Windows 8 has arrived, bringing its colourful tiled interface and a slew of odd-looking computers. You'd be right to be brimming with curiosity about the new software, so to help you find out everything you want to know, I've compiled a handy guide explaining where to find all our best articles.
Before you start of course, why not check out our full review of Windows 8 to see exactly what it has in store for you?
How to get to grips with Windows 8
If you've just got your hands on the new operating system, you'll already be aware there are a bunch of gestures and shortcuts to learn before you're up to speed. We've written numerous helpful how-to guides to take you through some of the key tasks.
- How to upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 8
- How to use Windows 8's new interface
- 50 Windows 8 tips
- How to make Windows 8 look like Windows 7
- How to use Windows 8 Task Manager
- How to change default programs in Windows 8
- How to log in directly to the classic desktop in Windows 8
- How to boot into safe mode in Windows 8
- How to start developing apps for Windows 8
Which Windows 8 computer is right for me?
There's a baffling array of desktops, tablets, laptops and tablet-laptop hybrids milling around boasting about how they each offer the best way to interact with Windows 8. I've done some of the legwork for you, compiling my top five Windows 8 PCs.
Windows 8 is geared towards touch input, so anything with a touchscreen -- be it a tablet, laptop with a touchscreen or a weird hybrid device -- will be best. Of course, all existing laptops (with a lowly spec of 1GB of RAM and a 1GHz chip) will be upgradeable to Windows 8. Any normal laptop you buy from any high-street shop -- with or without touchscreen -- will have Windows 8 on it from now on. You should therefore check out our full range of reviews of all our laptops to see what's best for you.
It's not just about the operating system though -- to have the most fun, you're going to want to dive into Windows 8's brand spanking new app store and download some software. As a new system the Microsoft Marketplace is nowhere near as well-stocked as its Android and Apple rivals, but that should change relatively quickly. I've rounded up my top five favourite Windows 8 apps to help get you started.
If you decide you're not keen on Windows 8, you can always snag yourself a great deal on any of the existing Windows 7 computers currently being flogged on the cheap. You can then upgrade to Windows 8 as and when you feel like it.
I'll be getting up close and personal with the best Windows 8 devices in the coming weeks, so make sure to keep it CNET UK for all the best news and reviews. Still unsure about anything? Let me know in the comments below and over on our Facebook page.
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Comments 17
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samuelc 26 October, 2012 10:25
My laptop isn't touchscreen, can anyone tell me if it's still worth upgrading to Windows 8, or will it be a bad user experience without touchscreen?
anonymous 26 October, 2012 10:30
"samuelc 26 October, 2012 10:25
My laptop isn't touchscreen, can anyone tell me if it's still worth upgrading to Windows 8, or will it be a bad user experience without touchscreen?"
A lot of the new laptops being released with Windows 8 Don't have a touchscreen, in fact only about 7 of them do, so you don't have to worry about a bad user experience from this.
Andrew Hoyle 26 October, 2012 10:36
You don't need a touchscreen, no, but a lot of the handy gestures rely on touch. I have been using all three and I found that touchscreen for navigation and keyboard for typing is by far the most efficient -- and comfortable -- way of using it.
samuelc 26 October, 2012 11:02
Cool thanks for the response. I may get it for my laptop and then buy and touchscreen monitor separately.
anonymous 26 October, 2012 12:09
Does anyone have any idea whether you will be able to create a DVD copy from the 'Upgrade' download? I don't like the idea of not being able to refresh my system every so often.
anonymous 26 October, 2012 12:32
Drivers for Elan and Synaptics laptop touch pads should be released soon, meaning that you can use you laptop touch pad to perform Windows 8 swipe gestures, as well as using the keyboard and mouse. Its recommended that you download from your manufacturers website though.
anonymous 26 October, 2012 12:40
Windows 8 has a built in refresh feature, which allows you to refresh your system. It remembers your settings and metro apps, but everything is reset to factory default. Desktop applications need to be reinstalled manually I believe. It also has a reset feature, so computers can be sold on securely, decommissioned, or donated to charity etc.
anonymous 26 October, 2012 13:34
Does anybody know if the upgrade comes as 64 bit or do you have to purchase the physical dvd for this.
anonymous 26 October, 2012 20:37
DO NOT BUY WINDOWS 8 IF YOU DON'T HAVE A TOUCHSCREEN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
roblightbody 29 October, 2012 10:54
I upgraded my 4 year old Windows Vista Laptop to Windows 8 on Friday. Its a 12" Samsung Q210. I'm really very impressed with Windows 8, very - its surprised me. Its very fast to use on the laptop, and the Metro apps are surprisingly useful and functional. The old desktop (and after upgrading over the top of 7 it really is my old desktop) is just a click away.
Highly recommended even on a non-touchscreen laptop.
james 29 October, 2012 15:42
http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/102-inch-flytouch-8tablet-pcandroid-404-icssuperpad-8gps12ghz-24gb-hdmi/1002177284
james 29 October, 2012 15:42
10.2 Inch Flytouch 8,Tablet PC,Android 4.0.4 ICS,Superpad 8,GPS,1.2GHz 24GB HDMI on http://www.gumtree.com
Andrewx 29 October, 2012 22:36
loaded windows 8 onto a four year old touch lap top and it works fine and makes windows 7 look dated.Fun to play with (even if it's not as consistent, or as slick yet as it could be)
Andrewx 29 October, 2012 22:37
best with touch sensitive screen. Usable with a mouse and keyboard but it's not as good as using it with touch and a keyboard.
anonymous 25 January, 2013 17:59
Well it's been a fun day for an OAP like me. I paid for and downloaded the win-8 upgrade to my win-7 home edition laptop. That was at about 11am this morning. It's now almost 6pm and three attempts later it still gets to the end of a boring hour or so and tells me that it it won't install. What a wasted day! no to mention wasted money. Who can ask for advice?
woodwind 26 January, 2013 11:23
A new day dawns. Got it working at last! As a help to others who may be in the same boat, this is how I did it.
1.Chose to download the win-8 ISO file and burned to dvd.
2.Created a separate partition on the C drive and installed win-7, (no files or programs at all). I had previously created an image of C using Macrium reflect.
3. Loaded win-8 on the second partition and chose Custom install ,lo and behold the blighter
woodwind 26 January, 2013 11:25
A new day dawns. Got it working at last! As a help to others who may be in the same boat, this is how I did it.
1.Chose to download the win-8 ISO file and burned to dvd.
2.Created a separate partition on the C drive and installed win-7, (no files or programs at all). I had previously created an image of C using Macrium reflect.
3. Loaded win-8 on the second partition and chose Custom install ,lo and behold it worked!