Microsoft has made dramatic changes to the Windows operating system with its upcoming Windows 8 platform; it seems one change includes re-branding its editions. Simply put, Microsoft has decided to ditch its old branding (Home Premium, Ultimate, etc.) and condense them. The company is introducing three main editions: Windows 8, Windows 8 Pro, and Windows RT -- but only two of these will be available as upgrades from Windows 7.
The edition known as just Windows 8 condenses what was Home Premium and Home Basic previously. A notable change however is the addition of Language Packs, which were available exclusively on Enterprise/Ultimate editions in the past. The Windows 8 edition will be available as an upgrade from Windows 7 Starter, Home Basic, and Home Premium.
Windows 8 Pro contains functionality you would find in what was Professional and Ultimate editions in the past. Exclusive features include Bitlocker, VHD Boot, Client Hyper-V, Domain Join, File Encryption, Group Policy, and Remote Desktop (host). The new “Windows 8 Pro” also comes with an available Windows Media Center add-on. This edition is upgradeable from Windows 7 Professional and Windows 7 Ultimate editions.
Perhaps the most interesting edition is Windows RT, which comes preloaded on devices running ARM processors and will not be available as an upgrade. Windows RT includes a bundled, touch-optimized desktop version of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote. This edition is designed to offer the fullest experience of Windows 8 on x86 processors, on devices with ARM chipsets.
Microsoft also made note of a Windows 8 Enterprise edition, which expands upon the Windows 8 Pro edition by including features for PC management, security, and more.
According to the blog post, we can expect pricing details and promotions in the coming months.
Feature name | Windows 8 | Windows 8 Pro | Windows RT |
---|---|---|---|
Upgrades from Windows 7 Starter, Home Basic, Home Premium | x | x | Row 0 - Cell 3 |
Upgrades from Windows 7 Professional, Ultimate | Row 1 - Cell 1 | x | Row 1 - Cell 3 |
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) | Row 5 - Cell 1 | Row 5 - Cell 2 | x |
Internet Explorer 10 | x | x | x |
Device encryption | Row 7 - Cell 1 | Row 7 - Cell 2 | x |
Connected standby | x | x | x |
Microsoft account | x | x | x |
Desktop | x | x | x |
Installation of x86/64 and desktop software | x | x | Row 11 - Cell 3 |
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 | Row 19 - Cell 3 |
Windows Media Player | x | x | Row 20 - Cell 3 |
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 | Row 33 - Cell 1 | x | Row 33 - Cell 3 |
Boot from VHD | Row 34 - Cell 1 | x | Row 34 - Cell 3 |
Client Hyper-V | Row 35 - Cell 1 | x | Row 35 - Cell 3 |
Domain Join | Row 36 - Cell 1 | x | Row 36 - Cell 3 |
Encrypting File System | Row 37 - Cell 1 | x | Row 37 - Cell 3 |
Group Policy | Row 38 - Cell 1 | x | Row 38 - Cell 3 |
Remote Desktop (host) | Row 39 - Cell 1 | x | Row 39 - Cell 3 |