Licensing and Version Information
Downgrade Rights:
- 18 months after the general availability of Windows 7 the OEM
license of Windows 7 Professional and Ultimate will include downgrade
rights to Windows XP Professional.
- After that period the OEM license will enable downgrade rights to Windows Vista Business.
- Volume Licenses and Active Software Assurance will continue to offer full downgrade rights.
Windows 7 Business Editions – Professional and Enterprise
Professional
Business-focused
SKU for smaller companies who have multiple PCs and servers,
networking, backup, and security needs. Available through OEM and retail
channels.
Enterprise
Business-focused
SKU for managed environments, advanced data protection, networking and
security needs. Available through SA agreement.
Licensing for Virtual Desktops
Windows
Virtual Enterprise Centralized Desktop (Windows VECD) and Windows VECD
for Software Assurance (SA) will no longer appear on the price list.
Virtual
desktop access rights will become a Windows Client Software Assurance
benefit. Customers who intend on using PCs covered under SA will now be
able to access their Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) desktops at no
additional charge.
Customers who want to use devices such as
thin clients that do not qualify for Windows Client SA would need to
license those devices with a new license called Windows Virtual Desktop
Access (Windows VDA) to be able to access a Windows VDI desktop. Windows
VDA is also applicable to third party devices, such as contractor or
employee-owned PCs.
Making the Experience Better Together with Windows 7
Windows Server 2008 R2 has many features that are designed
specifically to work with client computers running Windows 7. Windows 7
is the next version of the Windows operating system from Microsoft.
Features that are only available when running Windows 7 client computers
with server computers running Windows Server 2008 R2 include:
Simplified remote connectivity for corporate computers by using the DirectAccess feature
One
common problem facing most organizations is remote connectivity for
their mobile users. One of the most widely used solutions for connecting
remote users is a virtual private network (VPN) connection. Depending
on the type of VPN, users may need to install VPN client software on
their mobile computer and then establish the VPN connection over the
Internet. The DirectAccess feature in Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008
R2 allows Windows 7 client computers to directly connect to
intranet-based resources without the complexity of establishing a VPN
connection. The user has the same connectivity experience both in and
outside of the office. The following figure contrasts the current
VPN-based solutions with the DirectAccess solution.
Secured remote connectivity for private and public computers
Another
common problem for remote users is the ability to access intranet-based
resources from computers that are not owned by the user’s organization,
such as public computers or Internet kiosks. Without a mobile computer
provided by their organization, most users are unable to access
intranet-based resources. A combination of the Remote Workspace,
Presentation Virtualization, and Remote Desktop Gateway features allows
users on Windows 7 clients to remotely access their intranet-based
resources without requiring any additional software to be installed on
the Windows 7 client. This allows your users to remotely access their
desktop as though they were working from their computer on the intranet.
From the user’s perspective, the desktop on the remote Windows 7 client
transforms to look like the user’s desktop on the intranet, including
icons, Start menu items, and installed applications that are identical
to the user’s experience on his or her own computer. When the remote
user closes the remote session, the remote Windows 7 client desktop
environment reverts to the previous configuration.
Improved performance for branch offices
Driven
by challenges of reducing cost and complexity of Branch IT,
organizations are seeking to centralize applications. However, as
organizations centralize applications the dependency on the availability
and quality of the WAN link increases. A direct result of
centralization is the increased utilization of the WAN link, and the
degradation of application performance. Recent studies have shown that
despite the reduction of costs associated with WAN links, WAN costs are
still a major component of enterprises’ operational expenses.
More efficient power management
Windows
7 includes a number of power-management features that allow you to
control power utilization in your organization with a finer degree of
granularity than in previous operating systems. Windows 7 allows you to
take advantage of the latest hardware developments for reducing power
consumption in desktop and laptop computers. Windows Server 2008 R2
includes a number of Group Policy settings that allow you to centrally
manage the power consumption of computers running Windows 7.
Improved virtualized desktop integration
Windows
7 introduces the RemoteApp & Desktop (RAD) feeds feature, which
helps integrate desktops and applications virtualized by using Remote
Desktop Services with the Windows 7 user interface. This integration
makes the user experience for running virtualized applications or
desktops the same as running the applications locally.
New Features
Virtual Desktop Infrastructure
Delivering desktop functionality using virtual machines hosted on
servers—a solution known as Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)—is an
emerging model for desktop deployment that enables users to access their
desktops remotely, thereby centralizing data, applications, and
operating systems. VDI is a fast-evolving technology, and Windows 7
delivers the latest enhancements to provide a richer user experience and
easier management for IT.
Management tools to Improve IT Productivity
Every IT enterprise IT department strives to manage large numbers of
client computers effectively, make the most of available IT staff, and
minimize support and training costs. Windows 7 management technologies
enable powerful automation, troubleshooting, and configuration
features—features that help IT pros become more productive, reduce
costs, reduce support calls, and keep users productive while enabling
more flexible configuration across the organization.
Compatibility with Windows Vista
Microsoft is committed to maximizing application compatibility
between Windows Vista and Window 7. The majority of applications that
already work on Windows Vista will continue to work with little or no
issues. Much of the work done to mitigate applications in Windows Vista
will carry over to Windows 7 deployments due to the underlying
similarity of the two operating systems and efforts by Microsoft and its
partners to provide compatibility. For example, application updates
created for Windows Vista can be applied to Windows 7 as well.
Direct Access enhances Mobility and Manageability
Working outside the office is about to become a lot simpler.
DirectAccess in Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 enhances the
productivity of mobile workers by connecting them seamlessly and more
securely to their corporate network any time they have Internet
access—without the need to VPN. When IT enables DirectAccess, the whole
corporate network file shares, intranet Web sites, and line-of-business
applications can remain accessible wherever you have an Internet
connection.