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What about Windows XP Home Edition?

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8 replies

by lee

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You guys are always giving great advice about Windows XP, but it is always about the professional edition. Well, what about the home edition? For example: the article "Get it done: Give internet explorer the look and feel of a company tool". It goes into great detail about how to accomplish this, except for one thing: XP Home Edition doesn't have the policy editors installed!? Is there somewhere I can download these? If so, Where? I really don't want to have to upgrade to XP Professional when Home and Professional editions are so much alike. Any help is appreciated. Thanks, Lee Gautreaux, Owner, Lee's General Repairs.

8 replies

by cg it

hate to say this but XP Pro and Home ARE two different operating systems. Yes they are very similar but there are differences. XP Pro is taylored as a network workstation operating system where as Home Edition is, aptly named, for consumers. One difference is that Home edition can't join a domain [though some have said it can, it isn't designed to].

I suggest you visit Microsofts Help and Support site and/or Windows XP site to obtain the latest and greatest on Windows XP.

http://support.microsoft.com
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/default.mspx

by sgt_shultz

there is not enuf difference between the two to matter to you imho. unless you are running special repair shop software that requires a domain. which i doubt. here is why i say there is no practical difference: because when i go to support.microsoft.com to research the answer to your question, it doesn not offer me a choice between searching for xp home and searching for xp pro. no practical difference. you can't join a domain as a client but you can 'see' the domain and use the resources given proper security settings...anyhow. Go to Start/Settings Control Panel/Administrative Tools to get at local policy. if you do not see that in control panel, let us know...

by thechas

Generally speaking, the articles on TR are targeted at IT professionals working in corporate and business environments.
Generally speaking, the versions of Windows in use are NT, 2000, XP Pro and Server 2003.

As noted, there are a number of differences between XP home and Pro.

Generally speaking, XP Home should ONLY be used in a non-networked home environment. (With the possible exception of gaming net parties where the network is entirely local.)

XP Pro with it's better security and networking options should be used for any other installation.

By the way, the forums (both Technical Q&A and the Discussion Center) are peer to peer forums.
If you wish to get the attention of the TR staff, you need to click on help and follow the links until you come to the "Click Here to Contact Us" line.

Chas

by lee

Thanks folks this did help mor than you know.
It's appreciated. I do work in a networked environment, so, it looks like I have to upgrade.

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