Windows 8 Editions

There have been rumors about the number of editions that Microsoft will come up with its new Operating System, Windows 8. Yupp..you read it correct, that’s what its official name has been finalized. And now finally, after making us to wait for so very long, Microsoft has announced the Windows 8 editions that will be available at the time of its release to the market. Let me tell you, keeping it very simple and subtle Microsoft will release only three editions in Windows 8 – Windows 8 for home users, Windows 8 Pro for Businesses, and Windows RT. New name has been given to Windows on ARM, Windows RT.

The blog posted by Microsoft also brought us a quick tabular comparison of all the three different Windows 8 editions. Let me quickly brief out below:

Windows 8

Well…I would say most of the users will prefer using this Windows 8 basic edition. This Windows 8 standard edition that comes up with almost all the essential features of Windows 8 such as updates Windows Explorer, new Metro User Interface, Task Manager, ability to switch between different languages on fly, and finer multi-monitor pillar. The switching between languages on fly is an excellent addition to this standard Windows 8 version because earlier this feature was available only in Ultimate Windows Editions. Windows 7 running Starter users, Windows 7 Home edition users, and Windows 7 Home Premium users can upgrade their OS to this new Windows 8 edition. A local language-only Windows 8 edition will be offered to China and other small set of emerging markets.

Windows 8 Pro

This Pro Windows 8 edition can be taken as the Ultimate one, very much similar to Windows 7 Ultimate Edition. This is because Windows 8 Pro edition consists of characteristics that are business professionals, and tech enthusiasts require. It will facilitates you with features such as file encryption, PC management, BitLocker & BitLocker To Go, Group Policy, Boot from VHD support, Domain attachment, and hosting Desktop remotely. Also, Windows 8 Pro version will have a Windows Media Center that will be on hand as a “Media Pack” add-on. In case you are a business professional and would like to use it this Windows 8 in your business environment, then Windows 8 Pro edition is just a bang on.

Also, check out our post on RSS Reader App For Windows 8.

Windows RT

This Windows 8 edition is a whole new member in the Windows classification. Windows on ARM or Windows on WOA has been given a new name as Windows RT. This Windows 8 edition will be available to us pre-installed in those PCs and Laptops where the system has been powered by ARM processors. This Windows 8 new edition includes new touch screen versions of MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, & OneNote.Windows RT has been designed especially for netbooks, tablets, and other small devices.

You can also take a quick look over the details in tabular form available by Microsoft:

Feature Name

 Windows 8

Windows 8 Pro

Windows RT

Upgrades from Windows 7 Starter, Home Basic.
Horne Premium

x

x

Upgrades from Windows 7 Professional. Ultimate

x

Start screen. Semantic Zoom, Live Tiles

x

x

x

Windows Store

x

x

x

Apps (Mail. Calendar, People, Messaging, Photos,
SkyDrive. Reader, Music. Video)

x

x

x

Microsoft Office (Word. Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote)

x

Internet Explorer 10

x

x

x

Device encryption

x

Connected standby

x

x

x

Microsoft account

x

x

x

Desktop

x

x

x

Installation of x86/64 and desktop software

x

x

Updated Windows Explorer

x

x

x

Windows Defender

x

x

x

SmartScreen

x

x

x

Windows Update

x

x

x

Enhanced Task Manager

x

x

x

Switch languages on the fly (Language Packs)

x

x

x

Better multiple monitor support

x

x

x

Storage Spaces

x

x

Windows Media Player

x

x

Exchange ActiveSync

x

x

x

File history

x

x

x

ISO! VHD mount

x

x

x

Mobile broadband features

x

x

x

Picture password

x

x

x

Play To

x

x

x

Remote Desktop (client)

x

x

x

Reset and refresh your PC

x

x

x

Snap

x

x

x

Touch and Thumb keyboard

x

x

x

Trusted boot

x

x

x

VPN client

x

x

x

BitLocker and BitLocker To Go

x

Boot from VHD

x

Client Hyper-V

x

Domain Join

x

Encrypting File System

x

Group Policy

x

Remote Desktop (host)

x

However, Microsoft has still not spoken a single word about the price of Windows 8 and the exact release date of all the three Windows 8 versions. Rumors are that Windows 8 will be made us available somewhere by the end of this year.