Windows 8 has four editions, each with different amounts of features.[1] Unlike Windows 7, there are no Starter, Ultimate, Home Premium, or Home Basic editions.[2] Windows 8 Enterprise has the same features as Windows 8 Pro, but also has features intended to help with IT organization.[3]
The lowest edition, Windows RT, is dedicated to ARM-based tablet and laptop computers. The lowest edition for x86-64 and IA-32 computers is simply Windows 8, while the highest editions are Windows 8 Pro and Windows 8 Enterprise. Windows 8 Pro aims to succeed Windows 7 Professional and Windows 7 Ultimate, while Windows 8 Enterprise succeeds Windows 7 Enterprise.[3][4] All editions except Windows RT support both 32-bit (IA-32) and 64-bit (x86-64) platforms.[3]
The Windows RT edition was named for the Windows Runtime (WinRT) development platform that Microsoft is introducing in Windows 8, which is intended to succeed Win32.[5] This edition will be only available pre-installed on devices such as tablet PCs.[5]
Windows Media Center functionality will be only available as a "Media Pack" for Windows 8 Pro.[4]
Unlike Windows 7, all editions have the ability to use language packs, and thus multiple user interface languages.[4] This functionality was previously only available in Windows 7 Ultimate or Enterprise. However, in China and a small number of other emerging markets, an edition of Windows 8 without this capability will be offered.[3]
Upgrading from Windows 7
editThe following in-place upgrade paths are supported from Windows 7.[3]
| Windows 8 edition | Windows RT | Windows 8 | Windows 8 Pro and Enterprise |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows 7 edition | |||
| Ultimate | In-place upgrade not possible | In-place upgrade not possible | In-place upgrade possible |
| Professional | |||
| Home Premium | In-place upgrade possible | ||
| Home Basic | |||
| Starter |
Comparison table
editMicrosoft has not yet released maximum-supported system specifications, such as the maximum amount of RAM or logical processors.
| Feature | Windows RT | Windows 8 | Windows 8 Pro and Windows 8 Enterprise | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Availability[6] | Pre-installed on devices[5] | Most channels | Windows 8 Enterprise will only be available to Software Assurance customers. Windows 8 Pro will be available in most channels. | |
| Start screen, Semantic Zoom, Live Tiles | Yes | |||
| Windows Store | Yes | |||
| Apps (Mail, Calender, People Messaging Photos, SkyDrive, Reader, Music, Video) | Yes | |||
| Microsoft Office included (only Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote) | Yes | No | ||
| Internet Explorer 10 | Yes | Yes | ||
| Device encryption | Yes | No | ||
| Connected standby | Yes | |||
| Microsoft account | Yes | |||
| Desktop | Yes | |||
| Architecture | ARM | IA-32 or x86-64 | ||
| Updated Windows Explorer | Yes | |||
| Windows Defender | Yes | |||
| SmartScreen | Yes | |||
| Windows Update | Yes | |||
| New Windows Task Manager | Yes | |||
| Language Packs | Yes | |||
| Better multi-monitor support | Yes | |||
| Storage Spaces | No | Yes | ||
| Windows Media Player | No | Yes | ||
| Exchange ActiveSync | No | Yes | ||
| File history | Yes | |||
| ISO and VHD mounting | Yes | |||
| Mobile broadband features | Yes | |||
| Picture password | Yes | |||
| Play To | Yes | |||
| Remote Desktop | Client only | Client and host | ||
| Refresh and reset of OS | Yes | |||
| Snap | Yes | |||
| Touch and Thumb keyboard | Yes | |||
| Trusted boot | Yes | |||
| VPN client | Yes | |||
| BitLocker and BitLocker To Go | No | Yes | ||
| Boot from VHD | No | Yes | ||
| Hyper-V | No | Yes | ||
| Domain Join | No | Yes | ||
| Encrypting File System | No | Yes | ||
| Group Policy | No | Yes | ||
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Bradley, Tom (17 April 2012). "Windows 8: Which Version Should You Choose?". PCWorld. Retrieved 17 April 2012.
- ^ Taylor, Bill (17 April 2012). "Microsoft Announces Revamped Windows 8 Editions". Tom's Hardware. Retrieved 17 April 2012.
- ^ a b c d e f LeBlanc, Brandon (2012). "Announcing the Windows 8 Editions". Retrieved 17 April 2012.
- ^ a b c Foley, Mary Jo (2012). ""Microsoft: Here are the four editions of Windows 8". Retrieved 17 April 2012.
{{cite web}}: Text "ZDNet"" ignored (help) - ^ a b c Mackie, Kurt (17 April 2012). "Microsoft Names Windows 8 Editions, Unveils ARM-Based 'Windows RT'". Redmonad Channel Partner. Retrieved 17 April 2012.
- ^ Thurott, Paul (16 April 2012). "News Flash! Microsoft Stops SKUing Customers with Windows 8". Penton Media. Retrieved 17 April 2012.