Windows 8 - News, Features, and Slideshows

News

• Microsoft makes final, aggressive Windows 10 upgrade push

  Microsoft has begun the final push in its upgrade offensive against consumers and businesses running Windows 7 and Windows 8.1.

• In Pictures: User guide to Windows 10

  If you’re going for an immediate upgrade to Windows 10 from your Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1 computer, this guide will get you up to speed as quickly as possible.

• Windows 8 growth spurt: Better late than never

  Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 now power more personal computers than the still-strong, senior-citizen Windows XP, according to the latest statistics from analytics vendor Net Applications.

• Microsoft understands why enterprises would skip Windows 8 for 10

  Enterprises who are running Windows 7 can upgrade directly to Windows 10 when it gets released in 2015, says Windows infrastructure technical evangelist Jeff Alexander.

• With Windows 10, Will Microsoft Truly Listen to Customers?

  Microsoft launched its "largest-ever open collaborative development effort" at the start of October to try to ensure that Windows 10, its next operating system, is a success.

• Trying Windows 10 Tech Preview? Keep these 7 things in mind

  Microsoft has kicked off the Windows 10 public testing period, but the company wants the fearless enthusiasts willing to participate in the Insider Program to be aware of a number of things before they jump in.

• With Windows 10, a contrite Microsoft will try to atone for Windows 8 mistakes

  Humbled by businesses' dislike for Windows 8, Microsoft has issued a mea culpa, offered the world a first peek at Windows 10 and pledged that the new OS will delight IT executives. But the true test of whether Microsoft can move past its Windows 8 mistakes will come when Windows 10 is commercially released at some point next summer.

• Tasked with promoting Office 365? Microsoft has a website for you

  Aware that the "if you build it, they will come" principle doesn't always apply to newly deployed IT systems, Microsoft has developed a website to help companies promote Office 365 usage among employees.

• With new OS, Microsoft will try to put Windows 8 era behind it

  After spending the past two years in damage control mode over Windows 8, Microsoft will officially begin a new era for its OS on Tuesday, when it's expected to unveil a preview of Windows' next major version during an event focused on enterprise customers.

• Microsoft heads back to the desktop

  Microsoft has flopped on smartphones and tablets. At the same time, its Windows 8.x has continued to be such an abject failure, with a mere <a href="http://www.computerworld.com/article/2600775/windows-pcs-windows-8s-uptake-climbs-but-still-trails-vistas.html">13.4% share of the PC market</a>, that it's trailing even legendary fiasco Vista in market acceptance.

• Sydney Water ramps up mobility

  Sydney Water is boosting its mobility credentials with the rollout of Apple iPads and Windows 8 smartphones across most of its workforce.

• Microsoft Pulls Latest Software Update as It Looks Ahead to Windows 9

  The last time Microsoft pushed out a major update to Windows 8.1, users who didn't install it were punished by having their right to download future security updates blocked. This time users who did download the latest update are being punished by having to uninstall it because of some nasty glitches the company didn't find until it had been available for more than a week.

• In Pictures: 10 amazing features Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 need to share

  These features are too good to leave in Windows 8 or Windows Phone 8 alone. Mr. Nadella, tear down this wall!

• Microsoft previews new devices, promotes Windows in Taipei

  Walk around the halls of Computex, the massive regional trade show taking place in Taipei this week, and you'll quickly realize that Microsoft's business is under attack like never before. In portable and mobile electronics, companies are increasingly choosing Google's Android operating system rather than Windows.

• First Windows Phone 8.1 phone due out this week in Asia

  The first smartphone carrying Windows Phone 8.1 starts shipping this week in Asia, even as Microsoft continues tweaking that latest version of its mobile OS.