Key Difference: 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 Enterprise is the most expensive edition and offers all the features of the Windows 8 Pro including a few extra features. Windows 8 Enterprise is not available for retail and can be purchased only through volume licensing by Microsoft’s SA clients.

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. Similar to all its older operating systems, this OS was also launched with different editions that allow the people to choose. However, unlike older editions, the company has only limited the editions to 4 variants. Windows 8 Pro and Windows 8 Enterprise are two different variants that are available for purchase.

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.

Windows 8 Enterprise is the most expensive and the highest edition available on the market. This edition is offers all the features of the Windows 8 Pro and more features. In addition to all the features mentioned above, it also has additional features such as AppLocker, Windows To Go, DirectAccess, BranchCache, the system can be virtualized by RemoteFX and services for the Network File System. Some of the features are quite helpful in terms of big corporations such as DirectAccess, which allows users to access resources inside a corporate network without having to launch a separate VPN. The Windows To Go allows the user to store the whole desktop on a bootable external USB stick for seamless shifting and moving. BranchCache allows the PCs to cache files, websites and other content from central servers so that it is not downloaded again and again. However, this edition also lacks Windows Media Center. The Windows 8 Enterprise is not on the retail market and is only available through volume licensing from Microsoft’s Software Assurance (SA) clients.

The following table has been taken from Wikipedia.

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