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Compare Windows 7 Editions
Published by Brink
06-26-2009
|  Compare Windows 7 Editions
Compare Windows 7 Editions  Information  Note | | Starter | Home Basic | Home Premium | Professional | Ultimate | Enterprise |
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Estimated Full Retail Price | OEM | OEM | $199.99 | $299.99 | $319.99 | Volume Licensing | Estimated Upgrade Retail Price | OEM | OEM | $119.99 | $199.99 | $219.99 | Volume Licensing | | End of Support Life Cycle | 2015.01.13 | 2015.01.13 | 2015.01.13 | 2020.01.13 | 2015.01.13 | 2020.01.14 | 32-bit and 64-bit versions | 32-bit only | Both (64-bit disc not included) | Both | Both | Both | Both | AAC and H.264 decoding | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Aero Glass Remoting | | | | | Yes | Yes | | Aero Peek | | | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Aero Shake | | | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | | | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | | | | Create Policies, But Cannot Enforce | Create and Enforce Polices | Create and Enforce Polices | | Audio Recording over Terminal Services | | | | | Yes | Yes | Backup and Restore Files | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Backup to Network | | | | Yes | Yes | Yes | Bitlocker Drive Encryption | | | | | Yes | Yes | | | | | | Yes | Yes | Branche Cache Distributed Cache | | | | | Yes | Yes | | Calculator | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Desktop Background Changeable | | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Desktop Windows Manager | | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Device Stage | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | DirectAccess | | | | | Yes | Yes | | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | | | | | Yes | Yes | | Dolby Digital compatibility | | | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Domain Join (Windows Server) | | | | Yes | Yes | Yes | DVD playback | | | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | | | | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Encrypting File System (EFS) | | | | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Encrypting Offline Files | | | | Yes | Yes | Yes | Enterprise Search Scopes | | | | | Yes | Yes | | Fast User Switching | | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | | | | | Yes | Yes | | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Games Explorer with basic games (FreeCell, Hearts, Minesweeper, Purble Palace, Solitaire, Spide Solitaire) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Games Explorer with premium games (Internet Backgammon, Internet Checkers, Internet Spades, Mahjong Titans) | | | Yes | Yes (disable by default) | Yes | Yes (disable by default) | Getting Started | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Group Policy | | | | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Join Only | Join Only | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | IIS Web Server | | | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Internet Connection Sharing | | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | IE8 Protected Mode and DEP | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Internet Explorer 8 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Keyboard Input Language | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Language Packs (MUI) | | | | Yes, purchased separately | Yes | Yes | | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Live Explorer Previews | | | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Live Taskbar Previews | | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Location Aware Printing | | | | Yes | Yes | Yes | Max RAM (32-bit) | 4GB | 4GB | 4GB | 4GB | 4GB | 4GB | Max RAM (64-bit) | | 8GB | 16GB | 192GB | 192GB | 192GB | MPEG-2 decoding | | | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Multi-Display Terminal Services | | | | | Yes | Yes | | Multiple Monitors | | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Multi-Touch support | | | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Network and Sharing Center | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Network Bridge | | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Network Printing | | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Offline Files | | | | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Play To | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Power Management | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 64-bit Processor Support | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Physical Processor Support | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | Presentation Mode | | | | Yes | Yes | Yes | Previous Versions | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Processor Core Support | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ReadyDrive | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Remote Desktop Host | | | | Yes | Yes | Yes | RSS support | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | Snipping Tool | | | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Software Restriction Policies | | | | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Sticky Notes | | | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | SuperFetch | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | | | | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Sync Center | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Yes - Not to network location | Yes - Not to network location | Yes - Not to network location | Yes | Yes | Yes | System Restore | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Tablet PC | | | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Number of TV tuners supported | | | 4 of each type (analog, digital, etc.) | 4 of each type (analog, digital, etc.) | 4 of each type (analog, digital, etc.) | 4 of each type (analog, digital, etc.) | | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | UNIX based applications subsystem | | | | | Yes | Yes | | | | | | Yes | Yes | | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) Enhancements | | | | | Yes | Yes | | Windows Aero Theme | | Partial | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Windows Anytime Upgrade | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | | Windows Basic Theme | Yes | | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | | | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Windows Easy Transfer | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Windows ExperienceIndex (WEI) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Windows Fax and Scan | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Windows Flip | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | | | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Windows Journal | | | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Windows Media Center | | | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Windows Media Player | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Windows Media Player multimedia redirection | | | | | Yes | Yes | | Windows Media Player Remote Media Experience | | | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | | Yes (No Presentation Mode) | Yes (No Presentation Mode) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Windows Photo Viewer | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Windows PowerShell and ISE | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Windows Server domain joining | | | | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Windows SideShow | | | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Windows Slideshow | | | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Windows Standard Theme | | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Windows Taskbar | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Windows Update | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Windows Virtual PC support | | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | WordPad | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | XP Mode (Windows Virtual PC) | | | | Yes | Yes | Yes | | XPS Viewer | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
|  Published by | | Administrator Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 17,035 | |
Tutorial Tools | | | |  | | | | | |
06-26-2009
|
#1 | |
Windows 7 Professional 64-bit Cambridge, UK |
Could you include virtualisation as well please.
| My System Specs | | System Manufacturer/Model Number self built
OS Windows 7 Professional 64-bit
CPU Intel E8400 3GHz
Motherboard Intel DX48BT2
Memory Kingston PC3-10700H 4Gb
Graphics Card XFX Radeon HD 5850 BlackEd.
Sound Card Soundblaster X-Fi XtremeMusic
Monitor(s) Displays 2x Samsung SM-T220HD 22"
Screen Resolution 1680x1050 on two monitors
Keyboard Microsoft Comfort Curve USB
Mouse Razer Diamondback 3G
PSU Thermaltake ToughPower 850w
Case Thermaltake Armor
Cooling Scythe Mugen II
Hard Drives Samsung F3 1Tb (OS)
3x Samsung F1 1Tb
Internet Speed 8128/443
Other Info c-media multi-card reader
ocz atv 4gb flash for readyboost
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06-26-2009
|
#2 | |
Windows 7 RTM (TechNet), XP Pro x64, Vista x64, Ubuntu Adirondack Mountains |
Since this is in progress I'm not sure if you're looking for additions but here's one that seems to have changed over the past several months (or at least not as clear as it was)....
Full Image Backup capability
(in other words, which versions allow Full Image Backups)
Last edited by zrtom; 06-26-2009 at 12:19 PM..
| | My System Specs | | System Manufacturer/Model Number Dell: XPS 420, XPS 420, XPS M1330, XPS M1330, Mini 9, Mini 10v
OS Windows 7 RTM (TechNet), XP Pro x64, Vista x64, Ubuntu
CPU Q6600, Q6700, T7500, T7500, N270, N270
Motherboard Dell
Memory 4GB, 8GB, 4GB, 4GB, 2GB, 2GB
Graphics Card ATI, nVidia, nVidia, nVidia, Intel, Intel
Monitor(s) Displays Dell 2408WFP
Keyboard Logitech Wave
Hard Drives A drawer full. OCZ Vertex 2x30GB in RAID 0 on my main desktop.....fast, fast, fast!
Internet Speed 29 Mbps DL / .95 Mbps UL
Other Info New project(9/09)...Built a low power (38-40 watts using Kill-a-Watt) Windows Home Server machine. Zotac ION (Atom 330, GeForce9400), 2GB RAM, 2x1TB Seagate 7200.12, IN WIM miniITX Case. Fits on a shelf in laundry closet, practically silent.
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06-26-2009
|
#3 | |
Windows 7 Pro x64 & Win7 Pre x64 / Ubuntu 9.10 Beta Connecticut |
Great list Brink, well done | | My System Specs | | System Manufacturer/Model Number Custom Desktop & HP G60-120US
OS Windows 7 Pro x64 & Win7 Pre x64 / Ubuntu 9.10 Beta
CPU Q6600 Quad Core 2 - 2.4Ghz
Motherboard EVGA - 680i SLI
Memory 4GB Kingston DDR2 800
Graphics Card XFX 8800GT Alpha Dog Ed. X 2 SLI
Sound Card On Board
Monitor(s) Displays 24"Dell Wide Screen and Gateway 17" Widescreen & HP 15.4"
Screen Resolution 1920 x1200 (Dell) 1440 x 900(Gateway) & 1366x768 (HP Laptop)
Keyboard Saitek Cyborg & Logitech wireless
Mouse Logitech G5 & Logitech wireless
PSU Rosewell RX750
Case Antec 900
Cooling Zalman 8700
Hard Drives WD 500GB, Seagate 1.5 TB
Internet Speed Cable - 20Mbs/sec DOWN 5Mbs/s UP
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06-26-2009
|
#4 | |
Windows 7 RTM (TechNet), XP Pro x64, Vista x64, Ubuntu Adirondack Mountains |
| | My System Specs | | System Manufacturer/Model Number Dell: XPS 420, XPS 420, XPS M1330, XPS M1330, Mini 9, Mini 10v
OS Windows 7 RTM (TechNet), XP Pro x64, Vista x64, Ubuntu
CPU Q6600, Q6700, T7500, T7500, N270, N270
Motherboard Dell
Memory 4GB, 8GB, 4GB, 4GB, 2GB, 2GB
Graphics Card ATI, nVidia, nVidia, nVidia, Intel, Intel
Monitor(s) Displays Dell 2408WFP
Keyboard Logitech Wave
Hard Drives A drawer full. OCZ Vertex 2x30GB in RAID 0 on my main desktop.....fast, fast, fast!
Internet Speed 29 Mbps DL / .95 Mbps UL
Other Info New project(9/09)...Built a low power (38-40 watts using Kill-a-Watt) Windows Home Server machine. Zotac ION (Atom 330, GeForce9400), 2GB RAM, 2x1TB Seagate 7200.12, IN WIM miniITX Case. Fits on a shelf in laundry closet, practically silent.
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06-26-2009
|
#5 | |
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Question
Brink,
Great post and perfect timing. Clarify this please. Will we be able to use Wau to upgrade all the way up to and including Ultimate? This chart is confusing to me. Is it a empty space because you can't upgrade to it or beyond it?  | | My System Specs | | System Manufacturer/Model Number Gateway GT5692
OS Party OS Ultix64
CPU AMD Phenom 8450 triple-core 2.10 ghz
Memory 4GB
Graphics Card ATI Radion HD 3200
Monitor(s) Displays Gateway FPD1775W
Screen Resolution 1280x720
Hard Drives 465.6613 Gibibytes
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06-26-2009
|
#6 | |
Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1 beta Texas |
Hello Larry,
If there is not a YES there, then it means it is not supported in the specific edition of Windows 7.
You can't use WAU in the Ultimate and Enterprise editions of Windows 7 though. 
Hope this helps,
Shawn
Last edited by Brink; 06-26-2009 at 04:27 PM..
| | My System Specs | | System Manufacturer/Model Number Self built custom
OS Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1 beta
CPU Intel i7-980X 3.3 Ghz
Motherboard ASUS P6X58D Premium
Memory 12 GB (2GBx6) DDR3 PC3-16000 2000 MHz Kingston HyperX
Graphics Card EVGA GeForce GTX 480 SuperClocked 1536MB
Sound Card Realtek HD Audio ALC889 Integrated Chip
Monitor(s) Displays 28" Hanns-G HG281DJB and 23" Acer H233H
Screen Resolution 28" 1920x1200 and 23" 1920x1080
Keyboard Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500 Revolution
Mouse Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500 Revolution
PSU OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
Case Corsair Obsidian 800D
Cooling Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme Copper CPU heat sink w/120 MM
Hard Drives 50 GB OCZ Vertex 2 SSD
** 2 x 1TB Samsung HDD HD154UI SATA
Internet Speed up to 20 Mb/s Download and up to 5 Mb/s Upload
Other Info Microsoft LifeCam Cinema
** Samsung CLX-3175FW Printer
** D-Link DIR-855 Router
** Motorola SB6120 Cable Modem
** ASRock ION 330 server
** 2x APC Back-UPS XS 1500
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06-26-2009
|
#7 | |
Windows 7 Ultimate, Ubuntu Karmic Koala (KD4) Adelaide, Australia |
Really the only difference between Home Premium and Pro is .... Domain Join (and therefore Location Aware Printing and Remote Desktop Host) and XP Mode.
Makes the decision pretty easy for me.
Thanks for the excellent table Brink. | | My System Specs | | System Manufacturer/Model Number AMD Athlon 64 3200+
OS Windows 7 Ultimate, Ubuntu Karmic Koala (KD4)
Motherboard Gigabyte K8T8000
Memory DDR 2Gb (!)
Graphics Card 6600GT
Monitor(s) Displays MultiMonitor (2) LCD
Mouse Logitech MX620 Cordless
Hard Drives Old Seagate 75
Big Western Digital
Samsung 500Gb pulled out of an external drive and installed
Ext: Maxtor (Firewire), 1Gb Lacie (Samsung)
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06-26-2009
|
#8 | |
Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1 beta Texas |
You're welcome Charles. Premium doesn't have EFS or Offline Files either though.  | | My System Specs | | System Manufacturer/Model Number Self built custom
OS Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1 beta
CPU Intel i7-980X 3.3 Ghz
Motherboard ASUS P6X58D Premium
Memory 12 GB (2GBx6) DDR3 PC3-16000 2000 MHz Kingston HyperX
Graphics Card EVGA GeForce GTX 480 SuperClocked 1536MB
Sound Card Realtek HD Audio ALC889 Integrated Chip
Monitor(s) Displays 28" Hanns-G HG281DJB and 23" Acer H233H
Screen Resolution 28" 1920x1200 and 23" 1920x1080
Keyboard Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500 Revolution
Mouse Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500 Revolution
PSU OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
Case Corsair Obsidian 800D
Cooling Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme Copper CPU heat sink w/120 MM
Hard Drives 50 GB OCZ Vertex 2 SSD
** 2 x 1TB Samsung HDD HD154UI SATA
Internet Speed up to 20 Mb/s Download and up to 5 Mb/s Upload
Other Info Microsoft LifeCam Cinema
** Samsung CLX-3175FW Printer
** D-Link DIR-855 Router
** Motorola SB6120 Cable Modem
** ASRock ION 330 server
** 2x APC Back-UPS XS 1500
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06-26-2009
|
#9 | |
Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit, XP Mode/ Vista HP32bit, VPC 2007 XP, Virtual Box multiple idstros New England |
Great work! Shawn And very timely as well! I think a good number of people will want to look this over carefully in the next few months in order to make the decisions on which edition they will go with. 
The WAU or Windows Anytime deals are generally limited to the prebuilds with Vista presently installed with the offer of the free 7 upgrade being offered from July 1st forward. Most of the systems sold in retail outlets tend to be the less featured editions sold for general home user/consumer user where these are intended for promotional deals.
Even while you will likely be expanding on this a bit further it makes a great reference since MS has been a little slow on this. It's still a great solid reference!
(especially from what MS has on their own page. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/w...mpare-editions)
Last edited by Night Hawk; 06-27-2009 at 02:24 AM..
Reason: MS link added
| | My System Specs | | OS Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit, XP Mode/ Vista HP32bit, VPC 2007 XP, Virtual Box multiple idstros
CPU AMD Phenom II X4 Deneb 3.4
Motherboard Gigabyte 790XTA-UD4
Memory Mushkin Enhanced DDR3 1600 8gb 1.5v-1.7v
Graphics Card MSI Radeon 5750 1gb
Sound Card Creative Labs X-Fi XtremeGamer - Same
Monitor(s) Displays 2 x Acer P191W 19" widesscreen
Screen Resolution 1440x900 native
Keyboard Saitek Cyborg
Mouse MS Trackball Explorer
PSU Corsair 750TX
Case Antec 900-2 - SSD compatible
Cooling Zalman CNPS9900A
Hard Drives WD Black Edition 1tb Sata 6.0 = 2
WD Black Edition 1tb Sata 3.0 = 1
WD 1tb Green Power sata = 2 1 external
usb flash drives = 6
Internet Speed 12mbps boost
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