A world of opportunity is at your fingertips when you experience Windows 8 Professional that's been redesigned for touch-screen tablets while staying true to your PC, mouse and keyboard. Windows brings convenient access to your favorite programs, apps, software, videos and more by allowing full customization of your Start screen. Explore apps and software, share your pictures and videos on the Web or create your very own Start screen. Create a separate account for each member of your family on a single device and buy apps for use on up to five Windows 8 devices. Merge the capabilities of your computer and the Internet. Take your favorite programs with you on the go. The future is now.

Windows 8 Professional allows you to access files on your tablet or PC for an innovative journey into the future of information technology. Touch or click your way through your customized Start screen for a personalized experience. Integrate your PC content with your Web content to share your pictures, videos and other files. Get real-time updates from your Facebook, Twitter and e-mail accounts with Live Tiles. Browse thousands of apps in the Windows Store, and load each one on up to five Windows 8 PCs or tablets. Use programs, such as Word, PowerPoint and Excel, on your Windows tablet to help you work and play on the go. Enjoy the familiar look of your previous OS? Access the classic look any time and learn how to use your new operating system comfortably by watching three informative videos -- Fast and Personalized, Get it Done and More Than Your Average App. Create the foundation necessary for you to experience software, applications and browsing like never before.

Beautiful, fast, fluid

Windows has been reimagined to focus on your life. The beautiful, fast, and fluid design is perfect for a range of hardware: from compact, touch-enabled tablets and lightweight laptops, to PCs and large, powerful all-in-ones with high-definition screens. It’s smooth, intuitive, and gives you instant access to your people, apps, and stuff, so you spend less time searching and more time doing.

Windows 7 only Better

Windows 8 is built on the rock-solid foundation of Windows 7, but it’s been improved on all fronts. You can install Windows 8 on the same hardware that powers Windows Vista and Windows 7, and you’ll love how it works on new devices, too. Windows 8 was designed with Windows 7 apps in mind, because you probably have older apps you need to use.

In addition to the new look of the Start Screen, Windows 8 incorporates the desktop that you’re familiar with. Think of the desktop as one of the many apps you can run in Windows 8. In the desktop, you’ll see all the settings, devices, and features you used in Windows 7--and you can run the desktop apps you ran in Windows 7, too.

Cloud-connected with your Microsoft account

Sign in to your Windows 8 device with your Microsoft account and you’re immediately connected to the people, files, and settings you care about. Your PC comes to life with all the things that make Windows yours, including your Start page, themes, language preferences, browsing history, and browser favorites. You can connect your favorite services to your Microsoft account, too, like Hotmail, Messenger, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and more. And you can immediately get to your photos, docs, and other files, whether they’re on SkyDrive, Facebook, Flickr, or other services.

It's all about the apps

In the Windows Store, you can search for or browse great apps, all grouped in easy-to-find categories. We highlight great apps for you and provide quick access to frequently downloaded apps. You can also see how other people have rated apps. You’ll always know what’s interesting, new, and popular. You won’t have to worry about buying something you don’t want because you can try before you buy, if the app supports it. If you try an app and like it, you can buy it and continue using the full app with no interruption. You won’t waste time or lose your place.

Upgrading to Windows 8 - If your PC is running Windows 7 Home Basic or Home Premium, your files, programs and settings will easily transfer to Windows 8. If your PC is running Windows 7 Professional or Ultimate, Windows XP or Windows Vista, you will need to reinstall your programs. Some features such as touch may require a new PC.

Required Processor - 1GHz or faster processor

Required Memory - 2 GB RAM

Required Hard Disk Space - 20 GB available disk space

Required Display - 1366 x 768 screen resolution

Required Connectivity - Internet access (fees may apply)

Required Video Card - Graphics hardware acceleration requires a DirectX 9 graphics card with WDDM driver

Additional System Requirements - Microsoft account required for some features. Watching DVDs requires separate playback software. Windows Media Center license sold separately.

Other System Requirements -

• Additional requirements to use certain features: Internet access (fees may apply). Depending on resolution, video playback may require additional memory and advanced graphics hardware. For some Windows Media Center functionality, a TV tuner and additional hardware may be required. Windows Touch and Tablet PCs require specific hardware. HomeGroup requires a network and PCs running Windows 7. DVD/CD authoring requires a compatible optical drive. Music and sound require audio output. Product functionality and graphics may vary based on your system configuration. Some features may require advanced or additional hardware.

• To install Windows 8 Pro, customers must be running Windows XP SP3, Windows Vista, or Windows 7. If you would like to upgrade from Windows 8 to Windows 8 Pro

This item is available to everyone. There are no eligibility restrictions.