Difference between Windows 7 Home, Professional and Ultimate
If you are running Windows XP or Windows Vista and are thinking about making the switch to Windows 7, you might be wondering what’s the difference between all the different versions. Unlike OS X, which has one version for everyone, Windows tries to break it down into several groups with different price points. Depending on what you will be using your computer for, you may only need the Home version or you may need Ultimate.
There are actually 6 different versions of Windows 7, but we’ll only worry about 3 because the rest are not really available for consumers to buy. There is Windows 7 Starter, which is usually on netbooks. Windows 7 Home Basic is available in emerging markets and not here in the US. And Windows 7 Enterprise is sold through volume licensing to companies and institutions.
Table of Contents
In this post, I’ll talk about the differences between Windows 7 Home Premium, Professional and Ultimate. Note that if you buy the most basic version of Windows, you can still upgrade at any time using Windows Anytime Upgrade. Basically, the Home version includes Professional and Ultimate, but those extra features will only be installed when you purchase it. You can run Anytime Upgrade from within Windows itself.
To get a quick overview of the differences, you can always go to the following page from Microsoft:
I find their comparison a bit too simplified and not very clear cut, especially if you want to know all the extra features of each version. This chart just goes over some very basic points, most of which are useless like “improved desktop navigation” and “Internet Explorer 8”.
I’ll try to give a more complete listing of what features are missing or added to each version. Let’s start off with Home Premium first since that forms the base of all other versions.
Home Premium
Here are the various points about Home Premium:
- For starters, Windows 7 Home Premium is only supported until January 2015.
By contrast, Windows 7 Professional is supported until January 2020. Oddly, Windows 7 Ultimate is only supported until January 2015 also. - Max memory for Home Premium is 16 GB. For Professional and Ultimate it’s 192 GB (64-bit Windows)
- Home Premium can only support up to 1 CPU. Professional and higher can support a max of 2 CPUs.
- Home Premium cannot backup to a network location (only local backups). Professional and Ultimate can backup to the network.
- Home Premium can only be a client for Remote Desktop (can only be connected to from another machine). With Professional and Ultimate you can use Windows as a host for remote desktop and connect to other machines.
- Home Premium and above all support HomeGroups
Professional
In addition to the points mentioned above, Professional also has the following features and services:
- Support for Dynamic Disks. This allows software implementation of RAID, which could be useful for a system with multiple hard drives.
- Encrypting File System – Allows for filesystem-level encryption. Not as secure as BitLocker, which is only available in Ultimate.
- Location Aware Printing
- Presentation Mode – Lets you change the behavior of Windows while giving presentations, i.e. control volume, display different wallpaper, prevent screensaver from appearing, etc.
- Group Policy – Allows you to control just about all aspects of the Windows operating system locally or via Windows Server 2003/2008
- Offline Files and Folder Redirection – Again, more a feature of a Windows machine joined to a domain
- Ability to join a Windows domain – Home Premium cannot join Windows domains
- Windows XP Mode – Allows you to run Windows XP SP3 inside Windows 7. Used for compatibility with older programs.
- Software Restriction Policies
Ultimate
There are only a few extra features in Ultimate that are useful for consumers. Most of the additional features in Ultimate are for IT Professionals.
- BitLocker Drive Encryption – As opposed to EFS, which uses file system level encryption, BitLocker uses full disk encryption.
- Ability to switch between 35 different languages instantly
- AppLocker – Ability to block software from running on the computer
- BranchCache – Allows for fast file access across a WAN
- Direct boot from VHD – Ability for a computer to boot from a VHD file with or without a host operating system
- DirectAccess – Keeps mobile users connected while on the go
- Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) enhancements
So even though Ultimate sounds great, it’s really not useful for the average consumer. Even to a degree, Professional also is not super useful for the average user. It’s probably best to get Home Premium and then upgrade to Professional or Ultimate if you ever need to. Hopefully, Windows 8 does not have even more versions to choose from!
Founder of Help Desk Geek and managing editor. He began blogging in 2007 and quit his job in 2010 to blog full-time.
He has over 15 years of industry experience in IT and holds several technical certifications. Read Aseem’s Full Bio
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Windows 7 Home Premium vs. Professional — Difference and Comparison
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 | 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
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Features and differences between versions of Windows 7
WINDXP.COM.RU Tuning and optimization of operating systems
Contents
- Introduction
- Version comparison table
- Quick reference
Introduction
Microsoft went the traditional way: the new OS will be released in two versions — for home and corporate use. As with Vista, versions of Windows 7 differ in cost in proportion to features and options. Recall that such a scheme initially deprived users of the Enterprise version of some useful applications, such as a media center, while it was included in the Home Premium version. But this time, the developers decided to use a different scheme, reminiscent of a nesting doll: the minimum features are offered in the Starter version, a little more in Home Basic. And what is in Professional will be in Enrerprise, but there will be fewer games.
Version comparison table
| Edition/Distribution | Windows 7 Starter | Windows 7 Home Basic | Windows 7 Home Premium | Windows 7 Ultimate (Ultimate) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OEM sales only | Retail and OEM licenses (Emerging markets only, including Russia) | Retail and OEM licenses | Retail, OEM and Volume Licensing in Boxed Versions | Licensed for business | Retail and OEM licenses in boxed versions | |
| 64-bit version available | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Maximum RAM size (for 64-bit versions) | 2 GB (for 32-bit version) | 8 GB | 16 GB | 128 GB | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| Windows Recovery Center | No domain support | No domain support | No domain support | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HomeGroup (create and join a group) | Connection only | Connection only | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Windows Aero Interface | No | Basic theme only | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-monitor support | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Fast switching between users | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Ability to change desktop wallpaper | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop manager | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Windows Mobility Center | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Multitouch and improved handwriting recognition | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Windows Media Center | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Additional games | No | No | Yes | Disabled by default | Disabled by default | Yes |
| Windows XP Emulator (Windows XP Mode) | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| EFS (Data Encryption System) | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Location Based Printing | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Ability to act as a Remote Desktop host | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Domain connection | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Downgrade to Vista or XP | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-processor support | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| AppLocker | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| BitLocker and BitLocker To Go | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Branch Cache | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Direct Access | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Multilingual user environment | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Boot from VHD (Microsoft Virtual PC image file) | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
Starting the lusrmgr. msc snap-in (Local Users and Groups) |
No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Start gpedit.msc snap-in (Local Group Policy Editor) | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Quick reference
Windows Aero — Desktop Design Aero is a combination of lightweight translucent windows with powerful graphics capabilities. Aero lets you not only enjoy stunning visuals, but also take advantage of easier access to programs. The Desktop Window Manager (DWM), formerly the Desktop Compositing Engine, DCE, is a desktop GUI system in Windows Vista and Windows 7 that is used in the Windows Aero GUI.
Windows Mobility Center — The Mobility Center contains several of the most commonly used notebook settings, including brightness, speaker volume, battery status, and wireless network connectivity.
Depending on the system configuration, it displays several sections, and several more can be added by the laptop manufacturer
Multi-touch (English multitouch or multi-touch) is a technology by which the touch screen or touchpad tracks several pressure points simultaneously. For example, by bringing your fingers closer, you can reduce the picture on the display, and by pushing it apart, you can enlarge it. In addition, multi-touch screens allow several users to work with the device at the same time.
Windows Media Center — Using all the features of Media Center allows you to turn your computer into a full-featured home entertainment center. For example, to get the most out of Media Center, you can connect your computer to an HDTV and control all functions with the Media Center remote control from the comfort of your couch. .
Encrypting File System (EFS) The Encrypting File System (EFS) is a Windows feature that allows you to store information on your hard drive in an encrypted format.
Encryption is the strongest protection that Windows provides to protect data.
Windows Domain — A domain is a collection of computers on a network that are managed as a single entity using common rules and actions. Each domain has a unique name. Typically, domains are used to create networks in the workplace. To join a computer to a domain, you must know the domain name and have a valid domain account.
AppLocker — To give IT professionals control over the applications that users run.
BitLocker and BitLocker To Go — BitLocker Drive Encryption is used to protect all files stored on the Windows installation drive (operating system drive) and on fixed drives (such as internal hard drives). BitLocker To Go encryption is used to protect all files stored on removable drives (such as external hard drives or USB flash drives).
BranchCache — for faster file access
DirectAccess — to support communication with mobile users on the go
Booting from a VHD file — use to boot the Windows operating system — a VHD file containing a virtual operating system with a complete structure and content similar to a hard disk.
Multilingual User Interface (MUI) — Windows 7 MUI packages contain a translated version of most user interface elements. MUI packs require a license and are only available for Windows 7 Ultimate and Windows 7 Enterprise. If you are using Windows 7 Enterprise, contact your system administrator for information about installing additional languages
gpedit.msc — The Local Group Policy Editor is a Microsoft Management Console (MMC) snap-in that provides a single interface for managing all settings of Local Group Policy Objects.
lusrmgr.msc — Local Users and Groups snap-in for creating and managing users and groups stored locally on the computer
Related Publications
- How to unlock the Load Last Known Good Configuration feature in Windows 8.1
- How to reduce the size of the WinSxS folder in Windows 8.1
- Manually creating a system restore point
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How is Windows 7 Ultimate different from Professional?
Before Windows 7, every new release of Windows had one or two sub-versions.
So, XP was released in two versions «Professional» and «Home» — this suited most users. Those who wanted to save money purchased a modest «Home», while those who wanted to enjoy full functionality took the professional edition of this system.
A domestic user rarely thought about this issue, as he traditionally installed a pirated version of the operating system on his home or work PC. Today the situation has changed. Firstly, no one will allow you to install an unlicensed OS at your workplace, and secondly, the marketing policy has generated a whole brood of sub-versions of the next product in a row — Windows 7 (we do not consider Vista because of the complete failure of this project).
Now even our user has to delve into the differences between the individual branches of the system development. Some of them are intended for the average home user. Here is a list of these branches with brief explanations about them:
- The simplest and most affordable version is Starter (Initial).
Everything that is possible is cut here. From the very beginning, anecdotal legends began to circulate about her. Microsoft has imposed a limit on the number of programs running simultaneously on the platform — no more than three applications at a time. Subsequently, this restriction was lifted. But, as they say, «the spoons were found, but the sediment remained.» Starter is installed either on very weak machines, or operated by OEMs on cheap laptops. A minimum of built-in applications at the same minimum price per copy. - Next on the list is the Home Basic alternative. This is something similar in meaning to Home XP and capable of satisfying the needs of the mass user by a little more than two-thirds. In the absence of one or another functionality in the system, it can always be filled with free third-party programs.
- Home Premium is almost a professional version, minus some tools that are useful only for developers or very fastidious users. The system includes a complete set of multimedia, Aero interface, an expanded set of built-in toys and various interesting utilities such as a wizard for creating notes.
The following branches differ from the previous ones in that, strictly speaking, they are not intended for an ordinary user inexperienced in programming and administration.
Or for those who do not need to squeeze the maximum out of the system (like those who like to play resource-intensive toys). There are also three such alternatives:
- Professional version.
- Ultimate version (Maximum).
- Enterprise.
With the latest OS, everything is clear — it is installed in large enterprises in order to provide increased performance and security. But what is the difference between the Professional and Ultimate versions, it’s really worth discussing. How is the Windows 7 Ultimate axis different from the Professional axis? Windows 7 professional is not positioned as a version for home use. Its main «trick» is the availability of system administration tools that are really useful only in industrial operation.
This includes a mechanism for encrypting data on a disk, group policies for user rights to access local and network resources, remote desktop technology, advanced printing options on network printers, and the like.
None of this is useful at home. The system interface is not adapted to the needs of inexperienced users. It makes sense to put such a system on a home computer except for the sake of studying it.
The maximum branch includes absolutely everything that is in Windows 7, but is focused on the average household user. This is an Enterprise version tailored to his needs. One may wonder: which of these OS is better? The answer will hang in the air — none.
It all depends on your interests and needs. But if you are going to install something more powerful than Home, then it is better to pay attention to Ultimate. In addition to all the advantages of Windows 7 Professional, Ultimate has many decorations for true enthusiasts and those who like to delve into the innards and nooks and crannies of the operating system.
