Windows 8 icon
Windows 8 icon

Windows 8

Windows 8 is a operating system that is optimized for tablets, desktops and hybrid devices. It features the new Modern UI (formerly called Metro-Style) that is designed for touchscreen, mouse, keyboard, and pen input.

Start screen

Cost / License

  • Paid
  • Proprietary

Application type

Alerts

  • Discontinued

Platforms

  • Windows
Discontinued

Mainstream support for Windows 8.1 ended on January 9, 2018. Extended support ends on January 10, 2023.

2.1
Poor8 reviews
193likes
10comments
0news articles

Features

Suggest and vote on features

Properties

  1.  Lightweight

Features

  1.  Optimized for Touch screen
  2.  Tablet support
  3.  MultiTouch

 Tags

  • windows-based
  • touch-screen-utility

Windows 8 News & Activities

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Comments and Reviews

   
 Post comment/review
Top Positive Comment
TaaDow
3

I have been using Windows extensively since 3.1 back in the early '90s. I see people saying 8/8.1 is the worst but the main reason I see in complaints is the missing Start "Menu". Now, we have a Start "Page". if people would put a little time into learning their way around the new design, which is VERY easy to learn for most people, they would see it's nowhere near as bad as they claim.

I could go on and on but I really don't need to. I absolutely love Windows 8.1 and can't wait to see Windows continue to improve with Windows 10 and beyond.

TaaDow

I received a sad and ridiculous response to my "opinion" of Windows 8.1 that said I deserve a "punch to the mouth". I had to look at it a couple of times to make sure I read it correctly. How pathetic and pitiful is all I have to say to that poor soul who got enraged over something like this.

Top Negative Comment
Shoji
1
  • another failure windows, new start screen menu are fullscreen only, it also removes usual start menu button, .net framework 3.5 not included
  • Start menu button restored on windows 8.1, but windows 10 released and defeat both windows 8.1 features and performance
valerie
0

Honestly the stupidest OS I've seen, and I've seen my fair share of bad Linux distros.

Windows 8 is clearly intended for touch devices, fair enough, but Microsoft made the god-awful move to make it compatible with non-touch devices (barely), giving it the feel like you're running a program on an emulator every time you do something with your device.

It just feels clunky as well, not to mention the fact it has all the disadvantages of Windows 10/11.

Mamad F14
0

I used to hate windows 8.1 but after giving it some time and using it for a while, now I love it.

Sega Dreamcast
0

All the downsides of 10 and more. Using this OS on a tuoch device is not fun. Using in on a non touch device is even less fun.

TristisOris
1

why is no Windows 8.1 in database? it's a different OS's.

Guest
0

I like Windows 8 Because is actually works. Many application in Windows 10 to not work with other programs. Windows 10 is too expensive, My Windows 10 replaced Windows 8.1, and the program parts do not open at all. I want to go back to Windows 8.1

Review by a new / low-activity user.
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What is Windows 8?

Windows 8 is a operating system that is optimized for tablets, desktops and hybrid devices. It features the new Modern UI (formerly called Metro-Style) that is designed for touchscreen, mouse, keyboard, and pen input. It also adds support for the ARM processor architecture in addition to the previously supported x86 microprocessors from Intel and AMD.

Windows 8 information

  • Developed by

    US flagMicrosoft
  • Licensing

    Proprietary and Commercial product.
  • Rating

    Average rating of 2.1
  • Alternatives

    52 alternatives listed
  • Supported Languages

    • English

AlternativeTo Category

OS & Utilities

Our users have written 10 comments and reviews about Windows 8, and it has gotten 193 likes

Windows 8 was added to AlternativeTo by RemovedUser on and this page was last updated . Windows 8 is sometimes referred to as Win8, Metro