Windows 7 editions#Windows 7 Starter

File:Windows 7 Starter Desktop.png

; {{Visible anchor|Windows 7 Starter}}

: Windows 7 Starter is the edition of Windows 7 that contains the fewest features. It was only available in a 32-bit version and does not include the Windows Aero theme. The desktop wallpaper is not user-changeable. It was initially intended to be restricted to running up to three simultaneous programs like previous Starter releases of Windows, however this was dropped in the final release.{{cite web|url=http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9133694/Microsoft_kills_Windows_7_Starter_s_3_app_limit|title=Microsoft kills Windows 7 Starter's 3-app limit|work=Computer World|date=May 29, 2009|first=Gregg|last=Keizer|access-date=December 6, 2010|archive-date=February 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222140550/http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9133694/Microsoft_kills_Windows_7_Starter_s_3_app_limit|url-status=dead}} It only supports up to 2 GB of RAM.

: This edition was available pre-installed on computers, especially netbooks or Windows Tablets, through system integrators or computer manufacturers using OEM licenses.{{cite web

|url = http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/features/2009/feb09/02-03NetbooksQA.mspx?rss_fdn=Top+Stories|title = Windows 7 Wins on Netbook PCs|publisher = Microsoft|date = February 3, 2009|access-date =February 3, 2009}}{{cite web|url = https://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/06/19/oems_cant_brand_windows_7_starter_desktop/|title = Microsoft forbids changes to Windows 7 netbook wallpaper|publisher = The Register|date = June 19, 2009|access-date =October 22, 2009

}}

; {{Visible anchor|Windows 7 Home Basic}}

: Windows 7 Home Basic was available in "emerging markets", in 141 countries.{{cite news|last=Hachman|first=Mark|title=The Windows 7 Versions: What You Need to Know|url=https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2340365,00.asp|access-date=October 22, 2011|newspaper=PC Magazine|date=February 4, 2009|at=Windows 7 Home Basic|archive-date=April 30, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120430112724/http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2340365,00.asp|url-status=dead}} Some Windows Aero options are excluded along with several new features. This edition was available in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions and supports up to 8 GB of RAM. Home Basic, along with other editions sold in emerging markets, includes geographical activation restriction, which requires users to activate Windows within a certain region or country.{{cite web | url = http://www.microsoft.com/howtotell/geo/ | title = How to Tell: Geographically Restricted Microsoft Software | publisher = Microsoft | access-date =November 17, 2009}}

; {{Visible anchor|Windows 7 Home Premium}}

: This edition contains features aimed at the home market segment, such as Windows Media Center, Windows Aero and multi-touch support. It supports up to 16 GB of RAM and was available in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions.{{cite web | url = http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,2845,2340434,00.asp | title = All Windows 7 Versions—What You Need to Know – Windows Home Premium | publisher = ExtremeTech | date = February 5, 2009 | access-date =February 5, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090208110507/https://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,2845,2340434,00.asp |archive-date=2009-02-08}}

; {{Visible anchor|Windows 7 Professional}}

: This edition is targeted towards enthusiasts, small-business users, and schools. It includes all the features of Windows 7 Home Premium, and adds the ability to participate in a Windows Server domain. Additional features include support for up to 192 GB of RAM (increased from 16 GB),{{cite web|last=Bott|first=Ed|title=Do you need more than Windows 7 Home Premium?|url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/do-you-need-more-than-windows-7-home-premium/|work=ZDNet|publisher=CBS Interactive|access-date=January 15, 2014}} up to two physical CPUs, operating as a Remote Desktop server, location aware printing, backup to a network location, Encrypting File System, Presentation Mode, Software Restriction Policies (but not the extra management features of AppLocker) and Windows XP Mode. It was available in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions.

; {{Visible anchor|Windows 7 Enterprise}}

: This edition targeted the enterprise segment of the market and was sold through volume licensing to companies which have a Software Assurance (SA) contract with Microsoft. Additional features include support for Multilingual User Interface (MUI) packages, BitLocker Drive Encryption, and UNIX application support. Not available through retail or OEM channels, this edition is distributed through SA. As a result, it includes several SA-only benefits, including a license allowing the operating of diskless nodes (diskless PCs) and activation via Volume License Key (VLK).{{cite web | url = https://www.microsoft.com/windows/enterprise/products/windows-7-enterprise.aspx | title = Products: Windows 7 Enterprise | publisher = Microsoft | access-date =April 2, 2009}}

; {{Visible anchor|Windows 7 Ultimate}}

: Windows 7 Ultimate is the edition of Windows 7 that contains the most features. It includes all the features of Windows 7 Home Premium and Professional while also adding some additional enterprise-oriented features that were available on the SA-exclusive Windows 7 Enterprise, making it feature-complete with the latter; this edition was also available to home users on an individual license basis. If a Windows 7 Home Premium or Professional user wished to upgrade to Windows 7 Ultimate, they would be able to do so by using Windows Anytime Upgrade, for an additional fee. This service was still available for any users who wish to upgrade. Like Windows 7 Professional, it supports up to 192 GB of RAM and up to two physical CPUs, and was available in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions. Unlike Windows Vista Ultimate, it does not include the Windows Ultimate Extras feature or any other exclusive features that Microsoft has stated.

The main editions also can take the form of one of the following special editions:

; {{visible anchor|N and KN editions|N and KN Editions}}

: The features in the N and KN Editions are the same as their equivalent full versions, but do not include Windows Media Player or other Windows Media-related technologies, such as Windows Media Center and Windows DVD Maker due to limitations set by the European Union and South Korea, respectively.{{cite web

|url = http://support.microsoft.com/kb/968211|title = Description of the Windows Media Feature Pack for Windows 7 N and for Windows 7 KN|publisher = Microsoft|date = November 10, 2009|access-date =April 24, 2011}} The cost of the N and KN Editions are the same as the full versions, as the Media Feature Pack for Windows 7 N or Windows 7 KN can be downloaded without charge from Microsoft.{{cite web

|url = http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=31017ed3-166a-4c75-b90c-a6cef9b414c4|title = Media Feature Pack for Windows 7 N with Service Pack 1 and Windows 7 KN with Service Pack 1 (KB968211)|publisher = Microsoft|date = March 7, 2011|access-date =April 24, 2011}}

;E edition

: The features in the E edition are the same as their equivalent full versions, but does not include Internet Explorer due to limitations set by the European Union. The cost of the E edition was cheaper than the full version.{{Cite web |last=Trenholm |first=Richard |date=June 26, 2009 |title=Windows 7 E: Your questions anwered |url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/windows-7-e-your-questions-answered/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20221012215741/https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/windows-7-e-your-questions-answered/ |archive-date=October 12, 2022 |access-date=October 12, 2022 |website=CNET}}

;Signature Edition

: The Signature Edition of Windows 7 is a commemorative edition of Windows 7 Ultimate for those throwing a Windows 7 launch party.{{cite web|access-date=March 5, 2023|date=September 8, 2009|publisher=Microsoft|title=What is Windows 7 Ultimate Signature Edition?|url=https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/what-is-windows-7-ultimate-signature-edition/1979a397-e7ff-4220-a5a3-6c43187d00c7}} It is functionally the same as Windows 7 Ultimate.

In-place upgrade from Windows Vista with Service Pack 1 to Windows 7 is supported if the processor architecture and the language are the same and their editions match (see below).{{cite web |url=http://www.techarp.com/showarticle.aspx?artno=609&pgno=1 |title= The Microsoft Windows 7 Upgrade Program Rev. 2.0 | publisher = Tech ARP | date = February 10, 2009 | access-date =February 10, 2009 }} In-place upgrade is not supported for earlier versions of Windows; moving to Windows 7 on these machines requires a clean installation, i.e. removal of the old operating system, installing Windows 7 and reinstalling all previously installed programs. Windows Easy Transfer can assist in this process.{{cite web |url=http://www.channelregister.co.uk/2009/02/05/windows_xp_7_vista_upgrade/ | title = Windows 7 'upgrade' doesn't mark XP spot |date = February 5, 2009 | access-date=February 12, 2009 | last = Fiveash | first = Kelly | work = Channel Register | publisher = The Register }}

Microsoft made upgrade SKUs of Windows 7 for selected editions of Windows XP and Windows Vista. The difference between these SKUs and full SKUs of Windows 7 is their lower price and proof of license ownership of a qualifying previous version of Windows. Same restrictions on in-place upgrading applies to these SKUs as well.{{cite web | url=http://emea.microsoftstore.com/UK/Microsoft/Windows/Windows-7/?WT.mc_id=MSCOMUK_HomePage_Buy_Windowstab | title=Microsoft Store UK – Windows 7 | access-date=September 14, 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090919152921/http://emea.microsoftstore.com/UK/Microsoft/Windows/Windows-7/?WT.mc_id=MSCOMUK_HomePage_Buy_Windowstab | archive-date=September 19, 2009 | url-status=dead }} In addition, Windows 7 is available as a Family Pack upgrade edition in certain markets, to upgrade to Windows 7 Home Premium only. It gives licenses to upgrade three machines from Vista or Windows XP to the Windows 7 Home Premium edition. These are not full versions, so each machine to be upgraded must have one of these qualifying previous versions of Windows for them to work.[http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/windows7/archive/2009/07/31/windows-anytime-upgrade-and-family-pack-pricing.aspx steam blog, dated 2009/07/31], accessed September 16, 2009. In the United States, this offer expired in early December 2009.[http://www.informationweek.com/news/windows/operatingsystems/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=222001027 Windows 7 Family Pack Discontinued] In October 2010, to commemorate the anniversary of Windows 7, Microsoft once again made Windows 7 Home Premium Family Pack available for a limited time, while supplies lasted.[http://windowsteamblog.com/windows/b/windowsexperience/archive/2010/09/01/family-pack-returns-in-time-for-the-anniversary-of-windows-7.aspx Family Pack returns in time for the Anniversary of Windows 7]

There are two possible ways to upgrade to Windows 7 from an earlier version of Windows:

• An in-place install (labelled "Upgrade" in the installer), where settings and programs are preserved from an older version of Windows. This option is only sometimes available, depending on the editions of Windows being used, and is not available at all unless upgrading from Windows Vista.{{cite web

|url=https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd772579%28WS.10%29.aspx

|title=Windows 7 Upgrade Paths | publisher=Microsoft | access-date=September 13, 2011}}

• A clean install (labelled "Custom" in the installer), where all settings including but not limited to user accounts, applications, user settings, music, photos, and programs are erased entirely and the current operating system is erased and replaced with Windows 7. This option is always available and is required for all versions of Windows XP.{{cite web | url=http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/upgrading-to-windows-7-faq | title=Upgrading to Windows 7: frequently asked questions | publisher=Microsoft | access-date=February 12, 2016}}

The table below lists which upgrade paths allow for an in-place install. Note that in-place upgrades can only be performed when the previous version of Windows is of the same architecture. If upgrading from a 32-bit installation to a 64-bit installation or downgrading from 64-bit installation to 32-bit installation, a clean install is mandatory regardless of the editions being used.

{{legend|#90ff90|In-place installation option available.|border=1px solid #aaa}}

{{legend|#ffffbb|Requires clean install.|border=1px solid #aaa}}

{{legend|#ff9090|Ineligible for upgrade pricing; requires full version of Windows and a clean install.|border=1px solid #aaa}}

{{clear}}

Microsoft supports in-place upgrades from a lower edition of Windows 7 to a higher one, using the Windows Anytime Upgrade tool. There are currently three retail options available (though it is currently unclear whether they can be used with previous installations of the N versions),{{cite web | url = https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss?url=search-alias%3Dsoftware&field-keywords=windows+7+anytime+upgrade&x=0&y=0 | title = Windows Anytime Upgrades | access-date =September 14, 2009 | publisher = Amazon}} however there are no family pack versions of the Anytime Upgrade editions. It was possible to use the Product Key from a Standard upgrade edition to accomplish an in-place upgrade (e.g. Home Premium to Ultimate).{{cite web | url = http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w7install/thread/08145695-018d-4478-ba95-9515af527fb0 | title = Ultimate steal – Windows 7 Premium ok for Windows 7 Starter? | date = February 2, 2010 | access-date = August 13, 2010 | publisher = Microsoft | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110131063604/http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w7install/thread/08145695-018d-4478-ba95-9515af527fb0 | archive-date = January 31, 2011 | url-status = dead }}{{cite web | url = http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w7install/thread/73fc3533-3e2a-498b-b424-37182c9ad812 | archive-url = http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20120802033007/http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w7install/thread/73fc3533-3e2a-498b-b424-37182c9ad812 | url-status = dead | archive-date = August 2, 2012 | title = Windows 7 Student upgrade | date = December 20, 2009 | access-date = August 13, 2010 | publisher = Microsoft }}

• Starter to Home Premium
• Starter to Professional¹
• Starter to Ultimate¹
• Home Premium to Professional
• Home Premium to Ultimate
• Professional to Ultimate¹

¹ Available in retail, and at the Microsoft Store

; {{visible anchor|Windows Thin PC}}: On February 9, 2011, Microsoft announced Windows Thin PC, a branded derivative of Windows Embedded Standard 7 with Service Pack 1, designed as a lightweight version of Windows 7 for installation on low performance PCs as an alternative to using a dedicated thin client device. It succeeded Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs, which was based on Windows XP Embedded. Windows Thin PC was released on June 6, 2011.

: Mainstream support for Windows Thin PC ended on October 11, 2016, and extended support ended on October 12, 2021.{{Cite web|url=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/windows-thin-pc|title=Microsoft Support Lifecycle for Windows Thin PC|website=learn.microsoft.com|access-date=August 14, 2023}}

;{{visible anchor|Embedded versions}}: Windows 7 is also available in two distinct forms of Windows Embedded, named as Windows Embedded Standard 7 (known as Windows Embedded Standard 2011 prior to release, the newest being Windows Embedded Standard 7 with Service Pack 1) and Windows Embedded POSReady 7. Both versions are eligible for Extended Security Updates (ESU) for up to 3 years after their end of extended support dates. In addition, binary identical for Embedded Systems (FES) variants of Professional and Ultimate editions are also available, differing only in licensing, and with their support periods also matching their non FES variants.

: Mainstream support for Windows Embedded 7 Standard ended on October 13, 2015, and extended support ended on October 13, 2020.{{Cite web|url=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/windows-embedded-standard-7|title=Microsoft Support Lifecycle for Windows Embedded Standard 7|website=learn.microsoft.com|access-date=August 14, 2023}} Mainstream support for Windows Embedded POSReady 7 ended on October 11, 2016, and extended support ended on October 12, 2021.{{Cite web|url=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/windows-embedded-posready-7|title=Microsoft Support Lifecycle for Windows Embedded POSReady 7|website=learn.microsoft.com|access-date=August 14, 2023}} Extended Security Updates (ESU) ended for Windows Embedded 7 Standard on October 10, 2023 and for Windows Embedded POSReady 7 on October 8, 2024.{{Cite web|url=https://www.arrow.com/ais/msembedded/resource/blog/windows-embedded-posready-7-reaches-end-of-support-now-what|title=Windows Embedded POSReady 7 Reaches End of Support – Now What?|quote=The first year, which runs from Oct 2021 to Oct 2022, requires purchasing 100 hours of support priced over $22,000, and the POS7 ESU licenses are $50 per device. The pricing then doubles each year with a maximum of three years.|publisher=Arrow Electronics, Inc|date=September 23, 2021|access-date=August 14, 2023}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.bsquare.com/windows-iot-licensing/microsoft-esu-program/|title=Microsoft Extended Security Update (ESU) Program|publisher=Bsquare Corporation|access-date=August 14, 2023}}{{Cite web|url=https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4497181/lifecycle-faq-extended-security-updates|title=Lifecycle FAQ-Extended Security Updates|quote=The Extended Security Update (ESU) program is a last resort option for customers who need to run certain legacy Microsoft products past the end of support.|website=support.microsoft.com|access-date=August 14, 2023}}

{{clear}}

• Windows 2000 editions
• Windows XP editions
• Windows Vista editions
• Windows 8 editions
• Windows 10 editions
• Windows 11 editions

{{Notelist}}

{{reflist|30em}}

{{refbegin}}

1. {{cite news

|url = https://news.microsoft.com/2009/02/03/windows-7-lineup-offers-clear-choice-for-consumers-and-businesses/

|title = Windows 7 Lineup Offers Clear Choice for Consumers and Businesses

|work = Microsoft News Center

|publisher = Microsoft

|location = Redmond, Washington

|date = February 3, 2009

|access-date = July 10, 2018

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1. {{cite web

|url = http://download.microsoft.com/download/3/d/4/3d42bdc2-6725-4b29-b75a-a5b04179958b/licensing_windows7_with_VM_technologies.docx

|title = Brief: Licensing Windows 7 for Use with Virtual Machine Technologies

|work = Microsoft Volume Licensing

|publisher = Microsoft

|date = March 2010

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|format = .docx

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1. {{cite web

|url = http://winsupersite.com/article/windows-7/windows-7-product-editions-a-comparison-128684

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|work = Paul Thurrott's SuperSite for Windows

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|first = Paul

|last = Thurrott

|author-link = Paul Thurrott

}}

{{refend}}

{{History of Windows}}

Category:Windows 7