There is no specific reasoning why these games are not available by default, but one could guess because of their targeted audience and environment, Microsoft chose to have them disabled. Thankfully, if you want to play, you can turn games back on easily in business versions of Windows 7.

How to Enable Missing Games in Windows 7

Click Start, type: turn windows

Hit Enter on your keyboard

After the components of Turn Windows features on or off load, check the Games folder or expand it and check off the games you want to play.

Click OK to confirm changes

If you are connected to a Windows Server Domain with policies set in place that might prevent you from accessing the Turn Windows features on or off components, you will need to contact your Administrator for assistance.

If you’re at work, don’t let your boss catch you!

How to Enable Missing Games in Windows 7 (Quick Tip) is a post by Andre from Notebooks.com.

About TrueCrypt

TrueCrypt is a software system for establishing and maintaining on-the-fly-encrypted volume (data storage device). On-the-fly-encryption means that data is automatically encrypted or decrypted right before it is loaded or saved, without any user intervention. No data stored on an encrypted volume can be read (decrypted) without using the correct password/keyfile(s) or correct encryption keys. Entire file system is encrypted (e.g., file names, folder names, contents of every file, free space, meta data, etc).

Sounds like just the tool we need to secure a PC.

Setup

Installation is quick and easy, just go to the TrueCrypt Download page and download the small 3.3 MB file. The installation itself is a seven step wizard which installed very quickly. TrueCrypt is a little more involved than BitLocker, but one of the immediate benefits I realized about it was how informative and helpful the software is during the setup process. Throughout the encryption wizard, each option is carefully explained and recommended to you. The process is longer than BitLocker, but the benefit of telling you what to do and recommending the best option should make novices and persons new to encryption feel comfortable.

Accept End User License Agreement.

Select the default Install option

Accept the default and click Install

Installing TrueCrypt

Installation completed successfully

You can find the TrueCrypt tutorial here.

Next step is to launch TrueCrypt to encrypt the hard disk.

In TrueCrypt, click the System drop down menu and click Encrypt System Partition/drive. This will launch the encryption setup wizard.

Select Normal

If you have just a single drive, select Encrypt the whole drive. If you have multiple drives or partitions setup with your computer, select the second option.

If it detects you have a single drive, TrueCrypt will make the recommendation of encrypting the whole drive.

As noted by the wizard, some computers come with hidden partitions that might need to be accessed at boot time to help load the operating system or when you need to reinstall Windows or access system utilities that come with your computer such as diagnostics tools that are stored on hidden drives. If this is the case (which a lot of manufacturers do these days), click No.

If you have more than one operating system installed, select the Multi-boot option. Since I only have a single installation, I selected Single-boot.

There are different types of encryption methods you can use, if you click in the Encryption Algorithm list box, you will see additional ones, I decided to go with the default option, AES.

Create a password, make sure it is strong with a mixture of upper and lower case and does not use any complete word you can find in a dictionary.

TrueCrypt will detect if the password is not satisfactory. Of course, for someone with a bad memory, I am not going to  create anything in the 20 character range, just follow the previous suggestions and add a few memorable symbols. Like I said in my BitLocker article, its one thing to have your data secure, but not being able to access it can be a disaster.

Here you can harden the encryption even more by randomly moving your mouse around the window which will help to make the encryption algorithm even more complex. Click next when completed.

Click Yes when prompted

The algorithm for encrypting your drive has been created, click Next.

Just as a precaution, TrueCrypt requires that you create a backup disk, there is no way around this.

The TrueCrypt Wizard will generate an ISO file which you will use to burn to a CD to create the rescue disk.

The rescue disk must also be verified before continuing.

The next step involves doing a trial run to see if the drive can be successfully encrypted and decrypted.

Click the Test button to verify

Some disclaimer information, copy and paste into notepad and save so you can review it later.

Click Yes to restart the system.

Quite similar to BitLocker isn’t it? Enter your password to decrypt and load Windows.

So the trial run was successful, now we are ready to start the actual encryption of the drive.

Depending on the size of the drive, the encryption time will vary, this 20 GB drive took about 30 to 40 mins to complete.

Encryption Successful! Click OK then Finish.

When you open TrueCrypt, you will see your drive listed as Encrypted along with the type of Encryption algorithm used. If you would like to permanently decrypt the volume, just right click it and click Permanently decrypt:

I notice there is no option to pause encryption like BitLocker, but its a minor trade off for a product that is free and very easy to use. It works with all editions of Windows 7, Vista and even Windows XP/2000. The process is more involved than BitLocker, but its actually more friendly and easier to setup. So, if you can’t bother with the hassle of upgrading to Windows 7 Ultimate or Professional for encryption capabilities at the drive or file/folder level, this should be just as useful and convenient. As always, before using such software I strongly recommend you backup your system first using the handy System Imaging tool built into all editions of Windows 7.

How to Encrypt your Hard Disk with TrueCrypt is a post by Andre from Notebooks.com.

Below is a round-up of software that college students may want to look into. However, prior to purchasing any of this software, students should check with their school to find out what software is available to them for free, or at a large discount from the book store. Many schools offer pricing that is even better than what the actual company offers. For example, some schools offer Microsoft Office and Windows 7 for just $30 each.

Operating System

Microsoft Windows 7 Professional Upgrade – $29.99

Microsoft offers a deal for students that allows them to upgrade to Windows 7 Professional from any Windows version (XP or newer), for just $29.99. Many new laptops already come with Windows 7 Home Premium, but Windows 7 Professional allows you to connect to a school’s network more seamlessly using the domain join feature.

Mac OS X Snow Leopard Upgrade – $29.99

Though all new Macs come with Mac OS X Snow Leopard out of the box, many upperclassmen may have the previous version of Mac OS X. This $29.99 upgrade from Leopard to Snow Leopard provides many new features. The most notable feature for students is the addition of Microsoft Exchange support.

Ubuntu Desktop Edition – Free

Ubuntu is a Linux-based operating system that sports many of the features that you would find on Mac OS X or Windows 7. You can run Ubuntu on pretty much any PC, or even on a Mac running Boot Camp.

Productivity Suite

Microsoft Office Professional Academic 2010 – $79.95

Microsoft Office is a mainstay in the college environment. Nearly every school uses Microsoft Office and expects its students to do the same. Microsoft offers the full suite of Office software at a discounted price just for college students. The suite includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Publisher, and Access.

Office 2008 for Mac – $149.95

If you bought a Mac and don’t plan on running Windows on it using Boot Camp or a virtual machine, Microsoft has a version of Office just for you. Office 2008 for Mac includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Entourage (Mac version of Outlook), and Messenger. It is designed to be compatible with Microsoft Office programs.

iWork – $71.00

Have a Mac and want some unique features that Microsoft Office doesn’t offer? Apple’s iWork 09 suite lets you create documents, spreadsheets, and presentations with flair. The suite includes Pages, Numbers, and Keynote. Be sure to note that most Pages and Numbers documents are compatible with Microsoft Word and Excel. However, many of the special features in Keynote presentations will not show up in Microsoft PowerPoint.

OpenOffice – Free

Many schools and even businesses are starting to use OpenOffice. Included in the OpenOffice Suite is Writer (like Word), Calc (like Excel), Impress (like PowerPoint), Draw, and Base (Like Access). Many OpenOffice files are compatible with their Microsoft and Apple counterparts.

Graphic Design

Adobe CS5 Design Premium – $449 ($349 w/ purchase of a new Mac)

The most popular graphic design suite just got suite-er with Adobe Creative Suite 5. Adobe itself offers a significant discount for students. Adobe CS5 Design Premium includes most of the applications that a graphic design major would require: Photoshop Extended, Illustrator, InDesign, Flash Catalyst, Flash Professional, Dreamweaver, Fireworks, Acrobat 9 Pro, Bridge, and Device Central.

If you only need a specific Adobe tool like Photoshop you can buy it individually for $199; a savings of $799 off the commercial price. Still, if you need more than one tool you may get a better deal buying an Adobe CS5 Suite.

Alternatively, if you plan on purchasing a Mac in addition to Adobe CS5 Design Premium, Apple offers an extra $100 off of what Adobe charges. For more information about this promotion, check out our Ultimate List of Apple Back to School Promotions.

Corel Painter 11 – $99.00

Corel offers special education pricing on Painter 11, which allows you to paint on your computer, via your mouse or a graphics tablet such as the Wacom Intuos 4. This would be a cheaper alternative to the Adobe Creative Suite if all you plan on doing creating digital paintings.

GIMP – Free

GIMP is a free alternative to Adobe Photoshop. Though it doesn’t offer near the functionality of Photoshop, it does provide many features that would allow you to doctor up some photos.

Antivirus

Norton Antivirus 2010 – $39.99

Symantec’s antivirus program protects computers against viruses, spyware, Trojan horses, worms, bots, rootkits, and hackers. Also, it automatically updates every 5-15 minutes, protecting your computer from the latest viruses and malware. Norton AntiVirus Version 11 for Mac is also available for $49.99

AVG Anti-Virus – Free

In addition to its paid versions, AVG offers a limited free antivirus solution. It protects against viruses, worms, and Trojan horses. It also ensures that every webpage you visit is safe, prior to actually visiting the webpage.

Microsoft Security Essentials – Free

Microsoft’s free anti-virus solution offers protection from viruses, spyware, and other malicious software. It provides automatic updates while running quietly and efficiently in the background.

Theft Protection

LoJack for Laptops (1 Year – Electronic Download) – $53.99

LoJack for Laptops helps you recover your laptop if it is ever stolen. The Absolute Theft Recovery team works closely with local law enforcement to retrieve the laptop, using the built-in location identification feature. LoJack for Laptops is also available for Macs, priced at $39.95.

iAlertU – Free

This Mac-only software acts as an alarm system for your computer. Using the Mac’s built-in motion sensor, iAlertU sounds an alarm (that can’t be turned down or stopped by shutting the laptop) if the computer is moved, unplugged, or even barely touched. It even goes a step further to take a picture of the perpetrator and automatically email it to you. The best part; you can use an Apple Remote to arm and disarm the application (or just type in a password if you don’t have one).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rolw_lnNfLU&feature=related

Student Discounts on Essential Back to School Software is a post by Carter Sprunger from Notebooks.com.

The upgrade version of Windows 7 requires that you have a qualifying version of Windows (XP or Vista) already installed on your system to be in compliance with the upgrade license. In addition to that, the qualifying version of Windows must be activated, this is unlike past versions of Windows which only required that you provide the Windows disk for verfication. So creating a System Image right after installing Windows 7 can avoid these procedures if the need ever arises in the future. Of course, you will need to have an external hard disk if you plan on backing up your installation, especially if you have a large data set (install size of all your personal files, installed programs combined). External hard drives are abundantly affordable today, you can pick up a 1 TB hard drive for less than $80 from some computer retailers. So its a definite recommendation, especially for this guide.

Windows Vista introduced a powerful suite of backup tools that made securing your installation of Windows a more confident experience. All editions of Windows 7 include System Image, which provides options for backing your personal data such as Libraries, Documents, Pictures, Music and Videos and other application files or your entire installation of Windows 7 either to an external hard disk or remote location such as a Network drive (Professional, Enterprise and Ultimate editions only).

Pre-requisite: To do a successful backup of Windows 7, you must have a few things in place:

• Enough available storage to perform the backup, whether you are backing up to a Network drive or an external drive is necessary. A System Image will create a backup of your entire installation of Windows 7. If you are doing an initial backup, each successive backup copies only the files that have changed since the previous one. The old copies are saved, just in case one of your backups are altered or a file has been deleted and you need to go back to a previous version. So enough space to accommodate these scenario’s is very important. Backup and Restore intelligently manages storage space, if there is not enough space on the disk, one ore more of the older backups will be discarded starting with the oldest.
• If you are backing up your laptop, ensure that your AC/DC power adapter is connected, since a backup might take longer than the available battery power can support. For my desktop, I have a UPS connected just in case a power outage occur’s.

Windows 7 backup and restore features are designed to make protecting your data and system easier. The combined file and system backup wizard delivers a simplified configuration experience, and the folder selectivity functionality for file backup provides users greater control over their backup content. Managing backup is easier with the new space management user interface and integration with Action Center. Recovering your system is made easier with simplified interface and better guidance for choosing a recovery method. Lets get started:

Click Start, type: Backup

Hit Enter

New backups must be setup before beginning

Searching for available Backup devices

If this is your first time creating a backup, you will need to set it up first. Click the Setup Backup link which will initiate the Backup wizard. The wizard searches your computer and displays a list of all destinations that you can use to store your backup. Because I have not turned on my External hard disk which is where I plan to save the system image of Windows 7 installation, it does not appear in the list. I will now turn on my External Drive and click the Refresh button.

Now that the backup device has appeared, I can select it and click Next to proceed with the Backup. Windows provides two options for back up in version 7:

Let Windows choose (recommended) Windows will back up data files saved in libraries, on the desktop, and in the default Windows folders. Windows will also create a system image, which can be used to restore your computer it stops working. These items will be backed up on a regular schedule.

Let me choose You can select libraries and folders and whether to include a system image in the backup. The items you choose will be backed up on a regular schedule.

The decision primarily comes down to available storage. Letting Windows choose is the best choice because everything will be backed up and provides the best option in the case of scenarios such as Windows unable to boot or the Startup Repair is unable to get your Windows installation working again. If you want some detailed options, the ability to choose is also great because you might have libraries you might not want to backup because they contain large amounts of data that might exceed your available storage space, so the option to exclude those makes it easier to backup what is most important to you.

I have chosen to backup my entire computer which includes all accounts along with a System Image of my Windows 7 Installation. The Review your backup settings, notes that you will need a System Repair disc to restore an System Image. Please refer to my recent recovery options article here for more details if your PC does not include one. You can also use your Windows 7 installation DVD to assist with the restoration of your System Image. Once you have reviewed everything, its time to start the back up, click Save settings and run backup button.

Preparing to Backup your Windows 7 installation

One of the changes you will notice in Windows 7, the Backup and Restore explorer is utilized for monitoring the progress of your backup. You can click the View Details button which will reveal more information such as percentage completed and what is happening during the backup itself. The time it will take to complete the backup will vary depending on the amount of data. Based on past experiences, if its your first backup, it will take some time, future incremental backups will be shorter.

Hiccups

I did come across some problems during my backup experience. The program seem to not be responding at all and remained stuck at 7% trying to create a Shadow Copy. After several failed attempts and restarts, I tried the following:

Click Start, type Services, hit Enter. Scroll down down to Windows Backup and Restore service make sure that it is set to start automatically. Right click the Service, click Properties > under the General tab > click in the “Startup type:” list box, and select ‘Automatic’, click Apply and OK. Click the ‘Play’ button on the Toolbar to Start the service. Do the same for Windows Shadow Copy service. My installation of Windows 7 was actually an upgrade from Windows Vista SP1, so its possible there was some anomaly that occurred during the upgrade that caused problems with certain services and tools. After doing this though and clicking the ‘Create a system image’ task link in the Backup and Restore explorer, I was presented with the option to backup my Windows 7 installation which proceeded without any issues from there on.

Doing the Restoration

Doing the restoration is a very simple process, if you need guided assistance you can use the the System Recovery Environment item in Action Center located in Control Panel to help. In my case, I will simply insert my Windows 7 DVD, boot from it and choose the the System Image Recovery option. Lets take a look at doing that.

Booting from my Windows 7 DVD which is loading the Recovery Environment

After selecting your Language, click the ‘Repair your computer’ link which will take you to the recovery options.

Checking for Windows installations

In our case, we will be doing a restoration, so select that option

The System Image Wizard will now begin, click ‘Next’

Here you can see I have a collection of System Images, I will select my desired image, in this case WIN7X64-ACER and click Next.

The Backup name and date listed will be restored to the selected location, in this case ‘C:’

If I had created any changes to the drive lay out after my last System Image Backup, such as creating additional partitions, I can have those partitions formatted and removed so it matches exactly to the System Image I am restoring from my external hard disk. You do have the option however to exclude attached storage devices and partitions.

Confirm your selected options, and click Finish to Start the restoration of your System Image.

Once the restoration is complete, you will be prompted to restart your computer.

The restoration will take some time depending on the size of the image, my Windows 7 System Image which totaled about 69 GB’s took more than an hour to restore.

Conclusion

There you have it, a powerful way to protect your computer and personal files. Backup in Windows 7 has never been easier. You can also schedule your backups, which will ensure that your information is always safe. I am very impressed by how easy the process is both backing up and restoring. My recommendation is to get a dedicated external drive, backing up GBs of data to DVD which is an available option is both time consuming and unreliable. Also, backing up to an internal partition defeats the purpose of Backups in the first place. With System Image and External hard disk, you are able to keep a protected off site copy of your Windows 7 Installation in case something catastrophic happens.

How to backup your installation of Windows 7 is a post by Andre from Notebooks.com.

Editions

I mentioned that Windows 7 is available in 3 editions, true, but there are still 6 editions. No, I wasn’t lying, its just how Microsoft is marketing the editions. If you go into a Best Buy or wherever software/computer products are sold you will see only 3 mainstream editions in pretty product boxes, but Windows 7 is available in the following 6 editions:

Starter, Home Basic, Home Premium, Professional, Enterprise and Ultimate.

Starter: Broad app and device compatibility, unlimited application support, Safe, reliable, and supported. Ability to join a Home Group, Improved taskbar and Jump Lists. Windows 7 Starter will be distributed only on new systems that meet a certain requirement: 10.1″ screen display with 1024×600 resolution, 1.66Ghz Intel Atom N280 processor, 1 GB of RAM, and a 250 GB hard disk – otherwise known as Netbooks.

Home Basic: Another OEM only version of Windows 7 will available on new systems in emerging markets. Microsoft describes this edition as a product for cost concious consumers. Users should note, that Home Basic is 32 bit only, (Vista Home Basic had a 64 bit edition). Home Basic includes enhanced visual experience, Advanced networking support (ad-hoc wireless networks and internet connection sharing), Mobility Center.

Home Premium: Now this edition is probably the sweet spot for many consumers who decide to move to Windows 7. You get all of the cool user interface features: Aero Glass & advanced windows navigation, Easy networking & sharing across all your PCs & devices through HomeGroups, Improved media format support, enhancements to Windows Media Center and media streaming, including Play To, Multi-touch and improved handwriting recognition. Windows 7 Home Premium is available in both 32 and 64 bit editions supporting up to 16 GBs of RAM if you have such a configuration (both disks are included in the product box too). If you have multiple PC’s, you can purchase the Windows 7 Home Premium Family Pack Upgrade for 3 PC’s. This entitles you to upgrade 3 computers for just $149.99, great value. Learn more here

Professional: If you consider your self an advanced user, then Professional would be the right choice for you. Windows XP Professional or Windows Vista Business users, if you are running those editions, its most likely you will need this one. Professional gives you the 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. In addition to this, Windows 7 Professional includes Group Policy Editor for controling access and behavior of your computer. Windows 7 Professional supports up to 192 GBs of Random Access Memory and includes support for multiple physical processors and its also available in 32 and 64 bit editions.

Enterprise: This is a unique edition of Windows that you won’t find in stores. It is sold to businesses who need Windows licenses in volume to install on hundreds or thousands of computers. Basically, Windows 7 Enterprise is like Windows 7 Professional on steroids, you will find all the features of that edition along with some additional tools called BitLocker Drive Encryption and BitLocker To Go for encrypting your laptop hard disk or an external storage device such as Thumbdrive, in addition to this, Enterprise features World Wide Language support (Multi-Lingual User Interface or MUI’s) support, with up 35 available languages. Enterprise edition also works best when deployed with Microsoft’s Windows Server 2008 R2 network operating system to provide unique features such as AppLocker support, Direct Access, BrancheCache, features that protect what type of applications employees have access to, speedy access to network resources and faster access to Virtual Private Networks.

Ultimate: Combining all the features of Windows 7 Home Premium and Windows 7 Enterprise, this edition of Windows 7 gives you every single feature available. Microsoft dubs it, ‘the most complete edition of Windows’. Feautures such as 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 are all available in Windows 7 Ultimate. If you want it all, this is the Windows for you.

Ultimate, Professional and Home Premium, are the editions you will see in stores this October.

How much will Windows 7 cost?

Windows 7 will be available in 6 editions, but primary emphasis is being put towards Home Premium and Professional for mainstream markets.

Pricing:

• Windows 7 Starter Entry-level OEM SKU in all markets for cost conscious consumers.
• Windows 7 Home Basic Value SKU in emerging markets for cost conscious consumers on value PC’s.

Windows Anytime Upgrade makes it easier to get more features.

Anytime Upgrades allow you to move from one edition of Windows 7 to another without the need to reinstall from scratch or purchase the desired edition at retail upgrade pricing. Its great if you have exhausted the features of the current edition of Windows 7 installed and you need more. Another great thing about Windows Anytime Upgrade under Windows 7 compared to Vista’s, you don’t need a special disk and you don’t need to be online to do the upgrade, just have a key for the edition you want and you are good to go. Microsoft will be offering Windows Anytime Upgrades online in 13 countries: Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK or the US. While the Windows 7 Home Premium Family Pack will be available in the US and 8 European countries (UK (£149.99), Ireland (£149.99), Germany (€149.99), France (€149.99), Switzerland (€149.99), Austria (€149.99), the Netherlands (€149.99), and Sweden (€149.99) on October 22nd 2009 while supplies last.

Which should you choose?

I have been reading through a number forums, and persons keep asking, which edition is right for me? Other questions that pop up, I have xyz amount of PC’s, how do I get to upgrade all of them. First of all, you need to evaluate your needs. A person who has 6 PC’s in his house hold used by four individuals in his family with 4 PC’s running Windows XP Professional SP3 and one system Vista Home Premium and the other Vista Ultimate would have to invest in a lot of licenses if they wanted to upgrade to corresponding editions of Windows 7. Considering that 4 of the PC’s are being used at home, do most of the PC’s running Windows XP Professional need the unique functionality of Professional (most of which are business oriented)? You probably could reduce the expenditure by investing in two Windows 7 Home Premium Family Pack Upgrade Licenses for 3 PC’s. Home Premium features easier networking and sharing of resources such as Documents, Music, Pictures, Videos and even Printers. You can do things like stream music and videos to other PC’s and you get all of the major user experience features in that edition.

Windows 7 Home Premium Family Pack provides an affordable way to upgrade multiple PC’s to Windows 7.

Another way to reduce the cost of licensing, if you have a student enrolled in college with a valid .edu, you could let them take advantage of Microsoft’s Student discount offer that gives you the option of purchasing either Windows 7 Home Premium or Professional for just US $30. Please note, these are upgrade licenses, meaning, you need to have a qualifying operating system such as Windows 2000 Professional, XP or Vista. Learn more here and here

Microsoft is putting less prominence towards Windows 7 Ultimate with this release too and you can see the reason why when you compare it to the Professional edition. The Windows Team has made each successive edition a subset of the other. So for instance, Professional is a subset of Home Premium including all its features and more. Unlike Vista Business which only included business only features, users will be pleasantly surprised to know functionality like Media Center is now available in Professional. The pricing is also another factor. Windows 7 Professional cost $300 (upgrade $200) for the full version, while Ultimate cost $320 (upgrade $220), this probably should be a time for reevaluating the need to upgrade from Windows Vista Ultimate to Windows 7 Ultimate or choose an edition that is more inline with your needs.

Upgrade paths

This is probably the tough part. Users of Windows XP and prior versions of Windows must understand you cannot do an in place upgrade to Windows 7. Windows Vista users too must also evaluate their upgrade paths, because certain editions cannot do in place upgrade to certain editions of Windows 7. An in place upgrade allows you to upgrade to Windows 7 while preserving your personal files, settings, applications and installed drivers.

Don’t let this surprise you, if your are running Windows 2000, XP or Vista you are eligible for upgrade pricing to any edition of Windows 7. Customers who are running Windows Vista that can do in place upgrades to respective editions of Windows 7 must ensure they have Service Pack 1 or later installed.

Netbooks

Prior to Windows 7 users had two choices for operating systems on Netbooks, Windows XP or Linux. Microsoft has really improved the performance in areas such as disk and memory foot print, making any edition of Windows 7 suitable for that form factor. Most manufacturers might pre-load their Netbook devices with Windows 7 Starter, but you will have the option of using Windows Anytime Upgrade to move to a more feature rich editions such as Home Premium.

Conclusion

The information provided in this article might come across a bit overwhelming, but that really is the case when it comes to choice. Microsoft develops multiple editions to meet different needs and market trends. Hopefully with a simplified retail line up and more value added features available in Home Premium and Professional, users can make better choices without feeling there are trade offs in the process.

Resources:

Windows 7 Compare Editions

Windows 7 System Requirements

Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor

Purchase Windows 7 at the Microsoft Store

A Look at the Windows 7 Editions is a post by Andre from Notebooks.com.