In regards to Powerchute, I wish APC would update its software.
Why? What's wrong with it? I find it works perfectly and is very informative. But to that, it has had several updates since PowerChute "Personal Edition" first came and while the last update was in 2012, APC did verify it works as expected with W8.1 64-bit and 32-bit. So why update something that works as expected?
As far as Windows identifying the UPS as an external battery source, it actually does. My APC UPS is listed under Batteries in Device Manager on this PC. As for controlling the UPS as PowerChute does, since there is no industry standard for communicating with UPS (as there is for Ethernet and wireless networking, USB, PATA or SATA interfaces) Windows must rely on the UPS maker's 3rd party app to communicate with their UPS.
That is not Microsoft's or Windows' fault. The UPS industry must agree on a communications standard amongst themselves
and in conjunction with the developers of the many operating systems in use today, including the many variants of Linux/UNIX, Windows, MacOS, RTOS (real-time operating systems), and more.
These UPS are not just used on
Windows PCs. In fact, I also have a UPS on my home theater audio equipment and big screen TV. And one on my garage door opener!