6

Chapter 1

Installing Windows Vista Client

Windows Vista Home Premium

Like Windows Vista Home Basic, Windows Vista Home Premium cannot be used in a domain.

It does, however, support the Aero GUI, it can be run on a Tablet PC, and it supports Media

Center functionality. Home Premium supports parental controls and allows users to have

more than three applications open at once.

Windows Vista Business

Windows Vista Business supports Aero and Tablet PC functionality. A Windows Vista busi-

ness PC can also be a member of a domain. Windows Vista Business does not support Media

Center and does not support full hard disk drive encryption.

Windows Vista Enterprise

Windows Vista Enterprise supports Aero and Tablet PC functionality. A Windows Vista

Enterprise computer can be a member of a domain and can use full hard disk drive encryp-

tion. Windows Vista Enterprise does not support Media Center functionality. Windows

Vista Enterprise is not available through regular retail channels and is available only to orga-

nizations that have their computers covered by Microsoft Software Assurance or a Microsoft

Enterprise Agreement.

Windows Vista Ultimate

Windows Vista Ultimate supports all features of Windows Vista Enterprise and Windows

Vista Premium. Computers running Windows Vista Ultimate can take full advantage of Media

Center functionality and can also be members of an Active Directory domain.

NOTE

European editions

European editions also exist of the Home Basic and Business Editions, designated as HOMEBASICN

and BUSINESSN on the edition selection screen. These editions lack the other editions’ multimedia

capabilities in order to comply with EU antitrust restrictions.

32-Bit and 64-Bit Editions

Windows Vista is available in both 32- and 64-bit editions. Although it is possible to run a

32-bit edition of Windows Vista on a computer with a 64-bit processor, it is not possible to run

a 64-bit edition of Windows Vista on a computer with a 32-bit processor. The primary advan-

tage of a 64-bit edition of Windows Vista is that it allows a computer to use significantly more

RAM than the 32-bit edition. The 64-bit editions of Windows Vista are generally used for spe-

cialized computing requirements, such as industrial design or computer generated special

effects.