Windows 8 setup up to 82 percent faster than 7

Microsoft has published a blog post on Monday about its Windows 8 upgrade process and hardware compatibility. The company said over 450 million Windows 7 PCs will have the ability to run Windows 8, but many computers running Windows Vista and even XP will also have the ability to run the latest Windows 8 software. Old software will also be supported, with Microsoft touting that Excel 3.0 (16-bit from 1990) was demonstrated running on a Windows 8 system at a meeting.

A study of people who chose not to upgrade to Windows 7 despite their systems supporting it revealed that they thought it was too difficult. As such, Windows 8 will get an accompanying Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit that can now be downloaded by MSDN subscribers. The most changes were made to the visual interface for setup experience. Windows 8 will have a large amount of hardware compatibility like its predecessor, Microsoft said. The company wants to cater to those who want a minimum of hassle in the setup process as well as those who want to have a clean install and more setup control options.

As such, the developer promised a two-tier split depending on convenience versus control: those who wanted an easy option could run an app from a DVD or downloaded from the web, while more experienced users will run an advanced program from a DVD or USB key. The focus will also turn to offering software updates online. This saves the trip to the store and other associated hassles and even pre-types the 25-digit product key when installing.

The Upgrade Advisor, Setup and Windows Easy Transfer features of Windows 7 were also put together into a single and faster experience. It's now also possible to resume the install process after resolving a blocking compatibility problem, rather than restarting it from the beginning.

A compatibility summary will be returned to users with a list of programs that will and won't work with the new OS. More detailed compatibility reports will let users know which apps or programs will need to be updated.

The integrated download manager then provides time estimates, data validation, and the option of pausing, resuming and re-downloading parts of the file. Users then get the option to install the OS on a specific partition, make an ISO or a bootable USB drive. Previously, users often had to make any custom images themselves, ruling out downloads for casual users.

Upgraders will get options to keep personal data, settings, and apps. What can be carried over depends on the starting OS.

Compared to the Windows 7 install experience that had 60 screens, there are now as few as 11 clicks required, or a reduction of up to 82 percent. A clean install of Windows 7 took 32 minutes on average, while Windows 8 will require 21 minutes, Microsoft claimed.

The slimmed down install process shows Microsoft hoping to catch up to Mac OS X Lion, where downloadable OS upgrades are not only simpler but the primary choice for an update. Apple has the advantage of a smaller user base as well as a built-in Mac App Store, a Microsoft equivalent to which won't come until Windows 8.

Windows 8 setup compatibility summary

Windows 8 detailed compatibility report

Windows 8 detailed compatibility report

Windows 8 setup options for upgrade and migration

Resolving blocking issues

By Electronista Staff