User:Jasper Deng/Windows 8 editions

Windows 8 has four editions, each with different amounts of features. Unlike Windows 7, there are no Starter, Ultimate, Home Premium, or Home Basic editions. Windows 8 Enterprise has the same features as Windows 8 Pro, but also has features intended to help with IT organization.

The lowest edition, Windows RT, is dedicated to ARM-based tablet and laptop computers. The lowest edition for x86-64 and IA-32 computers is simply Windows 8, while the highest editions are Windows 8 Pro and Windows 8 Enterprise. Windows 8 Pro aims to succeed Windows 7 Professional and Windows 7 Ultimate, while Windows 8 Enterprise succeeds Windows 7 Enterprise. All editions except Windows RT support both 32-bit (IA-32) and 64-bit (x86-64) platforms.

The Windows RT edition was named for the Windows Runtime (WinRT) development platform that Microsoft is introducing in Windows 8, which is intended to succeed Win32. This edition will be only available pre-installed on devices such as tablet PCs.

Windows Media Center functionality will be only available as a "Media Pack" for Windows 8 Pro.

Unlike Windows 7, all editions have the ability to use language packs, and thus multiple user interface languages. This functionality was previously only available in Windows 7 Ultimate or Enterprise. However, in China and a small number of other emerging markets, an edition of Windows 8 without this capability will be offered.

Upgrading from Windows 7
The following in-place upgrade paths are supported from Windows 7.

Comparison table
Microsoft has not yet released maximum-supported system specifications, such as the maximum amount of RAM or logical processors.