Question

As a .NET developer, should I have Windows 7 Professional? Or Home Premium?

Asked by: jkurant

I guess I am being lazy in not looking up for myself what the differences are between Home Premium and Professional, but I also find it hard to really get the information I need from the Microsoft website without getting bogged down in marketing. So... is there any reason I should get Windows 7 Pro instead of Home Premium (as a developer)?

I currently use my XP box to update my old VB6 code still in production, and am using my 32-bit Vista box for .NET 2008 development of the next generation of the same product. I'm getting a 64-bit Window 7 machine and am wondering whether I need or will benefit from having Windows 7 Pro.

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Asked On
2009-10-26 at 14:47:56ID24845381
Tags

Windows 7 .NET development

Topics

Windows 7

,

.Net Editors & IDEs

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Answers

 

by: rmmarshPosted on 2009-10-26 at 14:54:33ID: 25667338

I'm also a developer, and the only reason I would even think of going to Pro would be for the ability to run the special Win XP and Virtual machine (both are free from MS).  Other than that, I can't see any reason.

That said, I have not tried to compile an application in VS C# Express yet, but will probably get to that this weekend (I purchased a new Toshiba with Win 7 Home pre-installed).

Good luck!

 

by: h2g2guyPosted on 2009-10-26 at 15:04:39ID: 25667426

There are only really two differences that you'd be interested in.  

First of all, try running VB6 on Vista (I've never tried it, so I don't know if it would work).  If it doesn't work, you'll probably want to get Win7 Pro.  It supports 'Windows XP Mode,' which effectively allows you to use 99.9% of programs that run in XP, but not Vista or 7 (normally).  This is NOT the same thing as 'Compatibility Mode', and it's not available on Win7 Home Premium.  It's really just a virtual machine without the OS visibly running, so the programs are available for running exactly like any other, except that the title bar looks like that from XP.  If I've just confused the heck out of you, check out this link:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/products/features/windows-xp-mode

The other thing:  Do you want to back up your information to a home or office network hard drive or computer?  If so, you'll want to get Win7 Pro.  Home Premium supports backup and restore, but only to local media.  

If you want an easy to read list that is not ENTIRELY filled with marketing, here ya go:  

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/products/compare

In conclusion, here's what it really boils down to:  If you don't need Windows XP mode, and you don't need to backup to a network, you don't need Win7 Pro.  

 

by: vallisPosted on 2009-10-26 at 15:06:26ID: 25667448

In addition to the XP mode rmmarsh mentioned, you get  to connect to company networks easily and more securely with Domain Join and  in addition to full-system Backup and Restore (in all editions) you can back up to a network.

Nothing that would interfere with development use.

The differences in the editions are such that I can't understand why Microsoft don't go the same way as Apple and just settle on one-size-fits-all. Totally unnecessary complication and confusion.

 

by: vallisPosted on 2009-10-26 at 15:07:45ID: 25667457

Sorry h2g2guy

Cross post.

:(

 

by: rmmarshPosted on 2009-10-26 at 15:10:39ID: 25667483

"The differences in the editions are such that I can't understand why Microsoft don't go the same way as Apple and just settle on one-size-fits-all. Totally unnecessary complication and confusion."

It's very simple... they wouldn't make the millions (if not billions) of dollars they are gonna make if they acted like Apple and the other non-money grubbers!

 

by: h2g2guyPosted on 2009-10-26 at 15:30:09ID: 25667670

rmmarsh:

C# Express does work on Win7 (at least, Win7 RC).  

vallis:

I think that checklist from my first post really sums up the point of the several versions:  pay less if you need less, pay more if you need more.  Bitlocker is a really neat feature that's worth quite a bit of money IMO, but I don't need it, so I'll save the $20 (or $120, since I preordered).  

Although Apple's one-size-fits-all scheme is nice and simplistic (and Apple-esque, which I DO appreciate, I own an iPod 5th gen), it isn't really true that one size fits all IMO.

 

by: vallisPosted on 2009-10-26 at 15:30:30ID: 25667673

But does the extra income make up for the extra overhead all the way down the chain from developers to retailers? Not to mention the consumer backlash?

Having just been bitten by tha Apple bug I have to say that although their software policies and pricing leave Microsoft for dead, the saving is soon gobbled up on the Apple hardware tax!

Sorry. This is getting off topic.

 

by: h2g2guyPosted on 2009-10-26 at 19:56:08ID: 25668824

Heh, heh.  I agree with you on all four points, the fourth being that I have also recently been bitten by the Apple bug (although I have not succumbed to the pressure yet)!

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