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XP Home or XP Pro?

M

MC Webster

Member
I just got a new Dell Inspiron 8200 laptop and it came installed with WinXP Home. I have WinXP Professional and am wondering if I should format my computer and install it. Should I make the upgrade to Pro from Home? Also, is there any way with the full install cd to make the upgrade without having to reformat my computer? I am afraid I might mess up some Dell drivers or software, what's your opinion?
 
The question you should ask yourself. What do I gain by switching to XP Pro?

The main advantage of XP pro over XP Home, has to do with the ability to secure Network, other wise the upgrade is meaningless.
 
JackMDS is correct. The question you need to answer is "do I need the features Pro has over Home?". If you need to login to a domain or need the added security of Pro then upgrade. As far as performing the upgrade this should be no problem from the full version cd unless it is an OEM version. If it is a retail just boot to the desktop, pop in your cd and choose upgrade current installation.
 
What features does XP Pro offer over XP Home? Is it just just the networking options you've mentioned? Also, is there any disadvantage of Pro over Home?
 
I am not the biggest fan of Windows XP Pro, but it's tolerable. XP Home, however, is something I can't stand. We just received two laptops with XP Home on them where I work, and I immediatley upgraded them to XP Pro. There was no need to format, and about 90% of the drivers transfered. I just needed to get a realtec NIC driver and I was set...
 
XP Home, however, is something I can't stand.
Click to expand...

Nice description of your emotions, but can you tell us in computer technology terms what you get from XP Pro you can not get from XP home.
 
Well for a Laptop, this is the one situation along with logging into a windows domain, is where Pro has some compelling advantages over Home. Would it be worth $200? I dunno, but there are mobile features in Pro that Home lacks.
 
XP Pro:

Support for multiple-processor systems

Can Encrypt the File System.

Can restrict access to selected files, and applications.

Can Join Domain.

Has the capacity to be remotely accessed from other computer over the Internet without additional software.
 
Is there any additional stability gained by moving from Home to Pro?

Thanks so much for your input everyone! It's really good stuff to know!
 
Originally posted by: MC Webster
Is there any additional stability gained by moving from Home to Pro?
Click to expand...

No, there is no difference in stability, Pro just has some added features as described in the FAQ. 🙂
 
I actually think that the lack of group policies in Home Edition is a pretty bad thing for a home user who might like to differentiate between users and lock some stuff down.

And, in addition to what's listed in the FAQ that was linked, I believe there's a difference in the RUNAS feature -- as in Home Edition doesn't have it? (I might be wrong, but I don't think so.) The RUNAS executable combined with the /savecred switch can be a terrific advantage when trying to give an otherwise-limited family member the ability to use certain types of software. And I think RUNAS is better for the purpose of enabling CD writing for limited users than the use of the policy editor, but neither would be available to a Home Edition user. If the people using the system want some flexibility and power in setting up differences in user accounts, WinXP Pro has it all over WinXP Home Edition. My $.02.

- Collin
 
What do you guys think that most people on these forums would recommend, WinXP Home or Pro? Just curious as to why one over the other. Thanks
 
Originally posted by: ceZium
What do you guys think that most people on these forums would recommend, WinXP Home or Pro? Just curious as to why one over the other. Thanks
Click to expand...
It all depends on you. Unless you need to join an corporate NT domain, there is no advantage to Pro over Home for most people. If however, you share your PC with others in your home and have the need to secure files/directories/applications from others, then Pro has those advantages. If you live alone, etc., then you probably don't need those features.

 
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