What’s new
The Start screen
Everything you care about most is on the new Start screen. Tiles on the Start screen are connected to people, apps, folders, photos, or websites, and are alive with the latest info, so you’re up to date at a glance.
Mouse, keyboard—and now touch
Windows 8 is perfect for PCs with only a mouse and keyboard, those with touchscreens, and those with both. Whatever kind of PC you have, you’ll discover fast and fluid ways to switch between apps, move things around, and go smoothly from one place to another.
New PCs
There are amazing new PCs of all kinds, including sleek and lightweight tablets, convertibles, and laptops.
Apps from the Windows Store
Windows 8 comes with a new store for apps, the Windows Store. Open the Store right from your Start screen to browse and download apps for cooking, photos, sports, news, and a lot more—many of them free.
Millions of streaming songs
Windows 8 also includes the Xbox Music app, which gives you access to a whole world of music.
Your Windows, everywhere
Sign in with your Microsoft account to any of your PCs running Windows 8 and you’ll immediately see your own background, display preferences, and settings.
The familiar made better
The desktop
The desktop that you’re used to—with its taskbar, folders, and icons—is still here and better than ever, with a new taskbar and streamlined file management.
Security
Stay up to date and more secure with Windows Defender, Windows Firewall, and Windows Update.
.
Speed
Windows 8 starts up faster, switches between apps faster, and uses power more efficiently than Windows 7.
Why download Windows 8?
It goes where you go
Your pictures, files, and settings are easily synced through the cloud, so you can get to what you need almost anywhere.
.
It plays as hard as it works
Windows 8 gives you the power to quickly browse, watch movies, play games, polish your resume, and pull together a killer presentation—all on a single PC.
.
You keep all your files
If your PC is running Windows 7, your files, apps, and settings will easily transfer to Windows 8.
,
You keep familiar programs
Programs that run on Windows 7 will run on Windows 8.
Meet Windows RT
Exclusively on new PCs
In addition to Windows 8, there’s a version of Windows called Windows RT that runs on some tablets and PCs. These lightweight PCs have fantastic battery life, and are a great option for doing stuff on the go. You can’t install Windows RT on your current PC. You can only get it by buying a Windows RT PC.
.
Includes a special version of Office
Windows RT comes with Microsoft Office Home & Student 2013 RT. This version of Office is optimized for touchscreens and automatically updates so you always have the latest version.
.
Exclusively runs Windows Store apps
Windows RT only runs apps that you download from the Windows Store, and also has great built-in apps like Mail, People, Messaging, Photos, SkyDrive, Music, and Video, so you can stay in touch and have fun.
.
.
h/t WINDOWS
