Windows 8

Support options, learn more and lifecycle information for Windows 8.

Support options and resources

For technical assistance with Windows 8, please click here. For other content, please select a category below.

Find it myself

Self-support options

Windows 8 Help & how to
Visit the Windows 8 Help & how to center to learn about how to get all you can out of Windows 8.

Upgrade to Windows 8
Run the Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant. It scans your current PC to see if it is ready for Windows 8 and then provides a compatibility report and optional steps for you.

Add features to Windows 8: Frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some common questions about Add features to Windows 8.

Self-support options for work

IT Pros: Windows 8 TechCenter on TechNet
Visit the Windows 8 TechCenter on TechNet for advanced troubleshooting and guidance for IT Pros.

Developers: Windows Client Developer Center on MSDN
Visit the Windows Client Developer Center on MSDN to learn about Windows development.

Support for Small Business
Simple help and troubleshooting for small businesses.

Microsoft Partners: Visit the Microsoft Partner Network
Microsoft Partners can access unlimited online support via the Microsoft Partner Network.

Ask the community

Community resources

Microsoft Community
Post a question or browse for solutions in the Windows 8 Community forums.

Microsoft Community
Post a question or browse for solutions in the Windows RT Community forums.

IT Pros: Microsoft TechNet Windows 8 forums
Post a question or browse for solutions in the Microsoft TechNet Windows 8 forums.

Developers: Microsoft MSDN Software Development for Windows Client forums
Post a question or browse for solutions in the MSDN Software Development for Windows Client forums.

Get technical support

Get non-technical or customer service assistance
For general inquiries about Microsoft products and services visit our Contact Us page.

Technical support options

You may be entitled to free warranty support from your OEM (original equipment manufacturer). Visit our OEM contact page to learn how to tell whether your installation is OEM and to browse contact information for many OEMs. If your Microsoft product was preinstalled, distributed with your computer, or obtained as an upgrade directly from your computer manufacturer, the primary source for support is the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) who provided the Microsoft product.

To find out what version you have, tap the Charm bar, then tap Settings, then tap PC Info. You can also go to Control Panel, then System and Security and view your System information).

For technical assistance with Windows 8 please click here and select your category to get started.

Technical support options for work

IT Pros: Contact a Microsoft support professional using your TechNet Subscription
As a TechNet Plus subscriber, you are entitled to receive two (2) complimentary incidents and a 20 percent discount on any additional phone incidents you purchase. Learn more.

Developers: Contact a Microsoft support professional using your MSDN Subscription
As an MSDN subscriber, you may be entitled to receive up to four (4) technical support incidents depending on your subscription level. These support incidents can be used to resolve technical break-fix issues in a non-production environment and are the equivalent of paid Professional Support incidents. You can use a technical support incident to find a solution to a production issue if you can replicate that issue in a non-production environment. Learn more.

Microsoft Premier Customers: Visit Microsoft Premier Online (MPO) for troubleshooting resources or to submit an incident online
Enterprise customers with a Premier account can visit Microsoft Premier Online (MPO) for troubleshooting information or to open a support incident with a Microsoft support professional.

Microsoft Partners: Access unlimited online support via the Microsoft Partner Network
Microsoft Partners can access unlimited online support via the Microsoft Partner Network.

Microsoft Software Assurance
Get volume licensing and additional benefits with the Microsoft Software Assurance program.

Learn more

Using Windows 8

Windows 8 Help & how to
Visit the Windows 8 Help & how to pages for more information.

Explore Windows
Browse categories such as Photos & videos, Email & chat, PC health and more.

Upgrading to Windows 8

Upgrade to Windows 8 today
Get Windows 8 today and be more secure.

Upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 8
Get step by step guidance on how to upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 8.

Move your stuff over
Your files, favorites, and settings can be easily transferred to your new PC.

Support lifecycle

Learn more about Windows 8 support lifecycle

Support lifecycle policy page
Visit the Microsoft support lifecycle policy page to view Microsoft’s guidelines for product support from availability to end of product support lifecycle.

Windows 8 lifecycle policies

To view Support Lifecycle information for a specific version of Windows 8, select the product and version below that is applicable to you.

Microsoft Support Lifecycle Policy
Visit the Support Lifecycle Policy page to view Microsoft’s guidelines for product support from availability to end of product lifecycle.

View support lifecycle information

Windows support lifecycle fact sheet
View important support lifecycle dates and information for the Windows products.

Support is ending for some versions of Windows
Learn how to check what version and service pack you are running.

Last Review : July 29, 2013