Windows 7 is available in six different editions, but only Home Premium, Professional, and Ultimate are widely available at retail.[1] The other editions focus on other markets, such as the developing world or enterprise use. 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.[2] Users who wish to upgrade to an edition of Windows 7 with more features can then useWindows Anytime Upgrade to purchase the upgrade and to unlock the features of those editions.[3][2][1] Microsoft announced Windows 7 pricing information for some editions on June 25, 2009, and Windows Anytime Upgradeand Family Pack pricing on July 31, 2009.[1][4][5]
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[edit]Main editions
- Windows 7 Starter
- Windows 7 Starter is the edition of Windows 7 that contains the fewest features. Windows 7 Starter is only available in a 32-bit version. The Windows Aero theme is not included in this version. The desktop wallpaper and Visual Styles (Windows 7 Basic) are not user-changeable. Microsoft originally intended to restrict the edition to running 3 simultaneous applications but this limitation was dropped.[6]
- This edition is available pre-installed on computers, especially netbooks, through system integrators or computer manufacturers usingOEM licenses.[1][7][8]
- Windows 7 Home Basic
- Windows 7 Home Basic is available in emerging markets such as Argentina, Brazil, Chile, the People's Republic of China, Colombia,India, Pakistan, Panama, Philippines, Mexico, Russia, Thailand, and Turkey.[1] It is not available in developed technology markets countries including in Western and Central Europe, North America, Hong Kong, Australia and Saudi Arabia.[1] Some Aero options are excluded along with several new features.[1] Home Basic, along with other editions sold in emerging markets, include geographicalactivation restriction, which requires users to activate Windows within a certain region or country.[9]
- 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.[10]
- Windows 7 Professional
- This edition is targeted towards enthusiasts and small-business users.[1] It includes all the features of Windows 7 Home Premium, and adds the ability to participate in a Windows Server domain.[1] 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.[1] Like Enterprise, Microsoft will support this edition until 2020.
- 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.[1] Additional features include support for Multilingual User Interface (MUI) packages, BitLocker Drive Encryption, and UNIX application support.[1] Not available through retail or OEM channels, this edition is distributed through Microsoft Software Assurance (SA).[1] As a result it includes several SA-only benefits, including a license allowing the operating of diskless nodes(diskless PCs), the running of multiple virtual machines, and activation via VLK.[11] Like Professional, Microsoft will support this edition until 2020.
- Windows 7 Ultimate
- Windows 7 Ultimate contains all of the same features as Windows 7 Enterprise, but unlike the Enterprise edition, it is available to home users on an individual license basis.[1] 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.[1] Unlike Windows Vista Ultimate, the Windows 7 Ultimate edition does not include the Windows Ultimate Extras feature or any exclusive features as Microsoft had stated.[1] However, even though it is the consumer equivalent to Enterprise, like Home Premium, Microsoft will only support Ultimate until 2015.
- Windows Thin PC
- On February 9th 2011, Microsoft announced Windows Thin PC, a derivative of Windows 7 designed as a lightweight version used only in thin-client scenarios. Microsoft announced that it is expected to become available during early 2011. [12]
[edit]Sub-editions
- E editions
- The features in the E Editions are the same as their equivalent full versions, but do not include Internet Explorer. The cost of the E Editions are the same as the full versions, as Internet Explorer can be downloaded without charge from Microsoft for the E Editions.
- N editions
- The features in the N Editions are the same as their equivalent full versions, but do not include Windows Media Player. The cost of the N Editions are the same as the full versions, as Windows Media Player can be downloaded without charge from Microsoft for the N Editions.
- VL builds
- VL builds work with VLKs (volume license keys). Volume license keys can be used to activate multiple installations of the software without any mechanism (such as a product activation mechanism) checking the total number of installations. The license for the software will place restrictions on the use of the key. Typically the license will limit the key to a fixed number of installations which must only be within the licensee's organization and also place the licensee under an obligation to keep a record of the number of installations, keep the key confidential and possibly even require that the licensee organization makes itself available for a software licensing audit to verify that its use of the key is within the terms of the license.
[edit]Upgrade editions
Windows Vista Service Pack 1 can be upgraded to Windows 7 with an in-place upgrade if the processor architecture, comparable edition, and language version are the same.[3][1][13] Windows XP can only be upgraded to Windows 7 via a clean install.[3][1][14][15] 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.[16]
[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, however there is no direct way to upgrade from Windows XP. Users can upgrade to Vista first then to Windows 7 or use Windows Easy Transfer to collect data and settings from installed programs, install Windows 7 then install their program data and settings from Windows Easy Transfer, then re-install all their programs. Not all programs will install if they don't support Windows 7. The latter method does a fresh install of Windows 7 so all software needs to be re-installed. If the original hardware is kept, suitable drivers will need to be found. 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 genuine copies XP or Vista.[17]
[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 Vista or Windows XP 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.[18] In the United States, this offer was discontinued in early December 2009.[19] Microsoft has since announced it will resume availability of Windows 7 Home Premium Family Pack which will be available starting October 3rd 2010 for a limited time while supplies last.[20]
[edit]Upgrade Compatibility
| 7 Home Premium | 7 Professional | 7 Ultimate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vista Home Basic | |||
| Vista Home Premium | |||
| Vista Business | |||
| Vista Ultimate | |||
| XP |
Key:
Earlier versions of Windows are not eligible to be upgraded to Windows 7 in this way.
[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.[1]There are currently three retail options available (though it is currently unclear whether they can be used with previous installations of the N versions).[21] Currently, there are no plans for family pack versions of the Anytime Upgrade editions. It is possible to use the Product Key from a Standard upgrade edition to accomplish an in-place upgrade (e.g. Home Premium to Ultimate).[22][23]
- Starter to Home Premium.
- Starter to Professional1.
- Starter to Ultimate1.
- Home Premium to Professional.
- Home Premium to Ultimate.
- Professional to Ultimate1.
1Not available in retail, only in the Microsoft Store.
[edit]Embedded versions
Windows 7 is also currently available as an embedded version to developers (previously Windows Embedded 2011).[24]
[edit]Comparison chart
| Features | 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[28] | Retail and OEM licensing | ||
| End of Support[29] | January 13, 2015; | January 13, 2015; | January 13, 2015; | January 14, 2020; | January 14, 2020; | January 13, 2015; |
| N/A | 8 GB | 16 GB | 192 GB | 192 GB | 192 GB | |
| 2 GB | 4 GB | 4 GB | 4 GB | 4 GB | 4 GB | |
| 32-bit and 64-bit versions | 32-bit only | Both[31] (64-bit disc not included) | Both | Both | Both | Both |
| Maximum physical CPUs supported[32] | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| 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 |
| HomeGroup (create and join) | Join only | Join only | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in DVD (MPEG-2 and Dolby Digital) decoders[34] | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Multiple monitors | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| N/A | 32-bit | 32-bit | 32-bit | 32-bit | 32-bit | |
| No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Printing via Internet (IPP) | No [35] | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Internet connection sharing | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| No | Partial | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Premium Games Included | No | No | Yes | Not installed by default | Not installed by default | Yes |
| No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Windows Media Player Remote Media Experience[36] | No | No | Yes[37] | Yes[37] | Yes[37] | Yes[37] |
| No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Location Aware Printing | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Presentation Mode | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Software Restriction Policies | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | |
| Windows Media Player multimedia redirection[42] | No | No | No | No | Yes[37] | Yes[37] |
| Audio recording over Terminal Services[42] | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-display Terminal Services[42] | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Enterprise Search Scopes[39]:130 | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Federated Search[43] | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| No | No | No | Create Policies, But Cannot Enforce | Create and Enforce Policies | Create and Enforce Policies | |
| No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | |
| No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | |
| No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | |
| No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | |
| No | No | No | Yes, purchased separately[citation needed] | Yes | Yes | |
| Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) Enhancements[39]:130 | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Virtual Hard Disk Booting | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| 5DC1 457B C4B3 D940 97F4 99B1 5DFD B3C2 1DAD CDF5 | 1015 74FA A17F DB43 0BB0 2727 1EF0 A58F 0E18 AD47 | CC9D 8220 B217 9E78 4D85 BF1E A98D 2EE2 190D 534F | 697F A065 5450 2FB2 1D30 2752 73B2 5747 299C 020D | C6B9 05E4 8FDB 6CB5 BFCA 9677 15A6 4461 B812 D40C | 5395 DC4B 38F7 BDB1 E005 FF41 4DEE DFDB 16DB F610 | |
| English Retail 7600 SHA-1 64-bit | 32 Bit Only | 32 Bit Only | 3367 1234 6B65 BABI 11A6 09B4 D021 439C 47AB 315B | 5012 7304 441A 793E E51B 3F50 1289 F659 9A55 9E9F | A89D CE70 6D52 7206 CB46 4EF8 6ACD 3A3D 13A3 32DB | 3263 27CC 2FF9 F053 79F5 058C 41BE 6BC5 E004 BAA7 |
| | Starter | Home Basic | Home Premium | Professional | Enterprise | Ultimate |
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