Which Windows 8.1 Edition?

[Phil UK 87]

Hi guys,

I need to install Windows 8.1 on my PC and luckily I have access to MSDN through work. I often work from home so I think it should be ok for me to get Windows from MSDN for this purpose. I'm a bit unsure about which edition to go for - here's what's available to me (only including x64 versions with the update):

Windows 8.1 Professional VL with Update (x64) - DVD (English-United Kingdom)

Windows 8.1 Professional N VL with Update (x64) - DVD (English-United Kingdom)

Windows 8.1 Enterprise with Update (x64) - DVD (English-United Kingdom)

Windows 8.1 Enterprise N with Update (x64) - DVD (English-United Kingdom)

Windows 8.1 N with Update (multiple editions) (x64) - DVD (English-United Kingdom)

Windows 8.1 with Update (multiple editions) (x64) - DVD (English-United Kingdom)

Windows 8.1 Enterprise N with Update (x64) - DVD (English)

Windows 8.1 Professional VL with Update (x64) - DVD (English)

Windows 8.1 N with Update (multiple editions) (x64) - DVD (English)

Windows 8.1 Professional N VL with Update (x64) - DVD (English)

Windows 8.1 with Update (multiple editions) (x64) - DVD (English)

Windows 8.1 Enterprise with Update (x64) - DVD (English)

I'd prefer 8.1 Pro but it seems to be only available as a volume license version. I can request a product key for this from MSDN, so will that allow me to install it on just one PC, or is that not how it works?

Would it be better if I just install the standard version (Windows 8.1 with Update multiple editions), and what does multiple editions mean?

[Azza ☠]

Volume licensing can work on one or many PCs. It's fine to use just on one PC.

The N editions of Windows 8.1 allow you to choose your own media player and software required to manage and play CDs, DVDs, and other digital media files. If you choose to use Windows Media Player 12, downloading it, along with related software, is free.

Suggest: Windows 8.1 Professional N VL with Update (x64) - DVD (English)

ps: Personally I had a MSDN subscription as well, and out of all the Microsoft OS - Vista and Win 8 I hated the most. I don't recommend using it, stick with Win 7 till at least the fixed version Win 10 (Win 8.2 + Win 7) is fully released. Even it's alpha tech demo is better than Win 8.1... which Microsoft has already discontinued (as it's shortest lived OS yet - making less sales than even Vista, boycotted in some countries) and themselves where trying to give away, then bury it.

Plus/Neg side to using Win 8.1:

It has reduced background services, therefore a slightly faster boot speed.

It is just Win 7 Ultimate, which things stripped out and a Metro added for smaller touch screen devices. They actually sell it for cheaper or even give it away free on small devices.

It's cross platform - used on Windows Phone, Tablets, Touch Screens, and the XBOne.

You get an unsecure cloud network, with zero privacy, but can host/share your files online.

It has a micro-transaction store builtin, so you can continuously make new purchases of stuff you don't really need, but it looks nice to have. Also, adding another backdoor into your system.

It's removed components for PC Desktop users, but they can be re-added in at a cost.

[Phil UK 87]

Thanks Azza, I might try that version, but I'll go for the one that includes Media Player because I use it for music. I personally quite like Windows 8.1, I have it on my laptop but it's a shame you have to hack it a bit to get something like the old desktop and start menu. I've heard it's a bit more efficient than Win7, and I like some of the new features. The task manager is especially impressive.

[rotNdude]

http://www.visualstudio.com/en-us/products/msdn-subscriptions-vs#SKUDetailList_1

MSDN subscriptions bring you the most complete library of Microsoft products and services to use for design, development, and testing.

What are you testing, designing or developing that would require you to run it at home?

[Azza ☠]

As I mentioned, that's the N editions for media - which is what I suggested.

Win 8.1 is much more ideal for a laptop, specially if touch screen.

[Phil UK 87]

Originally posted by rotNdude:

http://www.visualstudio.com/en-us/products/msdn-subscriptions-vs#SKUDetailList_1

MSDN subscriptions bring you the most complete library of Microsoft products and services to use for design, development, and testing.

What are you testing, designing or developing that would require you to run it at home?

The software we're developing is targeting Windows 8.1. As I said I often work from home, so it makes sense for me to be running 8.1 especially when it's available to me through MSDN.

Originally posted by Azza ☠:

As I mentioned, that's the N editions for media - which is what I suggested.

Win 8.1 is much more ideal for a laptop, specially if touch screen.

Doesn't the "N" stand for "not including media player" or something like that? I want media player to be included so I should go for the version without "N" in the name, correct?

[Azza ☠]

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows-8/n-editions

It's the same in the long run - yeah your right it doesn't include the media, but lets to download it for free anyways or pick a different third party.

European Commission fined Microsoft a record €497m under an antitrust ruling. Microsoft's bundling of Windows Media Player within Windows was anti-competitive. Therefore the 'N' editions where created to allow the user to pick what they want.

[Phil UK 87]

Yeah I remember seeing that on the news, it kind of makes sense that they were fined for that but there are so many free programs out there anyway.