard to 'Reset' and 'Refresh' PC configurations. The 'Reset' feature helps users go back to the original state (default install) of their PC, which removes all data and apps while the 'Refresh' feature will restore default settings without losing any data or applications.
5. The Ribbon Interface: previously seen in Microsoft Office® 2007 and 2010 users can now access several file management tasks at once within the browser.
6. The Windows Store: like Android™ Play, Apple® App Store™, and Windows Phone™ Marketplace, Windows 8 will also have an integrated Windows Store for users to download, install, and purchase Microsoft® certified applications.
7. Improved Task Manager: the 'Processes' tab now lists the names of running applications, their status, and stats on CPU, Memory, Disk, and Network usage. Additionally, the newly added 'App History' tab shows total resource usage by each application. The Task Manager has a new integrated search context menu when you right-click, which will help you quickly search for a process/service online.
About Support.com
Support.com, Inc. (Nasdaq:SPRT) provides technology services and software for consumers and small business. The Support.com® Personal Technology Experts provide a quick, cost-effective and stress-free technology support experience over the Internet and the phone using the Company's advanced technology platform. Support.com also offers a wide range of easy-to-use software products that detect and repair common computer problems and optimize performance and security. Support.com offers programs through many of the nation's leading retailers, broadband service providers, software vendors and PC/CE OEMs, and provides software to over a million consumers and small businesses. For more information please visit us at: www.support.com, www.facebook.com/support.com, or http://twitter.com/support_com.
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Copyright © 2012 Support.com, Inc. All rights reserved. Support.com and Personal Technology Experts are trademarks or registered trademarks of Support.com, Inc. in the U.S. and other countries. Microsoft, Windows Live, SkyDrive, Windows Phone, and Microsoft Office are trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and other countries. Android is a trademark or registered trademark of Google, Inc. in the U.S. and other countries. Apple and App Store are trademarks or registered trademarks of Apple, Inc. in the U.S. and other countries. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.