--- title: "Editions of Windows 8" description: "In this article I am differentiating all Windows 8 Editions:" author: "Vijay Shukla" published: 2012-12-26 updated: 2017-11-30 canonical: https://www.mindstick.com/articles/1088/editions-of-windows-8 category: "windows 8" tags: ["windows 8"] reading_time: 3 minutes --- # Editions of Windows 8 In this article I am differentiating all Windows 8 Editions:\ Microsoft Corporation announced the new version of Windows [Operating System](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/114592/which-mobile-operating-system-is-better-for-privacy-ios-or-android) Windows 8 and Windows 8 has launched four editions on 26th October 2012. ##### Windows 8 Editions: 1. Windows 8. 2. Windows 8 pro. 3. Windows 8 Enterprises. 4. Windows RT. ##### Windows 8 Windows 8 is a completely [latest version](https://www.mindstick.com/forum/159680/how-can-i-install-the-latest-version-of-sql-server) of Windows OS, and we can also say that Windows 8 is succeed version of Windows 7, in addition to the traditionary desktop, If you like the simplicity and [user interface](https://www.mindstick.com/blog/302016/what-is-user-interface-and-what-are-its-benefits) of tablets, you will likely love it. It’s also including a new-style interface for use with touch screens laptops, PCs or tablets. Windows 8 barrows the some designed from the Microsoft Windows 7 phone Operating System. ##### Windows 8 Pro Pro is the edition of Windows 8 for the PC business/technical professionals. Windows 8 has many features but some is there, Bit Locker encryption, PC virtualization, domain connectivity, PC management and booting from VHD (Virtual Hard Disk) etc, overall I will says its enhanced networking and [data encryption](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/103643/explain-data-encryption) features. It’s designed for x86 and x64 processors Windows 8 Pro is for traditional PCs. ##### Bit Locker encryption: Bit Locker encryptions encrypt the [hard drives](https://www.mindstick.com/news/2228/the-united-states-claims-seagate-broke-export-laws-by-selling-huawei-hard-drives) on [your computer](https://www.mindstick.com/articles/13023/choosing-the-best-power-cord-for-your-computer-a-layman-s-guide) to provide advanced protection against data theft or divestment on computers and removable drives that are [lost or stolen](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/105143/how-to-secure-business-information-on-lost-or-stolen-mobile-devices). ##### PC virtualization: Hyper-V is the more powerful scalable and capable from the Windows Virtual PC. Microsoft replaced Windows Virtual PC to Hyper-V. ##### Domain connectivity and PC management: Domain connectivity will agree to IT admins using Windows 8 Pro to access [Active Directory](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/50281/name-the-active-directory-partitions), where they can set PC management and [security policies](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/105181/how-to-implement-mobile-security-policies-in-business-networks) through the Group Policy feature. Using Active Directory, IT pros can verify passwords and specify whether users are system administrators or normal users. ##### Booting from VHD: VHD stands for Virtual Hard Disk and it’s a feature, it’s allow to create a virtual drives for testing apps or testing beta versions of an operating system without affecting the performance of the computer's. ##### Windows 8 Enterprises Windows 8 Enterprise is the edition of windows 8 for the large business or organization, its offers extra networking features to help technicians run large networks. Windows 8 Enterprise is mostly Windows 8 Pro with a few technical programs. ##### Windows RT RT stands for Run Time and Windows RT comes pre-installed on tablets or laptops; you can’t buy it individually and you can’t move it from one device to another. Windows RT includes a desktop like another Windows O.S. \ --- Original Source: https://www.mindstick.com/articles/1088/editions-of-windows-8 Copyright © MindStick Software Pvt. Ltd. This Markdown version is provided for developers, AI systems, and offline reading.