Uploaded June 2021 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Windows 8 is an operating system developed by Microsoft. It is the ninth major release in the Windows NT operating system line, replacing Windows 7 and being later replaced by Windows 8.1. It reached RTM on 1 August 2012 and was released to general availability on 26 October 2012. Windows 8 was one of the most short-lived releases, and its support ended on 12 January 2016, as extended support was in favor of Windows 8.1.
This is the first version of Windows to drop support for processors without PAE, SSE2 and NX, as running on these processors will display a black screen with error code 0x05D and it was the first client release of Windows to drop the traditional Service Pack mechanism in favor of releasing updates on a continual basis in smaller chunks. This is the last version of 64-bit Windows to support processors without the CMPXCHG16b, PrefetchW and LAHF/SAHF instructions.
It comes in four main editions: Core, RT, Pro, and Enterprise. All other editions are variations of those editions.
Windows 8 (Core) is the most basic edition, intended for the average home user.
Windows RT (CoreARM) is Core for the ARM architecture. It can only launch Windows Store apps and signed Microsoft desktop applications, but apart from the addition of device encryption, it has the same feature set as its base edition.
Windows 8 Single Language (CoreSingleLanguage) is Core without the ability to install language packs.
Windows 8 China (CoreCountrySpecific), as the name implies is intended for mainland China market. It only allows the Simplified Chinese language pack to be installed.
Windows 8 Pro is meant for the enthusiast and business markets, and most notably supports running Hyper-V virtual machines, receiving RDP connections, and BitLocker.
Windows 8 Pro with Media Center is exactly what the name implies. It can be upgraded to from Core and Pro with Windows Anytime Upgrade.
Windows 8 Enterprise is designed for large organizations and can only be activated with a KMS server or MAK keys. It has the same feature set as Pro but additionally allows creating Windows to Go portable workspaces. It doesn't have Windows Media Center and it cannot be added with any officially sanctioned methods.
Windows 8 was largely designed for use on touchscreen devices such as tablets, and this can be seen all across the OS, with includes bigger buttons, more distinct colors, and a more modern interface with the removal of Aero transparency on open windows. The taskbar is still transparent, even though it doesn't blur anything behind it anymore. The renewal of the classic Windows shell was accompanied by the addition of the Metro interface, which includes a new Start menu (named Start screen), with a full-screen UI replacing the smaller Start menu first introduced in Windows 95. From the Start screen, Metro apps can be launched, which can take the entire screen, providing an immersive interface, or be snapped to a side of the screen alongside another application or the desktop. The File Explorer also got a renewal, with the introduction of the Ribbon UI first seen in Windows 7. The Up button, which was absent since Windows Longhorn build 3670 (except for builds 3790.1232, 5000 and 5001), has been readded and the details pane is now vertical.
The Metro UI is directly integrated with the desktop, which features hot corners: positioning the mouse in certain parts of the screen will reveal new functionality. The right side features the Charms Bar, a vertical bar that includes Search, Share, Start, Devices, and Settings as buttons. Right-clicking on the bottom left corner of the screen opens the Quick Link menu, which contains shortcuts to frequently used areas.
Windows 8 was the first Windows operating system ever since Windows NT 3.51 to have no Start button. Although the last build of Windows 8 to have the Start button by default was 8176, it is possible to remove the Start button from the taskbar, on builds 7899 to 7997. To accomplish this, you need to make a new DWORD in HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Explorer called YouBettaHideYoPearl, with its value set to 1. After doing so, log off and log back in. If done correctly, the Start button should be removed.
Desktop Window Manager now renders using a software-based 3D rasterizer when such an accelerator is unavailable. Additionally, the Windows Classic and Windows Basic themes have been removed. Although the visual styles still exist, they cannot be enabled by default unless the user modifies the system files.
It took them 3 years to make it, I'll destroy it in an hour or two, or this may be a FUNKY disaster...
Join the PlainGroup or I will eat your family: discord.gg/syVYHgS
About the Alfur plush: I'm tired of trying to push myself around to get it, as it's harming the sanity of my family, so I've decided to go into a new demographic... ;)
Windows 8 is an operating system developed by Microsoft. It is the ninth major release in the Windows NT operating system line, replacing Windows 7 and being later replaced by Windows 8.1. It reached RTM on 1 August 2012 and was released to general availability on 26 October 2012. Windows 8 was one of the most short-lived releases, and its support ended on 12 January 2016, as extended support was in favor of Windows 8.1.
This is the first version of Windows to drop support for processors without PAE, SSE2 and NX, as running on these processors will display a black screen with error code 0x05D and it was the first client release of Windows to drop the traditional Service Pack mechanism in favor of releasing updates on a continual basis in smaller chunks. This is the last version of 64-bit Windows to support processors without the CMPXCHG16b, PrefetchW and LAHF/SAHF instructions.
It comes in four main editions: Core, RT, Pro, and Enterprise. All other editions are variations of those editions.
Windows 8 (Core) is the most basic edition, intended for the average home user.
Windows RT (CoreARM) is Core for the ARM architecture. It can only launch Windows Store apps and signed Microsoft desktop applications, but apart from the addition of device encryption, it has the same feature set as its base edition.
Windows 8 Single Language (CoreSingleLanguage) is Core without the ability to install language packs.
Windows 8 China (CoreCountrySpecific), as the name implies is intended for mainland China market. It only allows the Simplified Chinese language pack to be installed.
Windows 8 Pro is meant for the enthusiast and business markets, and most notably supports running Hyper-V virtual machines, receiving RDP connections, and BitLocker.
Windows 8 Pro with Media Center is exactly what the name implies. It can be upgraded to from Core and Pro with Windows Anytime Upgrade.
Windows 8 Enterprise is designed for large organizations and can only be activated with a KMS server or MAK keys. It has the same feature set as Pro but additionally allows creating Windows to Go portable workspaces. It doesn't have Windows Media Center and it cannot be added with any officially sanctioned methods.
Windows 8 was largely designed for use on touchscreen devices such as tablets, and this can be seen all across the OS, with includes bigger buttons, more distinct colors, and a more modern interface with the removal of Aero transparency on open windows. The taskbar is still transparent, even though it doesn't blur anything behind it anymore. The renewal of the classic Windows shell was accompanied by the addition of the Metro interface, which includes a new Start menu (named Start screen), with a full-screen UI replacing the smaller Start menu first introduced in Windows 95. From the Start screen, Metro apps can be launched, which can take the entire screen, providing an immersive interface, or be snapped to a side of the screen alongside another application or the desktop. The File Explorer also got a renewal, with the introduction of the Ribbon UI first seen in Windows 7. The Up button, which was absent since Windows Longhorn build 3670 (except for builds 3790.1232, 5000 and 5001), has been readded and the details pane is now vertical.
The Metro UI is directly integrated with the desktop, which features hot corners: positioning the mouse in certain parts of the screen will reveal new functionality. The right side features the Charms Bar, a vertical bar that includes Search, Share, Start, Devices, and Settings as buttons. Right-clicking on the bottom left corner of the screen opens the Quick Link menu, which contains shortcuts to frequently used areas.
Windows 8 was the first Windows operating system ever since Windows NT 3.51 to have no Start button. Although the last build of Windows 8 to have the Start button by default was 8176, it is possible to remove the Start button from the taskbar, on builds 7899 to 7997. To accomplish this, you need to make a new DWORD in HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Explorer called YouBettaHideYoPearl, with its value set to 1. After doing so, log off and log back in. If done correctly, the Start button should be removed.
Desktop Window Manager now renders using a software-based 3D rasterizer when such an accelerator is unavailable. Additionally, the Windows Classic and Windows Basic themes have been removed. Although the visual styles still exist, they cannot be enabled by default unless the user modifies the system files.
It took them 3 years to make it, I'll destroy it in an hour or two, or this may be a FUNKY disaster...
Join the PlainGroup or I will eat your family: discord.gg/syVYHgS
About the Alfur plush: I'm tired of trying to push myself around to get it, as it's harming the sanity of my family, so I've decided to go into a new demographic... ;)
