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Windows 8/8.1

After early January 2016 Windows 8 was no longer supported by Microsoft (in Microsoft jargon "extended support" ended) .

After early January 2023 Windows 8.1 will no longer be supported by Microsoft (in Microsoft jargon "extended support" ended) .

We no longer test Windows 8 or 8.1 The following is provided for existing users but may not be up to date for the latest versions of SuperView25 etc .

General

Windows 8 and 8.1 have been replaced by Windows 10 (late July 2015) - the following has been updated to reflect that.

The official release date for Win 8 was 26th October 2012 and Windows 8.1 mid Oct 2013 since then there has also been a Windows 8.1 update.

There were two major distinct versions one an "upgrade" to Windows 7 the other a 'tablet' only version (called RT)

Previous version of Windows have worked on Intel (x86) or compatible processors. The main version of Windows 8 also works on that and similar hardware and is broadly very compatible with Windows 7 and its desktop programs.

Windows 8 was also available for tablets using ARM chips and that is called Windows 8 RT. However the Windows RT (ARM) version was quite different from the other versions (although it may visually appear similar) and is NOT compatible - the following notes refer to the 'normal' desktop non ARM version. This RT version is effectively obsolete.

Like all new operating systems there are changes from previous versions that affect the programs that run under it.

The current version of SuperView 25 works well on Windows 8 but we can not guarantee versions prior to the release of Windows 8 will work.

See below for older versions of SuperView.

Windows 8 versions

In Mid April Microsoft announced 2 versions a 'standard' and Pro version replacing the numerous versions of Windows 7.

There are also 32bit and 64bit varieties. Most current software is 32bit and in theory can run on both varieties however drivers (eg to control printers) must match the OS. So a 64bit driver is required on Windows 8 64bit (NB these may not be available for older hardware)

Windows 8.1

This is an updated version of Windows 8 and is free to users of Windows 8. Many changes are related to the Start Tiles/Modern interface and do not affect "desktop" programs like SuperView 25 although they do promise making the desktop more comfortable for users used to previous versions of Windows.

Microsoft are no longer supporting Windows 8 only Windows 8.1 so hopefully all users of Windows 8 have upgrading to Windows 8.1 or now Windows 10.

Windows 8.1 with Bing

Some less expensive PCs come with "Windows 8.1 with Bing". From a users stand point that is Windows 8.1 - there is no difference (there are differences to Windows 8.1 Pro). There are advantages and restrictions from the computer manufacturers point of view but the software is the same except for the label!

Windows 8 RT (ARM)

This was quite different to the 'normal' Windows 8 and previous versions like Windows 7. It is now effectively obsolete as it is not compatible with programs written for Windows7 or even programs updated to suit the more general Windows 8. Even programs like Microsoft Office Pro may not be made available for the ARM version of Windows 8 - although there was a 'special' ARM versions of Word etc. This RT version will only run Metro style Apps.

Windows 8 - Tiles (aka Metro aka Modern)

This was a new interface common to all versions of Windows 8. Desktop Windows 8 will have both this and a Windows 7 style interface. Large content creation programs (e.g. CAD like SuperView25) are not intended to run under this new interface but use an interface similar to the present Windows 7 desktop. NB Microsoft have dropped the name Metro due to copyright issues.

Hardware and Windows 8 or 8.1

Please check with Microsoft's Web sites for their current hardware recommendations. The hardware requirements vary depending on the exact version.

A resolution of 1366*768 is required to run the screen in the new split screen mode

If you have existing hardware (e.g. printers) that you intend to use with Windows 8 please check that suitable drivers exist - this is especially true if you are looking at 64bit Windows 8.

Microsoft have produced their own hardware for Windows 8 called Slate. It is in a tablet format and will be available in two forms, one for Windows 8 RT and one for the full 'desktop' version. Only the second version (Slate Pro) is compatible with SuperView 25 becoming available spring/summer 2013. There has since been a Slate Pro 2 and a Slate Pro 3.

SuperView versions on Windows 8.1

All versions of SuperView 25 work well on Windows 7 (64bit and 32 bit) and we have found no major issues on Windows 8.

We are not aware of any significant difference running SuperView 25 on Windows 8 compared to on Windows 7 especially on similar hardware.

SuperView 25 R ver 7,1,0,7 was adjusted to integrate better with the Windows 8 Start and Desktop and this or a later version is recommended for use on Windows 8

However since Microsoft have withdrawn support for Windows 8 (but are supporting Windows 8.1) we also do not offer support for Windows 8

SuperView21 was written before Windows 7 and therefore we can not support it on an even more recent version (e.g. Windows 8). Some later versions of SuperView21 Chromatic (5.2.0.24 or later) do run well on Windows 7 (64bit and 32bit) and might run on Windows 8 but we can only support SuperView25.

SuperView is designed with keyboard and mouse use as its focus.

SV21 CDs released prior to the launch of Windows 7 are not suitable - (ie those without "SuperView 21 (7)" on the label) - please contact us for details.

We do not support running SuperView versions that are older than the version of Windows they are running on.