With the retirement of Windows XP, it is time to get informed about Microsoft’s newest operating system, Windows 8.1.

Designed with increased flexibility and productivity in mind, Windows 8.1 allows your employees to work easily on notebooks, workstations and tablets.  No matter what device they use, you can count on its ease of use.

In many ways, Windows 8.1 is similar to Windows XP and it is full of new features to make your business more efficient.

Here are a few of the new features:

Windows Everywhere – with this version of Windows, you can use an email address and password of your choice (it can be one you already use) to save the customizations you have on your desktop, tablet or Windows Phone and keep everything consistent throughout your Windows 8 devices.

Secure Boot – helps protect the integrity of your operating system.  Secure boot does not allow the unauthorized loading of a program (malicious or otherwise) during boot up.

Wireless Technology – Near-Field Communication (NFC) is not necessarily new technology, but Microsoft is putting it to good use.  This technology allows you to place a tag on a printer and print by tapping your tablet to the tag, without hooking up wires or accessing the specific printer from the print menu.  Miracast is another Windows 8.1 compatible technology.  Miracast allows you to stream via Wi-Fi form one device to another (such as from computer to overhead projector) eliminating the need for cables and wires.

Built-in Virtualization – Microsoft launched Hyper-V with it’s Windows 8.1 release.  For companies hesitating to upgrade from their Windows XP systems because key programs were not compatible or supported on a newer operating system, Windows 8.1 virtualization technology may be for you! Virtualization technology allows a company to have a virtual machine on their new computer.  Meaning you would have a computer within a computer.

Personal Touch – With picture password, personal lock screen, customizable tiles and improved multi-monitor support your employees will be happier with their computer, and happy workers means more productive workers.