Windows 8 ditches '80s BIOS boot for streamline UEFI

Every time we reboot our computers, that scrolling code takes us right back to the days of War Games and Tab. Bringing us into the 21st century, Microsoft has decided to ditch the old boot by beautifying the whole experience with a graphical menu. Windows 8 will shift from the standard fugly BIOS system to a Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) -- giving users a high resolution logo and a graphical menu to gaze upon while powering up their PC. Besides just looking better, the menu lets you boot to a different disc, OS or USB drive using pretty pictures and words as prompts. If you're into a little self-inflicted eye torture, you can always pull up the command prompt menu from nightmares past. Check out the throwback video tribute to the computers of yesteryear after the break.

Update: Just to clarify, Microsoft isn't actually building flashing mobos, but it's pushing towards UEFI to achieve "significantly richer capabilities" while booting.

Update: Microsoft isn't actually building flashing mobos, but it's using its considerable industry weight to push manufacturers towards UEFI to achieve "significantly richer capabilities" while booting.

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Windows 8 ditches '80s BIOS boot for streamline UEFI originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Sep 2011 19:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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