Microsoft Back? 10 Reasons Why Windows 8 Won't Suck

Despite damaging its reputation after launching two of the worst products computer history with Windows Me and Windows VIsta, then losing a vast number of consumers to Apple, Microsoft’s operating system still commands 75 percent of the market. However, while most of the world is running Windows, the company’s recently failed ventures into the music and mobile markets, combined with billion-dollar loses have dunked the PC giant in boiling hot water. In other words, consider it do or die for Ballmer and co.

It looks as if the Redmond, Wash.-based company is in need of a comback. Last week, Microsoft released a beta preview for its latest OS, Windows 8, which left many in awe with its sleek interface and multi-platform support. Boasting a number of sweet new upgrades, not only is it an essential for all PC users, it could also serve as Android and Apple’s biggest threat once unleashed on the tablet market. Log in to check out the 10 reasons why Windows 8 won't suck.

Windows new application launcher is one of the most vibrant UI's we've ever seen. Its polished architecture eliminates cluttered real estate by organizing programs in a tiled grid format. Just like the Windows Phone 7 OS, tapping a tile instantly launches an app, and you can customize grids by adding or aligning apps in any specific order. Snap states let users dock and run apps right next to each other, or close them by dragging each towards the bottom edge of the screen. Metro also delivers real-time updates for emails, social media profiles, and calendar events without having to delve into the apps that handle those duties.

Targeted towards businessmen and women, Windows To Go allows users to create a copy of Windows 8 and store it on a flash or external hard drive (32GB minimum). Remote workers can now access their corporate terminal from any computer or laptop and stay productive from outside of the office. Business apps, internal data, and settings—it is all available and safe for use.

No matter what Windows version you ran in the past, duplicating and transferring files always seemed like hard labor rather than a simple task. Microsoft has managed to expedite copying speed and build a live update box with copy speed information and the ability to freeze transfers. Copy two files at once and status charts for both will appear on the same window, letting you pause either exchange. It’s even capable of restoring an unfinished copy that was in transit before the computer goes to sleep. Nice. Windows 8 will also have USB 3.0 support.

Windows 8 will attempt to become the poster child for computer security, especially with its new Picture password system—a feature that creates a login key by assigning a picture and applying gestures like a circle, tap, or the drawing of a straight line to it. For instance, if you make Kim Kardashian your profile pic and choose circling her backside three times as a password, follow the exact protocol and you’ll be logged in. Other security upgrades have been enforce, as well, to protect users from viruses, as the OS uses Secure Boot software to load anti-malware during the system boot to block rootkits from being installed. Microsoft's taking no shorts here.

Despite it's maketshare dominance, IE isn't the browser used by those in the know. However, the recent changes implemented in the current version make it a serious contender. Two versions are available: one for the desktops and laptops and a plug-in free Metro app suited for tablets and mobile devices. That means you won’t have to install Adobe Flash or other plug-ins for all portable devices. Speeds are said to be impressively fast, with navigation and commands such as zooming in/out running smooth on the browser. Notice the view has been expanded to fit the entire screen, but Microsoft offers the option to make it smaller if necessary.

Peep Windows new sleek Start menu. Microsoft's eliminated the Start orb in favor of the sidebar feature that’ll be used to configure app and device settings, share content, access the Start screen, and search files. The left side of the screen will display the current time, day, date, battery power, and online connection. Simply point the mouse toward the side or tap the screen on either side to activate the Charms bar.

Word has it that Windows 8 will sport speedier boot times of no longer than eight seconds, thanks to Microsoft’s new kernel hibernation system which will save and load a sleeping file of the previous downtime period rather than start from scratch. Microsoft claims the process is 30 to 40 percent quicker, and won’t consume energy when the system’s turned off. Expect the quick startup mode as a default feature, too.

Microsoft's answer to Apple’s App Store provides users with free software (for now) that can be transfered to other devices like phones running Windows Phone 7. The Windows Store takes on a Metro-inspired design with its clean UI which arranges categories and subsections for quicker navigation and download. Speaking of which, it also offers trail versions of apps. All that’s needed is a Windows Live Messenger or Microsoft ID account to access the online service. Though unavaiable at the moment, we're curious to see how dope its Metro-compatible apps are once the company releases the full version of Windows 8 later this year.

What iCloud is to iOS, SkyDrive is to Windows. The cloud-based service offers remote storage for any Windows 8 and Windows Phone devices, along with automatic syncing and data updates via your SkyDrive.com account. It’ll hold up to 25GB of memory, support other Microsoft outlets (Bing, Hotmail, Windows Live Groups, etc.), and be accessible from any app.

Users hated Window 7’s task manager simply because it was an insignificant update from Windows XP. Though most of the features found on the previous version are still present, a number of upgrades have been incorporated to enhance the user experience on Windows 8 including the ability to monitor the processor, disk, network, and memory usage of each program. There’s a new heat map that informs what programs are consuming the most resources using different color schemes, with darker shades indicating heavy usage. You can also list apps by category for easier guidance. Another sweet present here is the “Restart” option, where you can to use to restart Windows Explorer when it locks up.