Some questions about different builds (VL, N)

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  1. Posts : 271
    Windows 8 Pro x64; Win 7 Home Premium x64 SP1 on VirtualBox
       #1

    Some questions about different builds (VL, N)


    Hey all,

    I know I haven't posted here much.....don't know why lol. But I'll most likely start posting here again, because I just got myself a Technet Standard subscription :), and its truly amazing. I honestly don't see why anyone would ever buy retail anymore, its just not worth it. So, while browsing through the Windows 7 versions, I'm a little overwhelmed, there are so many. I realize that Enterprise isn't available to Standard, but that's no problem. I'm just curious about the different builds. I think I know what VL might be, Volume License? If so, then how does that compare to a regular version (advantages/disadvantages)? I also noticed the "N" version, I have never seen this before, and don't know what exactly it means, I thought I read somewhere that it didn't include WMP, if so, then that'd be great, because I avoid WMP like a plague.

    This is also technically my first time installing Windows 7 from scratch (formatted HDD), my laptop came with Windows 7 Home Premium, and the restore discs are quite different from the regular ones, it already has some software/drivers installed for you. Is there a good tutorial on how to install Windows 7 the best way?

    I'm also curious about which version of MS Office I should go for, after using OpenOffice.org for the past year, MS Office is quite new to me.

    Thanks everyone for all the help, I really appreciate it!
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 71,978
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       #2

    Hello McDougal, and welcome back.

    The "N" version is just the European version of Windows 7. It was create due to the different laws there about what features can be included versus what can be in the U.S.

    Since you have a Technet subscription, I would recommend the Ultimate edition of Windows 7 unless you just needed the extra corporate features included in the Enterprise edition. Either way, the link below can help show the differences between all the editions.

    Compare Windows 7 Editions

    Since you'll be doing it from scratch, you could do a clean install with Windows 7. Afterwards, you will need to download and install all the Windows 7 drivers for your laptop.

    You might as well go for Office Pro Plus 2010 since you have a Technet subscription. You can pick and choose what you want installed from the suite. It may take a bit to get use to it, but we'll be happy to help you with it in the Microsoft Office forum area though.

    Hope this helps,
    Shawn
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 8,398
    ultimate 64 sp1
       #3

    i would avoid the 'n' edition, like the proverbial plague.

    i tried it out a while back and ran into all sorts of problems with games, media players and wei.

    it doesn't just get rid of wmp, but also important codecs too, which other software assumes to be installed.

    (i'm not quite sure about the grammar in my last sentence, but what the heck...)
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 271
    Windows 8 Pro x64; Win 7 Home Premium x64 SP1 on VirtualBox
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Great, thanks for the quick reply :)! I guess the no WMP was just a misunderstanding....ah well, I can just remove it anyways. Windows 7 Ultimate is what I was going to go with, because I like testing all the features even if I don't need them (I'm quite curious about XP Mode).

    Thanks for the link, looks like its exactly what I need, now I need download the drivers. Not sure about what Office programs I'll need and not, so I think I'll just install the full package. I'm still confused about the 64-bit 2010 though, is it compatible with the 32-bit? And can it run on a 32-bit OS?

    Slightly off-topic but....I plan to upgrade the family laptop (Dell Inspiron 1525) from XP Pro SP3 to Windows 7 (32bit), except there's one problem. There's a crapload of stuff on there, GBs of documents/pictures/Google Chrome bookmarks. The laptop also has Office 2003 on it, and Outlook is used, and has a bunch of extra folders, contacts, and calendar additions (synced w/Google Calendar), gmail has all the e-mails, just not the personalized folders. Does anyone know a good way to backup all this crap?

    Thanks again for the help :)!
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 8,398
    ultimate 64 sp1
       #5

    i would advise not to get rid of wmp - keep it on, but just don't use it.

    other software sometimes needs it..or bits of it anyway.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 271
    Windows 8 Pro x64; Win 7 Home Premium x64 SP1 on VirtualBox
    Thread Starter
       #6

    Okay thanks for the suggestion......although I've had WMP off all this time (use MPC-HC for videos), and haven't run into any problems.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 1,030
    Linux Mint / XP / Win7 Home, Pro, Ultimate / Win8.1 / Win10
       #7

    McDougal said:
    Windows 7 Ultimate is what I was going to go with, because I like testing all the features even if I don't need them (I'm quite curious about XP Mode).
    Go for Ultimate if you have more than 4GB of RAM, have a network or you need the other features. Otherwise the Home Premium is a good package (I use it on two laptops, one 32-bit, one 64-bit).

    McDougal said:
    Not sure about what Office programs I'll need and not, so I think I'll just install the full package. I'm still confused about the 64-bit 2010 though, is it compatible with the 32-bit? And can it run on a 32-bit OS?
    I have both - highly recommend you use the 32-bit version, even on the 64-bit OS, especially if you need to use 3rd party apps that tie into MS Word or 3rd party plugins.

    McDougal said:
    Slightly off-topic but....I plan to upgrade the family laptop (Dell Inspiron 1525) from XP Pro SP3 to Windows 7 (32bit), except there's one problem. There's a crapload of stuff on there, GBs of documents/pictures/Google Chrome bookmarks. The laptop also has Office 2003 on it, and Outlook is used, and has a bunch of extra folders, contacts, and calendar additions (synced w/Google Calendar), gmail has all the e-mails, just not the personalized folders. Does anyone know a good way to backup all this crap?
    Easiest is to buy an external hard drive and do a straight copy of all your files. Big drives (i.e., 500GB or more) are reasonably price and smaller drive are almost cheap.

    Regards,
    GEWB
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 271
    Windows 8 Pro x64; Win 7 Home Premium x64 SP1 on VirtualBox
    Thread Starter
       #8

    I found the Microsoft SyncToy program, which is working perfectly. I backed up all of the documents/pictures. Now all I need to figure out is how to backup outlook stuff. The e-mails aren't really important, since they're already on gmail. Its all the extra folders and organization that's important. Is there a way to backup that stuff? And I still need to backup all the iPod stuff too .....
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 5,795
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1
       #9

    McDougal said:
    I honestly don't see why anyone would ever buy retail anymore, its just not worth it.
    If you don't see why, then you don't fully understand what TechNet is really about. Technet is not for families to purchase to get multiple licenses. It is for IT professionals to use in testing and lab environments. The fact that people have been abusing TechNet in addition to selling keys on eBay has already caused Microsoft to cut down what was available to subscribers, and how many keys we used to get. I can see the day coming when those os uf who are using TechNet properly will have to jump through many flaming hoops to prove our eligibility when we go to resubscribe each year.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 7,878
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #10

    McDougal said:
    I just got myself a Technet Standard subscription :), and its truly amazing. I honestly don't see why anyone would ever buy retail anymore, its just not worth it.
    Number 1 because many people don't know that it even exists. Number 2 because they are concerned with the verbiage that it's for "testing purposes" only. It's a fine line between what's testing and what isn't. Personally Microsoft only seems to care that you bought something......they sell Technet to whomever....so as long as you keep the software for yourself, and you don't share your keys with anybody....you are free and clearl

    McDougal said:
    Is there a good tutorial on how to install Windows 7 the best way?
    Installing is quite simple, there aren't many choices. Once you get it installed, you will need drivers for any hardware which isn't working, and your video card (which I find is best to keep updated directly from ATI or Nvidia).


    McDougal said:
    I'm also curious about which version of MS Office I should go for, after using OpenOffice.org for the past year, MS Office is quite new to me.
    Probably 2010. Use whatever version has the most features. That's what I would do if I had Technet at home.
      My Computer


 
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