Purpose

• Windows XP Professional Edition's main target is for business and office use. It is not typically any more useful at home than the Home edition, but sometimes can be, particularly for those who are starting a home business or who telecommute.
  
  

Networking

• Windows XP Professional is built for corporate networking and can be used to logon to Active Directory Domains. That allows for all computers on the network to share files, user profiles, applications, and more.
  
  

Security

• The security features in Windows XP Professional are far more advanced than in the Home edition. They allow for tighter restrictions on access to files and servers and a greater level of control over file and application sharing.
  
  

Backup

• Professional Edition employs an automated recovery system. That is superior to the Home edition which requires the use of a recovery CD.
  
  

Requirements

• Windows XP Professional has the same minimum requirements as the Home edition: a minimum 233 Mhz processor, 64 MB of RAM, and 1.5 GB of free hard-drive space.