Windows 7 editions revealed

Author: Gareth Halfacree
Published: 4th February 2009
Comments (47) Stumble
Windows 7 editions revealed

Windows 7 will come in Starter, Home Basic, Home Premium, Professional, Enterprise, and Ultimate flavours - simple it ain't.

If you've been hoping that Windows 7 might heal some of the divisions Windows Vista caused with its multifarious and often confusing editions, think again: the new OS is due to ship in no less than six different versions.

According to an article over on Engadget, Microsoft is due to launch six individual versions of Windows 7 – while aptly demonstrating that it didn't learn from the outcry over Windows Vista's confusing licensing.

Windows 7 will be offered in Starter, Home Basic, Home Premium, Professional, Enterprise, and Ultimate. The breakdown of which versions do what is perhaps a little counter-intuitive, and shows no improvements over the Vista SKU system.

The Starter edition will only be available under an OEM licensing agreement, and will restrict users to three running applications at any one time – and will not feature the revamped Aero interface. It's clearly designed to be a “try-before-you-buy” route to convince users to pay an additional fee – via the Windows Anytime Upgrade system which first featured in Vista – to upgrade to a more functional version. It's also possible that Microsoft is hoping that this will prove a possibility for future netbooks – devices not given to too much multitasking.

Home Basic, on the other hand, has the restriction on simultaneous applications lifted – although will still be missing the Aero interface. Microsoft is describing this edition as being aimed at “emerging markets,” and should be releasing this version in both OEM and retail editions. Quite what the company calls an “emerging market” - and whether that means we'll see it in the UK or not – is as yet unknown.

Home Premium is the version that most people will be using on a daily basis. The first world-wide Windows 7 release, Home Premium will feature the Aero interface, multi-touch functionality, gaming and media functionality by default, and the ability to set up a home network.

Professional builds on Home Premium with the introduction of support for domain-based networking, remote desktop support, and “presentation mode” – a technology aimed at improving the use of external displays in addition to in-built notebook screens.

Strangely, the Professional – despite its name – isn't the version that most business types will be using: that honour will go to Enterprise, which will only be available via one of the company's volume licensing schemes. Building on both Professional and Premium, Enterprise adds BitLocker drive cryptography support, the ability to boot directly from a virtual hard drive, and the branch cache functionality which aims to speed up WAN data access for multiple users.

If you simply must have the Enterprise version, but can't quite swing enough cash to spring for a volume license agreement, there's always Windows 7 Ultimate: it's Enterprise in all but name with all the functionality that implies. Sadly, Microsoft is describing this edition as “limited availability” in both retail and OEM form, so you might have a battle on your hands to get this version for anything resembling a reasonable price. Why the company has seen fit to artificially restrict supplies is anyone's guess.

If you're confused about the options available, that makes two of us – hopefully Microsoft will be releasing a better breakdown closer to release. Better yet, they could ditch the whole concept and go back to Windows XP era licensing - “Home” and “Professional.”

Have you picked your edition of Windows 7 already, or are you holding out for a version of Windows that doesn't require a gigantic feature comparison grid to drill down to the version that's right for you? Should Microsoft rethink the whole licensing scheme prior to launch? Share your thoughts over in the forums.
Quote DougEdey 4th February 2009, 11:04
Why do they punish people trying to get their system working? Everyone I know that purchased Windows XP has Professional, only people who bought a new PC had Home (and even then it was a struggle to get it to work appropriately). Why is Ultimate "limited availability" that makes no sense!
Quote Cupboard 4th February 2009, 11:06
I think they are shooting themselves in the foot not having wide availability for the Ultimate edition. And having two professional editions is just silly.
Quote liratheal 4th February 2009, 11:06
I'll be hitting up Ultimate.

I'd decided that before they announced this listing.
Quote wuyanxu 4th February 2009, 11:08
what's the point? just give us Premium for home use and Enterprise for large business, job done.
Quote Icy EyeG 4th February 2009, 11:11
So... which of these versions will be for netbooks? Home Basic?
Quote asphinx 4th February 2009, 11:26
Seriously?! I am currently trying 7Beta and actually enjoying it very much, why oh why for the love of anyone's God did they have to continue with the ridiculous amount of different versions. My suggestion, do three versions tops.

- Premium for home users, you get the basic described in Home Premium.

- Professional for "advanced" home users, Ultimate but with a better name.

- Enterprise for company's who need a volume license agreement. Enterprise and Professional not having any other differences than the license agreement. One tailored towards businesses and the other to home users.

And for crying out loud DON'T make any of those version "limited availability". If I want the most expensive version of Windows, it should be my god damn right as a consumer to choose to do so. You hear me (and the rest of Bit-tech/the World) Microsoft?
Quote p3n 4th February 2009, 11:31
If they don't go back on this I'm going to stick to OSX games and consoles - grats MS.
Quote yakyb 4th February 2009, 11:35
MSDN FTW im going to get all of them
Quote nicae 4th February 2009, 11:38
This sounds like building a PC. If you choose a vendor, there's always something wrong with the configuration - slow memory, bad HD, wrong number of cores or a case that's pants. Solution: Buy the perfect components and do it yourself!

Now they make Win7 just like that: Starter limits to 3 apps, Basic lacks Aero, touch, and gaming/media capabilities, Premium lacks "presentation mode", Professional doesn't have BitLocker, Enterprise can only be bought in multiple-license packages and Ultimate will be a rip-off. Is the solution Linux?!
Quote Muffin13 4th February 2009, 11:42
Dear Bit-Tech...

I didn’t think you were that stupid, but its true you do learn something every day
I am going to type what so many other people have written forums (I hope you get it?)

Starter- OEM Only probably for LOW end PCs
Basic-Developing Markets… they had this for XP, Read 3rd world countries
Home Premium-OEM and Retail, most ppl will get this one
Professional-OEM and Retail, Business and expert users
Enterprise-Volume licensing only, Businesses…
Ultimate-Limited OEM and Retail, pro users who want everything

Now… what you will see in most shops for consumers is:

- Home Premium
- Professional
-Ultimate

Can you pick the one you want… I mean the options are HUGE you may even go INSANE
Quote Jamie 4th February 2009, 11:43
The system backup feature in Vista is gimped in anything other than Ultimate/Business :(
Quote SNIPERMikeUK 4th February 2009, 11:44
This is just Microsoft being Microsoft, nothing new there then?

The lifetime sales figures for Vista would be nice to look at in a chart, I wonder how many suckers had actual retail purchase's (not new PC's), who bought BASIC. And did not try to get a refund.

I am disgusted that even Microsoft themselves look down on Vista like it's a lepper in a playground near their kids. Maybe there should be a damn good trade-in offer for Windows 7, I am certain there will be a fancy upgrade program in place.
Quote Kúsař 4th February 2009, 12:05
That's as crazy as Balmer himself. It could have been as simple as XP Home/Profesional. My workmates will have tough time explaining differences between #7 editions to noob customers :)
Quote Fod 4th February 2009, 12:22
you fail to realise that there is also Windows Vista Enterprise edition, which the win7 Enterprise edition replaces. It's not a new version; we just hear very little about it (yes i know about Vista business, in fact i run it on my desktop - Vista Enterprise is different)

Really when you get down to it it's a choice between Home Premium and Professional. Who at home honestly needs the enterprise features that Ultimate adds? A very small proportion of users, that's who - and they'll still be able to get it. That's the point - the average consumer SHOULDN'T know about that version!
Quote _DTM2000_ 4th February 2009, 12:34
FFS, Win7 was looking so good, then they go and shoot themselves in the foot with all these pointless options again.

There are 2 main things that bother me about these particular options:

Ultimate being limited release -- That's just utterly stupid. Why oh why do they think that's a good idea? Are they just trying to rip off enthusiasts with over inflated prices?

Enterprise being volume license only -- So if I understand this, I won't be able to by this with a new PC as OEM? That screws me over for at work. We only get Windows when we buy a new PC as many of our users already have MSDN licenses and it's not worth buying a volume licence for the hand full of people left. So I'm being forced to get Pro when I want Enterprise, what a complete joke!

Please Microsoft do the following:

Ditch Starter and Basic, they're both pointless, especially Starter. If people's PC's can't handle Aero, they can turn it off.
Keep Premium, this is what most people will want. Make it available as retail and OEM.
Keep Ultimate and make it available properly as retail and OEM. Make it slightly more expensive than Premium.
Ditch Professional, it's pointless.
Keep Enterprise but make it available as OEM and Volume License. All business' will then be able to use the same version making everyone's life easier.
Quote Veles 4th February 2009, 12:59
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fod
Really when you get down to it it's a choice between Home Premium and Professional. Who at home honestly needs the enterprise features that Ultimate adds? A very small proportion of users, that's who - and they'll still be able to get it. That's the point - the average consumer SHOULDN'T know about that version!

I don't know really, that's kind of the problem with all these SKUs and poor descriptions of what the actual differences are.
Quote Muffin13 4th February 2009, 13:35
If you're confused about the options available, that makes two of us – hopefully Microsoft will be releasing a better breakdown closer to release. Better yet, they could ditch the whole concept and go back to Windows XP era licensing - “Home” and “Professional.”

You mean

-Home
-Profesional
-Media Center
Quote Nikumba 4th February 2009, 13:42
I dont see a problem with these additions. MS will only market Home/Pro/Ent in the west. If Pro can join a domain, I dont see why you need to bother with Ent ed.

Kimbie
Quote Redbeaver 4th February 2009, 14:33
i dont understand people bashing the many options... what most users need to know are 2 version: home premium or home professional. u either use it at home, or at work.

if a consumer have the knowledge to get more features, then they should have no problems understanding the other versions.

sure, its probably bad marketing, M$ shouldve just focus their market on the 2 versions but let the techies know there ARE available 4 other versions, that should be good. instead of the going up front "hey! we have 6 versions!! whippitydo!"
Quote jim48509 4th February 2009, 14:50
Better yet, they could ditch the whole concept and go back to Windows XP era licensing - “Home” and “Professional.”

+1
Quote Jenny_Y8S 4th February 2009, 14:56
So it's exactly the same as Vista then? No real suprise seeing as windows 7 is an uber service pack for vista (Say it like you see it)

Vista Ultimate already has limited availability. Why? Because at retail it's so damn expensive not many retailers stock it, and if they do they won't stock as many copies as they do premium. And how many rigs do you see out there that come with ultimate as a standard option?

For me Vista ultimate is worthwhile for it's drive imaging backup tools, Pro has that too of course but you lose media center.
Quote GoodBytes 4th February 2009, 15:24
There are less editions to select that what you think.
Actually there are only 2 version! Crazy? nope.. please let me explain why.

Windows 7 Starter editions existed in Vista and in XP!
Proof: http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/newsroom/winxp/...
It is for emerging markets

Windows 7 Home Basic is also for emerging market... (like the above one) so we won't even see it.

Enterprise edition is for group licensing.. so we won't see it.

Now we have 3 editions:
- Home Premium
- Professional
- Ultimate

The problem with Vista layout is that the Buisnes edition was more expensive than Home Premium, for an extange of feature. Based on the article, the Professional edition will NOT replace features but add them. So the layout it:

- Win7 Home Premium (XP Home edition + Media Center + tablet PC in one + more)
- Win7 Professional (XP Pro + Media Center + tablet PC in one + more)

What is is to be mad about?
Quote GoodBytes 4th February 2009, 15:30
BTW, what is with people saying that XP had only 2 editions.... it has way more:
- XP Home
- XP Media Center (2003/2005)
- XP Prefessional
- XP Tablet PC
- XP Starter edition
- XP for Embedded Systems
- XP Embedded (getting confusing here)
- XP Pro 64-bit (I put that in because you can do the upgrade form 32 to 64 like Vista and Win7)

Sounds fun, which one will you pick?
Quote Er-El 4th February 2009, 15:35
Quote:
Originally Posted by GoodBytes
BTW, what is with people saying that XP had only 2 editions.... it has way more:
- XP Home
- XP Media Center (2003/2005)
- XP Prefessional
- XP Tablet PC
- XP Starter edition
- XP for Embedded Systems
- XP Embedded (getting confusing here)
- XP Pro 64-bit (I put that in because you can do the upgrade form 32 to 64 like Vista and Win7)

Sound fun, which one will you pick?

LOL, yes suddenly people seem to have forgotten about that.

Well I feel Win 7 should come in just 3 different versions:

Home
Professional
Enterprise - same thing as business with a volume license agreement but a nicer name.
Quote Awoken 4th February 2009, 16:45
There should be two pared down editions:
Home
Business
with optional modules such as drive encryption, windows media player, paint etc That can be paid for and downloaded if they are wanted. The days of bloatware need to end.
Quote zimbloggy 4th February 2009, 16:54
I have been a loyal fan of Microsoft for a long time. I have tried the Windows 7 beta and it's fantastic.

But, this further confirms my growing dislike for their sneaky end-user hating business tactics. Why can't they just have 1 version, 1 price? It's not like it costs them any extra to include the features! In fact, when you install Vista, you can upgrade to a higher version on the same disc!
Quote outlawaol 4th February 2009, 17:11
Oh joy! A new windows for me...
>.>

I doubt I will bother with Win 7 unless it has some sort of new improved graphics enhancement (IE DirectX XX blah blah). If it would be like WinXP and Vista, on the DX side, that would be just insane...
Quote kenco_uk 4th February 2009, 17:15
Where's the Windows 7 *iss everyone off edition?
Quote GoodBytes 4th February 2009, 17:18
Direct X11 should comes to Vista, with SP2 I beleive
Quote <A88> 4th February 2009, 18:05
This really isn't the big deal everyone's making it out to be, although it's funny watching 1/2 the blogging world go ballistic over it and the other 1/2 working out what's really going on.

Basically, most peoples' first instinct is to ask "why can't they just take the OSX approach and make a single version for everyone?!". Sounds logical on paper, but Microsoft have close to 90% of the world market and Apple have 3%- fact is, Windows doesn't have a specific market whereas Macs are higher-end consumer systems. Therefore, the only way Microsoft can ensure you can still get your $300 laptops is to make a cheaper version of its product and thus cutting out features to justify the price drop. If they try and supply the same version for every PC, they'll have to charge a standard price instead of giving the option of below-average or slightly-above-average options. Make sense?

As many have pointed out, we've only really got 2 options when it comes to buying a PC, and unlike Vista they follow a much more ordinary hierarchy- thus the professional version isn't a MCE-less suit-and-tie only SKU and caters for the slightly more advanced users. Those of us who really care about the enterprise features (and know what they actually do) will go out of our way to get Ultimate anyway, and removing it from the OEMs' grasp is a wise idea.
Quote wafflesomd 4th February 2009, 20:55
Are there any reasons why I should move to Vista or 7? Or do they still all do the same thing as XP, but with a new price tag.
Quote Buzzons 4th February 2009, 21:09
to quote MS - because no one seems to care about actually .. you know.. refereing them
Quote:


ressPass: What will change in the way you package and market Windows 7?

Ybarra: We've received great feedback from customers and partners through Windows XP and Windows Vista, and have learned a lot about how to communicate what’s available in different editions of the operating system. At the same time, we have a customer base of over 1 billion along with many partners, so it’s important to make sure the right edition of Windows with the right features set is available for them.

The first change in Windows 7 was to make sure that editions of Windows 7 are a superset of one another. That is to say, as customers upgrade from one version to the next, they keep all features and functionality from the previous edition. As an example, some business customers using Windows Vista Business wanted the Media Center functionality that is in Windows Vista Home Premium but didn’t receive it in Business edition. Customers won’t have to face that trade-off with Windows 7. With Windows 7 there is a more natural progression from one edition to the next.

The second change is that we have designed Windows 7 so different editions of Windows 7 can run on a very broad set of hardware, from small-notebook PCs (sometimes referred to as netbooks) to full gaming desktops. This way, customers can enable the scenarios they want across the broad hardware choices they have.

The third change lies in how we broadly communicate in the marketplace, to make these choices as simple and clear as possible for customers and partners.

PressPass: Does that mean you’ll be streamlining the product lineup?

Ybarra: With Windows 7 there will be two primary editions: Windows 7 Home Premium, and Windows 7 Professional. We think those two SKUs will meet most customers’ needs.

Windows 7 Home Premium is the recommended choice for consumers. It gives them a full-function PC experience and a visually rich environment in everything from the way they experience entertainment to the way they connect their devices.

Windows 7 Professional is the recommended choice for small businesses and for people who work at home but have to operate in an IT-managed or business environment where security and productivity are critical. For those running Windows Vista Business, it will be a very logical move to Windows 7 Professional.

from http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/features/2009/feb09/02-03Win7SKU-QA.mspx


Seriously, why do people care if there are more than 2 versions. It just makes OEM PCs cheaper for those that don't want anything more than a box to surf the net and read email.
Quote Buzzons 4th February 2009, 21:11
Also
Quote:
Originally Posted by wafflesomd
Are there any reasons why I should move to Vista or 7? Or do they still all do the same thing as XP, but with a new price tag.

Yes, there are many many reasons.

They do the same as XP (As XP did the same of 2k..) but they do more. The "more" is both behind the scenes (Better security, better drivers, better caching, better disk IO scheduling, better power managment) and infront of you (better UI, better work flow, better thought out options)

Win7 is built on Vista - same basic kernel used just with more tweaks and patches. XP to Vista is an entirly new kernel just as XP was from NT4.
Quote Er-El 4th February 2009, 21:16
Quote:
Originally Posted by Awoken
There should be two pared down editions:
Home
Business
with optional modules such as drive encryption, windows media player, paint etc That can be paid for and downloaded if they are wanted. The days of bloatware need to end.
With 7 you can now uninstall those software - so your wish has been granted.
Quote Smilodon 4th February 2009, 21:24
Ok, so what's the big deal?

This is how the system has always been since win2000.


What I find a bit ironic, yet sad, is that first people complain that MSOS come with lots of crap that nobody needs. They also don't want to pay for stuff they don't need.

MS responds with making different versions for different user groups, and what happens? People whine about this too!

I have seen all the versions of vista in active use, and I think they fit their specific markets very well. The Win7 scheme is about the same, but with different names. IMO it would have been better to keep the same names Vista used.







I'm not sure why I bother to write this, though. The ones that already hate MS for some reason will continue to do this. The ones that understand what's going on will already know what I'm talking about. ;)


edit: Oh, and the Win7 system is slightly better as you don't have to choose between two versions that have different functionality. Better verions just add stuff, and doesn't remove anything. :)
Quote Mister_Tad 4th February 2009, 21:51
I too, simply don't understand why anyone cares. It completely makes sense IMO, perhaps less choices wouldn't hurt, but what's wrong with choice?

Limited availability of ultimate seems odd, but I'll be using it anyway so I don't care, or maybe I'll use Enterprise just to be different - gogo TechNet!
Quote yodasarmpit 4th February 2009, 22:12
Quote:
Originally Posted by p3n
If they don't go back on this I'm going to stick to OSX games and consoles - grats MS.

Although I agree it's an odd move to offer 6 flavours, I can't imagine it would make anyone consider OSX instead.
Quote HourBeforeDawn 4th February 2009, 23:17
WIndows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, all have about the same amount of variations, this isnt new, are people just that forgetful??? shesh...
Quote leexgx 5th February 2009, 01:43
Quote:
Originally Posted by Muffin13
Dear Bit-Tech...

I didn’t think you were that stupid, but its true you do learn something every day
I am going to type what so many other people have written forums (I hope you get it?)

Starter- OEM Only probably for LOW end PCs
Basic-Developing Markets… they had this for XP, Read 3rd world countries
Home Premium-OEM and Retail, most ppl will get this one
Professional-OEM and Retail, Business and expert users
Enterprise-Volume licensing only, Businesses…
Ultimate-Limited OEM and Retail, pro users who want everything

Now… what you will see in most shops for consumers is:

- Home Premium
- Professional
-Ultimate

Can you pick the one you want… I mean the options are HUGE you may even go INSANE
UK

for the most part its only home prem and ultimate that users will buy (Disk/oem pack not reatail you have to be stuped to pay £100-150 for an box with geen or black on it), users who buy PCs form shop will buy what ever comes with the pc but home basic Will come with pcs that are low spec still that you buy from shops
pro will only be needed for small to med companies with an Domain server

when you get an computer from OEM (acer) some of them are useing vista basic (4gb ram 2ghz c2d ATI HDMI) on computers that should be coming with home prem

most 1gb ram or less systems seem to get home basic most the time with some giveing home prem from time to time,
systems with 2gb ram and an None 945 intel video cards norm would have home prem,
ultimate you never see unless the system is more then £1000 norm (i have Never seen an ultimate system in the last 2 years of fixing pcs apart from my own pc)
Quote Muffin13 5th February 2009, 01:55
It is totally amazing to see the amount of people who go to these sites and CAN NOT READ, And then bitch about how Windows 7 has a million consumer versions

You are making yourself look stupid by being MISINFORMED

There are only 3 consumer versions
Quote Volund 5th February 2009, 02:10
Quote:
Originally Posted by yodasarmpit
I can't imagine it would make anyone consider OSX instead.

Especially for games :|


anyways :P Not sure if I like limiting the ultimate edition release, and I don't really see why people are freaking out about this... it's not that big of a deal :(
Quote GoodBytes 5th February 2009, 02:35
I think when they say limiting ultimate edition, is that under Vista they probably product all edition the same amount ... and Ultimate was not the choice as people preferred Business or Home Premium editions instead (as they don't everything). These kind of comments sounds bad, but they are not. They are logical. I don't think you will see the Ultimate edition sold out.
Quote Javerh 5th February 2009, 10:52
This conversation reminds me of a very specific picture:

http://ciacanada.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/guitar-hero-for-mac.jpg

I'm probably going for Home Premium. Any word on the pricing yet?
Quote Xtrafresh 5th February 2009, 11:16
I don't really understand the fuss, though M$ could have handled this a lot better.

The biggest problem with different versions for me has always been explaining features to people that don't care. Bit-techers (expert users that we are) will recognise and use all versions without problem.

The ultimate version being limited... jesus who cares. How many bit-tech people boot from a network drive?
Besides, most people that want ultimate just download it anyway.

I'm currently using the beta, and it's ultimate. I honoustly wouldn't notice the difference from a downgrade to Premium.
Quote perplekks45 5th February 2009, 11:54
I have to agree with everyone wondering about all the bitching. If you get so scared by the amount of options just go Ultimate. Make sure you get it all.
I will definitely buy 7 (first Windows I'll ever pay for) and I'll most likely go for Home Premium. I'd like to have BitLocker but I don't use it that often, I never use Media Center and I never boot from a mapped network drive.
Pricing will be pretty similar to Vista I guess. Same marketing scheme -> same price scheme.
Quote cpemma 5th February 2009, 12:38
Quote:
Originally Posted by Redbeaver
i dont understand people bashing the many options...
Looking at the level of literacy displayed in such posts, I do. So many people are leaving school these days able to set up a computer network but unable to create or understand simple written communication. :(

If I go out to buy hardware, whether a motherboard or a cooker, I expect to find a range of models available with different features and prices to match. To get everything I really need I may be able to get the budget model or I may need to go uprange a few models, and if I'm a real or wannabee power user, hang the expense, I'll just get the flagship model. Why should software be any different? It's not rocket science if you can read, and manufacturers even have tables to compare different models' features - I bet MS are using that little aid. ;)

But I'm happy there's a range in more than just colour and size. :)
Quote GoodBytes 5th February 2009, 16:40
I would go with the professional version. As you'll have complete PC backup (system image backup) which is awesome under Vista, especially with an eSATA external HDD), all by keeping advance networking and account feature and 32 and 64-bit DVD codec player, media center, and the rest of Home Premium. Or I'll get the Ultimate edition if I can get it for ultra cheap, like I have now with my Vista Ultimate retail.
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