Windows 7: Difference between revisions

{{Main|Windows 7 editions}}

Windows 7 is available in six different editions, of which the Home Premium, Professional, and Ultimate editions are available for retail sale to consumers in most countries.<ref name="ExtremeTech">{{cite web|url=http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,2845,2340431,00.asp |title=All Windows 7 Versions—What You Need to Know |publisher=ExtremeTech |date=February 5, 2009 |accessdate=February 5, 2009}}</ref> The other editions are not available in retail.<ref name="ExtremeTech"/> The Starter edition is only available preinstalled by OEMs on new PCs, the Enterprise edition only by [[volume licensing]], and Home Basic only to certain developing countries' markets. Each edition of Windows 7 includes all of the capabilities and features of the edition below it.<ref name="ExtremeTech"/><ref name="supersite">{{cite web|url=http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/win7_skus.asp|title=Windows 7 Product Editions|last=Thurrott|first=Paul|date=February 3, 2009|accessdate=February 3, 2009}}</ref><ref name="cnet">{{cite web|url=http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-10155193-56.html|title=Windows 7 will come in many flavors|publisher=CNET News|date=February 3, 2009|accessdate=February 3, 2009}}</ref><ref name="Softpedia">{{cite web|url=http://news.softpedia.com/news/Windows-7-Editions-Features-on-Parade-103766.shtml |title=Windows 7 Editions – Features on Parade |publisher=Softpedia |date=February 5, 2009 |accessdate=February 5, 2009}}</ref><ref name="PCWorld">{{cite web|url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/158870/microsoft_announces_six_windows_7_editions.html |title=Windows 7: Which Edition is Right For You? |publisher=PCWorld |date=February 3, 2009 |accessdate=February 5, 2009}}</ref> All editions support the [[IA-32]] [[Central processing unit|processor]] [[Computer architecture|architecture]] and all editions except Starter support the [[x86-64]] processor architecture. The installation medium is the same for all the consumer editions of Windows 7 that have the same processor architecture, with the license determining the features that are activated; license upgrades permit the subsequent unlocking of features without re-installation of the operating system.<ref name="closewindows7look">{{cite web |url=http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/windows7/archive/2009/02/04/a-closer-look-at-the-windows-7-skus.aspx |title=A closer look at the Windows 7 SKUs |last=LeBlanc |first=Brandon |date=February 9, 2009 |accessdate=February 9, 2009 |work=Windows Team Blog |publisher=Microsoft }}</ref> This is the first time Microsoft has distributed 2 DVDs (1 DVD for IA-32 processor architecture, the other DVD for x86-64 processor architecture) for each edition of Windows 7 (Except for Starter and Home Basic; some OEM copies have only DVD for IA-32 architecture; the installation DVD of Windows 7 Home Basic 64-bit edition is not included but can be obtained from Microsoft.). Users who wish to upgrade to an edition of Windows 7 with more features can then use [[Windows Anytime Upgrade]] to purchase the upgrade, and unlock the features of those editions.<ref name="supersite"/><ref name="closewindows7look"/><ref name="ExtremeTechDateCostUpgrades">{{cite web |url=http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,2845,2340432,00.asp |title=All Windows 7 Versions—What You Need to Know – Release Date, Cost, and Upgrades |publisher=ExtremeTech |date=February 5, 2009 |accessdate=February 16, 2009 }}</ref> Some copies of Windows 7 have restrictions, in which it must be distributed, sold, or bought and activated in the geographical region<ref>One of the geographical regions can be either: Southeast Asia; SouthEast Asia excluding Singapore; India; Middle East and Africa; or Latin America and the Caribbean.</ref> specified in its front cover box.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://download.microsoft.com/Documents/UseTerms/Windows%207_Ultimate_English_c44ca3df-8338-4a2f-a176-39d2e68986c4.pdf |title=MICROSOFT SOFTWARE LICENSE TERMS: WINDOWS 7. |format=PDF |accessdate=January 7, 2012}}</ref>

 

Windows 7 is also currently available as an embedded version to developers (previously Windows Embedded 2011).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.microsoft.com/windowsembedded/en-us/products/westandard/default.mspx|title=Windows Embedded Standard 7|publisher=Microsoft|accessdate=June 19, 2010}}</ref>