subject: Windows 7 Versions [print this page] Windows 7, the latest operating system from the Microsoft, has been released in many versions. Users have to select between these versions for purchasing of new Windows 7.
Windows 7 Starter Edition
As the name suggests this is the starter alternative for the operating system. It's also the edition that is likely to come pre-installed on a netbook if you purchase one with Windows 7. You can't actually purchase this on its own. While many have already proved that you can in fact run the full Ultimate package on netbooks, this is the recommended option as it's not as feature rich and therefore power heavy.
While you will get most of the main functions you will also miss out as well. Uneasily you don't get multiple monitor support, something that given the small size of netbook screens we would have thought would be a must, and you won't be able to change your wallpaper either. There is no Aero support, or multi-touch, while Media Center isn't included, no XP mode, no Desktop Windows Manager or Remote Desktop support. That doesn't mean you are purchasing a worst system. You still get most of the new interface features like the enhanced taskbar and Snap features. You've just got to remember, Starter really does mean initiation.
Windows 7 Home Premium
Home Premium is the edition you will most likely end up with if you are planning on using Windows 7 in the home instead of the office. Forgetting Windows 7 Starter edition for a moment and Home Basic, it is the entry-level alternative to the operating system. Here you do get multiple monitor support, user switching, customisation options, Desktop Windows Manager and Windows Media Center Support. You also provided with Aero, Remote Media streaming through Media Player and 32-bit and 64-bit editions if that's what you're interested in.
You won't get an encrypting file system, Remote Desktop support, Windows XP mode and a collection of boring enterprise features that the average home user won't use anyway.
Windows 7 Windows 7 Professional
Aimed at the Professional whoever that might be, Windows 7 Professional features all the above but includes Windows XP mode and Remote Desktop functionality. It's still not got everything, but for most will be fine to enjoy a full Windows 7 experience. Key points here are Domain Join, a system that lets you linked to a business domain so you can share files, access data and Backup and Restore. While you can run Backup and Restore on the Home Premium options, here you can select to backup to a network rather than just a hard drive plugged into the computer.
Windows 7 Windows 7 Ultimate
As the name suggests this comes with everything that you can think of, clicking all the boxes in Microsoft's comparison chart. XP Mode, Virtual hard disk booting, Multilingual support for when you operating your computer in French and Windows Server support. Key points to get this version over everything else are three-fold. The first is because you feel the need to own the got it al package, the other two, which are certainly more valid reasons are BitLocker and Virtual hard disk booting. BitLocker provides you to put a virtual lock on your data in case it gets lost or stolen.
