Differences between basic and ultimate

What edition are you buying

  • Ultimate

    Votes: 461 53.2%
  • Professional

    Votes: 151 17.4%
  • Home Premium

    Votes: 214 24.7%
  • Other

    Votes: 10 1.2%
  • Not buying Windows 7

    Votes: 30 3.5%

  • Total voters
    866
Thank you for the info.......I'd hate to be a starter user:roflmao:
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Compaq
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate 32-Bit (x86)
CPU
Intel Pentium Dual Core T3400
Motherboard
Wistron 3612
Memory
3GB DDR2
Graphics Card(s)
nVidia 9200M GE and Mobile Intel 4 Series Express Chipset
Sound Card
Conexant High Defininition SmartAudio 221
Screen Resolution
1366x768
Hard Drives
SAMSUNG HM251JI ATA 250GB
Internet Speed
160KBps
Finally a no non-sense breakdown of the differences between the versions.


Thank you, this is BOOKMARKED!:)
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Laptop Acer Aspire 6930
OS
Windows 7 Professional
CPU
Intel Core2 Duo CPU T6400 @ 2.00GHz
Memory
3 GB
Graphics Card(s)
lowly Intel Express Chipset WHOPPING 64 mb dedicated.LOL
Monitor(s) Displays
26" RCA and 40" Haier, and laptop 17" screen
Screen Resolution
26":1366X768 40":1920X1080 Laptop Screen: 1366X768
Hard Drives
Onboard HDD 300 GB/
Seagate 1TB External HDD/
Verbatim 500 GB External HDD/
Firelite 160 GB USB HDD
Keyboard
Microsoft Intellitype Wireless Multimedia Keyboard 1.1
Mouse
Microsoft Wireless Optical Mouse 2000
Other Info
Currently using Telus DSL. I currently have a 3.0 connection, but on wait list for 15.0 connection.

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Home built
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate 32 bit
CPU
Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.00GHz
Motherboard
ASUS P4P800-VM Motherboard Chipset: Intel 865G + ICH5
Memory
2.50 GB RAM
Graphics Card(s)
NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GS
Sound Card
SoundMax Integrated Digital Audio (Chip)
Monitor(s) Displays
ViewSonic VX 1962 wm
Screen Resolution
1680 X 1050
Hard Drives
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 80 GB
ST380215A ATA Device 18.6 GB
Western Digital "My Book" external hard drive 750 GB
Cooling
Fan based
Keyboard
Microsoft Comfort Curve Keyboard 2000 v10 USB
Mouse
Logitec optic USB
Internet Speed
3.01 Mb/s download 0.64 Mb/s upload
ultimate is the best, and 10x 4 the information.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit
CPU
Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU E7400 @ 2.80GHz
Motherboard
GIGABYTE(P31-ES3G)
Memory
4GB (Kingstone)
Graphics Card(s)
512 MB--Nvidia Geforce 9500GT
Screen Resolution
1024 x 768
Hard Drives
Samsung 500+80
I like Home Premium. It doesn't have anything that I don't need and has all the basics. Sticky notes ftw! This info rocks. I was wondering what the differences were.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
HP G70-460US Notebook PC
OS
Windows 7 32-Bit
CPU
Intel Mobile Core2 Duo T6500 @ 2100 MHz
Motherboard
Wistron 360C
Memory
4096 MB (2 x 2048 DDR2 - SDRAM)
Graphics Card(s)
Mobile Intel 4 Series Express Chipset Family
Sound Card
Intel 82801IB/IR/IH (ICH9 Family) HD Audio Controller
Monitor(s) Displays
LG Philips LCD - 17 inches
Screen Resolution
1440 x 900 widescreen
Hard Drives
ST9320325AS (320 GB)
curently using 7 x86 7600. works fine but rarely use any function like bitlocker though..LOL
 

My Computer

OS
window's 7
CPU
core 2 quad
Motherboard
gigabyte
Memory
2gb corsair
Graphics Card(s)
ati hd4850
Monitor(s) Displays
lg
Screen Resolution
1600 X 900
Case
power logic
Other Info
none of the spec above is accurate
I think home premium is a value for money.Not every user uses all the features of Ultimate Edition.You are getting all the eye candies though.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
COMPAQ Presario Laptop
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit, Mac OS X 10.6
CPU
Intel Pentium Dual Core @2.0GHz
Motherboard
Compaq Generic
Memory
12GB
Graphics Card(s)
NVIDIA Graphics For Mobile 512MB VRAM
Sound Card
IDT High definition Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
Laptop LCD Display
Screen Resolution
1280*800 Bright View Widescreen
Hard Drives
500 GB Primary Master@7200rpm + 1 TB External HDD
Cooling
Direct ; generic fan
Keyboard
Generic Laptop Keyboard
Mouse
Touch Pad
Internet Speed
3.1 Mbps wireless Broadband
Other Info
Generic Dock
For the Money, Premium may be the way I'm goin'... Would rather have Ultimate, but it'll have to wait...

What I am confused about however, is the Difference between Upgrade, OEM, and the Full Version... Since I have the RC on mine, I'm thinkin' Upgrade, BUT... The OEM is like $20.00 or more cheaper...???
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Gateway GT5026E
OS
Win7 Home Premium x64
CPU
Pentium D 820 Dual Core Stock Settings
Motherboard
Cortez D945GCZ
Memory
2Gb's at 1-0-1-0
Graphics Card(s)
VisionTek Radeon HD 5670 2gb ddr3 @ Stock Settings
Sound Card
Integrated 5.1 Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
Gateway 19" LCD and LG 37" HD TV
Screen Resolution
19" LCD's @ Native 1280x1024 and 37" LG at Native 1920x1080
Hard Drives
Seagate 500 gb Internal 7200rpm
Iomega/Seagate 500Gb External
WD 250Gb in External USB Enclosure
Seagate 40Gb Misc External
PSU
Thermaltake TR2 550W Modular
Case
Factory BTX
Cooling
Factory
Keyboard
Logitech K520
Mouse
Logitech M310 Laser
Internet Speed
Comcast
Other Info
Need an External Drive for my Media to clear my other drives...
I have an Ultimate which I didn't have to pay for, and I can honestly and solemlny state that in these 8 months I haven't used a single feature you can't find in Home Premium (I didn't even have a need for XP Mode).

@odewolfe

Upgrade can be used only if you already have a licensed Windows installation on your disk. You can wipe that installation from the Upgrade disc but not before the Upgrade disc has had a look at it, so to speak.

OEM is tied to one piece of hardware and it is usually and legally not sold per se to individuals, but preloaded with a piece of hardware to which it is tied, and cannot be legally activated on another machine.

Full or Retail version is the one you really fully own, you can move it to whichever machine you own (but only one at a time), install it on a new fresh & clean system and so on.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Asus N73SV
OS
Windows 7 x64 Ultimate SP1
CPU
Core i7-2630QM
Motherboard
Intel HM 65
Memory
6 GB DDR3
Graphics Card(s)
Nvidia GT 540M / Intel HD 3000 - Optimus switching
Sound Card
HD Audio (Intel Azalia/Realtek) ALC269
Monitor(s) Displays
LED flat panel
Screen Resolution
1920 x 1080
Hard Drives
2x Seagate Momentus 640 GB - 1,28 TB in total
Internet Speed
4 MB/256 kbps
Other Info
External HDs

WD Elements 1,5 TB
WD MyBook 500 GB
I have an Ultimate which I didn't have to pay for, and I can honestly and solemlny state that in these 8 months I haven't used a single feature you can't find in Home Premium (I didn't even have a need for XP Mode).

Teerex, I am in that same situation. I may use the XP mode down the road; but I haven't needed it yet.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Home built
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate 32 bit
CPU
Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.00GHz
Motherboard
ASUS P4P800-VM Motherboard Chipset: Intel 865G + ICH5
Memory
2.50 GB RAM
Graphics Card(s)
NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GS
Sound Card
SoundMax Integrated Digital Audio (Chip)
Monitor(s) Displays
ViewSonic VX 1962 wm
Screen Resolution
1680 X 1050
Hard Drives
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 80 GB
ST380215A ATA Device 18.6 GB
Western Digital "My Book" external hard drive 750 GB
Cooling
Fan based
Keyboard
Microsoft Comfort Curve Keyboard 2000 v10 USB
Mouse
Logitec optic USB
Internet Speed
3.01 Mb/s download 0.64 Mb/s upload
Pro is the best way to go I'll tell you why... pro cost >>>155 Ultimate cost >>> 255 (approx)
PRO has everything except games , bitlocker , and 35 language packs
1. games can be downloaded from ms or anywhere
2. bitlocker will only run on certain newer systems that have some bios thing for it
it can be bypassed but then almost defeats the purpose and you risk youre whole system being
dependent on a password or key on thumbdrive forget pass/lose key and your reinstalling
3. Truecrypt is free shareware that is more powerful than bitlocker and way easier to use
4. Language packs you can obtain specific language packs individually too be honest I dont know
what theyre for and 99% of us would never need them
5. NO one needs to boot from virtual hard drives ... turn on your machine and then boot yer vhd
so you spend a few more minutes ....look why on earth would you pay an extra hundred bucks so
you can boot to another operating system which aside from mac is virtually free anyway

for these reasons the extra hundred bucks for ultimate is a complete waste i have both and ultimate is actually way more bare-bones than pro save your money dont waste time Ultimate is a marketing scheme at best ... seriously probably more than 75% of machines out there cant run bitlocker and all can run true crypt
which has better algorithms is not proprietary and is free and has added features bit locker doesnt have

can anyone dispute this ???
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Custom built super system & Fujitsu Lifebook (Lap)
OS
Win7 Ultimate (32) & Win7 Pro (64)
CPU
i7-860 (2.8 Ghz Overclocked) & intel centrino duo
Motherboard
Asus P7P55D & standard fujitsu
Memory
4 GB (Patriot) & 2 GB
Graphics Card(s)
nivida GeForce GTS 250 & standard
Sound Card
Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio & default fujitsu
Monitor(s) Displays
View Sonic , Samsung
Hard Drives
1 TB Caviar Black
1 TB Caviar Green
1/2 TB WD (my book thing)
60 gig Hitachi Travel star in the fuji lifebook
(I administer multiple systems but these are mine and usually they are not the ones with problems ---because theyre mine)
PSU
THERMALTAKE Toughpower 750 & Standard
Case
Cooler Master Sniper
Cooling
Standard
bitlocker will only run on certain newer systems that have some bios thing for it
it can be bypassed but then almost defeats the purpose and you risk youre whole system being
dependent on a password or key on thumbdrive forget pass/lose key and your reinstalling

First, I agree with you, for most people Pro is more than sufficient.

However, Firstly, ALL machines can run bitlocker with the TPM module deactivated (its a quick option change in group policy) it certainly does not defeat the object if you have TPM disabled. It actually saved me alot of hassle, I had a kid break into my house and he actually left the computer because it was secured with Bitlocker. (He switched it on first for some reason, don't know why)

Third, if you lose your thumb drive, then Bitlocker encourages you to save a recovery key to another thumb drive (which you will put somewhere safe right?)

and what about Bitlocker to Go? ever lost your USB thumbdrive? Anyone who found that can access your files.... with BL2G its secure.

whether its worth the extra £100 is a moot point though, I didn't pay that much for mine, so can't really comment (God Bless Technet)
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Medion Erazer (note to self: insert model number) - with custom additions
OS
Windows 10 Pro x64
CPU
Intel Core i5 7400 @ 3.00GHz
Motherboard
OEM supllied with PC
Memory
8GB 2133Mhz DDR4 (OEM supplied)
Graphics Card(s)
Gygabyte Windforce GTX 1050Ti (Factory Overclocked)
Sound Card
Realtek
Monitor(s) Displays
Acer Al1980 + HKC
Screen Resolution
1360*768(HKC) / 1280*1024(Acer)
Hard Drives
1TB Toshiba
1TB WD Caviar Green
120GB Samsung Evo 840
PSU
OEM supplied (no power rating on case)
Case
OEM Supplied
Cooling
Stock
Keyboard
Logitech Wireless
Mouse
Logitect Wireless
Internet Speed
40Mb/s Down 10Mb/s Up
Antivirus
Defender
Browser
Firefox
Pro is the best way to go I'll tell you why... pro cost >>>155 Ultimate cost >>> 255 (approx)
PRO has everything except games , bitlocker , and 35 language packs
1. games can be downloaded from ms or anywhere
2. bitlocker will only run on certain newer systems that have some bios thing for it
it can be bypassed but then almost defeats the purpose and you risk youre whole system being
dependent on a password or key on thumbdrive forget pass/lose key and your reinstalling
3. Truecrypt is free shareware that is more powerful than bitlocker and way easier to use
4. Language packs you can obtain specific language packs individually too be honest I dont know
what theyre for and 99% of us would never need them
5. NO one needs to boot from virtual hard drives ... turn on your machine and then boot yer vhd
so you spend a few more minutes ....look why on earth would you pay an extra hundred bucks so
you can boot to another operating system which aside from mac is virtually free anyway

for these reasons the extra hundred bucks for ultimate is a complete waste i have both and ultimate is actually way more bare-bones than pro save your money dont waste time Ultimate is a marketing scheme at best ... seriously probably more than 75% of machines out there cant run bitlocker and all can run true crypt
which has better algorithms is not proprietary and is free and has added features bit locker doesnt have

can anyone dispute this ???

you speak sense, in vista ultimate had extra value because if I am not mistaken the business version of vista was missing some features in home premium so one would use ultimate to get best of both feature sets. In windows 7 however pro is a direct upgrade from home premium and has the features 99% of people will need. I only use ultimate because I can easily with my technet license, if I was buying a retail copy from the shop it would likely be pro for my main pc and home premium for any others.
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
home built
OS
windows 8.1 Pro x64
CPU
intel i5 4670k @ 4.3ghz
Motherboard
asus z87-plus
Memory
16 gig ram ddr3 @ 1600 corsair vengeance
Graphics Card(s)
evga 970 GTX 4 GIG FTW ACX 2.0
Sound Card
asus xonar D2X
Monitor(s) Displays
benq gw2765ht
Screen Resolution
2560x1440
Hard Drives
Samsung 850 pro SSD 512gig - boot device wooosh
WD black cavalier 640gig WD6401AALS
Seagate 500gig ST3500630AS
WD 2TB Green WDC20EARS
2 x WD Red 3TB WD30EFRX
Samsung 750gig HD753LG - on asmedia controller
PSU
coolermaster silent pro 600watt modular
Case
fractal define R4
Cooling
artic freezer i30, 3 case fans
Keyboard
microsoft business ps2 keyboard
Mouse
microsoft optical black mouse
Internet Speed
80/20 FTTC SkyBB
Antivirus
Nod32 AV v8, HitmanProAlert, SRP, System Hardening
Browser
Chrome x64
Other Info
Intel controller is in AHCI mode currently using IaSTOR 12.8.0.1016 drivers
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.
 

My Computer

OS
XP Pro 64 bit
Pro is the best way to go I'll tell you why... pro cost >>>155 Ultimate cost >>> 255 (approx)
PRO has everything except games , bitlocker , and 35 language packs
1. games can be downloaded from ms or anywhere
2. bitlocker will only run on certain newer systems that have some bios thing for it
it can be bypassed but then almost defeats the purpose and you risk youre whole system being
dependent on a password or key on thumbdrive forget pass/lose key and your reinstalling
3. Truecrypt is free shareware that is more powerful than bitlocker and way easier to use
4. Language packs you can obtain specific language packs individually too be honest I dont know
what theyre for and 99% of us would never need them
5. NO one needs to boot from virtual hard drives ... turn on your machine and then boot yer vhd
so you spend a few more minutes ....look why on earth would you pay an extra hundred bucks so
you can boot to another operating system which aside from mac is virtually free anyway

for these reasons the extra hundred bucks for ultimate is a complete waste i have both and ultimate is actually way more bare-bones than pro save your money dont waste time Ultimate is a marketing scheme at best ... seriously probably more than 75% of machines out there cant run bitlocker and all can run true crypt
which has better algorithms is not proprietary and is free and has added features bit locker doesnt have

can anyone dispute this ???

That is EXACTLY what i came here to say.. amen to that.. Ultimate is a "waste" of 100$ approximately.. with Professional 98% of the users have more than enough...
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
OS
Windows
I would not disagree that Ultimate is not worth $100. In fact, if I hadn't gotten my copy of Windows 7 Ultimate from the Microsoft Windows 7 launch party event...then I wouldn't have paid for Ultimate and instead would have gone with Professional.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Self-Built in July 2009
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate x64
CPU
Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
Motherboard
Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
Memory
8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
Graphics Card(s)
EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
Sound Card
Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio
Monitor(s) Displays
23" Acer x233H
Screen Resolution
1920x1080
Hard Drives
Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black, 32MB cache. WD1001FALS
PSU
Corsair 620HX modular
Case
Antec P182
Cooling
stock
Keyboard
ABS M1 Mechanical
Mouse
Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
Internet Speed
15/2 cable modem
Other Info
Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
Applocker is the next gen of software restriction policies...I havent used Applocket yet; so I cant say whether its worth $100, but it may well be...
 

My Computer

OS
XP Pro 64 bit
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 :(
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Custom Asus Build
OS
Microsoft Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit
CPU
Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-4130 CPU @ 3.40GHz
Motherboard
B85M-E
Memory
8.00 GB
Graphics Card(s)
None
Sound Card
Realtek High Definition Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
Asus 23.6" Monitor
Screen Resolution
1920 x 1080 x 32 bits (4294967296 colors) @ 60 Hz
Hard Drives
INTEL SSDSC2BW180A4
Samsung SSD 840 PRO Series
PSU
Seasonic S12II-380Bronze
Case
Lian Li
Cooling
Fan, Passive
Keyboard
Logitech K120
Mouse
Microsoft Touch Mouse
Internet Speed
4ms Ping, 19.0 Mbps Download, 19.0 Mbps Upload
Antivirus
Eset Endpoint
Browser
Internet Explorer, Chrome
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