Differences between basic and ultimate

[dajogejr]

I agree 100%. I think there is a lingering stigma as there was with XP that "pro" is better.
I had a friend actually tell me that who thought he was sharp with computers.
I asked him to tell my the difference between pro and home, and why pro is better...and he couldn't.

I use Pro at home and work ONLY because of use acceptance testing...(and I like being able to RDP into my home PC for off network testing and not having to setup VNC, etc.)...

Nothing I do at home would warrant the need for anything but Home...to be honest.

Work...obviously...need to join the domain!!

 

[DustSailor]

I agree 100%. I think there is a lingering stigma as there was with XP that "pro" is better.

And Vista! It was worth getting pro(Home Premium), worth even ultimate for me.
they really have slimmed down features in Win 7 to the point that they don't add anything when you upgrade to pro or ultimate win 7s. Research is the key, and I obviously didn't do enough. Thought I was getting 2 operating systems, thats misleading as heck.

 

[wearetheborg]

The OP is missing this, but it may have been mentioned in the replies:
for me the biggest plus point of Pro/Ultimate is Software Restriction Policies in Pro, and AppLocker in Ultimate (the next gen of Softrware Restriction Policies).

I consider SRP (combined with a limited user account) to be a super strong line of defense against malware.
I gather Applocker offers more functionality.

Personally, I haven't found a true use for professional and wish I would have bought the cheaper home version. Really, what does professional give extra to home users that is really useful and worth the extra money? I can't find anything

See first quote.

 

[DustSailor]

The OP is missing this, but it may have been mentioned in the replies:
for me the biggest plus point of Pro/Ultimate is Software Restriction Policies in Pro, and AppLocker in Ultimate (the next gen of Softrware Restriction Policies).

I consider SRP (combined with a limited user account) to be a super strong line of defense against malware.
I gather Applocker offers more functionality.

Yes, and some people may well need those services, but I really can't say I do. I -only- got pro because I thought it came with xp (for games) but virtual xp isn't good with games, apparently. Sad day for me when I learned there was nothing I could do. I don't know, maybe its just a game with me trying to find the best cheapest custom computer I can. Compare 3,000$ the first time buying a computer to 1,500$ this last time. Now I'm confident all I need in the future are parts that I install, potentially only costing 300$-800$ every few years or so, depending on how big the upgrade is. I disabled most of Pro's services (as it was built for the office). All I needed was home. But its in the past, and like someone said earlier, I may need pro later. Perhaps one day I suddenly become paranoid and upgrade to ultimate, enacting all security features to lock down my computer more so than the central bank itself

*Edit* Well, unless they have Windows 7 Ultimate themselves, I suppose. Everyone seems to be upgrading to Win 7, including some parts of the military (US)

 

[wearetheborg]

Yes, and some people may well need those services, but I really can't say I do.

Everyone can make use of security features.

You might have heard of the recent .lnk vulnerabilities in windows, and the search path security holes.

Software restriction policies drop all the attackers for those dead in their tracks.

 

[DustSailor]

Everyone can make use of security features.

You might have heard of the recent .lnk vulnerabilities in windows, and the search path security holes.

Software restriction policies drop all the attackers for those dead in their tracks.

This has been dealt with Microsoft Security Advisory (2286198): Vulnerability in Windows Shell Could Allow Remote Code Execution
No, honestly any more security on my system isn't worth it. Basically, if you click on to something and download a virus, its your fault. I Don't do that. You might think accidents happen, but MSE has not failed me yet. I almost didn't even bother to install it either. Just don't click on suspicious links, its really not hard. People make a bigger deal out of it than it is, and some may have a reason to. I keep personal information to myself and have no fear of it getting out. If it does, the bank has security measures in place, some of which I have enacted myself (Limits to amounts taken out, reimbursement for stolen monies). I have no fear, the biggest thing Would be a reinstall, but I enjoy that part.

I like computer systems simple, not complicated webs of encoded and encrypted software that backs up safely to mother nature's hiney. I play games, I don't run banks

 

[Julio Cortez]

I -only- got pro because I thought it came with xp (for games) but virtual xp isn't good with games, apparently. Sad day for me when I learned there was nothing I could do.

I see your point. I was disappointed when I saw that the XP mode could run XP software, but the loss in performance was still noticeable compared to a "real" XP.

By the way, back on topic: I'm not buying Windows 7 neither I bought it earlier. The Windows 7 pro copy I'm running came from MSDN Academic Alliance.

 

[Julio Cortez]

*removed due to double post*

 

[pparks1]

Just don't click on suspicious links, its really not hard.

It's also not that simple. Clearly you have never been a victim of a drive by download from a website. Perhaps even a trusted website that was hacked or injected with malicious code.

So, lets say you fire up Google, and you have to do a search for AHCI. Google then returns a list of links that contain information on AHCI. So what would you do at this point? Would you only click on the ones you know are safe? Which of the links provided is safe to click on? How could you possibly know. (Aside from not going to something like http://72.13.8.85/virus.exe)

 

[DustSailor]

Yes but thats what the antivirus is for. Most browsers refuse downloading unless you give it permission, and you can even set higher restrictions within the browser. If it gets past those defenses, than either it is a very sophisticated virus, or I allowed it to. I enjoyed firefox for a while because it had add-ons that disabled many things websites had, like adobe pop ups and scripts and many others; I am now trying IE9 beta to see how it will work out. IE is supposed to be top security, but unless IE9 drastically improves, I'm going back to firefox's flexability.

Back on topic. Really, it isn't hard. If a virus does overtake my system and I cannot get rid of it, than a simple reinstall will suffice, at least for me. I don't do work on my computer, it is only for entertainment. So I guess I am really only speaking for myself when I say I never needed pro. Someone else very well may need it, but I am in favor of keeping my system fast for games and internet only, security is nice, but too much for me is a constant pain. (Ever try buffer zone? it has to be one of the worst). Others here have purely entertainment computers as well, otherwise why would you install the best hardware out there like many of us do? If I wanted better security, I by no means would rely on Windows 7 Pro. I would buy it (Other proven security software, more than just an AV). Pro would be a nice edition, and perhaps even Ultimate if I was concerned for my system's welfare. I'm just saying I regret my decision to buy pro. I could have had a fancy dinner with the money I would have saved

 

[butt07]

pretty helpful that, good job!

 

[bhanusatwik]

hey iam using an home basic 64 bit version

i want to upgrade through windows any time upgrade to windows ultimate

in the net we have many keys to upgrade

my doubt is they are genuine or not

please reply me....!!!

 

[goyta]

hey iam using an home basic 64 bit version

i want to upgrade through windows any time upgrade to windows ultimate

in the net we have many keys to upgrade

my doubt is they are genuine or not

please reply me....!!!

bhanusatwik, if you are using Windows 7 Home Basic, this means you are in a developing or "emerging" country, because it is only available in such countries (this includes my own country, Brazil). As far as I know, Windows Anytime Upgrade is not available in such countries - or at least the real Windows Anytime Upgrade, which, judging from what you wrote, I'm not sure that you understand what it is.

The real Windows Anytime Upgrade is a built-in feature of Windows 7 (except, obviously, Ultimate, from where there is nothing to upgrade to) that allows one to buy on-line from Microsoft a license key that will unlock the features of the better version you purchased. That is, in practice, it means buying an upgrade license. And for some reason, Microsoft doesn't sell upgrade copies or licenses in most developing countries - only full copies. So, you will even find the Windows Anytime Upgrade link on your "Computer Properties" page, but if you try to use it, you will probably get a message that it is not available in your country.

The keys you find on the Internet are obviously pirated keys. They are either copied (stolen) from legitimate copies someone bought or generated by keygen software that replicates the process that Microsoft uses to generate its own legitimate keys. Such keys may even unlock Ultimate's features, but they will not activate your system, because on activation Microsoft checks your key against the database of the legitimate keys it has issued, the keys that are already in use and those that were blacklisted (which you can be sure those Internet keys are).

There are schemes to circumvent activation, but they are unreliable and sometimes dangerous (some such schemes can harm your hard disk or cause data loss). And in any case, Microsoft is not getting a penny from you, so don't fool yourself: that's piracy, with all the implications and consequences of it. If you decide to go that way, be aware of what you're doing.

If you want a legitimate copy, you will probably have to buy a full retail box, as upgrade copies are probably unavailable where you are. In this case, you will want to check again the differences between Windows 7 editions on Microsoft's Web site and on previous postings in this forum. Very few users really need Ultimate's features and you may be well served with Home Premium, which has everything most users really need and use, and is significantly cheaper than Ultimate.

Good luck!

 

[Monster212]

i use home premium.....

 

[Mual]

Thanks for all the info

 

[Big Tom]

I use win 7 pro x64. thanks for this thread, the info is helpful

 

[pancibodol]

I use win pro x32, this awesome.
nice info bro

 

[Uchiha Kori]

I find very little difference between Home Premium and Ultimate, but then again I don't use my computers in such ways to see the difference. I'm a simple user.

 

[chrysalis]

for me what was noticeable is that when remote desktop to a pro system aero is turned off. Home premium even has remote desktop at all?

 

[Witch]

I find very little difference between Home Premium and Ultimate, but then again I don't use my computers in such ways to see the difference. I'm a simple user.

I could live well with Home Premium also... but running Ultimate cause of ONE feature I really must have otherwise I screeeeam. This feature is MUI - Multilingual User Interface. I just need to have accounts with different languages - help me with learning languages and running different-language programs.

I HATE Microsoft for making me buying the most advanced OS version, which features I won't be using at all, just to have the languages and accounts separated.