Picking out the differences between Windows XP and Windows 8.1 or even between Windows 8 and Windows 8.1, improvements have been enormous and have remained unnoticed by a lot of people. So here's a glimpse of new features that are all in Windows 8.1. In sum, the following three unsorted (net even complete) lists of new features give an impressive insight into the innovation thrusts of the different versions starting with Windows Vista to Windows 8.1. Naturally, the list would be much longer - especially if we considered Windows Servers as well, which we won't in this article. Windows Server 2012 R2 on its own provides so many new features that an own list would even be more extensive than the ones provided herein.
It is definitely worth to have a look on the documentation since Windows is simply and even more unbeatable regarding security, manageability, automation, feature richness and customization.
New features within Windows Vista
User Account Control | User Interface Privilege Isolation | Live Icons |
Restart Manager | Session 0 Isolation | Quick Search |
Aero | Credential Providers | Cancelable I/O |
Sidebar | Secure Startup | WPF |
Network Access Protection | Windows Feedback Services | Presentation Settings |
Sync Center | MMC 3.0 | Windows Imaging Format (WIM) |
Protected Mode IE | Parental Control | High Resolution/High DPI |
Mandatory Integrity Control | IPv6 Dual Stack | Desktop Hardware Acceleration |
Resource Exhaustion Diagnostics | Shell Property System | Peer Name Resolution Protocol |
Stacks | Crypto Next Generation | Search Folders |
Single Binary | Glass | Workflow Foundation |
Power Management | Windows Display Driver Model | Flip3d |
Windows Service Hardening | Transactional Registry | Windows Defender |
SuperFetch | Windows Desktop Manager | Windows Filtering Platform |
New Explorers | WCF | Writeable SIDs |
Winlogon Rearchitcture | Registry/File Virtualization | Bitlocker and MBAM |
Monad Scripting Shell | XAML and Segoe UI Font | Enhanced Group Policy Scenarios |
Ink Analysis | Info Card | Enhanced Reliability Monitor |
Windows Sideshow | Startup Repair Toolkit | Internet Explorer 7-9 |
Windows Resource Protection | RSS Platform | IE Hardware Accelaration (IE 9) |
Ad-hoc Meeting Networks | New Event Viewer | Java-Script native code Jit- Compilation (IE9) |
WS-Management | Eventing and Intrumentation | Process Elevation |
Windows Installer 4.0/4.5 | XML Paper Specification | Protected Processes |
Function Discovery API | .Net Framework 3.0 | Hidden Per-User-COM (Elevated Processes) |
New Open/Save Dialog | Process Dump in Taskmanager | Improved Compiler Defenses (GS, ASLR, DEP, SAFESEH, robust, etc.) |
User Mode Driver Framework | Open Package Specification | UI Access Application |
Windows Disk Diagnostic | Wizard Framework | TrustInfo - Application Manifest |
New Direct Access | New Security Model | > 320 Shims |
Directory Junctions | NTFS English language | Separation of OS and MUI |
Automatic Compat. Mitigations (>5.500 Applications) | New Firewall (Profiles, etc.) | New Security Center |
HotStart | | |
IIS 7.0 | Data Protection API | ACT 5.0 |
New features within Windows 7
User Account Control Slider | New Explorers | Enhanced MBAM |
New Taskbar | Scenic Ribbon Control | BuiltIn Touch Platform |
Taskbar Thumbnails | Process Cloning for Debugging | BranchCache ™ |
Pinned Icons | Display Driver Model (WDM 1.1) | DirectAccess ™ |
Thumbnail Buttons | Customized Troubleshooting | AppLocker ™ |
Thumbnail Preview, | Sensors and Locations | Sensors and Locations |
Thumbnail Jumplists | Desktop Gadgets | New, Richer Support Tools |
Thumbnail Overlay Icons | Memory Diagnostics | Shell Rearchitecture – Search, Explorer, CMD-Shell |
Preview Pane | Network Location Awareness | Windows Installer 5 |
Reading Pane | Network Connection Timeout Event | Customized Troubleshooting |
Folder/Document Library | VPN Reconnect | Internet Explorer 8-9 |
Metadata Pane | Bitlocker to go | IE Hardware Accelaration (IE 9) |
People Near Me | Powershell BuiltIn | Java-Script native code Jit- Compilation (IE9) |
Search Providers | .Net Framework 3.5 | Improved Compiler Defenses (GS, ASLR, DEP, SAFESEH, robust, etc.) |
Aero Snap / Shaking | IE 9 Smart Screen and Tracking Protection | Event Viewer Tracing capabilities |
Compatibility - Application Manifest (OS Switch Points) | Direct Access | RPC changes, Asynchronous I/O changes |
Start Menu Search | New Search Engine | New Logo Certification |
DaRT 7.0 | NUMA | New Task Scheduler |
Concurrency Runtime | Background Services | WERR |
CPU Multi Processing and Core Parking | Task Parallel Library (TPL) | New Windows Update - Less Reboots |
>360 Shims | Automatic Compat. Mitigations (>6.500 Applications) | Visibility of Firewall Port configuration in Resource Monitor |
Compatibility Assistant | Boot Performance Improvements | Kernel Changes for Flexibility and Extensibility |
New Firewall | New BITS service | Server RemoteFx Support |
VHD Boot | XP Mode | Windows Backup |
New RDP | Action Center | WERR - Third Party App Update |
IIS 7.5 | ACT 5.6 | New MDT and WAIK |
Credential Manager | Security Compliance Manager | High Contrast Mode |
New features within Windows 8
User Account Control changes | Hyper-V on Client (almost the same as Server 2012 Hyper-V) | CHKDSK improvements with zero downtime (NTFS health) |
Internet Explorer 10 with Enhanced Protected Mode | Virtual Network Switch | Powershell v3 In-Box, Powershell Intellisense, Powershell API Help- and Command Generator, New Powershell ISE |
Virtual Fibre Channel | SMB 3.0 Attached Storage | Explorer VHD/ISO mount |
Guest NUMA Direct | Direct Attached FC HBA | Dynamic Memory |
64 TB Dynamic Virtual Disk | 64 Logical CPU | VM 10-finger Touch |
Extensible Virtual Switch | New Performance Tools | Fast and Fluid UI |
Low Power Busses | VM NIC VMQ | VM NIC Teaming |
OS BuilIn Smart Screen Filter (Has blocked >1.5B malware and >150M phishing attacks) | New Explorer with Ribbon | IIS 8.0 |
Do Not Track (DNT) capability | SmartScreen Filter protects third-party browsers | IE10 ASLR Support for none-ASLR aware AddIns |
Secure Boot | New Task Manager | Powershell Web Interface |
Trusted Boot | Windows to go | New MDT, WAIK, MDOP |
Measured Boot | Offline Domain Join | WMI 2.0 |
Remote Attestation Service | New Activation Model | New App Certification |
Remote Applications | Connected Standby | Virtual Smartcards |
Windows RT (Windows on ARM) | BuiltIn USB 3.0 Support | Direct Access improvements |
TPM 2.0 | BuiltIn Bluetooth 4.0 Support | Branch Cache Improvements |
UEFI 2.3.1 | New Driver Model (WDM 1.2) | DaRT 8.0 |
Storage Spaces – Thin/Thick Provisioning | Hunderte neuer Powershell CMDLets (z.B. 162 für Hyper-V) | New VDI |
New Windows Defender (Forefront Scan Engine) | New Firewall with Packet Filtering | Internet Explorer 10 64-Bit with 32-Bit Support |
Fast Boot | PS ISE integrated CMD List | .Net Framework 4.5 SP1 |
Hybrid Shutdown | Improved, comprehensive Compiler Defenses (GS, ASLR, DEP, SAFESEH, SEHOP, Heap Spray, robust, etc.) | Async APIs (85% of WinRT APIs and included in .Net 4.5) |
High Contrast Mode changes | Office 2013 RT (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote included in Windows RT edition) | Windows RT APIs and new Kernel Services (e.g. Background Tasks, Suspended Apps) |
Maintenance Tasks | Suspended Desktop Application (Windows RT) | Suspended Apps |
Shared Kernel – Phone, Tablet, Notebook, PC | Offloaded File/Folder Operation (ODX Protocol) | New Application Model – Platform neutral (Intel/AMD/ARM) |
Windows to go parse-through VM | Windows Store App Resource Protection | OPP Brokered API Isolation |
Live Tiles | App Contracts – Secure App Data exchange (Search, Share, FilePicker, PlayTo) | Office 2013 Student (Windows RT) |
RICH Touch Support 10-finger Touch Support | Secure Device Access – App Capabilities | Process Isolation – Low Integrity App container |
VM 3D graphic support | Sidebar Removal | HTML 5 Support |
Search throughout apps | New Windows 8 OS Switch Point via App Manifest | StartScreen Mouse- and Keyboard Support |
File History | Windows Refresh / Reset | Windows 7 Backup included but deprecated |
Optical Disk Power Management | Windows Store App Forward Compatibility | Flat Desktop Design and Improvements |
Windows Store (Link to certified Desktop Apps possible) | Windows Store Apps using JavaScript and HTML | Device Encryption and Bitlocker |
Windows Store Installer | Sideloading Installation | Windows Intune Support |
WACK, WADK, WSDK, WDK | ACT 6.0 | New Compatibility Assistant |
New Windows Update – Less Reboots | Startup Application Diagnostics | Enhanced Cloud Integration – Linked Microsoft Account |
Surface RT Ports for HDMI, USB, Bluetooth 4.0, SDCard | Convertible Devices Support | Support for almost infinite number of Hardware Formfactors |
> 385 Shims | Automatic Compat. Mitigations (>7.500 Applications) | PowerShell Web Service Interface |
Remote Attestation Service | Settings Roaming | Huge number of different Device-Formfactors |
Web Setup (ESD) | No Installation without NX (DEP) | Silent (automatic) Activation |
UEFI CSM Boot (Class 2) | Connected Account | Automatic Startup Repair UI |
Assessment Execution Engine | Compression API | Data Deduplication API |
App Packaging and Deployment | DirectComposition | Direct Manipulation |
DirectXMath | Help API | iSCSI Software Target API |
Operation Recorder | Steps Recorder Changes | SMB Management API |
User Access Logging | User State Management API | Web Socket Protocol Component API |
Windows Connection Manager | Windows Storage Management API | XAudio2 |
XInput | Event Tracing | IP Helper changes |
MIB changes | Native Wifi changes | Network Management changes |
UEFI CSM Boot (Class 2) | Connected Account | Automatic Startup Repair UI |
Direct2D changes | DirectWrite changes | Printing changes |
UI Automation changes | Windows Sockets changes | Software Input Panel |
Assessment Execution Engine | Compression API | Data Deduplication API |
Surface Pro with ultra thin digitizer | | |
Start Button replaced by link to new Start-Screen | Technical Start Menu | Windows Style UI – New Start Screen |
New features within Windows 8.1
Internet Explorer 11 with Enhanced Protected Mode ON by default | Internet Explorer 11 – automatic AddOn-Handling | IE11 with better touch performance, faster page load times and several other new features |
Remote Business Data Removal (Selective Wipe) | Internet Explorer 11 antimalware solution integration | Windows Store in-place upgrade (Click-Click-Done) |
3D Printing Support (built-in | Biometrics Support (built-in) | Biometrics liveliness Detection |
Biometrics modern reader support (swipe, touch) | Biometrics usage with UAC, Windows Store, Modern UI Apps and more | Common fingerprint enrollment |
Workplace Join | Work Folders | Open MDM for BYOD |
Mobile Device Management | Web Application Proxy | RDS Enhancements - enhanced VDI |
Wi-Fi Direct Printing | NFC Tap-to-pair Printing | Native Miracast Wireless Display |
Broadband Tethering | Pervasive Device Encryption | Malware Resistance – Defender with network behavior monitoring and ActiveX support |
Device Lockdown | Assigned Access | New Credential Theft Mitigations |
New local Groups for hardening capabilities | Hundreds of new Win32 APIs | New Windows Surface 2 RT with new Keyboards |
New Windows Surface 2 Pro with new Keyboards | Boot Performance improvements | Network performance improvements |
Remote-Apps with faster reconnects and improved compression and multiple monitors support | Wider range of VPN clients | Apps can automatically trigger VPN connections |
Embedded wireless radio | Windows To Go - Windows Store enabled by default | Touch to Buy with Biometrics |
High DPI improvements | Dynamic DPI Changes | Per-Monitor DPI-Aware Applications |
New GPOs (e.g. Start Screen) | New or improved Development Tools | New or improved Deployment and Management Tools |
Text to Speak capabilities | In-app commerce support | Automatic App Updates |
Hyper-V improvements | New Shims and Compatibility Modes | New Windows SwitchPoint for backward compatibility |
Developers: New App Packaging | Developers: New scheduler API for Asynchronous Programming | Developers: Lots of new HTML and JavaScript controls |
Developers: Lots of new XAML controls | Developers: New Device APIs (USB, Bluetooth, 3D Printing, Biometrics, Point of Service "POS", Human Interface "HID") | Developers: New DirectX 11.2 support with hundreds of new features |
Developers: Enhanced support for in-app file management | Developers: New ways to capture and process media (playback controls, native support for Encrypted Media Extensions (EME) for HTML5 playback. | Developers: Removal of GetVersionEx() |
Developers: New HTTP APIs | Developers: New Networking APIs | Developers: Latest authentication techniques support |
New Windows Store | Better Mouse and Keyboard Options | Modern UI App Kiosk Mode |
Enhanced Device Sync capabilities | Picture Slide Show on Lock Screen | New Touch Keyboard |
Explorer SkyDrive integration | Redesigned Photo, Mail, Camera apps and more | Cloud connectivity enhancements (SkyDrive, etc.) |
Improved All Apps List | Start Screen configuration by GPO | Start Screen Corporate Identity configuration |
Improved Personalization | Variable, Continuous Size of Snap Views | Backgrounds with motions |
Two more Live Tile sizes | Improved Search (Web, Bing, SkyDrive, Documents, Apps, etc.) | More colors and backgrounds for Start Screen |
New Start Button | Boot to desktop | Modern UI Improvements – New Start Screen look and feel |
By the way, Windows 8.1 now has a new Start Button which references to the new Start Screen. If you counted the number of required clicks or keystrokes to start a program in Windows 7, you will see you won't need more rather less clicks when using Windows 8.1. Despite, the Start Button is back most people don't miss it anymore as the Start Screen and the underlying application list became so beautiful, meaningful and useable.
Incidentally, the most important technical features are still accessible in the "Technical Start Menu" with a right mouse click on the new Start Button. This is a massive improvement for Virtual Machine users because on Windows 8 finding the bottom left corner in those machines was a little bit tricky some times.
Just looking at the touch ability of Windows 8.1 in the new Start Screen and in the new Windows Store applications is impressive and for this I'm likely adapting on a new operation system, which is in my opinion to learn easily within a few minutes. On Windows 8.1 a new user will see some useful hints (one time) while navigating through the Start Screen the first time.
In addition, the new type of handling opened an unprecedented comfort. Here a quote of a colleague, who appreciates the new Start Screen as much as I do:
"My personal highlight is the ability to interact in totally new ways compared to other operation systems.
I simply enter a term and Windows 8 lets me know all possible alternatives for it. So it shows you the results Windows 8 finds for the term in "Apps", "Files" and "Settings". What is even more interesting is that Windows 8 tries to process across apps. "Tie" for example is being looked for in Bing and eventually you might see what different types of ties and knots exist. Using an app might lead me to a shop where I find offers. Otherwise I can just search through an auction app for auctions. The "Share" function is just amazing: I may easily share the found ties with my wife and find out, whether she likes the tie as well."
Looking at how many powerful features inside Windows 8.1 are we can definitely call it an impressive operating system which hadn't been seen by the world before. It's the most feature rich client operating system so far (Windows Server 2012 R2 has much more than the client).
First of all, Windows itself benefits from these features and therefore reaches a new dimension concerning security, manageability, usability, performance and much more. Furthermore it is extremely energy saving so even with older hardware battery life has been raised a lot.
Also administrators profit by substantial increases Windows 8.1 had in terms of manageability, automation and security, which results in potential reduction of operating costs.
Additionally, software developer benefit from those features since many of them may directly be addressed or integrated in their own projects and thereby increasing the quality, safety and performance. Also, development costs can substantially be reduced.
Finally, all users profit from the new features – no matter if they use Windows 8.1 at home or at work. If the operating system and related apps are secure, reliable and fast, users are the ones to really make use of it. Not to mention that many features are of course available to the user – if he is aware of them.
There is one question remaining: "Who really knows Windows at all?"
It would be a pity if the entire discussion about Windows 8.1 would be reduced on a new type of user interface or usability.
Therefore, I to highlight my favorite Top-10 features in Windows 8.1 as a separate blog series.
