Windows Vista Product Editions Preview

There will be two general categories of Windows Vista editions, which map closely to the two that exist today for XP ("Home," which comprises Starter, Home, and Media Center Editions, and "Pro," which includes Professional, Professional x64, and Tablet PC Editions). In Windows Vista, the two categories are Home and Business.
In the Home category, Microsoft will create four product editions: Windows Starter 2007, Windows Vista Home Basic (and Home Basic N for the European market), Windows Vista Home Premium, and Windows Vista Ultimate (previously known as "Uber" Edition).
In the Business category, there will are three editions: Windows Vista Small Business, Windows Vista Business (previously known as Professional Standard Edition; along with Business N for the European market), and Windows Vista Enterprise (previously known as Professional Premium Edition).
In all, there are seven product editions planned for Windows Vista (or nine, if you count the N Editions as being different). Note that all of these product names are placeholders for now: They could change before the final product is released. However, this breakdown of editions is current as of this week and is unlikely to change.

Here's how the product editions look, along with a preview of Microsoft's marketing message for each version.

Aimed at beginner computer users in emerging markets who can only afford a low cost PC. As with the XP version, Windows Starter 2007 (note that it's not branded as Window Vista) is a subset of Vista Home Basic, and will ship in a 32-bit version only (no 64-bit x64 version). Starter 2007 will allow only three applications (and/or three windows) to run simultaneously, will provide Internet connectivity but not incoming network communications, and will not provide for logon passwords or Fast User Switching (FUS). Starter 2007 is analogous to XP Starter Edition. This version will only be sold in emerging markets.
Windows Starter 2007 is lacking a number of unique features found in most of the other Vista product editions. There is no Aero user interface, for example, and no support for Castle-based
networking. Other missing features include DVD Authoring, gaming common controller support, and image editing with enhanced touchup.
The marketing message: For beginner computer users in emerging markets who can only afford a low cost PC, Windows Starter 2007 provides a more affordable and easy introduction to personal computing because it is lower priced, tailored to the needs of beginner personal computer users, compatible with a wide range of Windows-based applications and devices, and tailored to each market.

A simple version of Windows Vista that is aimed at single PC homes. Windows Vista Home Basic is the baseline version of Windows Vista, and the version that all other product editions will build from. It will include features such as Windows Firewall, Windows Security Center, secure wireless networking, parental controls, anti-spam/anti-virus/anti-spyware functionality, network map, Windows Search, Movie Maker, Photo Library, Windows Media Player, Outlook Express with RSS support, P2P Messenger, and more. Windows Vista Home Basic is roughly analogous to Windows XP Home Edition. This version is aimed at general consumers, Windows 9x/XP Starter Edition upgraders, and price sensitive/first-time buyers. Like Starter 2007, Vista Home Basic will not support the new Aero user interface.
The marketing message: For mainstream Windows customers, Home Basic is where it all begins. Here, Microsoft will be pushing "peace of mind" and "performance," and will promise consumers a faster, more secure and reliable
productivity experience. Home Basic is secure by default and easy to keep secure. You can trust Windows with your most important tasks and data and complete everyday tasks faster.

Whole home entertainment and personal productivity throughout the home and on the go. As a true superset of Home Basic, Windows Vista Home Premium will include everything from Home Basic, as well as Media Center and Media Center Extender functionality (including Cable Card support), DVD video authoring and HDTV support, DVD ripping support (yes, you read that right), Tablet PC functionality, Mobility Center and other mobility and presentation features, auxiliary display support, P2P ad-hoc meeting capabilities, Wi-Fi auto-config and roaming, unified parental controls that work over multiple PCs, backup to network functionality, Internet File Sharing, Offline Folders, PC-to-PC sync, Sync Manager, and support for Quattro Home
Server, a Windows Server 2003 R2-based server product aimed at the home market. Windows Vista Premium is similar to XP Media Center Edition, except that it adds numerous other features and functionality, including Tablet PC support. My guess is that this will be the volume consumer offering in the Windows Vista timeframe (today, XP Pro is the dominant seller). This version is aimed at PC enthusiasts, multiple-PC homes, homes with kids, and notebook users.
The marketing message: Home Premium turns it up a notch. In addition to the baseline functionality offered in Home Basic, this version focuses on such things as integrated entertainment (movies, memories, and more), mobility (media and productivity on the go), and connected living (connect with family, friends, and home). Home Premium supplies whole-home entertainment and personal productivity throughout the home and on the go.

A powerful, reliable and secure OS for businesses of all sizes. Windows Vista Business will include domain join and management functionality, compatibility with non-Microsoft networking protocols (Netware, SNMP, etc.), Remote Desktop, Microsoft Windows Web Server, and Encrypted File System (EFS). Additionally, Vista Business will include Tablet PC functionality. Windows Vista Business is roughly analogous to XP Pro today. This version is aimed at business decision makers and IT managers and generalists.
The marketing message: Vista Business is a powerful, reliable, and secure operating system. It helps PC users be more effective at work and offers improved connectivity and access to information, so that companies can realize better return on their IT investment.

Designed for small businesses without IT staff. Vista Small Business is a superset of Vista Business, and includes the following unique features: Backup and Shadow Copy support, Castle and server-join networking, and PC fax and scanning utility. Additionally, Microsoft is looking at including a number of other features, many of which might be cut: These include Vista Small Business guided tour, pre-paid access to the Windows Live! Small Business or Microsoft Office Live! subscription services, Multi-PC Health (a managed version of Microsoft One Care Live), and membership in the Microsoft Small Business Club online service. Microsoft will offer a Step-Up program for Vista Small Business that will allow customers to upgrade to Windows Vista Enterprise (see below) or Windows Vista Ultimate (see below) at a reduced cost. This SKU is new to Windows Vista; there is no XP Small Business Edition. This version is aimed at small business owners and managers.
The marketing message: Vista Small Business provides smooth operation even for those businesses without an IT staff. It is the operating system designed to help small businesses start, grow and thrive.

Optimized for the enterprise, this version will be a true superset of Windows Vista Business. It will also include unique features such as Virtual PC, the multi-language user interface (MUI), and the Secure Startup/full volume encryption security technologies ("Cornerstone"). There is no analogous XP version for this product. This version is aimed at business decision makers, IT managers and decision makers, and information workers/general business users. Vista Enterprise will be offered exclusively through Software Assurance.
The marketing message: Vista Enterprise provides an advanced application compatibility solution that will be crucial to many large business users, can be deployed to multiple language locales using a single image, and provides Secure Startup functionality for the ultimate in security on the go. It is the client OS that is optimized for the enterprise. Vista Enterprise reduces IT cost and complexity by providing tools that protect company data, reduce the number of required disk images, and ensure the compatibility of legacy applications.

The best operating system ever offered for a personal PC, optimized for the individual. Windows Vista Ultimate is a superset of both Vista Home Premium and Vista Business, so it includes all of the features of both of those product versions, plus adds Game Performance Tweaker with integrated gaming experiences, a Podcast creation utility (under consideration, may be cut from product), and online "Club" services (exclusive access to music, movies, services and preferred customer care) and other offerings (also under consideration, may be cut from product). Microsoft is still investigating how to position its most impressive Windows release yet, and is looking into offering Vista Ultimate owners such services as extended A1 subscriptions, free music downloads, free movie downloads, Online Spotlight and entertainment software, preferred product support, and custom themes. There is nothing like Vista Ultimate today. This version is aimed at high-end PC users and technology influencers, gamers, digital media enthusiasts, and students.
The marketing message: Vista Ultimate is the "no compromises" version of Windows Vista. It provides the best performance, most secure and complete connection to the office, and is optimized for the individual. Everything you need for work or fun is included. It is the best operating system ever offered for the personal PC.

Finally, I should note that Microsoft is planning to offer so-called N Editions of Windows Vista for the European market, in order to meet the requirements of an antitrust ruling there. Windows Vista N Editions--Vista Home N and Vista Business N--will mirror the Vista Home Basic and Vista Business versions, respectively, but will not include Windows Media Player and other media-related functionality.

Many people are curious about which features will be made available in each product edition. Here's a partial list.
Key to the table:
Str - Windows Starter 2007
Home N - Windows Vista Home N (Europe only)
Home B - Windows Vista Home Basic
Home P - Windows Vista Home Premium
Bus N - Windows Vista Business N (Europe only)
Bus - Windows Vista Business
Sm Bus - Windows Vista Small Business
Ent -Windows Vista Enterprise
Ult - Windows Vista Ultimate



Conceptual diagram of the Windows Vista product editions and how they relate to one another.



FundamentalsFeatureStrHome NHome BHome PBus NBusSm BusEntUltSafeDocs backup and restore No Yes Yes Yes YesYes Yes YesYesBackup (scheduled) No No No Yes YesYes Yes YesYesBackup (network-based) No No No Yes YesYes Yes YesYesShadow copy client No No NoNoYesYes Yes YesYesEncrypted File System (EFS) No No No Yes YesYes Yes YesYesSupports migration from XP No Yes Yes Yes YesYes Yes YesYesProductivityFeatureStrHome NHome BHome PBus NBusSm BusEntUltDesktop Window Manager (DWM) No Yes Yes Yes YesYes Yes YesYesAero glass, animations, visual effects No No No Yes YesYes Yes YesYesProductivity features (rolodex, tab previews, task bar previews) No No No Yes YesYes Yes YesYesUnlimited screen resolution supportNo 1024x768
Yes Yes Yes YesYes Yes YesYesFast User Switching (FUS) No Yes Yes Yes YesYes Yes YesYesCommunicationsFeatureStrHome NHome BHome PBus NBusSm BusEntUltRDP/Remote Desktop No No NoNoYesYes Yes YesYesP2P Meeting Place (ad-hoc meetings, people discovery, presentation broadcast) No NoNoNoYesYes Yes YesYesWindows Web Server (optional) No No NoNoYesYes Yes YesYesWindows Fax client No NoNoNoYes (opt)Yes (opt) Yes Yes (opt)Yes (opt)Digital Media & EntertainmentFeatureStrHome NHome BHome PBus NBusSm BusEntUltDVD Video Authoring No No NoYesNoNoNoNoYesDirect Media Mode No YesYesYesYesYes Yes YesYesMedia Center (including Extender and games) No No NoYesNoNoNoNoYesNumber of remote Media Center sessions supportedn/an/an/a5n/an/an/an/a5Movie Maker HD PublishingNo No NoYesNoNoNoNoYesAdvanced Photography features No No NoYesYes (opt)Yes (opt) Yes (opt) Yes (opt)Yes (opt)Premium Games (3D Chess, Shanghai Solitaire) No No NoYes (Opt)Yes (Opt)Yes (Opt) Yes (Opt)Yes (Opt)Yes (Opt)Windows Media Player 11 and related components Yes No YesYesNoYes Yes YesYesNetworkingFeatureStrHome NHome BHome PBus NBusSm BusEntUltNumber of supported network connections055101010101010Domain join support No No NoQuattro
onlyYesYesYesYesYes1:1 Network projection No No NoYesYesYesYesYesYesSNMP supportYesYesYesYesYes (Opt)Yes (Opt)Yes (Opt)Yes (Opt)Yes (Opt)Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) No YesYesYesYes (Opt)YesYes (Opt)Yes (Opt)YesMobilityFeatureStrHome NHome BHome PBus NBusSm BusEntUltPC-to-PC Sync No No NoYesYesYesYesYesYesMobility Center No No NoYesYesYesYesYesYesTablet PC functionality No No NoYes (Opt)Yes (Opt)Yes (Opt)Yes (Opt)Yes (Opt)Yes (Opt)Auxiliary Display support No No NoYesYesYesYesYesYesOffline folders with client-side caching No No NoNoYesYesYesYesYesPC managementFeatureStrHome NHome BHome PBus NBusSm BusEntUltSubsystem for UNIX-based Applications (SUA) No No NoNoNoNoNoYes (Opt)Yes (Opt)Secure Startup (Cornerstone) No No NoNoNoNoNoYesYes (Opt)Single Session Virtual PC No No NoNoNoNoNoYes (Opt)Yes (Opt)Multi-Language User Interface (MUI) No No NoNoNoNoNoYesYes (Opt)LicensingFeatureStrHome NHome BHome PBus NBusSm BusEntUltWindows Activation ServicesYesYesYesYesNoNoNoNoNo

What about processor and memory support? Most Windows Vista product editions will be available in both 32-bit and 64-bit (x64) versions. Here's how the various versions support each processor type, and how much RAM they allow.
Processor and memory supportFeatureStrHome NHome BHome PBus NBusSm BusEntUltSupports 32-bit processors (x86) Yes Yes Yes Yes YesYes Yes YesYesAmount of RAM supported on 32-bit systems 256 MB 8 GB8 GB16 GBMax
physicalMax
physicalMax
physicalMax
physicalMax
physicalSupports 64-bit processors (x64) No Yes Yes Yes YesYes Yes YesYesAmount of RAM supported on x64 systemsn/a8 GB8 GB16 GB128 GB+128 GB+128 GB+128 GB+128 GB+Number of physical CPUs supported111122222

According to internal Microsoft documentation, the goal of the product edition differentiations in Windows Vista is to provide "clear value proposition" to all customer segments and take XP-era innovations, such as the Media Center and Tablet PC functionality, to the mainstream. Windows Vista is also being positioned as a transitionary product for the x64 platform: Almost all Windows Vista editions will be offered in both x86 (32-bit) and x64 (64-bit) versions. Microsoft expects to transition its client product lines almost completely to x64 after the release of Windows Vista.
What's scary here, of course, is how widely Microsoft is expanding the Windows product line. As with its Office family of products, Microsoft is stretching things a bit with this wide number of product editions, and this will lead to consumer and business confusion, which is never a good thing. When the company revealed that they were componentizing Windows Vista in order to make it easier for the company and its PC maker partners to create various product editions on the fly (read a discussion about this topic in my showcase,
The Road to Windows Longhorn 2003), few people expected them to take advantage of the situation like this. The sheer number of Windows Vista versions is going to cause massive consumer confusion, and some of these versions will likely be orphaned after they prove to be targeting niche markets. That will lead to further migration confusion when the time to upgrade comes.
In any event, there's a lot of information to digest here, but I know that SuperSite readers have been waiting for this for ... well, years. Enjoy!