Key Difference: Windows 7 Home Basic is a version that is not widely available everywhere; it is only available in certain ‘emerging markets’ and is limited to 141 countries. Windows Home Basic as the name suggests is a very basic version of Windows and only allows users limited capability. The Windows 7 Professional is an edition designed specifically for small business owners. It includes all of the features of the Windows 7 Home Premium and adds a few additional features of its own.

Windows 7 is an operating system that was launched by Microsoft in October 2009 as an upgrade to Windows Vista. Similar to the other Windows operating systems, the company launched editions or a variety of the operating system with limited or additional features. These variations allow users to spend only on the features that are bound to use, with the other features reserved for professionals. Windows 7 Home Basic and Windows 7 Professional are two different editions of the Windows 7 operating system. The Windows 7 Home Basic is only available in emerging markets and has limited capabilities, while the Professional edition is targeted at the small business owners and offers additional features.

Windows 7 Home Basic is a version that is not widely available everywhere; it is only available in certain ‘emerging markets’ and is limited to 141 countries. Windows Home Basic as the name suggests is a very basic version of Windows and only allows users limited capability. The Home Basic version excludes certain Windows Aero options that were introduced with Windows Vista. This allows users only partial support to the aesthetic features that are provided by the Aero. In addition to limited aesthetic appeal, there are also a few functionality limitations. Home Basic does not come pre-installed with Windows Media Center. However, this can be purchased and downloaded from the company’s website. The lack of Windows Media Center limits media centralization and TV capabilities of the user. The core function of the Media Center is to consolidate all media needs of the user in one place. It also allows users to watch TV online as well as attach TV tuner. Movies, photos, videos and music functions are still allowed in Home Basic, but users are required to access different applications separately for each function.

The Windows 7 Professional is an edition designed specifically for small business owners. It includes all of the features of the Windows 7 Home Premium and adds a few additional features of its own. This is the third-most expensive edition that is available on the market.  The CD includes both the 32-bit and the 64-bit versions that let’s the user decide which architecture they want to incorporate depending on their RAM usage and the amount of data processed. The main function of the Professional edition is its ability to connect to business networks with Domain Join. Professional also offers mobility features such as ability to detect the closest printer based on the network that is logged on, as well as data protection capabilities. It includes additional features such as Restore Previous Versions, HomeGroup, advanced backup options and Windows Media Center.

All versions of Windows 7, except the Windows 7 Starter and Home Basic version will play DVDs without the need for downloading any extra software. All versions of Windows 7 will receive Mainstream Support until January 2015 and Extended Support till January 2020.

This checklist is adapted from the diagrams provided by Microsoft to Neowin.net.

Image Courtesy: windows7professionalproductkeys.com, amazon.com