Windows 7 editions

; : Windows 7 Starter is the edition of Windows 7 that contains the fewest features. It was only available in a 32-bit version, does not include the Windows Aero theme, and the desktop wallpaper cannot be changed. It was initially intended to be restricted to running up to three simultaneous programs like previous Starter releases of Windows, however this was dropped in the final release. It only supports up to 2 GB of RAM. : This edition was available pre-installed on computers, especially netbooks or Windows Tablets, through system integrators or computer manufacturers using OEM licenses. ; : Windows 7 Home Basic was available in "emerging markets", in 141 countries. Some Windows Aero options are excluded along with several new features. ; : This edition contains features aimed at the home market segment, such as Windows Media Center, Windows Aero and multi-touch support. It supports up to 16 GB of RAM and was available in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions. ; : This edition is targeted towards enthusiasts, small-business users, and schools. up to two physical CPUs, operating as a Remote Desktop server, location aware printing, backup to a network location, Encrypting File System, Presentation Mode, Software Restriction Policies (but not the extra management features of AppLocker) and Windows XP Mode. ; : Windows 7 Ultimate is the edition of Windows 7 that contains the most features. It includes all the features of Windows 7 Home Premium and Professional while also adding some additional enterprise-oriented features that were available on the SA-exclusive Windows 7 Enterprise, making it feature-complete with the latter; this edition was also available to home users on an individual license basis. If a Windows 7 Home Premium or Professional user wished to upgrade to Windows 7 Ultimate, they would be able to do so by using Windows Anytime Upgrade, for an additional fee. This service was still available for any users who wish to upgrade. Like Windows 7 Professional, it supports up to 192 GB of RAM and up to two physical CPUs, and was available in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions. Unlike Windows Vista Ultimate, it does not include the Windows Ultimate Extras feature or any other exclusive features that Microsoft has stated. ==Special-purpose editions==

The main editions also can take the form of one of the following special editions: ; : The features in the N and KN Editions are the same as their equivalent full versions, but do not include Windows Media Player or other Windows Media-related technologies, such as Windows Media Center and Windows DVD Maker due to limitations set by the European Union and South Korea, respectively. but it was never officially released due to concerns of confusion and replaced by the ballot system, BrowserChoice.eu. Official RTM builds of the E edition do exist, but copies were never sold to consumers through any channel. ;Signature Edition : The Signature Edition of Windows 7 is a commemorative edition of Windows 7 Ultimate for those throwing a Windows 7 launch party. It is functionally the same as Windows 7 Ultimate. ==Embedded editions==

These are the special editions of Windows 7 specially made for embedded systems that has less hardware requirements: Windows Embedded 7 Standard :The simple version for embedded systems Sub SKUs of Windows Embedded Standard 7 Entry The most restricted version, lacking Aero, Windows Media Center, and several "luxury" features. Professional Includes almost everything, including multi-touch and advanced networking. Compact A mid-tier version often used for digital signage and kiosks. POSReady :This version is made specially for Point of Services purpose Others: Windows 7 Professional for Embedded Systems :A specialized version of the original Windows 7 Professional for ATMs, kiosks, industrial controllers, etc... Windows 7 Ultimate for Embedded Systems :The big brother to its Professional counterpart. It includes every feature found in the retail Ultimate edition, such as BitLocker, AppLocker, and Multilingual User Interface (MUI) support, but is licensed specifically for fixed-function devices (like medical imaging or high-end industrial controllers). ==Upgrade editions==

In-place upgrade from Windows Vista with Service Pack 1 to Windows 7 is supported if the processor architecture and the language are the same and their editions match (see below). In-place upgrade is not supported for earlier versions of Windows; moving to Windows 7 on these machines requires a clean installation, i.e. removal of the old operating system, installing Windows 7 and reinstalling all previously installed programs. Windows Easy Transfer can assist in this process. Microsoft made upgrade SKUs of Windows 7 for selected editions of Windows XP and Windows Vista. The difference between these SKUs and full SKUs of Windows 7 is their lower price and proof of license ownership of a qualifying previous version of Windows. Same restrictions on in-place upgrading applies to these SKUs as well. In addition, Windows 7 is available as a Family Pack upgrade edition in certain markets, to upgrade to Windows 7 Home Premium only. It gives licenses to upgrade three machines from Vista or Windows XP to the Windows 7 Home Premium edition. These are not full versions, so each machine to be upgraded must have one of these qualifying previous versions of Windows for them to work. In the United States, this offer expired in early December 2009. In October 2010, to commemorate the anniversary of Windows 7, Microsoft once again made Windows 7 Home Premium Family Pack available for a limited time, while supplies lasted. Upgrade compatibility There are two possible ways to upgrade to Windows 7 from an earlier version of Windows: • In-place install (labeled "Upgrade" in the installer): Constitutes an in-place upgrade from an older version of Windows, where settings and programs are preserved from the existing installation. This option is only sometimes available depending on the editions of Windows being used, and is not available at all unless upgrading from Windows Vista. The table below lists which upgrade paths allow for an in-place install. Note that in-place upgrades can only be performed when the previous version of Windows is of the same architecture. If upgrading from a 32-bit installation to a 64-bit installation or downgrading from 64-bit installation to 32-bit installation, a clean install is mandatory regardless of the editions being used. Anytime Upgrade editions Microsoft supports in-place upgrades from a lower edition of Windows 7 to a higher one, using the Windows Anytime Upgrade tool. however there are no family pack versions of the Anytime Upgrade editions. It was possible to use the Product Key from a Standard upgrade edition to accomplish an in-place upgrade (e.g. Home Premium to Ultimate). • Starter to Home Premium • Starter to Professional1 • Starter to Ultimate1 • Home Premium to Professional • Home Premium to Ultimate • Professional to Ultimate1 1 Available in retail, and at the Microsoft Store ==Derivatives==

; : On February 9, 2011, Microsoft announced Windows Thin PC, a branded derivative of Windows Embedded Standard 7 with Service Pack 1, designed as a lightweight version of Windows 7 for installation on low performance PCs as an alternative to using a dedicated thin client device. It succeeded Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs, which was based on Windows XP Embedded. Windows Thin PC was released on June 6, 2011. : Mainstream support for Windows Thin PC ended on October 11, 2016, and extended support ended on October 12, 2021. ;: Windows 7 is also available in two distinct forms of Windows Embedded, named as Windows Embedded Standard 7 (known as Windows Embedded Standard 2011 prior to release, the newest being Windows Embedded Standard 7 with Service Pack 1) and Windows Embedded POSReady 7. Both versions are eligible for Extended Security Updates (ESU) for up to 3 years after their end of extended support dates. Mainstream support for Windows Embedded POSReady 7 ended on October 11, 2016, and extended support ended on October 12, 2021. Extended Security Updates (ESU) ended for Windows Embedded 7 Standard on October 10, 2023 ==Comparison chart==