Windows Client Overview

The current Windows client releases are Windows 8.1 Update and Windows RT 8.1 Update, which became generally available in Apr. 2014, following the initial release of the OS in Oct. 2013. The Update primarily offers user interface changes enhancing the usability of the Windows desktop. Windows 8.1, a major update to Windows 8, is designed for devices based on the AMD or Intel x86 or x64 processor architectures. Windows RT 8.1, which replaces Windows RT, is designed for Windows devices based on the ARM architecture. The support life cycle for Windows 8.1 is the same as Windows 8; it does not extend that support life cycle.

Internet Explorer 11 (IE11) is included with Windows 8.1, Windows RT 8.1, and Windows Server 2012 R2; therefore, its general availability date is Oct. 2013. IE11 for Windows 7 became available in Nov. 2013. The Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 versions of IE11 were updated in Apr. 2014 to add Enterprise Mode IE, a Web site compatibility feature available only to enterprise customers.