Windows 7: can someone help me pick the right one please

well guys i have Windows 7 ult now but it's not any use to me, so i was thinking about downgradeing to pro or home prem but don't no what, one to get as it is an everyday pc with bits of office work done on it by my mum, but i use it for internet and other things plus streming, videos to my ps3 but i have compaired the two and can't make my mind up, hope someone here can help me out thanks

Unless you *must have* XP compatibility mode, or bitlocker, or the ability to join a domain, then Home Premium will suffice (even if you do need XP compatibility, remember you can dual-boot with XP or run XP within a virtual environment too...) for the vast majority of users...

ok... firstly why downgrade? i know you say you dont really need it, but if you already have ultimate, why not just stick with it? as it has everything? sure you might not need all the features now, but what if you do in the future?

but if your set on downgrading then go home premium, as professionall is just ultimate minus the enterprise stuff (which as far as im aware most home users dont need? isnt enterprise just "proffesional" for businesses? sure someone will correct me if im wrong)

I wouldn't see any point to that. You have a good setup now. By downgrading you would knock off a few things, but not that many. Stay with what you have. You might not use them, but at least you have them.

As others have mentioned, there's little point in downgrading, unless you can sell your retail copy of Ultimate to someone else for more than it would cost you to buy Pro or Home Premium. If that's the case, no one else can tell you which version to get besides you. Look at the chart on Microsoft's Windows 7 page, and decide based on your own needs.

All in all, I'd keep what you have. It's not like Pro or Home Premium will perform better, so I'm at a loss as to why you'd want to downgrade. If you haven't purchased an OS yet, then there's little reason to get Ultimate.

+1, I agree with you on that.

well what it is that my mum users my pc alot, and i don't want her using bitlocker on her usb key that she users, for work and i can sell my ult retail copy to my bother as he wants it for his gaming rig, as he got vista now and ult is cool and all but it seems that i have more probalms then, my friends that have home prem & pro so i just fort well i can still make money, off my ult i might as well downgrade as i will be geting what i paid for it from my brother. so all in all i will have got pro or hp plus a little money back, just am stuck on what one to get but with the looks of what you guys, are saying then i will go for hp just have to wait till my retail store gets some more in and thanks guys

You could also disable all the features you don't wish used in Group Policy Editor...

Good answer Qdos Also disable in Services.

You don't have to do that you can just remove them from "Turn Windows Features on or Off". Not everyone knows how to use Group Policy Editor nor do they care to learn how. I try to keep from giving people the most complicated solution I can think of.

Home Premium is probably your best solution.