I upgraded two computers with windows 8 upgrade with many hours to get it done. I upgraded from XP Professional to the new upgrade. My first computer I ended up formatting the hard drive to install a fresh copy of XP. Why? My internet explorer was not working on it and I had a few more errors for some time. YOU MUST have internet exploring working on present system to install this program on your computer. After getting that complete I ran into problems. The install kept crashing, starting to install and then stopping. After a lot of time and frustration and thinking, I figured it out. YOU MUST run defragmenter from Control Panel to defragment your hard drive first. That was the issue and then I was able to install it on this computer. My other computer was running fine and I tried to install it. Crashed once and I defragged my C drive hard drive from Control Panel and THAT was the ticket. After defragmentation was done, the program installed wonderfully. My review of Windows 8 ??? It is so different, its going to take time to learn, but the interface is pretty cool and exciting. Sort of like going to the bank teller machine for a withdrawl, hit the tab and that is how you get around. So far I like it and am running a GAME that requires a better OS system like windows 8, Black Ops II. So for the price and the coolness of this new program I give it a thumbs up. JUST RUN DEFRAGMENTER first before either type of install.

I own a computer running windows vista home premium on a single core computer with 2gb ram. I upgraded it to windows 8 pro. The installation took less than an hour. Windows 8 runs so much better. start and shut down times are so much improved. windows 8 is very responsive. I wish that the start menu was better organized and they had an option to used the regular start menu. The preinstalled games that normally be in windows are gone They have to be download through the app store. Media center is gone but it can be downloaded free for a limited time.

I'd say it's the next iteration of Microsoft's Windows operating system.\nIt's pretty stable, but had a tough time installing it on the third of three computers due to hardware incompatibilities.\n\nThe two computers I installed it on seemed to install smoothly and the new apps are good.

Nothing on the Web site told me i had to already have Windows installed. I wanted to install it on a Mac.

There is a 32 bit / a 64 bit disc / a key with the numbers you need to own it.\nI had windows Pro 8 demo , the 64 bit disk read it off the screen and finished in about 1 /2 hour.\nI had saved pictures ,documents, videos.\nI had to reinstall all my programs.\nUpdate / lightning speed, don't have to wait many hours , only minutes to update.\nBeen doing this 10 years ( BEST SOFTWARE IN 10 YEARS)\nUse it and enjoy the speed.

In my opinion Windows 8 is not much different from Vista in that the upgrade was forced on the general public without Microsoft thinking about the impact the changes would have on the computer world. Windows 8 was not designed for use on a desktop system and was ultimately designed for touch screen. While the operating system is more reliable, I have had to resort to the use of 3rd party software to make windows 8 functional on a desktop computer. Windows 8.1 does not have a startup disk (needed for repairs) as the result of being downloaded to upgrade windows 8. I believe Windows 8 is best described as another learning opportunity.In my opinion Windows 8 is not much different from Vista in that the upgrade was forced on the general public without Microsoft thinking about the impact the changes would have on the computer world. Windows 8 was not designed for use on a desktop system and was ultimately designed for touch screen. While the operating system is more reliable, I have had to resort to the use of 3rd party software to make windows 8 functional on a desktop computer. Windows 8.1 does not have a startup disk (needed for repairs) as the result of being downloaded to upgrade windows 8. I believe Windows 8 is best described as another learning opportunity.

Have not installed as of date: IE: preparing a new computer for full /clean install. once computer is ready for operating system and/or upgradesHave not installed as of date: IE: preparing a new computer for full /clean install. once computer is ready for operating system and/or upgrades

Could not get activated over internet...after almost two hours on phone with tech support I decided to take a friends advise and format and reinstall and activate over phone which means unhook your Ethernet cable so it wont automatically want to activate over internet...after all that got activated first try!!! Microsoft needs to hire some folks who wrote the software to man the tech support!!! other than that all is finally good!!

I love this software. Easy to install and works like an iPad. You don't need touchscreen, it works well with a mouse.

I needed it to power up a laptop I got at a yard sale for $5. It had Windows 7 on it (and all her info) and it just couldn't connect to the internet with the version of browser already installed. Windows 10 would have been too much for it to handle and Windows 8 fit perfectly. I have a bunch of older 32 bit games including a great bridge game no longer available anywhere due to the developer closing shop. And installing it was like this: insert the disc, restart the computer, come back after about twenty minutes. That's all. Easy peasy. To conclude: if you get a laptop at a yard sale, you should seriously consider Windows 8 for it.

Worked as intended. Key was legit and worked without any issues and being that it was just the code it was a lot faster than buying a physical key from a store.

In my opinion Windows 8 is not much different from Vista in that the upgrade was forced on the general public without Microsoft thinking about the impact the changes would have on the computer world. Windows 8 was not designed for use on a desktop system and was ultimately designed for touch screen. While the operating system is more reliable, I have had to resort to the use of 3rd party software to make windows 8 functional on a desktop computer. Windows 8.1 does not have a startup disk (needed for repairs) as the result of being downloaded to upgrade windows 8. I believe Windows 8 is best described as another learning opportunity.

Since XP is no longer supported upgrade to 7 it's cheaper & right now 10 is free. Eight is second choice. Product was as listed, had to reinstall most programs. Files came thru OK..

I upgraded to Windows 8 pro from Windows 7 pro and saved all my files which meant very much to me after years of recording. I then upgraded to Windows 8.1 pro for free. There is some question about whether the program I use for recording will run on Windows 10. The equilibrium is much higher with Windows 8.1 pro than Windows 7 pro.

Microsoft has lost their collective minds. I have used Windows since 3.1 and this is their worst attempt yet.\n\nEven though it attempts to compete with Android & the Ipad it is not intuitive or feature rich like either of them. The new Desktop is more confusing than anything I've ever worked with. The new terms for old features are designed to sell training. Necessary functions are buried deeply. Trying printing from the default reader or try to close an app. I dare you.\n\nIf I anyone can figure out how to get this disaster off my computer (do an internet search on "Removing Windows 8" to see what you get) and I will do it immediately.

Originally installed vista on my computer from the time I bought it was no longer being supported. Saved me $100's buy upgrading to windows 8, as its still a great functioning computer. Guess I procrastinated because if something works ,why change it..I'm glad to have the upgrade and its a smooth install that transferred all my saved files. So getting used to a new format platform wasn't too difficult. Thank you again..Originally installed vista on my computer from the time I bought it was no longer being supported. Saved me $100's buy upgrading to windows 8, as its still a great functioning computer. Guess I procrastinated because if something works ,why change it..I'm glad to have the upgrade and its a smooth install that transferred all my saved files. So getting used to a new format platform wasn't too difficult. Thank you again..

Upgraded to Windows 10 - a terrible experience and my version of Windows 8.1 and was not 8 pro, and therefore not able to roll back option through Windows update to a previous version. to make matters worse I had a complete crash with no disc to a full restore. This product is Windows 8.0 pro, arming me "with the option" of a roll back from Windows 10. Yes i am back to the current version of Win 10 - but I have the power to rebuild my PC any time I want with the freedom to restore anytime i see fit...Worth every dime.Upgraded to Windows 10 - a terrible experience and my version of Windows 8.1 and was not 8 pro, and therefore not able to roll back option through Windows update to a previous version. to make matters worse I had a complete crash with no disc to a full restore. This product is Windows 8.0 pro, arming me "with the option" of a roll back from Windows 10. Yes i am back to the current version of Win 10 - but I have the power to rebuild my PC any time I want with the freedom to restore anytime i see fit...Worth every dime.

This is a poor attempt from Microsoft, they took what has worked for many years and made it very inconvenient for us pc users. Sure it has touch screen support, but so does android! (android does a lot better job) If Microsoft wanted to use there os for a tablet or phone that's fine but don't make us non touch screen pc users suffer with this poor product. Metro looks like it was put together by high school kids for a week project, is anyone even trying anymore??? don't buy this!

The product work fine. It has a beautiful icon display,and the only thing I find wrong with it you can not find most ot your files. I could not get Window Media to play. Other then that it work fine.

I received the install DVD in a reasonable amount of time and it appeared to be what I ordered and in good condition. However, I didn't get around to using it to install the upgrade for several months after receiving it, and when I did, it installed from the DVD without any problems. I'm not a fan of the new Windows interface, or that I was forced to upgrade for continued support, or that a huge download was necessary to upgrade to 8.1, but at least MS didn't charge additional for the 8.1 upgrade. I will adapt to the new interface eventually and may even begin to like it someday.

I have a laptop with Windows 7....Love it...My parents bought a Laptop with Windows 8..couldnt get one with Windows 7....I tried setting a few things up on the computer for them.....absolutely hated it....I sure hope my laptop lasts until Microsoft comes up with something better than Windows 8!

Microsoft needs to get the bugs out of this software I'm sending it back for a refund I can't speak on the pc's that already have Windows 8 already on them but the Windows 8 software needs to be fixed

I've been using computers since DOS so I'm very familiar with them, however this OS has done away\nWith everything you knew about windows. Stick to windows 7.

Originally installed vista on my computer from the time I bought it was no longer being supported. Saved me $100's buy upgrading to windows 8, as its still a great functioning computer. Guess I procrastinated because if something works ,why change it..I'm glad to have the upgrade and its a smooth install that transferred all my saved files. So getting used to a new format platform wasn't too difficult. Thank you again..

Upgraded to Windows 10 - a terrible experience and my version of Windows 8.1 and was not 8 pro, and therefore not able to roll back option through Windows update to a previous version. to make matters worse I had a complete crash with no disc to a full restore.\nThis product is Windows 8.0 pro, arming me "with the option" of a roll back from Windows 10.\nYes i am back to the current version of Win 10 - but I have the power to rebuild my PC any time I want with the freedom to restore anytime i see fit...Worth every dime.

Pros: Quick boot time...\n\nCons: 3497 characters isn't enough to describe how bad this OS is on a desktop PC. Take everything you've known from windows 98 to windows 7 and just forget it...Starting with windows 8 you might as well be a complete computer noob...it's that non-intuitive. I had to google how to shut it down....they've even hidden that function.\n\nFirst and foremost...it's ugly. The UI is flat, featureless and drab. The entire OS looks like it belongs on a cellphone which...*gasp* it DOES. The entire thing feels designed for touchscreens as there is endless screen swiping involved. The vast majority of the functions are a mystery and nothing comes easy.\n\nWe bought a new dell for my Son who is not exactly tech savvy and are in the process of returning it because so many of the default settings for the desktop, explorer...etc are so messed up that you have to read tutorials like "the first 10 things to change when you buy a windows 8 PC ".... This is an OS that is impossible to teach to the less than technically inclined.\n\nAfter 4 hours of tinkering I started to understand the workings of it...to realize just how terrible it really is. They simply took a lazy shortcut and created an OS so minimal that it would work on cellphones, tablets and oh yea...people still own PC's.\n\nIf they wanted to create an OS like this there should have been a bridge...at least. Instead they went for a scorched earth approach and took a flying leap into unknown territory. They got rid of all of the familiar landmarks people were used to like the start bar and programs menu and introduced a completely foreign Operating System that actually makes things more complicated and time consuming for Pc users do the the sheer amount of scrolling/swiping ...etc\n\nIt's just bad. Stick with windows 7 or wait and see what windows 9 brings. The ultimate hilarity is that all of the companies like Dell/Gateway...etc that make pre-packaged computers for the non geek crowd were paid to make sure all of their new PC's come with nothing BUT windows 8 with no other OS options across the board....Essentially force feeding people with this completely foreign and non-intuitive "OS".....\n\n\nRun...\n\nOther Thoughts: Amazes me with how nice Windows 7 was that they decided to torpedo their own ship.

I was able to be able to do a clean install. I did have trouble sctivating the license, though not because of the software. A activation reset in regedit, fixed that. But I absolutely happy with this purchase.