Windows Vista is the latest release of the Windows operating system for client computers. The five main editions of Windows Vista available are:

Windows Vista Home Basic -  A budget edition of Windows Vista for home users. It includes a basic set of entertainment features, but does not include features for joining a domain.

Windows Vista Home Premium -  An enhanced edition of Windows Vista that includes a premium set of entertainment features, but does not include features for joining a domain.

Windows Vista Business -  A basic edition of Windows Vista for business users. It includes a basic set of management features as well as features for joining a domain.

Windows Vista Enterprise -   An enhanced edition of Windows Vista for business users. It includes an extended set of management features as well as features for joining a domain.

Windows Vista Ultimate -   An enhanced edition of Windows Vista that includes the best of all the available home user and business user features as well as features for joining a domain.

All the main editions of Windows Vista support both 32-bit and 64-bit hardware. While earlier releases of the Windows operating system could not be upgraded from one edition to another, Microsoft provides an easy upgrade path from the basic editions to the enhanced editions of Windows Vista.

Hi, my name is William R. Stanek. I have over 20 years of hands-on experience with advanced programming and development. My 65 books include: "Microsoft Windows Vista Administrator's Pocket Consultant 2nd Edition", "Windows Server 2003 Inside Out", "Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 Administrator's Pocket Consultant", and "Microsoft IIS 7.0 Administrator's Pocket Consultant" (all from Microsoft Press). I also wrote “MCSE Core Exams in a Nutshell” and “Windows Vista: The Definitive Guide” for O’Reilly. I have an MS degree in Information Systems with distinction, and a BS degree in Computer Science magna cum laude. For fun I use to spend a lot of time mountain biking and hiking, but now my adventures in the great outdoors are mostly restricted to short treks around the Pacific Northwest.

Table 1 provides an overview of the differences between these editions. When one or more of these editions supports a feature that another edition doesn’t support, the feature is listed according to the editions that support the feature. Features supported by all these editions of Windows Vista are not listed.

Microsoft Windows Vista Administrator’s Pocket Consultant

By William R. Stanek

Microsoft Windows Vista Administrator’s Pocket Consultant is the readable reference that you will want on your desktop at all times. The guide is designed for quick access so you can easily find what you are looking for, and features in depth coverage of Windows Vista issues like Windows desktop customization, mobile networking, remote access and security. You’ll get the precise information you need to solve problems and get the job done—whether you are at your desk or in the field.

Windows Vista Administrator's Pocket Consultant is available everywhere Microsoft books are sold. I hope you'll order the book from your favorite bookstore. All on-line bookstores carry the book as well. Here's the direct link to order the book at these bookstores:

Amazon.com
BarnesAndNoble.com

Windows Vista: The Definitive Guide

By William R. Stanek

With this new operating system, every corner of traditional Windows has been tweaked, overhauled, or replaced entirely. Windows Vista: The Definitive Guide offers complete details on new features and enhancements, including the superior searching and organization tools, the multimedia and collaboration suite, and the massive, top-to-bottom security-shield reconstruction. With details on setup and deployment and a detailed reference section, bestselling author and Windows expert William Stanek puts power users in full control of Windows Vista. As an added bonus, a handy, complete menu map of all versions of Vista can be found in the endpapers.

Windows Vista: The Definitive Guide is available everywhere Microsoft books are sold. I hope you'll order the book from your favorite bookstore. All on-line bookstores carry the book as well. Here's the direct link to order the book at these bookstores:

Amazon.com
BarnesAndNoble.com

Thank you for visiting. This article is provided as a Web extra for Windows Vista Administrator’s Pocket Consultant published by Microsoft Learning and written by me, William R. Stanek. You can find the current version of this document at www.williamstanek.com/vista/.

Learn more about Windows Vista... click here.

Download the Windows Vista Group Policy Reference for administrators... click here.

Everything you ever wanted to know about installing Windows Vista but were afraid to ask... click here.

Where Is It In Windows Vista: The Reference... click here.

Resolving Sleep/Resume and iPod, iTunes, My Book Compatibility Problems... click here.

Get tips and advice for installing Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1)... click here.

Resolving Boot and Installation Issues After Installing Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) or Windows Server 2008... click here.

In summary, if you’re in the market for Windows Vista, make get the edition that supports the features you use the most. If you're not happy with the edition you install, upgrade your edition without having to reinstall using Windows Anytime Upgrade. To help you with customizing your new PC and Windows Vista, I hope you’ll buy Windows Vista: The Definitive Guide (O’Reilly, Feb 2007) or Windows Vista Administrator’s Pocket Consultant (Microsoft, Dec 2006). I wrote these books and I hope you’ll agree they’re pretty good.

Thank you for reading this article. I look forward to writing more articles.

William R. Stanek (http://www.williamstanek.com)