Windows 8 – All Editions Announced!

Back in April, Microsoft has finally announced all the Windows 8 flavors that we’ll have available next year and their targets.

First of all, like stated by Brandon LeBlanc on the “more-or-less” official Microsoft’s blog “Blogging Windows”, the official product name for the next operating system will in fact be…Windows 8!

So, the next-gen O.S. will have 3 versions:
.: Windows 8
.: Windows 8 Pro
.: Windows RT

 

Windows 8

This should be the most used version worldwide.It’s the base version but it should have plenty of features like the new Windows Explorer, Task Manager and a better multi-monitor support.

Windows 8 Pro

Windows 8 Pro can be called the “geek” or the “professional/enterprise” flavor of Windows 8.
It will include all the Windows 8 features, plus encryption (assumedly Bitlocker), virtualization features (Hyper-V), PC management and domain connectivity.

Reasonably Windows Media Center should be available for Windows 8 Pro has an media-pack add-on that will be available for download on Windows Store.

Windows RT

Windows RT it’s the ‘new kid on the block’. Windows 8 (RT) will be the first version of Microsoft’s well succeeded O.S. to run on ARM or WOA architecture. This version will only be available on pre-installed PCs and, most commonly, on tablets/slates with ARM processors. It will be optimized for the touch experience for the new Microsoft Office Suite to come.´

The chart bellow shows the features available for the different versions:

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

 

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