Windows 7 Starter Edition Features and Restrictions (No 3 Running Applications Limit)

Windows 7 Starter is one of the SKU editions that available for Windows 7, and is engineered to target netbook small notebook PC class system worldwide, which typically has lower CPU clock speed and RAM memory. This is departure from Windows XP and Vista Starter Edition which was designed to run on low end equipment and sold only in developing markets. Instead, Windows 7 Home Basic is used to fill the gap for developing markets, which usually consists of underdeveloped countries.

The other main difference of Windows 7 Starter and Windows Vista Starter or Windows XP Starter Edition is on number of applications allowed to run concurrently. Previously, in Windows Vista Starter edition, user is restricted to open a maximum of three (3) running application at any one time, which excludes background processes such as anti-virus applications, wireless and Bluetooth, and system tools like Explorer and Control Panel. Such software coded limit on how many application programs user can run at one time simultaneously will be removed and dropped in Windows 7 Starter, according to Windows 7 Team blog. However, the limited amount of CPU processor processing power and physical RAM memory resources in the computer will continue to affect performance, indirectly number of programs able to run, till user gives up launching more apps due to crawling system.

Instead, Windows 7 Starter will include only a subset of the features offered in the higher editions of Windows 7 such as Windows 7 Home Premium, Windows 7 Professional and above, as shown in Windows 7 Editions’ Features Comparison Chart. For example, Windows 7 Starter does not include:

• Aero Glass, meaning you can only use the “Windows Basic” or other opaque themes. It also means you do not get Taskbar Previews or Aero Peek.
• Personalization features for changing desktop backgrounds, window colors, or sound schemes.
• The ability to switch between users without having to log off.
• Multi-monitor support.
• DVD playback.
• Windows Media Center for watching recorded TV or other media.
• Remote Media Streaming for streaming your music, videos, and recorded TV from your home computer.
• Domain support for business customers.
• XP Mode for those that want the ability to run older Windows XP programs on Windows 7.

The maximum hardware requirement guidelines for systems that can be sold with Windows 7 Starter Edition is been adjusted too to as follow:

• CPU: Single core processor that operates at 2GHz or less and has a CPU thermal design power that is 15W or less, not including graphics and chipset.
• Screen Size: 10.2 inches or smaller (previously 12.1″ for Windows Vista and XP Starter)
• RAM: 1GB or less
• Storage: Up to 250GB hard drive or 64GB SSD (previously 160GB or 32GB SSD for Windows Vista and XP Starter)
• Graphics: No restrictions on touch screen or graphics

Besides, Windows 7 Starter products will no longer use the usual Green PC COA (Certificate of Authenticity). Instead, the netbook will be pasted with a Blue PC COA for mature markets and a Rose PC COA for emerging markets. Check out more information and FAQ on Windows 7.

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This entry was posted on Friday, July 24th, 2009 at 1:13 am and is filed under Windows 7. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.