Why have XP Professional and Home Editions?

[Shappyss]

Why do they make the two versions? Everyone should get the professional version. Its really not that much different. Wouldn't it be much easy to develop only one version? What do you guys think about this?

[DonLandis]

The name of the software was not meant to insult a certain class of user. There is a big difference in cost and eversince win2000, MS has determined that certain components are more geared to the larger networks that are used in larger businesses as opposed to average home user.

I run a small home based business but can have as many as 14 computers on the LAN at one time. This is not a problem for windows XP home. But when I decided to venture into WAN and wanted to set up a VPN, that's where I was looking at XP Professional, for at least one server. I finally decided I didn't need that cost so I went the "Go To MY PC" route and that is working out fine and actually costs less.

I'm sure there are other minor differences but none that has left me worried about not having XP PRO. MS doesn't need to make everyone pay for all those Professional modules in the OS. I like it that they developed a quite capable HOME version that costs less. Of course, if you're in need of that Pro component then you will have to get XP PRO.

[kwajr]

just the advanced networking

[Steve Mehs]

The major difference between XP Home and Pro is if you want to set up a domain using Active Directory XP Pro is required. XP Home can only join a workgroup. At one point I had my own domain set up, using Windows 2003 Server Enterprise and XP Professional, but with just 2 computers and a PDA, it wasn't really worth it for me so I went back to a workgroup.

Most users in a home situation wouldn’t need to set up their own domain. Just that one aspect largely seperates home and business uses.

[CoriBright]

XP Home cannot technically join a domain and has a connection limitation of 5. XP Home can only use Simple File Sharing. XP Pro can happily join a domain, has a connection limitation of 10, uses more file security and comes with IIS. With the same connection limitation it use is severely limited (and the addition of a single website only) but it can be useful in testing purposes.

Other differences:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/howtobuy/choosing2.mspx

[kwajr]

XP Home cannot technically join a domain and has a connection limitation of 5. XP Home can only use Simple File Sharing. XP Pro can happily join a domain, has a connection limitation of 10, uses more file security and comes with IIS. With the same connection limitation it use is severely limited (and the addition of a single website only) but it can be useful in testing purposes.

Other differences:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/howtobuy/choosing2.mspx
yes so to sum it all up without saying more than needs said advanced networking :D