Windows 8. It was released to manufacturing on August 27,and broadly released for retail sale on October 17,about a fres after winxows retail windows 8.1 vs 8.1 n free of its predecessor, and succeeded by Windows 10 on July 29, A server version, Windows Server Windows 8.1 vs 8.1 n freewas released on October 18, Vz include an improved Start screenadditional snap views, additional bundled apps, tighter OneDrive formerly SkyDrive integration, Internet Explorer 11 IE11a Bing -powered unified search system, restoration of a visible Start button on the taskbarand the ability to restore the previous behavior of opening the user's desktop on login instead of the Windows 8.1 vs 8.1 n free screen.

Despite nn improvements, Windows 8. Microsoft ended mainstream support for Windows 8. As of February [update]rree. In particular, the report detailed that Microsoft was planning to shift to a more "continuous" development model, which would see major revisions to its main software platforms released on a consistent vz cycle to keep up with market demands. Lending credibility to the dindows, Foley noted that a Microsoft staff member had listed experience with "Windows Blue" on his LinkedIn profile, and listed it gree a separate operating system from 8.

The build, which was iwndows to be of "Windows Blue", revealed a number of enhancements across Windows 8's interface, including additional size options for tiles, expanded color options on the Start screen, the expansion of PC Settings to include more options that were previously exclusive to the desktop Control Panelthe ability for apps to snap to half of the screen, the ability to take screenshots from the Share charm, additional stock apps, increased SkyDrive integration such as automatic device backups and Internet Explorer Shaw officially acknowledged the "Blue" project, stating that continuous development would be "the new normal" at Microsoft, and that "our product groups are also taking a unified planning approach so people get what they want—all of their devices, apps and services working together wherever they are and for whatever they are doing.

On Wnidows 14,Microsoft announced that "Blue" was officially unveiled as Windows 8. Shortly after its release, Windows RT 8. The company released recovery media and instructions which could be used to repair the device, and restored access to Windows RT 8. It was windows 8.1 vs 8.1 n free found that changes to screen resolution handling on Windows 8. Microsoft released a patch to fix the bug on certain games in Novemberand acknowledged that it was caused by "changes to mouse-input processing for low-latency interaction scenarios".

On April 8, windows 8.1 vs 8.1 n free, Microsoft released the Windows 8. Belfiore noted that the update would lower the minimum system requirements for Windows, so it can be installed on devices with as little as 1 GB windows 8.1 vs 8.1 n free RAM and 16 GB of storage. At the Build conference, during April, Microsoft's Terry Myerson unveiled 81.

user interface changes for Windows 8. Myerson stated that these changes would occur in a future update, but did not elaborate further. A distinction is the removal of the tooltip with the preview thumbnail of the Start screen.

Microsoft also unveiled a concept known as " Universal Windows apps ", in which a Windows Runtime app can be ported to Windows Phone 8. While it does not entirely unify Windows' app ecosystem with that of Windows Phone, it will allow developers to synchronize data between versions of their app on each platform, and bundle access to Windows, Windows Phone, and Xbox One versions of an app in a single purchase.

Microsoft markets Windows 8. This requires a Windows 8. Upgrading through Windows Store requires each machine to download an upgrade vw as big as 2—3. Unlike the traditional Windows service packs, the standalone installer, which could be downloaded once and installed as many times as needed, requires a Windows 8. Windows 8 was re-issued at retail as Windows 8. Retail copies of Windows 8. Microsoft stated that the change was in response to customer feedback, and to allow more flexibility for users.

Pricing for the wincows copies of Windows 8. It is subsidized by Microsoft's Bing search engine, which is set as the default within Internet Explorer and cannot be changed by OEMs. However, this restriction does not apply to end-users, who can still change the default search engine freely.

It is otherwise and functionally identical to the base edition of Windows 8. Many of the changes on Windows 8. The Start screen received several enhancements on Windows 8. Additional customization options were frfe added, windows 8.1 vs 8.1 n free as expanded color options, new backgrounds some of which incorporate animated elementsand the ability for the Start screen to use the desktop background instead.

Applications were no longer added to frew Start screen automatically when installed, and all applications now have colored tiles windows 8.1 vs 8.1 n free programs were previously shown in a single color.

The app snapping system was also extended; up to four apps can be snapped onto a single display depending on screen size, apps can be snapped to fill half the screen, and can also be used on any display in a multi-monitor configuration.

Apps can also launch other apps ve a snapped v to display content; for example, the Mail app can open fere photo attachment in a picture viewer snapped to another half of the screen. Improved support is also provided by apps for using devices in a portrait vertical orientation. The lock screen offers the ability to use a va slideshow as its backdrop, and a shortcut to the Camera app by swiping up.

The on-screen keyboard has an improved autocomplete mechanism which displays multiple word suggestions, and allows users to select from them by sliding on the spacebar. The autocomplete dictionary is also automatically updated using data from Bingallowing it to recognize and suggest words relating to current trends and events. Users can also modify certain user interface behaviors, such as disabling the upper hot corners for using the charms and recent apps list, going to the desktop instead of .81 Start screen on login or after closing all apps on a screen, automatically opening the "All Apps" view on windows 8.1 vs 8.1 n free Start screen when opened, and prioritizing desktop programs on the "Category" sort mode on "All Apps".

Windows manager Chaitanya Sareen stated that the restoration of the visible Start button was intended to be a "warm blanket" for users who had become confused by the removal of the button on 8; the Start button was originally removed to reflect Windows 8's treatment of the desktop as an "app" rather than the frew interface. Further interface behavior changes are made on the April "Windows 8.

When a mouse is in use, the Desktop is shown on startup by default, the Start screen uses context menus instead of a toolbar across winxows bottom of the screen for manipulating tiles, an autohiding title bar with minimize and close buttons is displayed within apps at the top of the screen, the taskbar can display and pin apps alongside desktop programs and be accessed from within apps, and visible search and power buttons are added to the Start screen.

In non-touch environments, the default image viewer and media player programs were changed back to Windows Photo Viewer and Windows Media Player in lieu of the Xbox Video and Photos apps.

The wondows of pre-loaded apps bundled with Windows 8 were changed in Windows 8. However, it does not support data loss protection, Group PolicyLync integration, or creating emails with information rights management.

OneDrive formerly SkyDrive [77] is integrated windows 8.1 vs 8.1 n free the system level to sync user settings and files. Files are automatically downloaded windows 8.1 vs 8.1 n free the background when they are accessed from the user's OneDrive folder, unless they are marked to be available offline. By default, only file metadata and thumbnails are stored locally, and reparse points are used to give the appearance of a normal directory structure to provide backwards compatibility.

The OneDrive app was updated to include a local file manager. OneDrive use on Windows 8. A Bing -based unified search system was added; it can analyze a user's search habits to return results featuring relevant local and online content. Full-screen "hero" displays aggregate news articles, Wikipedia entries, multimedia, and other content related to a search query; for instance, searching for a music performer would return photos of windows 8.1 vs 8.1 n free performer, a biography, and their available songs and albums on Xbox Music.

The Metro-style variant of IE11 also adds tab syncing, the ability to open an unlimited number of tabs, and Reading Winrows integration. Due to Facebook Connect service changes, Cs support wjndows disabled in all bundled apps effective June 8, On compatible hardware, Windows 8. Encryption begins as soon as a user begins windows 8.1 vs 8.1 n free the system; the recovery key is stored to either the user's Microsoft account or an Active Directory login, allowing it to be retrieved from any computer.

While device encryption is offered on fred editions of Windows 8. A new kiosk mode known as "Assigned Access" was also added, allowing a device to be configured to use a single app in a restricted environment. Additionally, Windows Defender includes an intrusion detection windows 8.1 vs 8.1 n free which can scan network activity for signs of malware. Windows 8.1 vs 8.1 n free enterprise device management, Windows 8. Remote Data Control can be used to remotely wipe specific "corporate" data from Windows 8.

The bit variants of Windows 8. A Microsoft spokesperson noted that the change primarily affects systems with older AMD bit processors, and that "the number of affected processors are extremely small since this instruction has been supported for greater than 10 years.

These changes do not affect the bit variants of Windows 8. Backup and Restorethe backup component of Windows that had been deprecated but was available in Windows 8 through a Control Panel applet called "Windows 7 File Recovery", was removed.

Since Octoberall future patches are cumulative as sindows Windows 10 ; individual patches can no longer be downloaded. Tom Warren of The Verge still considered the platform to be a "work in progress" due to the number of apps available, the impaired level of capabilities that apps have in comparison to desktop programs, and because he felt that mouse and keyboard navigation was still "awkward".

However, he touted many of the major changes on Windows 8. He concluded that "Microsoft has achieved a lot within 12 months, even a lot of the additions feel like they should have been there from the very start with Windows 8.

Joel Hruska of ExtremeTech windowws continuing integration problems between the Desktop and apps on Windows 8. Although praising the 81. flexible snapping system, he winrows pointed out flaws, such as an inability to maintain snap configurations in certain situations.

Peter Bright of Ars Technica praised many of the improvements on Windows 8. However, he felt that sv transition between the desktop and apps "still tends to windkws a bit disjointed and disconnected" even though the option to use the desktop wallpaper on the Start screen made wimdows feel more integrated with the desktop interface rather than dissimilarwindows 8.1 vs 8.1 n free that the restoration of the Start button made frwe two interfaces feel even more inconsistent because of how different it operates between the desktop and apps.

Windowd aspects b Windows 8. In his review of Windows 8. Leonhard considered this to fre ironic, given that Microsoft had criticized Google 's use of similar tactics eindows its " Scroogled " advertising windows 8.1 vs 8.1 n free.

According to Net Applications, the adoption rate in March for Windows 8. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Personal computer operating system by Microsoft released in Default Windows 8. Closed-source Source-available through Shared Source Initiative. Mainstream support ended on January 9, Extended support until January 10, With the exception of Windows Embedded 8 Standard users, upgrading to a compatible edition of Windows 8.

Mainstream support ended on July windows 8.1 vs 8.1 n free, [6] Extended support until July 11, [6]. Windows 8.1 vs 8.1 n free article: Features new to Windows 8. 8.1 article: List of features removed in Windows 8. CBS Interactive. Windows Experience Blog. April 8, July 13, Retrieved November 18, Retrieved January 8, Retrieved August 21, Microsoft Answers.

Windows 8a major release of the Microsoft Windows operating systemwas available in four different editions: Windows 8 CorePro, Enterprise, and RT. Only Windows 8 Core and Pro were widely available at retailers.

All mentioned editions have the ability to use language packs, enabling multiple user interface languages. However, in China and other emerging markets windows 8.1 vs 8.1 n free, [ citation needed ] a variation of Windows 8 without this capability, called Windows 8 Single Language, is sold. This edition can be upgraded to Windows 8 Pro. These exact choices depend on the device manufacturer, country of purchase, and the wireless carrier.

Additional Windows 8 editions specially destined for Windows 8.1 vs 8.1 n free markets have the letter "N" e. Windows 8. Microsoft was required to create the "N" editions of Windows after the European Commission ruled in that it needed to provide a copy of Windows without Windows Media Player tied in.

It was introduced as part of an effort to encourage the production of low-cost devices, whilst "driving end-user usage of Microsoft Services such as Bing and OneDrive ". It is subsidized by Microsoft's Bing search engine, which is set as the default within Internet Explorerand cannot be changed to a third-party alternative by the OEM. This restriction does not apply to end-users, who can still change the default search engine freely after installation.

It is otherwise identical to the base edition. The following in-place upgrade paths are supported from Windows 7. Finally, there is no upgrade path for Windows RT. On Windows Vista SP1, it is possible to perform a clean install but save system settings as well. While Microsoft still refers to the scenarios as "upgrade", the user still need to reinstall all apps, carry out necessary license activation steps and reinstate app settings.

From Wikipedia, the free windows 8.1 vs 8.1 n free. Microsoft Windows 8 operating system. Comes with a specified package. Partially included. Not included. Out-of-box sideloading support is only available for Windows 8 Enterprise computers that have joined a Windows domain.

Sideloading on Windows RT and Windows 8 Pro computers as well as Windows 8 Enterprise computers without a domain affiliation windows 8.1 vs 8.1 n free purchase of additional licenses through Microsoft volume licensing outlet. In other words, it can be used to allow or prevent execution of software based on name, version number or publisher.

Windows RT 8. Retrieved 17 April Supersite for Windows. Retrieved 24 July Blogging Windows 8.1 vs 8.1 n free. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 24 January And if you want, you can add Windows Media Center for free through the "add features" option within Windows 8 Pro after your upgrade. Retrieved 16 August Redmonad Channel Partner. Retrieved 4 October For more information about sideloading product activation keys, see Microsoft Volume Licensing.

Windows for your Business. Retrieved 22 November Windows portal. Retrieved 12 March Retrieved 22 October Tom's Hardware. Windows 8 Help. Archived from the original on 23 October Can I add features to my Single Language edition of Windows?

If you bought the Windows 8. SuperSite for Windows. Penton Media. Retrieved 26 August PC World. Retrieved 4 September Retrieved 22 August Retrieved 3 July You can add Windows Media Center for free through the "add features" option within Windows 8 Pro after your upgrade. Microsoft TechNet. Retrieved 23 August The Verge.

Vox Media. Archived from the original on 27 February Retrieved 12 November Microsoft Developer Network. Retrieved 2 November September Retrieved 2 October Maximum PC. Retrieved 29 August Paul Thurrott's Supersite for Windows. Archived from the original on 18 August Retrieved 21 April MSDN Library.

Retrieved 9 July Paul Thurrott's SuperSite for Windows. Archived from the original on 9 June Retrieved 10 June Archived from the original on 3 September Retrieved 5 September Building Windows 8. Retrieved 15 May Windows Server R2 homepage. Microsoft Support. Retrieved 8 November Download Center. Retrieved 31 March Microsoft Windows. Components History Timeline Criticism. Windows 1. Windows 95 Windows 98 Windows Me. Embedded Compact CE 5.

Phone 7 Phone 8 Phone 8. Cairo Nashville Neptune Odyssey. List of versions Comparison Category. Categories : Windows 8. Hidden categories: Articles with short description Short description is different from Wikidata Use windows 8.1 vs 8.1 n free dates from November All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from January Namespaces Article Talk.

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