Windows 8

Windows 8 is an operating system from Microsoft for use on personal computers such as home or business desktops, laptops, tablet PCs, and media center PCs that are powered by traditional X86 and X64 CPUs from Intel and AMD.

Note: Support for Windows 8 ended on January 12, 2016, and support for Windows 8.1 will end on January 10, 2023. We recommend you move to a Windows 11 to continue to receive security updates from Microsoft.

Initially promoted as one of the most innovative versions of Windows OS, the adoption of a brand new app development platform in the form of Windows Store apps, support for ARM processors with a feature-limited slim version of the OS, and dramatic reinvention of user interface style have all lead to the middling adoption of this operating system, forcing Microsoft to very quickly move away from Windows 8 OS and improve it with a successor that has managed to become the most successful OS release in the history of the Microsoft Corporation.

Originally released to the public in October 2012, Windows 8 program managed to introduce large changes over its processor. This includes a brand new interface called Metro that aimed to improve the user experience for touchscreen displays, a brand new Start Menu that boldly promoted access to Windows Store apps and removed traditional access to listed items, greater integration with online services, synchronization of apps, and app states between devices, Windows Store for online distribution of new format of cross-platform optimized Windows apps, built-in antivirus software, support for UEFI Secure Boot and many other features.

• Sleek, modern design
• Very stable OS
• Snappy interface
• Includes new native Metro Apps

While many of these features were welcomed as a clear advancement over the Windows 7, public response to Win8 was weak, mostly citing the unintuitive user interface for traditional Desktop PC use, a large focus on Metro apps, restrictive Windows Store practices, elimination of Start Menu button, lack of traditional Start Menu options, and other workflow and UI issues. Many of these complaints were eventually addressed in the following release of Windows 8.1 that was released to the public in October of 8.1 as a free upgrade through the Windows Store. This update returned the much bellowed Start Button and Start Menu, new windows snapping options, ability to boot to desktop instead of touch-screen focused Start screen, and many brand new features were added – Bing-based unified search, SkyDrive integration, new stock apps, built-in support for 3D printing, new NFC and Miracast services, and more.

If you need to install or reinstall Windows 8.1, you can use the tools on this page to create your own installation media using either a USB flash drive or a DVD Disc Image (ISO File). Windows editions:

• Windows 8.1
• Windows 8.1 K
• Windows 8.1 KN
• Windows 8.1 N
• Windows 8.1 Single Language

Many version tiers that were available in Windows 7 were not offered with Windows 8. Windows 8 was released in four basic versions, three for traditional X86/X64 PCs (Pro and Enterprise), and one for ARM-based portable PCs (Windows RT).

Today, Windows 8 remains remembered as the start of the software, services, and cloud revolution coming out of Microsoft, who have managed with the following release of Windows 10 to leave all legacy versions of Windows OS behind and transition vast majority of PC users to a modern touch-friendly, highly optimized, fast, modular and reliable computing platform.