Windows 7 editions

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Windows 7 is available in six different editions, but only Home Premium, Professional and Ultimate are widely available at retail.[1] The other editions are focused at other markets, such as the developing world or enterprise use.[1] Each edition of Windows 7 includes all of the capabilities and features of the edition below it.[1][2][3][4][5] All editions support the 32-bit (IA-32) processor architecture and all editions except Starter support the 64-bit (x86-64) processor architecture (64-bit installation media is not included in Home Basic edition, but can be obtained from Microsoft).

According to Microsoft, the features for all editions of Windows 7 are stored on the machine, regardless of what edition is in use.[6] Users who wish to upgrade to an edition of Windows 7 with more features can then use Windows Anytime Upgrade to purchase the upgrade, and unlock the features of those editions.[2][6][7] Microsoft announced Windows 7 pricing information for some editions on June 25, 2009, and Windows Anytime Upgrade and Family Pack pricing on July 31, 2009.[7][8][9]

Contents

[edit] Standard editions

Windows 7 Starter
The least-featured edition of Windows 7. The Windows Aero theme is not included in this version, and it is not available in a 64-bit variant. The desktop wallpaper, and Visual Style (Windows 7 Basic) is also not user-changeable. This edition is available pre-installed on computers through system integrators or computer manufacturers.[10][11][12]
Windows 7 Home Basic
Windows 7 Home Basic is available in emerging markets such as , Brazil, People's Republic of China, India, Pakistan, the Philippines, Mexico, and Thailand.[13] It is not available in countries such as Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States.[13] Some Aero options are excluded along with several new features.[13] Home Basic, along with other editions sold in emerging markets, include geographical activation restriction, which requires users to activate Windows within a certain region or country.[14]
Windows 7 Home Premium
This edition contains features aimed at the home market segment, such as Windows Media Center, Windows Aero and touch-screen controls.[15]
Windows 7 Professional
This edition is targeted towards enthusiasts and small business users.[16] It includes all the features of Windows 7 Home Premium, and adds the ability to participate in a Windows Server domain.[16] Additional features include operating as a Remote Desktop server, location aware printing, Encrypting File System, Presentation Mode, Software Restriction Policies (but not the extra management features of AppLocker) and Windows XP Mode.[16]
Windows 7 Enterprise
This edition targets the enterprise segment of the market and is sold through volume licensing to companies which have a Software Assurance contract with Microsoft.[17] Additional features include support for Multilingual User Interface (MUI) packages, BitLocker Drive Encryption, and UNIX application support.[17] Not available through retail or OEM channels, this edition is distributed through Microsoft Software Assurance (SA).[17] As a result it includes several SA-only benefits, including a license allowing the running of multiple virtual machines, and activation via VLK.[14]
Windows 7 Ultimate
Windows 7 Ultimate contains the same features as Windows 7 Enterprise, but unlike the Enterprise edition, it is available to home users on an individual license basis.[18] Windows 7 Home Premium and Windows 7 Professional users are able to upgrade to Windows 7 Ultimate for a fee using Windows Anytime Upgrade if they wish to do so.[7] Unlike Windows Vista Ultimate, the Windows 7 Ultimate edition does not include the Windows Ultimate Extras feature or any exclusive features.[18]

[edit] Upgrade editions

Windows Vista can be upgraded to Windows 7 with an in-place upgrade if the processor architecture, comparable edition, and language version are the same.[2][7][19] Windows XP can only be upgraded to Windows 7 via a clean install.[2][7][20][21]. However, in some countries, Microsoft has recommended a clean install regardless of whether going from XP or Vista, with reasoning which has not been made clear.[22]

[edit] Standard upgrade editions

Windows 7 supports upgrading from an applicable version of XP, and Vista to an applicable version of Windows 7 via Upgrade Editions. The options mean that users can update freely from any previous version to any of the new three retail editions of Windows 7: Home Premium, Professional, or Ultimate (plus in Europe, and possibly South Korea, these Upgrade Editions also come in optional N versions). Discounted upgrade pricing is only available to current users of XP or Vista.[23]

[edit] Standard upgrade editions (Family Packs)

Windows 7 is available as an Upgrade Family Pack edition in certain markets, to upgrade to Windows 7 Home Premium only. It gives licenses to upgrade three machines from XP (any edition) or Vista (Starter, Home Basic and Home Premium editions only) to the Windows 7 Home Premium edition. These are not full versions, so each machine to be upgraded must have one of these qualifying previous versions of Windows for them to work.[24] At least in the United States, this offer was discontinued in early December 2009.

[edit] Anytime Upgrade editions

Windows 7 also supports in-place upgrades from a lower edition of Windows 7 to a higher one using the Windows Anytime Upgrade tool.[7] There are currently three retail options available (though it is currently unclear whether they can be used with previous installations of the N versions):[25] Currently, there are no plans for family pack versions of the Anytime Upgrade editions. It's possible to use the Product Key from a Standard upgrade edition to accomplish an in-place upgrade (e.g. Home Premium to Ultimate).

  • Starter to Home Premium.
  • Home Premium to Professional.
  • Professional to Ultimate.
  • Home Premium to Ultimate.

[edit] Comparison chart

Windows 7 Edition comparison chart[1][2][4][5][8][14][20][26]
Features / Availability Starter Home Basic Home Premium Professional Enterprise Ultimate
OEM licensing Retail and OEM licensing in Emerging markets Retail and OEM licensing Retail, OEM and Volume licensing[27] Volume licensing[27] Retail and OEM licensing
End of Support[28] 2015.01.13 2015.01.13 2015.01.13 2020.01.14 2020.01.14 2015.01.13
Full Package Retail Pricing Not available in retail markets Not available in developed markets US$199.99 US$299.99 Not available in retail markets US$319.99
Upgrade Package Retail Pricing US$119.99 US$199.99 US$219.99
OEM Package Retail Pricing US$104.99 US$139.99 US$179.99
Maximum physical memory (64-bit mode)[29][30] N/A 8 GB 16 GB 192 GB 192 GB 192 GB
32-bit and 64-bit versions 32-bit only Both (64-bit disc not included) Both Both Both Both
Maximum physical CPUs supported [31] 1 1 1 2 2 2
Backup and Restore Center[32] Cannot back up to network Cannot back up to network Cannot back up to network Yes Yes Yes
Remote Desktop (Client and Host) Client only Client only Client only Yes Yes Yes
Home Group (create and join) Join only Join only Yes Yes Yes Yes
Multiple monitors No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Fast user switching No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Desktop Wallpaper Changeable No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Desktop Window Manager No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Windows Mobility Center No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Windows Aero No Partial Yes Yes Yes Yes
Multi-Touch No No Yes Yes Yes Yes
Premium Games Included No No Yes Disabled by default Disabled by default Yes
Windows Media Center No No Yes Yes Yes Yes
Windows Media Player Remote Media Experience[33] No No Yes Yes Yes Yes
Dynamic Disks [34] No No No Yes Yes Yes
Encrypting File System No No No Yes Yes Yes
Location Aware Printing No No No Yes Yes Yes
Presentation Mode No No No Yes Yes Yes
Group Policy[35] No No No Yes Yes Yes
Offline Files and Folder redirection[35] No No No Yes Yes Yes
Windows Server domain joining No No No Yes Yes Yes
Windows XP Mode[36] No No No Yes Yes Yes
Software Restriction Policies No No No Yes Yes Yes
Aero glass remoting[37][38] No No No No Yes Yes
Windows Media Player multimedia redirection[38] No No No No Yes Yes
Audio recording over Terminal Services[38] No No No No Yes Yes
Multi-display Terminal Services[38] No No No No Yes Yes
Enterprise Search Scopes[35]:130 No No No No Yes Yes
Federated Search[39] No No No No Yes Yes
AppLocker No No No Create Policies, But Cannot Enforce Create and Enforce Polices Create and Enforce Polices
BitLocker Drive Encryption No No No No Yes Yes
BranchCache Distributed Cache No No No No Yes Yes
DirectAccess No No No No Yes Yes
Subsystem for Unix-based Applications No No No No Yes Yes
Multilingual User Interface Pack No No No No Yes Yes
Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) Enhancements[35]:130 No No No No Yes Yes
Virtual Hard Disk Booting No No No No Yes Yes

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d "All Windows 7 Versions--What You Need to Know". ExtremeTech. 2009-02-05. http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,2845,2340431,00.asp. Retrieved 2009-02-05. 
  2. ^ a b c d e Thurrott, Paul (2009-02-03). "Windows 7 Product Editions". http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/win7_skus.asp. Retrieved 2009-02-03. 
  3. ^ "Windows 7 will come in many flavors". CNET News. 2009-02-03. http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-10155193-56.html. Retrieved 2009-02-03. 
  4. ^ a b "Windows 7 Editions - Features on Parade". Softpedia. 2009-02-05. http://news.softpedia.com/news/Windows-7-Editions-Features-on-Parade-103766.shtml. Retrieved 2009-02-05. 
  5. ^ a b "Windows 7: Which Edition is Right For You?". PCWorld. 2009-02-03. http://www.pcworld.com/article/158870/microsoft_announces_six_windows_7_editions.html. Retrieved 2009-02-05. 
  6. ^ a b LeBlanc, Brandon (February 9, 2009). "A closer look at the Windows 7 SKUs". Windows Team Blog. Microsoft. http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/windows7/archive/2009/02/04/a-closer-look-at-the-windows-7-skus.aspx. Retrieved 2009-02-09. 
  7. ^ a b c d e f "All Windows 7 Versions--What You Need to Know - Release Date, Cost, and Upgrades". ExtremeTech. 2009-02-05. http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,2845,2340432,00.asp. Retrieved 2009-02-16. 
  8. ^ a b "Microsoft unveils 'screaming deals' for Windows 7". ZDNet. 2009-06-25. http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=1090. Retrieved 2009-06-25. 
  9. ^ "Windows Anytime Upgrade and Family Pack Pricing". Microsoft. 2009-07-31. http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/windows7/archive/2009/07/31/windows-anytime-upgrade-and-family-pack-pricing.aspx. Retrieved 2009-07-31. 
  10. ^ "All Windows 7 Versions--What You Need to Know - Windows 7 Starter". ExtremeTech. 2009-02-05. http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,2845,2340433,00.asp. Retrieved 2009-02-05. 
  11. ^ "Windows 7 Wins on Netbook PCs". Microsoft. 2009-02-03. http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/features/2009/feb09/02-03NetbooksQA.mspx?rss_fdn=Top+Stories. Retrieved 2009-02-03. 
  12. ^ "Microsoft forbids changes to Windows 7 netbook wallpaper". The Register. 2009-06-19. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/06/19/oems_cant_brand_windows_7_starter_desktop/. Retrieved 2009-10-22. 
  13. ^ a b c "All Windows 7 Versions--What You Need to Know - Windows 7 Home Basic". ExtremeTech. 2009-02-05. http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,2845,2340438,00.asp. Retrieved 2009-02-05. 
  14. ^ a b c "How to Tell: Geographically Restricted Microsoft Software". Microsoft. http://www.microsoft.com/howtotell/geo/. Retrieved 2009-11-17. 
  15. ^ "All Windows 7 Versions--What You Need to Know - Windows Home Premium". ExtremeTech. 2009-02-05. http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,2845,2340434,00.asp. Retrieved 2009-02-05. 
  16. ^ a b c "All Windows 7 Versions--What You Need to Know - Windows 7 Professional". ExtremeTech. 2009-02-05. http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,2845,2340435,00.asp. Retrieved 2009-02-05. 
  17. ^ a b c "All Windows 7 Versions--What You Need to Know - Windows 7 Enterprise". ExtremeTech. 2009-02-05. http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,2845,2340436,00.asp. Retrieved 2009-02-05. 
  18. ^ a b "All Windows 7 Versions--What You Need to Know - Windows 7 Ultimate". ExtremeTech. 2009-02-05. http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,2845,2340437,00.asp. Retrieved 2009-02-05. 
  19. ^ "The Microsoft Windows 7 Upgrade Program Rev. 2.0". Tech ARP. February 10, 2009. http://www.techarp.com/showarticle.aspx?artno=609&pgno=1. Retrieved 2009-02-10. 
  20. ^ a b Foley, Mary-Jo (2009-02-03). "Microsoft’s Windows 7 line-up: The good, the bad and the ugly". ZDNet. http://blogs.zdnet.com/microsoft/?p=1890. Retrieved 2009-02-17. 
  21. ^ Fiveash, Kelly (5 February, 2009). "Windows 7 'upgrade' doesn't mark XP spot". Channel Register. The Register. http://www.channelregister.co.uk/2009/02/05/windows_xp_7_vista_upgrade/. Retrieved 2009-02-12. 
  22. ^ Microsoft Store UK - Windows 7, accessed 2009-09-14.
  23. ^ "Microsoft Store UK - Windows 7". http://emea.microsoftstore.com/UK/Microsoft/Windows/Windows-7/?WT.mc_id=MSCOMUK_HomePage_Buy_Windowstab. Retrieved 2009-09-14. 
  24. ^ Windows steam blog, dated 2009/07/31, accessed 2009-09-16.
  25. ^ Amazon UK - Windows Anytime Upgrades, accessed 2009-09-14.
  26. ^ Bott, Ed (2009-06-03). "From Starter to Ultimate: What's really in each Windows 7 Edition?". ZDNet. http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=1031. Retrieved 2009-08-14. 
  27. ^ a b Windows 7 Volume License and Trial Availability
  28. ^ Support Lifecycle index
  29. ^ All 32-bit variants of Windows 7 are limited to 4 GB of physical memory. However, because of the PCI hole,[clarification needed] 32-bit installations of Windows 7 will report less than 4 GB of memory. Windows 7 Starter is limited to 2GB.
  30. ^ "Physical Memory Limits for Windows Releases". Microsoft. http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa366778(VS.85).aspx#physical_memory_limits_windows_7. Retrieved 29 October 2009. 
  31. ^ http://www.microsoft.com/about/legal/useterms/default.aspx
  32. ^ Which one is right for you? - Microsoft Windows
  33. ^ Feature of Windows Media Player which enables the use and control of media libraries on other computers.
  34. ^ You cannot select or format a hard disk partition when you try to install Windows Vista, Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2
  35. ^ a b c d Windows 7 Product Guide
  36. ^ Windows Virtual PC including a complete copy of Windows XP with Service Pack 3 using Remote Desktop Protocol to display individual applications integrated with the host OS (Windows 7). Windows XP Mode is set to be available as a free download from Microsoft when Windows 7 is released.
  37. ^ Terminal services team (2009-06-23). "Aero Glass Remoting in Windows Server 2008 R2". Microsoft. http://blogs.msdn.com/rds/archive/2009/06/23/aero-glass-remoting-in-windows-server-2008-r2.aspx. Retrieved 2009-09-16. 
  38. ^ a b c d Terminal Services Team (2009-08-21). "Remote Desktop Connection 7 for Windows 7, Windows XP & Windows Vista". Microsoft. http://blogs.msdn.com/rds/archive/2009/08/21/remote-desktop-connection-7-for-windows-7-windows-xp-windows-vista.aspx#9902608. Retrieved 2009-10-27. 
  39. ^ "Microsoft Windows Enterprise: Windows 7 Features". Microsoft. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/enterprise/products/windows-7/features.aspx#enterprisesearch. Retrieved 2009-11-24. 

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