Over the years, Windows has changed the look of the Graphical User Interface in small ways. They’ve modified minor things like making it sleeker or adding display features so users can choose colors and backgrounds that fit their personalities. But the basic organizational design of much of Windows from the user’s perspective has remained the same. With Windows 8, the moment a profile loads the user will see a drastic change in the look of Windows and in the ways the profile can be customized.
Tiles
One of the biggest changes that has taken place on Windows 8 is the implementation of Tiles, which completely take the place of the old time start menu of previous versions. Where users would open to a desktop of icons as well as a toolbar and a start button now appear tiles that can lead the user to any part of their system. In many ways it beats out the old style, which through careful navigation, could get you to your destination eventually. With Tiles, many options and operations, such as the Control Panel, are one click away, making further customization easier to manage.
Pinning
Although pinning isn’t a new feature, with Windows 8 it is handled in a way that makes pinning even more useful. By using the Pin feature on Windows 8 for something such as a favorite website, a Tile is then created and added to the Tiles on the start page. This not only makes it easy to visit that website but using Tiles also allows for the user to have a number of easy to access links from the moment they sign into their profile.
Organization
When first entering the Start Page environment the Tiles come up preconfigured to give the user easy access to Internet Explorer, the Control Panel, shopping, and several games as well as other applications and websites that the Windows 8 team has prepared. Of course, their configuration and one that works for each user will be very different. Thankfully, the Tiles are incredibly easy to move, create and manipulate into place so each user’s Start Page is just right for them. It is yet another added feature in Windows 8 that truly takes those who depend on their Windows computers regularly into account.