Windows 8 will require compatible hardware and drivers, especially for touchscreen devices. While most major manufacturers ensure compatibility, some smaller peripheral makers may have incompatible devices. Users should check Microsoft's Compatibility Center and run the Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant to identify any potential issues before upgrading to Windows 8. Laptop users may encounter more problems than desktop users due to slower driver releases from manufacturers.

1. Windows 8 Requirements.
Jere Minich
Program Director
Lake-Sumter Computer Society

2. Is all your gear Windows 8
compatible?
• Migrating to a new operating system is a bit
like getting ready for a first date.
– What will it look like?
– Will it be easy to get along with?
– Will the two of you be compatible?
• That last question is the precise question that
millions of PC owners must consider on
October 26, when they think about upgrading
their machines to Windows 8.

3. The good news:
• Unlike moving from Windows XP to Vista:
– the move from Windows 7 to 8 should be much
easier.
– Windows 8 will be backward-compatible with
Windows 7.
– And PC manufacturers and device makers such as:
• Canon, Epson, and Hewlett-Packard
• ensure that gear "just works" when plugged
in.

4. Windows 8 presents unique challenges
for:
• peripherals that must work with the touch-
centric interface found on:
– tablets,
– hybrids,
– other newfangled devices.
• Will your Windows 8 tablet transfer print jobs
to your laser printer problem-free?
• Will the advanced features on your webcam
get hosed in the upgrade?

5. Of the thousands of hardware devices
tested:
• only a handful of products were tagged as
incompatible.
• Go to Microsoft's:
– Compatibility Center for Windows 8 Release
Preview
• www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/compatibility/en-
us/CompatCenter/Home

6. Compatibility Center for Windows 8
Release Preview

7. And now for the bad news...
• Unlike previous OS upgrades:
• Windows 8 has a dramatically updated
interface that will likely require:
– driver upgrades if you want your peripherals to
work seamlessly with the new OS.

8. You're unlikely to run into upgrade
compatibility problems with:
• gear from mammoth manufacturers like:
– Epson and Hewlett-Packard.
• But equipment from smaller peripherals
makers is at far greater risk of incompatibility.
• If you're considering upgrading your existing
system's Windows 7 OS to Windows 8, you
should run Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant

9. Gliches
• One component will invariably show up as
needing an update Driver:
– your DVD player
– to play back videos, you'll need to install a fee-
based or free third-party option such as the open-
source VLC media player.
• TOTAL DOWNLOADS: 235,032
• OS SUPPORT: Windows 8, Win 7/32,
– Win 7/64, Win2000, Win XP

10. Bottom Line
• Desktop users will likely have fewer problems
upgrading to Windows 8 than laptop users.
– Because laptop manufacturers tend to maintain
tight control over driver releases.
• Graphics hardware could be particularly
problematic.
• Laptop manufacturers are notorious for their
slow deployment of the latest drivers.

11. Bottom Line
• Microsoft insists that current Windows 7
drivers will work on Windows 8.
• Take Microsoft's Windows 8 reverse-
compatibility claims with a grain of salt.
• No OS upgrade is trouble-free for
everyone.
• Buy Windows 8 at Christmas or after Jan
2013.