What is the difference between Windows XP Home Edition and Windows XP Professional Edition?

Question

Does the professional edition include microsoft office programs like Word and Excel? I am starting college online in a few weeks and need to know what I need to get. Thanks!!

Answer 1

Homicyde4, Here are some of the differences between the two operating systems:
Windows XP Home Edition
* Contains basic support for security among multiple users.
* Built-in support for peer-to-peer networking, but only for up to five computers.
* The backup utlity is not installed by default, but is included on the CD.

Windows XP Professional Edition
* Includes extended support for security between multiple users on the same machine.
* Better support for peer-to-peer networking, plus support for joining a "Windows NT domain."
* The backup utlity is installed by default.
* The Professional edition includes the following components not found in the Home edition:
o Administrative Tools (in the Start Menu and Control Panel)
o Automated System Recovery (ASR)
o Boot Configuration Manager
o DriverQuery
o Group Policy Refresh Utility
o Multi-lingual User Interface (MUI) add-on
o NTFS Encryption Utilitiy
o Offline Files and Folders
o OpenFiles
o Performance Log Manager
o Remote Desktop
o Scheduled Tasks Console
o Security Template Utility
o Taskkill
o Tasklist
o Telnet Administrator
* Provides support for multi-processor systems (2 or 4 CPUs), Dynamic Disks, Fax.

Yes, WinXP Pro offers a 30 day trial of MSOffice. More at the Microsoft site, if this does not answer your question:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/howtobuy/choosing2.mspx

Incidentally, there is a free suite which is giving MSOffice a run for its money called OpenOffice.

Features include:
**WRITER is OpenOffice.org’s word processor: use it for anything from writing a quick letter to producing an entire book with embedded illustrations, cross-references, tables of contents, indexes, bibliographies... Auto-complete, auto-format, and real-time spelling check make light work of the hardest task. Writer is powerful enough to tackle desktop publishing tasks such as creating multi-column newsletters, brochures – the only limit is your imagination.
**Use CALC to bring your numbers under control. This powerful spreadsheet has all the tools you need to calculate, analyse, summarise, and present your data in numerical reports or sizzling graphics. A fully-integrated help system makes entering complex formulas a breeze. Sophisticated decision-making tools are just a few mouse clicks away. Pull in external data using the Data Pilot, and sort it, filter it, and produce subtotals and statistical analyses. Use previews to select from thirteen categories of 2-D and 3-D charts including line, area, column, pie, XY, stock and net with dozens of variants.
**IMPRESS is the fastest, most powerful way to create effective multimedia presentations. Your presentations will truly stand out with special effects, animation and high-impact drawing tools.
**DRAW will produce everything from simple diagrams to dynamic 3D illustrations and special effects.
**New to Version 2, BASE enables you to manipulate database data seamlessly within OpenOffice.org. Create and modify tables, forms, queries, and reports, either using your own database or Base’s own built-in HSQL database engine.

More information at Open Office.org
http://www.openoffice.org/index.html

Answer 2

The Home and Professional editions of Windows XP are nearly identical; the only differences are additional features found in the Professional edition that most likely won't appeal to home users. The primary differences, aside from the price and the color of the packaging, are as follows:
Windows XP Home Edition

Contains basic support for security among multiple users.
Built-in support for peer-to-peer networking, but only for up to five computers.
The backup utlity is not installed by default, but is included on the CD.
Windows XP Professional Edition

Includes extended support for security between multiple users on the same machine.
Better support for peer-to-peer networking, plus support for joining a "Windows NT domain."
The backup utlity is installed by default.
The Professional edition includes the following components not found in the Home edition:
Administrative Tools (in the Start Menu and Control Panel)
Automated System Recovery (ASR)
Boot Configuration Manager
DriverQuery
Group Policy Refresh Utility
Multi-lingual User Interface (MUI) add-on
NTFS Encryption Utilitiy
Offline Files and Folders
OpenFiles
Performance Log Manager
Remote Desktop
Scheduled Tasks Console
Security Template Utility
Taskkill
Tasklist
Telnet Administrator

Answer 3

Well, it doesn't include those professional programs, but it might be more secure for you if you plan on sharing your computer.
XP Pro has the ability to encrypt files & folders, it has support for large networks, and.....oh, shoot. I forgot the last point.
Well, anyway, you don't need those Microsoft programs. Click the link below and you can try OpenOffice. The package contains a word processor, drawing program, database, spread sheet, presentation creator. and a special math program. The whole package is free and some people say that that package is better than Microsoft Office. Open Office can save files in several different formats, including some Microsoft formats.

Answer 4

As far as I know, Windows XP Home edition has less networking features. There is not a huge difference!

Answer 5

Office has to be put on XP Home or Professional. The differents is the programs that come with them. Home come with GAMES

Answer 6

Even though not an expert on the subject, I will say that with Windows XP Pro you can run programs residing on the other network computers. You can't do that with Windows XP Home Edition.

Answer 7

The difference is Windows XP home edition is limited on networking functionality and Professional does.

Answer 8

The biggest difference is that XP professional will let you join corporate networks. It does not include any of the office programs.

Answer 9

None of the versions of Windows includes Office. As a college student, you can buy a student edition of Office at a reduced price.

Answer 10

There's just a little difference to it. Professional is more like having an advanced/customed installation of software. You have more administrative features if you have win xp pro for that.