Windows 8 is the successor to Windows 7 and is then succeeded by the lasted Windows 10.
Basic information about Microsoft Windows 8 including release date, available editions, minimum hardware requirements, etc.
are provided in this post.

Windows 8 is a computer operating system that was produced by Microsoft.
It is released as a part of theWindows NTfamily of operating systems.
Windows 8 is preceded byWindows 7and succeeded byWindows 10which is the latest version of Windows available.
Windows 8 Editions
Windows 8 has released four versions with different feature sets.
They are Windows 8 (core), Windows 8 Pro, Windows 8 Enterprise, and Windows RT.
This release includes features for local market segmentation and provides all the basic Windows 8 new features.
TheWindows Media Centerfeature as a separate package is only available to Windows 8 Pro.
Windows RTis pre-installed only on ARM-based devices such as tablet PCs.
It also supports machine encryption.
It does not include several business-centric features such as Group Policy and Domain Support.
Windows 8 Update
Microsoft officially announced a Windows 8feature updatecalledWindows 8.1in 2013.
It brings feature changes and fixes to the operating system.
Upgrading to Windows 8 normally will be a smooth transition.
The information below will be useful.