OS name microsoft windows 7 ultimate. What are Windows versions and editions
Windows 7 version differences and which Windows 7 is better? This question worries everyone who wants to reinstall or install the Windows 7 operating system on their laptop or computer.
Which windows 7 is better?
Despite the abundance of new versions of the Windows operating system and the end of support for version 7, it still has quite a lot of adherents. This is not surprising, according to many experts - this is one of the most successful versions from Microsoft. But even within one generation, there are several operating system options, which leaves the user with a rather difficult choice. Let's try to figure it out: what is the difference between them?Why do we need different versions of Windows 7?
Millions of people use this operating system. Each of them has their own requirements, preferences and tastes. In addition, everyone has different financial capabilities. Therefore, there is absolutely no reason to spend $300 on a more expensive full-featured version if the user needs a minimum set of functions, which will cost almost half the price. Therefore, after studying the requirements and preferences of potential buyers, Microsoft developed and released several versions of the Windows 7 operating system:Starter Edition;
Home Basic;
Home Premium;
Professional (Professional Edition);
Maximum (Ultimate Edition);
Corporate (Enterprise).
It’s easy to get confused in such a variety, so before choosing a specific OS, you should familiarize yourself with the features of all
The main differences between the starter and home versions
It’s worth mentioning right away that the Starter Edition of the OS is supplied only under an OEM license. That is, only with equipment. For example, when buying a new laptop. It has high performance, which is ensured by minimizing the tools used. Features include working in a home group and good compatibility of services and applications. However, it is impossible to buy it at retail - this license is not for sale.
The Home Basic version is only available for sale in developing countries. Its cost is about 100 US dollars. It has a modest interface without additional visual effects, and good performance even on “weak” computers and laptops. But the premium version of Home Premium for home use has become the best option for many users - efficiency and speed are successfully combined with a friendly, designer-designed interactive Aero Glass interface, a built-in media center, ample networking capabilities and multi-touch technology for touch panels and touchpads.
Purchasing the Home Premium version will cost about $150. It's important to note that both home variants support 64-bit platforms, unlike the launch one, which is only available for 32-bit devices.
Benefits of Windows 7 Professional Edition
“Business class” version - allows you to join a domain, increase the reliability of data storage by creating backup copies, configure the operation of a computer or laptop for both a work and home network. Also, the professional version allows you to make backup copies of not only individual files, but the entire operating system as a whole.
Also, this OS already provides the ability to encrypt data, which significantly increases the reliability of data protection. If the software used for work is not supported by Windows 7, then the user will be offered a compatibility mode that will allow him to work using familiar software. But the cost of such a system will vary between 200-230 dollars.
Windows 7 Ultimate - everything to the maximum
The name speaks for itself - everything that could be provided in the Windows 7 release is present here. Multilingual support erases any boundaries. Computer optimization functions allow you to get the most out of your equipment, using its full power. With such a system, you don’t have to worry about data security - data encryption and the BitLocker data protection feature will take care of this. If you use a connection to corporate networks, the data will be protected by DirectAccess technology. With Microsoft AppLocker technology, computers can be protected from running unauthorized programs. For corporate work, Windows 7 Ultimate makes it easy to search for data on your work intranet. Of course, such a list of benefits comes with a corresponding price tag—approximately $300.
Windows 7 Enterprise – for corporations only
In essence, this version of the Windows 7 operating system is completely identical to Ultimate, but offers a special licensing scheme for corporate users. System administrators can successfully use the data protection capabilities of BitLocker and DirectAccess security. And Microsoft AppLocker tools will allow you to control the workflow and the use of third-party software.
How to choose the best version of Windows 7?
Before you start choosing, you need to find out the bit capacity of your processor, since choosing the wrong option will either not allow you to install the operating system at all, or will lead to its incorrect operation. It is important to remember that Starter Edition is not available for 64-bit hardware.When going shopping, you should decide on the amount that the user is willing to pay, since the difference of 150-200 dollars is very significant, especially for residents of poor countries. Therefore, if you have modest financial resources, it would be wise to opt for home versions - they will provide all the necessary functionality that this category of people requires. This mainly involves storing and viewing photos and videos, studying, listening to music, surfing the Internet, and working in simple editors. It is also the best choice for low-power computers.
If financial capabilities and hardware level allow, then the best option would be to choose Windows 7 Ultimate. This option is also for those who have a clear idea of what tools they need and have sufficient experience in setting up and optimizing the operating system - in this case, this will allow them to streamline their work at the computer as much as possible.
For representatives of corporations, the Corporate Edition will be an option. It provides high-quality information protection and ample opportunities for administration and work on intranets.
For representatives of business class, the Professional release is ideal. The data protection techniques used in it will allow you to safely work and transfer any information, including financial information.
Why are builds based on Windows 7 so popular?
Assemblies are special collections of tools and software that allow you to configure and prepare a computer, laptop or netbook from scratch. This kit usually includes tools for working with hard drives and testing equipment. The kit also includes one or even several versions of the Windows family of operating systems. They are often supplemented by a set of application software that is most often installed: office suites, players, image editors, programs for working on the network. These software collections are really very popular because they allow you to completely automate the process of installing the operating system, software, and performing basic settings. To use them, it is enough to have general cultural knowledge about the operating features of the OS. You just need to select the version, specify the necessary programs and wait an hour and a half maximum. In addition, they allow you to have everything “at hand”, on one or two flash drives.
Windows 7- operating system of the Windows NT family, following Windows Vista. In the Windows NT line, the system has version number 6.1 (Windows 2000 - 5.0, Windows XP - 5.1, Windows Server 2003 - 5.2, Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 - 6.0). The server version is Windows Server 2008 R2, the version for integrated systems is Windows Embedded Standard 2011 (Quebec), the mobile version is Windows Embedded Compact 2011 (Chelan, Windows CE 7.0)
The operating system went on sale on October 22, 2009, less than three years after the release of the previous operating system, Windows Vista. Partners and clients with a Volume Licensing license were granted access to RTM on July 24, 2009. The final (copy from discs that later went on sale) pirated version was available to everyone from the first days of August 2009.
Windows 7 included some developments excluded from Windows Vista, as well as innovations in the interface and built-in programs. The games Inkball and Ultimate Extras were excluded from Windows 7; applications that have analogues in Windows Live (Windows Mail, etc.), Microsoft Agent technology, Windows Meeting Space; The option to return to the classic menu and automatic docking of the browser and email client have disappeared from the Start menu. Windows Calendar has also disappeared from Windows.
Using the system
According to Internet statistics collection service NetMarketShare for December 2014, Windows 7 is installed on almost every second computer in the world, while the combined share of Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 in the desktop operating system market is less than 13%. The asset of outdated Windows XP is 24.3 percent.
Innovations
The operating system supports multi-touch control. This capability was first demonstrated by Microsoft at the annual TechEd'08 conference in Orlando. During the demonstration, system build 6.1.6856 was used, as well as a prototype laptop model with a multi-touch screen.
Branch Cache network technology allows you to cache the content of Internet traffic. If a user on the local network needs a file that has already been downloaded by someone on his network, he can get it from the local cache storage, rather than using a channel with limited bandwidth. The network cache can operate in two modes - Hosted Cache and Distributed Cache. In the first case, the file is stored on a dedicated local server running Windows Server 2008 R2; in the second case, a server is not required, and the cache is distributed for storage on user computers. The technology is designed for large networks and is offered for implementation in enterprises as part of the Corporate and Maximum versions of the OS.
The OS also has about 120 built-in wallpapers, unique for each country and language version. Thus, the Russian version includes the “Russia” theme with six unique high-resolution wallpapers. All versions include 50 new fonts. Existing fonts have been modified to display all characters correctly. Windows 7 is the first version of Windows to include more fonts to display non-Latin characters than to display Latin ones. The font control panel has also been improved - by default, it will display only those fonts for which the layout is installed in the system. Unicode 5.1 support has been implemented. The Instant Search search bar now recognizes more languages. For example, Russian cases, declensions, gender, singular and plural are recognized.
An additional advantage of Windows 7 is closer integration with driver manufacturers. Most of them are detected automatically, while in 90% of cases, backward compatibility with Windows Vista drivers is maintained.
Windows 7 supports folder aliases internally. For example, the Program Files folder in some localized versions of Windows was translated and displayed with the translated name, but remained in English at the file system level.
Multimedia
The new 11 version of DirectX, first released as part of this operating system, has the following improvements: added support for new computational shaders, the ability to multi-threaded rendering, improved tessellation, new texture compression algorithms, etc.
Windows in Windows 7
Windows Media Player 12 received a new interface and became truly “omnivorous”, unlike its predecessor, which required a large number of codecs for playback. However, it cannot play licensed Blu-Ray discs with video, but it has the ability to read and write data to them.
Mobility
Although Windows Mobility Center hasn't changed much since Windows Vista, Windows 7 runs longer on laptops and uses less power, especially when playing DVDs. On a system introduced at the end of August 2009 with two identical laptops with pre-installed Windows 7 and Windows Vista, the gain was up to 20%. A record system boot speed was also shown - 11 seconds. The system included an SSD drive and other high-performance components. A similar test inspired enthusiasts to test the browser's impact on battery life. The Internet Explorer 8 browser included with Windows 7 showed the best results on the Intel platform.
However, according to the results of independent tests, it was found that Windows 7 drains a laptop's battery noticeably faster than Windows XP. Since August, experts from Laptop magazine (laptopmag.com) have been testing the final version of Windows 7, including measuring the battery life of portable PCs running it. The overall result was disappointing: the average netbook running the “Seven” generally runs 47 minutes less on battery power compared to the XP. In the case of the ASUS 1008HA model, the “shortage” was 57 minutes or 16.7%. Other publications also conducted similar studies and also came to these conclusions. The loss ranges from 10 to 30 percent in operating time.
A possible reason is that Windows 7 is optimized for graphics accelerators, while many netbooks run on integrated Intel and VIA graphics cards, which sometimes do not support Aero functions. Also, many netbooks run Windows 7 Starter Edition, which does not fully support Aero. Another possible reason is the lack of OS support from netbook manufacturers. So, with new drivers and BIOS dated November 2009, the Asus Eee 1000HA runs under Windows 7 for as long as it does under Windows XP.
Remote Desktop
The Remote Desktop feature has also undergone changes. Support for the Aero Peek interface, Direct 2D and Direct3D 10.1 has been introduced, support for multiple monitors, multimedia extensions, DirectShow, as well as the ability to play audio with low latency.
Safety
Windows 7 implements a more flexible User Account Control (UAC) setting, which, unlike Windows Vista, has two more intermediate states between the “Always notify” and “Never notify” modes - “Notify only when programs try to make changes to the computer” (default position), “Notify only when programs attempt to make changes to the computer (do not dim the desktop).” It's worth noting that, unlike Vista, dimming only occurs if the program is active and in the foreground. If you clicked while UAC was opening and deactivated the program, the blackout may not occur.
Changes have been made to the BitLocker encryption technology, and the BitLocker to go removable media encryption function has been added, which allows you to encrypt removable media, even in the absence of a TPM module.
Improvements have also been made to the Windows Firewall - the function of notifying the user that a program that is trying to access the network has been blocked has returned.
Using Group Policy and AppLocker, you can prevent certain applications from running.
DirectAccess allows you to establish a secure connection to a server in the background, unlike VPN, which requires user interaction. DirectAccess can also apply group policies before the user logs on.
backward compatibility
In July 2010, it became known that an addendum had been signed to the agreement on the disclosure of the company’s software source codes for the Federal State Unitary Enterprise Scientific and Technical Center Atlas and the Federal Security Service (FSB) of Russia. Through it, Russian structures gained access to the codes of Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2, Office 2010 and SQL Server 2008 R2. The agreement itself was signed back in 2002.
As stated by First Deputy General Director of Atlas Alexander Alferov, the FSB of Russia has already certified Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, SharePoint Server 2007 and SQL Server 2008 with integrated Russian information security tools. The validity period of the agreement is currently unlimited; changes to the code of the products mentioned in it are constantly sent to Atlas for analysis for the absence of bookmarks and vulnerabilities. The signatory on the American side is the head office of Microsoft.
After signing the addendum, as before, only the FSB and Atlas get access to the source codes themselves. However, now the Russian parties to the agreement have the right to share the results of the analysis with “authorized government organizations.” As Microsoft explained to CNews, the choice of these structures does not depend in any way on the company; their list is entirely determined by the Russian side.
Microsoft clearly associates the expansion of the program with the desire to cooperate with the Russian public sector. “The signing of this agreement means for us entering a qualitatively new level of cooperation with government agencies of the Russian Federation,” said Nikolai Pryanishnikov, President of Microsoft in Russia.
The company has long openly declared its desire to participate in the construction of electronic government in Russia. An example is given of one working in an interdepartmental segment, allowing different departments to exchange electronic documents. However, at the federal level Microsoft currently has no implementation in this area; the company cooperates only with certain regions. In Russia, there is now a second attempt to create an interdepartmental segment (first there was an OGIC in the Federal State Unitary Enterprise Research Institute Voskhod, now - the work of Rostelecom, which has become an operator of the e-government infrastructure), but in none of them is Microsoft software similar to the British experience used.
Sales results
As of March 2011, the total number of Windows 7 licenses shipped to the channel (corporate customers, OEM partners and retail chains), according to Microsoft
2010
In the first six months of sales, the vendor shipped 100 million licenses, 9 months - 175 million, the result of the first year of sales - more than 240 million licenses.
During the 2010 fiscal year, which lasted from July 1, 2009 to June 31, 2010, a total of 175 million copies of Windows 7 were sold worldwide.
“According to data for December 2010, when conducting a similar comparison, it turned out that the number of requests from PCs with XP installed became less than from versions of Vista and Windows 7 in total,” says Larin. “Now version seven has outgrown XP for the first time without the help of other OSes.”
At the stage of accessing Windows Update, the service does not check the licensing of the installed software, so this method compares the number of OS installations (including pirated ones), and not the sales of their licenses. Authentication may be required to install major updates such as a Service Pack, Larin adds.
The total number of Windows 7 licenses shipped to the channel (corporate customers, OEM partners and retail chains), according to Microsoft, has reached 300 million worldwide.
It is worth noting that third-party assessments have not yet confirmed the greater popularity of Windows 7 compared to XP. According to statistics from the Statcounter service, which are collected by project counters on various sites around the world, about 30% of the total number of calls come from computers on Windows 7, and about 48% on XP.
Data for Russia is collected by the Liveinternet service; according to its statistics, the difference is even more serious. Over the past 4 weeks, on average, 52.2% of visitors to sites with installed project counters used XP and only 27.5% used Windows 7.
Yuri Larin explains this discrepancy by the fact that network counters do not cover all PCs: “Windows Updates data is more accurate, because they take into account all computers using the update service, regardless of what sites their owner visits.”
End of support for Windows 7
2018: Extension of OS support terms
2017: January 14, 2020 - end of support date
Microsoft claims that Windows 10 is currently more in demand than Windows 7. This was announced on the official Windows trends page in the Microsoft community back in August 2016. The company stated that the share of Windows 10 has reached 43% worldwide, in while Windows 7's share dropped to 42%. Separately, this ratio was 55% versus 35%, for - 58% versus 31%, in both cases in favor of Windows 10.
However, analysts at research firm NetMarkShare say the opposite. According to them, in December 2016, only 24.36% of users in the world worked on Windows 10, while the share of Windows 7 users in the same month was 48.34%.
Apparently, Windows 7 will remain the leading computer OS in the world for some time, despite the reduction in support. Those users who decide to remain faithful to it after January 14, 2020, can use third-party protection products that will be compatible with this OS for a long time.
2016
Stopping sales of OEM licenses
Microsoft stopped distributing OEM licenses for Windows 7 Home Basic, Home Premium and Ultimate at the end of October 2014, and two years later the company removed the Windows 7 Professional version from sale. Starting November 1, 2016, the world's most popular operating system (according to NetMarketShare in October 2016, Windows 7 is used in 48% of PCs in the world) will not be installed on new computers. For some time - while retailers and distributors still have previously purchased equipment - consumers will be able to purchase devices with the "seven" at the core.
Sales of new computers based on Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 have ceased
In addition, on October 31, 2016, Microsoft stopped OEM deliveries of Windows 8.1, so vendors had no choice when installing the Windows software platform in their products - only Windows 10 is available to them. Sales of new computers running Windows 8 stopped on June 30, 2016, and retail sales of this OS and Windows 8.1 are October 31, 2014 and September 1, 2015, respectively.
According to NetMarketShare calculations, in October 2016, Windows 8.1's share of the global computer operating system market reached 8.4% versus 22.6% for Windows 10. About 8.3% of desktop PCs are running Windows XP, released back in 2001. and laptops.
At the end of September 2016, Microsoft reported that Windows 10 was installed on 400 million active devices worldwide, and corporate customers were switching to this OS faster than any other version of Windows at one time. The rapid spread of "ten" was associated with the possibility of free installation of this platform for owners of computers based on Windows 7 and 8.1. includes bug fixes and performance improvements. There are no security patches included in the service pack.
The end of mainstream support for all versions of Windows 7 (Enterprise, Home Basic, Home Premium, Ultimate and Starter) means that the functional part of the OS will not be improved, and Microsoft will provide support to customers only on a paid basis. This applies to both regular users and participants in volume licensing programs.
Until January 14, 2020, Extended Support for Windows 7 will remain, within which the manufacturer will continue to release critical security updates. In addition to Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, Windows Storage Server 2008, and Windows Embedded Handheld 6.5 lost mainstream support on January 13, 2015.
Microsoft will completely abandon Windows 7 by 2020, but Gartner analysts recommend that companies begin planning the transition from this OS to newer ones as soon as possible. Otherwise, they risk not having time to completely update their systems, as a result of which the information security of enterprises may be at risk, experts believe.
Windows 7 was released for free sale in the fall of 2009 and has since become the most popular of all Microsoft operating systems. Let's try to figure out what innovations and improvements compared to its predecessors brought Windows 7 such popularity and love from numerous users around the world.
Improvements and innovations
A big gift for lovers of the latest technologies was the appearance of multi-touch control support. This technology allows you to control your touchscreen laptop with multiple finger movements at the same time. In addition, it recognizes various user gestures, making operation simple and intuitive. Windows 7 is tightly integrated with driver manufacturers for various devices. Thanks to this, users are relieved of the need to independently determine, search and install the necessary drivers; in most cases, the system will do this automatically.
Fans of older applications will be pleased with the compatibility mode with earlier operating systems, such as Windows XP. This means that users will be able to easily run games that were designed for previous versions of Windows.
The Windows 7 operating system includes a DirectX 11 installation package, which supports a number of new technologies in graphics processing. Users now have the opportunity to fully enjoy the magnificent picture on the computer screen, which is created thanks to improved tessellation mode and support for new compute shaders, as well as expanded ability to render images in multiple threads.
Finally, high-quality operation of the Windows Media Player built into the operating system has been realized, which this time received serial number 12. Previous versions of the program played only a limited number of video formats; to improve the work, the installation of a large number of codecs was required. Users did not like this approach, which is why they increasingly chose software from third-party manufacturers. In the latest version of the player, the list of supported video formats has been significantly expanded.
Windows 7 has received a modified, more convenient and functional taskbar. Now the panel displays only icons without labels, which allows you to fit many more applications on it at the same time. In addition, a “Collapse all windows” button has appeared on the panel.
It is now possible to manage the reserved disk space allocated for system recovery. The user can also determine what exactly should be restored - system settings, changed files, or all together.
Desktop gadgets in Windows 7 are no longer tied to a bar on the left side of the screen. The user can independently move them to any place convenient for him.
Windows 7 has expanded the list of fonts included by default. In addition, the fonts have been redesigned to correctly display various characters. The list of non-Latin fonts available to the user has been significantly expanded.
The Aero interface, known to users from the previous version of the Windows Vista operating system, now supports several design options. It also adds new features that let you easily manage the location and size of windows on your desktop.
Safety
Windows 7 provides greater security features for your personal computer. Now the user has access to the function of prohibiting the launch of individual applications using the AppLocker service. BitLocker encryption technology has undergone significant improvements and now allows you to encrypt information on removable media. The Windows Firewall has been significantly improved to notify the user when applications are blocked. Thanks to the DirectAccess function, it is now possible to establish a secure connection with a remote server without user intervention.
Editorial
Windows 7 has six different editions, which differ in functionality and cost.
Initial version or Windows 7 Starter characterized by limited functionality, for example, it does not even allow you to change the picture on the desktop. This edition of the operating system is supplied exclusively in the OEM version and, as a rule, was pre-installed on laptops and netbooks.
The next edition is called Windows 7 Home Basic and also has a very limited set of capabilities. It does not support the proprietary Windows Aero interface and Multitouch technology, and has little functionality when working with local networks. Designed for OEM sales and supplies to emerging markets.
The most popular versions were Windows 7 Professional and Home Premium. They are actively sold at retail, and are also pre-installed on a large number of computers assembled around the world. They support all the functions necessary for the average user; the functionality limitations affected only the segment necessary for working in large corporate networks and performing specific tasks.
The maximum range of capabilities is provided by the versions Windows 7 Ultimate and Enterprise. They are identical in functionality, but the first version is intended for retail sales, and the second for deliveries to corporate clients. Windows 7 Ultimate is the top version of the system, which includes absolutely all the features laid down by Microsoft developers.
Hardware requirements
To correctly install the operating system on the user’s computer, it must have the following: minimum characteristics:
- Processor with a frequency of at least 1 GHz;
- 1 gigabyte of RAM (2 gigabytes for the 64-bit version);
- A video adapter with a capacity of at least 128 megabytes (required to enable the Aero interface) and DirectX9 support;
- 16 gigabytes of free hard disk space (20 gigabytes for the 64-bit version).
Before the seventh version of Windows appeared, each new release of this OS had one or two subversions. So, 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 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 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 real enthusiasts and those who like to delve into the innards and nooks and crannies of 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
