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Windows 8 Consumer Preview references 'Professional Plus' edition

Windows 8 Consumer Preview references 'Professional Plus' edition

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Microsoft may be preparing a Professional Plus edition of Windows 8, according to registry entries found in the Consumer Preview version.

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Windows SKUs
Windows SKUs

Microsoft's Windows 8 Consumer Preview has unearthed a new edition of Windows 8, adding to Microsoft's long list of existing Windows SKUs. References to a "Professional Plus" version of Windows 8 can be found in the registry of the recently released Consumer Preview, the first time Microsoft has used such naming for its operating system software. Office 2010 introduced the idea of a Professional Plus edition, and it appears this could be making its way to Windows along with the following SKUs:

  • Windows 8 Starter edition
  • Windows 8 Home Basic Edition
  • Windows 8 Home Premium edition
  • Windows 8 Professional edition
  • Windows 8 Professional Plus edition
  • Windows 8 Enterprise Edition
  • Windows 8 Ultimate edition
  • Windows 8 ARM edition

We saw references to potential Windows 8 SKUs on HP's support pages last month, hinting that Microsoft may be scaling back its long list of SKU selection for Windows 8 to just standard, Professional, and Enterprise installs. That might not be the case if Microsoft's own registry references are to be believed, referencing eight separate editions of Windows 8. We're not sure exactly what Professional Plus will bring as it is not referenced in the Windows 7 registry. Microsoft has said it plans to reveal Enterprise editions and features of Windows 8 at CeBIT next week, so the firm might clear up this naming shortly. We will be attending CeBIT, which kicks off on March 6th, so stay tuned for more information.