No matter how you use your PC—from home entertainment to business productivity—there's an edition of Windows Vista that's right for you. Please see below for your all important overview of the different versions of Windows Vista.

Home Premium

Windows Vista Home Premium is the preferred edition for home desktop and mobile PCs. It provides a breakthrough design that brings your world into sharper focus while delivering the productivity, entertainment, and security you need from your PC at home or on the go.

Features Missing from Windows Vista Home Premium

No support for two processors
Backup limitations: No support for ShadowCopy or image-based system backup/recovery
No file system encryption
No desktop deployment tools
No policy based QoS networking
No Rights Management Services (RMS) Client
No control over installation of device drivers
No network Access Protection Client agent
No pluggable logon authentication architecture
No integrated smart card management
No BitLocker drive encryption support
No support for worldwide interface languages or simultaneous installations of multiple user interface languages
No subsystem for UNIX-based applications
Does not provide Virtual PC Express
No Windows Ultimate Extras
Small Business Resources
Windows fax and scan
Wireless network provisioning
Only partial support for Windows Mobility Center
Cannot join a network domain
Remote desktop client support, but cannot serve as host
No group policy support
No offline files and folders support
No client-side caching
No support for roaming user profiles
No support for folder redirection
You may not install IIS

Home Basic

Windows Vista Home Basic is ideal for homes with basic computing needs like e-mail, browsing the Internet, and viewing photos. Easy to set up and maintain, it enables you to quickly find what you're looking for on your PC and the Internet, while providing a more secure environment to help protect you from an unpredictable world.

Features Missing from Home Basic

No support for two processors
Backup limitations: No support for ShadowCopy or image-based system backup/recovery.
No file system encryption
No desktop deployment tools
No policy based QoS networking
No Rights Management Services (RMS) Client
No control over installation of device drivers
No network Access Protection Client agent
No pluggable logon authentication architecture
No integrated smart card management
No BitLocker drive encryption support
No support for worldwide interface languages or simultaneous installations of multiple user interface languages
No subsystem for UNIX-based applications
Does not provide Virtual PC Express
No Windows Ultimate Extras
Small Business Resources
Windows fax and scan
Wireless network provisioning
Only partial support for Windows Mobility Center
Cannot join a network domain
Remote desktop client support, but cannot serve as host
No group policy support
No offline files and folders support
No client-side caching
No support for roaming user profiles
No support for folder redirection
You may not install IIS
No support for scheduled backups or for the backup of files to a network device.
No Aero user interface (glass, live thumbnails, dynamic windows, etc.)
No themed slide shows
No Windows Media Center (recording television, Xbox extensions, HD Movie Maker, and DVD maker) Note: home basic does provide Windows Movie Maker (just not the HD version)
No new premium games
Limited to 5 SMB peer network connections (vice the 10 supported by the other editions)
No tablet PC support
No Windows Slideshow feature
Windows Meeting space support is limited to “view only”
No PC-to-PC synchronization
No network projection
No presentation settings

Ultimate

Windows Vista Ultimate is the choice for those who want to have it all. Easily shift between the worlds of productivity and play with the most complete edition of Windows Vista. Ultimate provides the power, security, and mobility features needed for work, and all the entertainment features that you want for fun.

Features Missing from Windows Vista Ulitmate

None

Business

Windows Vista Business is the first edition of Windows designed specifically to meet the needs of small businesses. You'll spend less time on technology support-related issues—so you can spend more time making your business successful. Windows Vista Business is the definitive choice for your business today and tomorrow.

Features Missing From Business

Parental controls are not available
No Windows Ultimate Extras
No themed slide shows
No Windows Media Center (recording television, Xbox extensions, HD movie maker, and DVD maker)