Are you confused about the different versions of the Microsoft's Windows 8.1 Blue and need to know about them? Find out here about which version will meet your needs and about each editions advantages and disadvantages over the others. You can also get the full specs and cons of each edition of the Win 8.1 BlueThe Microsoft's Windows 8.1 has 3 editions namely the Basic edition, Pro edition and the Enterprise edition and you must need to know about them in detail before test driving on your personal computer. Lets see each whats the use of each of them.
Windows 8.1 Blue Basic Edition
If you want to install the Windows 8.1 Blue on your home or personal PC then install the Basic edition which is made specially for the entertainment and home use purposes. You must also needs to note that the Basic edition lacks the features like the Hyper-V technology which is available on its counterparts such as Windows 8.1 Pro and Windows 8.1 Enterprise. I simple words, if you are not a computer geek then its better to stick with the Basic version of Windows 8.1.
Windows 8.1 Pro Edition
Windows 8.1 Pro is build for dealing with the mid ranged businesses. Thus the hardware requirement will also needs to be little bit higher for Pro edition than the Basic Edition. As stated above, the Pro edition has the Hyper-V technology which helps you to create or test applications for educational or for business works.
Windows 8.1 Enterprise edition
If you are a high level business organisation then you much install the Enterprise edition which has many high tech features and specifications which the Basic and Pro fails to provide. Bellow, we had listed the detailed specs and cons of all the three editions.
Compare Windows 8.1 Editions
| Feature name | Windows RT 8.1 | Windows 8.1 | Windows 8.1 Pro | Windows 8.1 Enterprise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| User experience | ||||
| Apps launch other apps (new) | x | x | x | x |
| Customize multiple tiles at once (new) | x | x | x | x |
| Lock screen photo slide show (new) | x | x | x | x |
| Four tile sizes (new) | x | x | x | x |
| Microsoft account login | x | x | x | x |
| Multiple instances of same app (new) | x | x | x | x |
| Open up to four variable sized windows at once (new) | x | x | x | x |
| Optional boot to the desktop/All apps screen/Start screen (new) | x | x | x | x |
| PC Settings improvements (new) | x | x | x | x |
| Portrait mode improvements (new) | x | x | x | x |
| Search powered by Bing (new) | x | x | x | x |
| Set the desktop wallpaper as Start background (new) | x | x | x | x |
| The Start button (new) | x | x | x | x |
| The Start screen and live tiles | x | x | x | x |
| Touch keyboard and thumb keyboard | x | x | x | x |
| Apps | ||||
| Automatic app updates from Windows Store (new) | x | x | x | x |
| Built-in apps (Mail, Calendar, People, and more)i | x | x | x | x |
| Install and run desktop apps (x86/x64) | x | x | x | |
| Internet Explorer 11 (new) | x | x | x | x |
| Microsoft Office Home & Student 2013 RT includedii | x | |||
| Windows Media Playeriii | x | x | x | |
| Windows Store | x | x | x | x |
| Xbox SmartGlassiv with Play To / Play On | x | x | x | x |
| Devices and peripherals | ||||
| 3D printing support (new) | x | x | x | x |
| Biometric enrollment (new) | x | x | x | x |
| InstantGo v | x | x | x | x |
| MiraCast wireless display support (new) | x | x | x | x |
| Mobile hotspot / Wi-Fi tethering (new) | x | x | x | x |
| Multiple monitor improvements (new) | x | x | x | x |
| Storage Spaces | x | x | x | |
| Wi-Fi Direct wireless printing support (new) | x | x | x | x |
| System | ||||
| CPU Sockets | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Maximum RAM vi | 4 GB | 128 GB | 512 GB | 512 GB |
| Mount ISO / VHDs | x | x | x | x |
| Reset and refresh your PC | x | x | x | x |
| Switch languages on the fly (Language Packs) vii | x | x | x | x |
| VHD boot | x | x | ||
| Windows Update | x | x | x | x |
| Management | ||||
| Assigned access (new) | x | x | x | |
| Client Hyper-V | x | x | ||
| Device enrollment (new) | x | x | x | x |
| Domain Join | x | x | ||
| Exchange ActiveSync | x | x | x | x |
| Group Policy | x | x | ||
| Open MDM support (new) | x | x | x | x |
| Sideloading LOB apps | <sold separately > | <sold separately > | x | |
| Start screen controlviii(new) | x | |||
| Windows To Go Creator | x | |||
| Work folders (new) | x | x | x | x |
| Workplace join (new) | x | x | x | x |
| Security | ||||
| AppLocker | x | |||
| Binary extension scanningix | x | x | x | x |
| BitLocker and BitLocker To Go | x | x | ||
| Device Encryptionx | x | x | x | x |
| Family Safety | x | x | x | x |
| Multi-factor authentication for BYOD (new) | x | x | x | x |
| Picture password | x | x | x | x |
| Remote business data removal (new) | x | x | x | x |
| Trusted Bootxi | x | x | x | x |
| Windows Defenderxii | x | x | x | x |
| Windows SmartScreen | x | x | x | x |
| Networking | ||||
| BranchCache | x | |||
| Built-in VPN clientsxiii | x | x | x | x |
| DirectAccess | x | |||
| Remote Desktop (client) | x | x | x | x |
| Remote Desktop (host) | x | x | ||
| VDI enhancements | x |