Multiple versions of Windows 7 not new to beta build 7025

Insert "fail to learn from mistakes doomed to repeat them..."

So Windows 7 will be the exact same total failure as Vista because of the same Consumer confusion from 12 different versions. Awesome.

Hopefully it will be the straw that breaks the camels back and end Redmonds reign of terror once and for all.

...so Windows 7 completely fails after no one can figure out which version is for them, then what? re-release XP? Special 15 year anniversary edition?

I'm not sure what all the fuss is about the multiple versions. It's pretty easy to disguinish, and consumers aren't even fed all the versions. I would say that a majority, if not almost 97% of all the consumer sold computers ship with Home Premium, abd the consumer isn't even told much about the other versions really.Those who buy ultimate obviously know what's in ultimate (or what won't come with it), and those who get business, are obviously aiming for a system aimed at business purposes (not sure what the point of business version is anyways). The only time I would think people get confused is when they configure a computer to order, and not buy a pre-configured. Honestly if you're going to configure you'd probably know what all the components are, at least have some idea, same with the OS you're choosing. So I would say that many consumers just go for pre-configed and just go with whatever OS is on there, and pretty much go for the one with the highest specs since bigger is better. I think this multiple version thing is just being too blown out of perspective. The biggest factor that played in Vista demise was really how easily widespread gossip got about how "bad" the system is. Honestly, the OS is decent (didn't say great), and for most people it works, just for internet and email.

I'm all about multiple versions. Three to be exact. Home, Pro, Server. Leave it at that. Have both the 32 and 64 bit versions on one disc (double layer dvd ftw!), and make it easy for consumers. Just like XP, most consumers know, if they needed Pro or Server, they'd already know it, so they pick Home, and it works for them.

The most popular version is Home Premium which includes 80% of the stuff Ultimate has.

I'm not even sure why MS made Ultimate, it's just a bunch of add-ons that I could do without and use 3rd party add-ons.

Whoever said the consumers are fed 12 different versions is just a troll.

Business Basic is used by businesses and the public really only knows Ultimate, home premium, and home basic.

Multiple versions of Windows make sense for Microsoft. Why would Microsoft give away Windows Ultimate for certain countries, netbooks and ever falling prices of ultra-cheap notebooks or desktops? Business versions of Windows shouldn't be used to run Media Center, and Home versions shouldn't join domains.

As I see it, it makes sense that there is a Starter version for certain countries so that companies in piracy strife countries can have legitimate licences (I doubt a legitimate licence would attract private consumers in these countries), Home Basic for netbooks and cheap notebooks and desktops so that can remain cheap instead of being burdened with an Ultimate licence, Home Premium is the version for premium consumers with Media Center and Business for those who join domains.

I believe there could be a little consolidation of versions (I don't know why certain open licences should receive Enterprise instead of Business - they're already saving money with an open licence - why give them additional features on top of the Business version), however other versions are mandated by legal courts (Microsoft are forced to offer N variants comply with court directives).

From what I see, people don't buy retail versions of Windows as opposed to new computers that come pre-loaded with a certain version of Windows. I would rather have cheaper, alternative versions to keep prices down rather than sell Ultimate to all devices, probably resulting in nearly doubling the price of netbooks with half of price going to an Ultimate licence.

If you check the Checked/Debugged version of the first build you will find all of these versions and then more. The Checked/Debugged version also has the N builds of Windows (the ones without Windows Media Player). And don't forget the EU wants IE removed from windows. That could splinter Windows even more.

If you've installed the Windows 7 beta from an iso image using a virtualization app like VMWare, you've seen this screen already. Just like Windows Vista, when you leave the CD key field blank, Windows 7's setup asks you to specify which version you want to install.

I left my CD key blank because I hadn't written it down and didn't feel like going to another computer to login to Technet and write it down.

I didn't get prompted for what version I wanted to install. Then I kept wondering why it wasn't prompting me to input the key!