Microsoft has created a SKU line-up for Windows 7, where each SKU is a superset of the previous SKU. This means that each higher edition SKU will have every feature lower edition SKUs have with a focus on two primary editions of Windows 7: Windows 7 Home Premium and Windows 7 Professional.
We will continue to offer a few targeted SKUs for customers with specialized needs: for price-sensitive customers with small notebook PCs, some OEMs will offer Windows 7 Starter. For customers in emerging markets, we will make Windows 7 Home Basic available. Businesses have two recommended choices: Windows 7 Professional and Windows 7 Enterprise. Windows 7 Professional is recommended for small businesses and Windows 7 Enterprise is recommended for mid- and large-sized businesses that have a Software Assurance Agreement with Microsoft.
SKUs for Windows 7:
· The SKU lineup for Windows 7 is: Windows® 7 Starter, Windows® 7 Home Basic (in Emerging Markets only), Windows® 7 Home Premium, Windows® 7 Professional, Windows® 7 Enterprise and Windows® 7 Ultimate.
· For Consumers, we recommend Windows 7 Home Premium for most customers and Windows 7 Professional for customers who want additional features and functionality useful for small business activities.
· For Businesses, we recommend Windows 7 Professional for most customers and Windows 7 Enterprise for medium-to-large business and enterprise customers that choose to license Windows through Software Assurance.
· The features in each version of Windows 7 build upon the one before it. As customers move up from one SKU to the next, from Windows 7 Starter through Windows 7 Ultimate, they gain additional features and lose none
Additional Information:
| Windows 7 Starter | Windows 7 Home Basic (emerging market only) | Windows 7 Home Premium | Windows 7 Professional | Windows 7 Enterprise and Ultimate |
| Key Feature list · Broad app and device compatibility with up to 3 concurrent applications · Safe, reliable, and supported · Ability to join a Home Group · Improved taskbar and JumpLists | · Starter features · Unlimited applications · Live Thumbnail Previews & enhanced visual experience · Advanced networking support (ad-hoc wireless networks and internet connection sharing) · Mobility Center | · Home Basic features · Unlimited applications · Aero Glass & advanced windows navigation · Easy networking & sharing across all your PCs & devices · Improved media format support, enhancements to Windows Media Center and media streaming, including Play To · Multi-touch and improved handwriting recognition | · Professional features · Unlimited applications · Ability to join a managed network with Domain Join · Protect data with advanced network backup and Encrypting File System · Print to the right printer at home or work with Location Aware Printing | · Professional and Consumer · Unlimited applications · BitLocker data protection on internal and external drives · DirectAccess provides seamless connectivity to your corporate network. (requires Windows Server 2008 R2) · Decrease time branch office workers wait to open file across the network with BranchCache. (requires Windows Server 2008 R2) · Prevent unauthorized software from running with AppLocker Note: Ultimate includes all Enterprise and all Home Premium features, including multi-language packs. - Windows 7 Enterprise is available only through Microsoft Volume Licensing |
More information on deploying Windows 7 can be found here.