What is the difference between Windows XP home and XP pro?

[War Lord]

I'm currently in the process of building my computer and I'm going to stick with XP for the next 3 or 4 years before I contemplate Vista and I want to know what Pro will give me over home.

 

[black_dust]

Here are the features of Windows XP Pro that are missing from Windows XP Home:

1. Remote Desktop: Remotely access your Windows XP Professional PC, from another Windows PC, so you can work with all of your data and applications when you're away from the office.
2. Backup Software: XP Pro comes with Microsoft's backup software out of the box; XP Home does not. (On Windows XP Home, you need to install Microsoft's backup software from the Windows XP installation CD.
3. Offline Files & Folders: When you're disconnected from the network server, Windows XP Pro gives you access to files and folders offline.
4. Scalable Processor Support: Windows XP Pro supports up to two processors.Windows XP Home can't support more than one.
5. Encrypting File System: This feature of XP Pro protects sensitive data in files that are stored on disk using the NTFS file system. A good security feature; especially if you have a laptop.
6. Access Control: On XP Pro, you can restrict access to selected files, applications and other resources, as a security measure.
7. Multi-lingual User Interface (MUI) add-on: On XP Pro, you can change the user interface language to get localized dialog boxes, menus, help files, dictionaries, proofing tools, etc.
8. Centralized administration: A computer with Windows XP Pro can be joined to a Windows Server domain to take advantage of powerful management and security tools.
9. Group Policy: Simplifies the administration of groups of users or computers on XP Pro.
10. Software Installation and Maintenance: You can automatically install, configure, repair, or remove software applications on XP Pro.
11. Roaming User Profiles: Gives you access to all your documents and settings no matter where you log on.
12. Remote Installation Service (RIS): XP Pro has support for remote operating system installations, where desktops can be installed across the network.


Not much diffrence really i think, i run Home but i have another pc running Pro

 

[War Lord]

Here are the features of Windows XP Pro that are missing from Windows XP Home:

1. Remote Desktop: Remotely access your Windows XP Professional PC, from another Windows PC, so you can work with all of your data and applications when you're away from the office.
2. Backup Software: XP Pro comes with Microsoft's backup software out of the box; XP Home does not. (On Windows XP Home, you need to install Microsoft's backup software from the Windows XP installation CD.
3. Offline Files & Folders: When you're disconnected from the network server, Windows XP Pro gives you access to files and folders offline.
4. Scalable Processor Support: Windows XP Pro supports up to two processors.Windows XP Home can't support more than one.
5. Encrypting File System: This feature of XP Pro protects sensitive data in files that are stored on disk using the NTFS file system. A good security feature; especially if you have a laptop.
6. Access Control: On XP Pro, you can restrict access to selected files, applications and other resources, as a security measure.
7. Multi-lingual User Interface (MUI) add-on: On XP Pro, you can change the user interface language to get localized dialog boxes, menus, help files, dictionaries, proofing tools, etc.
8. Centralized administration: A computer with Windows XP Pro can be joined to a Windows Server domain to take advantage of powerful management and security tools.
9. Group Policy: Simplifies the administration of groups of users or computers on XP Pro.
10. Software Installation and Maintenance: You can automatically install, configure, repair, or remove software applications on XP Pro.
11. Roaming User Profiles: Gives you access to all your documents and settings no matter where you log on.
12. Remote Installation Service (RIS): XP Pro has support for remote operating system installations, where desktops can be installed across the network.


Not much diffrence really i think, i run Home but i have another pc running Pro

For my purposes, it looks like I'll be sticking with Home, although the backup software looks useful.

 

[Edward Brock]

Also, if you're into web developing, Home Edition is not an option (IIS).