Use of F8 to Become Redundant In Windows 8
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Microsoft has promised to put an end to endless reboots in its upcoming operating system, Windows 8. The faster startup time of Windows 8 will hardly give users any room to tap F8 repeatedly while booting. According to company officials, the new OS will have a built-in menu which will be summoned automatically the moment the OS detects any problem with booting. The menu has a repair and recovery system of its own to deal with booting issues. F8 is therefore likely to lose its role in the days to come.
With the release of the consumer preview, Windows 8 has awed users with its quick start up. The faster process coupled with built-in system recovery menu will not require users to invoke a fail-safe menu like before, by tapping F8 repeatedly. This may otherwise be troublesome for users who need to log in with safe mode for specific reasons. Engineers from Microsoft have designed the operating system evading the irksome requirement of repeated F8 tapping.
During the boot process, if Windows 8 detects an error, it will automatically interrupt the boot process and display advanced boot options like ‘Troubleshoot’, ‘Use another Operating System’, ‘Use A Device’, and ‘Turn Off Your PC’. Besides, you can also use the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) firmware on Windows 8 to call the menu exclusively. There is yet another method to call the Menu. You can do it manually by holding down the Shift key and clicking Restart after logging into Windows. The Start menu on Windows 8 also allows doing this.
The endless reboots has thus been eliminated in Windows 8. The new startup options will also allow you to restart without having to press any key during the reboot process. The need for a reboot is thus avoided at the right time.
Apart from the changes made to the entire startup process, the menu has also undergone a significant redesign. The Graphical User Interface (GUI) offers advanced options like easy access to ‘System Image Recovery’, ‘System Restore’, ‘Windows 8 Startup Settings’ and the command prompt.
The BIOS that was used till now has been done away with in Windows 8. The OS has been incorporated with a more technologically advanced UEFI that makes for better graphics during Windows start up. The graphics have increased the visual appeal throughout the boot process. This has been achieved by making the operating system work together with the system’s firmware, which is driven by UEFI.
As already revealed, Microsoft is coming up with two versions of Windows 8 for the traditional desktops and tablets. Desktops are powered by x86 processors while tablets run on ARM based chips. Doesn’t matter whether you own a desktop or tablet, you will get boot screens that can be operated by touch instead of keyboard and mouse as the only option. No doubt, it is time to bid adieu to F8.
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