From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Windows 7, a major release of the Microsoft Windows operating system, has been released in several editions since its original release in 2009. Only Home Premium, Professional, and Ultimate were widely available at retailers (including Enterprise for big businesses, companies etc.).[1] The other editions focus on other markets such as the software development world. All editions support 32-bit IA-32 CPUs and all editions except Starter support 64-bit x64 CPUs. 64-bit installation media are not included in Home-Basic edition packages, but can be obtained separately from Microsoft.
According to Microsoft, the features for all editions of Windows 7 are stored on the machine, regardless of which edition is in use.[2] Users who wish to upgrade to an edition of Windows 7 with more features were able to use Windows Anytime Upgrade to purchase the upgrade and to unlock the features of those editions, until it was discontinued in 2015.[1][2][3] Microsoft announced Windows 7 pricing information for some editions on June 25, 2009, and Windows Anytime Upgrade and Family Pack pricing on July 31, 2009.[1][4][5]
Mainstream support for all Windows 7 editions ended on January 13, 2015, and extended support ended on January 14, 2020. After that, the operating system ceased receiving further support.[6] Professional and Enterprise volume licensed editions had paid Extended Security Updates (ESU) available until at most January 10, 2023.[7] Since October 31, 2013, Windows 7 is no longer available in retail, except for remaining stocks of the preinstalled Professional edition, which was officially discontinued on October 31, 2016.[8]
- Windows 7 Starter
- Windows 7 Starter is the edition of Windows 7 that contains the fewest features. It was only available in a 32-bit version and does not include the Windows Aero theme. The desktop wallpaper and visual styles (Windows 7 Basic) are not user-changeable. It was initially intended to be restricted to running up to three simultaneous programs like previous Starter releases of Windows, however this was dropped in the final release.[9] It only supports up to 2 GB of RAM.
- This edition was available pre-installed on computers, especially netbooks or Windows Tablets, through system integrators or computer manufacturers using OEM licenses.[1][10][11]
- Windows 7 Home Basic
- Windows 7 Home Basic was available in «emerging markets», in 141 countries.[12] Some Windows Aero options are excluded along with several new features.[1] This edition was available in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions and supports up to 8 GB of RAM. Home Basic, along with other editions sold in emerging markets, includes geographical activation restriction, which requires users to activate Windows within a certain region or country.[13]
- Windows 7 Home Premium
- This edition contains features aimed at the home market segment, such as Windows Media Center, Windows Aero and multi-touch support. It supports up to 16 GB of RAM and was available in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions.[14]
- Windows 7 Professional
- This edition is targeted towards enthusiasts, small-business users, and schools.[1] It includes all the features of Windows 7 Home Premium, and adds the ability to participate in a Windows Server domain.[1] Additional features include support for up to 192 GB of RAM (increased from 16 GB),[15] up to two physical CPUs, operating as a Remote Desktop server, location aware printing, backup to a network location, Encrypting File System, Presentation Mode, Software Restriction Policies (but not the extra management features of AppLocker) and Windows XP Mode.[1] It was available in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions.[14]
- Windows 7 Enterprise
- This edition targeted the enterprise segment of the market and was sold through volume licensing to companies which have a Software Assurance (SA) contract with Microsoft.[1] Additional features include support for Multilingual User Interface (MUI) packages, BitLocker Drive Encryption, and UNIX application support.[1] Not available through retail or OEM channels, this edition is distributed through SA.[1] As a result, it includes several SA-only benefits, including a license allowing the operating of diskless nodes (diskless PCs) and activation via Volume License Key (VLK).[16]
- Windows 7 Ultimate
- Windows 7 Ultimate is the edition of Windows 7 that contains the most features. It includes all the features of Windows 7 Home Premium and Professional while also adding some additional enterprise-oriented features that were available on the SA-exclusive Windows 7 Enterprise, making it feature-complete with the latter; this edition was also available to home users on an individual license basis.[1] If a Windows 7 Home Premium or Professional user wished to upgrade to Windows 7 Ultimate, they would be able to do so by using Windows Anytime Upgrade, for an additional fee. This service was still available for any users who wish to upgrade.[1] Like Windows 7 Professional, it supports up to 192 GB of RAM and up to two physical CPUs, and was available in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions. Unlike Windows Vista Ultimate, it does not include the Windows Ultimate Extras feature or any other exclusive features that Microsoft has stated.[1]
Special-purpose editions
[edit]
The main editions also can take the form of one of the following special editions:
- N and KN editions
- The features in the N and KN Editions are the same as their equivalent full versions, but do not include Windows Media Player or other Windows Media-related technologies, such as Windows Media Center and Windows DVD Maker due to limitations set by the European Union and South Korea, respectively.[17] The cost of the N and KN Editions are the same as the full versions, as the Media Feature Pack for Windows 7 N or Windows 7 KN can be downloaded without charge from Microsoft.[18]
- E edition
- The features in the E edition are the same as their equivalent full versions, but does not include Internet Explorer due to limitations set by the European Union. The cost of the E edition was cheaper than the full version.[19]
- Signature Edition
- The Signature Edition of Windows 7 is a commemorative edition of Windows 7 Ultimate for those throwing a Windows 7 launch party.[20] It is functionally the same as Windows 7 Ultimate.
In-place upgrade from Windows Vista with Service Pack 1 to Windows 7 is supported if the processor architecture and the language are the same and their editions match (see below).[1][3][21] In-place upgrade is not supported for earlier versions of Windows; moving to Windows 7 on these machines requires a clean installation, i.e. removal of the old operating system, installing Windows 7 and reinstalling all previously installed programs. Windows Easy Transfer can assist in this process.[1][3][22][23]
Microsoft made upgrade SKUs of Windows 7 for selected editions of Windows XP and Windows Vista. The difference between these SKUs and full SKUs of Windows 7 is their lower price and proof of license ownership of a qualifying previous version of Windows. Same restrictions on in-place upgrading applies to these SKUs as well.[24] In addition, Windows 7 is available as a Family Pack upgrade edition in certain markets, to upgrade to Windows 7 Home Premium only. It gives licenses to upgrade three machines from Vista or Windows XP to the Windows 7 Home Premium edition. These are not full versions, so each machine to be upgraded must have one of these qualifying previous versions of Windows for them to work.[25] In the United States, this offer expired in early December 2009.[26] In October 2010, to commemorate the anniversary of Windows 7, Microsoft once again made Windows 7 Home Premium Family Pack available for a limited time, while supplies lasted.[27]
Upgrade compatibility
[edit]
There are two possible ways to upgrade to Windows 7 from an earlier version of Windows:
- An in-place install (labelled «Upgrade» in the installer), where settings and programs are preserved from an older version of Windows. This option is only sometimes available, depending on the editions of Windows being used, and is not available at all unless upgrading from Windows Vista.[28]
- A clean install (labelled «Custom» in the installer), where all settings including but not limited to user accounts, applications, user settings, music, photos, and programs are erased entirely and the current operating system is erased and replaced with Windows 7. This option is always available and is required for all versions of Windows XP.[29]
The table below lists which upgrade paths allow for an in-place install. Note that in-place upgrades can only be performed when the previous version of Windows is of the same architecture. If upgrading from a 32-bit installation to a 64-bit installation or downgrading from 64-bit installation to 32-bit installation, a clean install is mandatory regardless of the editions being used.
| Version and its specific edition of Windows to upgrade from |
Edition of Windows 7 to upgrade to | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Basic |
Home Premium |
Professional | Enterprise | Ultimate | |
| Vista Home Basic | In-place | In-place | Clean | Clean | In-place |
| Vista Home Premium | Clean | In-place | Clean | Clean | In-place |
| Vista Business | Clean | Clean | In-place | In-place | In-place |
| Vista Enterprise | Clean | Clean | Clean | In-place | Clean |
| Vista Ultimate | Clean | Clean | Clean | Clean | In-place |
| XP | Clean | Clean | Clean | Clean | Clean |
| 2000/Me and earlier | Ineligible | Ineligible | Ineligible | Ineligible | Ineligible |
In-place installation option available.
Requires clean install.
Ineligible for upgrade pricing; requires full version of Windows and a clean install.
Anytime Upgrade editions
[edit]
Microsoft supports in-place upgrades from a lower edition of Windows 7 to a higher one, using the Windows Anytime Upgrade tool.[1] There are currently three retail options available (though it is currently unclear whether they can be used with previous installations of the N versions),[30] however there are no family pack versions of the Anytime Upgrade editions. It was possible to use the Product Key from a Standard upgrade edition to accomplish an in-place upgrade (e.g. Home Premium to Ultimate).[31][32]
- Starter to Home Premium
- Starter to Professional1
- Starter to Ultimate1
- Home Premium to Professional
- Home Premium to Ultimate
- Professional to Ultimate1
1 Available in retail, and at the Microsoft Store
- Windows Thin PC
- On February 9, 2011, Microsoft announced Windows Thin PC, a branded derivative of Windows Embedded Standard 7 with Service Pack 1, designed as a lightweight version of Windows 7 for installation on low performance PCs as an alternative to using a dedicated thin client device. It succeeded Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs, which was based on Windows XP Embedded. Windows Thin PC was released on June 6, 2011.
- Mainstream support for Windows Thin PC ended on October 11, 2016, and extended support ended on October 12, 2021.[33]
- Embedded versions
- Windows 7 is also available in two distinct forms of Windows Embedded, named as Windows Embedded Standard 7 (known as Windows Embedded Standard 2011 prior to release, the newest being Windows Embedded Standard 7 with Service Pack 1) and Windows Embedded POSReady 7. Both versions are eligible for Extended Security Updates (ESU) for up to 3 years after their end of extended support dates.[7] In addition, binary identical for Embedded Systems (FES) variants of Professional and Ultimate editions are also available, differing only in licensing, and with their support periods also matching their non FES variants.
- Mainstream support for Windows Embedded 7 Standard ended on October 13, 2015, and extended support ended on October 13, 2020.[34] Mainstream support for Windows Embedded POSReady 7 ended on October 11, 2016, and extended support ended on October 12, 2021.[35] Extended Security Updates (ESU) ended for Windows Embedded 7 Standard on October 10, 2023[34] and for Windows Embedded POSReady 7 on October 8, 2024.[36][35][37][38]
Windows 7 edition comparison chart[1][3][4][16][22][39][40][41]
| Features | Starter | Home Basic | Home Premium | Professional | Enterprise | Ultimate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licensing scheme | OEM licensing | Retail and OEM licensing in emerging markets[22] |
Retail and OEM licensing |
Retail, OEM and volume licensing[42] |
Volume licensing[42] | Retail and OEM licensing |
| Maximum physical memory (RAM) (32-Bit)[43] | 2 GB | 4 GB | ||||
| Maximum physical memory (RAM) (64-Bit)[43] | — | 8 GB | 16 GB | 192 GB | ||
| Maximum physical CPUs supported[a][44] | 1 | 2 | ||||
| Desktop Gadgets | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in AVCHD support[45] | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Multiple monitors (High quality required)[vague] | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Fast user switching | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Window Manager | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Windows Mobility Center | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Printing via the Internet | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Windows Parental Controls[46] | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 64-bit edition available? | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Windows Aero | No | Partial (desktop composition only) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in DVD (MPEG-2 and Dolby Digital) decoder[3] | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-touch | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Windows Media Center | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Windows Media Player remote media experience[b] | No | No | Yes[47] | Yes[47] | Yes[47] | Yes[47] |
| Premium games included | No | No | Yes | Yes[c] | Yes[c] | Yes |
| HomeGroup support | Join only | Join only | Create or join | Create or join | Create or join | Create or join |
| Back up to network with Backup and Restore Center[49] | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Act as host for Remote Desktop Services | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Dynamic disks[50] | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Encrypting File System | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Location-aware printing | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Presentation mode | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Group Policy[51] | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Offline files and folder redirection[51] | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Windows Server domain joining | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Windows XP Mode[d] | No | Partial | Partial | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Software restriction policies | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Remote administration tools | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Active Directory Lightweight Directory Services (AD LDS)[e] | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| AppLocker | No | No | No | Create policies, but cannot enforce | Create and enforce policies | Create and enforce policies |
| Aero glass remoting[52][53] | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Windows Media Player multimedia redirection[53] | No | No | No | No | Yes[47] | Yes[47] |
| Enterprise search scopes[51]: 130 | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Federated search[54] | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| BitLocker Drive Encryption | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| BranchCache Distributed Cache | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Subsystem for Unix-based Applications | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Supports Multilingual User Interface packages | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) enhancements[51]: 130 | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) licensed[55] | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| VHD booting[f] | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Switching between any of the 37 available languages[57][58] | No | No | No | No | Yes[58] | Yes[58] |
| Features | Starter | Home Basic | Home Premium | Professional | Enterprise | Ultimate |
- Windows 2000 editions
- Windows XP editions
- Windows Vista editions
- Windows 8 editions
- Windows 10 editions
- Windows 11 editions
- ^ Not the same as logical processor limits: all editions are limited to 32 logical processors for IA-32 and 256 for x64
- ^ Feature of Windows Media Player which enables the use and control of media libraries on other computers
- ^ a b Disabled by default.[48]
- ^ Windows Virtual PC including a complete copy of Windows XP with Service Pack 3 using Remote Desktop Protocol to display individual applications integrated with the host OS (Windows 7). Windows XP Mode is available as a free download from Microsoft.
- ^ formerly Active Directory Application Mode (ADAM)
- ^ Any edition of Windows 7 can be installed onto a VHD volume; these installations even appear in the boot menu. However, only Enterprise or Ultimate editions start. Other editions return an error message.[56]
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r «All Windows 7 Versions—What You Need to Know». ExtremeTech. February 5, 2009. Archived from the original on February 18, 2012. Retrieved February 5, 2009.
- ^ a b LeBlanc, Brandon (February 9, 2009). «A closer look at the Windows 7 SKUs». Windows Team Blog. Microsoft. Retrieved February 9, 2009.
- ^ a b c d e Thurrott, Paul (February 3, 2009). «Windows 7 Product Editions». Retrieved February 3, 2009.
- ^ a b «Microsoft unveils ‘screaming deals’ for Windows 7». ZDNet. June 25, 2009. Archived from the original on June 27, 2009. Retrieved June 25, 2009.
- ^ «Windows Anytime Upgrade and Family Pack Pricing». Microsoft. July 31, 2009. Retrieved July 31, 2009.
- ^ «Microsoft product support lifecycle information by product family: Windows 7». Microsoft. Retrieved January 28, 2020.
- ^ a b «Lifecycle FAQ-Extended Security Updates». support.microsoft.com. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
The Extended Security Update (ESU) program is a last resort option for customers who need to run certain legacy Microsoft products past the end of support.
- ^ «Windows lifecycle fact sheet». support.microsoft.com.
- ^ Keizer, Gregg (May 29, 2009). «Microsoft kills Windows 7 Starter’s 3-app limit». Computer World. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved December 6, 2010.
- ^ «Windows 7 Wins on Netbook PCs». Microsoft. February 3, 2009. Retrieved February 3, 2009.
- ^ «Microsoft forbids changes to Windows 7 netbook wallpaper». The Register. June 19, 2009. Retrieved October 22, 2009.
- ^ Hachman, Mark (February 4, 2009). «The Windows 7 Versions: What You Need to Know». PC Magazine. Windows 7 Home Basic. Archived from the original on April 30, 2012. Retrieved October 22, 2011.
- ^ «How to Tell: Geographically Restricted Microsoft Software». Microsoft. Retrieved November 17, 2009.
- ^ a b «All Windows 7 Versions—What You Need to Know – Windows Home Premium». ExtremeTech. February 5, 2009. Archived from the original on February 8, 2009. Retrieved February 5, 2009.
- ^ Bott, Ed. «Do you need more than Windows 7 Home Premium?». ZDNet. CBS Interactive. Retrieved January 15, 2014.
- ^ a b «Products: Windows 7 Enterprise». Microsoft. Retrieved April 2, 2009.
- ^ «Description of the Windows Media Feature Pack for Windows 7 N and for Windows 7 KN». Microsoft. November 10, 2009. Retrieved April 24, 2011.
- ^ «Media Feature Pack for Windows 7 N with Service Pack 1 and Windows 7 KN with Service Pack 1 (KB968211)». Microsoft. March 7, 2011. Retrieved April 24, 2011.
- ^ Trenholm, Richard (June 26, 2009). «Windows 7 E: Your questions anwered». CNET. Archived from the original on October 12, 2022. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
- ^ «What is Windows 7 Ultimate Signature Edition?». Microsoft. September 8, 2009. Retrieved March 5, 2023.
- ^ «The Microsoft Windows 7 Upgrade Program Rev. 2.0». Tech ARP. February 10, 2009. Retrieved February 10, 2009.
- ^ a b c Foley, Mary-Jo (February 3, 2009). «Microsoft’s Windows 7 line-up: The good, the bad and the ugly». ZDNet. Archived from the original on February 5, 2009. Retrieved February 17, 2009.
- ^ Fiveash, Kelly (February 5, 2009). «Windows 7 ‘upgrade’ doesn’t mark XP spot». Channel Register. The Register. Retrieved February 12, 2009.
- ^ «Microsoft Store UK – Windows 7». Archived from the original on September 19, 2009. Retrieved September 14, 2009.
- ^ steam blog, dated 2009/07/31, accessed September 16, 2009.
- ^ Windows 7 Family Pack Discontinued
- ^ Family Pack returns in time for the Anniversary of Windows 7
- ^ «Windows 7 Upgrade Paths». Microsoft. Retrieved September 13, 2011.
- ^ «Upgrading to Windows 7: frequently asked questions». Microsoft. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
- ^ «Windows Anytime Upgrades». Amazon. Retrieved September 14, 2009.
- ^ «Ultimate steal – Windows 7 Premium ok for Windows 7 Starter?». Microsoft. February 2, 2010. Archived from the original on January 31, 2011. Retrieved August 13, 2010.
- ^ «Windows 7 Student upgrade». Microsoft. December 20, 2009. Archived from the original on August 2, 2012. Retrieved August 13, 2010.
- ^ «Microsoft Support Lifecycle for Windows Thin PC». learn.microsoft.com. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
- ^ a b «Microsoft Support Lifecycle for Windows Embedded Standard 7». learn.microsoft.com. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
- ^ a b «Microsoft Support Lifecycle for Windows Embedded POSReady 7». learn.microsoft.com. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
- ^ «Windows Embedded POSReady 7 Reaches End of Support – Now What?». Arrow Electronics, Inc. September 23, 2021. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
The first year, which runs from Oct 2021 to Oct 2022, requires purchasing 100 hours of support priced over $22,000, and the POS7 ESU licenses are $50 per device. The pricing then doubles each year with a maximum of three years.
- ^ «Microsoft Extended Security Update (ESU) Program». Bsquare Corporation. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
- ^ «Lifecycle FAQ-Extended Security Updates». support.microsoft.com. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
The Extended Security Update (ESU) program is a last resort option for customers who need to run certain legacy Microsoft products past the end of support.
- ^ «Windows 7 Editions – Features on Parade». Softpedia. February 5, 2009. Retrieved February 5, 2009.
- ^ «Windows 7: Which Edition is Right For You?». PCWorld. February 3, 2009. Archived from the original on December 28, 2011. Retrieved February 5, 2009.
- ^ Bott, Ed (June 3, 2009). «From Starter to Ultimate: What’s really in each Windows 7 Edition?». ZDNet. Archived from the original on June 11, 2009. Retrieved August 14, 2009.
- ^ a b Schuster, Gavriella (September 1, 2009). «Which Windows 7 Is Best for You?». Microsoft. Retrieved August 1, 2010.
- ^ a b «Physical Memory Limits: Windows 7». Microsoft Developer Network. October 14, 2010. Retrieved November 1, 2010.
- ^ «Windows 7 System Requirements». Microsoft. Retrieved September 29, 2010.
- ^ «Windows Media Player 12». Windows 7 Features. Microsoft Corporation. Retrieved October 22, 2011.
- ^ Tulloch, Mitch; Northrup, Tony; Honeycutt, Jerry (2010). Windows 7 Resource Kit. Redmond, Washington: Microsoft Press. pp. 29–30. ISBN 978-0-7356-4277-5.
- ^ a b c d e f Windows 7 N Edition does not include Windows Media Player.
- ^ «Where are my games?». Microsoft. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
- ^ Which one is right for you? – Microsoft Windows
- ^ «You cannot select or format a hard disk partition when you try to install Windows Vista, Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2». Microsoft. September 14, 2007. Retrieved December 17, 2009.
- ^ a b c d Windows 7 Product Guide
- ^ Terminal services team (June 23, 2009). «Aero Glass Remoting in Windows Server 2008 R2». Microsoft. Retrieved September 16, 2009.
- ^ a b Terminal Services Team (August 21, 2009). «Remote Desktop Connection 7 for Windows 7, Windows XP & Windows Vista». Microsoft. Retrieved October 27, 2009.
- ^ «Microsoft Windows Enterprise: Windows 7 Features». Microsoft. Retrieved November 24, 2009.
- ^ 6292A Installing and Configuring Windows 7 Client: Microsoft. p14. Part Number X17-37160 Released 10/2009
- ^ Shultz, Greg (September 17, 2012). «Native VHD Boot is available in all versions of Windows 7». TechRepublic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
- ^ «Why buy Windows 7 Ultimate?». Microsoft. Archived from the original on July 18, 2011. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
- ^ a b c «Windows 7 language packs are available for computers that are running Windows 7 Ultimate or Windows 7 Enterprise». Microsoft. Retrieved August 19, 2011.
- «Windows 7 Lineup Offers Clear Choice for Consumers and Businesses». Microsoft News Center. Redmond, Washington: Microsoft. February 3, 2009. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
- «Brief: Licensing Windows 7 for Use with Virtual Machine Technologies». Microsoft Volume Licensing. Microsoft. March 2010. Archived from the original (.docx) on June 25, 2011. Retrieved June 6, 2011.
- Thurrott, Paul (October 6, 2010). «Windows 7 Product Editions: A Comparison». Paul Thurrott’s SuperSite for Windows. Retrieved June 6, 2011.
Does it make sense to pay extra for Windows 7 Professional or does Home Premium edition offer all the functionality one needs? The answer depends upon whether you need some special features that are not found in Windows 7 Home Premium.
Comparison chart
Windows 7 Home Premium versus Windows 7 Professional comparison chart
| Windows 7 Home Premium | Windows 7 Professional | |
|---|---|---|
| Location-aware printing | No | Yes |
| Price | $119.99 for upgrade, $199.99 for a new installation | $199.99 for upgrade, $299.99 for a new installation |
| Domain Join wizard | Not included | Included |
| Windows XP Mode | Not supported | Supported |
| Remote Desktop Connection | Cannot use Remote Desktop Connection feature to connect to a PC that runs Windows 7 Home Premium. | Remote Desktop Connection works when trying to connect to a PC that runs Windows 7 Professional. |
| Backup and restore | Backups to a different drive or DVD only | Backup to a different drive, DVD or over the network |
Windows XP Mode
Windows XP Mode lets you run older Windows XP software on your Windows 7 computer. It is available as a separate but free download but only works on Windows 7 Professional, Ultimate and Enterprise editions.
Comparison of Windows 7 editions
Networking and Domain Join
Both editions of Windows 7 allow you to create and join homegroups to share files between Windows 7 PCs on the same Wi-Fi network. However, if you plan to use your PC at the office or for telecommuting then you might need to connect to a domain (a collection of computers on a network). Windows 7 Professional is designed to join a domain quickly and more securely using a Domain Join wizard. The Home Premium edition does not have this feature, making the Professional edition better by yet another feature.
Backup and Restore
Both editions of Windows 7 feature automatic backups, with options to configure which files and folders get backed up and when the backups are scheduled. But with Windows 7 Home Premium, you can only back up to another drive or a DVD where as Windows 7 Professional allows you to back up over a network.
Remote Desktop Connection
Remote Desktop connects two computers over a network or the Internet. Once connected, you can see the remote computer’s desktop as if you were sitting right in front of it, and have access to all its programs and files.
The Remote Desktop Connection feature is included with all editions of Windows 7, but you can only connect to computers running the Professional, Ultimate, or Enterprise editions. This means you can use a computer running Windows 7 Home Premium to connect remotely to a computer running Windows 7 Professional but not vice versa.
Price
The retail price for Windows 7 Home Premium is $119.99 for an upgrade license and $199.99 for a new license. For Windows 7 Professional, the price is $199.99 for an upgrade and $299.99 for a new installation. The software can be purchased at a discounted price on retailers such as Amazon:
- Windows 7 Home Premium on Amazon (discounted price)
- Windows 7 Home Premium upgrade on Amazon (discounted price)
- Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade Family Pack (3-User)
- Windows 7 Professional on Amazon (discounted price)
- Windows 7 Professional Upgrade on Amazon (discounted price)
Location-aware printing
If you work in different locations that have different wireless networks and printers, you can use the location-aware printing feature in Windows 7 Professional. This feature, which is not available in Windows 7 Home Premium, lets you create preferred printer-network pairs so that Windows automatically selects the correct default printer for you based on which network you are on.
BitLocker encryption
BitLocker encrypts the entire drive that Windows and your data reside on. Once BitLocker is turned on, any file you save on that drive is encrypted automatically. Neither edition has this feature. It is only available for Windows 7 Ultimate and Enterprise editions.
Video Explaining the Differences
References
- http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/compare/default.aspx
About the Author
Nick Jasuja
has over 15 years of technology industry experience, including at Amazon in Seattle. He is an expert at building websites, developing software programs in PHP and JavaScript, maintaining MySQL and PostgreSQL databases, and running Linux servers for serving high-traffic websites. He has a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science & Engineering.
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Windows 7 Home Premium and Windows 7 Professional are two versions of the same operating system with some key differences. Home Premium is designed for home users and offers basic features such as improved taskbar previews, Windows Media Center, and support for touch and handwriting recognition. On the other hand, Windows 7 Professional is targeted towards small businesses and professionals, offering additional features like domain join, remote desktop hosting, and the ability to backup to a network location. It also includes Windows XP Mode, which allows users to run older applications in a virtual Windows XP environment. Overall, while Home Premium is suitable for casual users, Professional provides more advanced features for business and professional use.
Introduction
Windows 7, released by Microsoft in 2009, was a highly popular operating system that offered various editions to cater to different user needs. Two of the most commonly used editions were Windows 7 Home Premium and Windows 7 Professional. While both versions shared many similarities, they also had distinct differences that set them apart. In this article, we will compare the attributes of Windows 7 Home Premium and Windows 7 Professional, highlighting their features, capabilities, and target audiences.
User Interface and Features
Both Windows 7 Home Premium and Windows 7 Professional featured the same user interface, known for its user-friendly design and intuitive navigation. The Start Menu, taskbar, and desktop were consistent across both editions, providing a familiar experience to users. Additionally, both versions included the Aero Glass graphical user interface, which offered visually appealing transparency effects and window animations.
However, Windows 7 Professional had a few additional features that were not present in the Home Premium edition. One notable feature was the ability to join a Windows domain, which allowed users to connect their computers to a network managed by a server. This feature was particularly useful for businesses and organizations that required centralized management and security policies.
Another feature exclusive to Windows 7 Professional was the ability to use Windows XP Mode. This feature allowed users to run applications designed for Windows XP directly on their Windows 7 machines. It was especially beneficial for businesses that relied on legacy software that was not compatible with newer operating systems.
On the other hand, Windows 7 Home Premium offered a few unique features of its own. One such feature was Windows Media Center, which provided a comprehensive solution for media playback, recording, and streaming. It allowed users to watch and record live TV, play DVDs, and organize their music and video libraries. This feature made Home Premium an excellent choice for users who wanted a dedicated media center experience.
Additionally, Home Premium included support for HomeGroup, a feature that simplified the process of sharing files, printers, and media between multiple computers on a home network. This feature was particularly useful for households with multiple PCs, allowing users to easily access and share resources without the need for complex network configurations.
Networking and Security
When it came to networking capabilities, Windows 7 Professional had an advantage over Home Premium. Professional edition included support for the Remote Desktop feature, which allowed users to connect to their computers remotely from another location. This feature was especially valuable for businesses and IT professionals who needed to access their work computers while away from the office.
Furthermore, Windows 7 Professional offered advanced backup and restore features, including the ability to create system image backups. This feature allowed users to create a complete snapshot of their system, including the operating system, installed applications, and personal files. In the event of a system failure or data loss, users could easily restore their entire system to a previous state using the system image backup.
Both editions of Windows 7 provided robust security features, such as Windows Firewall, Windows Defender, and User Account Control (UAC). These features helped protect users from malicious software, unauthorized access, and potential security threats. However, Windows 7 Professional included additional security features like BitLocker Drive Encryption, which allowed users to encrypt their entire hard drive to protect sensitive data.
It is worth noting that while Windows 7 Home Premium offered a solid set of security features, the Professional edition provided enhanced security capabilities that were particularly beneficial for businesses and users with higher security requirements.
Target Audience
Windows 7 Home Premium was primarily targeted towards home users and consumers who required a reliable and user-friendly operating system for their personal computers. It offered a comprehensive set of features for everyday tasks, entertainment, and home networking. The inclusion of Windows Media Center and HomeGroup made it an ideal choice for users who wanted a seamless media experience and simplified home network sharing.
On the other hand, Windows 7 Professional was designed with business users and professionals in mind. It provided additional features and capabilities that catered to the needs of organizations, such as domain join, Remote Desktop, and advanced backup options. These features made it easier for businesses to manage their networks, access resources remotely, and ensure data security.
While Windows 7 Professional was primarily targeted towards businesses, it was also suitable for power users and enthusiasts who required the advanced features and security options offered by the Professional edition. These users often needed the ability to run legacy applications, connect to remote computers, and encrypt their data.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Windows 7 Home Premium and Windows 7 Professional were two popular editions of the Windows 7 operating system, each with its own set of attributes and target audience. While both versions shared a similar user interface and offered essential features like Windows Firewall and Windows Defender, they also had distinct differences.
Windows 7 Professional provided additional features such as domain join, Windows XP Mode, and advanced backup options, making it more suitable for businesses and professionals. On the other hand, Windows 7 Home Premium offered features like Windows Media Center and HomeGroup, making it an excellent choice for home users and consumers who wanted a comprehensive media experience and simplified home networking.
Ultimately, the choice between Windows 7 Home Premium and Windows 7 Professional depended on the specific needs and requirements of the user. Whether it was for personal use, entertainment, or business purposes, both editions offered a reliable and robust operating system that served their respective target audiences effectively.
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By Amy | Follow |
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Windows 7 Professional vs. Home Premium: which to pick? You can make a decision after learning the difference between Windows 7 Professional and Home Premium. In this post, Partition Magic makes a comparison of the two editions.
Windows 7 comes with 6 editions, including Starter, Home Basic, Home Premium, Professional, as well as Enterprise and Ultimate. Starter and Home Basic editions aren’t available in retail stores and they ship with PCs in select regions only. The Enterprise edition is only available for Enterprises.
In this post, we mainly talk about Windows 7 Professional vs. Home Premium. Before learning the difference between the two editions, you should have an overall understanding of the two editions first.
Tips:
You should know that the mainstream support for Windows 7 ended on January 13, 2015, and the extended support ended on January 14, 2020. So, you’d better upgrade Windows 7 to Windows 10 or Windows 11. Before that, you are recommended to make a Windows backup with MiniTool Partition Wizard.
MiniTool Partition Wizard DemoClick to Download100%Clean & Safe
Windows 7 Home Premium and Professional
Windows 7 Home Premium contains features like Windows Media Center, Windows Aero, and multi-touch support. It suits home entertainment with a beautiful Aero theme and clear glassy look support. It was available in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions.
Windows 7 Professional is designed for professionals and small businesses. Most features of this edition can meet small business requirements. It has all the features of Windows 7 Home Premium and adds the ability to participate in a Windows Server domain.
Additional features include support for up to 192GB of RAM, operating as a Remote Desktop server, location aware printing, backup to a network location, encrypting file system, Presentation Mode, Software Restriction Policies, and Windows XP Mode. It was available in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions.
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- Windows 7/8.1/10/11 all in one ISO
#1: Windows 7 Professional vs. Home Premium: XP Mode
Windows XP Mode enables you to run older Windows XP software on your Windows 7 PC. It is available as a separate, but it only works on Windows 7 Professional, Ultimate, and Enterprise editions. If you run the Windows Home Premium edition, you won’t see this mode.
#2: Windows 7 Professional vs. Home Premium: Price
The retail price for Windows 7 Home Premium is $119.99 for an upgrade license and $199.99 for a new license. As for Windows 7 Professional, you need to pay $199.99 for an upgrade and $299.99 for a new installation. The software can be bought at a discounted price from retailers.
Also read: Windows 10 Pro vs IoT: What’s the Difference Between Them
#3: Windows 7 Professional vs. Home Premium: Backup and Restore
Both Windows 7 Home Premium and Professional feature automatic backups. Besides, they offer options to configure which files and folders get backed up and when the backups are scheduled. Differently, you can only back up to another drive or a DVD on Windows 7 Home Premium, while Windows 7 Professional allows you to back up over a network.
#4: Windows 7 Professional vs. Home Premium: Location-aware Printing
When you work in different locations that have different wireless networks and printers, make use of the location-aware printing feature that is available in Windows 7 Professional but not in Home Premium. This feature allows you to create preferred printer-network pairs so that Windows automatically chooses the right default printer for you based on your network.
#5: Windows 7 Professional vs. Home Premium: Remote Desktop Connection
The Remote Desktop Connection feature is available in all editions of Windows 7, but you can only connect to computers running the Professional, Ultimate, or Enterprise editions. It means that you can use a computer running Windows 7 Home Premium to connect remotely to a computer running Windows 7 Professional but not vice versa.
Tips:
Remote Desktop connects two PCs over a network or the Internet. Once the two computers are connected, you can view the remote PC’s desktop as if you were sitting right in front of it, and access all the programs and files of it.
#6: Windows 7 Professional vs. Home Premium: Networking and Domain Join
If you need to use your computer at the office or for telecommuting, you might need to connect to a domain. Then Windows 7 Professional is a nice choice because it is designed to join a domain quickly and more safely. The Home Premium edition doesn’t boast this feature.
Tips:
Both Windows 7 Home Premium and Professional editions allow you to create and join homegroups to share files between Windows 7 computers on the same Wi-Fi network.
Windows 7 Home Premium vs Professional: which to pick? It depends on your condition. If necessary, you can upgrade Windows 7 Home Premium to Professional or downgrade Professional to Home Premium.
Also read: Quickly Switch Between Graphical and Text-Based Boot Menu
Bottom Line
Windows 7 Home Premium vs Windows 7 Professional: what is the difference? Well, the difference between Windows 7 Professional and Home Premium has been shown to you in this post. You can read it to explore the details.
About The Author
Position: Columnist
Having writing articles about computer tech for a long time, I am rather experienced especially on the aspect of computer optimization, PC enhancement, as well as tech terms explanation. The habit of looking through tech forums makes me a great computer issues collector. And then, many articles related to these issues are released, which benefit plenty of users. Professional, effective, and innovative are always the pursuit of an editing worker.
Windows 7 Home Premium
Suitable for general computing tasks.
Whether browsing the internet, checking emails, or using productivity apps, Windows 7 Home Premium provides a user-friendly environment.
Windows 7 Professional
Tailored for business users and enthusiasts.
Windows 7 Professional is equipped with advanced features, making it suitable for business needs and tech enthusiasts.
Windows 7 Home Premium
Features Windows Aero graphical interface.
The visually appealing Windows Aero interface enhances the overall user experience on Windows 7 Home Premium.
Windows 7 Professional
Supports domain joining.
Businesses benefit from the domain joining feature in Windows 7 Professional, allowing efficient network management.
Windows 7 Home Premium
Consumer-oriented edition for basic home use.
Windows 7 Home Premium is ideal for users who want a straightforward and multimedia-rich computing experience at home.
Windows 7 Professional
Retains the built-in media center for multimedia needs.
Even with its business-oriented features, Windows 7 Professional doesn’t compromise on multimedia, offering a built-in media center.
Windows 7 Home Premium
Designed for users prioritizing multimedia experiences.
The multimedia features of Windows 7 Home Premium make it a great choice for those who want an immersive entertainment experience.
Windows 7 Professional
Enhanced security with BitLocker Drive Encryption.
BitLocker Drive Encryption in Windows 7 Professional provides an additional layer of security for sensitive data.
Windows 7 Home Premium
Includes a built-in media center.
With the built-in media center, Windows 7 Home Premium is perfect for users who enjoy watching movies and listening to music on their computers.
Windows 7 Professional
Includes Windows XP Mode for software compatibility.
Windows 7 Professional ensures compatibility with older software through the inclusion of Windows XP Mode.
Can Windows 7 Professional join a domain?
Yes, Windows 7 Professional supports domain joining, making it suitable for businesses managing networked environments.
Can Windows 7 Professional be used for personal or home use?
Yes, Windows 7 Professional can be used for personal or home use, providing additional features beyond the basic needs of home users.
Can I use Windows 7 Home Premium for business purposes?
While possible, Windows 7 Home Premium is designed for home use, and Windows 7 Professional is recommended for business environments due to its additional features.
Does Home Premium include security features?
Yes, Windows 7 Home Premium includes basic security features, but it lacks advanced security options like BitLocker Drive Encryption, which is available in Professional.
Is media center functionality available in Professional?
Yes, both Windows 7 Home Premium and Professional include a built-in media center for multimedia experiences.
What is the significance of the Windows Aero interface?
The Windows Aero interface in Home Premium enhances the visual experience, providing a more modern and visually appealing look to the operating system.
Is Windows XP Mode available in Windows 7 Home Premium?
No, Windows XP Mode is exclusive to Windows 7 Professional and higher editions, providing compatibility for older software.
Can I use Home Premium on multiple computers with a single license?
The licensing terms generally allow the use of Windows 7 Home Premium on a single computer. Check the specific license agreement for details.
Does Professional offer better performance than Home Premium?
The performance difference is generally minimal for basic tasks, but Professional’s additional features make it more suitable for business needs.
Can Home Premium run older software or games?
Windows 7 Home Premium supports compatibility with older software and games, but certain applications may benefit from the advanced features of Professional.
Is Windows 7 Professional suitable for gaming?
While it can handle gaming, Windows 7 Professional is designed with business features; for gaming, Home Premium might be a more cost-effective choice.
What advantages does Home Premium offer for multimedia enthusiasts?
Home Premium is designed for multimedia experiences, offering features like the media center and a visually appealing interface for a better entertainment experience.
How does BitLocker Drive Encryption enhance security?
BitLocker in Windows 7 Professional encrypts the entire drive, providing a higher level of data security by protecting against unauthorized access.
Can Professional be used in a home theater setup?
Yes, Windows 7 Professional with its media center functionality is suitable for home theater setups, providing multimedia features alongside business capabilities.
Does Home Premium receive security updates and support?
Microsoft no longer provides mainstream support for Windows 7, including Home Premium. However, extended security updates are available for certain editions, including Professional.
Tayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba’s passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
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