Differences in Windows Editions


 

Windows XP, Vista, and 7 are available in several different editions. When evaluating a system’s suitability for a particular task, make sure you understand the differences. Table 6-2 provides a brief overview of the differences.


        Chapter 6: Operating Systems 99  
   
Table 6-2 Differences in Windows Editions (XP, Vista, 7)  
           
OS Editions 32-bit 64-bit Major Features  
           
Microsoft Home Yes No Base edition  
Windows          
XP          
           
  Professional Yes Yes Home + domain networking, EFS,  
        IIS, group policies, roaming user  
        profiles, remote desktop server;  
        64-bit support in 64-bit Professional  
        edition  
           
  Media Yes No Professional + Windows Media  
  Center     Center for use with big-screen TVs  
  Edition     and home theater systems, Media  
        Center Extenders, DVD burning  
        (MCE 2005)  
           
Microsoft Home Basic Yes No Base edition  
Windows          
Home Yes Yes Home Basic + Aero Glass, Tablet  
Vista  
  Premium     PC support, Windows Media Center  
        and extenders, scheduled file backup,  
        Windows Movie Maker HD, games  
           
  Business Yes Yes Home Basic + Aero, Tablet PC  
        support, scheduled image and file  
        backup, Windows Fax and Scan,  
        Remote Desktop Connection, domain  
        networking, EFS  
           
  Ultimate Yes Yes Home Premium + Business +  
        BitLocker full disk encryption for  
        system drive + multilingual UI  
           
  Enterprise Yes Yes Business + Multilingual UI +  
        BitLocker + UNIX application  
        support  
           

100 CompTIA A+ Quick Reference

 

Table 6-2 Continued

OS Editions 32-bit 64-bit Major Features  
           
Microsoft Starter Yes No Base edition  
Windows 7          
Home Yes Yes Starter + Aero, multiple monitor sup-  
   
  Premium     port, Tablet PC support, Windows  
        Mobility Center, Windows Media  
        Center  
           
  Professional Yes Yes Home Premium + domain network-  
        ing, backup to network drives,  
        Remote Desktop Connection,  
        Windows XP Mode (requires  
        Windows Virtual PC), group policy,  
        EFS, offline folders  
           
  Ultimate Yes Yes Professional +BitLocker disk encryp-  
        tion, language packs, direct boot  
        from VHD  
           
  Enterprise Yes Yes Professional +BitLocker disk encryp-  
        tion, language packs, direct boot  
        from VHD  
           

 

 

Table 6-3 provides more information about specific Windows features. Note that Vista Home Basic and Windows 7 Starter lack most of these features.