| Home Basic | Home Premium | Business | Ultimate |
 |
| SAFETY AND SECURITY | | | | |
User Account Control
Most operations and applications can be run with user level permissions, as opposed to administrator. This helps reduce the impact of malware, the installation of unauthorized software and unapproved system changes. |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Windows Security Center | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Internet Explorer 7
The main focus is easy navigation, robust security and a user friendly platform for web development and manageability. |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Windows Update | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Parental Controls | Yes | Yes | | Yes |
Windows ReadyDriveTM
ReadyDriveTM is designed to help provide faster boot-up, hibernate, resume with computers equipped with new hybrid hard drives that integrate non-volatile flash memory with the disk drive. |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Sleep
Vista introduces new power state called sleep which is a combination of standby and hibernate into a single power-saving state. Sleep is designed to save documents, applications and data to both the hard drive and memory. |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Windows Backup
Introduces the ability to backup to CD, DVD, external hard drive, or network share. System Restore can now restore directly from Windows Recovery Environment, allowing system restoration even if computer can not boot into Windows. |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| USER EXPERIENCE AND BUILT-IN APPLICATIONS | | | | |
| Windows Vista® Basic | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Windows Aero®
Graphically intensive desktop consisting of professional-looking transparent glass design, with subtle effects such as dynamic reflections and smooth animations. | |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Instant Search
As you type Vista searches filenames, metadata and the full text of all files instantly displaying the choices organized by the type of asset (program, document, applications, email messages, etc.) |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Tagging Files
Vista's search and organization features extensively utilize file properties (metadata) to provide users with an even more dynamic way to interact with their information. Users can tag photos, music and documents, providing more flexibility in file organization. |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Windows SuperFetch
Superfetch is a new memory management algorithm that can make the computer more responsive by prioritizing user applications over background tasks. |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Windows ReadyBoostTM
ReadyBoostTM can extend system memory by the use of a USB 2.0 storage device. |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Low Priority I/O
Vista introduces the concept, which allows background processes to run with lower-priority access to the hard drive than user applications. |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Windows Mail | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Windows Calendar | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Windows Sidebar and Gadgets
Customizable mini-applications that offer useful information at a glance and provide easy access to frequently used tools. |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Windows Photo Gallery | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Windows Media Player 11 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Windows Media Center 2
No longer a separate OS, but integrated into Home Premium and Ultimate editions. In the US, Media Center 2 will offer support for high-definition digital cable using Open Cable Unidirectional Receiver (OCUR) devices. | |
Yes | |
Yes |
Windows Movie Maker
Allows users to import, edit, manage and burn digital home videos, including ones in the new high-definition video (HDV) format. HDV only available in Home Premium and Ultimate editions. |
Yes |
Yes | |
Yes |
| Windows DVD Maker | | Yes | | Yes |
Speech Recognition
Allows you to significantly limit the use of the mouse and keyboard while maintaining productivity. Manage Windows Vista® and applications; dictate documents and e-mail messages and fill out forms on the web. |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| PERFORMANCE AND CONNECTIVITY | | | | |
Networking
Vista introduces Network Center, where the user can check the connection status, see the network visually, and troubleshoot a connection problem. Vista also introduces Network Map, a visual representation of the network that displays computers and devices as well as the way they are connected. |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Windows Hotstart
Hotstart is a new feature that allows the user to immediately start any application regardless of power state (sleep, hibernation, on or off). Typically, this would be a media program, so that within a few seconds of pressing the button the user could be watching a DVD or listening to a CD. |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Windows SideShowTM
SideShow is a program that makes use of gadgets to display useful information (emails, battery life, meeting reminders, or title of song playing) to secondary SideShow-enabled display devices even while the PC is powered down. |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Windows Vista® Home Premium 
Windows Vista® Business 
Windows Vista® Ultimate