It's never easy to install an operating system from scratch, but CNET's Stephen Shankland found Microsoft's newest operating system gave new life to his 3-year-old PC. Stephen Shankland worked at CNET ...

Ahh, Windows 8. If you’ve decided you’re ready to plunk down your hard-earned cash to give this modern UI a shot, you’ll want to spend a few minutes considering just how you take your first steps into ...

Microsoft offers a choice of a straight ISO file or a setup assistant that can tell you if your current environment is compatible with the new OS. Lance Whitney is a freelance technology writer and ...

If you get a new PC or tablet, it will have Microsoft's new OS pre-installed. Here's how to get the OS on an older or custom-build machine. I've been testing PC and mobile software for more than 20 ...

Microsoft’s Windows 8.1 may sound like a new operating system, but it’s really more like a Service Pack. The update includes new features, modifies old ones, and fixes flaws, but it doesn’t amount to ...

The Windows 8.1 Preview, released this week, is definitely test software only for the adventuresome. Caveats and advice for installing Microsoft's newest OS are a bit scattered. The best summary of ...

Update 7/19/2021: Windows 8.1 is long outdated, but technically supported through 2023. If you need to download an ISO to reinstall the full version of the operating ...

Crapware is a fact of life for Windows PC buyers. Most of the time, it’s relatively harmless: limited anti-virus subscriptions you don’t want, WildTangent games and demoware you don’t need, and ...

It’s scorching out. Any housework that needs doing is already done. And with the long weekend ahead, it’s time for a simple computing project. Here’s one: Install the Windows 8.1 preview. Last week, ...

If you aren't happy with Windows 8, and are curious to find out what's new in Windows 8.1, rather than just read about it, why not try it for yourself and install it in a Virtual Machine? It's easy to ...

Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. is a senior editor and author of Notepad, who has been covering all things Microsoft, PC, and tech for over 20 ...

Windows has always boasted an impressive assortment of third-party programs that enhance its functionality. However, until recently there wasn’t a single way for users to get applications. Some ...