Windows 8 vs Windows 10: The 6 Differences

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Differences Between Windows 8 and Windows 10

Windows operating systems are updated on a regular basis and therefore whether you use Windows 10 or Windows 8, the features and functionalities will be ever changing.

In such a situation making a choice between the two can be pretty difficult if you do not know the differences between them in the first place.

This article is your easiest and reliable alternative. It contains all the differences as well as a few additional facts about Windows 10 and Windows 8 operating systems that will help you a great deal in making the choice.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • The Start screen interface of the Windows 10 operating system is much better than Windows 8.
  • Windows 10 allows advanced search with features like Cortana, My Stuff and others.
  • The performance of the Windows 8 operating system is however much more stable in comparison to that of Windows 10.
  • The Windows 10 comes with much better features that enhances its functionality, offers more mobility and security.

8 Differences Between Windows 8 and Windows 10

Differences between Windows 8 and Windows 10

1. Boot time

Though there is no significant difference in the boot time, which is in fact 8 seconds, there is something worthy to note in this aspect. The Windows 8 operating system is just a miniscule fraction of a second slower.

The Windows 10 operating system is faster by just that fraction, which the experts opine is due to the facial recognition ability of it. This means that the users are logged in right at the moment they sit in front of their computer.

2. Interface

The Windows 8 operating system failed to get an extensive business adoption. This, without doubt, is due to the initial doggedness of the tiled Start screen interface especially on those specific devices that did not have a touchscreen feature.

The Windows 10 operating system had this error covered and the users could pretend that the start screen on their laptop and PCs did not even exist while the system booted up instantly due to the face recognition tool.

There are also several other apps and reformed settings that improved the core functions of the systems.

3. The Cortana search bar

There is a Cortana search bar included in the Windows 10 operating system. This digital personal assistant is found on the bottom left side of the Taskbar.

There is also a My Stuff button in the search results that enables performing advanced searches of files and emails.

Read Also:  15 Pros and Cons of Using Mac OS

Windows 8, on the other hand, does not allow such advanced searches even by using the Files Explorer tool, often termed as Windows Explorer.

4. Stability

Even after most of the drawbacks and ills of Windows 8 are corrected in the Windows 10 operating system, it still provides a wobblier performance.

This is why Microsoft issues updates on a regular basis, which, by itself, can cause several problems such as glitches, system crashes and deletion of files accidentally.

On the other hand, the Windows 8 operating system provides a more stable and better performance.  It ensures more productivity for both the laptop and desktop users with no frustrating errors and with a bug-free operation.

5. The enterprise features

Windows 8 operating system did a reasonable amount of digging for the business users. It included useful features such as Secure Boot, Hyper V virtualization of guest operating systems, and Windows To-Go feature which boots up a desktop from a USB stick.

All these features are still available in the Windows 10 operating system but there are other features as well that had a huge and significant effect on business rollouts.

It provided much smoother in-place upgrades. The IT managers now do not have to wipe out and reimage as they had to do before.

6. Security

The specific security feature Secure Boot of Windows 8 OS ensures that there is no threat of any harmful malware to the devices running on this operating system. It is also the first version that came with a built-in antivirus protection.

Meanwhile, in the Windows 10 operating system, Microsoft made the Secure Boot even better. The manufacturers of computers now have the option to make sure that the users cannot disable this feature.

This will ensure that there is no chance of malicious and low-level malware or harmful bugs that may infect the bootup process of the system.

7. Mobility

The Windows 8 operating system is a pretty decent one but its functionality is significantly hampered due to the poor selection of quality apps.

The Windows 10 operating system is a much better operating system for the tablets with its high mobility.

The Continuum feature of it automatically adapts the interface of the operating system so that the mode suits the hybrid devices on which it is used.

8. Features

The Windows 10 operating system comes with several useful features that are not available in Windows 8 OS.

It has a revamped Start menu to provide quick access to settings and different apps, built-in OneDrive, a digital personal assistant Cortana, Continuum feature that enables the users to connect a PC with Windows mobile devices, a more powerful web browser Edge, and Windows store.

Read Also:  What Do You Lose When Upgrading to Windows 11?

The Windows 8 operating system, on the other hand, has only the built-in OneDrive that allows access to all files through the cloud, and Windows store for downloading content.

Which is Better – Windows 8 or Windows 10?

Differences Between Windows 8 and Windows 10

Considering all the differences mentioned above, the Windows 10 operating system emerges as the clear winner in comparison to Windows 8 operating system.

However, it is not the right time to say that Windows 10 operating system is perfect and the ultimate in Windows NT family.

This is because this operating system undergoes regular updates.

These updates however show that Microsoft is still on the lookout of a better operating system that can pull off the impossible tasks.

Windows 10 is an operating system that is suitable to use in desktops computers, laptop computers and mobile devices such as tablets.

With the updates and features, the Windows 10 operating system has left Windows 8 OS far behind to be considered as the prototype operating system of today.

It harmonizes user experiences across various devices.

Few additional facts and information of the two will surely be helpful in making the right choice.

Developed and released by Microsoft on August 1, 2012, Windows 8 operating system belongs to the Windows NT operating system family.

It is the successor of Windows 7 and was available for merchandising on October 26, the same year.

There were lots of significant changes made in the Windows 8 operating system by Microsoft. Such improvements were seen on the user interface as well as the platform. All these were done with an intent to enhance the user experience.

This Windows 8 operating system allowed Microsoft to compete with other operating systems, such as iOS and Android, that were used in mobile devices, especially the tablets. The changes in the operating system included:

  • A Start screen to display all the programs and other content that are dynamically updated on a grid of tiles
  • A touch-optimized shell based on the ‘Metro’ design language of Microsoft
  • An entirely new platform to develop the apps with touchscreen input
  • The Windows Store, the online distribution channel, to purchase or download new apps and software
  • A better integration with other online services that helps in synchronizing the settings and apps between devices
  • An added support for USB 3.0 ports
  • Near field communication ability
  • Hard drives with more advanced format and
  • Cloud computing.

There are also a few additional security features included in the Windows 8 operating system. This includes:

  • Combination of Microsoft SmartScreen phishing filtering service
  • An antivirus software built-in and
  • An additional support for Unified Extensible Firmware Interface or UEFI Secure Boot.
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These improved security features prevented external attacks and malware that may infect the booting process.

With all these improved features and functionality, the Windows 8 operating system was high on performance providing better and enhanced support for the touchscreen enabled devices.

It is for this reason the operating system sold more than sixty million licenses within January 2013, according to the sales figure of Microsoft Windows.

Windows 10 succeeded Windows 8 operating system, in fact, Windows 8.1, on July 15, 2015. Do not be surprised at this jump from 8 to 10!

This is because there is no Windows 9 operating system, and there is no proper explanation available for its absence.

The Windows 10 operating system was made available for public use on July 29, 2015.

The Windows Insider users could download Windows 10 through Technet and MSDN to use it as a free upgrade for Windows 8 and Windows RT.

This operating system gets new builds on a regular basis.

These new features are available to the users for free. The most significant features of Windows 10 operating system include:

  • More developed Metro apps
  • Increased support for universal apps
  • A revised user interface that can handle both mouse-oriented and touchscreen-optimized interface
  • A restructured Start menu
  • A lot of Windows 7 features
  • A Microsoft Edge web browser and
  • A simulated desktop system.

As for the security features of Windows 10 operating system, it supports:

  • Face recognition and fingerprint login
  • A desktop management feature named Task View
  • DirectX 12 and
  • Better and newer security features for enterprise settings.

There are lots of software bundled in Windows 10 as compared to Windows 8.1 operating system, with a few notable lifts from Windows 7 OS.

This has increased the capabilities and functionality of the operating system on the whole.

It includes Xbox Live integration, Cortana personal assistant, Microsoft Edge instead of Internet Explorer and more.

As per the records, there are more than a billion devices that have installed Windows 10 operating system by the end of 2020.

Conclusion

Therefore, considering every aspect of the two operating systems, including the market share and sales volume, it can be said that the Windows 8 operating system is a failure, though arguably.

Apart from the fact that the Windows 10 operating system is much smoother in operation, there are lots of other good reasons to use Windows 10 over the Windows 8 operating system.

About Taylor

AvatarTaylor S. Irwin is a freelance technology writer with in-depth knowledge about computers. She has an understanding of hardware and technology gained through over 10 years of experience.

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