8 Features That Could Make Windows 8 Great8 Features That Could Make Windows 8 Great

5. Better Wi-Fi.
Microsoft says it's building technologies into Windows 8 that will get users onto a Wi-Fi network in as little as one second. By contrast, it takes Windows 7 about 12 seconds on average to get users online. Windows 8 accomplishes speedy reconnections in part by more efficiently storing users' preferences for certain networks, security, and speed settings, and feeding that data to connectivity hardware.

When a PC resumes from standby, its Wi-Fi adapter already has all the information it needs to connect to preferred networks.

6. Factory Reset Button.
With the consumerization of IT trend in full swing, Microsoft wants PCs to behave more like electronic appliances like TVs. Such products often feature a factory reset button that can be used if things go haywire--Windows 8 will have that too. Hitting the new Reset button will remove all personal data, apps, and settings from a PC, and will reinstall Windows from scratch. Activating the new Refresh mode also reinstalls Windows, but preserves the user's personal data, most settings, and Metro-style apps.

Both the Reset and Refresh modes rely on Windows Recovery Environment to get users back up and running. But unlike with previous versions, Windows 8 makes the recovery process simple and uniform across all types of systems.

[ How soon will IT shops adopt Microsoft's new operating system? See Windows 8 Upgrade Plans: Exclusive Research. ]

7. Copy Shop.
Windows 8 will feature several new tools designed for easier file management, especially when copying numerous files. A new user interface box gives users a combined view of all concurrently running copy jobs. The box shows which jobs are running, lists the file source and destination for each job, and shows what percentage of each is complete.

Another new tool provides the ability to manage each job separately. Any copy job underway can be paused, resumed, or canceled independently of the others.

8. Runs On XP Hardware.
Perhaps Windows 8's best feature is that it won't require individuals or businesses to run out and buy an expensive new system just to run it. According to Microsoft, Windows 8's relatively light footprint, a byproduct of the fact that it's designed to run on tablets, means that modern PCs that have enough horsepower to run the decade old Windows XP OS should do just fine with Windows 8.

Microsoft has not released official system requirements for the OS, but has said they'll be similar to Windows 7. That means a minimum configuration of a 1-GHz processor, 1 GB of RAM, 16 GB of disk space, and a DirectX 9-compatible graphics unit.

All of these features, and many more that will trickle out before Windows 8 ships as a final product, possibly later this year, have the potential to make the operating system the best version of Windows yet. But the fact that it is so radically different from its predecessors means there's plenty of places where things can go wrong. Windows 8 will only reach its potential if Microsoft executes on the development.

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