What is the Difference Between Windows 7 Professional and Windows 7 Ultimate?

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Windows 7 Professional and Windows 7 Ultimate are two different editions of the Windows 7 operating system, each designed to cater to specific user needs. Here are the main differences between the two:

  • Feature Set: Windows 7 Ultimate includes all the features of both Home Premium and Professional, plus additional features such as BitLocker encryption and Multilingual User Interface (MUI) support. Windows 7 Professional includes all the features of Home Premium, but does not have all the advanced features available in Ultimate.
  • BitLocker Drive Encryption: Windows 7 Ultimate features BitLocker Drive Encryption, which helps secure data against hackers or unauthorized access by encrypting the entire drive. This feature is not available in Windows 7 Professional.
  • Virtual Hard Disk Boot: Windows 7 Ultimate can boot from a virtual hard disk (VHD), while Windows 7 Professional cannot.
  • BranchCache: Windows 7 Ultimate has the BranchCache feature, which is not present in the Professional edition.
  • Additional Enhancements: Windows 7 Ultimate includes additional enhancements to VDI (Virtual Desktop Infrastructure) and MUI (Multilingual User Interface) languages, which are not available in the Professional edition.

In summary, Windows 7 Ultimate is a more comprehensive edition with additional features and tools compared to Windows 7 Professional. Users who require enhanced security, language support, or other advanced features may choose Windows 7 Ultimate, while those who only need the basic features may opt for Windows 7 Professional.

Comparative Table: Windows 7 Professional vs Windows 7 Ultimate

Here is a table summarizing the main differences between Windows 7 Professional and Windows 7 Ultimate:

Feature Windows 7 Professional Windows 7 Ultimate
Support Length Until January 2020 Until January 2015
Cost Cost less Cost more
AppLocker Not present Present, can block software from running
Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) Not present Present
Administrative Tools Not available Available
Media Center Present Present with more features (DVD Maker, Movie Maker)
BitLocker Drive Encryption Not present Present

Windows 7 Professional is targeted towards enthusiasts, small-business users, and schools, while Windows 7 Ultimate is designed for users who need more advanced features. Ultimate includes additional applications like DVD Maker, Movie Maker, and Media Center, as well as BitLocker Drive Encryption for secure data storage. If you need all the bells and whistles, Windows 7 Ultimate is the way to go. However, if you just need the basics, Windows 7 Professional will suffice.