Microsoft recently released Windows 8, a new operating system for PC desktops, laptops and tablets. ITS does not fully support or recommend Windows 8 at this time but will provide "limited support". ITS will help with Windows 8 re-installs and general support issues but may not be able to resolve all issues, especially software compatibility issues. Therefore, use Windows 8 "at your own risk".
Windows 8 OS Advisory for UH-owned computers: ITS currently recommends that the UH community continue to use Windows 7 Pro, especially if you use any of the UH applications that have not been certified by the software vendor, or thoroughly tested. New PC systems purchased should be Windows 8 ready, but should be configured for use with Windows 7 Professional. Past experience is that early adoption of a new OS is most appropriate for individuals with significant personal technical expertise and interest in specific new features. These early users of Windows 8 should plan on encountering problems that interfere with their work until resolved through subsequent releases of Windows 8 or other software packages.
If newly purchased UH computers are pre-installed with Windows 8 Professional (without the option for Windows 7), one alternative is to purchase the MS Windows 8 Professsional Upgrade License (with or without Software Assurance [SA]). [Note: Computers purchased with Windows 8 have the option of purchasing SA ONLY within 90 days from the computer purchase date.] The Windows 8 Professional Upgrade and/or SA license may be purchased from the ITS Site License Office http://www.hawaii.edu/sitelic The Windows 8 Upgrade and/or SA license allows you to downgrade the OS to use Windows 7 Professional. When you are ready to convert to Windows 8, or when all the applications you use in your work are certified to function correctly with Windows 8, you will have the option to use your Windows 8 license to install Windows 8.
Please note that this only applies to UH owned computers using specific UH administrative applications. Also, the ITS Site License purchase of Software Assurance for the OS is only for UH departments. This advisory does not pertain to personal home computers or personal purchases.
Microsoft Compatibility Center for Windows 8 has a catalog of compatible apps and devices.
This page shows the status of applications tested. Caution: common functionality was tested and might not be as comprehensive as certification by the vendor would require. If in doubt, please check with the vendor if they have more updated information regarding their application support. UH applications that do not work with Windows 8 fully or partially are listed in red.
| Product | Current Supported Version | Vendor Supported | Microsoft Certification Status | Works | Versions Tested | More Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adobe Reader | 11.x | NONE | YES | 11.0.0 | Adobe Support | |
| Host Explorer | 2008 | NONE | YES | 2008 | Host Explorer Support | |
| McAfee AntiVirus VirusScan Enterprise | 8.8 | YES, with patch 3 | Certified with patch 3 | YES, patch 3 required | 8.8 Patch 3 Repost | McAfee Support |
| Mozilla Firefox | 17 ESR / 18.0 | NONE | YES | 18.0 | Firefox Support | |
| Mozilla Thunderbird | 16.0.2 | NONE | YES | 16.0.2 | Thunderbird Support | |
| MS Internet Explorer | 10.0 | NONE | YES | 10.0 | Internet Explorer Support | |
| MS Office | 2010 / 2007 | Certified / Works | YES | 2010 | Microsoft Office Support | |
| MS Outlook | 2010 / 2007 | Certified / Works | YES | 2010 | Outlook Support | |
| SSH | 3.2.9 | NO | NONE | YES | 3.2.9 |
| Web Application | Website | Vendor Supported | Internet Explorer 10.0 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1098T (Tax Credit) | http://www.hawaii.edu/1098t | N/A | Works |
| Banner 8 Forms Server (for admin) | https://banner.sis.hawaii.edu | Win8, IE10 testing by vendor projected for Q2 2013 | |
| Banner Web Apps (self service) | N/A | Works | |
| eCafe | http://www.hawaii.edu/ecafe | N/A | Works |
| eTravel | http://www.hawaii.edu/etravel | N/A | Works |
| Financial Datamart | http://www.hawaii.edu/dw | Works | |
| KFS | http://kfs.hawaii.edu | N/A |
Works |
| Leave | http://www.hawaii.edu/ohr/leave | N/A |
Works |
| MyUH (Portal) | https://myuh.hawaii.edu | off vendor support | Works |
| PageCenterX | N/A | Works | |
| Peoplesoft 8 | Works | ||
| Profiler | http://www.hawaii.edu/profiler | N/A | Works |
| SECE | http://www.hawaii.edu/sece | N/A | Works |
| TAPS | http://www.hawaii.edu/timesheets | N/A | App works but some scripts running slowly; use an alternate browser |
| Laulima | https://laulima.hawaii.edu | issues with FCKeditor; need to run in compatibility mode | |
| Google@UH Web Mail | https://gmail.hawaii.edu | N/A | Works |
| Google@UH Calendar | http://gcal.hawaii.edu | N/A | Works |
| Google@UH Docs | http://gdocs.hawaii.edu | N/A | Works |
For more information on Windows 8, see the Microsoft website at http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/meet.
[1] All applications were tested with Windows 8 Pro– 32 bit, unless noted.
