There are two primary buying choices for Windows XP: Home and Professional. When it comes to choosing which version to install, it is important to note that Windows XP Professional has several benefits over the Home edition.

Business Networks

One of the main features that will draw businesses toward Windows XP Professional is its ability to connect to a business domain, which is normally used as a secure way of sharing files, resources and printers across a business network. Windows XP Home contains only workgroup capabilities, which means that it is unable to join a domain.

Remote Management

Jim Boyce of Tech Republic notes that Windows XP Professional has the built-in capability to be managed remotely by another computer across a network or the Internet. This allows a technician to troubleshoot a computer without having to physically be present with the machine.

Server Capabilities

Boyce adds that Windows XP Professional contains a basic version of Internet Information Services, or IIS, which allows the computer to host a website and an FTP server. It even has the capability to act as an SMTP server, which allows it to relay incoming and outgoing email messages.

Security

Encrypted File System, or EFS, allows you to encrypt and decrypt files and folders on the fly with no additional input from the user. This provides an added layer of security, especially in cases such as laptops where the possibility of the loss or theft of the computer exists.

Data Loss Prevention

John Savill of Windows IT Pro points out that while Windows XP Professional contains the data backup software made popular by Windows 2000, the Home addition does not. The ability to easily back up files is essential in preventing data loss in the event of a hardware failure or system crash.

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Using Windows XP Professional on a Domain

XP Home vs. XP Pro Networking: What's The Difference?

Difference Between Windows XP Pro and Home