Windows 8 was officially released yesterday and it's now time to decide whether you lot want to upgrade or not. If you have decided to upgrade a Windows XP, Windows Vista or Windows seven machine to Windows viii, you probably want to make sure your arrangement tin support Windows 8 earlier you buy the upgrade.

To cheque if your PC is compatible with Windows 8, you can download and run the Windows eight Upgrade Assistant. The upgrade assistant will become alee and scan your hardware, programs, and even any continued devices to make certain they will work with Windows 8.

Windows eight requires certain CPU features similar PAE, NX, SSE2, etc, and then it's a adept idea to use this tool if your computer is a bit on the older side.

The tool will as well give y'all a compatibility report for your programs and allow you lot know whether you demand to uninstall the program or update the program before upgrading. Once you download it, install information technology and run it, the plan will automatically start scanning your estimator for apps and devices.

upgrade assistant

It will and then tell you which apps are compatible and which apps you need to review.

compatible apps

There are some new features in Windows 8 similar secure boot, snap, and fast startup. Upgrade assistant will notify you if any of those items are not supported by your organisation:

windows 8 upgrade

If you didn't already know, Windows viii does not include built-in software to play DVDs. If you want that characteristic, you'll have to buy the Pro pack and get Windows Media Middle. Note that if you already have Windows eight Pro, you can get Windows Media Eye Pack for gratuitous until Jan 31st, 2013, so get it fast!

Besides, Microsoft Security Essentials is beingness replaced by Windows Defender in Windows eight. Information technology's basically the same thing, but for whatever reason they are including Windows Defender built into Windows 8. And so if yous take Security Essentials installed on Windows 7, you'll have to remove it earlier upgrading.

You also get a list of uniform software and hardware that volition piece of work with Windows 8:

compatible software

When you click Side by side, you'll exist asked what you would like to keep. This will decide which version of Windows 8 will work best for you lot.

what files to keep

Note that depending on what version of Windows you lot take, you can only upgrade to sure editions of Windows 8. For instance, if y'all have Windows 7 Ultimate, you can only upgrade to Windows eight Pro.

If you have Windows seven Pro, yous tin upgrade to Windows viii Pro or Enterprise. If yous have Windows 7 Enterprise, you tin can simply upgrade to Windows eight Enterprise. Check out the Wikipedia commodity for more details.

In my instance, since I have Windows 7 Ultimate, whatsoever option I selected gave me the same outcome: Windows 8 Pro for $39.99.

windows 8 pro

That's about all there is to the Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant. It'due south mostly useful for figuring out which hardware and software will not work on Windows 8. It's also useful if you have an older PC and you're not sure if your CPU is going to exist supported by Windows eight. Enjoy!