Meet Windows 8

More beautiful, more flexible, more you.
And very, very fast.

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What's new

The Start screen

Everything you care about most is on the new Start screen. Tiles on the Start screen are connected to people, apps, folders, photos, or websites, and are alive with the latest info, so you're up to date at a glance.

*Internet connection required

Mouse, keyboard—and now touch

Windows 8 is perfect for PCs with only a mouse and keyboard, those with touchscreens, and those with both. Whatever kind of PC you have, you'll discover fast and fluid ways to switch between apps, move things around, and go smoothly from one place to another.

New PCs

There are amazing new PCs of all kinds, including sleek and lightweight tablets, convertibles, and laptops.

Apps from the Windows Store

Windows 8 comes with a new store for apps, the Windows Store. Open the Store right from your Start screen to browse and download apps for cooking, photos, sports, news, and a lot more—many of them free.

*Internet connection required

Your Windows, everywhere

Sign in with your Microsoft account to any of your PCs running Windows 8 and you'll immediately see your own background, display preferences, and settings.

*Internet connection required

The familiar made better

A person running a Windows 8 PC

The desktop

The desktop that you're used to—with its taskbar, folders, and icons—is still here and better than ever, with a new taskbar and streamlined file management.

Security

Stay up to date and more secure with Windows Defender, Windows Firewall, and Windows Update.

Speed

Windows 8 starts up faster, switches between apps faster, and uses power more efficiently than Windows 7.

Why download Windows 8?

A PC running Windows 8

It goes where you go

Your pictures, files, and settings are easily synced through the cloud, so you can get to what you need almost anywhere.

It plays as hard as it works

Windows 8 gives you the power to quickly browse, watch movies, play games, polish your CV, and pull together a killer presentation—all on a single PC.

You keep all your files

If your PC is running Windows 7, your files, apps, and settings will easily transfer to Windows 8.

You keep familiar programs

Programs that run on Windows 7 will run on Windows 8.

Download Windows 8

It’s easy to upgrade your PC to Windows 8.

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Windows 8

Meet Windows RT

Windows RT PC

Exclusively on new PCs

In addition to Windows 8, there's a version of Windows called Windows RT that runs on some tablets and PCs. These lightweight PCs have fantastic battery life, and are a great option for doing stuff on the go. You can't install Windows RT on your current PC. You can only get it by buying a Windows RT PC .

Includes a special version of Office

Windows RT comes with Microsoft Office Home & Student 2013 RT *. This version of Office is optimized for touchscreens and automatically updates so you always have the latest version.

Exclusively runs Windows Store apps

Windows RT only runs apps that you download from the Windows Store, and also has great built-in apps like Mail, People, Messaging, Photos, SkyDrive, Music, and Video, so you can stay in touch and have fun.

* When the final version of Office Home and Student 2013 RT becomes available, it will be installed by Windows Update. There is no cost for the download but internet access (ISP fees may apply) will be required. Some features and programs are unsupported. Office Home and Student 2013 RT is licensed only for non-commercial use. Commercial license options available (sold separately).

Download Windows 8

Upgrade your current PC to Windows 8 right now.

Compare Windows

Find out the differences between Windows 8 and Windows RT.

Find your next PC

Explore a new generation of tablets and computers.

How to download

See how to upgrade your current PC to Windows 8.