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 |