Windows Vista: Basic, Home Premium & Ultimate – What’s the Difference

Bare ends system for most users. The cheapest version available for users who don't need the media support. This is generally perfect for most users. There are always some high-end programs that are going to require an upgrade, but those are usually for business uses.

You are also limited to 5 simultaneous peer network connections.

Obviously, this versions is now the same as Basic only with all the fun media applications the first edition doesn't have.

This includes HDTV support and DVD authoring. Extra premium games, mobile and tablet PC, network projector, touchscreen, and auxiliary display (via Windows SideShow) support. Also simultaneous network connections is bumped up to 10.

The new Windows Media Centre, now called Meeting Space, is included in this edition.

Similar to the Premium Edition, Microsoft now includes applications that are suited to business'.

IIS web server, fax support, Rights Management Services (RMS) Client, file system encryption, dual processor (two sockets) support, system image backup and recovery, offline file support, a full version of Remote Desktop that supports incoming connections, ad-hoc P2P collaboration capabilities, Previous Versions (Windows ShadowCopy), and several other business features not in Home Premium.

Generally useful for large-ish companies that need to take advantage of advanced networking and tech support for employees.

Also if you do run a business, legally you may be required to use this product. This has never been policed, but if you want to keep your company in check, chances are, and this was the case for XP, you will have to choose the business edition; whether or not you really need it.

The name says it all.

Upgrades from Business Edition include multilingual user interface support, BitLocker Drive Encryption, and UNIX application support.

Also this product isn't available through retail stores or even as OEM. Microsoft Software Assurance will take care of you. Since Enterprise is a benefit of Software Assurance (SA), it will include several SA-only benefits, including a license allowing for multiple virtual machines to be run and access to Virtual PC Express.

But if your company is in the position of requiring this version of Vista, chances are you have a tech team that will advise changes in OS.

Maybe thrown in to appease those of us that just want the best of the best, this edition is an amalgamation of the Home Premium and Enterprise editions.

This means it's got everything, plus a couple of extras just to make your life super geeky.

The main ingredient is a game performance tweaker called WinSAT and some extra security extras. And of course, the extra show-off addition of full-motion video desktop backgrounds - so now you see who Microsoft are targeting here.