Announcing the Windows 8 Editions

I am sorry but Windows RT doesn't sound like a good name. Is there a reason "RT" was chosen? Is it because of WinRT?

Can you elaborate on the difference between "Device Encryption" (only on Windows RT) and "Encrypting File System" (Only Windows Pro / x86).

Also the lack of RDP Host on arm? Presumably that's because it's a desktop app, is it coming in the future?

Yeah, honestly, this name is terrible, people will hate it or ask reps what it means, the rep will say 'I don't know' and the person buying may be scared away. Why would you use that name? Why not this:

Windows Next

You already have the motto of  "Be what's next", Sell it, sell the Next!

For China, a local language-only edition of Windows 8.

Windows Metro? Something, the comment thread on the Verge has turned into a riot.

This is great- it's operation off a previous strategy that worked for Windows XP with two versions (ignoring the tablet specialized version) and it'll avoid fragmentation.  If metro is polished well, this'll be a huge release and a step in the more mobile, connected direction.

Windows RT should be renamed "Windows 8 for Tablets" or something similar. Windows RT is not consumer friendly. Non-tech savvy consumers will be confused by this.

I love the new naming conventions and new strategy with Windows. Having 2 versions is a great step in the right direction Microsoft. I don't really like Metro in Windows 8, but I'm still excited that you've changed it from Home Basic, Premium, Pro, Ultimate.

Windows RT is an ugly name though. Surely it could've been called Windows 8 Touch or anything (Windows Metro). It just doesn't sound good, but at least it shouldn't be visible to the user. Or maybe it is.

iOS, Android and Windows RT huh?

So, thats Windows 8, Windows 8 Pro, Windows 8 Enterprise and Windows 8 RT...not including language only versions. OK, I can buy Windows 8 and Windows 8 Pro. Thats simple. Large businesses will want Windows 8 Enterprise (with the vague extras I hope are further defined in the near future). I have to agree with everyone else here, Windows 8 RT? I can imagine walking in to Best Buy or other places, Here are the android tablets, here is the ipad and here are the WIndows 8 and Windows 8 RT devices....HUH? Whats the difference John Q Public will say...

Window RT is a terrible name. I'd go with "Windows Tablet". As much criticism as the name "Windows Phone" got, I actually have started to really like it (especially with the 7 dropped) and I think it was the right decision. It's simple it's clean.

To all those asking for Windows RT to be named "Windows Tablet" or something similar, do not seem to realise that Windows RT is not restricted to tablets only, but any device using a compatible ARM SoC

I don't give a rats rump roast what you guys call it... I'm just thrilled to death to know that you've finally ended the complete NONSENSE of Home Basic/Premium/Ultimate/Professional/Enterprise/Blah/Yakety/Schmackety/etc. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Why is "Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote)" listed as a feature only of Windows 8 RT?  What does that mean?  (Is "a feature of" different from "available for"?)

Can you please confirm whether this applies to Windows 8 Server family too?

Are you able to confirm that Windows Media Player won't be available on Windows RT? It just seems a little strange, particularly where it includes 'Play To' functionality - I'm sure I'm just missing something.

OK, so Windows 8 RT has Desktop (and improved Explorer, etc), but cannot install x86/x64 applications. What on Earth would I use it for then? The only thing I can think of as a reason for having it is to be productive with file copy tasks in Explorer. Other than that, I do not believe this is a good idea. It will confuse the masses and break the paradigm somewhat. Surely a Metro-based file explorer would have been a better approach, unless I'm missing some use of the Desktop that foregoes the need for 3rd-party "Windows" applications.

@thogek - Windows Office comes standard on tablets.

Judging by the CP and now this, how exactly is the future looking for Windows Media Player? I really hope you're not considering abandoning that application, and instead promoting the Video and Music applications. Sorry, but they are a joke compared to WMP.

Arm applications are not compatible with x86/64 applications because of the architecture behind it- think of it this way. Applications bought on your Ipad will not work in OSX, same difference and no one is yelling about that.

Terms that need to be used with great clarity in these discussions:

Windows RT - the ARM version of Windows

WinRT - the Windows RunTime programming framework available on both ARM and Intel/x86/64 PCs including low power SoC systems

Connected Standby - the ARM & 86 SoC low power state that requires specific hardware that allows chosen WinRT apps to communicate during standby but not desktop apps

For those of us laggards with Vista Home Premium, will we be able to upgrade without losing all our other programs, or will we have to do with a clean install?

Is there any way that Colemak, a keyboard layout, can be added to the list of default keyboard layouts for Windows 8 please? The unofficial way of adding it to Windows 7 causes issues with company applications for some reason, having it built into the OS could make things much easier.

Windows 8 and Windows 8 Pro; perfect move there--simple and clean. But Windows RT? How do you even market that? Oh, and thank goodness those awful logos aren't on this page because it gives me some hope they'll be reworked.

Question: In describing the "Media Pack" (Media Center) as an "economical" add-on, does that mean we'll have to pay for it??

Add yet another giant FAIL to those special people who name things at Microsoft.

No "media pack" for the non-Pro edition?  I understand moving Media Center to an add-on, but requiring the Pro edition is ridiculous.  Upgrading to Windows 8 is going to cost more than I paid for my current media center PC, and I don't want to buy an Xbox to play media.  Microsoft just lost one upgrade, looks like I'll move to XBMC or one of its variants.

Instead of Windows RT they should have called it Windows RM. Get it? It would then be easy to explain to consumers why that is different from Windows 8 and easy to remember, Windows 8 for standard "Intel Inside" type devices and Windows RM (arm) for ARM processor devices. After more than 2 decades of Intel advertising, I think most consumers would understand if they were told an ARM processor is a "new" power-sipping, but lower performance, processor made for mobile devices so there is a "new" version of Windows just for those.

Requiring Pro for the MC Pack is a bad idea. It will hinder the adoption of MC even more. The cost to upgrade from Home to Pro is typically $100, and then add whatever the MC Pack costs ($20?). That seems a lot to ask when a lot of people will be getting OEM systems with Home preinstalled or a Win8 upgrade for $50 (or less).

What will be the RAM limit? The 16GB limit of Win7 Home Premium is getting a little low with the reducing price of 8GB sticks etc.

Totally agree about the media center comment.  it should be an add-on for either Windows 8 or Windows 8 Pro.  most home users who might want media center will have Windows 8, not Windows 8 Pro.

If it is going to be an add-on hopefully some of the bugs that have been there for a long time will actually be fixed and updates will be available.

Personally I would prefer it if media centre were split into a number of different Metro applications.

I agree, I'm a heavy Media Center user, upgrading to Windows 8 Pro, then adding another "Paid" media pack doesn't make much since to me economically, being that I would be upgrading from Windows 7 Home Premium with Media Center already included. Depending on cost I'll just stick to Windows 7 in that case

What a shame.  If only they had decided to include domain join and active directory on windows RT.  Then they may finally have had something to compete with Apple for the enterprise environment.

@grub5000 - RDP Client is not the same as RDP host.  Home/consumer versions of Windows have never had RDP host functionality.  RDP client functionality is bundled with all of the editions...

I'd love to hear more about the plans for Media Center

The name of the ARM version should be Windows OK.  Because, first of all, OK conveys a positive meaning to people everywhere.  And secondly, it makes sense numerically.  "Ok" is esperanto for "eight."

Any story why you name it Windows RT? That sounds not a beautiful name.

The new Logo is a visual abomination, evidently de-signed by people for whom the word "iconic" is unknown, and "symbolic" refers to their last session with Sim-City.

dl.dropbox.com/.../Win8LogoIdea.png

Created in thirty minutes with Adobe PhotoShop CS5

Bill Woodruff

p.s. I was referring to the new chimera of Windows/Metro as "Windows Bipolar:" I will update that not to: "Windows Tripolar," although "Win Arm or a Leg" has a certain charm.

Remote Desktop (Host) should be included in non-Pro version!!

It is a basic feature of a OS.

Single-session Remote Desktop is a common usage in Current situation!!

Imagine that you are using your tablet at the bedroom, and wanna control the Living Room computer!!

What about IIS? Which versions will support installing and running IIS?

So is Office still going to be a stand alone product to purchase also? I noticed the one version contained Word and such, but NOT Outlook. You aren't ending Outlook are you????

even classic modes of windows 7 is doing great for me.... y? am i need these graphics.... one advantage is the Touch enabled graphics.... nothing else in 8 upto my knowledge..... i stick to windows 7:) i m pretty happy...

Can we see some of the newer tablets that will be released for these editions?  I would so order one now if I was guaranteed a Windows 8 upgrade.  The fall is such a long way away and I would like to have it before the end of the world (12-21-12) to at least say I got to play around with it before the end.

You guys are doing a phenomenal job with Windows Phone, Windows 8, etc., which makes the naming of "Windows RT" all the more maddening. You're trying to simplify the rest of the "Windows Live" properties, which I applaud, but then you go with Windows RT? Does. not. compute.

Ok so a couple of things worth mentioning.

There needs to be Windows RT Pro. Why wouldnt business users need a professional version of the tablet? In a business environment this would be ideal. Tablets are already replacing laptops at an alarming rate and this would definately help that along. Domain login and RDP would be awesome on a tablet. Why isnt it an option?

Media center only for PRO? That does not make any sense at all. Its on previous HOME versions of windows which is where it would be used the most. People use HOMe computers as media boxes. Where would anyone need media center in a PRO environment? Almost never. Rediclous. Most likely it will become available for Home in the near future.

Office for Windows RT: Where is outlook and access? Without outlook, blackberry still has the upper hand which is retarded because RIM is all but dead and nobody uses blackberry's anymore. if windows is serious about the business market with phones and tablets, these applications are a must. In our comptuer repair/sales shop we have a work order database in access and i want to use it on a tablet. Also outlook should be a given because windows live mail sucks.

I love it! Reminds me of Windows XP! Thanks for reading feedback on the SKU naming :D Keep up the good work!

first I think Windows RT should be remaned to WINDOWS SLATE

Secondly I don't like the new file explorer,it should have more of a metro feel especially on the the tablets, it should be more like the "select program to open" menu on the consumer preview.there's too much Aero on the new file explorer even when it is minimized

thirdly,i don't know what version of office will be on the Windows RT tablets,but if its office 2010,i think it will be horrible,because it is not very finger friendly(touch friendly)

in general I think particularly for the Windows RT version,Microsoft should go back to the drawing board for most of their softwares,including office(there should be a tablet version) just as there's office mobile

I love Metro and I hate having to be mixing both of them when on one machine or when doing a certain task, when I need to use Aero I just use my windows 7 machine.

there should be a way of being all Metro or ALL Aero not having both of them intermingle,it ruins the User Experience, so for basic things like file explorer there should bbe two versions, for office i'm not so worried since I know some developers will probably come up with substitutes for office in the Windows store

Win RT is a good name , no one will remember it

so i gess based on the future list , windows 8 on arm will be beta software , like windows phone in 2010

not working,no desktop and so forth

it is good to see you are slovly killing your self

and with preeview of windows 8 , i see you have made a lockdown , no directx games on arm

only cut the rope,, a nice show off what the windows tablet can do

i have look at windows 8 's virtual mashine , and it is not good, full of holes

you see your tablet will fail , you have to wait until 2017 to begin selling this

so you have a lot of time , to get red of the 70% of the vista os that are inside windows 8

so it does not fail

Michael

Windows should aim for simplicity in its naming.  Windows RT simply won't work.

Keep in mind that part of Apple's success has come from creating an image of simplicity, which brought comfort to the swarms of people who were slowly transitioning to tech tools from no previous experience.  Simple names, pure white backgrounds in all packaging and advertising, etc.

This is why you should rename Windows RT to Windows Touch

You can't actually buy Windows RT, it'll come on your ARM tablet or something, so why even discuss its name?

i all most forgot ,,

why do not make the preess release about the windows 8 cloud gaming platform

where we only have to transmit the joystick move to the servers

and the servers will take care of the render ,calc , running the game , and send back the image

the replica of onlive

do make the press release

No domain join or AD support on Windows RT? Seriously??? So, Microsoft, how do you expect to compete with Apple in the education market?  I'm an IT Manager at a private school in Australia and I've noticed MANY other schools ALL jumping on to iPads.  I have urged my school to resist iPad's simply because I expected MS to make the no-brainer move of supporting AD auth on their (no longer) iPad killing platform.  This is just ridiculous - if you lose students in schools to your competitors then you also lose their home computers, phones etc., (we're seeing that trend right now).  It's the 'Happy Meal' mentality you should be embracing, get to the kids when they are young and they will use your products for years to come, this level of short-sightedness is going to cost you dearly in schools all around the world.

I'm so disappointed by this news, just when I thought MS was going to finally hit back...

Also, Windows RT is a ridiculous name, what suited monkey came up with that bright idea?  For a non-enterprise device it sure does have a very corporate feel about it!

Windows 8, compromises START here...

What no Windows Media Player on Windows RT?? Having a desktop media player is not important?? Deal breaker.

Windows RT is a retarded name.

WMC add on through 8 Pro only is retarded

Metro is retarded.

I won't spend a dime on this pathetic excuse for an operating system much less let my overpowered hardware get the chance to laugh at it

Whatever drugs you are on out there in Redmond, you should stop.

What about the regular desktop games like Chess Titans, Minesweeper etc which aren't included in Windows 8 Consumer Preview? Will they make a comeback on x86, x64? Will the desktop games also be dropped on Windows RT?

RT? really? Maybe MS should defend that by stating what it means. RT=Real Turd? Really Trying? Random Touch? I really hope Media Center works properly in 64b this time.

This goes to show that you can't please everyone. The commenters here are ridiculous. I applaud Microsoft for narrowing down the editions.

Even with all the fuss with Windows 7 and all the drama behind the editions, they sold how many millions of copies?

Go troll on Engadget...

Hmm, Media for Windows 8 (not Windows 8 Pro) would make more sense.  FWIW I don't mind paying for a Media Center add-on. Just don't require the Pro version of Win8.  I have to agree with the folks scratching their heads over the name Windows RT??  OTOH I do like the reduction in the number of SKUs.

For all the people who say Windows RT is a bad name, I disagree. I doubt they will use that name in marketing, but even if they do It will be fine. People were fine with Windows XP and XP stood for Extreme Programming or something.

Curious where Windows To Go falls in to this lineup... anybody have insight?

The branding mess makes the conversation challenging.  We’ve come a long way from the current state but the consumer has to figure out what all of these things really mean:

• Windows 8

• Windows 8 Pro

• Windows 8 Enterprise

• Windows 8 RT

• Windows Phone 8

• Metro Apps

• Media Add-on Pack

The product marketing teams have to stop over thinking this and stop competing with each other to "leave their mark". Focus on simplifying the message to the consumer.  They want “Windows”, not “Windows Ultimate Edition with Service Pack 2 including Media Add-on Pack including Metro Apps”.  Why not a simple strategy:

• Windows

• Windows Metro – positioned as a subset of Windows functionality optimized for tablets

• Windows Phone – positioned as a subset of Windows functionality optimized for phones

• XBox – home entertainment device that is highly integrated with the Windows experience

Metro apps is then clearly a set of apps that are great for tablet and also work on the desktop version.

Product groups will talk about pricing strategies and how they want to deliver a low price point for consumers while ensuring they don’t cannibalize the riches of the enterprise, but at what point do we cause so much confusion to customers.   Leave the complexity for the licensing programs (which all big vendors manage to make overly complex) and they can make up the difference by continuing to adding multi-PC management and virtualization functionality if necessary.

Like Schikitar, I too was looking forward to seeing a wide range of domain ready lightweight smart tablets and ARM devices from Microsoft which could provide a real alternative (and differentiation point) to devices such as the iPad and it's numerous Android-based impersonators.

While there had been some limited movement in this arena, with devices such as the Dell Latitude ST, no current generation Microsoft devices to date have been serious 'spot-light contenders' even closely capable of mainstream adoption - and it seems we are likely see this trend continue.

Having no Active Directory support for Windows RT is maddening: The world doesn't need another re-badged iPad, and without domain support, that's all you're doing.

It would seem that Microsoft has instead opted to classify ARN as being part of the 'portable home user device' market space, rather than seeing it as the future of mobile business computing.

Time will tell, but I - like many others - believe that Microsoft has backed the wrong horse here.

One thing is for sure: this is great news for Apple & Google...

hmmmm   "Windows 8" and "Windows RT"   ..... nice    ....  

Might we expect "Windows Phone 8" & "Windows Phone RT"    :)

Without Group Policy & Domain Join how are you planning to market WinRT tablets to the enterprise customers ?? :(

Nice to see that MS is reducing the number of SKUs for Windows 8. I like the names for Windows 8 and Windows 8 Pro, but I have to agree that Windows RT is the wrong choice. What does RT stand for? Is it something akin to NT? Why not just call it Windows ARM? That's what it was designed for, why not use the most logical naming choice? Whoever came up with RT needs to either explain themselves, or get slapped silly.

I also agree that the media pack should be made available for the consumer "Windows 8". Media Center for Home users makes much more sense than limiting it to geeks/professionals and businesses...

Maybe they'll take a page from the Apple Lion OSX upgrade and only charge something like $30 for the upgrade.

I hope there is something built in to Windows RT that allows me to easily stream my home media.  I just figured out remote medi streaming and was looking forward to using it on my future Windows Slate....

I need to know version number of the "Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote)" in Windows RT , I think next version of MS Office will release with windows 8,All I need to know about the windows Start Menu(Remove or Not Remove in windows 8)

So when Microsoft releases Windows 9. How do they call WOA...WOA 2 may be. It doesn't sound nice. Why don't they just name it "Windows 8 ARM". Make more sense.

A much better edition list than Windows 7!

Windows RT sounds LOL. And yeah, media pack on should be available to home users as well!! It makes more sense! Even economically

@Jason Hanford-Smith .. If you read properly, the article never says that Windows RT would support Desktop. Please read it properly.

@Brandon

The above Windows matrix is on point and the breakdown is flawless – simple to the point for all consumer & user types.

This blog post has brought out Windows fans in hiding or possible defected MAC users that have the hots for the new Windows 8 releases.

Well either way this is good to see on any level, I can feel the passion in all the above post … oh and future post coming below – so thanks in advance for the love of Windows to all you devoted and awesome users.

Thanks Brandon for the blog post with specs on x86 & ARM – dude we can’t wait for the ARM form factors to hit the market.

“Officially the (Tablet & Pad BetaTest) will be over” let the new countdown began…

- Stay Powered by Windows

Clearing up some common points of confusion:

– The media pack comes pre-installed in regular Win8.  It's an optional add-on for the business-oriented Pro because it's a very consumer-oriented feature.

– WinRT isn't tablet-only; it creates and opportunity for ARM-based laptops and desktops as well.

– The big reason to not rename WinRT to Windows Tablet: there will be plenty of x86 tablets.

– People that need Pro features on a tablet will simply get an x86 tablet with Win8 Pro.

– WinRT desktop will be able to run Java and .NET apps, as well as native apps recompiled for ARM.

I really dont know why everyone is complaining aobut the limited functionality of the RT version the answer to this is simple. Boycott ARM based devices and buy the new ultrabooks that come next year that transform into tablets and install Win 8 pro on them. Problem Solved plus no need for reprogramming apps to work on arm.

Great to have simpler editions for once? Does this mean that Mail, People, Calendar, SkyDrive etc. will be included in Windows 8? I hope so, because it means less downloading of apps!

Damn it - I wish that you would make the Media Pack available for plain old Windows 8. I have no interest in the additional features of Windows 8 Pro - but I do want an HTPC...

Thank you for simplifiying things Microsoft. This is 6 editions down to 4 I think effectively.

How about Windows SL8 instead of Windows 8 RT (did you see what I did there? Yeah? Slate/Eight - get it?)

I do production, internet browsing, file management, gaming, everything. Here is the list of features that matters to me...

---------------------------------------

Has classic start menu? XP yes, 8 No

Has any start menu? XP yes, 8 no

Utilizes more than 16 colors? XP yes, 8 No

Has customizable Windows Explorer toolbars? XP yes, 8 No

Has an excessive number of useless services? XP no, 8 yes

Wastes RAM and doesn't report why? XP no, 8 yes

Notifies you that you are transferring a 2 kilobyte file for a minimum of several seconds? XP no, 8 yes

Quick launch show desktop shortcut works? XP yes, 8 no

Has single-click shut down/restart/standby buttons? XP yes, 8 no

Windows Explorer Navigation panel expands sub-folders? XP yes, 8 no

Concern: There is no mention of the Direct Access feature! We have a great deal of clients running Windows 7 Ultimate Edition who are using Direct Access and other features NOT mensioned here and I presume may ONLY be in the Enterprise edition of 8 now. Is Microsoft now going to force customers into volume license agreements to get the features they are running today in Windows 8? This would NOT be acceptable.

Well, that's certainly much better. Thank you for finally listening and not making that stupid amount of different versions. However, why not go all the way and only make one version? That would really simplify things. But then again, you wouldn't be able to have that overpriced Pro edition...

I have to agree with the other comments regarding "Windows RT", though. That is definitely not a good choice - we may get used to it, but that doesn't make it any better. Why not "Windows Metro" or something like that - you know, something you can actually pronounce?

Also, I'm sad to see the end of Media Center. Making it an optional expansion pack is Microsoft-speak for "it's going away in the next version". So this will probably be the last edition of Media Center. I still think Media Center has potential - especially now that Windows run on ARM. Just imagine a set-top box running Windows on ARM with Media Center. But, sadly, that is not to be, it seems.

Not good. The Windows desktop will be too expensive for most small (~5 employees) business owners not located in western Europe or US. This large target group will require Remote Desktop (host), EFS, BitLocker as well as some of those many other features you're reserving for the Enterprise version. To get them you're pushing for your Pro version which you'll price / sell on a one-license-per-machine basis whichm based on Win7's price, will make it very expensive. You do this based on your hallucination that those people will upgrade to a Windows Server based network just like they did in the '90s. It's 2012, Microsoft. People do not need Windows Server for small businesses anymore. Even you somewhat acknowledge this fact by pushing cloud computing and selling the Enterprise version, with a very different licensing model, to any corporation that can afford it. So then why do you insist on shrink wrapping Active Directory support with features that should be present on every Windows version? Until you realize the free fall you're in because of your totally outdated pricing you'll keep seeing professionals from every conceivable small business sector sporting Macs and you'll keep deluding yourself that it's because they're hipsters. Actually, they're just normal people who don't like buying expensive 2nd best stuff such as your non-Pro, for kids, mainstream Windows.

Just call it Windows for Tablets please.

Windows RT is a terribly uninspiring and unexciting name for the most consumer-oriented version of Windows 8.

it can be based on WinRT or a wink to NT or on ReTweet or on R2D2's cousin, nobody on the street will know and it won't appeal to anybody.

microsoft, if you name it, you own it! come on!

You say “Windows RT will include touch-optimized desktop versions of the new Microsoft Word” and “Windows RT does not include Installation of desktop software”.

This sounds like the ONLY possible desktop apps on Windows RT are from Microsoft with no 3rd parties allowed to created desktop apps.   Am I missing something….

So far we have not been told how/what desktop apps if any 3rd parties can create for ARM based systems.

let's suggest names for #WindowsRT

Windows 8 Eco

(ARM is just today's low energy processors, tomorrow's could be another manufacturer)

With the absence of an 'Ultimate' edition, will non-enterprise users need to buy Language Packs separately?

An edition without an 'x' in the third row of the above chart I think would sell very well.

I signed up for this website just to tell you what a STUPID name "Windows RT" is for the ARM edition.  You have named the Windows 8 Native API "WinRT" or did you forget already?  So, now how will you know what is being talked about when someone mentions either, especially since WinRT actually runs on both Intel and ARM machines?  I can't believe Microsoft continually makes naming blunders like this.  Please hire some idea people and run names by them from now on.  Why not Windows 8i, Windows 8i Pro, and Windows 8a?  Would that be too simple?

By the way, you have pushed .NET down our throats for over 10 years, now you say WinRT if you want in the marketplace on ARM.  You got us all hooked on Silverlight to build "Rich Media Experiences for the web" and WIndows Phone 7 apps and now you are doing away with it and tell us to write C++ and Direct X for gaming apps.  You are even basically killing XNA by now placing WinRT, Metro, and Marketplace functionality into the Windows 8 Platform and not supporting any of these in XNA.  GENIUS.  Please elaborate on how we are supposed to sell games for ARM based "Windows RT" machines with no discreet graphics card in them using your new found native code C++/DX hard on.

I am sitting on the edge of my seat daily waiting to see what nonsense rolls out of Redmond as the talent continues to leave, and jackasses like Brad Watson come on board to "evangelize" us.

Meanwhile in Apple land....  Write objective c = code for iPod Touch, iPhone 1, 3G, 3GS, 4, 4G, (Soon to released iPhone 5) iPad 1, 2, 3, MacOS = Profit from well over 100 million iPhones sold and over 3 million iPads sold in the opening weekend alone.

No wonder web developers are flocking to the LAMP stack, web platforms are going RoR, and app developers are sitting pretty on app stores from Apple and Google.

Oh and remember that time when you released Windows Vista and everyone wanted to upgrade from XP?  Me neither.

AND FOR PETE"S SAKE GET RID OF THE RIBBON IN EXPLORER PUT THE START BUTTON BACK IN WINDOWS 8 DESKTOP YOU HARD HEADED MULLETS.

What I expected? Windows 7 Enterprise features like Bitlocker and Directaccess would be available in Windows 8 Pro. Now it seems that bitlocker is on Pro but Directaccess is Win8 Enteprise feature? So many customer want to get Directaccess but they don't have opportunity to purhace SA etc. Also Win8 RT should be able to join to domain and features like Btilocker and Directaccess could be killer features for corporate when they decide between Ipads and WIn8 RT. Microsoft is losing lots of $$$ if they keep version like this.

Just to throw my hat in....Windows RT is possibly the worst name you could have chosen. It will be shortened to Win RT and then will just get confused with the API WinRT!! Just hope you change this before release.

As for media center, should not require pro as a big market for it will be dedicated computers that have no need for ANY of the other pro functionality and just need a cheap edition of windows.

Stupidly confusing naming concept! It is really crazy and will cause lots of misunderstandings when an entire OS-Generation has the same name as one of it's components! If you have to do support, and you are asking the customer what OS he has - and he will answer "Windows 8", you NEVER know whether it is "Windows 8" or "Windows 8 (in an advanced version)". It is a very, very bad Idea not to give the "simple Win8 for home use" any distinguishable name (it' up to you what it would be - "Home" was a really good solution. Hey, you even see it in the answers here: people are calling it "consumer Windows 8", "plain old Windows 8", or what else. Keep in mind: "upgrading to Windows 8" is NOT possible from Windows 7 Pro or  Windows 7 Ultimate - "upgrading to Windows 8" is only possible from the "starter" or "home" editions. And if you have to tell a customer: "no, you can't upgrade to Windows 8" (because he has to upgrade to "Windows 8 Pro", you can see how that name convention is a big confusing mess! What specific name you will going to give for now called "Windows 8" (not the whole OS-Generation, but the non-Pro and non-Enterprise version (and just needing to add that big explanation for being able to clarify what version is meant and what not is totally schizophrenic as it ALWAYS creates confusion)) is really up to you (or up to the "brand owner"). But with the name convention you did choose now, a "Windows 8 Pro" or "Windows 8 Enterprise" IS NOT a "Windows 8" (neither is it any other Windows, but BOTH ARE "Windows 8"s. That's pure confusion and poison specially for support business! Btw: Whether WinRT or Win8RT or what else it totally whatever - as long as you can distinguish it from other versions. But as it is now, you can't really distinguish a Windows 8 from a Windows 8 that is not a Windows 8, but a Windows 8 Pro or Windows 8 Enterpise - and that makes the name convention unusable! Sorry to tell you that.

Just to add about "how to distinguish a Windows 8 from a Windows 8 that is not a Windows 8, but another Windows 8": either the brand owner wil give a specific name himself - or he will have to live with it that the customers and users do - but in a way the brand owner won't be able control, and that even could be any malapropist phantasy or bogus name ... So if you don't care about ...

Domain join & group policy - should be in Windows RT, hope this changes

RDP host - should be in all editions, this feature hasn't been "client only" for a while now.. Though this can be done with 3rd party tools (some even free like FreeRDP), so it's less of a problem.. But native apps are always welcome.

Please re-think the domain-related features.. This would be a killer feature for Windows RT :-/

I mentioned this sotroy to my bf.   He laughed and said Windows ReeeeeeTard. Might I suggest a good long rethink of this before 'Windoze Reeetard' becomes the norm

@Quppa

>With the absence of an 'Ultimate' edition, will non-enterprise users need to buy Language Packs separately?

No, language switching is a baseline feature of Windows 8. You'll note in the Preview version that a language can now be tied to a language profile, just like you already do when switching keyboard layouts. A simple ALT+SHIFT toggle and Windows swaps from English to German (for example).

See:

blogs.msdn.com/.../using-the-language-you-want.aspx

Which version is going to have either NO Metro UI madness or at least allow us to disable it? That is the one I am only interested in. Otherwise there is no point upgrading to an inferior UI version of Windows.

@Marc Jordan - Media Player is a Desktop app, and these don't run on Win RT. On that platform, you will have Metro media player apps - and I expect that they will support "Play to"

The name "Windows RT" really is a very poor marketing and visionary decision. It's almost as if you've chosen to give up on the handheld industry to the likes of Google and Apple, the very moment you're announcing your rival product?!

Microsoft is lagging behind in the handheld market and this is their push to grab back market share and perhaps give consumers something different and better integrated with what they're used to at home and at work to persuade them to "go Windows" as opposed to Google or Apple.

Whilst techies will appreciate the technical advantages of using a Windows-based handheld device over a Google or Apple device, this has never been Microsoft's problem. I've personally used Windows Mobile and then Windows Phone over the years because of the advantages it gave me integrating my handheld with my work, and I'm sure most techies and high-level management felt the same. Actually I take that back because my expectation of Windows Phone 7 was that it *would* give me better integration for example with Exchange ActiveSync than any other handset would - and I was very disappointed to find out that it didn't - and actually offered less than the previous generation Windows Mobile, and nothing more than Android/iPhone would give me. I'm sure the next generation of Windows "for mobile handsets" will offer more, and still attract technical-minded and management people to use Windows handheld devices for the same reasons they have been for years.

Microsoft's problem is breaking into the consumer market for handheld devices and they need to have their offering be as attractive as possible and it starts with the name. I would hope that the people who have come up with the name have been rather happy with clicking the "post" button on their blogs and that the higher levels at Microsoft havn't yet seen this. I would hope even more that the highest levels havn't already seen this and signed it off.

Microsoft is getting ready to push their greatest work to date to the world, with the most significant improvements being their break from the x86/x64 platform and support of ARM devices, yet they will tell handheld users "sorry, you're not getting Windows 8". It just doesn't make any sense, no matter how you look at it.

"Windows 8 is being released soon and it'll compete with Android and iPhone!"

"Really? I heard it's still only for desktops."

A name makes a big difference. Windows 8 Home, Windows 8 Pro, Windows 8 Something. That something can be "Mobile", "Go", "Move", "Next" or anything someone creative with vision can come up with. But it must be Windows 8.You're selling the whole thing, and that is your selling point.

I bet Google and Apple are laughing at this.

The only major feature found in Windows Media Center not covered already with other Metro apps is TV/DVR (with TV Guide).

This functionality is clearly legacy functionality with the advent of IPTV but is still something that will be needed by some users for a couple more years (at least until IPTV will be available to everyone)

So why doesn't Microsoft make a TV/DVR Metro app (and sell it through Windows Store at the economical price announced) to replace WMC?

Combined with Pictures/Music/Video available now we would have all the WMC functionality right on the Start Screen (which loads a lot faster than WMC btw).

And with Remote control / Kinect navigation of the Start screen we would have a far better TV interface than WMC is now. Would be a lot better for the future IPTV app users also and for the Video app users.

I agree that Windows Media Center should be made available to people who upgrade to the plain vanilla Windows 8. I cancelled cable a couple years ago because I was tired of paying over $1,000 a year for a bunch of channels I didn't watch. I use my Windows 7 machine as a DVR and stream live TV into the living room via an Xbox 360. Unless Windows 8 has WMC, even as an "economical" add-on, then I see absolutely no reason to upgrade.

Why not call "Windows RT " as Winlet ? :)

It is an IP, pls contact before usage :)

will upgrading from windows 7 to windows 8 like a windows 7 starter then entered with the correct key upgrades to windows 7 ultimate? will upgrading from windows 7 to windows 8 retains all the files and programs? Is upgrading through Windows Anytime Upgrade?