The new Windows 8.1 start screen is your personalized home for items you use the most and can be customized according to your user preferences. Windows 8.1 Live tiles provide real-time updates from your Facebook, Twitter, and e-mail accounts. Along with the new Start screen, the lock screen now includes e-mail, calendar, and clock widgets.

To access your PC, Microsoft has replaced a standard PIN or password with a swipe gesture; unlock your PC by clicking or swiping preset locations you’ve selected on the lock screen. New functions also allow you to search for your favorite software programs, open, close, hide, resize, or run multiple apps simultaneously with the swipe of a finger or a swipe of the mouse.

Windows has also made changes to make your PC more secure by boosting its existing security features and adding “SmartScreen,” which acts to prevent suspicious programs or apps from being installed or running on your machine. Finally, Windows 8 also gives you the ability to “refresh” itself to give users a new starting point and a cleaner version of Windows.

System requirements:

1 GHz processor
2 GB RAM
20 GB available hard disk space
1366 × 768 screen resolution
DirectX 9 graphics processor

Windows 10 is designed to be compatible with the hardware, software, and peripherals you already own. And always-enabled updates help you stay current on features and security for the supported lifetime of your device.

Windows 10 gives you absolutely the best experience for doing what you do. Stay focused with easy ways to snap apps in place and optimize your screen space for getting things done. See your open tasks in a single view and create virtual desktops to gain space or group things by project, like Office apps for work and games for play.

Gaming just got even better with Windows 10. Not only do your existing games work great, but now you can play and connect with gamers across Xbox One and Windows 10 devices. From the best casual games to a new generation of PC gaming, Windows 10 is built for games you love.

System requirements

Processor: 1 GHz CPU or better
Memory: 1 GB RAM (32-bit) / 2 GB RAM (64-bit)
Hard Drive: 16 GB available space (32-Bit) / 20 GB (64-bit)
Graphics: DirectX 9 compatible video card with WDDM 1.0 driver
Screen resolution: at least 800 x 600

Organize Windows with Snap Assist: Hop on a call. Find some answers. Finish that paper. When you’ve got a lot to do, snap can help you stay organized with ease.

Your content, curated: Your favorite photos. The world news. Today’s to-do list and tomorrow’s weather. Widgets help you find content that matters to you. It’s all things you—always a swipe away.

Refocus your workflow: The apps you need work seamlessly with new multi-tasking tools like Snap layouts, Desktops, and a new more intuitive redocking experience.

The latest in PC gaming performance: Play the latest games with graphics that rival reality. Play with players on console. Play with the peripherals that you love. When it comes to playing your way, Windows 11 makes it happen.

System requirements:

Processor: 1.0 GHz 64-bit Dual Core CPU or System on a Chip (SoC)
Memory: 4 GB RAM
Storage space: 64 GB available
System firmware: UEFI, Secure Boot capable
Trusted Platform Module (TPM): Version 2.0
Graphics: DirectX 12 compatible video card with WDDM 2.0 driver
Display: 720p resolution, 9” diagonally, 8 bits per color channel
Other: Internet connection and Microsoft account