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Microsoft Showcase > Windows 8

Microsoft Windows 8

Microsoft® Windows® 8 reimagined with a touch interface that translates beautifully to new Windows 8 enabled devices.

Elevate your business and lifestyle to a new level upgrading to Windows 8.

Discover a whole new look and functionality on top of the solid core, reliability and speed of Windows 7.

Which edition of Windows 8 is right for you?

Retail / Licensing
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Edition
Upgrade / Full
Licensing Program Name
Type of Organization

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Windows 8 is Windows Reimagined


Designed for PCs with touchscreens, mouse and keyboard or both. Discover how smoothly and quickly you can move items around and easily switch between apps.

Find out about key features such as:

  • New Interface
  • Fast and Fluid Design
  • Power of a PC —Versatility of a Tablet
  • Speed, Reliability & Security

Available Microsoft Windows 8 Editions
Windows RT Windows 8 Windows 8 Pro Windows 8
Enterprise
Start Screen, Live Tiles and Windows 8 Apps        
Installation of x86/64 and desktop applications        
Exchange ActiveSync        
Mobile broadband features        
BitLocker & BitLocker To Go        
Device Encryption        
Client Hyper-V        
Domain Join and Group Policy        
Remote Desktop (Host)        
Applocker        
BranchCache        
DirectAccess        
Enterprise Sideloading        
Windows To Go        
VDI Enhancements        

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.

Windows Search

Instantly locate and open any file on your PC, from documents to e-mail messages to songs, right from the Start menu just by typing a word or two.

Internet Explorer 8

Our easiest and safest browser ever. New features help you find and use things on the Web a lot faster.

Windows Media Center

Watch and record HDTV. Watch Internet TV. Watch DVDs. Enjoy online entertainment. Play your music and watch your videos and slideshows. All in one place.

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.

Windows XP Mode

Get all the benefits of Windows 7 and continue to leverage your investments in older business and productivity programs that require a PC running Windows XP. Note: Windows XP Mode requires a download.

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.

BitLocker

If you've got information on your PC that you need to protect, you can help prevent theft or loss by using BitLocker data encryption to put a virtual lock on your files.

Language Options

With Windows 7, handwriting recognition is faster and more accurate. And Windows 7 Ultimate supports more languages—including breakthroughs for East Asian writing systems.


System Requirements for Microsoft Windows 8
Processor 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster
RAM 1 gigabyte (GB) (32-bit) or 2 GB (64-bit)
Hard Disk Space 16 GB (32-bit) or 20 GB (64-bit)
Graphics Card Microsoft DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM driver


Feature Additional Requirements for Microsoft Windows 8 Based on Feature
Touch To use touch, you need a tablet or a monitor that supports multitouch.
Windows Store 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.
Apps To snap apps, you need a screen resolution of at least 1366 x 768.
Client Hyper-V Client Hyper-V requires a 64-bit system that has Second Level Address Translation (SLAT). You will also need a 64-bit version of Windows 8, and at least 4GB of RAM.


UPGRADE FROM / UPGRADE TO Edition
Windows 8 Windows 8 Pro Windows Enterprise
(Volume License)
Windows 7 Starter      
Windows 7 Home Basic      
Windows 7 Home Premium      
Windows 7 Professional      
Windows 7 Ultimate      
Windows 7 Professional (Volume License)      
Windows 7 Enterprise (Volume License)      


The following table shows the settings, personal files, and applications that you can keep during an upgrade.
Installation paths to Windows 8 Keep Windows settings, personal files, and applications Keep Windows settings and personal files (data and system settings) Keep personal files only (data only) Keep nothing
Windows XP (Service Pack 3 or later) NO NO YES YES
Windows Vista® NO NO YES YES
Windows Vista with SP1 NO YES YES YES
Cross-architecture installation (32-bit to 64-bit) Windows Vista with SP1 or later NO NO NO NO
Cross-language Windows Vista with SP1 or later NO NO YES YES
Windows 7 YES NO YES YES
Cross-architecture installation (32-bit to 64-bit) Windows 7 NO NO NO NO
Cross-language Windows 7 NO NO YES YES
Note:
You cannot upgrade or keep your Windows settings, personal files, or applications if you are performing a cross-language installation. You can only keep your personal files during a cross-language installation by using Windows 8 Setup.

Microsoft Volume Licensing Programs

Microsoft Volume Licensing

To learn more about Microsoft Volume Software Licensing, please contact your account manager or click here to submit a request for more information.

Open License Highlights

The Microsoft Open programs are a convenient and simple way for small and midsize organizations with five or more desktop computers to acquire the latest Microsoft technology.

With a customizable platform and volume discounts for minimal up-front purchases, Open programs provide value and flexibility in a convenient Microsoft Volume Licensing program.

Select License Highlights

Microsoft Select License is a Volume Licensing program for midsize and large organizations that have 250 or more desktop PCs. The program provides a flexible and cost-effective way to buy the latest Microsoft technology.

Select License is a transactional program for organizations that have mixed software requirements. It is based on a forecast licensing model in which usage is measured against the forecast.

Enterprise Agreement Highlights

The Enterprise Agreement offers large organizations substantial cost savings over standard license pricing as well as simplified license and budget tracking through a single agreement.

With the Enterprise Agreement, you can easily standardize on the latest Microsoft technology across your enterprise.
Open License Program Guide
Open Value Program Guide		 Select License Program Guide
Select Plus Program Guide		 Enterprise Agreement Data Sheet
Enterprise Agreement Program Guide

Software Assurance

Microsoft Software Assurance is a comprehensive maintenance offering that helps you get the most out of your software investment. It combines the latest software with phone support available 24 hours a day, partner services, training, and IT tools that help customers deploy, manage, and migrate software. With Software Assurance, you can increase worker productivity, accelerate organizational performance, and quickly realize a return on your software investment. You can choose Software Assurance at the time of purchase and begin using your benefits immediately for the term of your license agreement. If you purchased through an original equipment manufacturer (OEM), you can add Software Assurance within 90 days.

PDFClick here for information on Microsoft Software Assurance Interactive Benefits guide.


Windows 8
Editions & Availability 		Available Licensing for Windows 8 Editions
Windows RT Windows 8 Windows 8 Pro Windows 8 Enterprise
OEM — PC Preinstall        
Full Packaged Product (FPP)        
Volume Licensing        



Compare the features offered
by each of the programs below: 		Available Microsoft Licensing Programs
Open License Open Value Open Value
Subscription		 Select License Select Plus Enterprise
Agreement		 Enterprise
Subscription
Minimum purchase requirements
5+              
250+              
License Offerings Available
License              
License & Software Assurance              
Software Assurance              
OEM              
FPP              
Pricing
Based on Product Pools              
Based on Number of Desktop PCs              
Based on License & Software Assurance              
Agreement Term
No Expiration              
1-2 Years              
3 Years              
Payment Options
Up-Front              
Annually              
How to Buy
Direct              
Indirect              
Product Fulfillment
Aquired Separately              
Provided              
Software Assurance
Option to Add              
Included