Windows 7 Version Lineup Simplified To Three

The many versions of Windows Vista was the brunt of much criticism from confused users, but Microsoft has simplified things in Windows 7. ZDNet’s Ed Bott reports that Windows 7 has trimmed down to only 3 different versions for everyone in developed countries: Windows 7 Home Premium, Windows 7 Professional, and Windows 7 Ultimate/Enterprise. Windows 7 Home Basic and Starter editions are actually available in emerging markets, but they “will not legally be available for sale in the U.S., Western Europe, Japan, and other developed countries.” More good news: Upgrading from one version to another is a “takes 5-10 minutes” and doesn’t require a reinstall like Vista did. Check out the ZDNet post for details on each version.