What is the real difference between winxp home and pro?

can someone specify the exact difference between winxp pro and home and what are the advantages?

Also on service pack 2 why did they get rid of the windows xp pro or home designation when you boot?

What is the real difference between winxp home and pro?internet explorer 7

The Microsoft site will give you the benefits (marketing fluff) of one vs another instead of the true difference, but bottom line here is the difference:

For MOST (99%) of the typical home user (surf, email, productivity), there will be ZERO difference. For the 1% and business who want more networking and security OPTIONS, the pro is for them.

What do I mean networking and security options?

Networking: The ability to join a corporate domain (named) to use their resources and active directory services.

Security: The ability to have FULL control of all POLICY options instead of using Microsofts inflexible defaults that will work in MOST cases.

Regarding applications, you can freely load on either without compromise. Whats good for one is good for the other...unless the application needs the domain services from above.

EDIT: Dont know why the common welcome screen changed.