Windows 7 Version

Why are there so many versions of Windows 7? That is exactly the question I asked when Microsoft announced the version details, and I always got the same “one size does not fit all” explanation. With more than a billion Windows users worldwide and thousands of individual markets, Microsoft decided to offer a variety of versions tailored to different markets. For most of the world, two main versions will be offered when you walk in to your local electronics store:

1. Windows 7 Home Premium
2. Windows 7 Professional

The remaining versions are for specific markets:

• Windows 7 Starter Edition is primarily for Netbooks
• Windows 7 Home Basic is for emerging markets
• Windows 7 Enterprise is for large enterprises
• Windows 7 Ultimate is for enthusiasts

In some countries some versions are not available. For example, in the United States, consumers can only purchase Home, Professional, and Ultimate versions. Starter Edition can only be purchased by computer manufacturers (OEMs) and Home Basic is not offered at all. Additionally, Enterprise requires enterprises to have a Volume License agreement with Microsoft to obtain that version. Now that I have explained the different versions and what is available, it is important to understand the technical differences among the versions. Why should you buy Professional instead of Home? Do you really need Ultimate? These questions can be answered by looking at what features are offered in each version to match your needs. To help, look at the version matrix in Table to see what features are in each version.

FEATURES	STARTER	HOME BASIC	HOME PREMIUM	PROFESSIONAL	ENTERPRISE & ULTIMATE
Max Processors	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited
Max Ram 32-Bit Version	4GB	4GB	4GB	4GB	4GB
Max Ram 64-Bit Version	8GB	8GB	16GB	192GB	192GB
Windows Search	X	X	X	X	X
Join a HomeGroup	X	X	X	X	X
Windows Media Player	X	X	X	X	X
Backup and Restore	X	X	X	X	X
Action Center	X	X	X	X	X
Device Stage	X	X	X	X	X
Home Media Streaming	X	X	X	X	X
Bluetooth Support	X	X	X	X	X
Fax and Scan	X	X	X	X	X
Basic Games	X	X	X	X	X
Credential Manager	X	X	X	X	X
Live Taskbar Thumbnail Previews		X	X	X	X
Fast User Switching		X	X	X	X
Create ad- hoc Wireless Networks		X	X	X	X
Internet Connection Sharing		X	X	X	X
Multi-Monitor Support		X	X	X	X
Windows Mobility Center		X	X	X	X
Aero Glass			X	X	X
Advanced Windows Navigation			X	X	X
Windows Touch (Multi-Touch and Tablet Support)			X	X	X
Create a HomeGroup			X	X	X
Windows Media Center			X	X	X
Remote Media Streaming			X	X	X
DVD Playback			X	X	X
Premium Games			X	X	X
Snipping Tool			X	X	X
Sticky Notes			X	X	X
Windows Sideshow			X	X	X
Location Aware Printing				X	X
Domain Join and Group Policy Controls				X	X
Remote Desktop Host				X	X
Advanced Backup				X	X
Encrypted File System				X	X
Windows XP Mode				X	X
Windows Presentation Mode				X	X
Offline Folders				X	X
BitLocker Drive Encryption					X
BitLocker To Go					X
AppLocker					X
DirectAccess					X
BranchCache					X
MUI Language Packs					X
Enterprise Search Scopes					X
VDI Enhancements					X
Boot from VHD					X