One constant source of complaints by some about Windows Vista was its numerous versions. For developed markets they were (ignoring court ordered versions without Windows Media Player):
• Windows Vista Home Basic – For budget users – lacks Windows Aero
• Windows Vista Home Premium – For home users – includes Windows Aero
• Windows Vista Business – For business users, missing multimedia features
• Windows Vista Enterprise – Superset of Windows Vista Business distributed by volume license
• Windows Vista Ultimate – Combines all features of Windows Vista Home Premium and Enterprise editions
In announcing the Windows 7 version line-up Microsoft has slightly altered this list. The new developed market line-up is:
Windows 7 Starter – lightweight restricted version – including 3 running application limit
• Windows 7 Home Premium – For home users
• Windows 7 Professional – For business users but includes all multimedia and other features of Windows 7 Home Premium
• Windows 7 Enterprise – Superset of Windows 7 Professional distributed by volume license
• Windows 7 Ultimate – Same as Windows 7 Enterprise but sold at retail.
Only Home Premium and Professional will be widely available at retail.
Importantly the two track system of Windows Vista in which Home editions lacked some Business edition features and vice-versa has been limited, each version is a superset of the less powerful versions. This change and the elimination of Home Basic in developed markets should home reduce confusion over which Windows to buy. If you are a customer buy Home Premium, small business Windows 7 Professional, larger businesses with volume licenses will get Windows 7 Enterprise.