Windows 8 editions explained

Windows 8, a major release of the Microsoft Windows operating system, was available in four different editions: Windows 8 (Core), Pro, Enterprise, and RT. Only Windows 8 (Core) and Pro were widely available at retailers.[1] The other editions focus on other markets, such as embedded systems or enterprise. All editions support 32-bit IA-32 CPUs and x64 CPUs.

Editions

Windows 8 (also sometimes referred to as Windows 8 (Core) to distinguish from the OS itself)[2] is the basic edition of Windows for the IA-32 and x64 architectures. This edition contains features aimed at the home market segment and provides all of the basic new Windows 8 features.
  • Windows 8 Pro is comparable to Windows 7 Professional and Ultimate[3] [4] and is targeted towards enthusiasts and business users; it includes all the features of Windows 8. Additional features include the ability to receive Remote Desktop connections, the ability to participate in a Windows Server domain, Encrypting File System, Hyper-V, and Virtual Hard Disk Booting, Group Policy as well as BitLocker and BitLocker To Go. Windows Media Center functionality is available only for Windows 8 Pro as a separate software package.[5]
  • Windows 8 Enterprise provides all the features in Windows 8 Pro (except the ability to install the Windows Media Center add-on), with additional features to assist with IT organization (see table below).[3] This edition is available to Software Assurance customers, as well as MSDN and Technet Professional subscribers, and was released on 16 August 2012.[6]
  • Windows RT is only available pre-installed on ARM-based devices such as tablet PCs.[7] It includes touch-optimized desktop versions of the basic set of Office 2013 applications to users—Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote, and supports device encryption capabilities. Several business-focused features such as Group Policy and domain support are not included.

    • Software for Windows RT can be either downloaded from Windows Store or sideloaded, although sideloading on Windows RT must first be enabled by purchasing additional licenses through Microsoft volume licensing outlet. Desktop software that run on previous versions of Windows cannot be run on Windows RT[8] as Windows Store apps are based on Windows Runtime API which differs from the traditional apps. According to CNET, these essential differences may raise the question of whether Windows RT is an edition of Windows: in a conversation with Mozilla, Microsoft deputy general counsel David Heiner was reported to have said Windows RT "isn't Windows anymore." Mozilla general counsel, however, dismissed the assertion on the basis that Windows RT has the same user interface, application programming interface and update mechanism.[9]

    Unlike Windows Vista and Windows 7, there are no Home Basic, Home Premium, or Ultimate editions.[10]

    Regional restrictions and variations

    All mentioned editions have the ability to use language packs, enabling multiple user interface languages.[4] (This functionality was previously available in Ultimate or Enterprise edition of Windows 7 and Windows Vista.) However, in China and other emerging markets, a variation of Windows 8 without this capability, called Windows 8 Single Language, is sold. This edition can be upgraded to Windows 8 Pro.[11] Furthermore, like in Windows Phone 7 and Windows Phone 8 (since the latter shares the same Windows NT kernel as its desktop variant), OEMs who preload Windows 8 can choose not to support certain display languages either out of the box or make them available for download. These exact choices depend on the device manufacturer and country/region of purchase (as well as the wireless carrier for cellular-connected devices). For example, a cellular-connected Samsung ATIV Smart PC running Windows 8 on AT&T only supports English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, and Korean (the last three are available as optional downloads).

    Additional Windows 8 editions specially destined for European markets have the letter "N" (e.g. Windows 8.1 Enterprise N) suffixed to their names and do not include a bundled copy of Windows Media Player. Microsoft was required to create the "N" editions of Windows after the European Commission ruled in 2004 that it needed to provide a copy of Windows without Windows Media Player tied in.

    Windows 8.1 with Bing is a reduced-cost SKU of Windows 8.1 for OEMs that was introduced in May 2014. It was introduced as part of an effort to encourage the production of low-cost devices, whilst "driving end-user usage of Microsoft Services such as Bing and OneDrive". It is subsidized by Microsoft's Bing search engine, which is set as the default within Internet Explorer, and cannot be changed to a third-party alternative by the OEM. This restriction does not apply to end-users, who can still change the default search engine freely after installation. It is otherwise identical to the base edition.[12] [13] [14]

    Editions for embedded systems

    : Windows Embedded 8 Standard is a componentized edition of Windows 8 for use in specialized devices. It was released on 20 March 2013.[15] [16] Notable for being the only edition of Windows 8 to not get an update to 8.1. It reached the end of mainstream support on July 10, 2018, and reached the end of extended support on July 11, 2023. [17]
  • : Windows Embedded 8 Industry is an edition of Windows 8 for use in industrial devices. It was released on 2 April 2013 and is available in Pro, Pro Retail, and Enterprise editions.[18]
  • : Includes Windows Embedded 8 Pro and Windows Embedded 8 Enterprise editions, which are binary identical to their respective non-embedded editions, differing only in licensing.[19]

    • These are the final editions of Windows (excluding Server) to use the "Windows Embedded" branding. Starting with the release of Windows 10, Microsoft switched to the use of "Windows IoT" branding.

    Upgrade compatibility

    The following in-place upgrade paths are supported from Windows 7.[3] It is only possible to upgrade from an IA-32 variant of Windows 7 to an IA-32 variant of Windows 8; an x64 variant of Windows 7 can only be upgraded to an x64 variant of Windows 8. The retail package entitled Windows 8 Pro Upgrade was restricted to upgrading a computer with licensed Windows XP SP3, Windows Vista or Windows 7. Finally, there is no upgrade path for Windows RT.[20]

    Windows 8 upgrade path[21]
    Edition of
    Windows 7
    to upgrade
    from     		Edition of Windows 8
    to upgrade to
    Core Pro Enterprise
    Starter
    Home Basic
    Home Premium
    Ultimate
    Professional
    Enterprise
    In-upgrade is not available for Windows Vista and Windows XP. However, on Windows XP SP3 and Windows Vista RTM, it is possible to perform a clean install while preserving personal files. On Windows Vista SP1, it is possible to perform a clean install but save system settings as well. While Microsoft still refers to the scenarios as "upgrade", the user still need to reinstall all apps, carry out necessary license activation steps and reinstate app settings.[22]

    Comparison chart

    Comparison of Windows 8/8.1 editions[23]
    width=19%Features !width=19%RT !width=19%Core !Pro width=19%Enterprise
    Availability[24] Pre-installed on devices Most channels Most channels Volume License customers Most channels
    Architecture ARM (32-bit) IA-32 (32-bit) or x64 (64-bit) IA-32 (32-bit) or x64 (64-bit) IA-32 (32-bit) or x64 (64-bit)
    Maximum physical memory (RAM)[25] 4 GBCompare Edition">Web site: Physical Memory Limits: Windows RT 8.1 . 2 October 2013 . September 2013 . . 512 GB on x64
    4 GB on IA-32
    Start screen, Semantic Zoom, Live Tiles
    Touch and Thumb keyboard
    Language packs
    Standard apps
    Refresh and reset of OS
    Play To
    Better multi-monitor support
    ISO image and VHD mounting
    Mobile broadband features
    Microsoft account integration
    Xbox Live (including Xbox Live Arcade)[26] [27]
    Snap
    Can connect to a VPN?
    Support for language packs and switching
    Device encryption[28]
    Supported third-party apps[29]
    Sideload Windows Store apps
    Boot from VHD
    Can join a Windows domain?
    Hyper-V[30]
    Can be virtualized by RemoteFX?
    Services for Network File System[31]
    [32]
    (yes with upgrade to W8 Pro)
    Microsoft Office apps bundled with OS
    Features Windows RT Windows 8 (Core) Windows 8 Pro Windows 8 Enterprise

    Notes and References

    1. Web site: Windows 8: Which Version Should You Choose? . PCWorld . 17 April 2012 . 17 April 2012 . Bradley, Tom .
    2. Web site: Windows 8 Secrets, Beyond the Book: Guide to Product Editions . Supersite for Windows. Penton. 24 July 2015.
    3. Web site: Announcing the Windows 8 Editions . Blogging Windows . . LeBlanc . Brandon . 2012 . 17 April 2012 . 2 August 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140802140736/http://blogs.windows.com/bloggingwindows/2012/04/16/announcing-the-windows-8-editions/ . dead .
    4. Web site: Microsoft: Here are the four editions of Windows 8 . . . Foley . Mary Jo. 2012 . 17 April 2012.
    5. Web site: LeBlanc . Brandon . Upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for $39.99 Windows Experience Blog . blogs.windows.com . 2012-07-02 . 2020-01-24 . And if you want, you can add Windows Media Center for free through the "add features" option within Windows 8 Pro after your upgrade..
    6. Web site: Windows 8 Is Ready For Your Enterprise . Microsoft . 16 August 2012 . 16 August 2012 . Rose, Stephen.
    7. Web site: Microsoft Names Windows 8 Editions, Unveils ARM-Based 'Windows RT' . Redmonad Channel Partner . 17 April 2012 . 17 April 2012 . Mackie . Kurt.
    8. Web site: Windows RT: FAQ. Windows portal. Microsoft. 12 March 2013.
    9. Web site: Shankland . Stephen . Microsoft bans Firefox on ARM-based Windows, Mozilla says. CNET . 9 May 2012 . 22 October 2012.
    10. Web site: Microsoft Announces Revamped Windows 8 Editions . Tom's Hardware . 17 April 2012 . 17 April 2012 . Taylor, Bill.
    11. Web site: Add features: FAQ. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20151023031841/http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/add-features-frequently-asked-questions. 23 October 2015. Windows 8 Help. Microsoft. Can I add features to my Single Language edition of Windows? Yes. If you bought the Windows 8.1 Pro Pack or Windows 8 Pro Pack, you should be able to install it and activate Windows successfully..
    12. Web site: Thurrott. Paul. Windows 8.1 with Bing Revealed. SuperSite for Windows. Penton Media. 26 August 2014. 6 March 2014.
    13. Web site: Microsoft announces Windows 8.1 with Bing for low-cost devices. 23 May 2014. Brad. Chacos. PC World. IDG.
    14. Web site: Microsoft fights Android and Chrome OS with dirt-cheap Windows 8.1 PCs and tablets. ZDNet. CBS Interactive. 4 September 2014. 3 September 2014.
    15. Web site: Windows Embedded 8 Generally Available. news.microsoft.com. 22 August 2020.
    16. Web site: Microsoft makes first of its Windows Embedded 8 releases generally available. Foley. Mary Jo. ZDNet. 22 August 2020.
    17. Web site: GitHub-Name . Windows Embedded 8 Standard - Microsoft Lifecycle . 2023-07-11 . learn.microsoft.com . en-us.
    18. Web site: Microsoft releases Windows Embedded 8 Industry Pro, Pro Retail, and Enterprise editions . 22 August 2020.
    19. Web site: Windows Embedded Version Overview. 11. PROXIS. January 15, 2024.
    20. Web site: Upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for $39.99 . Blogging Windows . Microsoft . Brandon . Leblanc . 3 July 2012 . You can add Windows Media Center for free through the "add features" option within Windows 8 Pro after your upgrade..
    21. Web site: Windows 8 Upgrade Paths. Microsoft TechNet. Microsoft. 23 August 2012.
    22. Web site: Rodgers. Evan. Microsoft reveals Windows 8 upgrade paths: XP, Vista, and 7 eligible, but with caveats. The Verge. Vox Media. 28 June 2012.
    23. Web site: Introducing Windows 8 Enterprise and Enhanced Software Assurance for Today's Modern Workforce . Windows for your Business . Microsoft . 18 April 2012 . 22 November 2012 . Erwin . Visser . 25 December 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121225113214/http://blogs.windows.com/windows/b/business/archive/2012/04/18/introducing-windows-8-enterprise-and-enhanced-software-assurance-for-today-s-modern-workforce.aspx . dead .
    24. Web site: News Flash! Microsoft Stops SKUing Customers with Windows 8 . Penton Media . 16 April 2012 . 12 November 2012 . Thurott, Paul . https://web.archive.org/web/20130227083710/http://www.windowsitpro.com/article/paul-thurrotts-wininfo/microsoft-stops-skuing-customers-windows-8-142840 . 27 February 2013 . dead .
    25. Web site: Physical Memory Limits: Windows 8 . 2 November 2010 . 16 October 2012 . .
    26. Web site: Windows 8 To Integrate Xbox Live Support . Maximum PC . 29 August 2011.
    27. Web site: Windows 8 Feature Focus: Xbox LIVE Games. Paul Thurrott's Supersite for Windows. 21 April 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120731151448/http://www.winsupersite.com/article/windows8/windows-8-feature-focus-xbox-live-games-app-preview-142897. 31 July 2012. dead.
    28. Web site: Thurrott. Paul. In Blue: Device Encryption. Paul Thurrott's SuperSite for Windows. Penton Media. 10 June 2013. 4 June 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130609041130/http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/blue-device-encryption. 9 June 2013. dead.
    29. Web site: Windows 8 vs Windows RT: what's the difference?. TechRadar. 5 September 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120903013731/http://www.techradar.com/news/software/operating-systems/windows-8-vs-windows-rt-whats-the-difference-1086980. 3 September 2012. dead.
    30. Web site: Sinofsky. Steven. Bringing Hyper-V to "Windows 8". Building Windows 8. Microsoft. 15 May 2012. 9 July 2011.
    31. Web site: Services for NFS availability in Windows 8 editions (Revision 1.0). Microsoft Support. Microsoft. 8 November 2012. 18 October 2012.
    32. Web site: Utilities and SDK for Subsystem for UNIX-based Applications in Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012. Download Center. Microsoft. 31 March 2013. 31 October 2012. ...be sure that SUA [Subsystem for Unix-based Applications] is installed on the target computer. On computers that are running Windows 8 Enterprise, open Control Panel/Programs/Programs and Features/Turn Windows features on or off, and then select Subsystem for UNIX-based Applications..

    This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Windows 8 editions".

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