Differences in Windows Editions

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

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

100 CompTIA A+ Quick Reference

Table 6-2 Continued

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

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