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.
