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.
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.
Article continues belowPerhaps 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 |