operating system Windows 7 comes in six editions. Having learned about their number, there is no need to grab your head and spend sleepless nights on the Internet, trying to determine the most suitable one. You will only have to choose from two, because the publications can be immediately divided into two categories. And in each of them, the choice will largely be dictated by the thickness of the wallet.

• Operating systems for home
• Operating systems for business

comparison table Windows editions

Windows 7 Starter

“Who needs such a system if you can’t run more than three programs in it?” - this is the first thing that comes to mind, if you don’t know that Microsoft has abandoned the idea of ​​​​limiting the number of applications that can be launched simultaneously. Initially, the idea was that OEMs needed a cheap OS to install on cheap netbooks equipped with network card and/or Wi-Fi module. Imagine for a moment what you could do with three programs. Which one will you launch first? That's right, browser. And here you go:

• Email
• music and video
• newspapers, magazines and books
• collaboration with documents
• social networks, forums, chats, blogs, websites (where are you reading this article?)
• games and so on...

Considering the widespread shift of services to the Internet, you will have enough to do here for a long time. Not so bad for an ultra-cheap system, especially without a limit on the number of programs you can run. The edition is only available in 32-bit, which is not surprising given its entry level.

Windows 7 Home Basic

This edition contains everything in the initial edition, and also adds a number of convenient opportunities - general access Internet connections, fast switching users, mobility center. And this significantly expands the range of computers on which OEMs will install Home Basic. These so-called budget desktop and mobile computers will go to emerging markets. Yes, this edition does not have some of the “goodies” of the new interface, but it already has many of the functionality of the latest operating system. Microsoft systems. And having supplemented it free programs, you can get a system that will satisfy the needs of a very wide range of users.

Windows 7 Home Premium

Here, a full-fledged Aero Glass interface is added to the previous edition, as well as interesting desktop navigation capabilities - Aero Shake and Aero Peek. You will also be able to create a home group, multimedia capabilities, including Windows Media Center, as well as other nice utilities - like Notes and an expanded set of games. Perhaps this is the optimal edition for home use if there are no sufficient reasons or means to want more.

Windows 7 Ultimate

It takes the best of what Microsoft put into Windows 7. At home, you can benefit from file system encryption and BitLocker to improve data security. AppLocker is useful for serious control over household members. It may not be superfluous to have the option of backing up to network drive. This edition will be preferred by Windows enthusiasts - those who consciously use the wide range of capabilities of the operating system. Well, the users pirated versions, of course, where would we be without them...

There are six editions of Windows 7. Two editions for mainstream consumers and business users and four specialized editions for corporate clients, tech enthusiasts, emerging markets and PCs entry level.

The following editions of Windows 7 are available:

1. Windows 7 Starter: This release targets mini PCs in all markets. It is only available for the 32-bit platform. Features: Improved Windows Taskbar and Jump Lists, Windows Search, ability to join HomeGroup, Action Center, Device StageTM, Windows® Fax and Scan, enhanced streaming media, including Play To, wide application and device compatibility, with three parallel programs.
2. Windows 7 Home Basic: This release is intended for PCs in emerging markets. This version has Internet access and runs basic productivity applications. This release includes all the features available in Windows 7 Starter, plus additional ones such as Live Thumbnail previews, improved event visualization, and improved network support.
3. Windows 7 Home Premium: This release is a standard customer release. It provides full functionality on the latest hardware, easy connectivity, and a visually rich environment. This edition includes all the features available in Windows 7 Home Basic and other features such as Windows® Aero®, enhanced Windows navigation and Aero theme, Windows® Touch, the ability to create a HomeGroup, DVD video playback and creation, Windows® Media Center, Snipping Tool , Sticky Notes, Windows Journal andWindows® SideshowTM.
4. Windows 7 Professional: This release focuses on small and medium businesses, for users and companies who have networking, backup, security, multiple PC or server needs. This release includes all the features available in Windows 7 Home Premium, plus additional ones needed for core business including Domain Join and Group Policies,data protection with advanced network, backup and Encrypted File System, the ability to print on the correct home printer or working with Location Aware Printing, Remote Desktop node and Offline Folders.
5. Windows 7 Enterprise: This release provides enhanced data protection and information access for firms using IT as a strategic asset. This business-focused edition is intended for managed environments, primarily large enterprises. This release includes all the features available in Windows 7 Professional, plus others such as BitLocker, BitLocker To Go, AppLocker, DirectAccess, BranchCache, Enterprise Search Scopes, all interface languages, enhanced Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) and the ability to boot from VHD.
6. Windows 7 Ultimate: This release is for tech enthusiasts who want all the features of Windows 7, without the Volume License agreement. It includes all the same features as Windows 7 Enterprise. Windows 7 Ultimate is not licensed for VDI scenarios.

Attention: Microsoft also produces N edition of Windows 7 Starter, Windows 7 Home Basic and Windows 7 Professional. N editions of Windows 7 include all the same features as the corresponding editions, but do not include Windows Microsoft® Media® Player and related technologies. This allows you to install your own media player and the components it needs.

operating room Windows system 7 went on sale at the end of 2009 to replace Windows Vista, and according to recent data it is already the most used operating system in the world. In terms of appearance, it is in many ways similar to its predecessor; it solves a number of problems that existed in Windows Vista, but is also subject to significant criticism on a number of points. For example, Microsoft stated that the new operating system would be much faster than the previous one, however, this did not happen.

The Windows 7 operating system comes in six versions:

1. Initial (Starter)
2. Home Basic
3. Home Premium
4. Professional
5. Corporate (Enterprise)
6. Maximum

Let's look at what are the main differences between these six versions of Windows 7.

The further down the list, the more the functionality and price of operating systems increase. It should be noted that the Enterprise version is not sold to individuals, but is sold only under corporate licenses.

The most sophisticated version is the Ultimate, which has all the options possible in Windows 7. By the way, it also has the highest price – 220 US dollars.

Below is a table comparing the characteristics of Windows 7 versions for a more detailed study. I’m sure it shouldn’t leave you with any questions regarding the differences between Windows 7 versions.

So Microsoft provides multiple versions of Windows 7. Why?

Unfortunately, this version does not allow you to create a homegroup. This feature is only available in Windows 7 Home Premium, Professional, and Ultimate editions.

Basic Windows restrictions 7 Initial:

Change background picture and so

Unfortunately, in Windows 7 Starter you can't change desktop backgrounds and themes, only change the color of windows or add gadgets to your desktop. Changing desktop backgrounds and themes is only available in Windows 7 Home Premium, Professional, and Ultimate editions.

There is no limit to the number of programs that can be open simultaneously in Windows 7 Starter edition. But you should remember that Windows 7 Starter supports a maximum of 2 gigabytes of random access memory (RAM), and this can affect the performance of the computer if many programs are running on it at the same time. Editions starting with “Extended” allow you to use additional memory (RAM) and allow the computer to work with a larger number of programs.

A number of functions such as: Windows interface Aero, multi-monitor support, desktop manager, Windows Media Center, additional games, domain connection are not supported in this edition.

Windows 7 Home Basic

The Windows 7 Home Basic version is intended exclusively for release in developing countries, including Russia. This version is also limited and most useful functions are missing from it.

Features of Windows 7 Home Basic:

Volume random access memory

The maximum amount of memory that this version supports is 8 gigabytes (for 64-bit versions), as opposed to 2 in the “Initial” version.

Multiple monitor support

In this version, you can use multiple monitors when working; in some cases, this is a very convenient feature.

Quickly switch between users

Can in a convenient way switch from one user to another, for example, to restrict rights.

Changing your desktop background

In this version, it becomes possible to change the desktop background picture, which is completely absent in Windows 7 Starter.

This is where the capabilities of the Windows 7 Home Basic version end.

Let's look at the main limitations:

Missing: Windows Media Center, Windows Aero interface with Shake, Peek and taskbar preview, additional games and domain connection.

This version does not provide the ability to create a homegroup, only join a group.

Windows 7 Home Premium

The Windows 7 Home Premium version is of greatest interest to home user, because it includes those functions that are necessary for working from home, and disables those that are of interest mainly to organizations.

Let's look at what's new in this version.

Aero interface

Now the user can take advantage of new navigation features - Aero Shake, Jump Lists and Snap. Tune appearance Customize Windows by changing desktop themes and programs on the taskbar.

RAM capacity

The amount of RAM can reach 16 GB (for 64-bit versions).

Home group

Now you can easily create a home network using HomeGroup and transfer various files each other.

Windows Media Center

The ability to watch television programs (if you have a TV tuner), as well as record, rewind and pause them.

Additional games

This version includes additional games that will help brighten up your leisure time on the road or at home.

Now let's look at what is missing in this version.

Windows XP Emulator

It allows you to run the Windows XP shell from a Windows 7 system. The main task of this function is to launch programs that are not compatible with the Windows 7 operating system.

Encryption System (EFS)

Due to the lack of a data encryption mechanism, Windows 7 Home Premium cannot protect personal data through encryption. To do this you will have to resort to third-party programs.

Remote Desktop

With the Remote Desktop feature, you can connect to other computers and perform various actions. Relevant in case of user support, for example in organizations or groups.

Connecting to a domain

What is a domain? This is a collection of computers on a network, the organization and management of which is carried out as a single whole using general rules and actions. Basically, domain network structure is used to create networks in companies. It's not in this version.

The following features are also not supported: Multi-processor support, AppLocker, BitLocker and BitLocker To Go, Branch Cache, DirectAccess and localization.

Windows 7 Professional

The Windows 7 Professional version is more suitable in terms of functionality for a corporate environment than for a consumer environment. Its main differences from previous versions are that it supports running programs in Windows XP mode, allows you to restore data using the data recovery function and data archiving over the network.

In addition, a more secure connection to corporate networks via a domain is provided, which was not the case before, the data encryption system (EFS) is enabled and allows you to roll back the system to Windows Vista or Windows XP. This version also supports multiple processors.

The final version of Windows 7 Ultimate remains, not reviewed. As is already clear from the name itself, this version includes all the previously described functions and some others that remain to be considered.

Windows 7 Ultimate

Windows 7 Ultimate includes a number of features not found in previous versions, including Windows 7 Professional.

System localization

Allows you to choose any of 35 languages ​​to work with.

Encryption

There is more advanced technology to protect data from loss and theft using BitLocker and BitLocker To Go technology. With its help, you can encrypt all disks in the system, including the system one, as well as removable media.

AppLocker

To boot the Windows operating system, use a VHD file containing a virtual operating system having a complete structure and content similar to a hard disk.

Multilingual User Environment (MUI)- Choice desired language interface and the ability to switch between 35 available languages. Comparison of Windows 7 versions.

And so, after many years of tormenting Windows XP, you decided to install the Windows 7 operating system, but unlike XP, 7 has a lot of different versions (editions), and when the choice comes, you are confused about what to choose, and which version of Windows 7 is better now we will figure it out and compare their differences, advantages and disadvantages.

From these differences it follows that you can install everything except the basic (starter) and home initial versions, there are six of them in total:

All versions of Windows 7

Initial- there is nothing to tell this is a completely stripped-down version, which you can only purchase when purchasing a computer or laptop, and has only an introductory feature, it does not have a 64-bit version of the system (I already wrote what this means in the article), it supports a maximum of only 2 Gb of RAM memory, it does not have desktop visualization, in general, all the beauties of the seven, you cannot connect two monitors (only in clone mode), it will not work and connect to a remote desktop on the computer where this version of the OS is installed. There is no domain support, even the media center was cut out, in general, this operating system does not give you anything in principle, but only the ability to turn on and check the computer for functionality. There is no downgred either, so anyone who decided to cheat won’t be able to do it.

home Basic- what’s more interesting is the ability to install 8 GB of memory (for this reason there are two types of release), everything is also bad with the capabilities local network no homegroup creation, no domain support. There is no remote desktop. But this version already includes support for multiple monitors. There is no downgrade, and the visual beauty of Windows Aero is still undercut. I would not recommend it for advanced users because in the future you will still want more features from it.

Home extended- now you can work with these without restrictions, all the visual beauty is here, you can also create home groups yourself, and not just join them. We still won’t be able to connect to the domain, nor will we be able to connect to the remote desktop. So I can confidently say this version is ideal for the home. Here, you will have enough of everything.

Professional- this is the most ideal version of Windows 7; it has everything you need. There is support for domains and appeared windows emulator xp (XP Mode) to run outdated applications, a downgrade appears, although on this version it is no longer needed. Support for multiple physical processors and finally remote desktop. This is the maximum for home use with a ceiling. As a rule, such versions are installed on work computers in offices; its set fully satisfies the needs of the local network.

Corporate- the version is not for home, only for organizations. Here we have already added support for DirectAccess, a subsystem for launching Unix applications.

Maximum- as the name suggests, there is everything to the maximum, it is very expensive for home and work, you won’t need it.

Conclusion : Of all the above, two leaders can be named: Home extended for the home, and Professional to work, you simply won’t need all other versions of the operating system

P.S.: I want to note that you have every right put and Home version in the organization, no one legally prohibits you from doing this.

More and more often on the Internet (usually on forums or in in social networks) I’m faced with an approach to choosing an edition of Windows 7 that I don’t understand. As many surveys and discussions show, the vast majority of users use the Windows 7 Ultimate edition.

When asked why this is so, the answers are very different, both adequate and not so adequate. Eg “I want ALL the features of Windows 7” , “Ultimate is faster” and so on. Many people don’t even know why they created this edition. Some probably think that if they install the Professional or Maximum edition, they automatically become professionals... The worst thing is that even when users are interested in the prices of “7-ku”, they look straight at... Maximum! And then “in shock” they write: “ I'm not a complete idiot, throwing out 12 pieces on Windows”…

Therefore, I decided to write the differences between some editions of this OS and show that for home use there is no need to install the Windows 7 Ultimate edition, in most cases there is no need to even install the Professional edition.

So, we will briefly describe the functionality of each edition, the differences between them and examples of the need to use one or another edition.

Windows 7 Home Basic

Windows 7 Home Basic edition is the entry-level edition that is intended for customers with inexpensive computers. He has everything the benefits of Windows 7 (security, reliability, speed, active thumbnails, advanced network support, etc.)

But compared to Home Premium, it does not have a number of the following features:

• Improved navigation and window customization with enhancements to the Microsoft Aero desktop;
• the ability to create a home group to make it easier sharing to files for network-connected computers and devices;
• the ability to watch Internet TV and record TV shows on your computer from using Windows Media Center;
• remote media streaming and improved support various formats multimedia.

In what cases is it worth buying this edition? If you don't have new computer and the video card does not support Aero. In all other cases, I would recommend purchasing the Home Extended.

Windows 7 Home Premium

Windows 7 Home Premium is the best edition for home users. You can easily connect to other computers and devices in an interface with multiple visual effects, designed to simplify and diversify daily tasks. This OS release supports the creation of a home group, which allows you to share with others connected to the network Windows computers 7 Access a variety of content, such as your favorite photos, videos, or music files. And thanks to the opportunity easy connection With the Internet TV component of Windows Media Center, you can watch TV shows from anywhere.

Compared to Professional, it does not have the following features:

• joining a domain;
• advanced backup and recovery;
• encrypted file system for data protection;
• Windows XP mode for running legacy business applications in Windows XP;
• local group policy editor;
• Network Location Aware Printing, which helps you set different default printers on your network;
• ability to connect to a computer with using Remote Desktop Connection.

This edition has all the necessary features for full use at home. The same features that are not presented in it are overwhelmingly not needed by users. Indeed, do many people have a domain structure deployed at home? Do they need the ability to connect to a domain? I think no. Backup is performed on external media or in network folder. Will most home users use this? I doubt. Encrypted FS? Also no. Maybe Windows XP mode is needed? Tell me at least one application that is necessary for home computer, and which does not run under 7.

I'm not saying that there are absolutely no users who find the features of this release insufficient. There are some, but they are clearly not the overwhelming majority. As a rule, these are people who use a computer as a work tool, and therefore they can afford to pay more for a Professional edition.

Windows 7 Professional

The Windows 7 Professional operating system combines all the business features you need with entertainment options Windows release 7 Home extended. You'll be able to run a variety of Windows XP productivity programs directly from Windows 7 or using Windows XP mode, and easily recover data with automatic backup capabilities at home or work network. Connecting to company networks has become easier and safer.

There is a group of users who lack the capabilities provided Windows edition 7 Home extended. Some people need Remote Desktop Connection features, some deploy a domain structure at home, some work at home with older software that needs Windows environment XP. In these cases, it makes sense to purchase this edition.

Compared to Ultimate, it does not have the following features:

• disk encryption and protection Microsoft data BitLocker™ and BitLocker To Go™ on internal and external drives and storage devices;
• DirectAccess technology for more secure connections to corporate network through the Internet;
• Microsoft BranchCache technology, which provides accelerated access to content from remote branch file and web servers;
• Microsoft AppLocker™ technology, which prevents unauthorized software from running on employee computers;
• Enterprise search scopes that make it easier to discover and search content on intranet portals;
• Multilingual user interface packages that provide operation in any of 35 languages.

Windows 7 Ultimate

Windows 7 Ultimate is the most feature-rich and powerful edition designed for the needs of enterprise customers and consumers who need a complete set of Windows features 7. This edition allows you to work efficiently anywhere, improves security and control and optimizes PC management. It also provides a flexible interface with support for various languages.

Those are described a little above functionality this edition, which are not in the Professional edition. And now name me at least one of them that could be at least somehow useful at home use! None of this for home users no need! Moreover, often these features are not needed even by corporate users, provided, of course, that the organization's network infrastructure is not built on the basis of 2008 R2.

So why do more than 70% of our home users use this particular edition? Why?!!

Windows 7 comes in six different versions. Today we will answer the burning question for many PC users, what is the difference between all these versions of Windows 7?

*At the end of the article there is a detailed comparison table between versions of Windows 7 Starter, Home, Professional, Ultimate and Enterpise.

First of all, it should be noted that Starter is OEM version, so it comes pre-installed. Additionally, there is no 64-bit version of Windows 7 Starter, no DVD playback, and no multi-monitor support. Basically, Microsoft Windows 7 Starter is a stripped-down version for netbooks because it is graphically inferior. At the same time, this is a major misconception for many users since Windows 7 Starter still comes with all the important non-graphical programs such as: Internet Explorer 8, Windows Media Player 12, a new version Calculator, Paint and WordPad with the controversial ribbon interface, updated Windows Defender, Firewall and Action Center. Windows 7 Starter still has a new and improved taskbar with pinned apps and Jump Lists with an enhanced SuperFetch that makes opening and switching between apps surprisingly fast. Perhaps most importantly, Windows 7 Starter allows you to run more than three applications at once, something that wasn't available during beta testing.

Windows 7 Home Premium

Windows 7 Home Premium is the cheapest version of Windows 7 and is available in retail sales. (There is also Windows 7 Home Basic Edition, which is practically the same as the Starter version.) Along with Aero, graphical user interface Home Premium offers more visual options - including new Windows 7 themes with background slideshows - which are missing in the beginner version. There's also fast user switching, multi-monitor video, and touch support. The main difference between Starter and Home Premium - besides the Aero interface - is the presence full Windows Media Center package, with which you can stream from one Windows Player Media to another over the network, DVD playback, DVD authoring, and all media processing of previous versions. In Home Premium you can create a shared home group, while in Windows 7 Starter you can only join a PC. A HomeGroup is a local area network that is great for controlling access to shared files over local network. This is ideal for anyone who lives in a dorm, for example, or who has children or roommates and wants to share certain music, files or images over a shared network.

Windows 7 Professional

There are good additional add-ons in Windows 7 Professional such as: local offline file cache, restore point backup for network resources, it can act as a remote desktop server. But the two main advantages are Windows Server support for domains and XP Mode. By the way, Windows 7 Professional is the cheapest edition, which has an XP Mode emulator and to which you can attach a Windows Server domain.

Windows 7 Ultimate/Enterpise (Ultimate/Enterprise)

The two main additions to Windows 7 Ultimate are BitLocker encryption data and the ability to create AppLockers, which can block prohibited programs. It's unlikely that the average user will need to encrypt local files or create "secure" app lists (although I know a few tech-savvy users who might strongly disagree with me). Ultimate also has translators and solutions for network printers, but, again, this is all mainly for business, not for ordinary users. Windows 7 Ultimate supports some UNIX applications, but this feature is mainly aimed at "server farms". The only difference between Windows 7 Ultimate and Enterpise is that Enterpise is available under volume licensing, with some Windows license Software Assurance.

CONCLUSION

Most users will choose between Windows 7 Home Premium and Windows 7 Professional, the determining factor will be the network. If you want to join a Windows domain, you need Windows 7 Professional or higher. If you don't need this, then Windows 7 Home Premium is ideal for you. Windows 7 Starter should be considered as a netbook operating system, and Enterprise/Ultimate products for security and hyper-conscious users.

What are we comparing?	Windows 7 Starter	Windows 7 Home Basic	Windows 7 Home Premium	Windows 7 Professional	Windows 7 Ultimate/Enterpise
Taskbar and Jump Lists	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Search	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Join a homegroup	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Windows Media Player	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Backup and Restore	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Enhanced media playback	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Support Center	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Device Stage (device connection algorithm)	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Bluetooth support	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Fax and scanner	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Basic games	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Credential Manager	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Number of applications	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited
Preview thumbnails from the taskbar		✓	✓	✓	✓
Fast user switching		✓	✓	✓	✓
Creating a dedicated wireless network		✓	✓	✓	✓
Multiple monitor support		✓	✓	✓	✓
Windows Mobility Center (without presentation settings)		✓	✓	✓	✓
Aero transparent windows and easy navigation			✓	✓	✓
Aero - Background			✓	✓	✓
Windows Touch(supports multi-touch and handwriting input)			✓	✓	✓
Create a HomeGroup			✓	✓	✓
Windows Media Center			✓	✓	✓
Remote media streaming			✓	✓	✓
DVD video playback and authoring			✓	✓	✓
Premium games			✓	✓	✓
Snipping Tool, Sticky Notes, Windows Journal			✓	✓	✓
Windows Slideshow			✓	✓	✓
Location Aware Printing				✓	✓
Domain registration and group policy control				✓	✓
Remote Desktop				✓	✓
Advanced Backup (Network and Group Policy)				✓	✓
Encrypted file system				✓	✓
Windows XP Mode				✓	✓
Windows Mobility Center: Presentation Mode				✓	✓
Offline folders				✓	✓
Windows BitLocker and BitLocker To Go (data encryption)					✓
Windows AppLocker					✓
DirectAccess (replacement for trusted virtual private networks (VPN))					✓
Windows BranchCache (Network Load Management)					✓
MUI Packs					✓
Enterprise Search Scopes (search for information on the corporate network)					✓
Virtual Desktop Infrastructure Enhancements					✓
Boot from HVD					✓