Key Difference: Windows 8 is known as the ‘core’ version and is the basic version available for the software. Windows 8 is aimed at all the home users and is also available through OEMs on the latest laptops and PCs by the company. Windows 8 offers many of the features that were available on the Windows 7 professional edition. Windows 8 Pro is similar to the Windows 7 Professional and is designed for enthusiasts and business users. It offers all off the features of the Windows 8 along with extra features for small business owners.

Windows 8 is the latest operating system by Microsoft and was launched in October 2012. The company has revamped the look of the start menu and eliminated the menu bar and in place has introduced Live Tiles similar to the ones that have been launched on the Windows Mobile phones. The company has been constantly following this trend of launching various different versions to allow people to pay only for what they need. However, unlike the six versions of its previous operating system; the company has limited the editions to four: Windows 8, Windows 8 Pro, Windows 8 Enterprise and Windows 8 RT.

Windows 8 is known as the ‘core’ version and is the basic version available for the software. Windows 8 is aimed at all the home users and is also available through OEMs on the latest laptops and PCs by the company. Windows 8 offers all the features that were available on the Windows 7 professional edition. Features include the new Smart screen, live tiles format, touch capability, built in apps (Mail, Calendar, Messaging, Photos, and SkyDrive), syncing capabilities using cloud network, Internet Explorer 10, Windows Defender, Windows Firewall, Windows Update. It also allows select business features such as ability to join a domain, encrypting the system’s disk using BitLocker, ability to log in PC remotely, Remote Desktop, VPN, ability to combine multiple hard drives into one storage, ability to mount VHD and ISO images. It also offers the multiple language package that enables the user to convert the whole interface in another language.

Windows 8 Pro is similar to the Windows 7 Professional and is designed for enthusiasts and business users. It offers all off the features of the Windows 8 such as Start screen, Live tiles, Internet Explorer 10, Windows Store, connected standby, Windows desktop, etc. In addition to these features, it also has features such as Remote Desktop, ability to participate in a Windows Server domain, Virtual Hard Disk Booting, Encrypting File System, Hyper-V, Group Policy, BitLocker and BitLocker To Go. These features are important when working or running a small business. It does not offer built-in Windows Media Center, which can be purchased as a separate package for a small fee. There is also a specific upgrade path that must be followed when upgrading from Windows 7 to Windows 8 Pro. All of the Windows 7 editions, except the Enterprise can upgrade to the Windows 8 Pro edition.

The following table has been taken from Wikipedia.

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