Yesterday Microsoft announced the number of ‘Windows 8’ editions and its related features. There will be 4 different editions of Windows 8 (Windows 7 has 6 editions). Next to that Microsoft also confirmed ‘Windows 8’ as the official name for the next version of Windows.
Windows 8
The first one is ‘Windows 8’, this edition is similar to Windows 7 Home Premium and the best choice for the home user. New in this edition compared with Windows 7 Home Premium is the ability to change the interface language after the installation (not once but every time you want), in Windows 7 this feature is only available in the Enterprise and Ultimate editions. Please note that the ‘Media Center’ feature is not available (this is optional to Windows 8 Pro, read below).
Windows 8 Pro
Windows 8 Pro is the business edition of Windows 8 with support for Active Directory domain services, BitLocker and other features which are now available in Windows 7 Professional. Next to the standard features you’ll have the ability to buy the optional ‘Media Center’-package.
Windows 8 Enterprise
This edition will offer the same as Windows 8 Pro with some extra features like multiple deployment options, more security features, virtualization and computer management.
Windows 8 RT
This is an complete new version of Windows 8 to run on ARM-based devices (Phones and Tablets). This edition will only be available pre-installed. The Windows 8 RT edition will include modified versions of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote optimized for touchscreens.
See the chart below for an overview of all features by edition.
Feature name | Windows 8 | Windows 8 Pro | Windows RT |
Upgrades from Windows 7 Starter, Home Basic, Home 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 |