Windows 7 Editions

Microsoft released Windows 7 in six different editions: Home Basic, Home Premium, Professional, Enterprise and Ultimate.  Home Premium, Professional, and Ultimate are widely available at retailers. 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 to unlock the features of those editions. 

Main editions of Windows 7 are discussed as under :

1. Windows 7 Starter

Windows 7 Starter is the edition of Windows 7 that contains the fewest features. It is only available in a 32-bit version and does not include the Windows Aero theme. Windows 7 starter can only run three programs at a time.

2. Windows 7 Home Basic

Windows 7 Home Basic is available in "emerging market". this version adds better graphics and Internet connection sharing to the Starter edition.

Some of the features Home Basic has over Starter are the ability to run more than three applications at once; a 64-bit version; thumbnail previews from the taskbar; and Mobility Center, which allows you to manage the various networks that you connect to with your laptop.

3. Windows 7 Home Premium

This edition contains features aimed at the home market segment, such as Windows Media Center, Windows Aero and multi-touch support.

Built to fill most consumers’ needs, this version includes programs for watching and recording TV on the PC as well as for creating DVDs from videos.

      4. Windows 7 Professional

This edition is targeted towards enthusiasts and small-business users.It includes all the features of Windows 7 Home Premium, and adds the ability to participate in a Windows Server Domain. Additional features include support for up to 192 GB of Random access memory ,operating as a Remote Desktop server, Encrypted File system, Presentation Mode, Software Restriction Policies.

      5. 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.^] Additional features include support for Multilingual User Interface (MUI) packages and BitLocker drive encryption.

      6. 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.

Microsoft has said that OEMs will be able to pre-install Windows 7 Ultimate on new machines and that there will be limited availability in retail.