Windows 8 has been a very controversial operating system. This OS, launched in 2012, came with the intention of succeeding the successful Windows 7 and, incidentally, making changes that most did not like, such as orienting it to touch screens or eliminating the start menu. It is true that 8 arrived quite badly, since users were comfortable in Windows 7 and, seeing the changes, they did not want to change. But, with the arrival of Windows 8.1 , things changed for the better, and little by little it was marking the way towards what we now know as Windows 10.
It is true that Windows 8 was one of the biggest releases since the arrival of Windows 95. Even despite the changes that came with Vista , 8 was much more radical in this regard. Microsoft was beginning to revamp its operating system and include new functions and features (such as new lock screens and login systems that later led to Windows Hello ) as part of the OS interface revamp. It was also the first version to introduce the Windows Store and universal apps, albeit with little success. Despite this, the only thing users remember is its mural and the absence of the start menu. A strange “fork” of Windows Phone .
Luckily, Steve Ballmer , then CEO of the company, stepped down. And, thanks to this, Windows 8.1 was able to improve a little the failure of this system and open the mind to Windows 10, which came just 3 years after 8.
Why use Windows 8 instead of Windows 10
Although it is true that people have either stayed on Windows 7 (despite not having support) or have made the leap to Windows 10, there are still about 5% of users who are still using Windows 8 or 8.1. What leads them to it?
Microsoft allows us to upgrade to Windows 10 for free, keeping our programs and files. Therefore, it is not a reason for comfort or price. Using the same NT kernel , both 8.1 and 10 are the same in terms of program compatibility. Even the performance of both systems is practically the same, and their minimum requirements are the same. But there are two aspects that differentiate this system.
The first of them: privacy . It is true that Windows XP and 7 were much more private than modern operating systems. But it is that with the arrival of Windows 10 the concept of privacy disappeared completely. Microsoft started to collect a lot of data with its operating system and, although much of it has become optional, it has nothing to do with previous versions. Users who do not accept this tend to prefer an older version. And since Windows 7 is no longer supported, the least bad option is Windows 8.1.
And the other reason why many prefer to stay in this OS is because of the problems to update . 8.1 had no problems installing updates. However, with Windows 10 it is rare the month that there are no users with problems. Not to mention the new versions that arrive every 6 months that not only cause a multitude of problems, but can leave our PC unusable for hours while the new version is installed. In this sense, 8 and 8.1 were much simpler, and the simpler an operating system is, the fewer problems there are.
Reasons to upgrade to Windows 10
Windows 8 is not one of the best operating systems of the company, quite the opposite. Like Vista, or Windows Me in its time, this OS has been a transition system to Windows 10. Currently, Windows 8 does not have support, but it does have 8.1, its update, which receives security updates every month just like all other Microsoft systems. However, this support is not infinite, and in just a year and a half (in January 2023) its extended support, ESR , will end and it will be abandoned, just like XP or 7.
Furthermore, 8.1 lacks features that we might consider essential. For example, it does not include the latest version of Windows Defender , and it lacks certain features designed to give us greater security. Nor does it have the Game Bar or the Game Mode to optimize our games. Not even a start menu, as 8.1 only introduced the button, but not the menu as such.
Staying in Windows 8 is, in the end, staying in the past. It is preferable to make the leap to Windows 10 and be able to fully enjoy everything that this OS does not offer, which is not little.
