Microsoft reveals all the changes made to the Windows 8 installation process, improving the experience for many users.
With a lot of research and ingenious software developing, Windows 8 installation will be smoother, faster and simpler than Windows 7; about 82% fewer clicks and a big reduction in the installation time.
Users will see one of the biggest changes on the upgrade experience, also Microsoft is planning to focus in the web delivery methods. While physical media will still around for some time, the software maker is making a lot changes to make Windows 8 a better suited option to install from a web page. This way the end-user will not even have to type the 25-digit long product key, now Microsoft will pre-key the setup image for each unique user. Additionally the Upgrade Advisor, Setup, and Windows Easy Transfer has been combined in one single experience for Windows 8 to simplified things and cut time.
New Windows 8 Setup process
In a new Building Windows 8 blog post, the software giant reveals how making little changes can translate on big improvements. When upgrading the new Windows 8 Setup will scan the user’s computer and determine any possible issues (e.g., system requirement, application and hardware compatibility), in the case the Windows 8 Setup detects whether there is an issue will communicate that to the user, plus instructions on how to remedy the situation and whether or not spend money on Windows 8.
New Windows 8 download manager
Next, there is a new integrated download manager that provides validation, the ability to pause, resume, and re-download parts that are wrong. And because the setup process already detected all the components in your computer, there is not need to ask for language or operating system architecture.
Next in the Windows 8 installation
Users will have the choice to install Windows right from Windows, install on another partition or Microsoft will offer to save the downloaded installation files into an ISO file format or create a bootable media to install the operating system in a later time.
In the next setup process step, the user will be asked whether or not they want to keep their personal files, Windows settings and applications. Windows 8 upgrade will also support to wipe clean everything and proceed with the upgrade. The new option “Just personal files” will simplify the process by allowing the user to do a clean install of Windows 8 keeping their personal files, and without the need to use Windows Easy Transfer.
In comparison to the Windows 7 upgrade process, users who choose to install Windows 8 will only go through 11 clicks instead of going through four different wizards and up to 60 different screens.
A speedy process was also a priority improvement on Windows 8 upgrade. The Windows team has dramatically reduced the time that it takes to upgrade to Windows 8 by making some changes on how files are move around, for example, now entire folders are move instead of just moving file-by-file.
In the Windows 7 upgrade process, Microsoft preserved files by moving each individual file during the install and then move them back. Also the upgrade process that uses a transport folder has been reduced from two folders to only one, and now uses hard link operations to link to the actual data on hard drive in the transport location without having to physically move all the files, which according to Microsoft, it shows a “significant performance gain”.
Windows 8 installation has been dramatically improved to be smoother, faster and simpler than Windows 7, but it still retains all the advanced options for users that need or just want to take control of the installation process. Down below you’ll find a new Building Windows 8 video that showcases the new and improve setup experience.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 21 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].