One of the main focuses in the new Windows 8 platform was the delivery of a better installation experience to all users, and it seems that Microsoft might have got it right.
Windows 7 brought along increased reliability when the setup process was involved, and the successful installations rate increased significantly from previous Windows releases.
With less issues being reported by users in regard to the manner in which their new Windows client installed on the PC, the next step for Microsoft was to deliver a better experience when installing Windows, and it appears as if Windows 8 would indeed bring improvements in this area.
In a recent post on MSDN, Steven Sinofsky explains that the new desktop client came along with enhanced reliability and e better experience starting with the Developer Preview.
The Windows 8 Developer Preview M3 put on download back in September is rock solid and also capable of delivering increased ease of use, Sinofsky notes.
It all starts right from the moment users kick off the installation process, and continues after the platform was installed.
“With Windows 8 setup we have greatly improved both speed and ease of use, while still retaining all of the advanced setup functionality that many customers will demand,” Sinofsky explains.
“We have integrated what was once many separate steps for people to perform when preparing and starting their setup into a streamlined user experience, with a fast and reliable setup engine under the hood.”
He also notes that users are now able to purchase and install Windows online far easier than before, and that the installation is actually both a short and a pleasant one. The setup will check their computer for compatibility and will prompt users throughout the entire process.
“This includes starting the setup experience online as well, and having one continuous integrated experience from beginning to end,” he continues.
Moreover, Microsoft “pre-key” the setup image that users download on their computers, which means that there is no need to type in the 25-digit product key anymore.
“Customers who choose to install Windows from an online source will have a greatly improved experience over what we’ve delivered in the past, with smaller and faster downloads, as well as increased resiliency and control,” Sinofsky concludes.
