Windows Vista editions#Windows Vista Starter

Windows Vista—a major release of the Microsoft Windows operating system—was available in six different product editions: Starter, Home Basic, Home Premium, Business, Enterprise, and Ultimate.{{cite web |url=http://news.microsoft.com/2006/02/26/microsoft-unveils-windows-vista-product-lineup/ |title=Microsoft Unveils Windows Vista Product Lineup |author=Microsoft |author-link=Microsoft |date=February 26, 2006 |work=News Center |access-date=May 26, 2015}}{{cite web |url=https://arstechnica.com/uncategorized/2006/02/6269-2/ |title=Microsoft unveils Windows Vista editions |last=Fisher |first=Ken |date=February 27, 2006 |publisher=Condé Nast |work=Ars Technica |access-date=June 2, 2015}} On September 5, 2006, Microsoft announced the USD pricing for editions available through retail channels;{{cite web |url=http://news.microsoft.com/2006/09/05/industry-testing-of-windows-vista-release-candidate-1-begins/ |title=Industry Testing of Windows Vista Release Candidate 1 Begins |author=Microsoft |author-link=Microsoft |date=September 5, 2006 |work=News Center |access-date=May 26, 2015}} the operating system was later made available to retail on January 30, 2007.{{cite web |url=https://news.microsoft.com/2007/01/29/microsoft-launches-windows-vista-and-microsoft-office-2007-to-consumers-worldwide/ |title =Microsoft Launches Windows Vista and the 2007 Office System to Consumers |date=January 29, 2007 |publisher=Microsoft |work=News Center |access-date=April 3, 2018}} Microsoft also made Windows Vista available for purchase and download from Windows Marketplace; it is the first version of Windows to be distributed through a digital distribution platform.{{cite web |url=http://news.microsoft.com/2007/01/17/microsoft-unveils-new-ways-for-consumers-to-get-windows-vista/ |title=Microsoft Unveils New Ways for Consumers to Get Windows Vista |date=January 17, 2007 |publisher=Microsoft |work=News Center |access-date=April 3, 2018}} Editions sold at retail were available in both Full and Upgrade versions and later included Service Pack 1 (SP1).{{cite web |url=https://redmondmag.com/articles/2007/08/29/windows-vista-sp1-due-in-early-2008.aspx |title=Windows Vista SP1 Due in Early 2008 |last=Ward |first=Keith |date=August 29, 2007 |publisher=1105 Media Inc. |work=Redmond Magazine |access-date=May 30, 2015}}

Microsoft characterized the retail packaging for Windows Vista as "designed to be user-friendly, a small, hard, plastic container designed to protect the software inside for life-long use";{{cite web|last=White|first=Nick|date=October 30, 2006|title=Announcing New Packaging for Windows Vista and 2007 Office System|url=http://windowsvistablog.com/blogs/windowsvista/archive/2006/10/30/announcing-new-packaging-for-windows-vista-and-2007-office-system.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061110150656/http://windowsvistablog.com/blogs/windowsvista/archive/2006/10/30/announcing-new-packaging-for-windows-vista-and-2007-office-system.aspx|archive-date=November 10, 2006|access-date=May 26, 2015|work=Windows Vista Team Blog|publisher=Microsoft}} it opens sideways to reveal the Windows Vista DVD suspended in a clear plastic case.{{cite web |url=http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Opening-the-Windows-Vista-box?b35c1610 |title=Opening the Windows Vista box |author=Microsoft |author-link=Microsoft |work=Windows How-to |access-date=May 26, 2015}}{{cite web |url=http://winsupersite.com/office/windows-vista-and-office-2007-packaging-revealed |title=Windows Vista and Office 2007 Packaging Revealed |last=Thurrott |first=Paul |author-link=Paul Thurrott |date=October 31, 2006 |publisher=Penton |work=SuperSite for Windows |access-date=May 30, 2015}} Windows Vista optical media use a holographic design with vibrant colors.{{cite web |url=http://www.microsoft.com:80/resources/howtotell/product.aspx?pID=220d451e-930f-4a37-8256-a9ce067690ba&cID=ea710cad-37b0-4975-bcd6-abfee19961df&method=retail&displaylang=en |title=How to Tell - Windows Vista Ultimate |date=2008 |publisher=Microsoft |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080316085107/http://www.microsoft.com/resources/howtotell/product.aspx?pID=220d451e-930f-4a37-8256-a9ce067690ba&cID=ea710cad-37b0-4975-bcd6-abfee19961df&method=retail&displaylang=en |archive-date=March 16, 2008 |access-date=October 23, 2019 |url-status=live }}

With the exception of Windows Vista Starter, all editions support both IA-32 (32-bit) and x64 (64-bit) processor architectures.{{cite web |url=http://winsupersite.com/product-review/windows-vista-product-editions |title=Windows Vista Product Editions |last=Thurrott |first=Paul |author-link=Paul Thurrott |date=October 6, 2010 |publisher=Penton |work=SuperSite for Windows |access-date=May 30, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160608103502/http://winsupersite.com/product-review/windows-vista-product-editions |archive-date=June 8, 2016 |url-status=dead }} Microsoft ceased distribution of retail copies of Windows Vista in October 2010; OEM distribution of Windows Vista ended in October 2011.{{cite web |url=https://www.pcworld.com/article/253431/microsoft_ending_windows_vista_mainstream_support_on_tuesday.html |title=Microsoft Ending Windows Vista Mainstream Support on Tuesday |last=Newman |first=Jared |date=April 9, 2012 |publisher=IDG |work=PC World |access-date=October 25, 2019}}

Editions for personal computers

File:WindowsVistaStarter.png

; {{visible anchor|Windows Vista Starter}}

: Much like its predecessor, Windows XP Starter Edition, Windows Vista Starter was available in emerging markets; it was sold across 139 developing countries in 70 different languages. Microsoft did not make it available in developed technology markets such as the United States, Canada, the European Union, Australia, New Zealand, or other high income markets as defined by the World Bank.{{cite web |url=http://download.microsoft.com/download/2/6/0/260bef21-f403-4060-8b75-5c039e6b210b/Windows.Vista.Starter.Overview.rtf |title=Windows Vista Starter Edition Overview |author=Microsoft |author-link=Microsoft |date=2007 |format=RTF |access-date=May 26, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150907012852/http://download.microsoft.com/download/2/6/0/260bef21-f403-4060-8b75-5c039e6b210b/Windows.Vista.Starter.Overview.rtf |archive-date=September 7, 2015 |url-status=dead }} Windows Vista Starter has significant limitations; it disallows the concurrent operation of more than three programs (although an unlimited number of windows can be opened for each program unlike in Windows XP Starter); disallows users from sharing files or printers over a home network (or sharing a connection with other computers); does not support Windows Media Player media streaming or sharing; displays a permanent watermark in the bottom right corner of the screen, does not support Windows Aero, and imposes a maximum amount of 120 GB hard disk space and a physical memory limit of 1 GB.{{cite web |url=http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/newsroom/windows/factsheets/WinVistaStarterFS.mspx |title=Windows Vista Starter Fact Sheet |author=Microsoft |author-link=Microsoft |date=December 2007 |work=News Center |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070307082537/https://www.microsoft.com/presspass/newsroom/windows/factsheets/WinVistaStarterFS.mspx |archive-date=March 7, 2007 |access-date=October 25, 2019}} However, the memory limit is not actually enforced. Peer-to-peer networking is also disabled, and there is no support for simultaneous SMB connections.

:Consumer-oriented features such as Games Explorer, Parental Controls, Windows Calendar, Windows Mail, Windows Movie Maker (without support for high-definition video), Windows Photo Gallery (without support for sharing photos or themed slideshows), Windows Speech Recognition, and Windows Sidebar are included.

:Windows Vista Starter is licensed to run only on PCs with AMD's Athlon XP, Duron, Sempron and Geode processors, Intel's Celeron, Pentium III processors, and certain models of Pentium 4. Windows Vista Starter can be installed from optical media including those belonging to other editions of the operating system.{{cite web |url=http://news.softpedia.com/news/Windows-Vista-Starter-Edition-in-Images-57484.shtml |title=Windows Vista Starter Edition in Images |last=Oiaga |first=Marius |date=June 16, 2007 |publisher=Softpedia |access-date=May 30, 2015}}

:Windows Vista Starter includes a different set of desktop wallpapers not found in other editions.{{cite web |url=http://news.softpedia.com/news/Windows-Vista-Starter-Wallpapers-Available-for-Download-50637.shtml |title=Windows Vista Starter Wallpapers Available for Download |last=Oiaga |first=Marius |date=March 29, 2007 |publisher=Softpedia |access-date=May 26, 2015}}

; {{visible anchor|Windows Vista Home Basic}}

: Similar to Windows XP Home Edition, the Home Basic edition targets budget-conscious users not requiring advanced multimedia support for home use. The Windows Aero graphical user interface with translucent glass and lighting effects is absent from this edition; however, desktop composition—albeit without Flip 3D or Live Thumbnails—is supported. Home Basic does not include Windows DVD Maker or Windows Media Center (or support for Extenders). Premium games including Chess Titans, Inkball, Mahjong Titans are not included. Windows HotStart is also available.

:Home Basic supports one physical CPU, but with multiple cores,{{cite web |url=http://support.microsoft.com/kb/888729 |title=How to add processors to a computer that is running Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Vista, Windows 7 or Windows XP Professional x64 Edition |author=Microsoft |author-link=Microsoft |work=Support |access-date=May 26, 2015}} and the 64-bit version supports up to 8 GB of RAM.{{cite web |url=http://news.softpedia.com/news/Windows-Vista-Maximum-Supported-RAM-44487.shtml |title=Windows Vista Maximum Supported RAM |last=Oiaga |first=Marius |date=January 15, 2007 |publisher=Softpedia |access-date=May 26, 2015}}

; {{visible anchor|Windows Vista Home Premium}}

: Containing all features from Home Basic and similar to Windows XP Media Center Edition, Windows Vista Home Premium includes additional features dedicated to the home market segment. Full Windows Aero and desktop composition is available. Multimedia features include DVD burning with Windows DVD Maker, and HDTV and Xbox 360 support with Windows Media Center. Premium games (Chess Titans, InkBall, and Mahjong Titans) are available. Enhanced networking features include ad hoc support, projectors, and up to 10 simultaneous SMB connections (compared to 5 in Home Basic);{{cite web |url=http://www.helpwithwindows.com/WindowsVista/vista-which-version.html |title=Windows Vista: Which Edition Should You Get? |last=Slob |first=Arie |date=November 10, 2006 |work=Help with Windows |access-date=May 30, 2015}} Windows Meeting Space, while included in Home Basic, only allowed users to join meetings—in Home Premium, users may either create new meetings or join existing ones.{{cite web |url=https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc721942%28v=ws.10%29.aspx |title=Windows Vista Windows Meeting Space Step by Step Guide |author=Microsoft |author-link=Microsoft |work=TechNet |access-date=May 30, 2015}}{{cite web |url=http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-vista/windows-meeting-space-frequently-asked-questions |title=Windows Meeting Space: frequently asked questions |author=Microsoft |author-link=Microsoft |work=Windows How-to |access-date=May 30, 2015}} Home Premium also introduces Windows Mobility Center, Windows SideShow, and Windows Tablet PC and Touch features such as support for capacitive touchscreens, flick gestures, Snipping Tool, and Tablet PC Input Panel (which has been updated since Windows XP to include AutoComplete, as well as handwriting personalization and training features). Backup and Restore additionally supports backup schedules, backup to network devices, and incremental backups.

:Windows Vista Home Premium—like Home Basic—supports only one physical CPU, but it additionally supports multiple cores. The 64-bit version supports up to 16 GB of RAM.

; {{visible anchor|Windows Vista Business}}

: Comparable to Windows XP Professional, Windows Vista Business Edition targets the business market. It includes all the features of Home Basic with the exception of Parental Controls and can join a Windows Server domain. It includes Encrypting File System, Internet Information Services, Offline Files, Remote Desktop, Rights Management Services, Shadow Copy, and Windows Fax and Scan. Backup and Restore also allows users to create disk images of operating system installations.

:Windows Vista Business supports up to two physical CPUs, and the 64-bit version supports 128 GB of RAM.

; {{visible anchor|Windows Vista Enterprise}}

: This edition targets the enterprise segment of the market: it comprises a superset of the Vista Business edition. Additional features include BitLocker, Multilingual User Interface (MUI), and UNIX application support. Windows Vista Enterprise was not available through retail or OEM channels, but was instead distributed through Microsoft Software Assurance (SA), with license terms that conferred the right to operate up to four virtual machines with various Windows Vista editions installed, access to Virtual PC Express, and activation via volume licensing.{{cite web |url=http://news.softpedia.com/news/Windows-Vista-SP1-Volume-Licensing-90021.shtml |title=Windows Vista SP1 Volume Licensing |last=Oiaga |first=Marius |date=July 15, 2008 |publisher=Softpedia |access-date=May 30, 2015}}{{cite web |url=http://download.microsoft.com/download/a/7/0/a70853c1-a783-4d48-a7ad-f404abdb1e7d/Microsoft_Volume_Licensing_Reference_Guide.pdf |title=Microsoft Volume Licensing Reference Guide |author=Microsoft |author-link=Microsoft |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080802193254/http://download.microsoft.com/download/a/7/0/a70853c1-a783-4d48-a7ad-f404abdb1e7d/Microsoft_Volume_Licensing_Reference_Guide.pdf |archive-date=August 2, 2008 |access-date=May 30, 2015}}

:Windows Vista Enterprise supports up to two physical CPUs, and the 64-bit version supports up to 128 GB of RAM.

; {{visible anchor|Windows Vista Ultimate}}

File:Windows Vista Product Red Desktop.png

: Windows Vista Ultimate includes all features of the Home Premium and Business editions, as well as BitLocker and MUI; it also provides access to optional "Ultimate Extras." Windows Vista Ultimate supports up to two physical CPUs, and the 64-bit version supports up to 128 GB of RAM.

: Microsoft released two special edition variants of Windows Vista Ultimate: Windows Vista Ultimate Signature Edition featured a unique production number alongside the signature of Bill Gates on the front of the packaging; the edition was limited to 25,000 copies.{{cite web |url=http://www.freitasm.com/2117 |title=Windows Vista Ultimate Signature Edition |last=Freitas |first=Mauricio |date=January 30, 2007 |work=Geekzone |access-date=May 26, 2015 |archive-date=April 13, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413021806/http://www.freitasm.com/2117 |url-status=dead }} Windows Vista Product Red was produced as part of the Product Red program, with a portion of sales supporting The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. The edition was originally distributed as pre-loaded software on a line of Product Red-branded Dell PCs,{{cite web|last=Protalinski|first=Emil|date=April 14, 2008|title=Windows Vista (Product) Red reaches new heights|url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2008/04/windows-vista-product-red-reaches-new-heights/|access-date=May 26, 2015|work=Ars Technica|publisher=Condé Nast}} but was later released at retail. Besides including an additional desktop theme with wallpapers and other content, it is otherwise identical to the main Windows Vista Ultimate SKU.{{cite web|last=Thurrott|first=Paul|author-link=Paul Thurrott|date=October 6, 2010|title=Dell and Microsoft Join (RED)|url=http://winsupersite.com/product-review/dell-and-microsoft-join-red|access-date=April 29, 2017|work=Supersite for Windows|publisher=Penton}}{{cite web|last=Fried|first=Ina|author-link=Ina Fried|date=December 8, 2008|title=Microsoft: Buy Vista, fight AIDS in Africa|url=http://www.cnet.com/news/microsoft-buy-vista-fight-aids-in-africa/|access-date=May 26, 2015|work=CNET|publisher=CBS Interactive}}{{cite web|last=Zheng|first=Long|date=December 7, 2008|title=Microsoft sells standalone Windows Vista (RED): Dec 15|url=http://www.istartedsomething.com/20081207/microsoft-sells-standalone-windows-vista-red-dec-15/|access-date=May 26, 2015|work=istartedsomething}}{{cite web|last=Murph|first=Darren|date=December 8, 2008|title=Microsoft Vista Ultimate gets the (PRODUCT) RED treatment|url=https://www.engadget.com/2008/12/08/microsoft-vista-ultimate-gets-the-product-red-treatment/|access-date=May 26, 2015|work=Engadget|publisher=AOL}}

: Internally, Microsoft released a Windows Vista Handcrafted variant of the Windows Vista Ultimate SKU for employees involved with the development of Windows Vista; it features a custom box alongside a note to employees, but is otherwise identical to the Ultimate SKU.{{cite web |last1=Oiaga |first1=Marius |title=Feast Your Eyes on the Windows Vista Handcrafted Edition |url=https://news.softpedia.com/news/Feast-You-Eyes-on-the-Windows-Vista-Handcrafted-Edition-46798.shtml |website=Softpedia News |date=10 February 2007 |publisher=Softpedia |access-date=8 June 2020}}

Distribution

Users could purchase and download Windows Vista directly from Microsoft through the Windows Marketplace before the service's discontinuation.{{cite web |url=http://windowsvistablog.com/blogs/windowsvista/archive/2007/01/17/multiple-announcments-today.aspx |title=Multiple announcements today |last=White |first=Nick |date=January 17, 2007 |publisher=Microsoft |work=Windows Vista Team Blog |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070121135250/http://windowsvistablog.com/blogs/windowsvista/archive/2007/01/17/multiple-announcments-today.aspx |archive-date=January 21, 2007 |access-date=May 30, 2015}}{{cite web |url=https://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-closing-your-digital-locker-account/ |title=Microsoft: Closing your digital locker account |last=Chandran |first=Chakkaradeep |date=December 12, 2008 |website=Neowin |access-date=October 23, 2019}}

Optical media distributed through retail or through OEMs for Windows Vista are identical; Microsoft refers to this as "CD unification." Before Windows Vista, versions of Windows for OEMs and retail were maintained separately.{{cite web |url=http://download.microsoft.com/download/c/f/1/cf1806ad-5a4f-4f7d-a5b2-07fdb59a7adb/WH03_TPA39.exe |title=Manufacturing With the "Longhorn" Operating System |last=Myers |first=Mark |date=2003 |publisher=Microsoft |work=Windows Hardware Engineering Conference 2003 |format=EXE |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051222134801/http://download.microsoft.com/download/c/f/1/cf1806ad-5a4f-4f7d-a5b2-07fdb59a7adb/WH03_TPA39.exe |archive-date=December 22, 2005 |access-date=September 1, 2015}}{{cite web |url=http://winsupersite.com/product-review/longhorn-setup-and-deployment-strategies |title=Longhorn Setup and Deployment Strategies |last=Thurrott |first=Paul |author-link=Paul Thurrott |date=October 6, 2010 |publisher=Penton |work=SuperSite for Windows |access-date=June 15, 2015}} All editions of Windows Vista—excluding Enterprise—are stored on the same optical media; a license key for the edition purchased determines which version on the disc is eligible for installation.{{cite web |url=http://winsupersite.com/product-review/windows-vista-installation-super-guide-part-3-clean-install-windows-vista |title=Windows Vista Installation Super Guide, Part 3: Clean Install Windows Vista |last=Thurrott |first=Paul |author-link=Paul Thurrott |date=October 6, 2010 |publisher=Penton |work=SuperSite for Windows |access-date=May 30, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160430211602/http://winsupersite.com/product-review/windows-vista-installation-super-guide-part-3-clean-install-windows-vista |archive-date=April 30, 2016 |url-status=dead }} To upgrade to a higher edition from a lower edition (such as from Home Basic to Ultimate) Windows Vista includes Windows Anytime Upgrade to facilitate an upgrade.{{cite web |url=http://www.techrepublic.com/article/inside-the-windows-anytime-upgrade-program/ |title=Inside the Windows Anytime Upgrade Program |last=Shultz |first=Greg |date=April 11, 2007 |publisher=CBS Interactive |work=TechRepublic |access-date=May 30, 2015}}{{cite web |url=https://techjourney.net/windows-vista-anytime-upgrade-how-to-upgrade-edition-guide-and-price/ |title=Windows Vista Anytime Upgrade – How to Upgrade Edition Guide and Price |date=January 21, 2007 |publisher=TechJourney |access-date=May 30, 2015}}{{cite web |url=http://news.cnet.com/Microsoft-to-make-Vista-easily-upgradeable/2100-1016_3-6046512.html |title=Microsoft to make Vista easily upgradeable |last=Fried |first=Ina |author-link=Ina Fried |date=March 6, 2006 |publisher=CBS Interactive |work=CNET |access-date=May 30, 2015}} For computers with optical disc drives that supported CDs but not DVDs, Microsoft offered CDs for Windows Vista that could be purchased from its website.{{cite web |url=http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/1033/ordermedia/default.mspx |title=Windows Vista Alternate Media |author=Microsoft |website=Microsoft |author-link=Microsoft |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070202232249/http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/1033/ordermedia/default.mspx |archive-date=February 2, 2007 |access-date=May 30, 2015}} The company would later release alternative media for Windows Vista SP1.{{cite web |url=http://news.softpedia.com/news/Get-Vista-SP1-RTM-Patch-DVDs-and-Alternative-Media-Straight-from-Microsoft-86331.shtml |title=Get Vista SP1 RTM Patch DVDs and Alternative Media Straight from Microsoft |last=Oiaga |first=Marius |date=May 23, 2008 |publisher=Softpedia |access-date=May 30, 2015}}

A Windows Vista Family Discount program enabled United States and Canada customers who purchased the Ultimate edition before June 30, 2007 to purchase additional licenses for Windows Vista Home Premium at a cost of $49.99 each. Microsoft sold these licenses online through its website.{{cite web |url=http://news.cnet.com/Microsoft-tries-to-spread-Vista-far-and-wide/2100-1016_3-6150933.html |title=Microsoft tries to spread Vista far and wide |last=Fried |first=Ina |author-link=Ina Fried |date=January 17, 2007 |publisher=CBS Interactive |work=CNET |access-date=May 30, 2015}} In addition, eligible students in qualifying regions had the option to purchase the upgrade version of the Home Premium edition at a reduced price.{{cite web |url=http://www.microsoft.com/Education/USAcademicPricing.mspx |title=Microsoft U.S. academic retail pricing |website=Microsoft |date=January 6, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070202112345/http://www.microsoft.com/Education/usacademicpricing.mspx |archive-date=February 2, 2007 |access-date=May 30, 2015}} A similar offer was later available for Windows Vista Ultimate.{{cite web |url=http://www.microsoft.com/student/discounts/theultimatesteal-us/default.aspx |title=Microsoft Office Discount for Students – The Ultimate Steal |author=Microsoft |website=Microsoft |author-link=Microsoft |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080909014253/http://www.microsoft.com/student/discounts/theultimatesteal-us/default.aspx |archive-date=September 9, 2008 |access-date=May 30, 2015}}

=64-bit versions=

To support x64 platforms such as Intel Xeon, Intel Core 2, AMD Opteron and AMD Athlon 64, Microsoft released x64 versions of every edition of Windows Vista except for the Starter edition. These editions can run 32-bit programs within the WOW64 subsystem. Most 32-bit programs can run natively, though applications that rely on device drivers will not run unless those device drivers have been written for x64 platforms.{{cite web |url=http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/32-bit-and-64-bit-windows#1TC=windows-vista |title=32-bit and 64-bit Windows: frequently asked questions |author=Microsoft |author-link=Microsoft |work=Windows How-to |access-date=May 30, 2015}}{{cite web |url=http://news.cnet.com/64-bit-PCs-Drivers-wanted/2100-1003_3-6200517.html |title=64-bit PCs: Drivers wanted |last2=Fried |first2=Ina |last1=Krazit |first1=Tom |date=August 3, 2007 |publisher=CBS Interactive |work=CNET |access-date=May 30, 2015}} Reviewers have reported that the x64 editions of Windows Vista outperform their IA-32 counterparts in benchmarks such as PassMark.{{cite web |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/xp-sp3-vs-vista-sp1-which-is-fastest/ |title=XP SP3 vs. Vista SP1 – Which is fastest? |last=Hughes-Kingsley |first=Adrian |date=April 28, 2008 |publisher=CBS Interactive |work=ZDNet |access-date=May 30, 2015}}

All 32-bit editions of Windows Vista, excluding Starter, support up to 4 GB of RAM. The 64-bit edition of Home Basic supports 8 GB of RAM, Home Premium supports 16 GB, and Business, Enterprise, and Ultimate support 128 GB of RAM.

All 64-bit versions of Microsoft operating systems impose a 16 TB limit on address space. Processes created on the 64-bit editions of Windows Vista can have 8 TB in virtual memory for user processes and 8 TB for kernel processes to create a virtual memory of 16 TB.{{cite web |url=http://www.ni.com/white-paper/5709/en/ |title=A Closer Look at 32-Bit vs. 64-Bit Windows |author=National Instruments |author-link=National Instruments |access-date=May 26, 2015}}

= Editions for specific markets =

In March 2004, the European Commission fined Microsoft for €497 million (about US$603 million) and ordered the company to provide a version of Windows without Windows Media Player. The Commission concluded that Microsoft "broke European Union competition law by leveraging its near monopoly in the market for PC operating systems onto the markets for work group server operating systems and for media players."{{cite web |url=http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-04-382_en.htm |title=Commission concludes on Microsoft investigation, imposes conduct remedies and a fine |author=European Commission |author-link=European Commission |date=March 24, 2004 |access-date=June 1, 2015}} Microsoft reached an agreement with the Commission where it would release a court-compliant version, Windows XP Edition N, that does not include the company's Windows Media Player but instead encourages users to download and install their preferred media player.{{cite web |url=http://news.microsoft.com/2005/06/08/microsoft-to-release-windows-xp-home-edition-n-and-windows-xp-professional-n-in-europe/ |title=Microsoft to Release Windows XP Home Edition N and Windows XP Professional N in Europe |author=Microsoft |author-link=Microsoft |date=June 8, 2005 |work=News Center |access-date=June 1, 2015}}

Similarly, in December 2005, the Korean Fair Trade Commission ordered Microsoft to make available editions of Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 that do not contain Windows Media Player or Windows Messenger.{{cite web |url=https://arstechnica.com/uncategorized/2005/12/5702-2/ |title=South Korea fines Microsoft for antitrust abuses |last=Anderson |first=Nate |date=December 7, 2005 |publisher=Condé Nast |work=Ars Technica |access-date=May 26, 2015}} Similar to the European Commission, this decision was based on the grounds that Microsoft had abused its dominant position in the market to push other products onto consumers. Unlike that decision, however, Microsoft was also forced to withdraw the non-compliant versions of Windows from the South Korean market. This decision resulted in Microsoft's releasing "K" and "KN" variants of the Home and Professional editions of Windows XP in August 2006.{{cite web |url=http://windowsitpro.com/windows-xp/microsoft-begin-selling-windows-xp-k-and-kn-editions-south-korea-week |title=Microsoft to Begin Selling Windows XP K and KN Editions in South Korea This Week |last=Thurrott |first=Paul |author-link=Paul Thurrott |date=August 22, 2006 |publisher=Penton |work=Windows IT Pro |access-date=May 30, 2015}}

As a continuance of these requirements, Microsoft released "N" variants of some editions of Windows Vista that exclude Windows Media Player, as well as "K" and "KN" editions that include links to third-party media player and instant messaging software. "N" editions of Windows Vista require third-party software (or a separate installation of Windows Media Player) to play audio CDs and other media formats such as MPEG-4.{{cite web |url=http://download.microsoft.com/documents/useterms/MSDN%20Subscription_Premium%20Edition_English_36b85cb5-cdc0-43d8-90c1-fa168f15ee6d.pdf |title=Microsoft Software License Terms – Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) Subscription Operating Systems, Professional, and Premium Editions |author=Microsoft |author-link=Microsoft |access-date=May 26, 2015}}

Editions for embedded systems

Two additional editions of Windows Vista have been released for use by developers of embedded devices. These are binary identical editions to those available in retail, but licensed exclusively for use in embedded devices.{{cite web |url=http://news.microsoft.com/2008/04/15/microsoft-charts-its-road-map-for-windows-embedded-business/ |title=Microsoft Charts Its Road Map for Windows Embedded Business |author=Microsoft |author-link=Microsoft |date=April 15, 2008 |work=News Center |access-date=May 26, 2015}}

; Windows Vista Business for Embedded Systems: This edition mirrors the feature set of the Business edition of Windows Vista.

; Windows Vista Ultimate for Embedded Systems:This edition mirrors the feature set of the Ultimate edition of Windows Vista. Accordingly, it includes capabilities not found in Vista Business for Embedded Systems such as BitLocker Drive Encryption, the Subsystem for UNIX-based Applications, and Virtual PC Express.{{cite web |url=http://www.microsoft.com/windows/embedded/products/vistaforembedded/ultimate-systems.mspx |title=Windows Vista Ultimate for Embedded Systems |author=Microsoft |website=Microsoft |author-link=Microsoft |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080422192153/http://www.microsoft.com/windows/embedded/products/vistaforembedded/ultimate-systems.mspx |archive-date=April 22, 2008 |access-date=May 26, 2015}}

Upgrading

{{Wide image|Windows Vista Upgrade Paths.svg|560px|Upgrade paths from Windows XP and between different Vista editions. Dotted lines indicate the need for a "clean install."|100%|right|alt=Diagram showing upgrade path; if you cannot see this image, please consult the table below.|}}

Unlike previous versions of Windows, Windows Vista does not support compliance checking during installation; compliance checking previously allowed users to insert a disc as evidence that the operating system was being upgraded over a previous version, which would allow users to enter an upgrade license to perform a clean install.{{cite web |url=https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/930985/en-us |title=Upgrade installation keys are blocked when you start from the Windows Vista DVD |author=Microsoft |author-link=Microsoft |work=Windows How-to |access-date=June 1, 2015}} As a result, Upgrade versions of Windows Vista will not install unless a previous version of Windows is already installed on the machine to be upgraded.{{cite web |url=https://arstechnica.com/uncategorized/2007/01/8717/ |title=Vista 'upgrade' drops compliance checking, requires old OS to install |last=Fisher |first=Ken |date=January 28, 2007 |publisher=Condé Nast |work=Ars Technica |access-date=May 30, 2015}}{{cite web |url=http://www.dailytech.com/no+more+clean+installs+using+upgrade+discs+with+windows+vista/article5887.htm |title=No More Clean Installs Using Upgrade Discs With Windows Vista |last=Hill |first=Brandon |date=January 28, 2007 |publisher=DailyTech |access-date=May 30, 2015}}{{cite web |url=http://windowsitpro.com/article/windows-vista2/microsoft-confirms-vista-upgrade-limitations-updated-with-workaround--95011 |title=Microsoft Confirms Vista Upgrade Limitations (Updated with Workaround) |last=Thurrott |first=Paul |author-link=Paul Thurrott |date=January 28, 2007 |publisher=Penton |work=Windows IT Pro |access-date=May 30, 2015}} A workaround for this limitation was reported by Paul Thurrott, who stated that users should be able to perform a full installation of Windows Vista through Upgrade media by bypassing the prompt to enter a license during setup, and then, once installed, reinstall the operating system over the previous installation—this essentially allows users who purchased the Upgrade version to perform a full retail installation.{{cite web |url=http://winsupersite.com/article/windows-vista2/how-to-clean-install-windows-vista-with-upgrade-media-128230 |title=How to Clean Install Windows Vista with Upgrade Media |last=Thurrott |first=Paul |author-link=Paul Thurrott |date=February 3, 2007 |publisher=Penton |work=SuperSite for Windows |access-date=May 30, 2015}}{{cite web |url=http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=5932 |title=Workaround Discovered For 'Clean Install' With Vista Upgrade DVDs |last=Hill |first=Brandon |date=January 31, 2007 |publisher=DailyTech |access-date=May 30, 2015 |archive-date=July 19, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170719155233/http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=5932 |url-status=dead }} While the workaround is indeed possible,{{cite web |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/vista-hands-on-4-clean-install-with-an-upgrade-key/ |title=Vista Hands On #4: Clean install with an upgrade key |last=Bott |first=Ed |author-link=Ed Bott |date=February 15, 2007 |publisher=CBS Interactive |work=CNET |access-date=May 30, 2015}} Microsoft has cautioned that users who perform a full installation of the operating system through this method without a genuine license for a previous version would be in violation of the Windows Vista end-user license agreement.{{cite web |url=http://news.cnet.com/Vista-upgrade-workaround-revealed/2100-1016_3-6159318.html |title=Vista upgrade workaround revealed |last=Barker |first=Colin |date=February 14, 2007 |publisher=CBS Interactive |work=CNET |access-date=May 30, 2015}}

Users can upgrade from Windows XP to Windows Vista, or upgrade from one edition of Windows Vista to another. However, upgrading from a 32-bit edition to a 64-bit edition or downgrading from 64-bit edition to a 32-bit edition requires a clean install.{{cite web |url=https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/932616/en-us |title=Installation choices for consumer versions of Windows Vista (32-bit only) |author=Microsoft |author-link=Microsoft |work=Support |access-date=May 26, 2015}}{{cite web |url=https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/932795/en-us |title=Installation choices for 64-bit consumer versions of Windows Vista |author=Microsoft |author-link=Microsoft |work=Support |access-date=May 26, 2015}} In addition, not all potential upgrade combinations are supported. The following chart indicates the possible upgrade paths:

rowspan=2 \| Version and its specific edition of Windows to upgrade from	colspan=6 \| Edition of Windows Vista to upgrade to
class="wikitable" style="margin:auto;" \|+ Upgrade path to Windows Vista, showing which original products can perform an in-place upgrade to which editions of Windows Vista
Starter	Home Basic	Home Premium	Business	Ultimate	Enterprise
XP Starter	{{Yes}}	{{Yes}}	{{Yes}}	{{Yes}}	{{Yes}}	{{No}}
XP Home	{{No}}	{{Yes}}	{{Yes}}	{{Yes}}	{{Yes}}	{{No}}
XP Professional	{{No}}	{{No}}	{{No}}	{{Yes}}	{{Yes}}	{{No}}
XP Media Center 2005	{{No}}	{{No}}	{{Yes}}	{{No}}	{{Yes}}	{{No}}
XP Media Center 2004	{{No}}	{{No}}	{{Yes}}	{{No}}	{{Yes}}	{{No}}
XP Media Center 2002	{{No}}	{{No}}	{{No}}	{{No}}	{{No}}	{{No}}
XP Tablet PC	{{No}}	{{No}}	{{No}}	{{Yes}}	{{Yes}}	{{No}}
XP Professional x64	{{No}}	{{No}}	{{No}}	{{No}}	{{No}}	{{No}}
XP Embedded	{{No}}	{{No}}	{{No}}	{{No}}	{{No}}	{{No}}
Vista Starter	{{N/A}}	{{No}}	{{No}}	{{No}}	{{Yes}}	{{No}}
Vista Home Basic	{{No}}	{{N/A}}	{{Yes}}	{{No}}	{{Yes}}	{{No}}
Vista Home Premium	{{No}}	{{No}}	{{N/A}}	{{No}}	{{Yes}}	{{No}}
Vista Business	{{No}}	{{No}}	{{No}}	{{N/A}}	{{Yes}}	{{Yes}}
Vista Ultimate	{{No}}	{{No}}	{{No}}	{{No}}	{{N/A}}	{{No}}
Vista Enterprise	{{No}}	{{No}}	{{No}}	{{No}}	{{Yes}}	{{N/A}}

Notes:

Only Windows XP can be upgraded to Windows Vista; a clean install is required for PCs running Windows 2000 or earlier versions.{{cite web |url=http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-vista/upgrading-from-windows-2000-to-windows-vista |title=Upgrading from Windows 2000 to Windows Vista |author=Microsoft |author-link=Microsoft |work=Windows How-to |access-date=May 26, 2015}}
While it is possible to upgrade from Windows XP Media Center Edition to Windows Vista Home Premium if the computer was joined to an Active Directory Domain at the time of upgrade, the computer will remain joined to the domain but no users will be able to log into the computer through the domain controller. Windows Vista Home Premium does not support joining an Active Directory Domain.

Comparison chart

class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%; text-align:center; vertical-align:middle; width:100%; table-layout:fixed;"
+Windows Vista edition comparison chart{{cite web \|url=http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/editions/choose.mspx \|title=Windows Vista: Compare Editions \|author=Microsoft \|website=Microsoft \|author-link=Microsoft \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070202044005/http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/editions/choose.mspx \|archive-date=February 2, 2007 \|access-date=May 30, 2015}}{{cite web \|url=http://news.softpedia.com/news/Windows-Vista-Home-Basic-Home-Premium-Business-Enterprise-and-Ultimate-Comparison-45570.shtml \|title=Windows Vista Home Basic, Home Premium, Business, Enterprise and Ultimate – Comparison \|last=Oiaga \|first=Marius \|date=January 27, 2007 \|publisher=Softpedia \|access-date=May 30, 2015}}
scope="col" \| Features ! scope="col" style="background:#dcf05d"\|Starter ! scope="col" style="background:#99d818"\|Home Basic^1,2 ! scope="col" style="background:#60b937"\|Home Premium² ! scope="col" style="background:#0098d4; color:white"\|Business^1,2,3 ! scope="col" style="background:#00007f; color:white"\|Enterprise^1,2 ! scope="col" style="background:#312e25; color:white"\|Ultimate²
scope="row" \| Licensing scheme \| OEM licensing in emerging markets \|\| colspan="2" \| Retail and OEM \|\| Retail, OEM and volume \|\| Volume \|\| Retail and OEM
scope="row" \| Maximum RAM on IA-32 \| 4 GB, license allows for 1 GB \|\| 4 GB \|\| 4 GB \|\| 4 GB \|\| 4 GB \|\| 4 GB
scope="row" \| Maximum RAM on x64 \| {{N/A}} \|\| 8 GB \|\| 16 GB \|\| 128 GB \|\| 128 GB \|\| 128 GB
scope="row" \| Maximum physical CPUs \| 1 \|\| 1 \|\| 1 \|\| 2 \|\| 2 \|\| 2
scope="row" \| Simultaneous SMB peer network connections \| {{N/A}} \|\| 5 \|\| 10 \|\| 10 \|\| 10 \|\| 10
scope="row" \| Number of running applications \| {{Partial\|3}} \|\| {{Yes\|Unlimited}} \|\| {{Yes\|Unlimited}} \|\| {{Yes\|Unlimited}} \|\| {{Yes\|Unlimited}} \|\| {{Yes\|Unlimited}}
scope="row" \| Windows Movie Maker \| {{Partial}} (no support for HD content creation) \|\| {{Partial}} (no support for HD content creation) \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Partial}} (no support for HD content creation)⁴ \|\| {{Partial}} (no support for HD content creation) \|\| {{Yes}}
scope="row" \| Windows Mobility Center⁵ \| {{Partial}} \|\| {{Partial}}⁶ \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}}
scope="row" \| Games Explorer \| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}}
scope="row" \| Accessibility Settings and Ease of Access Center \| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}}
scope="row" \| Instant Search \| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}}
scope="row" \| Windows ReadyDrive \| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}}
scope="row" \| Windows Speech Recognition \| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}}
scope="row" \| Application Compatibility features \| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}}
scope="row" \| Improved VPN support \| {{No}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}}
scope="row" \| Improved power management \| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}}
scope="row" \| Windows HotStart{{Cite web \|date=March 19, 2010 \|title=Configuring Windows HotStart \|url=https://download.microsoft.com/download/a/f/7/af7777e5-7dcd-4800-8a0a-b18336565f5b/hotstart.docx \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224124513/https://download.microsoft.com/download/a/f/7/af7777e5-7dcd-4800-8a0a-b18336565f5b/hotstart.docx \|archive-date=February 24, 2021 \|archive-format=docx \|access-date=February 24, 2023 \|website=Microsoft}} \| {{No}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}}
scope="row" \| Network Diagnostics and troubleshooting \| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}}
scope="row" \| Improved wireless networking \| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}}
scope="row" \| Parental Controls{{cite web \|url=https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/ms711663%28v=vs.85%29.aspx \|title=Parental Controls SKU Availability \|author=Microsoft \|author-link=Microsoft \|work=MSDN \|access-date=August 9, 2015}} \| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{No}} \|\| {{No}} \|\| {{Yes}}
scope="row" \| Universal game controller support \| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Partial\|Disabled by default}} \|\| {{Partial\|Disabled by default}} \|\| {{Yes}}
scope="row" \| Sync Center \| {{Partial}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}}
scope="row" \| Network and Sharing Center \| {{Partial\|No Share center}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}}
scope="row" \| Improved peer networking \| {{No\|No P2P}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}}
scope="row" \| Network Access Protection Client Agent \| {{No}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}}
scope="row" \| Desktop Window Manager \| {{No}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}}
scope="row" \| Ad hoc backup and recovery of user files and folders \| {{No}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}}
scope="row" \| Pluggable logon authentication architecture \| {{No}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}}
scope="row" \| Windows Aero \| {{No}} \|\| {{Partial}} (desktop composition only) \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}}
scope="row" \| Windows Meeting Space \| {{No\|No P2P meeting}} \|\| {{Partial\|View only}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}}
scope="row" \| Scheduled backup of user files \| {{No}} \|\| {{No}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}}
scope="row" \| Windows Tablet PC with integrated pen and digital ink input \| {{No}} \|\| {{No}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}}
scope="row" \| Windows Tablet PC touch screen support \| {{No}} \|\| {{No}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}}
scope="row" \| Windows Tablet PC handwriting recognition improvements \| {{No}} \|\| {{No}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}}
scope="row" \| Windows Tablet PC usability and navigation improvements \| {{No}} \|\| {{No}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}}
scope="row" \| Windows SideShow \| {{No}} \|\| {{No}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}}
scope="row" \| Premium games⁷ \| {{No}} \|\| {{No}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Partial\|Disabled by default}} \|\| {{Partial\|Disabled by default}} \|\| {{Yes}}
scope="row" \| Windows Media Center \| {{No}} \|\| {{No}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{No}} \|\| {{No}} \|\| {{Yes}}
scope="row" \| Windows DVD Maker \| {{No}} \|\| {{No}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{No}} \|\| {{No}} \|\| {{Yes}}
scope="row" \| Themed slide shows \| {{No}} \|\| {{No}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{No}} \|\| {{No}} \|\| {{Yes}}
scope="row" \| Native DVD playback \| {{No}} \|\| {{No}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{No}} \|\| {{No}} \|\| {{Yes}}
scope="row" \| Complete PC Backup \| {{No}} \|\| {{No}} \|\| {{No}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}}
scope="row" \| Small Business Resources \| {{No}} \|\| {{No}} \|\| {{No}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} (optional) \|\| {{Yes}}
scope="row" \| Joining Windows Server domains \| {{No}} \|\| {{No}} \|\| {{No}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}}
scope="row" \| Windows Fax and Scan \| {{No}} \|\| {{No}} \|\| {{No}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} (optional) \|\| {{Yes}}
scope="row" \| Remote Desktop Services \| {{No}} \|\| {{No}} \|\| {{No}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}}
scope="row" \| Group Policy \| {{No}} \|\| {{No}} \|\| {{No}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}}
scope="row" \| Encrypting File System \| {{No}} \|\| {{No}} \|\| {{No}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} (Enhancements available in Windows Ultimate Extras)
scope="row" \| Wireless network provisioning \| {{No}} \|\| {{No}} \|\| {{No}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}}
scope="row" \| Desktop deployment tools for managed networks \| {{No}} \|\| {{No}} \|\| {{No}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}}
scope="row" \| Policy-based quality of service for networking \| {{No}} \|\| {{No}} \|\| {{No}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}}
scope="row" \| Windows Rights Management Services (RMS) Client \| {{No}} \|\| {{No}} \|\| {{No}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}}
scope="row" \| Control over installation of device \| {{No}} \|\| {{No}} \|\| {{No}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}}
scope="row" \| Remote Server Administration Tools support (requires Service Pack 1) \| {{No}} \|\| {{No}} \|\| {{No}} \|\| {{Partial\|With update (KB941314)}} \|\| {{Partial\|With update (KB941314)}} \|\| {{Partial\|With update (KB941314)}}
scope="row" \| BitLocker \| {{No}} \|\| {{No}} \|\| {{No}} \|\| {{No}} \|\| {{Yes\|Requires TPM 1.2 or USB Flash drive}} \|\| {{Yes\|Requires TPM 1.2 or USB Flash drive}}
scope="row" \| Multilingual User Interface \| {{No}} \|\| {{No}} \|\| {{No}} \|\| {{No}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}}
scope="row" \| Subsystem for UNIX-based applications \| {{No}} \|\| {{No}} \|\| {{No}} \|\| {{No}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}}
scope="row" \| DirectAccess \| {{No}} \|\| {{No}} \|\| {{No}} \|\| {{No}} \|\| {{Yes}} \|\| {{Yes}}
scope="row" \| Windows Ultimate Extras \| {{No}} \|\| {{No}} \|\| {{No}} \|\| {{No}} \|\| {{No}} \|\| {{Yes}}
scope="col" \| Features ! scope="col" style="background:#dcf05d"\|Starter ! scope="col" style="background:#99d818"\|Home Basic^1,2 ! scope="col" style="background:#60b937"\|Home Premium² ! scope="col" style="background:#0098d4; color:white"\|Business^1,2,3 ! scope="col" style="background:#00007f; color:white"\|Enterprise^1,2 ! scope="col" style="background:#312e25; color:white"\|Ultimate²

class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%; text-align:center; vertical-align:middle; width:100%; table-layout:fixed;"

+Windows Vista edition comparison chart{{cite web |url=http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/editions/choose.mspx |title=Windows Vista: Compare Editions |author=Microsoft |website=Microsoft |author-link=Microsoft |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070202044005/http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/editions/choose.mspx |archive-date=February 2, 2007 |access-date=May 30, 2015}}{{cite web |url=http://news.softpedia.com/news/Windows-Vista-Home-Basic-Home-Premium-Business-Enterprise-and-Ultimate-Comparison-45570.shtml |title=Windows Vista Home Basic, Home Premium, Business, Enterprise and Ultimate – Comparison |last=Oiaga |first=Marius |date=January 27, 2007 |publisher=Softpedia |access-date=May 30, 2015}}

scope="col" | Features

! scope="col" style="background:#dcf05d"|Starter

! scope="col" style="background:#99d818"|Home Basic^1,2

! scope="col" style="background:#60b937"|Home Premium²

! scope="col" style="background:#0098d4; color:white"|Business^1,2,3

! scope="col" style="background:#00007f; color:white"|Enterprise^1,2

! scope="col" style="background:#312e25; color:white"|Ultimate²

scope="row" | Licensing scheme

| OEM licensing in emerging markets || colspan="2" | Retail and OEM || Retail, OEM and volume || Volume || Retail and OEM

scope="row" | Maximum RAM on IA-32

| 4 GB, license allows for 1 GB || 4 GB || 4 GB || 4 GB || 4 GB || 4 GB

scope="row" | Maximum RAM on x64

| {{N/A}} || 8 GB || 16 GB || 128 GB || 128 GB || 128 GB

scope="row" | Maximum physical CPUs

| 1 || 1 || 1 || 2 || 2 || 2

scope="row" | Simultaneous SMB peer network connections

| {{N/A}} || 5 || 10 || 10 || 10 || 10

scope="row" | Number of running applications

| {{Partial|3}} || {{Yes|Unlimited}} || {{Yes|Unlimited}} || {{Yes|Unlimited}} || {{Yes|Unlimited}} || {{Yes|Unlimited}}

scope="row" | Windows Movie Maker

| {{Partial}} (no support for HD content creation) || {{Partial}} (no support for HD content creation) || {{Yes}} || {{Partial}} (no support for HD content creation)⁴ || {{Partial}} (no support for HD content creation) || {{Yes}}

scope="row" | Windows Mobility Center⁵

| {{Partial}} || {{Partial}}⁶ || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}}

scope="row" | Games Explorer

| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}}

scope="row" | Accessibility Settings and Ease of Access Center

| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}}

scope="row" | Instant Search

| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}}

scope="row" | Windows ReadyDrive

| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}}

scope="row" | Windows Speech Recognition

| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}}

scope="row" | Application Compatibility features

| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}}

scope="row" | Improved VPN support

| {{No}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}}

scope="row" | Improved power management

| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}}

scope="row" | Windows HotStart{{Cite web |date=March 19, 2010 |title=Configuring Windows HotStart |url=https://download.microsoft.com/download/a/f/7/af7777e5-7dcd-4800-8a0a-b18336565f5b/hotstart.docx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224124513/https://download.microsoft.com/download/a/f/7/af7777e5-7dcd-4800-8a0a-b18336565f5b/hotstart.docx |archive-date=February 24, 2021 |archive-format=docx |access-date=February 24, 2023 |website=Microsoft}}

| {{No}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}}

scope="row" | Network Diagnostics and troubleshooting

| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}}

scope="row" | Improved wireless networking

| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}}

scope="row" | Parental Controls{{cite web |url=https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/ms711663%28v=vs.85%29.aspx |title=Parental Controls SKU Availability |author=Microsoft |author-link=Microsoft |work=MSDN |access-date=August 9, 2015}}

| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{No}} || {{No}} || {{Yes}}

scope="row" | Universal game controller support

| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Partial|Disabled by default}} || {{Partial|Disabled by default}} || {{Yes}}

scope="row" | Sync Center

| {{Partial}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}}

scope="row" | Network and Sharing Center

| {{Partial|No Share center}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}}

scope="row" | Improved peer networking

| {{No|No P2P}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}}

scope="row" | Network Access Protection Client Agent

| {{No}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}}

scope="row" | Desktop Window Manager

| {{No}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}}

scope="row" | Ad hoc backup and recovery of user files and folders

| {{No}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}}

scope="row" | Pluggable logon authentication architecture

| {{No}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}}

scope="row" | Windows Aero

| {{No}} || {{Partial}} (desktop composition only) || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}}

scope="row" | Windows Meeting Space

| {{No|No P2P meeting}} || {{Partial|View only}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}}

scope="row" | Scheduled backup of user files

| {{No}} || {{No}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}}

scope="row" | Windows Tablet PC with integrated pen and digital ink input

| {{No}} || {{No}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}}

scope="row" | Windows Tablet PC touch screen support

| {{No}} || {{No}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}}

scope="row" | Windows Tablet PC handwriting recognition improvements

| {{No}} || {{No}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}}

scope="row" | Windows Tablet PC usability and navigation improvements

| {{No}} || {{No}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}}

scope="row" | Windows SideShow

| {{No}} || {{No}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}}

scope="row" | Premium games⁷

| {{No}} || {{No}} || {{Yes}} || {{Partial|Disabled by default}} || {{Partial|Disabled by default}} || {{Yes}}

scope="row" | Windows Media Center

| {{No}} || {{No}} || {{Yes}} || {{No}} || {{No}} || {{Yes}}

scope="row" | Windows DVD Maker

| {{No}} || {{No}} || {{Yes}} || {{No}} || {{No}} || {{Yes}}

scope="row" | Themed slide shows

| {{No}} || {{No}} || {{Yes}} || {{No}} || {{No}} || {{Yes}}

scope="row" | Native DVD playback

| {{No}} || {{No}} || {{Yes}} || {{No}} || {{No}} || {{Yes}}

scope="row" | Complete PC Backup