Rumor: New Windows 8 64-bit UI Called ''Wind''

By Kevin Parrish
published

Windows 8 will supposedly have separate 32-bit and 64-bit interfaces, the latter dubbed as "Wind."

Italian-based website window8italia reports that Windows 8 will arrive with two separate interfaces, one for 32-bit and one for 64-bit. The latter version will be fully 3D and codenamed "Wind," requiring around 170 MB of dedicated video memory. Although "Wind" will reportedly exist in all copies of Windows 8, it will not be activated within the 32-bit version.

The news follows a recent discovery in Nvidia's Quadro 265 driver which specifically references a new kernel with the number 6.2-- Windows 7 is 6.1. The driver actually points to the 64-bit version of Windows 8 specifically as listed in the following:

; Nvidia Windows Vista / 7 / 8 (64 bit) Display INF file DiskID1 = "Nvidia Windows Vista / 7 / 8 (64 bit) Driver Library Installation Disk 1" Nvidia_Win8 = "Nvidia"

In addition to the 3D aspect, the 64-bit interface will reportedly be "fully dynamic" in that it will adapt to the user's habits. This includes the ability to speed up daily tasks by adapting shortcuts and icons to fit within different usage scenarios.

Previously we reported that Windows 8 will be heavily cloud-dependent, requiring the user to sign into an account stored on Microsoft's cloud servers. Security will also supposedly be cloud-based, storing key kernels with the user's account. This will seemingly help reduce the amount of piracy, requiring Windows 8 to virtually "check in" online each time the desktop or laptop boots into the OS. It's also believed that Windows 8 will backup core components on the cloud servers for recovery purposes.

Window8italia also mentioned that Windows 8 may include a fast hibernation system. This would put the desktop or laptop into hibernation mode between three to six seconds while also saving the state of running tasks and open documents.

As always, the features listed above aren't official, so take them as mere rumors for now. Even if some of these are based on leaked facts, Windows 8 isn't slated to go retail for another two years, so anything could change before then.

Kevin Parrish
82 Comments Comment from the forums
  • COLGeek
    As in passing wind? Sorry, it was too easy.
    Reply
  • Trialsking
    Win 7 UI has been working for me so far, I just hope I don't break "Wind".......
    Reply
  • daygall
    well cloud based eh? call me old fashioned but if thats the case im never goin past win7 thank you, i like my computer to have the ability to be off network

    like my 1 box i have that has never even seen a network cause i do my taxes on it... cloud based os.... whats next stream your gameing as a video... wait nvm -_-
    Reply
  • squanto
    I am not liking the sound of this cloud stuff. Balmer gave a talk at my school and brought a server bus. I swear one day we will all have only monitors with every peripheral wireless, even the power (as inefficient as it is now)
    Reply
  • Horhe
    What if I don't have an Internet connection?

    I know, it's a rumor, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was true.
    Reply
  • Spore
    I was kind of hoping Windows 8 wouldn't even have a 32bit version.
    Reply
  • micr0be
    The only time Microsoft will make something that doesn't suck is when they start making vacuums cleaners. except i need them for games.
    Reply
  • nevertell
    Wasn't there a rumor that they'd drop 32 bit support after windows 7 ?
    Reply
  • rubix_1011
    If you don't have/refuse a web connection, it will still work, but not have the features of backup/restore of kernel files, etc if needed in case of recovery.

    It would be the same issue that people have now; not getting updates, etc...however, many applications might fail to fully work without the web dependency as they might be seen as 'not needed'. Consider this similar to trying to play recent games that REQUIRED a web connection to register/start playing...even offline content.
    Reply
  • jimmysmitty
    SporeI was kind of hoping Windows 8 wouldn't even have a 32bit version.
    Although the adaptation of Windows 7 64bit has been very good, in fact the majority of Windows 7 used is 64bit due to it being better than 32bit, there are still and probably will still be some laggers who need a 32bit version. I will bet that the majority of the people who use Windows 8 will be on 64bit but still as I said, we will have a few that need 32bit.

    MS cannot kill 32bit unless there is 100% proof that no one uses it and that all software is coded for 64bit.

    micr0beThe only time Microsoft will make something that doesn't suck is when they start making vacuums cleaners. except i need them for games.
    Yea........ I actually like 7. In fact I find it better than Mac OS or even Linux/Unix. Unlike OSX, I can put it on any hardware and I have a choice of what I do. And unlike Linux/Unix it has support and doesn't need me to tinker with the kernal or a command prompt to get hardware to work.

    I guess I am just a bit lazy that way but if you look at everything overall, Windows is pretty damn good compared to the other stuff.
    Reply