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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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:
Remember - "A day without laughter is a day wasted."
May the wind sing to you and the sun rise in your heart...
