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Windows vista - comprehensive feature comparison |
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This page talks about all features found in windows (what every feature is about), in the editions columns, a green cell means available, a red cell means not available, and a white cell means not applicable (you will find text in the white cells), abbreviations for the editions are added in every cell to make column order more obvious where HB stands for home basic, HP home premium, B for business edition, U for ultimate edition and E for enterprise.
| Home Basic |
Home Premium |
Business |
Ultimate |
Enterprise |
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Although most of the features here can be achieved in windows XP, i am making no assumptions about XP program compatibility.
The XP's capability column tells you how windows XP can achieved this, if it can
This page is intended to compare between all editions of windows vista (excluding starter edition for now). The smaller tables come first.
Features not available in Business and Enterprise editions - -
Features only available in Ultimate and enterprise editions -
Features only in ultimate and home premium -
Features not available in Home Basic - - -
Features not available in Home basic and home premium - -
Features in all windows vista editions - - - -
Numeric Variables
Features not available in Business and Enterprise editions (but available in all other editions)
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Notes |
XP's capability |
HB |
HP |
B |
U |
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| Parental Controls
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Not the best parental controll service you can get, (more)
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More advanced parental controls are available on the market, but they are pretty pricy |
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Features only available in windows vista ultimate and enterprise
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Notes |
XP's capability |
HB |
HP |
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| Windows BitLocker Drive Encryption |
A useful feature that protects your data when windows is not in charge of the disks (more) |
Third party encryption tools can securely encrypt your data, Convenience may be the only issue here |
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| Support for simultaneous installation of multiple user interface languages
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Like the name implies, to be able to install more than one language to the interface (More) |
Not possible |
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| All worldwide user interface languages (36 languages total) available
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Having the choice from 36 languages for the user interface (More) |
You needed a localized edition of Windows XP, usually had inconveniences when it comes to updates (delayed) for those editions, In vista Binarys are separated from language files |
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| Subsystem for UNIX-based applications
(SUA) |
Allows Unix applications to be run on windows, Success depends on application since it still uses the windows kernel here (More) |
Available with SFU that shipped from Microsoft for windows XP ! |
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Features only available in Ultimate edition and Home Premium
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Notes |
XP's capability |
HB |
HP |
B |
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| Themed slide shows
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Although Slideshow is available in more editions, the themed slide show is not, Slideshows can be urned to DVD, It is in reality just a feature of Windows Photo Gallery, the photo gallery has extra features in some editions (More) |
Available in many free softwares |
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| Native DVD playback
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Playing DVD's (video) with no need for third party software, Blue ray disks not part of the deal |
Using third party software |
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| Windows Media Center—for music, photos, videos, live and recorded TV, and online entertainment
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A nice (center) for multimedia, all put in one place |
Yes, Third party software for TV recording etc... |
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| Windows Media Center—for recording and watching high-definition TV (U.S. and South Korea only)
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| Windows Media Center—CableCard support (U.S. only)
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| Support for Media Center Extenders, including Xbox 360 |
You will be able to use Media Center enabled devices to run mediacenter over the network |
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| Windows Movie Maker HD
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Movie maker in these editions support High definition video. |
Third Party software |
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| Windows DVD Maker (Video DVD Authoring and Burning)
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Allows you to make Video DVDs, etc... |
Third party software |
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Features not available in Home Basic (but available in all other editions)
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Notes |
XP's capability |
HB |
HP |
B |
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| Scheduled backup of user files
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Never really found the microsoft backup sollutions very usefull, maybe this time it is different, and maybe not |
Yes, better from third party |
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| Backup of user files to a networked PC or device
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The backup software can store the files on the network. |
Third Party |
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| Incremental backup
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Backs up only the things that have changed between backups, so it takes less time |
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| Automatic backup scheduling
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| Windows Aero user experience (glass, dynamic windows, and a smoother-performing desktop)
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A new interface for windows vista that eutelises direct3d in your graphics card (more) |
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| Windows Tablet PC with integrated pen/digital ink input
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For tablet PCs - to support handwriting recognition for example |
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| Windows Tablet PC touch screen support
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To use touch rather than a mouse |
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| New premium games
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Solitare that looks better |
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| Windows Tablet PC handwriting recognition improvements
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maybe it recognises handwriting better now, never really had the chance to test this |
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| Windows Tablet PC usability and navigation improvements
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The new interface may be more useful in tablet PCs |
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| Windows SideShow
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| Windows Meeting Space
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Windows NetMeeting is now Windows meeting space |
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View Only |
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| Scheduled backup of user files
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| Backup of user files to a network device
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Features not available in Home basic and home premium (but available in all other editions)
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Notes |
XP's capability |
HB |
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| Complete PC Backup and Restore (image based)
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| Shadow Copy (restore previous versions of your documents)
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| Two processors (two processor sockets) support
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For multiple processor computers |
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| Small Business Resources
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| Windows Fax and Scan
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Fax and scanner services |
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| Wireless network provisioning
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| Windows Mobility Center
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Partial |
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| Offline Folder support
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| System image–based backup and recovery
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| Encrypting File System
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| Desktop deployment tools for managed networks
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| Policy-based quality of service for networking
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| Windows Rights Management Services (RMS) Client
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| Control over installation of device drivers
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| Network Access Protection Client Agent
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Features in all windows vista editions (Global Features)
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Notes |
XP's capability |
HB |
HP |
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| Welcome Center |
Functionality similar to that of the free google desktop |
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| User Account Control
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Functionality similar to the free Picasa |
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| Windows Security Center |
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| Windows Defender |
Anti Spyware software |
Free adaware or spybot search and destory |
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| Windows Firewall |
A primative firewall |
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| Internet Explorer 7 Protected Mode |
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| Internet Explorer 7 Fix My Settings |
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| Anti-phishing in Internet Explorer 7 |
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| Anti-phishing in Windows Mail |
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| Windows Update
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| Service Hardening
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| Performance self-tuning and hardware diagnostics
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| Windows Experience Index
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A benchmark number for the hardware |
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| Next-generation TCP/IP stack
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| IPv6 and IPv4 support
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| Windows ReadyDrive
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| Windows Display Driver Model (WDDM)
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| Ad hoc backup and recovery of user files and folders
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| Windows Vista Basic user interface
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| Instant Search
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| File tagging
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| Stacking and Group By View.
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| Internet Explorer 7 with RSS feed support, tabbed browsing, and integrated search
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| .NET Framework 3.0
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| Windows CardSpace
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| Windows SuperFetch
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| Windows ReadyBoost
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| I/O prioritization
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| Automatic hard disk defragmentation
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| 64-bit processor support
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| Windows Mail
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| Windows Calendar
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| Windows Sidebar
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| Windows Photo Gallery—for organizing, editing, printing, and sharing photos and videos
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| Universal game controller support
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| Speech Recognition
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| Accessibility Settings and Ease of Access Center
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| Windows Movie Maker
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| Games Explorer
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| Updated games
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| Windows Media Player 11
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| XPS Document support
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This one comes with .net framework 3 and as stand alone applications as well for XP or 2000 |
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| Network and Sharing Center
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| Network Diagnostics and troubleshooting
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| Improved wireless networking
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| Improved peer networking
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| Improved VPN support
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| Improved power management
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| Windows HotStart
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| Sync Center
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| Improved file and folder sharing
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| Ad hoc backup and recovery of user files and folders
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| Pluggable logon authentication architecture
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| Application Compatibility features
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| File-based image format (WIM)
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Numeric Variables
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Notes |
XP's capability |
HB |
HP |
B |
U |
E |
| Maximum RAM supported with 32-bit system
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4GB |
4GB |
4GB |
4GB |
4GB |
4GB |
| Maximum RAM supported with 64-bit system
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8GB |
16GB |
128+ GB |
128+ GB |
128+ GB |
| Years of product support
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0 |
5 Years |
5 Years |
10 Years |
5 Years |
10 Years |
| Simultaneous SMB peer network connections
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5 |
10 |
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From: haq
Subject: cool | | the best comparison i came across...
good work..(but vista still sh*t :D)
thanks | From: steavson
Subject: features | | this is great infomation | From: chynablaq@yahoo.com
Subject: Vista password | | I can't remember the password to login to my notebook running Windows Vista Premium. Can u help? | From: Dee
Subject: vista start up and running smoothly | | what would be an issues for vista to become possessed? Mcaffee vs vista firewalls (an firewalls in Time Warner cable) w/dows defender???does it interupt prog?eg:limewire. I have a acer w/vista prem & norton, seems to b runnin fine, vs a toshiba vista prem & mcaffee???any input...help | From: Jon Jenkins
Subject: Feedback | | Very concise and informative
This is a very good site | From: Knut Andreas Meyer
Subject: System requirements? | | Does the different versions have different system requrements, more than if I or if I don't use aero and those graphical features? Anyone who knows, please mail me: ta-knut@online.no
Thank's a lot! | From: Bill Compton
Subject: some sites | | Hi Jim. Photos i received. Thanks | From: tonberry1
Subject: Good comparison | | I agree with the others. Superb comparison table.
Though I think there are some differences with virtualization too? | From: grateful Pole
Subject: opinion | | great work, man - kudos! made me choose the business edition. | From: edward
Subject: edward | | Nice! It very impressive. Well done. Best regards! | From: Vilyamaz
Subject: Unknown | | Hello! great idea of color of this siyte! | From: Hariharan S
Subject: Vista Ultimate v/s Business comparison ... | | It was really an excellent one and have all information at one place. It really helped me in decide which edition I can go in for.
Thanks and regards,
Hariharan S | From: Miguel
Subject: insightful | | This was really helpful in de-mystifying the features. You may have just saved me 50€.
Thank you. | From: K Rajendiran
Subject: Brilliant | | Very informative and will help all XP upgraders/new buyers to go for the right choice of Vista version. | From: gurxbwnpjx
Subject: gurxbwnpjx | | Hello! Good Site! Thanks you! bdyrbefnjis | From: Vilyamlo
Subject: Unknown | | From: Marc
Subject: Numeric Variables - RAM | | It is a bit incorrect to write down 4GB for any 32 bit version of any of the OSes here as it can only see less than 3GB in total available. The fourth GB is a waiste of money in a 32 bit system as it can't be used. | From: Benathanjamima
Subject: vista sucks | | the only good one is vista ultimate. and it's too expensive. the rest are all crap.
- who hates Microsoft? | From: ljx
Subject: Maximum RAM supported | | Vista 32-bit can't support 4GB of RAM, it can only support 3.50GB. | From: mi
Subject: Compare Vista Editions | | Very good comparision. Much more informative than given on Microsoft Site. | From: bill wiseman
Subject: Vista Comparison | | Very nice, Thanks! | From: jeff
Subject: Great | | Have been looking for a comparison site like this for ages, great work.
Thanks | From: NTUTHUKO SIBISI
Subject: FEASIBILITY STUDY | | IF I AM CURRENT USING XP IN MY BUSINESS WHICH DEAL WITH LENDING PEOPLE MONEY,IS TI FEASIBLE TO CHANGE FROM XP PROFESSIONAL TO VISTA BUSINES PREMIUM? |
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Windows vista editions Buy Vista
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NOTE: You can save up to $160 dollars if you do not want tech. support from Microsoft (You will get windows updates), To see how, Visit the checklist page.
Windows Vista OEM is meant to be cheaper since there is no tech support, But also installs on 1 computer only and can not be transferred to another computer |
Poll |
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