Windows 8 was released to a mixed critical reception. Windows 8 is the first version of Windows to support the ARM architecture, under the Windows RT branding. Additional security features were introduced, such as built-in antivirus software, integration with Microsoft SmartScreen phishing filtering service and support for UEFI Secure Boot on supported devices with UEFI firmware, to prevent malware from infecting the boot process. Windows 8 added support for USB 3.0, Advanced Format hard drives, near field communications, and cloud computing. Many of these features were adoptions from Windows Phone.

In particular, these changes included a touch-optimized Windows shell based on Microsoft's 'Metro' design language and the Start screen (which displays programs and dynamically updated content on a grid of tiles), a new platform for developing ' apps' with an emphasis on touchscreen input, integration with online services (including the ability to synchronize apps and settings between devices), and Windows Store, an online distribution for downloading and purchasing new software, and a new keyboard shortcut for screenshots. Windows 8 introduced major changes to the operating system's platform and user interface intended to improve its user experience on tablets, where Windows was now competing with mobile operating systems, including Android and iOS. Windows 8 was made available for download via MSDN and TechNet and available as an upgrade to all Windows 7 users via Windows Update. The product was released to manufacturing on August 1, 2012, and generally to retail on October 26, 2012. Windows 8 is a major release of the Windows NT operating system developed by Microsoft.

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