Windows 7 Editions Announced

Although additional "sku's" are available, Microsoft is anticipating that two versions of Windows 7 will meet the needs of most people. Those two versions are Windows 7 Home Premium and Windows 7 Professional.

According to Mike Ybarra, general manager of Windows (see PressPass), the changes in Windows 7 will be three-fold:

1. Make sure that editions of Windows 7 are a superset of one another. Thus, if you upgrade from one version to the next, you will not lose features and functionality that was in a previous edition.
2. Windows 7 is designed so different editions of Windows 7 can run on a very broad set of hardware, i.e., netbooks to gaming desktops. My interpretation is that we should not be anticipating hardware shortfalls in Windows 7.
3. Communication to make the choices clear.

Following is a description of the Windows 7 versions that will be available:

Windows 7 Starter - Intended for Small Notebooks (Netbooks)

• Broad app and device compatibility with up to 3 concurrent applications
• Safe, reliable, and supported
• Ability to join a Home Group
• Improved taskbar and JumpLists

Windows 7 Home Basic -- Only for emerging markets

• Unlimited applications
• Live Thumbnail Previews & enhanced visual experience
• Advanced networking support (ad-hoc wireless networks and internet connection sharing)
• Mobility Center

Windows 7 Home Premium -- Recommended for most home consumers

• Unlimited applications
• Aero Glass & advanced windows navigation
• Easy networking & sharing across all your PCs & devices
• Improved media format support, enhancements to Windows Media Center and media streaming, including Play To
• Multi-touch and improved handwriting recognition

Windows 7 Professional -- Home consumers needing additional features and functionality and for small business activities

• Unlimited applications
• Ability to join a managed network with Domain Join
• Protect data with advanced network backup and Encrypting File System
• Print to the right printer at home or work with Location Aware Printing

Windows 7 Enterprise and Ultimate -- Medium-to-large business and enterprise customers that choose to license Windows through Software Assurance

• Unlimited applications
• BitLocker data protection on internal and external drives
• DirectAccess provides seamless connectivity to your corporate network.
  (requires Windows Server 2008 R2)
• Decrease time branch office workers wait to open file across the network with BranchCache. (requires Windows Server 2008 R2)
• Prevent unauthorized software from running with AppLocker
  

Note: Ultimate includes all Enterprise and all Home Premium features, including multi-language packs. Windows 7 Enterprise is available only through Microsoft Volume Licensing

Press Pass:

• Windows 7 Lineup Offers Clear Choice for Consumers and Businesses
• Windows 7 Wins on Netbook PCs
  

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May the wind sing to you and the sun rise in your heart...