Summary. With Windows 8, Microsoft offers the first major change to user accounts since, well, it added user accounts to Windows

With Windows 8, Microsoft offers the first major change to user accounts since, well, it added user accounts to Windows. Now, home users can get the same kind of settings‑roaming functionality that was previously available only in expensive and complex corporate environments, tied to the online ID–the Microsoft account–we all already use. Of course, those using traditional workgroup‑type local accounts or domain accounts won’t be left behind either, and you can mix all three account types on the same PC if desired.

From a security perspective, Microsoft has finally closed the loop and silenced the critics by adding an excellent and effective antivirus solution to the OS. That, combined with new boot‑time security protections, new security features like Windows SmartScreen, a host of new Action Center‑based reliability and security tracking functionality, and, of course, all the excellent security features from Windows 7, makes Windows 8 the most secure Windows yet.

But then you expected nothing less, right?

Chapter 13

Networking and Connectivity

In This Chapter

Understanding which Windows 7 networking features carry over to Windows 8

Connecting to and managing wired networks

Connecting to and managing Wi‑Fi wireless networks