- 1. Introducing Windows 7
- Whats New in Windows 7?
- Differences Among Windows 7 Versions
- Windows 7 on the Corporate Network
This chapter is from the book
This chapter is from the book
This chapter is from the book
Differences Among Windows 7 Versions
Windows 7 comes in six basic versions in the U.S. market:
- Windows 7 Starter
- Windows 7 Home Basic
- Windows 7 Home Premium
- Windows 7 Professional
- Windows 7 Enterprise
- Windows 7 Ultimate
Although all versions contain the same integrated applications and many of the same multimedia features, Professional and Enterprise editions include greater security and emphasize the needs of the business sector (Enterprise is available only through special corporate licensing agreements, not via retail). The Starter version is available only pre-installed on low-end PCs (primarily netbook PCs). Home versions emphasize the multimedia experience. For the buyer who has to have it all, the Ultimate version leaves nothing out.
Furthermore, 64-bit versions are available for all platforms. As of this writing, most users will be running the x86 code base because their computers have 4GB or less RAM installed. But as more computers begin to ship with 4GB or more RAM installed, that will change. Then 64-bit CPUs, such as AMD’s Athlon 64 and Opteron, or Intel’s Core Duo and i7 families, can take advantage of their speed and other enhancements.
The 64-bit versions use an emulation layer called WOW64 to run Win32-based applications, although, for best performance, Microsoft recommends using 32-bit software on 32-bit Windows systems. The emulation feature enables organizations to use their Itanium-based systems with existing Windows applications until they create 64-bit versions created internally or purchase them from software vendors.
Table 1.2 compares the features in the various versions of Windows 7.
Various Versions of Windows 7 Compared
|
Some information in this table was adapted from information found on Paul Thurrott’s incredibly informative Windows Supersite (www.winsupersite.com). |
|||||
|
Feature |
Starter |
Home Basic |
Home Premium |
Professional |
Enterprise/Ultimate |
|
Windows Basic UI |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Windows Standard UI |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Windows Aero UI |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Aero Peek |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Aero Shake |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Aero Background |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Windows Flip 3D |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Live Taskbar Previews |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Fast User Switching |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Number of CPUS |
1 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
Maximum RAM (32-bit) |
4GB |
4GB |
4GB |
4GB |
4GB |
|
Maximum RAM (64-bit) |
8GB |
8GB |
16GB |
192GB |
192GB |
|
Backup to network |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
|
BitLocker (& To Go) |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
|
Premium Games |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Snipping Tool |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Anytime Upgrade |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
N/A |
|
Windows Media Player Remote Experience |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
MPEG-2 decoding |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Dolby Digital compatible |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
DVD playback |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Windows Media Center |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Windows DVD Maker |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
HomeGroup sharing |
Join only |
Join only |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Remote desktop host |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
|
IIS Web server |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Internet Connection Sharing |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Offline files |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Windows Mobility Center |
No |
Yes (limited) |
Yes (limited) |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Windows Sideshow |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Tablet PC capability |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Multitouch |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Join AD domain |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
|
XP Mode licensed |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Boot from VHD |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
|
Branch Cache |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
|
DirectAccess |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
Table 1.3 outlines the upgrade options mapped to the different Windows 7 editions.
Windows 7 Upgrade Paths
|
Windows 7 Editions |
Starter |
Home Basic |
Home Premium |
Professional |
Ultimate/Enterprise |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
From Windows XP (all versions) |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
From Windows Vista Home Basic |
1 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
From Windows Vista Home Premium |
1 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
From Windows Vista Business |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
|
From Windows Vista Ultimate |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
From Windows Vista Enterprise |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
From Windows 2000 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Available in all Windows 7 versions are Aero Snap, Windows Flip, Jump Lists, more granular UAC, Action Center, Windows Defender, Windows Firewall, Parental Controls, Windows ReadyDrive, Windows ReadyBoost, SuperFetch, 64-bit support, unlimited processor core support, Windows Backup, System Image, disk defragmentation, create and attach VHD, IE 8, Windows Gadgets and Gallery, basic games, Windows Photo Viewer, basic photo slideshows, Windows Media Player 12, AAC and H.264 decoding, Device Stage, Sync Center, 20 SMB connections, Network and Sharing Center, improved power management, connect to projector, remote desktop, and RSS support.