Compare Windows 8 Editions

Compare Features Between Windows 8 Editions

windows8-original-iso.jpg


information   Information
Windows 8 is made available in four editions (SKUs). These will be Windows RT (ARM) for the consumer market, Windows 8 (32-bit and 64-bit), Windows 8 Pro (32-bit and 64-bit), and Windows 8 Enterprise for corporations and IT organizations.

This tutorial will show you a comparison list of key features between the four Windows RT (ARM), Windows 8, Windows 8 Pro, and Windows 8 Enterprise editions.

Note   Note
For more information, see also:
For PCs and tablets powered by x86 processors (both 32 and 64 bit), we will have two editions: Windows 8 and Windows 8 Pro. For many consumers, Windows 8 will be the right choice. It will include all the features above plus an updated Windows Explorer, Task Manager, better multi-monitor support and the ability to switch languages on the fly which was previously only available in Enterprise/Ultimate editions of Windows. For China and a small set of select emerging markets, we will offer a local language-only edition of Windows 8.

Windows 8 Pro is designed to help tech enthusiasts and business/technical professionals obtain a broader set of Windows 8 technologies. It includes all the features in Windows 8 plus features for encryption, virtualization, PC management and domain connectivity. Windows Media Center will be available as an economical “media pack” add-on to Windows 8 Pro. If you are an enthusiast or you want to use your PC in a business environment, you will want Windows 8 Pro.

Windows RT is the newest member of the Windows family – also known as Windows on ARM or WOA, as we’ve referred to it previously. This single edition will only be available pre-installed on PCs and tablets powered by ARM processors and will help enable new thin and lightweight form factors with impressive battery life. Windows RT will include touch-optimized desktop versions of the new Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote. For new apps, the focus for Windows RT is development on the new Windows runtime, or WinRT, which we unveiled in September and forms the foundation of a new generation of cloud-enabled, touch-enabled, web-connected apps of all kinds. For more details on WOA, we suggest reading this blog post which shares more detail on how we have been building Windows 8 to run on the ARM architecture.

Windows 8 Enterprise includes all the features of Windows 8 Pro plus features for IT organizations that enable PC management and deployment, advanced security, virtualization, new mobility scenarios, and much more.
  • Windows To Go is a fully manageable corporate Windows 8 desktop on a bootable external USB stick. This will allow IT organizations to support the “Bring Your Own PC” trend and businesses can give contingent staff access to the corporate environment without compromising security.
  • DirectAccess allows remote users to seamlessly access resources inside a corporate network without having to launch a separate VPN and helps IT administrators keep remote users’ PCs in compliance by applying the latest policies, software updates, is easier to deploy, and it can be implemented with the existing IPv4 infrastructure.
  • BranchCache allows users’ PCs to cache files, websites, and other content from central servers, so content is not repeatedly downloaded across the wide area network (WAN). When used with Windows Server 2012, Windows 8 brings several improvements to BranchCache to streamline the deployment process, optimize bandwidth over WAN connections and ensure better security and scalabilty.
  • AppLocker can help mitigate issues by restricting the files and apps that users or groups are allowed to run.
  • VDI enhancements: Enhancements in Microsoft RemoteFX and Windows Server 2012, provide users with a rich desktop experience with the ability to play 3D graphics, use USB peripherals and use touch-enabled devices across any type of network (LAN or WAN) for VDI scenarios.
  • New Windows 8 App Deployment: Domain joined PCs and tablets running Windows 8 Enterprise will automatically be enabled to side-load internal, Windows 8 Metro style apps.

The European Windows 8 N, Windows 8 Pro N, Windows 8 Enterprise N, or Windows 8 KN, Windows 8 Pro KN, Windows 8 Enterprise KN editions include the same functionality as Windows 8, except for media-related technologies (Windows Media Player, web camera), and certain preinstalled media apps (Camera, Music, and Video). In addition, the KN editions do not include certain preinstalled communication apps (Calendar, Mail, Messaging, and People).

See: How to Install Media Feature Pack for N and KN Editions of Windows 8 and 8.1





Windows RT (ARM)

Windows 8

Windows 8 Pro

Windows 8 Enterprise

Upgrades from Windows 7 Starter, Home Basic, Home Premium

NO

YES

YES

NO

Upgrades from Windows 7 Professional, Ultimate

NO

NO

YES

NO

Add Features to Windows 8

NO

YES

YES

NO

Animated Transitions

YES

YES

YES

YES

App Deployment

NO

NO

NO

YES

AppLocker

NO

NO

NO

YES

Apps from Store (Mail, Calendar, People, Messaging, Photos, Xbox "Games", SkyDrive, Reader, Music, Video)

YES

YES

YES

YES

Better multiple monitor support

YES

YES

YES

YES

BitLocker and BitLocker To Go

NO

NO

YES

YES

BITS Support

NO

NO

YES

YES

Boot from VHD

NO

NO

YES

YES

BranchCache

NO

NO

NO

YES

Codec: AAC Decoder (v2, v3)

NO

YES

YES

YES

Codec: Dolby Digital Decoder (v3)

NO

YES

YES

YES

Codec: H.264 Video Decoder (v2)

NO

YES

YES

YES

Codec: MPEG2 Video Decoder (add-in)

NO

YES

YES

YES

Connected standby

YES

YES

YES

YES

Desktop

YES

YES

YES

YES

Desktop Animations

YES

YES

YES

YES

Desktop Background (change)

NO

YES

YES

YES

Desktop 3rd party software installation

NO

YES

YES

YES

Device encryption

YES

NO

NO

YES

DirectAccess

NO

NO

NO

YES

Disk Mirroring

YES

NO

YES

YES

Domain (join)

NO

NO

YES

YES

Dynamic Disks

YES

YES

YES

YES

Encrypting File System

NO

NO

YES

YES

Exchange ActiveSync Client

YES

YES

YES

YES

Family Safety

YES

YES

YES

YES

File Explorer (aka: Windows Explorer)

YES

YES

YES

YES

File History

YES

YES

YES

YES

First Sign-in Animation can be Disabled

YES

YES

YES

YES

Group Policy

NO

NO

YES

YES

HomeGroup Create

NO

YES

YES

YES

HomeGroup Join

YES

YES

YES

YES

Hyper-V (client)

NO

NO

YES

YES

In-box Apps (Mail, Calendar, etc.)

YES

YES

YES

YES

Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)

NO

YES

YES

YES

Internet Explorer 10

YES

YES

YES

YES

Internet Explorer Automatic Update

NO

YES

YES

YES

ISO mount

YES

YES

YES

YES

Language Packs

YES

YES

YES

YES

Live Tiles

YES

YES

YES

YES

Local accounts

YES

YES

YES

YES

Local Security Policy Editor

NO

NO

YES

YES

Local User and Groups Manager

NO

NO

YES

YES

Max Memory Allowed (ARM)

4GB







Max Memory Allowed 64-bit (x64)



128GB

512GB

512GB

Max Memory Allowed 32-bit (X86)



4GB

4GB

4GB

Max Physical Processors

2

1

2

2

Max SMB Connections



20

20

20

Metered Connections

YES

YES

YES

YES

Microsoft Account

YES

YES

YES

YES

Microsoft Office Home & Student 2013 RT (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote)

YES

NO

NO

NO

Mobile Broadband Networking

YES

YES

YES

YES

Mobility Center

YES

YES

YES

YES

Multiple Monitors

YES

YES

YES

YES

Network Bridging

NO

YES

YES

YES

Network Connectivity Assistant

YES

NO

NO

NO

Offline Files

NO

NO

YES

YES

Personalization

YES

YES

YES

YES

Picture password

YES

YES

YES

YES

Pin Sign-in

YES

YES

YES

YES

Play To

YES

YES

YES

YES

Presentation Mode

YES

YES

YES

YES

Presentation Settings

YES

NO

YES

YES

Refresh Windows 8

YES

YES

YES

YES

Remote Desktop Client

YES

YES

YES

YES

Remote Desktop Host

NO

NO

YES

YES

Remote Desktop (Advanced Compression)

NO

NO

NO

YES

Remote Desktop (Audio Capture)

NO

NO

YES

YES

Remote Desktop (Direct3D Rendering)

NO

NO

NO

YES

Remote Desktop (DWW Remoting)

NO

NO

YES

YES

Remote Desktop (Easy Print)

NO

NO

YES

YES

Remote Desktop (Multiple Monitors)

NO

NO

YES

YES

Remote Desktop (PnP Device Redirection)

NO

NO

NO

YES

Remote Desktop (Remote Applications)

NO

NO

NO

YES

Reset Windows 8

YES

YES

YES

YES

Secure Sign-in (CTRL+ALT+DEL)

YES

YES

YES

YES

Semantic Zoom on Start and Apps screens

YES

YES

YES

YES

Sensors and Location Platform

YES

YES

YES

YES

SmartScreen

YES

YES

YES

YES

Shake

YES

YES

YES

YES

Sideloading/Line of Business (LOB) Apps

YES

NO

NO

YES

Snap

YES

YES

YES

YES

Snipping Tool

YES

YES

YES

YES

Start screen

YES

YES

YES

YES

Sticky Notes

YES

YES

YES

YES

Storage Spaces

NO

YES

YES

YES

Tablet PC features

YES

YES

YES

YES

Task Manager Enhanced (Metro)

YES

YES

YES

YES

Touch and Thumb keyboard

YES

YES

YES

YES

Trusted boot

YES

YES

YES

YES

Updated Windows Explorer

NO

YES

YES

YES

VDI enhancements

NO

NO

NO

YES

VHD mount

YES

YES

YES

YES

VPN client

YES

YES

YES

YES

Windows Backup

YES

YES

YES

YES

Windows Backup to Network

NO

NO

YES

YES

Windows Defender

YES

YES

YES

YES

Windows Media Center add-on

NO

NO

YES

NO

Windows Media Player

NO

YES

YES

YES

Windows PowerShell

YES

YES

YES

YES

Windows Store

YES

YES

YES

YES

Windows To Go

NO

NO

NO

YES

Windows Update

YES

YES

YES

YES

Wireless Adhoc Networking

NO

YES

YES

YES

 
Last edited:
Good, Hyper-V for Pro only.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 enterprise x64
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Pc-Quebec / Area 66
    CPU
    i7-3960X Extreme Edition
    Motherboard
    Rampage IV Extreme
    Memory
    Gskill 4x4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    4 x HD 7970
    Sound Card
    onboard
    Screen Resolution
    2560*1600
    Hard Drives
    C:\Intel series 520 SSD , 250 GB
    D:\ WD 750 black with Intel 40gb SSD cache Intel RST
    E:\ WD 2TB Black
    PSU
    Corsair AX 1200
    Case
    TT Mozart TX
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Logitech G-15
    Other Info
    Windows 8 VM is install on his own SSD.
Pro :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10.0.10122
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    My Build - Vorttex Ultimate
    CPU
    Core i7 @ 4500 MHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS Z87-Plus
    Memory
    32GB DDR3 @ 1822 MHz (OC)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon R9 280X 3GB @ 1180 / 6800 MHz
    Sound Card
    7.1 HDA
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LCD LG 22" + CRT LG 17"
    Screen Resolution
    1760 x 1320 / 1280 x 960
    Hard Drives
    1 x 240 GB SSD (System)
    3 x 500 GB HDD (Data/Media)
    1 x 2000 GB e-HDD (Backup)
    PSU
    ThermalTake 1000W PSU
    Case
    Corsair Carbide R300
    Cooling
    Corsair H60 (Push-Pull)
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Wireless Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Wireless Mouse
    Internet Speed
    60 Mbps (Down) 5 Mbps (Up)
    Browser
    IE, FF, Chrome
    Antivirus
    AVG Internet Security 2015
    Other Info
    Some wired stuff
Shame, there isn't an edition without the start screen.:(

I expect there will all kinds of attempts to remove it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
lol Arm appears to be a Metro machine. Who in their right mind would want that? I know very little about it, but from what I see above, I wouldn't take one of those if someone gave it to me for free. Serious.

"Installation of x86/64 and desktop software" No
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8250 x86 + 7 SP1 x86 + Ubuntu 12.04 LTS x86
    CPU
    P4 3.4 GHz HT
    Motherboard
    MSI-7211
    Memory
    OCZ 2 GB DDR @ 400 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    HIS AGP HD 3850 Turbo Ice-Q
    Sound Card
    MOTU Traveler firewire interface
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer x223w
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    WD Caviar Black 1 TB Sata II, WD 400 GB Sata I, WD 120 GB Sata I
    PSU
    300W generic
    Case
    Cybertron
    Keyboard
    Logitech Classic Keyboard 200, Dell RT7D20
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
    Internet Speed
    2 MByte/sec Down, 250 KByte/sec Up
Nice explanation Shawn.

The ARM version is for a lower hardware (and therefore software) computer/tablet, to compete with ipad and Android.
They will have the same non-PC software limitation.

The Intel/AMD CPU tablets will run x86/64 OS and apps, and will cost more due to better hardware/software.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64/ Windows 7 Ult x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    76~2.0
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-3570K 4.6GHz
    Motherboard
    GIGABYTE GA-Z77X UD3H f18
    Memory
    8GB (2X4GB) DDR3 1600 CORSAIR Vengeance CL8 1.5v
    Graphics Card(s)
    Sapphire HD 7770 Vapor-X 1GB DDR5
    Sound Card
    Onboard VIA VT2021
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LCD Dell SP2208WFP
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    Samaung 840Pro 128GB, Seagate 500GB SATA2 7200rpm 32mb, Seagate 1TB SATA2 7200rpm 32mb,
    PSU
    Corsair HX650W
    Case
    Cooler Master Storm Scout
    Cooling
    Corsair H80 w/Noctua NF P12 12cm fan, case fans 2X14cm
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wave
    Mouse
    CM Sentinel
    Internet Speed
    Abysmal
    Browser
    Opera Next
    Other Info
    Dell Venue 8Pro: Baytrail Z3740D, 2GB Ram, 64GB HDD, 8" IPS Display 1280 x 800, Active Stylus.
    Haswell laptop: HP Envy 17t-j, i7-4700MQ, GeForce 740M 2GB DDR3, 17.3" Full HD 1920x1080, 16GB RAM, Samsung 840 Pro 128GB, 1TB Hitachi 7200 HDD,
    Desktop: eSATA ports,
    External eSATA Seagate 500GB SATA2 7200rpm,
Thanks for the explanation. Kinda like a Windows 7 Starter (only worse because at least that can run software) edition that can't be changed. No thanks I say heh heh.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8250 x86 + 7 SP1 x86 + Ubuntu 12.04 LTS x86
    CPU
    P4 3.4 GHz HT
    Motherboard
    MSI-7211
    Memory
    OCZ 2 GB DDR @ 400 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    HIS AGP HD 3850 Turbo Ice-Q
    Sound Card
    MOTU Traveler firewire interface
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer x223w
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    WD Caviar Black 1 TB Sata II, WD 400 GB Sata I, WD 120 GB Sata I
    PSU
    300W generic
    Case
    Cybertron
    Keyboard
    Logitech Classic Keyboard 200, Dell RT7D20
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
    Internet Speed
    2 MByte/sec Down, 250 KByte/sec Up
lol Arm appears to be a Metro machine. Who in their right mind would want that? I know very little about it, but from what I see above, I wouldn't take one of those if someone gave it to me for free. Serious.

"Installation of x86/64 and desktop software" No

Microsoft will be very happy, only app sell true their store will be on Arc PC. They are heading to the cloud terminal, my beat is that Windows 9 will also only be metro, only the pro and enterprise will have a desktop a desktop
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 enterprise x64
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Pc-Quebec / Area 66
    CPU
    i7-3960X Extreme Edition
    Motherboard
    Rampage IV Extreme
    Memory
    Gskill 4x4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    4 x HD 7970
    Sound Card
    onboard
    Screen Resolution
    2560*1600
    Hard Drives
    C:\Intel series 520 SSD , 250 GB
    D:\ WD 750 black with Intel 40gb SSD cache Intel RST
    E:\ WD 2TB Black
    PSU
    Corsair AX 1200
    Case
    TT Mozart TX
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Logitech G-15
    Other Info
    Windows 8 VM is install on his own SSD.
With only a difference in the first three items, one does wonder why MS would offe Enterprise, or why anyone would wish to purchase it rather than Pro - Apart from a possible huge price difference?
It does say in the small print "plus features for IT organization that enable PC management and deployment, advanced security, virtualization, new mobility scenarios, and much more. ", but, again, why not wrap it up in the PRo. But what do I know, I only speak English. LOL.

Professional.
Expert and specialized knowledge in field which one is practicing professionally.[6]
Excellent manual/practical and literary skills in relation to profession.[7]
High quality work in (examples): creations, products, services, presentations, consultancy, primary/other research, administrative, marketing, photography or other work endeavours.

Enterprise.
The practice of starting new organizations, particularly new businesses
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Use several different computers during a day, so specs are irrelevant.
Hello Dave,

Enterprise is geared for the corporate or IT customer instead. We'll have to wait to see what the "much more" will be though. :)


Windows 8 Enterprise includes all the features of Windows 8 Pro plus features for IT organizations that enable PC management and deployment, advanced security, virtualization, new mobility scenarios, and much more.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
You have to remember the Enterprise editions of Windows are not available through the usual OEM channels, they're only available to customers with Quality Assurance Contracts, although they can also be found as part of the MSDN\Technet\Microsoft Partner networks, as well. Under Windows 7, there were very few differences, functionality wise, between Ultimate and Enterprise, but there are major licensing benefits for the Enterprise versions.

It will be interesting to see if/how Microsoft deviate from Windows 7 with the Enterprise versions of Windows 8. It would appear they've already dropped the ball with Media Centre, so I wonder how bad it might get...
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 x64 Ultimate/Windows 8.1/Linux
    CPU
    FX-8350
    Motherboard
    GA-990XA-UD3
    Memory
    16GB DDR3 Corsair Vengeance
    Graphics Card(s)
    HD7860
    Sound Card
    Xonar Essence STX
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Various
    PSU
    Corsair HX 850W
    Case
    Corsair Obsidian
    Cooling
    Thermalright
    Keyboard
    Logitech
    Mouse
    Logitech
    Internet Speed
    50/50
    Browser
    firefox

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Too bad ARM only comes preloaded. So much for using a tablet I already have. I wan't to dual boot on my Transformer. I hope Asus comes out with a Transformer RT.
I have been running the preview on a RM Slate and I don't mind going between desktop and Metro.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8 consumer preview
    System Manufacturer/Model
    RM Slate 100
    CPU
    Intel Atom N450
    Memory
    2 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    intel GMA 3150
    Hard Drives
    32GB SSD
MS refused to answer questions today about whether Win 8 can be used to upgrade XP and Vista. Although the Win 8 Preview upgrades frm both, MS has only announced that the full version can upgrade from Windows 7.

Granted, there's a work-around. If you have XP or Vista, borrow a legal copy of 7, install it, and you have some time before you have to register it on line. Then install the Win 8 upgrade.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
Hello Vince,

It would be best to do a clean install of Windows 7 instead of upgrading from XP or Vista to Windows 8 anyways. Doing so would most likely have issues from it afterwards.

Time will tell what all our options may be though.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
It would be best to do a clean install of Windows 7 instead of upgrading from XP or Vista to Windows 8 anyways. Doing so would most likely have issues from it afterwards.

I think I'm known for being a very strong supporter of doing upgrades when wanted/needed. The simplest reason is logic. If your upgrade is unfixable, THEN you can clean install. In my mind, there is no point in not trying when you have nothing to lose at all (besides the time it takes to attempt it.)

All issues that can come out of upgrading can be fixed too, but sometimes it takes a lot of know-how. The number one thing I would suggest for upgraders is to use the tool in safe mode to completely uninstall any antivirus and/or firewall from the machine first.

The only issue I am aware of so far with upgrades from previous operating systems, that may be Microsoft's own fault, is the audio service not being able to be started. There is an easy fix for that though, by running a command.

All in all, I suggest upgrades for tech savvy people that don't mind troubleshooting a (usually) tiny issue or two. For those that do not even want to think of troubles, then yes, clean install is a must for him or her.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8250 x86 + 7 SP1 x86 + Ubuntu 12.04 LTS x86
    CPU
    P4 3.4 GHz HT
    Motherboard
    MSI-7211
    Memory
    OCZ 2 GB DDR @ 400 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    HIS AGP HD 3850 Turbo Ice-Q
    Sound Card
    MOTU Traveler firewire interface
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer x223w
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    WD Caviar Black 1 TB Sata II, WD 400 GB Sata I, WD 120 GB Sata I
    PSU
    300W generic
    Case
    Cybertron
    Keyboard
    Logitech Classic Keyboard 200, Dell RT7D20
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
    Internet Speed
    2 MByte/sec Down, 250 KByte/sec Up
I am very sad that Microsoft is taking away ability to use AppLocker from consumers...

They are trying to convince Windows 8 Pro is the upgrade of Windows 7 Pro and Ultimate.

However in reality it is no the case. The only reason I got windows 7 Ultimate was because I need all the function Windows could offer to me. Especially AppLocker and Group policies.

Why can't Microsoft still keep Ultimate edition with all functions? They could just distribute digital only version.

After my fiasco with Consumer Preview, I am coming back for Release Preview to see that my very fine-tuned AppLocker settings will not work anymore.

Honestly, I am struggling to remain one of the Microsoft's biggest fans. :(
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Tetris
I'm glad Microsoft is dividing versions that actually makes sense. Win 8 for normal users, Win 8 Pro for geeks, RT for tables, Enterprise for Enterprise. I'm probably going for Win 8 Pro.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 RP x64
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Sony Vaio
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-2410M CPU @ 2.30GHz
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon
    Sound Card
    Unknown but okay
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ??
    Screen Resolution
    1080
    Internet Speed
    slow
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