Windows 7 Editions

The new operating system of Microsoft will have 6 different editions. Two will be available worldwide for everyone and the other 4 will be targeted only at selective markets. The names of the editions are Starter, Home Basic, Home Premium, Professional, Enterprise, Ultimate. Here's the features of each edition:

Windows 7 Starter: This edition is for people who do very limited things with their computer. This edition limits the number of running applications at the same time. With Windows 7 Starter you can run no more that 3 applications together. But these limited applications does not include Windows Explorer, Control Panel and Accessories such as Command Prompt and Task Manager, and also Anti-virus programs. Applications like Internet Explorer or Firefox is counted as one application no matter how many tabs you use. This edition of Windows 7 will be available pre-installed on computers through system integrators or computer manufacturers. (This edition will not have a 64 bit version)

Windows 7 Home Basic: This version of Windows 7 is designed for and will be available to only emerging countries like Brazil, India, Indonesia, Turkey etc... It will not be available in countries such as Australia, Canada, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Israel, New Zealand, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Windows 7 Home Basic edition does not have any limitations of running applications. But some Aero Glass options and several new features are excluded in this version.

Windows 7 Home Premium: This edition of Windows 7 is targeted to the home users. The included features are Windows Media Center, Windows Aero and touch secreen controls. Microsoft expect this version to be installed on most netbooks. (This version will be available to everybody worldwide)

Windows 7 Professional: This version is targeted to enthusiasts and small business users. It has the ability to participate in a Windows Server Domain and all features of Home Premium edition. Additional features of Windows 7 Professional include operating as a Remote Desktop server, Location Aware Printing, Presentation Mode, and Encrypting File System. (This version will be available to everybody worldwide)

Windows 7 Enterprise: This edition targets the enterprise segment of the market and will be sold through volume licensing to companies which have Software Assurance contract with Microsoft. Additional features for this edition includes Multilingual User Interface (MUI) packages, BitLocker Drive Encryption, and UNIX application-support. Because this edition is not available through retail or OEM channels,  it includes several SA-only benefits, including a license allowing the running of multiple virtual machines, access to Virtual PC Express, and activation via VLK (Volume Licence Key).

Windows 7 Ultimate: Windows 7 Ultimate has the same features as the Enterprise edition, but unlike that it will be available to home users on an individual license basis. Windows 7 Home Premium and Windows 7 Professional users will be able to upgrade to Windows 7 Ultimate for a fee using Windows Anytime Upgrade if they wish to do so. Unlike Windows Vista Ultimate, the Windows 7 Ultimate edition will not include the Windows Ultimate Extras feature or any exclusive features.