This weekend I found myself sitting down with a friend explaining Windows 8.  For the first time in months I was actually defending Microsoft and their creation.  See, I’ve never been a huge fan of the new interface but like most of the new features.

Out of fairness, I’ve told a bunch of customers I’m not terribly pleased with the usability of 8 and truth be told I’m not a fan.  Removing the start menu is Microsoft’s fly in the ointment which gives most customers a queasy feeling when they first use their computer.  Although third party add-ons exist to add a start menu, industry experts believe Microsoft will be discontinuing the option altogether.

Rather than provide consumers with a bunch of different Windows versions, most new computers are shipping with simply Windows 8.  Microsoft has done away with confusing versions like Home Premium, Basic, and Starter.  Windows 8 will either be 8 or 8 Pro.  Unlike Starter or Basic in prior Windows versions, Windows 8 will have all features.

Maintaining systems by the end user will be much easier.  In prior Windows versions turning off startup programs (those icons near the clock) meant understanding each shortcut.  Windows 8 takes a lot of the guesswork out of selecting startup programs.  Each program is clearly labeled and next to each is an option to disable from startup.

How many times have you been in a hurry, turned off your laptop, and it started to install 98 updates?  Doesn’t it always happen when you’re in a rush?  Windows 8 only installs updates and performs automated maintenance tasks when the computer isn’t busy or being used.  If it’s being used at the scheduled time, Windows will automatically perform the update the next time the system is idle.

I’ve noticed some progressions with regard to backing up and restoring Windows with every succession of Windows.  Windows 8 implements something called incremental restore.  Basically, the restore function built into Windows is able to reinstall Windows 8 without losing data or some programs.  Before you try it with your new Windows 8 computer, understand the default settings will completely eradicate some licensed software.

Here’s a cool tool that was in Windows 7 but very few people actually used.  When I wrote my Windows 7 article two years ago I mentioned a disk imaging utility.  Microsoft continued using the same tool and now stores it with legacy utilities.  The tool allows users to make a complete image of their entire hard drive; essentially the same process I use in my stores to copy hard drives.  With a good copy it would be possible to bring the computer back to life in case of eminent failure.

Windows based computers have historically shipped with a Certificate of Authenticity (COA) affixed somewhere on the chassis.  If you purchased a Windows 8 computer you may have noticed there is no COA license with a string of random characters.  Rather, Microsoft designed a new technology called Authentication 3.0 which embeds a unique COA into the system BIOS.  Customers no longer have to worry about faded or torn COA licenses because the code is embedded electronically into the hardware.

Those upgrading from XP will have a hard time adapting to the menu-less format of Windows 8.  My friend was practically in tears when she called me because she had unfinished work and couldn’t adapt to the new system.  Though I appreciate most of the efforts Microsoft made with Windows 8, I’m still not a huge fan of eliminating the start menu and believe we’re in for a bigger shock with Windows 9.  Until then, make the most of Windows 8 and adapt to it.  If I can change, you can too.

(Jeromy Patriquin is the President of Laptop & Computer Repair, Inc. located at 509 Main St. in Gardner.  You can text him directly at (978) 413-2840 or visit www.LocalComputerWiz.com.)