Compatibility of software with Windows 8.1 + processor info

[delbeb]

Hi everyone,
My question is I am having to purchase a new computer and can only get one with Windows 8.1. At present I am using 7. My question is the compatibility of my software with Windows 8.1. When I changed from XP to Windows 7 I did not have the professional version of Windows 7 so most of my software was not compatible. It cost me a small fortune to purchase new software. I had to purchase new versions of Office, Publisher etc. My photo editing software wasn't compatible and so on. Can anyone advise me on this. Also the computer I am purchasing has an Intel i54590T processor. I am completely ignorant of the technical side of processors so how does this processor compare with other make of processor. I have now retired and I can't afford a computer with the i7 processor. Any advice much appreciated.

[Someone-Else]

Would it not depend on what version of the software you currently have is as to if it is compatible or not? And what the actual software is. (You mentioned photo editing software, but which one?)

Also I would have to ask why are you changing computers?

If it helps, I don't have "MS office" or "MS Outlook" I use "generic" free programmes such as "Open office" and "Thunderbird" there are lots of other free programmes out there.