What is win 7. What versions of the Windows operating system are there. Which edition to choose for home use
The Windows 7 operating system, by Microsoft, was presented in 6 editions. That is, there are a total of six different versions of the Windows 7 OS. But among such a large number, how can you decide which version to choose? You will learn about everything in order from this article. It's really simple!
So, to get started, here's a list, what versions of Windows 7 are there?:
Initial
Home Basic
Home Extended
Professional
Corporate
Maximum
Let's look at each in more detail, and only then draw a conclusion that will easily help you decide which version of Windows 7 to choose.
Windows 7 Starter
You won't find this version of Windows 7 on store shelves, as it is intended only for computer manufacturers. Manufacturers, in turn, install this version on the cheapest and lowest-power computers. In terms of functions, this version is the most limited: it does not have Aero effects, and it can only be 32-bit.
Windows 7 Home Basic
This version of Windows 7 also lacks some features, but it already has the Aero effect, with the exception of transparency and changing the desktop picture, and this version of the system can be purchased. It is also worth mentioning that Windows 7 Home Basic does not play DVDs.
Windows 7 Home Premium
Windows 7 Home Premium is the most common version among home users. It fully supports multimedia, has full support for Aero effects, allows you to install it on tablet computers, and accordingly supports touch controls.
Windows 7 Professional
It's like Home Advanced, but it contains even more features, such as remote control, an encrypted file system, and more. This version of Windows 7 is designed primarily for use by enterprises and small businesses.
Windows 7 Enterprise
This version of Windows, like the Starter version, is not intended for sale, but is provided to large enterprises and firms. This version provides additional features that can be very useful to companies, firms, organizations: encryption of disks and removable media (flash drives, external hard drives), many languages, program control and much more, which is not particularly interesting for us.
Windows 7 Ultimate
In principle, this is the same corporate version of Windows 7, only already intended for sale. This is the most functional version of Windows, it has absolutely all the functions.
If you have a question, which Windows 7 to choose for home use, then the answer here is simple. I recommend choosing one of three versions of Windows 7.
Home extended.
Professional.
Maximum.
For most users, the first one from the list is suitable, that is, the Home Premium version of Windows 7. Since if you are planning to purchase a license, it will cost you much less. Why spend more money on Windows Ultimate and then not use most of the features. Well, then, decide for yourself!
I will conclude here, and if you are interested in the question, which is already installed on your computer, then refer to the corresponding lesson using the link in this sentence.
Good luck choosing the version of Windows 7 for your PC.
The Windows 7 operating system is becoming increasingly popular among users. But this OS was released in several versions at once, and many users do not know which version to give preference to. What are the main differences between versions of Windows 7?
The Windows 7 operating system was released in six versions (editions). Of course, the first difference between the versions of Windows 7 that immediately catches the user's eye is the price. But the difference in price is due to different functionality. Let's take a closer look at each version of the operating system, and then look at the differences between the versions of Windows 7.
Description of Windows 7 versions
Windows 7 Starter. This version only ships with new computers. The initial edition is as “stripped down” as possible; for example, it lacks the functionality for playing media files with AAC, H.264 and MPEG-2.
Windows 7 Home Basic. This version of the OS is intended for sale in emerging markets (including CIS countries). In this version, only the basic Windows Aero interface theme is available; a number of functions are not available, such as Shake, Peek, Internet connection sharing, taskbar preview, etc. Playback restrictions in this version are the same as in the Starter version.
Windows 7 Home Premium. This version includes all the features of the Home Basic System, plus Multitouch support, Windows Media Center and additional gaming programs. Also available in this version is the ability to improve handwriting recognition.
Windows 7 Professional. This version differs from Home Enhanced in its ability to use Remote Desktop as the host computer. It is equipped with EFS encryption system. It contains a number of additional processes and AppLocker. The professional version can be downgraded to Windows Vista and Windows XP.
Windows 7 Enterprise. This release is intended primarily for IT professionals to provide them with an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the OS within an organization. This edition is distributed exclusively under a corporate license and has a 90-day free trial period.
Windows 7 Ultimate. As the name suggests, this version includes all the available features of the Windows 7 operating system.
What are the main differences between the versions of Windows 7 besides those that have already been described in the brief description of each edition? Let's start with differences between Windows 7 Starter and more “advanced” versions operating system. This edition does not have a 64-bit version, it does not support the Windows Aero interface, the ability to quickly switch between users, the desktop manager, the Windows Mobility Center, or the ability to change the desktop background.
All these functions are already present in the Home Basic version, which, however, is devoid of a number of other functions. The differences between Windows 7 Starter and Home Basic versions from other OS editions are as follows:: inability to create a homegroup (you can only join), lack of support for multiple monitors, lack of Multitouch and improved handwriting recognition, lack of Windows Media Center, additional games, the ability to act as a Remote Desktop host, support for multiple physical processors. These features are present in the following editions of Windows 7.
Also Windows 7 Starter, Home Basic and Home Premium do not have a Windows XP emulator, EFS data encryption system, location-based printing, or the ability to connect to a Windows NT domain. These versions cannot be downgraded to Windows XP or Vista. And only the Corporate and Maximum versions support a multilingual user environment.
The differences between Windows 7 versions also include support end date and maximum RAM size for 64-bit versions. Support for all versions except Professional and Enterprise ends on January 13, 2015; Professional and Enterprise versions are supported for 5 years longer. Concerning amount of RAM, The Starter edition supports up to 2 GB, Home Basic - up to 8 GB, Home Premium - up to 16 GB, and Professional, Enterprise and Ultimate - up to 192 GB (all figures are for 64-bit versions, since the 32-bit version any OS supports no more than 3.25 GB of RAM).
Here is a summary of all the main differences between the versions of Windows 7. Version selection depends on the configuration of your computer, the minimum functionality you need and, of course, the amount of money you are willing to pay for the operating system.
Microsoft followed the traditional path: the new OS will be released in two versions - for home and corporate use. As with Vista, versions of Windows 7 vary in price in proportion to their features and options. Let us remember that this 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: minimal features are offered in the Starter version, a little more in Home Basic. And what is in Professional will also be in Enreprise, but there will be fewer games.
Version comparison table
| Editorial/Method of Distribution | Windows 7 Starter | Windows 7 Home Basic | Windows 7 Home Premium | Windows 7 Professional | Windows 7 Enterprise | Windows 7 Ultimate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sale only under OEM licenses | Retail sales and OEM licenses (only in emerging markets, including Russian) | Retail sales and OEM licenses | Retail sales, OEM and corporate licenses in “boxed” versions | Licensed for business | Sales at retail and under OEM licenses in “boxed” versions | |
| Availability of 64-bit version | 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 |
| Home Group feature (create and join a group) | Join only | Join only | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Windows Aero interface | No | Basic theme only | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Multiple monitor support | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Quickly switch between users | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Ability to change the desktop background | 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 |
| Printing based on location information | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Ability to act as a Remote Desktop host | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Connecting to a domain | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Possibility of downgrading 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 |
| DirectAccess | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Multilingual user environment | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Booting from VHD (Microsoft Virtual PC image file) | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Launching the lusrmgr.msc (Local Users and Groups) snap-in | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Launching gpedit.msc (Local Group Policy Editor) snap-in | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Brief information
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 benefit from easier access to programs. Desktop Manager(English Desktop Window Manager, DWM), formerly Desktop Compositing Engine, DCE - a graphical desktop interface system in Windows Vista and Windows 7, which is used in the Windows Aero graphical interface.
Windows Mobility Center- Mobility Center contains several of the most commonly used laptop settings, including brightness, speaker volume, battery status, and wireless network connection. Depending on the system configuration, it displays several partitions, and several more may be added by the laptop manufacturer
Multi-touch(eng. multitouch or multi-touch) is a technology by which a touch screen or touchpad simultaneously tracks several touch points. For example, by bringing your fingers closer together, you can reduce the image on the display, and by moving your fingers apart, you can increase it. In addition, multi-touch screens allow multiple users to operate the device simultaneously.
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 your HDTV and control all features using the Media Center remote from the comfort of your couch. .
Encrypting File System (EFS)— The Encrypting File System (EFS) is a Windows component that allows you to store information on your hard drive in an encrypted format. Encryption is the strongest protection Windows provides to protect your data.
Windows Domain— A domain is a collection of computers on a network, which are managed as a single whole 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 provide IT specialists with control over the applications running by users.
BitLocker and BitLocker To Go- BitLocker Drive Encryption is used to protect all files stored on the Windows OS 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 access to files
DirectAccess— to support communication with mobile users on the go
— use to load the Windows operating system - a VHD file containing a virtual operating system with a complete structure and content similar to a hard drive.Multilingual User Environment (MUI)- Windows 7 MUI packs contain a translated version of most user interface elements. MUI packages 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- Local Group Policy Editor is a Microsoft Management Console (MMC) snap-in that provides a single interface for managing all Local Group Policy object settings.
lusrmgr.msc— The Local Users and Groups snap-in allows you to create and manage users and groups stored locally on your computer
Before the seventh version of Windows appeared, each new release of this OS had one or two subversions. Thus, XP was released in two versions: “Professional” and “Home” - this was quite suitable for most users. Those who wanted to save money purchased the modest “Home”, while those who wanted to enjoy full functionality purchased the professional edition of this system.
Domestic users rarely thought about this issue, since they traditionally installed a pirated version of the operating system on their 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 given rise to a whole brood of subversions of the next product - Windows 7 (we are not considering Vista due to the complete failure of this project).
Now even our user has to delve into the differences between individual branches of the system. Some of them are intended for the average home user. Here is a list of these branches with brief explanations about them:
Alternatives for the pros
The difference between the following branches and the previous ones is that, strictly speaking, they are not intended for the average user inexperienced in programming and administration.
Or for those who do not need to squeeze maximum capabilities 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.
Everything is clear with the latest OS - it is installed in large enterprises to ensure increased productivity and security. But what is the difference between the Professional and Ultimate versions is really worth discussing. How does the Windows 7 maximum axis differ from the professional axis? Windows 7 professional is not positioned as a version for home use. Its main feature is the availability of system administration tools, which are really useful only in industrial operation conditions.
This includes a disk encryption mechanism, group policies for user rights to access local and network resources, remote desktop technology, advanced printing options for 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 only makes sense to install such a system on your home computer for the sake of studying it.
The maximum branch includes absolutely everything that is in Windows 7, but is aimed at the average household user. This is the Enterprise version adapted to his needs. One might wonder: which of these OSs is better? The answer will hang in the air - none.
It all depends on your interests and needs. But if you’re going to install something more powerful than Home, then it’s better to pay attention to Ultimate. In addition to all the advantages of Windows 7 professional, Ultimate has many decorations for real enthusiasts and those who like to delve into the innards and nooks and crannies of the operating system.
There are several Windows 7 packages: Home, Premium, Professional and Ultimate. Each version of the operating system has a different set of available features. To choose the appropriate version, you need to find out exactly how one Windows 7 differs from another, and decide for what purposes you need the OS.
The main differences between Windows 7 packages
OS versions differ in capabilities, but the minimum requirements for computer performance are the same for all packages:
- 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor with a clock speed of 1 gigahertz (GHz) or higher;
- 1 gigabyte (GB) (32-bit) or 2 GB (64-bit) random access memory (RAM);
- 16 gigabytes (GB) (32-bit) or 20 GB (64-bit) hard drive space;
- DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM driver version 1.0 or higher.
If the components of your computer meet the above requirements, then any Windows 7 will not freeze on it. Remember that these are the minimum requirements for a clean (without third-party programs) system. Compliance with these parameters does not mean that all games and applications written for Windows 7 will start and not freeze.
Now let's look at the availability of certain functions in different versions of the OS. Each subsequent Windows package will contain all the functions of the previous one, while also having new features.
Table: list of features of different packages
| Possibilities | Home Basic | Home Premium | Professional | Ultimate |
| Improved desktop navigation makes it easier to complete common tasks | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Quickly and conveniently launch programs and search for frequently used documents | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Browse the Internet quickly and securely using Internet Explorer 8 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| The ability to choose the place and time for free viewing of your favorite TV programs using Internet television | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Ability to create a home network and connect homegroup computers to the printer | Yes | Yes | ||
| Running Windows XP programs in Windows XP mode (separate download) | Yes | Yes | ||
| Domain join feature provides secure connection to corporate networks | Yes | Yes | ||
| Ability to back up data on your home or work network | Yes | Yes | ||
| BitLocker drive encryption protects your computer data from loss and theft | Yes | |||
| Ability to select an interface language from 35 available languages | Yes | |||
| Booting from virtual hard disks (VHD) | Yes |
Windows 7 Ultimate is also called Windows 7 Ultimate or Windows 7 Enterprise.
Which version to choose
Installing the highest version of the OS on your computer is not the best way; on the contrary, it is strongly not recommended.
Each version is optimized for a specific group of users and their basic needs. For example, the functions present in the “Maximum” package will never be useful to the average user who does not work in large companies and does not understand the detailed settings of the system registry. Installing a more advanced version of the system that exceeds your needs will only overload your computer and confuse you with incomprehensible functions and programs.
To choose the right Windows package, you need to figure out which version of the OS is intended for which group of users.
"Home"
This package is suitable for those who use a minimum number of programs and functions: a browser, explorer, text editor and other similar basic services. If your needs do not exceed these limits, then it is worth purchasing the “Home” version of the operating system.
Windows 7 Home is suitable for users with a weak computer
But there is one caveat: this package is maximally optimized for weak computers. If you have a computer whose characteristics meet the minimum threshold of requirements for the system given above in the article, or its performance is around this minimum level, then opt for Windows 7 Home, as it is as lightweight as possible. This version is well suited for laptops and netbooks. If your computer is more powerful than the minimum level, then it is recommended to consider the following OS package.
"Home Extended"
This version also belongs to the Home package, but has a number of features that are not available in the standard version of Windows 7 Home:
You should not install Windows 7 Home Premium on laptops, netbooks and weak PCsSo, Windows 7 Home Premium is worth installing if the above capabilities are enough for you, and more sophisticated features such as special data encryption and Windows XP emulation are not needed. Remember that this package is not suitable for users with weak PCs; it is also better not to install it on laptops and netbooks, since the video card may begin to heat up more due to the load and this will damage the device.
This version is good for games. It already has all the necessary functions and is designed for a more powerful computer that can handle some games, but at the same time it is not yet overloaded with additional settings presented in the “Professional” and “Maximum” versions.
"Professional"
The main differences between the “Professional” version of the OS and the home packages:
Windows 7 Professional is designed for users who work professionally with WindowsSo, this package is suitable for users who manually change Windows settings and work with old programs and important files, and automatic backup will help not lose important data in the event of a system failure.