For young people who use PCs, the latest version of Windows is a drastic shift – for good, and for some, not so good.

Twenty-three-year-old Ly Visal, a fourth-year student majoring in computer science at Royal University, is an enthusiastic convert. “The speed of Windows 8 is faster than previous versions, and it cut down the hardware use,” he said.

“Also, if you set up Window 8, it comes with anti-virus software built in called Window Defender to protect your computer.”

But the biggest change in the new operating system is the desktop, which is now replaced with the Modern UI (user interface), designed for interactive touch-screen use.

While most changes to the revitalised Windows are good, a few users have complaints about its online requirements.

“Almost all the programs in Windows 8 require internet access in order to run or update. So if there is not internet access, then some data will not appear,” Visal noted, adding that he knew some users who didn’t like the new version.

“However, you still can use it for most programs as a standalone.”