Windows 7 SKU Announcement

Microsoft has created a Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) line-up where each SKU is a superset of the previous SKU. This means that each higher edition SKU will have every feature lower edition SKUs have. Microsoft will be  focusing on two primary editions of Windows 7:

1. Windows 7 Home Premium
2. Windows 7 Professional

Microsoft will continue to offer a few targeted SKUs for customers with specialized needs:

– For price-sensitive customers with small notebook PCs, some OEMs will offer Windows 7 Starter.
– For customers in emerging markets, Microsoft will make Windows 7 Home Basic available.

Businesses:

Businesses have two recommended choices.

1. Windows 7 Professional
2. Windows 7 Enterprise

Windows 7 Professional is recommended for small businesses and Windows 7 Enterprise is recommended for mid- and large-sized businesses that have a Software Assurance Agreement with Microsoft.

Consumers:
Microsoft recommends Windows 7 Home Premium for most customers and Windows 7 Professional for customers who want additional features and functionality useful for small business activities.

SKUs for Windows 7:

The SKU lineup for Windows 7 is:

Windows 7 Starter
Windows 7 Home Basic (in Emerging Markets only)
Windows 7 Home Premium
Windows 7 Professional
Windows 7 Enterprise
Windows 7 Ultimate

The features in each version of Windows 7 build upon the one before it. As customers move up from one SKU to the next, from Windows 7 Starter through Windows 7 Ultimate, they gain additional features and lose none.