Windows 8: Advantages, Disadvantages, and Implementation Tips

Windows 8, which Microsoft released back in October of 2012, was a bit of new taste for most users as the OS itself looked much different than before with its modern look and feel that focused on touch. With the world moving toward mobile and touch-based technology, Microsoft brought out a whole new user interface to accommodate this shift by integrating touchscreen support along with its Windows Phone inspired tile based layout. The live tiles on the start screen added visual depth to that OS, with real-time updates from apps and services. 

To take advantage of these differences, Windows 8 was designed to provide a single experience across PCs, laptops and tablets by integrating cloud-based services via Microsoft accounts (which were originally connectedxplorers), which allow settings and data synchronization between platforms. That was part of Microsoft’s larger ambition to connect users directly with their own data and software. It was a radical change that broke entirely with previous versions but even down to its design and approach, it mirrored Microsoft's ambition from the start: To literally redesign how we interacted with our devices.

For those considering using the operating system, this is quite important as Windows 8 introduced important changes which might affect productivity and user experience. It was a revolutionary edition of Windows, which presented some unique and advanced features such as the Modern UI, enhancing touch-screen operability — Perfect for those who wanted even more portable experience. But this change also brought some limitations with itself especially for the users who are used to desktops and want their layout similar. 

The strengths and weaknesses of this nonscientific approach help users decide whether or not one of their workflows is synchronous enough with Windows 8 to make a choice about updating on an even quasi-informed basis about the odds that such-and-such metric will improve when upgrading some yes but working no expost. It also helps to understand both the good and bad sides of it, so that you can ultimately realize how Windows has developed in response to user feedbacks in future versions — which means knowing beforehand what features might be too difficult for some users or whatnot.

Windows 8: Advantages, Disadvantages, and Implementation Tips. By this post you will get to know about the windows 8 pros and cons.

Let's get started,

Advantages of Windows 8

1. Improved Performance and Speed

Windows 8 was much faster than its predecessors, due to the operating system being optimized with newer technologies that allowed it boot quickly and be more responsive. By improving resource management, it would be able to multitask more smoothly and consume lesser power efficiently even on lower-end devices. 

This was especially good for users who switched between apps a lot, or even used it on older hardware because the OS felt quicker and snappier everywhere.

2. Modern User Interface (UI)

One of the radical changes introduced with Windows 8 was its bold new design language in the shape of Modern UI, adding live tiles and a cleaner layout. This was tablet and touch screen laptop ready (a new interface) It enabled a natural way for users to interact with their devices and provided an immersive experience, especially on the newer touch-based devices. 

The Modern UI which debuted in Windows 8 was a new and great modern step to push computing towards the way of mobile, though it also have mixed reviewed.

3. Integrated Microsoft Account

Windows 8 allowed users to tie their Microsoft account directly into the OS, allowing usage of services such as OneDrive or Xbox and Outlook. There files, and settings missed syncing across devices so that personal data can be accessed from anywhere. 

This was a big move in the way of cloudy capabilities, as it allowed users to easily keep their Windows experience uniform between any laptop / desktop or tablet.

4. Improved Security Features

Windows 8 continued to center its development around security, with updated tools such as Windows Defender and SmartScreen Filter designed to prevent malware attacks. This is also when the operating system saw its new Secure Boot feature, which prevents unauthorized software from loading during startup. 

These functions have made Windows 8 stronger against cyber attacks and increased the confidence of its customers! The increased security meant that when browsing and running applications — users were in greater security.

5. More Powerful Snap feature for Multitasking

Snap: Split the screen into an Android-style tile; in Windows 8, this is useful for displaying two apps side-by-side. Especially with larger screens fast app switching was really nice because you could see more apps and then manage four by not going in- & out usually when there were multiple programs that needed to be focused. 

Don't worry, though; if you needed the app to be taken up more real estate on your screen for referencing documents in a specific layout or comparing data at-a-glance, just remember that Snap gave you this flexibility. It even helped simplify work processes by permitting clients to cooperate with in excess of one application simultaneously.

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Disadvantages of Windows 8

1. Steep Learning Curve

Traditional Windows users notice the transition from a familiar Start Menu to the new Modern UI was alien. Even just getting between the Desktop and Start screen was more than a bit jarring due to new gestures that users had never interacted with before if they were coming from other versions of Windows. 

A lot of people struggled with the wide changes in the design, individuals who are not well versed with technology. This unfamiliarity often resulted in frustration when users were required to learn their way around everything the product did.

2. Reduced Desktop Functionality

According to the letter, "Windows 8" was largely about Metro -- so Windows lived in a part of that million-mile series gardens so far.Microsoft.au. Users, who were dependent on some desktop functionalities started complaining when a few features got reduced or even removed. 

At first it was missing a Start Menu and heavily focused on apps running in fullscreen, which made the desktop environment less user-friendly. This focus on touch-friendly design made it feel very much like a second-class citizen to the desktop, and was causing productivity issues for those used to windows from earlier versions of Windows.

3. Limited App Compatibility

Since the arrival of a fresh new interface thanks to its Modern UI, Windows 8 put an enormous focus on what used-to-be-known-as-Metro-apps-that-are-incompatible-with-your-traditional-Windows-appliations. The Windows Store covered a good portion of the modern app market, but many popular legacy applications remained unavailable or incompatible with this new context. 

Done in isolation this eventually began to run into issues when some of the (primarily enterprise users who kept using those old solutions for years and still do) relied upon older software that attributed to a fragmented experience between the new app ecosystem, but also particularly infuriated many at how much unnecessary bloat it introduced.

4. Lack of a Start Menu

One of the most derided changes in Windows 8 was its elimination of the time-honored start menu, which disrupted workflow and ease-of-use for many old hands. Those who used it as an ultra-efficient launcher for application and setting packed new Start screen over their experience felt frustrated. 

Microsoft's decision to axe the Start Menu and replace it with live tiles did not sit well with many people who yearning for a return to form of traditional start button design.

5. Tailored for Touch, Not Keyboards or Mice

This decision, along with the move to a touch-first interface in Windows 8, made it slightly harder for people on traditional keyboard and mouse setups. Best-case.exe: being greeted by some of the same touch gestures that, on a non-touch device, felt forced and difficult to use for anything other than basic navigation. 

Basic tasks often took more clicks to achieve, and less features like scroll-state felt polished on desktop. Without a principle of touch, it seemed chauvinistic to even if the OS gave birth for mice & keyboards input.