TechRadar.com wrote:The Release Candidate of Windows 7 is the Ultimate edition, with everything in, but there are some features you'll hear about that just won't work in other editions.
When you come to buy Windows 7, if you get Home Premium you'll lose other features that are only in Ultimate (and the Enterprise version for businesses).
A lot of the business-only features are things you wouldn't want to use, but some of them are tools we think everyone should have – and others are features we wish Microsoft could make simple enough to use at home.
1. Virtual XPGot a Windows XP game you still want to play that Vista can't run? Windows 7 won't do it, either, but if you shell out for Professional or Ultimate you'll get a version of Virtual PC that puts XP applications in what look like normal Windows 7 windows (and a free XP licence to keep it legal).
Finally, you could see your site on IE6 and IE8 at once. Microsoft says it's meant for business users; we say it's what you'll upgrade to Ultimate for and if it was in every version it would stop (nearly) all the complaints about compatibility.
XP IN WINDOWS 7: XP apps running in Windows 7 side by side - Microsoft says they'll be business apps
2. BitLockerIf you want to keep personal information private, you should encrypt it in case your disk is lost or stolen – or you forget to wipe it before you sell it on eBay. If identity thieves would want to steal it, Windows should protect it for you.
BitLocker disk encryption is powerful, simple and only in the Enterprise and Ultimate versions; at the very least it should be in the Professional Edition that many of the businesses you shop with will use.
SAFE AND SECURE: More and more PCs have the required TPM chip for BitLocker
3. BitLocker To GoIt's not just government departments and the security services that lose thumb drives with confidential information on; if you leave the USB stick with the backup of your tax forms and credit card statements down the pub, you'll wish it was encrypted.
Now that BitLocker can encrypt USB sticks and removable drives, it should be in every version.
SAFE STICKS: Businesses will force users to encrypt USB drives; home users should at least get the option
4. Multi-language supportBetween people who work abroad, travel a lot and just speak two languages, a lot of people would like to be able to switch Windows from one language to another. You'll be able to download language packs for Windows 7, but they only work in Enterprise and Ultimate (at least they work in Ultimate now).
MULTILINGUAL: You need Ultimate to switch languages
5. Boot from VHDThe virtual machine format from Virtual PC is a great way to back up a PC, complete with apps and settings. It can then be run on any PC; Ultimate can boot from a VHD directly so you don't need to mess around with installing it.
Not everyone needs it, but VHD boot could be a lifesaver in emergencies.
LIFESAVER: VHD boot lets you have multiple versions of Windows without multiple installs
6. DirectAccessIf you keep files on a desktop PC or a NAS, wouldn't it be handy if you could see them on your laptop even when you're not at home? Some home routers have a VPN built in, but they're not easy to use.
DirectAccess is utterly simple, connects you remotely as if you were on the same network – and needs a Windows Server 2008 R2 machine and an IPv6 network, which many businesses don't have, let alone your home network. Everyone would find this useful, but it needs too much extra technology.
7. BranchCacheThe first person in an office using BranchCache who downloads something gets it as slowly as usual; everyone else gets a peer-to-peer copy from them much faster.
That would speed things up if there were two of you wanting that new Office 2007 Service pack (or anything else you might be downloading) but again, you need an R2 server.
