--- title: Windows 8 Reviews meta_title: 'Windows 8 Reviews 2026: Details, Pricing, & Features | G2' meta_description: Filter 584 reviews by the users' company size, role or industry to find out how Windows 8 works for a business like yours. aggregate_rating: rating_value: 3.7 review_count: 584 scale: '5' date_modified: '2026-08-14' parent_category: name: IT Infrastructure url: https://www.g2.com/categories/it-infrastructure --- # Windows 8 Reviews **Vendor:** Microsoft **Category:** [Operating Systems](https://www.g2.com/categories/operating-system) **Average Rating:** 3.7/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 584 ## About Windows 8 Windows 8 is an operating system developed by Microsoft, released in October 2012, designed to provide a modern and dynamic user experience across various devices, including desktops, laptops, and tablets. It introduced a new user interface with live tiles, offering real-time updates and a more interactive experience. The system also featured the Windows Store, enabling users to download and install a wide range of applications. Key Features and Functionality: - Modern User Interface: Incorporates live tiles that display real-time information, enhancing user engagement. - Windows Store: Provides access to a vast array of applications, facilitating easy download and installation. - Enhanced Connectivity: Improved networking technologies and power management for better connectivity and device availability. - Touch and Gesture Support: Optimized for touch-enabled devices, offering a more natural and intuitive user experience. - App Packaging and Deployment: Enables developers to produce, consume, or interact with app packages, streamlining the development process. Primary Value and User Solutions: Windows 8 aimed to bridge the gap between traditional computing and the growing demand for mobile and touch-enabled devices. By introducing a unified interface and enhancing app accessibility through the Windows Store, it provided users with a versatile platform suitable for both work and entertainment. The system's focus on connectivity and power efficiency addressed the needs of modern users seeking seamless integration across multiple devices. ## Windows 8 Pros & Cons **What users like:** - Users praise Windows 8 for its **speed and responsiveness** , delivering a quick and efficient experience for daily tasks. (20 reviews) - Users appreciate the **ease of use** in Windows 8, with its user-friendly interface and intuitive design. (15 reviews) - Users appreciate the **user-friendly interface** of Windows 8, enjoying its speed and ease of use. (13 reviews) - Users enjoy the **touch-friendly experience** of Windows 8, enhancing usability on hybrid devices and tablets. (11 reviews) - Users praise the **user-friendly interface** of Windows 8, noting its speed and innovative touch optimization. (9 reviews) - App Ecosystem (7 reviews) - New Features (6 reviews) - Reliability (6 reviews) - Easy Navigation (5 reviews) - Easy Setup (5 reviews) **What users dislike:** - Users find the **unfriendly interface** of Windows 8 confusing, especially due to the removal of the traditional Start menu. (14 reviews) - Users dislike the **menu issues** in Windows 8, finding it complicated and less user-friendly than previous versions. (11 reviews) - Users find Windows 8 to have a **usage difficulty** due to hidden buttons and a confusing interface for non-tech savvy individuals. (11 reviews) - Users criticize the **poor UI/UX** of Windows 8, finding it unintuitive and disruptive to their experience. (7 reviews) - Users experience significant **compatibility issues** with code and files across different platforms, hindering collaboration and productivity. (6 reviews) - Users frequently find the **interface confusing** , especially due to the removal of the traditional Start menu and the tablet-style design. (5 reviews) - Users frequently experience **performance issues** with Windows 8, noting slow speeds and frequent bugs affecting usability. (5 reviews) - Limited Apps/Store (4 reviews) - System Crashes (4 reviews) - Outdated Technology (3 reviews) ## Windows 8 Reviews ### 1. Fast, Smooth Windows 8 Experience with Convenient Live Tiles **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Sambit N. | Senior Software Development Engineer, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** February 02, 2026 **What do you like best about Windows 8?** What I like best about Windows 8 is how fast and smooth it feels once you get used to it. The startup time is really quick, and switching between apps feels snappy compared to older versions. I also like the live tileshaving real-time updates for things like weather or mail right on the start screen feels convenient. **What do you dislike about Windows 8?** I find that it’s not very keyboard-and-mouse friendly—it clearly feels designed more for touch devices, which makes desktop use a bit frustrating. Overall, it feels like Microsoft tried to change too much at once, and not all of it worked well for everyday users. Removing the classic Start menu was a big change, and it made simple things harder to find. Switching between the desktop and the tile-based interface doesn’t always feel smooth and can be annoying. **What problems is Windows 8 solving and how is that benefiting you?** For me, this is helpful because I get faster boot times, better overall responsiveness, and a system that simply feels more modern. The touch-friendly design is also a plus when I’m using a touchscreen device, since it makes things like browsing, checking apps, and other quick tasks more convenient. Overall, it saves me time and gives me a more flexible way to use Windows across different kinds of devices. ### 2. A Transitional Operating System That Blended Innovation with Complexity **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** andré P. | WEB DEVELOPER, Computer Software, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** October 16, 2025 **What do you like best about Windows 8?** What I liked most about Windows 8 was its speed and system responsiveness compared to earlier versions. The boot time and general performance improvements were immediately noticeable. I also appreciated the modern design approach — the new Start screen and tile interface introduced a fresh, touch-friendly experience that worked particularly well on hybrid devices. From an implementation point of view, the system was straightforward to install and configure, and the integration with Microsoft services like OneDrive made file access and syncing much easier. **What do you dislike about Windows 8?** The biggest issue with Windows 8 was usability inconsistency. The switch between the new tile-based Start screen and the traditional desktop environment felt disjointed, especially for users accustomed to older Windows versions. Navigating between interfaces could be confusing, and some simple tasks took longer than they should have. Additionally, the removal of the Start button in the early version made adoption harder for many users. **What problems is Windows 8 solving and how is that benefiting you?** Windows 8 aimed to bridge the gap between desktop and tablet experiences, allowing users to stay productive across different types of devices. It introduced faster system recovery, better security features, and improved cloud connectivity, which made managing files and settings across devices much simpler. For organizations, it offered a more centralized way to deploy and maintain systems, reducing IT workload. The performance optimizations also helped extend the lifespan of older hardware, which was a major practical benefit. ### 3. Exceptionally User-Friendly and Easy to Learn **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Rodrigo V. | Operations Manager, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** November 21, 2025 **What do you like best about Windows 8?** Its very user friendly / quick and easy to learn how to use the different capabilities it has **What do you dislike about Windows 8?** Improve how to modify the layout on the forms and list options in sharepoint to be friendlier and to have a similar format like it used to have when able to connect the platform that gave sort of like a survey style **What problems is Windows 8 solving and how is that benefiting you?** Integrating data and processes in one single place / automating processes thru power automate ### 4. Windows 8 review **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Lura B. | consultant, Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** July 18, 2025 **What do you like best about Windows 8?** What I liked best about Windows 8 was its bold attempt to unify the desktop and touch experience. The Start screen with live tiles offered a more visual and dynamic interface compared to previous versions, which worked especially well on tablets or touchscreen laptops. It also introduced faster boot times and better performance under the hood, which made it feel more responsive overall. While the interface was a big change from traditional Windows layouts, I appreciated how it tried to modernize the user experience and bridge the gap between mobile and desktop computing. **What do you dislike about Windows 8?** What I disliked about Windows 8 was the steep learning curve and the lack of cohesion between the desktop and the new Start screen. The sudden shift to a tile-based interface was confusing for many users, especially those on non-touch devices. It felt like two separate systems—the traditional desktop and the new “Metro” UI—were competing rather than working together. Basic tasks, like finding settings or shutting down the computer, became less intuitive. While the performance improvements were solid, the user experience could have been more user-friendly and consistent for everyday desktop users. **What problems is Windows 8 solving and how is that benefiting you?** Windows 8 aimed to solve the growing gap between traditional desktop computing and the rise of mobile, touch-enabled devices. It introduced a touch-friendly interface, faster boot times, and improved system performance to support both tablets and PCs. For users like me, the benefit was having one operating system that could function across different device types—whether on a laptop, tablet, or hybrid. It also brought better security features and cloud integration with Microsoft accounts and OneDrive, which made it easier to sync settings and files across devices. Even though the interface took some getting used to, the underlying improvements helped boost speed, flexibility, and mobility. ### 5. i was good **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Ma Christina S. | CSR, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** May 20, 2025 **What do you like best about Windows 8?** Fast Boot Times - Windows 8 introduced hybrid boot, which combined hibernation and shutdown to dramatically improve startup speed compared to previous versions. **What do you dislike about Windows 8?** I disliked how Windows 8 removed the traditional Start menu and forced the tablet-style interface on desktop users—it felt unintuitive and disrupted the user experience. **What problems is Windows 8 solving and how is that benefiting you?** Windows 8 aimed to unify the desktop and tablet experience, improve speed, and enhance security. It benefited users with faster boot times, better performance, and improved touch support for hybrid devices. ### 6. Very Good, Fast, and Easy-to-Use Interface **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Banking | Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** February 10, 2026 **What do you like best about Windows 8?** Very good interface, easy to use, works faster. **What do you dislike about Windows 8?** Nothing to dislike, but sometimes need extra time to find programs and settings due new interface **What problems is Windows 8 solving and how is that benefiting you?** Modern interface ( previously used windows 7), easier to work. ### 7. A Bold Leap That Missed Its Mark **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** LOKESH G. | Engineer.SGB TCS-FS CORE BANKING,Production, Information Technology and Services, Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** June 10, 2025 **What do you like best about Windows 8?** One thing I really liked about Windows 8 was how fast it booted up compared to previous versions. It felt lighter and more responsive overall. I also appreciated the new Task Manager — it was easier to understand and gave a clearer view of what was running. On touch-screen devices, the tile-based Start screen actually looked pretty cool and made quick access to apps and info easy. Security seemed tighter too, which gave some peace of mind. **What do you dislike about Windows 8?** Honestly, the biggest issue was the missing Start Menu. It felt like Microsoft took something familiar and essential and just removed it without a proper replacement. The switch between the desktop and the tile interface was jarring and confusing, especially when using a regular PC without touch. Simple tasks like shutting down or changing settings became harder than they needed to be. It tried to combine two different worlds—tablet and desktop—and didn’t fully satisfy either. What is your primary role when using Windows 8? Everyday personal use — web browsing, documents, media, and light productivity. **What problems is Windows 8 solving and how is that benefiting you?** Windows 8 introduced faster boot times, better memory management, and improved security compared to earlier versions like Windows 7. These changes helped me spend less time waiting and more time being productive. It also made my system feel more stable overall. The File History feature was useful for automatically backing up important documents, which added a layer of protection. ### 8. Dinesh@windows8 **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Dinesh K. | Freelancer, Information Technology and Services, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** August 12, 2025 **What do you like best about Windows 8?** I like the faster boot of the windows. And I like the so called inbuilt antivirus windows defender.The inbuilt windows store app to download apps. The Backup and reset function is very useful to restore pc when corrupted. **What do you dislike about Windows 8?** Basically the startup screen and the whole UI is designed for toch control devices like Mobile and tablet etc. So it is very confusing and some times uncomfortable to use some options. The operating system is not user friendly. **What problems is Windows 8 solving and how is that benefiting you?** I like the look and graphics ,the fast boot , inbuilt windows defender, the Reset and backup function,colourful wallpapers .The multi monitor system is very helpful me while doing graphical work or giving training to students. ### 9. smooth and easy to use **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Freddy C. | Youtuber, Design, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** February 13, 2025 **What do you like best about Windows 8?** The new Start Screen with the live tiles really feels modern and dynamic to me. The new touch-friendly interface is a major improvement, particularly for tablets and hybrid devices. Boot times are noticeably improved, and the general performance feels peppier than Windows 7. Built-in apps like Mail, Calendar, and the Windows Store also round things out nicely. **What do you dislike about Windows 8?** The most pressing issue now is that Windows 8 is no longer supported with security updates from Microsoft, opening the system to potential exploits. Plus, Windows 8 no longer gets updates from Microsoft Defender, so there’s no built-in protection against new viruses and malware. And that makes it a risky option to anyone still using it. Windows 8 was also meant for touchscreens, but it would result in a frustrating experience for those without touch capabilities on their desktops or laptops due to the lack of a proper Start Menu and touch-focused design. Transitioning between the desktop and Start Screen is also clunky and unintuitive overall. **What problems is Windows 8 solving and how is that benefiting you?** Windows 8 can be quite good for low-end PCs, given that it placement is more light-weight as compared to Windows 10 that can be resource-heavy as well. It eliminates the issues of slow performance experienced on older or less capable hardware by booting up quicker, using less RAM and running without a hitch on lower specification computers. This is good for me too because I can use a modern operating system with a responsive GUI and needed features without having to upgrade my hardware. Browsing, basic apps, and even some multitasking worked just fine for me, so much so that it was a better experience than the lag I’d encounter if I were to try running Windows 10. ### 10. Windows 8 is now outdated when it comes to windows OS **Rating:** 2.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Ian O. | IT Staff, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** April 30, 2025 **What do you like best about Windows 8?** Windows 8 was really different from the old versions, mostly because of the new look of start screen. it seemed like it was made more for tablets or touchscreens, which made it tricky to use on regular laptops or desktops. Setting it up wasn't too bad, but it took time to learn, especially at work. It did have some good things, like starting up faster, better security, and syncing with your Microsoft account. **What do you dislike about Windows 8?** Changing the traditional startup menu of windows OS. It is very confusing when users are not familiar with the interface. It causes delays on daily works. Unlike windows 10 that brought back the familiar startup menu and other functions. Although it has a smooth performance, The quick decision to change its UI confused the users. And because of that most of the users refused to upgrade there OS(windows 7) or when they bought a computer with windows 8 Operating System they immediately upgrade it to windows 10. Overall, windows 8 had some cool ideas, but it was hard for a lot of people to get used to, which is why it wasn't as popular as the versions before or after it. **What problems is Windows 8 solving and how is that benefiting you?** Windows 8 was created to improve how computers work with new technology like touchscreens, cloud storage, and faster performance. As an IT staff member at school, this brings several benefits. First, Windows 8 starts up much faster than older versions, which saves time in our computer laboratory. It also includes better security features like built-in anti-virus and secure boot, helping protect school devices from viruses and malware. With cloud storage integration through Microsoft accounts and one drive, students and teachers can save and access their work from any device. Overall, windows 8 helps us manage devices more easily, keeps them secure, and supports modern learning tools. ### 11. Windows 8 is not user friendly. **Rating:** 1.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Luyanda K. | IT Support Specialist, Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** January 29, 2025 **What do you like best about Windows 8?** It works well on small devices like tablets and phones. it gives a good experience in those because most of them don't use buttons they have touch screen. **What do you dislike about Windows 8?** Windows 8 is not user-friendly and it complicated especially for people who are not that familiar with computers. Let not forget that Windows OS are also used by people who are not computer wizard, people who only want to get the job done. Like the start menu is not clear, there are lot of things happening there, it better only if you know how to use computer shortcut on your keyboard. and is the main reason why lot of people preffer to use Windows 7, 10, and 11. **What problems is Windows 8 solving and how is that benefiting you?** It is easier to use only in small devices. Most of things are located in the start menu so it is easier to navigate in different software at the same time. ### 12. Good **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Abhijith B. | Sr IT Engineer, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** August 08, 2025 **What do you like best about Windows 8?** It’s fast, clean, and the Start screen makes apps easy to access. **What do you dislike about Windows 8?** The interface feels confusing at times, especially switching between desktop and Start screen. **What problems is Windows 8 solving and how is that benefiting you?** It boots quickly, runs smoothly, and supports modern apps while still allowing desktop use, improving productivity and multitasking. ### 13. Not as much user friendly as other versions of widows operating system **Rating:** 2.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Higher Education | Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** August 13, 2025 **What do you like best about Windows 8?** Graphics are seems to be pretty improved than earlier versions of widows operating system **What do you dislike about Windows 8?** Not as much user friendly as other versions of widows operating system, Sometimes it seems like a headche to work upon **What problems is Windows 8 solving and how is that benefiting you?** it is more user than earlier and other versions of operating systems ## Windows 8 Discussions - [Windows 8 recommended software](https://www.g2.com/discussions/windows-8-recommended-software) - 2 comments, 2 upvotes - [Is Windows 8 a good operating system?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-windows-8-a-good-operating-system) - 2 comments, 1 upvote - [Which statement is a feature of the Windows 8 operating system?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/which-statement-is-a-feature-of-the-windows-8-operating-system) - 1 comment, 1 upvote - [HOW do you see the security (windows defender)](https://www.g2.com/discussions/how-do-you-see-the-security-windows-defender) - 1 comment, 1 upvote - [What are the main features of Windows 8?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-are-the-main-features-of-windows-8) - 1 comment, 1 upvote - [View Windows 8 pricing details and edition comparison](https://www.g2.com/products/windows-8/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1532205&qs=pros-and-cons§ion=pricing&secure%5Bexpires_at%5D=2026-08-14+18%3A44%3A28+-0500&secure%5Bsession_id%5D=1df88ef7-b193-48ff-868e-63a9355c7f35&secure%5Btoken%5D=463e07e349777ec4907eb67e121925cd024d7f48f1843247739a05264aca4d95&format=llm_user) ## Windows 8 Integrations - [Adobe Acrobat](https://www.g2.com/products/adobe-acrobat/reviews) - [Chrome OS](https://www.g2.com/products/chrome-os/reviews) - [Google Cloud Storage](https://www.g2.com/products/google-cloud-storage/reviews) - [Microsoft 365](https://www.g2.com/products/microsoft365/reviews) - [Microsoft Excel](https://www.g2.com/products/microsoft-excel/reviews) - [Microsoft Outlook](https://www.g2.com/products/microsoft-outlook/reviews) - [Microsoft Power Apps](https://www.g2.com/products/microsoft-power-apps/reviews) - [Microsoft Power Automate](https://www.g2.com/products/microsoft-power-automate/reviews) - [Microsoft Power BI](https://www.g2.com/products/microsoft-microsoft-power-bi/reviews) - [Microsoft Teams](https://www.g2.com/products/microsoft-teams/reviews) - [Microsoft Word](https://www.g2.com/products/microsoft-word/reviews) - [N-able N-central](https://www.g2.com/products/n-able-n-central/reviews) ## Windows 8 Features **Memory Management - Operating System** - RAM management - App Management - File Management **Device Management - Operating System** - I/O management **Backup and Recovery - Operating System** - Data backup **Error Detection - Operating System** - System operations monitoring **Additional Functionality** - Generative AI - Data Security - User Interface - Resource Allocation - System Updates - For Developers - AI Copilot - Desktop Interface ## Top Windows 8 Alternatives - [Ubuntu](https://www.g2.com/products/ubuntu/reviews) - 4.5/5.0 (2,347 reviews) - [Android](https://www.g2.com/products/android/reviews) - 4.6/5.0 (1,219 reviews) - [Oracle Linux](https://www.g2.com/products/oracle-linux/reviews) - 4.4/5.0 (330 reviews)