What is the difference between Windows 8.1, Windows 8.1 Pro and Windows 8.1 single language?
Difference between Windows 8.1 Single Language and Windows 8.1.Windows 8.1 Single Language is the exact replica of Windows 8 except the fact that Windows 8.1 Single Language is tailored for use only in a single language. Unlike Windows 8.1 you cannot add a language, that is you cannot have 2 or more languages.Difference between Windows 8.1 and Windows 8.1 Pro.Windows 8.1 is the basic edition for home users. Nevertheless, it includes some tweaks to the interface with upgraded apps that users appreciate. Most importantly, It includes the core feature set that home users require, but does not include key business features, such as support for the ability to join domains, process Group Policy, and so on.On the other hand, Windows 8.1 Pro as the name suggests targets small- and medium-sized businesses. It provides enhanced features that help to easily connect to company networks, access files on the go, encrypt data, and more.Windows 8.1 Editions Comparison ChartCheers!Source:Windows Tips, Tricks, Help, Support, Downloads, Features
Can I use Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry Pro for my PC as a general OS?
Whenever you see the word ‘Embedded’ included in an OS then you can safely assume that embedded version is for systems with customized requirements.For example Intel Atom or ARM architecture CPUs have a very limited functionality.When cost and quantity are factors then there we use embedded systems.Windows 7 or 8.1 Embedded Pro, Standard can be used like normal PC OS of windows provided you install the default installations that are supplied during the installation phase of this OS. When you boot ISO of embedded system (probably from a USB) then you get an option of profiles i.e which profile you want to install. From profile it means that which type of user is interested in using this embedded system. Is it a user who will use this machine merely as Remote Desktop Connection Device (Also known as thin clients[1]) or will this machine be used a KIOSK with touch features enabled.The MOST important feature of embedded systems is the INSTALLATION SIZE of OS which can be compressed (reduced by unselecting useless features like solitare, movie maker, windows media player etc) even to a 2 or 4 GB Flash drive (Acting as a installation HDD in this case) (CF Cards in most cases). It means that if you have a Thin Client (Mini PC or Minified version of PC which lower configuration, fanless architecture thus lower processor etc).For example see this configuration from Dell Optiplex FX170 OptiPlex FX170 Thin Client which offers Intel Atom Processor based mini factor MINI PCs which are very light weight, takes very less electricity, can be remotely controlled with Active Directory. Such type of systems don’t have a SSD, IDE or SATA HDD. They have CF Cards instead of HDDs which are in 2GB, 4GB or 8 GB (upto 64 GB) in most cases.Windows Embedded (any version) allows you to selectively install ONLY required components and as a result target size of installation is around 2 GB to 4 GB as compared to normal 8 GB of Windows 7 Installation.Yes you can use Embedded systems instead of normal OS however they won’t upgrade to newer version of windows and get normal windows update because space and processing power both are big constraints here. You can do some OS tweaking to enable updates or manually install selectively updates though.Also Embedded systems are not designed to optimal use the full instruction set of a processor as they can be also run on lower end processors like Intel Atom, Celeron, ARM CPU etc.Footnotes[1] Thin client
What is the difference between Windows 8.1 embedded and Windows 8.1?
Windows embedded are more development oriented System software whereas Windows (plain Windows) is more of an end user System Software.
Can I use Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry Pro for my PC as a general OS?
Whenever you see the word ‘Embedded’ included in an OS then you can safely assume that embedded version is for systems with customized requirements.For example Intel Atom or ARM architecture CPUs have a very limited functionality.When cost and quantity are factors then there we use embedded systems.Windows 7 or 8.1 Embedded Pro, Standard can be used like normal PC OS of windows provided you install the default installations that are supplied during the installation phase of this OS. When you boot ISO of embedded system (probably from a USB) then you get an option of profiles i.e which profile you want to install. From profile it means that which type of user is interested in using this embedded system. Is it a user who will use this machine merely as Remote Desktop Connection Device (Also known as thin clients[1]) or will this machine be used a KIOSK with touch features enabled.The MOST important feature of embedded systems is the INSTALLATION SIZE of OS which can be compressed (reduced by unselecting useless features like solitare, movie maker, windows media player etc) even to a 2 or 4 GB Flash drive (Acting as a installation HDD in this case) (CF Cards in most cases). It means that if you have a Thin Client (Mini PC or Minified version of PC which lower configuration, fanless architecture thus lower processor etc).For example see this configuration from Dell Optiplex FX170 OptiPlex FX170 Thin Client which offers Intel Atom Processor based mini factor MINI PCs which are very light weight, takes very less electricity, can be remotely controlled with Active Directory. Such type of systems don’t have a SSD, IDE or SATA HDD. They have CF Cards instead of HDDs which are in 2GB, 4GB or 8 GB (upto 64 GB) in most cases.Windows Embedded (any version) allows you to selectively install ONLY required components and as a result target size of installation is around 2 GB to 4 GB as compared to normal 8 GB of Windows 7 Installation.Yes you can use Embedded systems instead of normal OS however they won’t upgrade to newer version of windows and get normal windows update because space and processing power both are big constraints here. You can do some OS tweaking to enable updates or manually install selectively updates though.Also Embedded systems are not designed to optimal use the full instruction set of a processor as they can be also run on lower end processors like Intel Atom, Celeron, ARM CPU etc.Footnotes[1] Thin client
What is the difference between Windows 8 and Windows 8.1?
For those who’re under the impression that Windows 8.1 update is a service pack, a service pack mainly contains previously released updates and fixes, but doesn’t include new features. So, Windows 8 isn’t a service pack as includes new features.As some of you may know, when Windows Vista was released back in 2007, it didn’t do well in the market and two years later, Microsoft released a polished version of Vista and named it as Windows 7, which went on to become the highest selling operating system in the history. The only major difference (leaving aside features) between Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 is that Windows 7 wasn’t a free update to Vista users and Windows 8.1 is absolutely free to all Windows 8 users.As the “.1” in the Windows 8.1 name suggests, Windows 8.1 is based on Windows 8. Windows 8.1 update adds hundreds of new features and functionalities to Windows 8 without removing existing features, and is completely free to all Windows 8 users.Windows 8.1 update is largely based on the feedbacks that Microsoft received by millions of Windows 8 users over the last year. According to Microsoft, this update will encourage XP, Vista, and Windows 7 users to upgrade to the newest version of Windows.One can say that Windows 8.1 is what Windows 8 should have been, or we can also say that “.1” completes Windows 8!Windows 8.1 adds the missing Start button to easily switch to the Start screen, an option to boot directly to desktop by skipping Start screen, settings to customize the Start screen, option to automatically set desktop background as Start screen, an easier way to shutdown and restart PC, and hundreds of other features.Go through the below chart to know some of the key features present in Windows 8.1 that aren’t part of Windows 8:
Should I upgrade to Windows 10?
Let's face it, Windows 7 is so good and reasonably stable that no users in their right mind would ever want upgrade to adopt the over-disruptive UI of Windows 8, never mind having to pay money for the privilege. Microsoft has learnt the mistake of releasing (another) OS that was just not good enough. With Win 8 Microsoft, mis-directed by a very mediocre CEO, released an OS that was suitable for their Surface tablets, but was irrelevant for PCs. Win 10 now has some worthwhile improvements for desktop users. The free upgrade to Win 10 for a limited offer period is a crucial strategy to retain motivate Win 7 users who may feel Windows has been left behind compare to the progress of iOS.Microsoft is a leading player in consumer technology. Currently and for foreseeable future, there's an explosion of technology being invented left right and center. It is Microsoft's responsibility to ensure Windows continues to dominant and stay relevant, so that developers will make gadgets connect to it. The more devices users can connect every new technology to Windows machines, the more people will look to Windows when buying new PCs.One advantage of taking the free upgrade is that it extends PC's support period, giving peace of mind for several years longer. However if you had purchased a standalone Windows 7 licence and installation disc, you shouldn't bother, because the 2nd hand market value for such Win 7 system is compelling and important consideration to persuade you not to potentially harm it by the hassle and irreversible (after 30 days) upgrade to Win 10.For me, I had invested in 2 major application software that ran well on Windows XP. I managed to skipped a number of upgrades until recent versions of the apps had minimal requirement of Windows 7. By which time Win 8 was available. So I invested in a budget Win 8 PC. This unfortunately didin't work as well as I hoped because too many features of the app-ugrades had been changed or dropped, so I clung on to the Win XP. All my other apps ran OK on win 8. I am now looking forward having enough time to building a clean Win 10 PC, and hope that the Win 10's virtual desktops will work well for me in running old and new versions of my apps. In my situation, I hadn't really used Win 7, but I am prepared to weigh up its cost-effectiveness if and when Microsoft introduces the rumoured subscription plans in future OS releases.