Software giant Microsoft has officially kicked off the registration process for new Windows 7 users. According to the company, the users who purchased Windows 7 PC between June 2, 2012 – January 31, 2013 will get an upgrade to the latest operating system Windows 8 starting from today.

The Mountain View Valley Company is offering the upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for $14.99. Relatively, for the Indian consumers the downloadable upgrade to Windows 8 Pro can be obtained at a price of Rs. 699.

The news break was confirmed when Microsoft tweeted recently on Twitter saying, "The @Windows upgrade offer is now available in 140 countries. Register now! http://windowsupgradeoffer.com."

Gizbot has come up with a list of top 5 features, why should you opt for an upgrade. Here it goes:

{image-Highlight-features-of-Microsoft’s-Windows-8-operating-system-image-2.jpg www.gizbot.com}

1. Faster boot time

The loading and boot time is comparatively lesser in Windows 8 compared to previous versions from Microsoft. This is made possible by allocating resources optimally to applications and the system. Booting in windows 8 happens amazingly faster which is realized by hibernating the system kernel when you switch off the system. This works in a similar fashion to partial hibernation. Memory retains the settings from the previous version which makes it easier to reinitialize it when the system is started again.

2. Efficient interface and desktop

Windows 8 utilizes an advanced user interface called Metro UI. Metro UI is a tile based interface which is strikingly similar to those found in touchscreen devices. The layout follows a grid pattern which arranges the apps and other important units in a neat and attractive fashion. Users can customize the grid by adding and removing apps.

Apart from allowing such personalization with the user interface, Windows 8 also facilitates displaying of real time information from the applications. The interface updates the activities of the app without having to activate them. For example if you are using an app for email, notification about a new mail will show up on the apps grid even if it is not active.

3. Search on demand display

Start menu which was a common item in the previous versions of Windows is not present in Windows 8.You would normally associate search as a familiar item which existed at the bottom of the start menu. However in Windows 8 all you need is to type anything on the desktop to activate the search facility. As you type, search box will appear with results for the search made. The search facility almost instantaneously displays all the matching apps and results based on the search made. Searching within the apps is also supported in Windows 8.All you need to do is type the query on the search bar and click on the app you wish to search on.

4. Windows To Go

Windows To Go allows users to create a personalized copy of various attributes of the Operating system including apps, files, wallpapers etc and copy it into a USB drive. You can use this copy to log into another Windows 8 installed device and make the new system display the OS in your personalized format. This feature comes really handy if your system crashes or gets infected by virus. You will be able to return to a previous state with all the copied files and apps intact.

Read More About: windows operating system updates