Windows 7 editions

Windows 7 will be available in six different editions, but only Home Premium and Professional will be widely available at retail. The other editions are focused at other markets, such as the developing world or enterprise use. Each edition of Windows 7 will include all of the capabilities and features of the edition below it. Windows 7 Starter only supports 32-bit (x86) processor architectures while the other editions support both 32-bit (x86) and 64-bit (x86-64) processor architectures.

According to Microsoft, the features for all editions of Windows 7 will be stored on the machine, regardless of what edition is in use. Users who wish to upgrade to an edition of Windows 7 with more features can then use Windows Anytime Upgrade to purchase the upgrade, and unlock the features of those editions. Microsoft has not yet announced pricing information or volume licensing details for Windows 7.

Emphasized editions
Only these two versions will be available to all customers worldwide at retail and by OEM.

Windows 7 Home Premium
This edition contains features aimed at the home market segment, such as Windows Media Center, Windows Aero and touch-screen controls. Microsoft has expected this edition of Windows 7 to run on most Netbooks.

Windows 7 Professional
This edition is targeted toward enthusiasts and small business users. It includes all the features of Windows 7 Home Premium, and adds the ability to participate in a Windows Server domain. Additional features include operating as a Remote Desktop server, location aware printing, Encrypting File System, and Presentation Mode.

Other editions

The remaining four editions are targeted at selective market segments.

Windows 7 Starter
An option for "folks that will do very limited things with their PCs": the Aero Glass theme is not included, it will only be sold in a 32-bit edition, and the system is limited to running only three applications simultaneously. This will be available pre-installed on computers through system integrators or computer manufacturers.

Windows 7 Home Basic
Windows 7 Home Basic will only be available in emerging markets such as Brazil, People's Republic of China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Thailand. It will not be available in countries such as Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Israel, New Zealand, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Windows 7 Home Basic can run an unlimited number of applications, but some Aero Glass options are excluded along with several new features.

Windows 7 Enterprise
This edition targets the enterprise segment of the market and will be sold through volume licensing to companies which have Software Assurance 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 will be distributed through Microsoft Software Assurance (SA). As a result it includes several SA-only benefits, including a license allowing the running of multiple virtual machines, access to Virtual PC Express, and activation via VLK.

Windows 7 Ultimate
Windows 7 Ultimate contains the same features as Windows 7 Enterprise, but unlike that edition it will be available to home users on an individual license basis. Windows 7 Home Premium and Windows 7 Professional users will be able to upgrade to Windows 7 Ultimate for a fee using Windows Anytime Upgrade if they wish to do so. Unlike Windows Vista Ultimate, the Windows 7 Ultimate edition will not include the Windows Ultimate Extras feature or any exclusive features.

(*information sourced from Wikipedia)