1 of 5 09/07/2010 12:44 Blog Daily News Podcast Book Paul Mail What I Use Windows 7 Windows Internet & Cloud Phones & Mobile Servers & Strategy Office Digital Media Xbox 360 Alt Windows 7 Product Editions: A Comparison Back in February, I wrote an article, Windows 7 Product Editions, in which I discussed the various SKUs (stock keeping units, or product editions) that Microsoft would provide with its next operating system. Now, with nearly fully-functional versions of each product edition available to the public, I thought I'd provide a series of tables comparing each Windows 7 product editon, similar in scope to the work I did documenting Windows Vista. I believe these tables will help you pick which Windows 7 product edition makes the most sense for you, based on your needs and wants. Let's dive right in. Note: This set of tables has been updated for the final, shipping versions of Windows 7. Unlike similar comparisons, these tables were generated using not by simply observering each product edition, but also by using Microsoft's internal reporting mechanisms to determine exactly which features are, in fact, available in each version. For this reason, I can reasonably state that this is the most complete and accurate list of Windows 7 features anywhere. That said, I'm still human and could have made mistakes transcribing the information. If you see anything wrong or missing, or would like to see a certain feature added, please contact me. Finding what you need Security features Reliability features Digital media and devices Mobility features User interface features Performance features Bundled applications Networking features Enterprise features Retail packaging Ult. only Can purchase electronically Ult. only Pricing: Full version $199.99 $299.99 $319.99 (Ult) Pricing: Upgrade version Bundled with new PCs in major markets Windows Anytime Upgrade (WAU) WAU pricing/to $119.99 $199.99 $219.99 (Ult.) Ult. only $79.99 $79.99 WAU pricing/to Professional $114.99 $89.99 WAU pricing/to Ultimate $164.99 $164.99 $139.99 $129.99 Virtualization rights (Can be installed in a virtual environment) User interface features Windows UI Windows Standard UI Windows Aero UI ("Glass") Aero Peek Find out more Read more about the differences between the various Windows 7 product editions in my article, Windows 7 Product Editions. Related Reading: Window s 7 Windows 7: Need to know Review Product Editions Comparison Product Editions Overview Windows 7 Tip of the Week Pricing FAQ Screenshots Install and upgrade guides Windows 7 Clean Install Screens Upgrading to Windows 7: Intro Upgrade from XP to Windows 7 Upgrade from Vista to Windows 7 Clean Install with Upgrade Media Windows 7 Upgrade Scenarios Windows 7 Deployment Windows 7 features ** Windows 7 Feature Focus ** Microsoft Security Essentials Windows Live Movie Maker Windows 7 Features in WHS PP3 Internet Explorer 8 Windows 7 Play To Windows 7 Device Stage Windows 7 Multi-Touch Shots Windows 7 Multi-Touch Media Center: Netflix, Internet TV The Windows 7 Netbook Experience Activation Technologies Update Commentary Windows 7: Mark Russinovich Best Tech of 2009: Windows 7 A Look at the Windows 7 Ads Is Windows 7 Enterprise Ready? Making the Business Case: Win7 The Fat Lady Sings Windows 7: The New NT? Windows 7 Windows 7: Windows Touch Rescue Me: Win7 Compatibility When Should Business Deploy 7? Windows 7: Choice is Good Windows 7: Simple vs. Easy Windows 7: What's In A Name? Shipping Seven
2 of 5 09/07/2010 12:44 Aero Snaps Aero Shake Aero Background Libraries Windows Flip Windows Flip 3D Live Taskbar Previews Live Preview (Explorer) Jump Lists Windows Search Part 1: January 2008 Part 2: April 2008 Part 3: Microsoft Speaks Part 4: Pre-PDC Presentation Part 5: From M3 to Beta Part 6: Public Beta Windows 7: Past, Present & Future Windows 7 vs. Snow Leopard Part 1: Oh, It's On! More soon... Windows 7 Secrets I don't just know Windows 7, I wrote the book! Check out my latest book, Windows 7 Secrets! But wait, there's more! Visit my Windows 7 Activity Center to view every Windows 7 article I've ever published, dating back to 2007. And check out my Windows 7 posts on the SuperSite Blog! Security features More granular UAC Action Center Windows Defender Windows Firewall IE 8 Protected Mode and DEP support Windows Update (can access Microsoft Update) Fast User Switching Parental Controls Performance features Windows ReadyDrive Windows ReadyBoost SuperFetch 64-bit processor support No No Physical processor support 1 1 1 2 2 Processor core support Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited Max RAM (32-bit) 4 GB 4 GB 4 GB 4 GB 4 GB Max RAM (64-bit) n/a n/a 16 GB 192 GB 192 GB Reliability features Windows Backup System image Problem Steps Recorder
aul Thurrott's SuperSite for Windows: Windows 7 Product Editions: A... of 5 09/07/2010 12:44 Backup to network Encrypting File System (EFS) BitLocker BitLocker To Go Automatic hard disk defragmentation Previous Versions Create and attach (mount) VHD Bundled applications Internet Explorer 8 Windows Gadgets and Gallery Games Explorer with basic games (FreeCell, Hearts, Minesweeper, Purble Palace, Solitaire, Spider Solitaire) games (Internet Backgammon, Internet Checkers, Internet Spades, Mahjong Titans) Calculator Paint Snipping Tool Sticky Notes Windows Journal Windows Fax and Scan Windows PowerShell and ISE WordPad XPS Viewer Digital media and devices Windows Photo Viewer photo slide shows Windows Media Player 12 with Play To Windows Media Player Remote Media Experience MPEG-2 decoding Dolby Digital compatibility AAC and H.264 decoding DVD playback Can install MPEG-2 (DVD playback) add-in n/a n/a n/a Windows Media Center Number of TV tuners supported type (analog, digital, etc.) type (analog, digital, etc.) type (analog, digital, etc.) Windows DVD Maker Device Stage Sync Center
aul Thurrott's SuperSite for Windows: Windows 7 Product Editions: A... of 5 09/07/2010 12:44 Networking features SMB connections 20 20 20 20 20 Network and Sharing Center Group sharing Join only Join only Ad-hoc network create and join, but accessible only via Start Menu Search Improved power management Connect to a Projector Remote Desktop Remote Desktop Host IIS Web Server RSS support Internet Connection Sharing Network Bridge Offline files M obility features Windows Mobility Center (No presentation mode) (No presentation mode) Windows Sideshow (Auxilliary display) Sync Center Tablet PC functionality Multi-Touch support Enterprise features Domain join (Windows Server) XP Mode licensed AppLocker Boot from VHD BranchCache DirectAccess Federated Search (Enterprise Search Scopes) Multilingual User Interface (MUI) Language Packs Location-aware printing Subsystem for UNIX-based Applications --Paul Thurrott March 30, 2009 Updated March 31, 2009; April 26, 2009; May 29, 2009; June 27, 2009; August 1, 2009; August 7, 2009; November 11, 2009 Updated for the final shipping version of Windows 7 on July 28, 2009
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