Q: What editions are available for Windows 8?
A: There are four Windows 8 editions as noted below.
- Windows 8: For consumers
- Windows 8 Pro: For business and technical professionals
- Windows 8 Enterprise: For enterprise customers with software assurance
- Windows 8 RT: For supporting ARM devices
From which older versions of Windows can I upgrade to Windows 8?
A: You are eligible for a downloadable upgrade to Windows 8 Pro if you you own a Windows XP, Windows Vista, or a Windows 7 PC.
Q: How much the upgrade cost?
A: For PCs with the above operating systems purchased prior to June 2, 2012, you can download the upgrade from Microsoft for $39.99. For new, non-Windows 8 PCs purchased between June 2 and January 31, 2013, Microsoft offers the Windows 8 Pro upgrade download for $14.99.
Q: Is there an option to purchase the upgrade on physical media like DVD?
A: The boxed version of the Windows 8 Pro upgrade is available for $69.99. If you purchase the downloadable upgrade, Microsoft will offer you the option to purchase a DVD version for an additional $15. The upgrade installation process will also offer you the ability to burn a DVD or make a bootable USB key using your own media, for no charge.
Q: Upgrade to Windows 8 or Windows 8 Pro?
A: You can only upgrade to two of them as a consumer, Windows 8 and Windows 8 Pro. Windows RT will only come with tablets, and an Enterprise version will be sold with large-volume corporate PC purchases. Windows 8, Windows Pro, and Windows 8 Enterprise will be available in both 32-bit and 64-bit editions, with 64-bit being most common.
What are the differences between Windows 8 and Windows 8 Pro?
A: Windows 8 Pro comes with features Microsoft believes most consumers won't care about like the Client Hyper-V virtualization software, BitLocker disk encryption tool and Media Center.
Q: What are the hardware requirements for Windows 8?
A:
- 1GHz or faster processor
- 1GB RAM (32-bit) or 2GB RAM (64-bit)
- 16GB available hard-disk space (32-bit) or 20GB (64-bit)
- DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver
- Screen resolution 1366x768px
Q: What happens to my old files and system settings when I upgrade?
A: "You will be able to upgrade from any consumer edition of Windows 7 to Windows 8 Pro and bring everything along which includes your Windows settings, personal files, and apps. If you are upgrading from Windows Vista, you will be able to bring along your Windows settings and personal files, and if you are upgrading from Windows XP you will only be able to bring along your personal files."
Q: Will I have any problems with older hardware or software when I upgrade?
A: If you're upgrading from Windows XP or Windows Vista, you can expect to have to reinstall any applications you might have used prior to the upgrade. Most programs that worked in Windows 7 should work in Windows 8, though. Microsoft has a Compatibility Center Web site where you can check for specific applications and hardware devices that have been certified to work in Windows 8. When you launch the upgrade installation, you will also receive a compatibility report.
Source: Technet