Don't be confused in choosing the right version of Windows 7

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November 5, 2009

By CHRISOPHER SPERA Columnist

When Microsoft released Windows XP, there were two versions: Windows XP Home and Professional. However, it seemed as though the Pro version was installed on more home PCs than the Home version. There were key security and networking features in the Pro versus the Home version.

When Microsoft released Vista, they decided to "simplify" things and released four versions with different feature sets. They, compared to XP's two, did nothing more than confuse everyone, especially when the features varied so greatly from version to version.

With Windows 7, Microsoft took a more Windows XP-based approach. Windows 7 is not like Windows XP or Windows Vista in which there are vast differences between one version and the next. While they technically released four versions of Windows again, only two of them are really worth your consideration.

� Windows 7 Starter Edition: This version of Windows 7 is not available for retail purchase. The only way to get this version is to purchase a Windows 7 powered netbook, something like an Asus Eee PC, MSI Wind or Dell Mini. Windows 7 Starter is designed to be light and fast, and doesn't have many of the features found in other Windows 7 versions.

� Windows 7 Home Premium: This is the version that 95 percent of consumers will use. WHP gives you the improved Windows 7 interface, provides enhanced desktop search, includes IE8, and provides secure home networking and file sharing within your home network. You get the Windows 7 eye candy and enhancements; can very quickly find programs, options and documents regardless of where they are; and can surf the Internet and share documents among all computers in your home. This sells for $199.99.

� Windows 7 Professional: This version does everything that Windows Home Premium does, but also provides the following capabilities:

� The ability to run an advanced compatibility mode called Windows XP Mode. It's only needed in the most extreme incompatibility cases.

� The ability to join a business network (like the one at work).

� The ability to backup your data to a network drive.

Most users won't need these extra features, and they aren't worth an extra $100, so save your money. This version sells for $299.99.

� Windows 7 Ultimate: Windows Vista Ultimate and Windows 7 Ultimate are very different. Vista Ultimate included Ultimate Extras -- a series of free, add-on applications only available with it. Sadly, they have been discontinued. Vista Ultimate also included DVD decoders (so you could watch a DVD on your PC without having to buy any other program), as well as some other not often used features. Most of these are built into WHP.

Windows 7 Ultimate offers just two additional features over Windows 7 Professional: BitLocker (a data security add-on) and the ability to have Windows 7 display in one of 35 languages. Unless you must run Windows 7 in a foreign language, there is absolutely no reason to spend the extra $120, so again, save your money. Windows 7 Ultimate is $319.99

Over the years, Microsoft hasn't made it easy to choose the right version of Windows for your home computing needs. With Windows 7, Microsoft has made it much easier. Unless you have specific computing needs as outlined above, all you need is Windows 7 Home Premium.

Christopher Spera of Oswego has been a technology journalist for about 15 years. He has been part of Microsoft Windows' technical beta teams for Windows 95, 98/98SE, ME, 2000 and XP. Visit his blog at iTechGear.org.