Windows 8

Windows 8 is an operating system developed by Microsoft. It replaces Windows 7 and is replaced by the upcoming Windows 8.1. It reached RTM on 2012-08-01 and was released to general availability on 2012-10-26

Editions
It comes in four main editions: RT, Core, Pro and Enterprise. All other editions are based on those editions.
 * Windows RT is a special edition of Windows for the ARM architecture. It can only launch Windows Store apps and signed Microsoft desktop applications.
 * Windows 8 (Core) is the lowest available Windows 8 editions.
 * Windows 8 Single Language (CoreSingleLanguage) is the Core edition locked up to only one language.
 * Windows 8 China (CoreCountrySpecific)
 * Windows 8 Pro
 * Windows 8 Pro with Media Center is Pro with Windows Media Centre and additional codecs. It can be purchased for existing Windows 8 and Windows 8 Pro users.
 * Windows 8 Enterprise is edition of Windows 8 for big corporations. It can be activated only over an KMS server. It's the only edition to support creating Windows To Go portable workspaces. It doesn't have Windows Media Centre and can't be upgraded to an edition with WMC included.

Media Center
Unlike Windows Vista and 7, Windows Media Center is not included by default in 'any' Windows 8 edition. Customers with existing Windows 8 users can purchase Media Center with the Windows 8 Pro Pack, which includes Windows 8 Pro with Media Center. Customers with existing Windows 8 Pro users can purchase Media Center with the Windows 8 Pro Pack, which was free previously under a promotional offer.(till 31/1/2013).