For IT pros, Windows 8 is just like Windows 7— but better. Features that were great in Windows
7 were redesigned to be even more efficient and provide more functionality. Windows 8
provides a flexible platform for a wide variety of applications and devices. Most of the familiar
applications that IT pros use are exactly the same but with a renewed, simplified layout. Many
system features such as Performance Monitor or Windows Services, look nearly identical to
their Windows 7 predecessors. Some applications have gained increased functionality. For example,
Windows Defender now offers malware protection as well as spyware protection. If you were
a Windows 7 expert, then Windows 8 is going to be simple for you to learn and implement.
Making the transition from Windows 7 to Windows 8 is much easier than transitioning from
Windows XP to Windows Vista or 7. Windows 8 is packed with new features that make your life
as an IT pro easier. Some quick access and navigation features that are heavily used as an IT pro
are still the same, such as Window key + R to open the Run dialog box. Also, many new quick
access features have been added for convenience (e.g., Windows key + X to open a menu of
administrator tools). Throughout this chapter are tips on new quick access features that make
navigating Windows much quicker. Additionally, in an effort to improve Windows functionality,
two of the most commonly used applications—Windows Task Manager and Windows
Explorer—have been infused with new features to enhance the user experience
Windows Task Manager
Windows Task Manager is one of the most widely used tools in the Windows operating
system. For IT pros, Windows Task Manager performs a vital role in maintaining healthy
systems through troubleshooting resource issues. Virtually every IT pro has used Task
Manager at some point to close an application or kill a process.
Since its introduction in Windows NT, it has been polished and improved with each
operating system revision. Before Windows 8, IT pros were forced to use other tools to
compliment Windows Task Manager, such as Sysinternals Process Explorer
Windows Explorer
The redesigned Windows Explorer, named File Explorer, has been optimized for file
management tasks. It provides a streamlined command experience but remains a powerful
tool. New features include advanced folder customization options, previously hidden explorer
features, and the ability to pause file transfers to free cpu usage.
One of the biggest changes in Windows Explorer is the ribbon tool bar. As found in Microsoft
Office 2010, menu options are displayed in an icon-filled ribbon toolbar for easy access
grouping them by context and relevance. This grouping makes finding commands predictable
and reliable. The ribbon layout also exposes a large set of commands while maintaining a
pleasant visual appearance. Specific sets of commands are visible when a user is working with
specific file and folder types. For example, Figure 3-2 shows the toolbar available when inside
a user’s pictures folder.
As shown in the figure, both Library Tools and Picture Tools menus are available. The new
Windows File Explorer toolbar focuses on the commands that are most used and combines
them with additional commands relevant to the current folder contents. For example, there is
no reason to have music tools available when you are in the videos folder.
For this reason, when you create a folder the new Windows File Explorer allows the folder
to be optimized for different content, as shown in Figure 3-3. To optimize a folder, simply
right-click the folder and select Properties. Optimizing the folder for pictures will force the
picture toolbar to appear when you enter the folder.
File history
File history is a new feature in Windows 8. It allows a user to back up files to removable
media or a networked repository and retrieve them if they are lost or damaged. The user can
customize exactly which folders are backed up and where the backup is stored. It also has an
integrated recovery feature that will cache backed up files on the primary volume for offline
access. For Enterprise use, this feature works well with DirectAccess because it allows remote
file share back up.
For more information on DirectAccess, see the section titled “DirectAccess” later in this
chapter
7 were redesigned to be even more efficient and provide more functionality. Windows 8
provides a flexible platform for a wide variety of applications and devices. Most of the familiar
applications that IT pros use are exactly the same but with a renewed, simplified layout. Many
system features such as Performance Monitor or Windows Services, look nearly identical to
their Windows 7 predecessors. Some applications have gained increased functionality. For example,
Windows Defender now offers malware protection as well as spyware protection. If you were
a Windows 7 expert, then Windows 8 is going to be simple for you to learn and implement.
Making the transition from Windows 7 to Windows 8 is much easier than transitioning from
Windows XP to Windows Vista or 7. Windows 8 is packed with new features that make your life
as an IT pro easier. Some quick access and navigation features that are heavily used as an IT pro
are still the same, such as Window key + R to open the Run dialog box. Also, many new quick
access features have been added for convenience (e.g., Windows key + X to open a menu of
administrator tools). Throughout this chapter are tips on new quick access features that make
navigating Windows much quicker. Additionally, in an effort to improve Windows functionality,
two of the most commonly used applications—Windows Task Manager and Windows
Explorer—have been infused with new features to enhance the user experience
Windows Task Manager
Windows Task Manager is one of the most widely used tools in the Windows operating
system. For IT pros, Windows Task Manager performs a vital role in maintaining healthy
systems through troubleshooting resource issues. Virtually every IT pro has used Task
Manager at some point to close an application or kill a process.
Since its introduction in Windows NT, it has been polished and improved with each
operating system revision. Before Windows 8, IT pros were forced to use other tools to
compliment Windows Task Manager, such as Sysinternals Process Explorer
The redesigned Windows Explorer, named File Explorer, has been optimized for file
management tasks. It provides a streamlined command experience but remains a powerful
tool. New features include advanced folder customization options, previously hidden explorer
features, and the ability to pause file transfers to free cpu usage.
One of the biggest changes in Windows Explorer is the ribbon tool bar. As found in Microsoft
Office 2010, menu options are displayed in an icon-filled ribbon toolbar for easy access
and reliable. The ribbon layout also exposes a large set of commands while maintaining a
pleasant visual appearance. Specific sets of commands are visible when a user is working with
specific file and folder types. For example, Figure 3-2 shows the toolbar available when inside
a user’s pictures folder.
Windows File Explorer toolbar focuses on the commands that are most used and combines
them with additional commands relevant to the current folder contents. For example, there is
no reason to have music tools available when you are in the videos folder.
For this reason, when you create a folder the new Windows File Explorer allows the folder
to be optimized for different content, as shown in Figure 3-3. To optimize a folder, simply
right-click the folder and select Properties. Optimizing the folder for pictures will force the
picture toolbar to appear when you enter the folder.
File history is a new feature in Windows 8. It allows a user to back up files to removable
media or a networked repository and retrieve them if they are lost or damaged. The user can
customize exactly which folders are backed up and where the backup is stored. It also has an
integrated recovery feature that will cache backed up files on the primary volume for offline
access. For Enterprise use, this feature works well with DirectAccess because it allows remote
file share back up.
For more information on DirectAccess, see the section titled “DirectAccess” later in this
chapter
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar