Windows Vista Basic Edition Specification and Features - What's in Vista Basic

Regina Woodard
Categories : Windows platform ,Computing
Tags : Review ,Computing windows platform topics vista support

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Introduction

Microsoft’s Vista operating system is the most robust office tool they have produced, so far, with time-saving and enabling features, skills, and abilities for the office and home requiring formidable hardware to use the set of new capabilities designed into Vista. It’s available in four primary versions - Vista Home Basic, Vista Home Premium, Vista Business and Vista Ultimate. The fifth version, Vista Enterprise, is intended to service big corporations and it’s only obtainable using Microsoft’s corporate Software Assurance Program. Information on the various options available to you can help with knowing the Vista’s hardware requirements as well as which version will best serve your needs, whether it be for the home or the office.

In this part one of a two part series on Vista’s versions, we will discuss Vista Home Basic and Vista Home Premium Editions, including the differences between them, the features included with each and the capabilities common to both.

Tips and Tricks

The computer system you use may have the ability to run the Vista Home Basic and Vista Home Premium Editions, but this doesn’t mean it will support the full set of features included in these editions. Fortunately, Microsoft has thought of this and even if the system isn’t up to the hardware grade required, Vista Home Basic and Vista Home Premium Editions may still be installed. Vista in most instances will automatically power-down certain features to allow them to continue to function or turn-off particular capabilities to allow the system to still operate Vista within operating parameters. Click the link to read on how to circumvent this possibility by using the Vista Upgrade Advisor.

Options Included with Both Versions

Windows Remote Desktop
Windows Instant Search
Partial Windows Mobility Center
Automatic content organization using file properties and tags
Internet Explorer 7.0
Windows Firewall
Windows Defender
Windows Update
Windows Security Center
Vista’s User Account Controls
Windows ReadyDrive
Supports 64-bit processor
Vista’s Basic user interface
Automatic disc defragmentation
Windows Mail
Wiindows Calendar
Windows Sidebar
Supports simultaneous SMB peer network connects
Backup and recovery of user files and folders
Sleep capability
Windows Easy Transfer
Windows Media Player 11
Windows Photo Gallery
Automatic computer system tuning and hardware diagnostics
Games Explorer
Windows Sync Center
Windows Network Center
Support for all available game controllers
Can use XPS documents
Windows Speech Recognition

The Features Included with Each Version

Vista Home Premium Edition has all the features available with Vista Home Basic, including the list below of additional features included with Vista Home Basic.

Windows Movie Maker
Parental Controls
Ability to make slide shows
You can install up to 4GB of RAM in a 32-bit system and up to 8GB in the 64-bit systems

Features included in Vista Home Premium, but not Vista Home Basic versions.

Beautiful Aero Interface
Windows Media Center
Ability to make high definition movies
Ability to make DVDs
Access to premium games
Backup of your folders to a network device
Ability to schedule backup of your files
Ability to setup the presentation and look of your computer
Computer to computer synchronization
Windows SideShow
Ability to use Network Projection
Support for Windows Tablet PCs
Can support up to 4GB in 32-bit systems and up to 16 GB in the 64-bit systems
Windows Media Center

This post is part of the series: Comparison between Vista Basic and Vista Ultimate Editions

Vista comes in four different versions, from Vista Basic versions to Vista Ultimate versions. This is a comprehensive comparison between the various basic and ultimate versions and what each can do to help you be more productive around the office.