Features

Windows RT

Windows 8

Windows 8 Pro

Great built-in apps like Mail, Calendar, Messaging, Photos, and SkyDrive, with many more available from the Windows Store.   Desktop Enhancements Opening, closing, and sorting through windows is a lot easier. You can find what you want and get things done a lot faster. And, it's pretty.
Includes Internet Explorer 10 for fast, intuitive browsing. . oo
Keeps you up to date and more secure with Windows Defender, Windows Firewall, and Windows Update. . oo
Runs programs you used with previous versions of Windows. ***. oo
Provides enhanced data protection using BitLocker technology to help keep your information secure. **** .  9515 people like this HomeGroup Easily share the photos, music, and files on each of the PCs running Windows 7 on your home network. It's especially handy when you want to share a printer. o
Comes with Office Home & Student 2013 RT Preview preinstalled so you can do more out of the box. *****   15920 people like this Windows XP Mode o
Enables you to connect to your PC when you're on the go with Remote Desktop Connection.   569 people like this Domain Join If you use your PC at work, and your company uses a network, there's a good chance you'll need this feature to use the network. o
Connects to your corporate or school network with Domain join.
Work in the language of your choice and switch between any of 35 languages.  oo

Which Windows is right for you?

Both Windows 8 and Windows RT offer a beautiful, fast, and fluid interface that you can personalize with the people, apps, and sites you care about most. They are designed for touch, mouse, and keyboard. There are some important differences between Windows RT, Windows 8, and Windows 8 Pro.

Windows RT * tablets and PCs are made to go anywhere. Thin and light, with extended battery life, they start up in an instant and stay connected to email, social networks, and apps, so you are always up to date. Office Home & Student 2013 RT Preview is also included, so you can be productive while on the go. Windows RT is only available preinstalled on select tablets and PCs and it only runs built-in apps or apps that you download from the Windows Store. For more information, see the Windows RT FAQ.

If you want to install desktop software like Adobe Photoshop or an older version of Office, consider Windows 8 or Windows 8 Pro.

Windows 8 ** comes preinstalled on a variety of new tablets, convertibles, Ultrabooks, laptops, and all-in-one PCs. Windows 8 works with both existing desktop software and apps that you download from the Windows Store.

Windows 8 Pro gives you all of the great benefits of Windows 8, as well as enhanced networking and data encryption features. You can upgrade your PC running a previous version of Windows to the Windows 8 Pro upgrade or get it preinstalled on many new tablets and PCs.

What does it take to run Windows 8?

Read the 32-bit and 64-bit Windows FAQ.