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.

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.

Windows 8

The version of Windows NT named 6.2 released at the end of 2012. It runs on x86 and x86(64bits) hardware.

WinRT

A mess

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.

Windows on ARM

Synonym for Windows RT.

Blue

Windows 8+1.

Will be released in Summer 2013.

• WP8 : The version of Windows 8 that runs on phones (short for Windows Phone 8)
• Metro
• Desktop : The Windows interface as we know it since Windows 3.11 until Windows 7.