Difference between Windows 8.1 and Windows 10

Key Difference: Microsoft introduced the Windows 8.1 update in order to make things slightly better for Windows 8 and to address the complaints of the users. The 8.1 update brought back the Windows Start Menu button, which clicked would then redirect the computer to the Start Menu Page with the Live Tiles.Windows 10 is the Microsoft’s latest attempt to unify the OS across all systems – laptop, tablet, Desktops and even smartphones.

Microsoft is one of the most sought out PC systems in the world and the company is raking in money on its Windows OS. However, nothing comes easy and Microsoft is learning the lesson the hard way. While Windows has been introducing popular after popular operating systems from the time it first launched Windows 95, it suffered a setback with the launch of Windows 8.

Windows 8 is considered to the most unsuccessful operating system till now. People preferred to remain on the stable Windows 7 rather than update to Windows 8. Windows 8 was completely different in terms of operating and even in terms of aesthetics. Microsoft had done away with the Start Menu and completely changed the design from what everyone was familiar with to a Metro inspired design with Live Tiles.

Microsoft introduced the Windows 8.1 update in order to make things slightly better for Windows 8 and to address the complaints of the users. The 8.1 update brought back the Windows Start Menu button, which clicked would then redirect the computer to the Start Menu Page with the Live Tiles.

Other enhancements include additional snap views that allow more applications to run on the screen, a more advanced OneDrive (formerly SkyDrive), a better Internet Explorer 11 with unified Bing-powered unified search (allowed users to search the computer as well as online using search bar) andthe ability to restore the previous behavior of opening the user's desktop on login instead of the Start screen.Windows 8.1 also added support for high-resolution displays, 3D printing, Wi-Fi Direct, and Miracast streaming.

Windows 10 is the newest operating system that was introduced by Microsoft and released to the public on June 29, 2015. In an attempt to get people to update their systems, the company is offering the operating system for free of charge for one year to anyone users that have a licensed Windows 7 or 8.1. Certain functions (such as Cortana) are not yet available. It is still considered to in beta form, with newer updates removing bugs as they come along.

The main objective of Windows to launch this OS is to unify all OSes across devices including laptops, desktops, tablets, smartphones and even Xbox. In additional to unification, Windows 10 comes packed with many new and interesting features. The Start Menu is back and better than ever. It is a mix of Windows 7 Start Menu and Windows 8 Live Tiles. Cortana is also integrated on the search bar. Cortana is a voice activated assistant that is similar to Siri and Google Now. She can be used to open and close apps and even search the internet.

Another interesting feature is the Task View Button that is available on the bottom panel of the monitor. It allows users to create multiple virtual desktops that allow higher productivity.

After the makeover in the version 8, the Internet Explorer (aka File Explorer) is now Microsoft Edge, something similar along the lines of Safari by Apple. Microsoft has also upped the security for the new OS as it comes with integrated support for biometrics such as fingerprint reader, retina scanner and face scanner.

In an attempt to unify gaming experience across all Microsoft systems, the company has also added support for Xbox, where gamers can now hook up their controllers with their laptops and desktops and start playing their games. There are also new versions of DirectX and WDDM to improve the systems graphics capabilities. Microsoft has claimed that Windows 10 is not a product but rather an ongoing service, as more updates are going to be continuously introduced in order to fix the bugs in the system.

Comparison between Windows 8.1 and Windows 10:

	Windows 8.1	Windows 10
Developer	Microsoft	Microsoft
Released to Manufacturing	August 27, 2013	July 15, 2015
Available to Users	October 17, 2013	July 29, 2015
Update Method	Respective subscription or enterprise channel.	Windows Update, Windows Store, Windows Server Update Services
Platforms	IA-32, x64, ARMv7	IA-32, x64, ARMv7
Kernel type	Hybrid	Hybrid
Preceded by	Windows 8	Windows 8.1
Succeeded by	Windows 10	N/A
Support State Date	January 9, 2018	October 13, 2020
Extended Support Date	January 10, 2023	October 14, 2025
Required Processor	1 GHz clock rate IA-32 or x64 architecture	1 GHz clock rate IA-32 or x64 architecture
Required RAM	IA-32 edition: 1 GB x64 edition: 2 GB	IA-32 edition: 1 GB x64 edition: 2 GB
Required Graphics Card	DirectX 9 graphics device WDDM 1.0 or higher driver	DirectX 9 graphics device WDDM 1.0 or higher driver
Required Display Screen	N/A	800×600 pixels
Required Input Device	Keyboard and mouse	Keyboard and mouse
Required Hard disk space	IA-32 edition: 16 GB x64 edition: 20 GB	IA-32 edition: 16 GB x64 edition: 20 GB
Start Menu	Connects to a page with small resizable tiles	Gives a combinations of the Smart Menu on Windows 7 and also incorporates Live Tiles
Assistance	Just a search bar that allows users to search on the system as well as the internet	Makes search better and incorporates Voice Activated Personal Assistant – Cortana
Price	Users are required to purchase the OS to update a system with older OS. 8.1 upgrade license costs around USD 90	Is Free for all users that are using Windows 7 and Windows 8 for the first year after its launch
Built in browser	Internet Explorer 11	New and improved Microsoft Edge that comes incorporated with Cortana and has a reading mode
Security	Physical passwords to log into the system and apps	Allows users to integrate biometrics tools such as fingerprint and retina scanners
Convergence	Separate OS for different devices	Seamless convergence on all devices. The same Windows 10 will run on the phone, tablet, laptop and even PCs
Search	Bing Powered search system that allows universal search – where users can search where applications and websites can be search using the search button	Cortana is integrated into the Search feature, where instead of typing users can talk and ask Cortana to search something or open applications
File Explorer	Favorites option in the Side Bar that allows users to access their documents that have been marked as favorites	Quick Access replaces Favorites. Allows users to access recent files and frequently visited folders
Multiple Applications	Allowed users to simultaneous run two apps side by side on one screen or the apps would run only on full screen	The SnapAssist feature allows users to run multiple apps next to each other. A new Snap Assist feature means up to four apps can be snapped per screen.
Task View	Alt + Tab showed the list of all the applications that were running and allowed users to scroll through it by continuously pressing tab and holding down alt	Task View is now a button the lower bar of the screen which opens up all the open applications in a stack, allowing easier access to pick
Multiple Desktops	Does not allow multiple desktops	Allows multiple desktops to separate applications and for a faster use within a single monitor so that users can access two applications on the same screen
Xbox	Allows installation of the Xbox application but doesn’t offer much of a Xbox experience	Comes with built-in Xbox app, offering a unified view of your games, the activity of friends, and gaming activities. Connected to Xbox Live and allows console connection to the game.