Windows 7 editions
From Wikipedia, the free
encyclopedia
According to Microsoft, the features for all editions of Windows 7 are stored on the machine, regardless of which 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]Windows 7, a major release of the Microsoft Windows, is available in six different editions: Starter, Home Basic, Home Premium, Professional, Enterprise and Ultimate. Only Home Premium, Professional, and Ultimate are widely available at retailers.[1] The other editions focus on other markets, such as the developing world or enterprise use. All editions support 32-bit IA-32 CPUs and all editions except Starter support 64-bit x64 CPUs. 64-bit installation media is not included in Home-Basic edition packages, but can be obtained separately from Microsoft.
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. The desktop wallpaper and visual
styles (Windows 7 Basic) are not user-changeable. Microsoft originally intended
to restrict users of this edition to running three 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 support for up to 192 GB of Random-access memory (increased from 16GB),[12]
operating as a Remote Desktop server, location aware
printing, backup to a network location, Encrypting File System, Presentation Mode,
Software Restriction Policies (but not the extra management features of
AppLocker) and Windows XP Mode.[1]
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) and activation via VLK.[13]
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.[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]
All editions will receive Mainstream Support (new features and bug fixes)
until January 2015 and Extended Support (security updates) until January 2020.[14]
Special-purpose
editions
The main editions also can take the form of one of the following special
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.[15]
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.[16]
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][17]
Earlier versions than Windows Vista Service Pack 1 can only be upgraded to
Windows 7 via a clean install.[1][3][18][19]
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.[20]
Standard
upgrade editions
Upgrading from an applicable version of XP and Vista to an applicable
version of Windows 7 is supported, using upgrade editions; however, there is no
direct way to upgrade earlier than Windows Vista Service Pack 1. 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.[21]
Family Pack
Windows 7 is available as a Family Pack upgrade 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.[22]
In the United States, this offer was discontinued in early December 2009.[23]
In October 2010, to commemorate the anniversary of Windows 7, Microsoft
reinstated availability of the Windows 7 Home Premium Family Pack for a limited
time, while supplies lasted.[24]
Upgrade
compatibility
There are two possible ways to upgrade to Windows 7 from an earlier version
of Windows:- An
in-place install (labelled "Upgrade" in the installer), where settings
and programs are preserved from an older version of Windows. This option
is only sometimes available, depending on the editions of Windows being
used, and is not available at all unless upgrading from Windows Vista.[25]
- A clean
install (labelled "Custom" in the installer), where all settings
including but not limited to user accounts, applications, user settings,
music, photos, and programs are erased entirely and the current operating
system is erased and replaced with Windows 7. This option is always
available and is required for versions earlier and up to Windows XP.
Windows 7
Home Basic |
Windows 7
Home Premium |
Windows 7
Professional |
Windows 7
Enterprise |
Windows 7
Ultimate |
|
Windows Vista Home Basic
|
In-place
|
In-place
|
Clean
|
Clean
|
In-place
|
Windows Vista Home Premium
|
Clean
|
In-place
|
Clean
|
Clean
|
In-place
|
Windows Vista Business
|
Clean
|
Clean
|
In-place
|
In-place
|
In-place
|
Windows Vista Ultimate
|
Clean
|
Clean
|
Clean
|
Clean
|
In-place
|
Windows 2000/XP and earlier
|
Clean
|
Clean
|
Clean
|
Clean
|
Clean
|
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).[26]
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).[27][28]- Starter
to Home Premium.
- Starter
to Professional1.
- Starter
to Ultimate1.
- Home
Premium to Professional.
- Home
Premium to Ultimate.
- Professional
to Ultimate1.
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 of Windows 7 for
installation on low performance PCs as an alternative to using a dedicated thin client
device. It succeeded Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs,
which was based on Windows XP Embedded. Windows Thin PC was released on June 6, 2011.[29]
Embedded versions
Windows 7 is also currently
available as a form of Windows Embedded 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).[30]
Comparison chart
Features
|
Starter
|
Home Basic
|
Home Premium
|
Professional
|
Enterprise
|
Ultimate
|
Licensing scheme
|
OEM licensing
|
Retail and OEM
licensing in emerging markets
|
Retail and OEM
licensing
|
Retail and OEM
licensing
|
||
2 GB
|
4 GB
|
4 GB
|
4 GB
|
4 GB
|
4 GB
|
|
N/A
|
8 GB
|
16 GB
|
192 GB
|
192 GB
|
192 GB
|
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Multiple monitors
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
No[38]
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
64-bit versions
|
No
|
Yes, but not in
retail SKUs
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
No
|
Partial
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Internet connection sharing
|
No
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
No
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
No
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
No
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
No
|
No
|
Yes[40]
|
Yes[40]
|
Yes[40]
|
Yes[40]
|
|
Premium games included
|
No
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
HomeGroup support
|
Join only
|
Join only
|
Create or join
|
Create or join
|
Create or join
|
Create or join
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Act as host for Remote Desktop Services
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
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
|
|
Windows Server domain joining
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Software restriction policies
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Remote administration tools
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Active Directory Lightweight Directory Services (AD LDS)[d]
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
Create policies,
but cannot enforce
|
Create and enforce
policies
|
Create and enforce
policies
|
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Windows Media Player multimedia redirection[45]
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
Yes[40]
|
Yes[40]
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Enterprise search scopes[43]:130
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Federated search[46]
|
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
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Supports Multilingual User Interface packages
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) enhancements[43]:130
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) licensed[47]
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
VHD booting
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Switching between any of the 37 available languages[48]
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
Yes[49]
|
Yes
|
Starter
|
Home Basic
|
Home Premium
|
Professional
|
Enterprise
|
Ultimate
|
|
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