Customer Ratings & Reviews

I have used Windows from the get-go. No Apple, ever. When Windows 8 came out and I not only tried it but had to repair & do clean-up on computers with Win 8, I wanted to switch to Apple... However, Microsoft redeemed themselves with the many improvements that came with Windows 8.1. I still don't think it's as awesome of an improvement as Windows 7 was compared to Vista, but maybe Windows 10 will even be better than we can hope. As far as this OS goes, it is more appealing to me than 8 was. More accessibility, organization, options, etc. You won't regret going from 8 to 8.1, but you might if you're going from 7 to 8 because of all of the changes. (Some people don't like change, I'm not one of those people) If you're wanting to hold out until Windows 10 comes out for 1 whole pc (or 2), don't. Get this. If you're upgraded your business hardware & software, wait until 10 releases. It's a 7/10 upgrade, not a 9/10 or 10/10 upgrade like we're all hoping 10 to be.

I use this on an iMac w/Parallels. Thankfully I don't need to use it very often as I only use it for one program that does not have a Mac version. I do not recommend this program unless you have a need such as mine. And then if you need Windows, I would suggest getting Windows 7 if you can find it.

UPGRADED FROM 8.0 AND FIRST OFF I LIKED IT, BUT THEN I STARTED NOTICING THINGS. I NOTICED THAT IN 8.1 THE COMPUTER FAILS TO SLEEP OR HIBERNATE ON ITS OWN. ALSO MY BLUETOOTH STOPPED BEING ABLE TO CONNECT AS WELL. ALSO, MY LAPTOP BOOTS UP IN 6 SECONDS AND I AM USUALLY ABLE TO GO TO INTERNET EXPLORE IMMEDIATELY BUT FOR SOME REASON IT SAYS THERE IS NO INTERNET CONNECTION WHEN I HAVE ALL BARS. 10 OR 15 SECONDS LATER ALL IS FINE AND I CAN SURF THE WEB WITH NO ISSUES. I KNOW THESE ARE ONLY LITTLE THINGS BUT TO ME THEY ARE HUGE. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO GET BACK TO WINDOWS 8.0 AND EVERYTHING WORKS PERFECTLY AGAIN. NOT BAD SOFTWARE AT ALL, I JUST HOPE 8.2 HAS THE ISSUE THAT I HAVE PERSONALLY EXPERIENCED IN 8.1 FIXED.

First and foremost, Windows 8.1 is not that great when you don't have a touch screen. You can get by with a mouse and still have all the features, but most of the apps are made with a touch interface in mind. That being said, it's still regular windows with a superimposed tablet interface. You still have the desktop you are used to with icons and a Start button.

Windows 8/8.1 has been an incredible disappointment. I have used every operating system since DOS and this one has no redeeming value. It is not faster than, even, XP. It uses large amounts of resources. It takes two or three steps to do what, previously, took one. It is not intuitive and its format is a radical departure from previous GUI versions. I had a problem with plug-ins to stream music. The ultimate solution (short version) was to re-install the OS. To those who say that installation is easy, I have to ask why you found it necessary to re-install this new OS in the first place. I could not see any improvement in the 8 to 8.1 upgrade. As of this writing, almost 30% of the reviewers here gave this OS a “3” or lower. And of the positive reviews, a good number had been using Vista (or older?). That means they really had nothing to compare it to. And, if you are upgrading from XP, or older, you will almost certainly have to purchase newer productivity software. So, before you salivate over that great bargain super computer with Windows 8 installed, be sure to factor all of that in. I’ve given 8 a fair shake. After 3 months of concentrated effort, I will downgrade to Windows 7. It’s a known entity that works well. My advice to anyone still grappling with it, but who have the option to return a computer while it is still under a satisfaction guarantee, do it now. It will not get better and you risk losing that option. And to one that feels that it really can’t be that bad, you really are feeling lucky. You should not make the leap to Windows 8 unless you have actually had the opportunity to, seriously, test drive it first. But, maybe you're feeling lucky.

This system came on my new replacement laptop- it is designed for touch screens, which my device is not. I have struggled with this system daily for almost a year now. I use this laptop for work, the system is not compatible with the systems running in the office. Any Excel document I do on a company computer and open on my laptop is a jumbled mess. The system forces you to use it's chosen search engine- which makes accessing email time consuming and frustrating. ITunes which is my chosen music system is not compatible with this system- even after I purchased the app to open it. It jacked all my photos and document files telling me after the 8.1 "update" that my files were no longer available"- thankfully I had most backed up on a thumb drive! Since both my phone and tablet are Apple products this lack of integration is beyond frustrating. I love to run Microsoft Office and will be purchasing and installing 7 on this laptop as a temporary fix until I can purchase a Mac- at which point goodbye Windows!

I had to buy this for my copy of Parallels to work, but that's the main reason. It's better than Windows Vista, but Windows 8 has its annoyances. It's nothing too major but it's not the first operating system I'd repurchase or suggest to friends.

You are stuck with everything Microsoft to begin with. Very difficult to navigate. Hidden menu bar on the right (center) only opens when you don't hover over it. It opens in the corner. WTH? Impossible to set up Email ie Win Live. You are required to have a MS ID and login then are forced to default to everything Microsoft. This OS is an embarrassment and a travesty. I tried to "upgrade" to 8.1 and could see no obvious difference. You can downgrade to win 7 only if you have 8 pro. I'm screwed out of another $100+ for win 7. Disgusted.

Bought an all in one pc with Windows 8 (since upgraded to 8.1 and boy what a painful experience that was), despite several very negative reviews from coworkers about 8, I was prepared to give Windows 8 an honest effort. What I encountered had me prepared to throw my new pc out the window (no pun intended) after 1/2hr. Not the least bit intuitive to the experiences of using Windows up to this version. I find it extremely cumbersome to navigate the computer, as if Microsoft's intention is to say KEEP OUT, our cheesy Apps will give you what information you are smart enough to handle. Great tool (again, no pun intended) to dumb down the next generation of users. Sadly I am forced to purchase Windows 7 because I truly feel Windows 8, 8.1, will be headed to the same bin Vista currently resides in.

Windows 8 doesn't allow multitasking in the start screen, which means if you're on Skype, you can't be doing other things on the computer. Windows 8 is buggy and freezes often. Opening programs now is a chore. You have to either swipe your finger to the start screen and then swipe down to find the software in a long list, or you have to go to "search" and type the program name. It's so annoying. Some tasks are easier to do by touching the screen, so if you're running 8 on a laptop and not a tablet, you're constantly using the keyboard/mouse while moving your hand off the keys to touch the screen. Windows 8 makes life way less efficient. I think 8 would be a better choice for tablets instead of laptops.

This OS is horrible, nothing like 7. The start button functionality is gone. Way to much clicking around to do simple tasks

Windows 8.1 works great! I love the new design and style.

nobody updates drivers for it. it causes my computer to constantly lose the default gateway so no good internet. i googled and found thousands of others saying the same thing. runs slow. not compatible with anything. the stupid tablet look is dumb so i'm not sure why it was added.