Windows 7 editions

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of a series on

New features
Removed features
Editions
Development history

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 IA-32 CPUs and all editions except Starter support the x64 CPUs. (64-bit installation media is not included in Home Basic edition packages, 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 use Windows Anytime Upgrade to purchase the upgrade and to unlock the features of those editions.[1][2][3] 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.[1][4][5]

Contents

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 using OEM licenses.[1][7][8]
Windows 7 Home Basic
Windows 7 Home Basic is available in "emerging markets", in 141 different countries.[9] Some Windows Aero options are excluded along with several new features.[1] 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.[10]
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.[11]
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.[12] 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.[13]

Sub-editions

N and KN editions
The features in the N and KN Editions are the same as their equivalent full versions, but do not include Windows Media Player or other Windows Media-related technologies, such as Windows Media Center and Windows DVD Maker.[14] The cost of the N and KN Editions are the same as the full versions, as the Media Feature Pack for Windows 7 N or Windows 7 KN can be downloaded without charge from Microsoft.[15]
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.

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.[1][3][16] Windows XP can only be upgraded to Windows 7 via a clean install.[1][3][17][18] However, in some countries, Microsoft has recommended a clean install regardless of whether going from XP or Vista, with reasoning that has not been made clear.[19]

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.[20]

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.[21] In the United States, this offer was discontinued in early December 2009.[22] Microsoft has since announced it will resume availability of Windows 7 Home Premium Family Pack which will be available starting October 3, 2010 for a limited time while supplies last.[23]

Upgrade compatibility

There are two possible ways to upgrade to Windows 7 from an earlier version of Windows:

The table below lists which upgrade paths allow for an in-place install. Note that in-place upgrades can only be performed when the previous version of Windows is of the same architecture. If upgrading from a 32-bit installation to a 64-bit installation, a clean install is mandatory regardless of the editions being used.

7 Home Basic 7 Home Premium 7 Professional 7 Enterprise 7 Ultimate
Vista Home Basic In-place In-place Clean Clean In-place
Vista Home Premium Clean In-place Clean Clean In-place
Vista Business Clean Clean In-place In-place In-place
Vista Ultimate Clean Clean Clean Clean In-place
2000/XP Clean Clean Clean Clean Clean

Key:

  In-place installation option available.
  Requires clean install.

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).[25] 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).[26][27]

1Not available in retail, only at the Microsoft Store

Derivatives

Windows Thin PC
On February 9, 2011, Microsoft announced Windows Thin PC, a branded derivative of Windows Embedded Standard 7 with Service Pack 1, designed as a lightweight version used only in thin client scenarios. It succeeded Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs, which was based on Windows XP Embedded. Microsoft announced that it is expected to become available during early 2011.[28] A Community Technology Preview (CTP) version was released publicly on March 28 through their Connect website.[29] On May 2, a Release Candidate (RC) was made available on their website. On June 6, Windows Thin PC was released. Microsoft promised that it would be generally available for download on July 1.[30]
Embedded versions
Windows 7 is also currently available as an embedded version to developers, named as Windows 7 Embedded Standard (previously known as Windows Embedded 2011, the newest being Windows Embedded Standard 7 with Service Pack 1).[31]

Comparison chart

Windows 7 edition comparison chart[1][3][4][12][17][32][33][34]
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[35] Volume licensing[35] Retail and OEM licensing
End of Support[36] January 13, 2015;
2 years' time (2015-01-13)		 January 13, 2015;
2 years' time (2015-01-13)		 January 13, 2015;
2 years' time (2015-01-13)		 January 14, 2020;
7 years' time (2020-01-14)		 January 14, 2020;
7 years' time (2020-01-14)		 January 13, 2015;
2 years' time (2015-01-13)
Maximum physical memory (RAM) (x64)[37] N/A 8 GB 16 GB 192 GB 192 GB 192 GB
Maximum physical memory (RAM) (IA-32)[37] 2 GB 4 GB 4 GB 4 GB 4 GB 4 GB
Incoming file and printer sharing connections[38] ? 5 10 10 10 10
32-bit and 64-bit versions 32-bit only Both[39] (64-bit disc not included) Both Both Both Both
Maximum physical CPUs supported[40] 1 1 1 2 2 2
Backup and Restore Center[41] Cannot back up to network (Backup to network and local hard disk, restore) 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) decoder[42] No No Yes Yes Yes Yes
Built-in AVCHD support[43] Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Multiple monitors No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Color depth N/A 32-bit 32-bit 32-bit 32-bit 32-bit
Fast user switching No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Desktop Window Manager No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Windows Mobility Center No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Printing via Internet (IPP) No[44] Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Internet connection sharing No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Windows Aero No Partial Yes Yes Yes Yes
Windows Parental Controls[38] No Yes 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[45] No No Yes[46] Yes[46] Yes[46] Yes[46]
Dynamic Disks[47] 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[48] No No No Yes Yes Yes
Offline Files and Folder redirection[48] No No No Yes Yes Yes
Windows Server domain joining No No No Yes Yes Yes
Windows XP Mode[49] No No No Yes Yes Yes
Software Restriction Policies No No No Yes Yes Yes
AppLocker No No No Create Policies, But Cannot Enforce Create and Enforce Policies Create and Enforce Policies
Aero glass remoting[50][51] No No No No Yes Yes
Windows Media Player multimedia redirection[51] No No No No Yes[46] Yes[46]
Audio recording over Terminal Services[51] No No No No Yes Yes
Multi-display Terminal Services[51] No No No No Yes Yes
Enterprise Search Scopes[48]:130 No No No No Yes Yes
Federated Search[52] No No No No Yes Yes
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[48]:130 No No No No Yes Yes
Virtual Hard Disk Booting No No No No Yes Yes
Switching between any of the 35 available languages[53] No No No No Yes[54] Yes
Starter Home Basic Home Premium Professional Enterprise Ultimate

References

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  2. ^ a b LeBlanc, Brandon (2009-02-09). "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. 
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  8. ^ "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. 
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  12. ^ a b "Products: Windows 7 Enterprise". Microsoft. https://www.microsoft.com/windows/enterprise/products/windows-7-enterprise.aspx. Retrieved 2009-04-02. 
  13. ^ "Microsoft Support Lifecycle". Microsoft. http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/?p1=14498. Retrieved 2011-11-23. 
  14. ^ "Description of the Windows Media Feature Pack for Windows 7 N and for Windows 7 KN". Microsoft. 2009-11-10. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/968211. Retrieved 2011-04-24. 
  15. ^ "Media Feature Pack for Windows 7 N with Service Pack 1 and Windows 7 KN with Service Pack 1 (KB968211)". Microsoft. 2011-03-07. http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=31017ed3-166a-4c75-b90c-a6cef9b414c4. Retrieved 2011-04-24. 
  16. ^ "The Microsoft Windows 7 Upgrade Program Rev. 2.0". Tech ARP. 2009-02-10. http://www.techarp.com/showarticle.aspx?artno=609&pgno=1. Retrieved 2009-02-10. 
  17. ^ 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. 
  18. ^ Fiveash, Kelly (2009-02-05). "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. 
  19. ^ "Party with Windows 7 - Your PC with Windows 7 - easier, faster, safer". Microsoft. http://emea.microsoftstore.com/UK/Microsoft/Windows/Windows-7/?WT.mc_id=MSCOMUK_HomePage_Buy_Windowstab. Retrieved 2009-09-14. 
  20. ^ "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. 
  21. ^ steam blog, dated 2009/07/31, accessed 2009-09-16.
  22. ^ Windows 7 Family Pack Discontinued
  23. ^ Family Pack returns in time for the Anniversary of Windows 7
  24. ^ "Windows 7 Upgrade Paths". Microsoft. http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd772579%28WS.10%29.aspx. Retrieved 2011-09-13. 
  25. ^ "Windows Anytime Upgrades". Amazon. http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss?url=search-alias%3Dsoftware&field-keywords=windows+7+anytime+upgrade&x=0&y=0. Retrieved 2009-09-14. 
  26. ^ "Ultimate steal - Windows 7 Premium ok for Windows 7 Starter?". Microsoft. 2010-02-02. http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w7install/thread/08145695-018d-4478-ba95-9515af527fb0. Retrieved 2010-08-13. 
  27. ^ "Windows 7 Student upgrade". Microsoft. 2009-12-20. http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w7install/thread/73fc3533-3e2a-498b-b424-37182c9ad812. Retrieved 2010-08-13. 
  28. ^ "Windows 7 Updates deliver more bang for your buck". Microsoft. http://windowsteamblog.com/windows/b/business/archive/2011/02/09/windows-7-updates-deliver-more-bang-for-your-buck.aspx. Retrieved 2011-02-11. 
  29. ^ "Microsoft releases Windows Thin PC public test build". http://www.zdnet.com/blog/microsoft/microsoft-releases-windows-thin-pc-public-test-build/9033. 
  30. ^ "Windows Thin PC". Microsoft Connect. Microsoft Corporation. https://connect.microsoft.com/site1223. Retrieved 7 July 2011. "We are excited to announce that Windows Thin PC reached RTM milestone on June 6th, 2011 and will be generally available for download on July 1, 2011." (registration required)
  31. ^ "Windows Embedded Standard 7 Overview". Microsoft. http://www.microsoft.com/windowsembedded/en-us/products/westandard/default.mspx. Retrieved 2010-04-13. 
  32. ^ "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. 
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  34. ^ 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. 
  35. ^ a b Schuster, Gavriella (2009-09-01). "Which Windows 7 Is Best for You?". Microsoft. http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/business/archive/2009/09/01/windows-7-volume-license-and-trial-availability.aspx. Retrieved 2010-08-01. 
  36. ^ "Support Lifecycle Index". Microsoft. 2010-03-12. http://support.microsoft.com/gp/lifeselectindex#W. Retrieved 2010-01-01. 
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  38. ^ a b Tulloch, Mitch; Northrup, Tony; Honeycutt, Jerry (2010). Windows 7 Resource Kit. Redmond, Washington: Microsoft Press. pp. 29–30. ISBN 9780735642775. 
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  40. ^ "Windows 7 System Requirements". http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/get/system-requirements.aspx. Retrieved 29 September 2010. 
  41. ^ Which one is right for you? - Microsoft Windows
  42. ^ Windows 7 Product Editions Overview
  43. ^ "Windows Media Player 12". Windows 7 Features. Microsoft Corporation. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/products/features/windows-media-player-12. Retrieved 22 October 2011. 
  44. ^ "Internet Printing client on Windows 7 Starter". http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en/w7itpronetworking/thread/233bb347-43ad-4cf5-82a7-f7d503fe56ae. Retrieved 2010-11-22. 
  45. ^ Feature of Windows Media Player which enables the use and control of media libraries on other computers.
  46. ^ a b c d e f Windows 7 N Edition does not include Windows Media Player.
  47. ^ "You cannot select or format a hard disk partition when you try to install Windows Vista, Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2". Microsoft. 2007-09-14. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927520/en-us. Retrieved 2009-12-17. 
  48. ^ a b c d Windows 7 Product Guide
  49. ^ 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 available as a free download from Microsoft.
  50. ^ 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. 
  51. ^ 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. 
  52. ^ "Microsoft Windows Enterprise: Windows 7 Features". Microsoft. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/enterprise/products/windows-7/features.aspx#enterprisesearch. Retrieved 2009-11-24. 
  53. ^ "Why buy Windows 7 Ultimate?". Microsoft. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/products/why-buy-windows-7-ultimate. Retrieved 2011-08-09. 
  54. ^ "Windows 7 language packs are available for computers that are running Windows 7 Ultimate or Windows 7 Enterprise". Microsoft. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/972813/en-us. Retrieved 2011-08-19. 

Further reading

  1. "Windows 7 Lineup Offers Clear Choice for Consumers and Businesses". Microsoft News Center (Redmond, Washington: Microsoft). February 3, 2009. http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/features/2009/feb09/02-03Win7SKU-QA.mspx. Retrieved June 6, 2011. 
  2. "Brief: Licensing Windows 7 for Use with Virtual Machine Technologies" (.docx). Microsoft Volume Licensing. Microsoft. March 2010. http://download.microsoft.com/download/3/d/4/3d42bdc2-6725-4b29-b75a-a5b04179958b/licensing_windows7_with_VM_technologies.docx. Retrieved June 6, 2011. 
  3. Thurrott, Paul (October 6, 2010). "Windows 7 Product Editions: A Comparison". Paul Thurrott's SuperSite for Windows. http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/win7_skus_compare.asp. Retrieved June 6, 2011. 

External links

DOS-Based
Windows 9x
Windows NT
Early versions[lower-greek 1]
Client releases
Specialized
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Mobile
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Notes:

  1. ^ These operating systems have both client and server editions.