NEW YORK (October 24, 2012)—Retailer Best Buy is hoping to capitalize on the launch of Microsoft Corp.'s Windows 8 and trying to lure customers with exclusive computers and staffers trained to explain and demonstrate it.

Windows 8 has a new look that's intended to create a seamless experience for users, whether they're on PCs, tablets or smartphones.

Featuring a colorful array of tiles that fill the screen instead of the familiar start menu and icons, it's designed especially for touch-sensitive screens.

Best Buy Co. spent three years coming up with a plan that includes two years of developing 45 exclusive Windows 8 computers and laptops designed with manufacturers such as Hewlett-Packard Co. to AsusTek Computer Inc. Nearly half of those computers feature touch screens.