Microsoft Windows 8 Editions and features

Windows 8 is a all new Operating System,it has lot of changes from Previous Operating system.It is the first time Microsoft add Tile/metro desktop on Windows.So it is a new History in Microsoft .Microsoft announce that there will 3 type of Windows 8,In Windows 7 there are 5 variant Windows 7 starter,Home basic and premium,Professional and ultimate.For Desktop/laptop segment there is only 2 type-Windows 8 and Windows 8 PROfessional.3rd one is for Tablet computer.


Windows 8

Windows 8 is for ordinary computer users,it is same like Windows 7 Home version.Windows 8 offer all features except Encryption technique.Both Device and Data encryption methods are available only in Windows 8 pro,which is for businesss and professional peoples.But Windows 8 carry all common features.

Windows 8 RT

As we say it is first in Windows history.Windows 8 RT is new to Windows family.It is available for Tablet.It is the only version with pre installed Microsoft office product.It is a light weight Operating system which pre installed on ARM powered devices like ARM PC's and Tablets.

There may be one more version Windows 8 enterprise which comain power of Windows 8 pro + additional features for IT managemet and virtulization


Feature name
Windows 8
Windows 8 Pro
Windows RT
Upgrades from Windows 7 Starter, Home Basic, Home Premium
YES
YES

Upgrades from Windows 7 Professional, Ultimate

YES

Start screen, Semantic Zoom, Live Tiles
YES
YES
YES
Windows Store
YES
YES
YES        
Apps (Mail, Calendar, People, Messaging, Photos, SkyDrive, Reader, Music, Video)
YES
YES
YES
Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote)


YES
Internet Explorer 10
YES
YES
YES
Device encryption


YES
Connected standby
YES
YES
YES
Microsoft account
YES
YES
YES
Desktop
YES
YES
YES
Installation of x86/64 and desktop software
YES
YES

Updated Windows Explorer
YES
YES
YES
Windows Defender
YES
YES
YES
SmartScreen
YES
YES
YES
Windows Update
YES
YES
YES
Enhanced Task Manager,
Better multiple monitor support
Switch languages on the fly (Language Packs)
Exchange ActiveSync
File history
ISO / VHD mount
Mobile broadband features
Picture password
BitLocker and BitLocker To Go
VPN client
Trusted boot
Touch and Thumb keyboard
Snap
Reset and refresh your PC
Remote Desktop (client)
Play To
YES
YES
YES
BitLocker and BitLocker To Go
Boot from VHD
Client Hyper-V
Domain Join
Encrypting File System
Group Policy
Remote Desktop (host)

YES




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