Our Windows 8.0 did not work very well and we were unable to obtain a Win 8.1 update online. So we went to BestBuy to purchase a Win 8.1 update and installed it. Now some things are better with general operation but some of our desktop programs do not run well - we receive many "not responding" messages and have to wait 2-5 minutes for the program to start running again.

Purchased this one as I needed to install Windows and PC recovery partition was corrupted. If you plan on upgrading Windows to the Professional version then get the PRO version now, or you'll end up paying more through the AnyTime Upgrade. The OS itself is decent if you have a touchscreen PC, but necessary if you don't have a valid Win 7 install media and license key. I preferred the older Windows User Interface, and was glad that 8.1 restored the Start Button (sort of). I used a free application called "Classic Start Menu" to completely restore Win 7 Start Menu functionality on Win 8.1. I even customized the Start Button to look like Win 7's. I did notice in Win 8.1 that Microsoft was able to improve on handling multiple simultaneous file transfers. Previous versions would either queue them up or slow them all down considerably. That and the histogram (graphical representation of data transfer over time) are real benefits. If you purchase Windows 8.1 now, Microsoft is offering FREE upgrades to Windows 10 when it comes out. Lastly, a warning: Do not buy the OEM (System Builder) version of Windows! It may be cheaper than the retail version, but here are 3 reasons not to: 1) you will not be fulfilling the EULA requirements if it is for your own personal use (if that is important to you) 2) you will be locked in to use it on that 1 particular PC (can't transfer your license to another PC if that one stops working) 3) there is NO TECH SUPPORT from Microsoft. With the OEM version, it's understood that any tech support issues will be handled by the system builder. Usually that would be the major vendors (HP, Dell, IBM, Lenovo, ASUS, etc.) you bought the computer from, but in this case, it's now YOU.

I decided to re-install Windows on some older (but working) equipment in the house. It was an easy process that did not take a lot of time. My son'so laptop is working well now. Windows 8 takes some getting used to, but has some good features.

I did a clean install of Windows 8.1 on a SSD. The installation went extremely smoothly without a single glitch. I was able to copy my files onto the SSD with no trouble thus returning my data to its pre-upgrade state. As with any clean install, the issue of reinstalling the applications is always a chore but... I am enjoying 8.1 much more than I expected and I was a Loyal Win 7 fan. I notice speed improvements both from the software and hardware and am delighted I did it.

Windows 8 is fast simple and more of everything you wanted and got in previous versions of Windows. Initially every hardcore Windows fan shunned this version. They need to get over themselves. Windows 8 is simple enough for your grandparents to use and when you did deep it rewards you with powerful tools and incredible speed.