After the success of Windows 7, Microsoft is currently working with its upcoming OS, Windows 8, which will likely be available at 2012. There are many rumors that it would support many new, interesting features such as facial recognition and 128-bit version. To shorten boot time, Windows 8 can follow you across many devices and apps. Just like the previous transition from Windows XP to Vista, you may need better processor, graphic card and memory just to get those bells and whistles working.

Even so, enterprise customers do not need sleek interface or pretty animations; what they want is an operating system that is reliable, secure and simple to use. However, the business world is still in the process of migrating from Windows XP and Vista to Windows 7. Considering that Windows 8 will be released in two years, it is likely that many companies and home users will feel slightly upset with the prospect of migrating to the new OS in such a short span of time.

Significant media coverage on Windows 8 may not be a good thing for Microsoft, as it can cause current Windows XP and Vista users to delay their upgrade plan until 2012. Furthermore, many home computer users who use their PCs only for accessing social networks and light office tasks reported that they experienced little or no productivity gain after migrating from XP to Windows Vista or 7. Without enough new innovations, customers will consider Windows 8 as unnecessary and a cheap attempt by Microsoft to gain huge profits.

We may need to wait whether Windows 8 will include major structural changes or just a polished version of Windows 7. Clearly, Microsoft needs to include hard-to-resist features, such as:

1. Support for App Store-like marketplace. A place where developers can sell their apps at low price. This feature will be available in Mac OS X 10.7 Lion and if it is a success there’s no excuse for Microsoft to not follow suit.
2. Better security. Windows 7 is a huge improvement over Vista in terms of security features. Undoubtedly, inadequate security enhancement is a huge turn-off, as users need to make sure that Windows 8 is built upon the security improvements that Windows 7 currently has.
3. Faster Boot Times. Many people are astonished at how fast the new MacBook Air is booted up. Granted, this ability is influenced by the use of solid-state drive, still it’s a great new addition that many busy computer users covet.
4. Better Support for Tablet. Windows 7 is a huge leap compared to earlier Windows OSs in its support on tablets. However, compared to Android and iOS, users tend to describe tablets run by Windows 7 as less reliable.
5. Windows 7 Modes. By 2012, many apps and games will be fully optimized to run on Windows 7. If Windows 8 will incorporate major kernel changes, it is likely that these apps won’t run properly.
6. Good Cloud Support. Without doubt, cloud is the future of computing. Unlike Google, Microsoft seems slightly reluctant in supporting the new trend. In 2012, companies and personal PC users will need better Web-based productivity apps, if Redmond doesn’t come through, current Windows 7 users might even migrate to OSs, such as Mac OS X that can provide better cloud features.