Windows 8 will value your privacy (kind of)

If you like the idea of online privacy, Windows 8 might just be for you.

Microsoft will enable a feature called Do Not Track by default for all Windows 8 machines running Internet Explorer 10. Of course, anyone running a different browser will not have this luxury by default.

The technology, which has become increasingly popular among Web surfers, prevents users’ data from being stored for advertising purposes.

It is available in all major browsers today but users have to be savvy enough to know how to enable it. For the next iteration of Windows, however, that will not be an issue.

Users who actually want their history to be tracked – some people do appreciate that they get targeted and relevant ads – will be able to disable the feature.

Windows 8 will be unlike any previous version of Microsoft’s operating system because it will have a dedicated focus on tablets that will be separate from the standard PC version.

Microsoft has a lot of ambition with Windows 8, and with a complete interface overhaul and functionality up the wazoo, it does have a chance to make a splash.

The most distinct aspect of Windows 8 is what’s known as the “Metro UI,” which allows users to have complete customization on their home page, including widgets, RSS readers, weather information, date/time, etc.

In addition, since this is such a revolutionary new platform, Microsoft wants to scrap out all remnants of the “old-school” look and feel. Instead of a Start bar, hovering your mouse over that corner of the screen will allow you to swap between the Metro UI and the traditional desktop. For the mobile version of Windows 8, the Metro UI will be the default interface.