Windows 8 Icon

Microsoft has officially revealed Windows 8 SKUs that will be available when it is released to market later this year.

First of all, Microsoft’s newest desktop operating system codename Windows 8 will stay Windows 8 commercially as well. And there will be a total of 3 Windows 8 SKUs as follows: Windows 8, Windows 8 Pro and Windows RT.

All Windows 8 SKUs offer a no-compromise experience whether you are on an x86/64 while WOA will also coming with new possibilities with access to similar key features and capabilities of Windows 8 on x86/64.

Here is Windows 8 feature list by edition:

Feature nameWindows 8Windows 8 ProWindows RT
Upgrades from Windows 7 Starter, Home Basic, Home Premium

x

x

Upgrades from Windows 7 Professional, Ultimatex
Start screen, Semantic Zoom, Live Tilesxxx
Windows Storexxx
Apps (Mail, Calendar, People, Messaging, Photos, SkyDrive, Reader, Music, Video)xxx
Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote)x
Internet Explorer 10xxx
Device encryptionx
Connected standbyxxx
Microsoft accountxxx
Desktopxxx
Installation of x86/64 and desktop softwarexx
Updated Windows Explorerxxx
Windows Defenderxxx
SmartScreenxxx
Windows Updatexxx
Enhanced Task Managerxxx
Switch languages on the fly (Language Packs)xxx
Better multiple monitor supportxxx
Storage Spacesxx
Windows Media Playerxx
Exchange ActiveSyncxxx
File historyxxx
ISO / VHD mountxxx
Mobile broadband featuresxxx
Picture passwordxxx
Play Toxxx
Remote Desktop (client)xxx
Reset and refresh your PCxxx
Snapxxx
Touch and Thumb keyboardxxx
Trusted bootxxx
VPN clientxxx
BitLocker and BitLocker To Gox
Boot from VHDx
Client Hyper-Vx
Domain Joinx
Encrypting File Systemx
Group Policyx
Remote Desktop (host)x

In addition to SKUs, there will also be an enterprise edition of Windows 8 for enterprises which includes all the features of Windows 8 Pro plus features for IT organization that enable PC management and deployment, advanced security, virtualization, new mobility scenarios, and much more.

Courtesy: Windows Team Blog

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