Win8 Dictionary

This is an attempt to reduce confusion about the new terms introduced with the release of Windows 8 in various modes, for various architectures and various restrictions.

Windows 8

The version of Windows NT named 6.2 released at the end of 2012.

It has a small kernel evolution from Windows 7, but the big addition of the Metro mode.

It runs on x86 and x86(64bits) hardware.

Windows RT

This is the port of Windows 8 on various ARM platforms.

A contrario from what people say, Windows RT has both a "Metro" and a "Desktop" mode.

Windows RT has Win32 APIs too.

NB: Windows RT is not technically a RunTime.

NB: Not to be confused with WinRT.

Windows on ARM

Synonym for Windows RT.

Windows Blue

Windows 8(+1).

Small update on Windows 8.

Will be released in Summer 2013.

WP7 / WP 7.5 / 7.8

Windows Phone 7 is an OS for mobile phones that is based on the Windows CE kernel.

Microsoft only allows Managed applications from 3rd parties. Therefore, no VLC for WP7 will exist.

WP8

The version of Windows 8 that runs on phones (short for Windows Phone 8)

Win32

The evolving set of APIs and runtime available since Windows 3.11 and still changing these days.

Windows NT 64bits is almost compatible with Win32 and Windows CE was partly compatible with Win32 APIs.

On 64bits, Windows NT uses the LLP64 model for pointers! Be careful if you are a Unix developer.

WinRT

WinRT also called Windows Runtime, is the set of APIs to develop "Modern" applications.

All those are essentially a COM-based set of APIs.

It is not really a Runtime, since the runtime is still Win32.

NB: Not to be confused with Windows RT.

Desktop

The Windows interface as we know it since Windows 3.11 until Windows 7.