- Running Windows 7, Windows XP or Windows Vista. Upgrade to Windows 8 with Windows 8 Pro.
- Once you install Windows 8, Windows 8.1 is available as a free update directly from Microsoft.
- Customize your Start screen with Live Tiles.
- Stay safer with Windows Defender.
- Encrypt your data with Bitlocker.
Product description
-------------------
Microsoft Windows 8 Pro (Upgrade)
.com
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If you currently have a personal computer running Windows 7,
Windows XP or Windows Vista then you can upgrade to Windows 8 Pro
(Professional). With Windows 8 Pro, you can connect and share
your files. Windows 8 Pro also adds enhanced features if you need
to connect to company networks, access remote files, encrypt
sensitive data, and other more advanced tasks.
The new Windows 8 start screen is your personalized home for
items you use the most and can be customized according to your
user preferences. Windows 8 Live tiles provide real-time updates
from your Facebook, Twitter, and e-mail accounts. Along with the
new Start screen, the lock screen now includes e-mail, ,
and clock widgets.
To access your PC, Microsoft has replaced a standard PIN or
pas with a swipe gesture; unlock your PC by clicking or
swiping preset locations you’ve selected on the lock screen. New
functions also allow you to search for your favorite software
programs, open, close, hide, resize, or run multiple apps
simultaneously with the swipe of a finger or a swipe of the
mouse.
Windows has also made changes to make your PC more secure by
boosting its existing security features and adding "SmartScreen,"
which acts to prevent suspicious programs or apps from being
installed or running on your machine. Finally, Windows 8 also
gives you the ability to "refresh" itself to give users a new
starting point and a cleaner version of Windows.
You can upgrade to Windows 8 from Windows 7, Windows Vista,
Windows XP, Windows 8 Release Preview, Windows 8 Consumer
Preview, or Windows Developer Preview, but you might not be able
to keep all of your files, software programs, and settings. The
following table shows what you can keep during an upgrade,
depending on the current version of Windows you are running. If
you choose to boot from removable media, you won’t be able to
keep your software programs, Windows settings, or personal files
when you upgrade.
Upgrading from: What you can keep: Windows 8 Preview Personal
files Windows 8 Developer Preview Nothing, but your old files
will be saved in the "windows.old" folder Windows 7 Software
programs; Windows settings; personal files Windows Vista Windows
settings; personal files Windows XP Personal files
System Requirements
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* 1 GHz processor
* 2 GB RAM
* 20 GB available hard disk space
* 1366 × 768 screen resolution
* DirectX 9 graphics processor with WDDM driver
Additional Requirements to Use Certain Features
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* Internet access (fees may apply)
* For touchscreen, you need a or a monitor that supports
multi-touch
* Microsoft account required for some features
* Watching DVDs requires separate playback software
* Windows Media Center license sold separately
* To access the Windows Store and to download and run apps, you
need an active Internet connection and a screen resolution of at
least 1024 x 768
* To snap apps, you need a screen resolution of at least 1366 x
768
FAQ
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Can I upgrade from a Windows operating system older than Windows
XP?
If you want to upgrade from an earlier Windows operating system
than Windows XP (for example, Windows 95 or Windows 2000), you'll
need to purchase the Windows 8 System Builder. You won’t be able
to keep any files, settings, or software programs when you
install the new operating system.
Can I upgrade from a 32-bit version of Windows to a 64-bit
version of Windows 8?
If your PC has a 64 bit-capable processor (CPU) but is currently
running a 32-bit version of Windows, you can install a 64-bit
version of Windows 8. You also won't be able to keep any files,
settings, or software programs when you upgrade from a 32-bit to
a 64-bit version.
If I upgrade and select "keep nothing," how can I restore my
files after the upgrade?
If you're running Windows Developer Preview or Windows 8 Consumer
Preview when you upgrade, or if you choose the option to "keep
nothing" when you upgrade, your files won't come with you to
Windows 8. However, you might still be able to copy your files
over after you upgrade. If you don't reformat your hard drive
during installation, your files are saved to the Windows.old
folder, where you can retrieve them after the upgrade.
If I change my mind, can I uninstall Windows 8 and go back to a
previous version of Windows?
Not exactly - To go back to your previous version of Windows,
you'll need to format your hard drive and then reinstall the
previous version of Windows from the recovery or installation
media that came with your PC. Typically, this is on a DVD. If you
don’t have recovery media, you might be able to create it from a
recovery partition on your PC using software provided by your PC
manufacturer. Check the support section of your PC manufacturer’s
website for more info. After you install Windows 8, you won’t be
able to use the recovery partition on your PC to go back to your
previous version of Windows.
How can I tell if my devices (keyboards, mice, webcams) will work
with Windows 8?
Windows 8 generally works with the same peripheral devices and
apps that work with Windows 7. In some cases, a device or program
might require an update. The best way to tell if your devices
will work before you upgrade is to run Windows 8 Upgrade
Assistant, a free program that scans your current hardware,
software programs, and devices for compatibility.
Outer packaging for this item may vary