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I know by upgrading from Windows 7 Ultimate to Windows 8 Pro that I will lose the following features:

  • Windows XP Mode
  • Windows DVD Maker
  • DVD playback
  • Windows Media Center
  • Built in games for Windows 7 (Chess Titans, Purble Place, etc.)
  • Aero, Start Menu, etc.

What other features am I going to lose by upgrading to Windows 8 Pro?

cowgod
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  • Do you have hardware (printers, scanners etc) which have only windows 7 drivers? If you do that you are going to loose use of these until drivers are written. If it is older hardware that may never happen. – Hennes Nov 01 '12 at 16:37
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    For a limited time the [Media Center Feature Pack](http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/feature-packs) is free. So you may be able to cross off media center off the list if you can get it before the offer is over (January 31, 2013). – Scott Chamberlain Nov 01 '12 at 16:54
  • Nothing, provided you install the Media Center Upgrade. – Ramhound Nov 01 '12 at 17:00
  • ...Your sanity. – Apache Nov 01 '12 at 17:14
  • Do you really want to go through a downgrade? – hookenz Nov 01 '12 at 21:19
  • Here is a GREAT article that lists your answer... http://www.msfn.org/board/topic/156585-features-and-options-removed-in-windows-8/ – user1009073 Nov 16 '12 at 21:54

2 Answers2

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  • Shadow Copies / Previous Versions (replaced by File History)

  • Universal Spell Checking

  • Natural Language Search

  • Multiple Clipboards

  • Windows Explorer (command bar is gone and replaced with a ribbon UI. Now referred to as File Explorer)

  • Windows Update Desktop Notifications

  • Windows Desktop Gadgets

  • Flip 3D

  • File Manager tab support

  • BSOD details & technical information (screen look changed)

  • Desktop Pen, Ink and Touch Input

  • Windows CardSpace

  • People Near Me P2P API

You can also check The complete list of features removed in Windows 8 Wikipedia article for all the details.

amiregelz
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2

Some installed software might be incompatible, The upgrade assistant will give you a list after scanning.

spexy
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  • I read somewhere that it is compatible with drivers for Vista and 7. – spexy Nov 01 '12 at 16:43
  • I was thinking more along the lines of what software features I will lose in the base OS, but this is a good thing to note as well. – cowgod Nov 01 '12 at 16:44
  • @cowgod - the upgrade assistance points this out. – Ramhound Nov 01 '12 at 17:01
  • I had to uninstall (completely) and then reinstall my AMD drivers for my graphics card before that worked properly after upgrading 7 Pro to 8 Pro. But otherwise, drivers aren't really an issue when updating. – Ben Richards Nov 01 '12 at 18:04