Windows 8 Tour: Lock, Login, And Start Menu

There's a lot to like about Windows 8--and a lot that will make you scratch your head. I hit the highlights in BYTE's Windows 8 Consumer Preview review, but the new operating system is too big to cover in one review. This time let's drill down a bit and take a closer look at Windows 8's lock, login, and Start Menu screens. Each are completely redesigned. They also make a large contribution to Windows 8's new Metro user interface.

Lock and login screens

The lock screen is completely new. The icons at the bottom of the screen, in the Metro apps notification area, change as system events trigger notifications, in real time.

The login screen has been redesigned, too. The first time you log in, you enter your Windows 8 user account password. After that, you will log into your Windows Live Account. Windows 8 uses Live Account to sync your key account attributes--settings, favorites, etc.--so that any Windows 8 computer you log into will have the same look and feel.

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